The development of new mechanical actuators that convert external stimuli such as thermal, light, electrical, or chemical energy to mechanical energy depends on the development of new materials. Reversible mechanical actuators based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and hydrogel polymers have suggested applications in robotics, sensors, mechanical instruments, microscopy tips, switches, and memory chi...

Isocyanates are a frequent cause of occupational asthma. Specific inhalation challenges are often required to confirm the diagnosis. The inhaled concentration has to be assessed during this procedure. However, the respiratory retention of di-isocyanate has not, to the authors knowledge, been evaluated in humans. The existence of a closed-circuit apparatus, designed to carry out these challenges...

This paper aims at making a study on the bonding properties of birch with API adhesive. A non-formaldehyde adhesive to improve the bonding strength and water resistance of the emulsion was investigated. The adhesive was a composite system that was formulated from polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) emulsion, PVA, isocyanate and some other additives. In this study the effect of isocyanate at room temperatu...

We have demonstrated a method to disperse and exfoliate graphite to give graphene suspended in water-surfactant solutions. Optical characterisation of these suspensions allowed the partial optimisation of the dispersion process. Transmission electron microscopy showed the dispersed phase to consist of small graphitic flakes. More than 40% of these flakes had <5 layers with ~3% of flakes consist...

This paper presents a fabric based asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) with metal coated cloths as the electrode and current collector. Graphite paste printed on silver textile (Berlin) is used negative nickel/copper/silver plated (Nora Dell) positive electrode. Biocompatible polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-potassium chloride (KCl) gel electrolyte for ASC fabrication. During electrochemical process, oxides...

OBJECTIVES Although respiratory exposures have been the primary concern with isocyanates, skin exposure also can occur and may contribute to sensitization and asthma. Methodologies to assess isocyanate skin exposure in the workplace are limited and skin exposure data scarce. The goals of this study were (i) to evaluate and validate the isocyanate colorimetric indicators against a quantitative a...

Abstract Over the past decade, an increasingly sophisticated literature has sought to capture nature, sources, and consequences of a novel empirical phenomenon in world politics: growing complexity global governance. However, this paid only limited attention questions measurement, which is prerequisite for more comprehensive understanding governance across space time. In taking first step direc...

In two recent publications (Ramaty et al. 2000a; Ramaty, Lingenfelter & Kozlovsky 2000b) we developed an Fe, O and LiBeB evolutionary model based on a Monte-Carlo approach. We allowed each core collapse supernova to eject Fe and O according to the calculations of Woosley & Weaver (1995, hereafter WW95) or the values given by Tsujimoto & Shigeyama (1998, hereafter TS). For Fe, we added the contr...

In this article, PtAg alloy nanoislands/graphene hybrid composites were prepared based on the self-organization of Au@PtAg nanorods on graphene sheets. Graphite oxides (GO) were prepared and separated to individual sheets using Hummer's method. Graphene nano-sheets were prepared by chemical reduction with hydrazine. The prepared PtAg alloy nanomaterial and the hybrid composites with graphene we...