Electromagnetic Pollution of the Environment Due Leakage Radiation from Microwave Ovens
This study compares the values of the electromagnetic fields generated by three types of microwave ovens with the values available in scientific literature, guides and protocols, considering their impact on human health. Variations in electromagnetic radiation have been determined during and outside the operating time of the microwave ovens at different distances from the oven and in different positions, thereof. The obtained data show higher values of the radiation leakage during operation than those provided by the regulations in force, for all types of studied ovens. The results of the study suggest the need to reduce the time spent near these devices and to optimize the equipment in order to reduce these radiation leakages.
Assessment of Paint Layers Quality by FTIR and DSC Techniques
In order to identify the causes that led to microbiological degradation by biofouling increases a top coat painting layer applied to a railway bridge was analyzed by both FTIR and the DSC methods; the analysed painting material was that used to paint the bridge in 2013.The determinations were performed comparatively on samples of a similar painting material after 10 days of curing in a natural atmosphere at 25 ± 5 °C, after 60 days of storage under laboratory conditions (22 ± 5 °C, RH 60 ± 10 %, natural lighting), and on samples from the painting material of a certain railway bridge after approx. 4.5 years (exposed natural weathering of temperate climate with Mediterranean influences). From FTIR determinations, the amount of oxygen containing groups (C = O, C-O, C-O-C, -HO) resulted from ageing under various conditions of the painting material.From DSC determinations, the resistance of the paint to the oxidative degradation decreases with the ageing time as resulted from oxidation onset temperatures and oxidation activation energies values – which decreases with 4 kJ / mole (about 2.2 %) in only 60 days of storage in the laboratory and with 7 kJ/mole (about 3.9 %) following exposure to 100 w/m2 for only 15 h and 29 kJ / mole (over 16 %) after exposure to 4.5 years of natural weathering.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Some Polyolefin-TiO2 Composites Evaluated by Molecular Spectroscopy
The photochemical degradation of polyolefin-TiO2 composite films was investigated and described in relationship with the concentration of photocatalyst and after different exposure times. UV-Vis-NIR and IR spectra reveal the presence of various degradation products, which are in direct connection with the photodecomposition mechanism. Various ratios between the absorbance of some typical IR characteristic bands can lead to the evaluation of photocomposition of polyethylene and polypropylene composite films containing TiO2 nanoparticles.The results show that the photocatalytic degradation of composites is significantly faster than the simple photolytic decomposition of pure polypropylene and polyethylene and could be used as a solution for the destruction of this type of wastes.
Applications of Polymeric Membranes Ultrafiltration Process on the Retention of Bentonite Suspension
In the field of purification and treatment of waste water resulting from various domestic and industrial activities, classical methods of retention of pollutants almost can no longer eliminate their large quantities, and this signifies a problem related to the environment. Filtration membrane technology has a larger footprint in the removal of these pollutants, and their success is due to virtually the quality of the resulting water. This paper highlights the development of a wastewater ultrafiltration process, containing bentonite, an inorganic compound found in wastewater from industries such as the steel industry, food industry, and so on. This study aims to find the relation between all parameters present in the ultrafiltration process, respectively how these parameters can influence each other. The study is necessary because bentonite, from a common substance, can be a dangerous pollutant, especially if it comes into contact with other compounds that in chemical reactions can harm the environment, and this raises questions to researchers who are experimenting with water purification technologies at a state-of-the-art level. At the same time, the study aims at determining the percentage of bentonite retaining on the membrane filtration surface, and in the final analysis of how bentonite can block the pores of the membrane or deposit on its surface. Throughout the entire ultrafiltration experiment it will be monitorized parameters related to organic membrane with hollow fibers and the results of physico-chemical indicators obtained at the final of the process. The results of the study showed that bentonite can be retained more than 20%. Accumulation of bentonite on the surface of the membrane decreased slightly the volume of permeate at the end of the experiment, resulting in an insignificant decrease in the volume of the liquid in the membrane. The results on bentonite retention efficiency and dependence parameters in the ultrafiltration process will be detailed in the present paper.
Dielectric Behavior and Morphostructural Characteristics of Some HDPE Composites / Metal Nanopowders
HDPE composite samples with aluminum and iron nanopowders were made by extrusion and injection. Samples of material obtained were characterized by comparative determinations of dielectric spectroscopy and SEM microscopy. SEM images have indicated that the agglomerations of the powders used are persistent, do not decompose during extrusion and injection processing. Determinations by dielectric spectroscopy indicated that HDPE composite materials with metal nanopowder filler have higher dielectric losses than pure HDPE (reference). The highest increases in tgd up to 2.6 times, were recorded for 50 nm nanopowders with specific high surface area (over 20 m2 / g). The electrical conductivity of the investigated samples increases with increasing frequency, both for pure HDPE and for HDPE with metal powder filler. As a result of the film effect in the HDPE case with metal filler, the increases in the high frequencies range are lower than in the extremely low frequencies range.
Influence of the Thermal Field on Static Behaviour of Sandwich Structures
In this paper, numerical and experimental studies on the influence of the thermal field on behavior of the structure of sandwich plates in three points bending is analysed. Various materials are used so for skins. For the core only extruded polystyrene, with various thicknesses is used. The thermal conductivity n was determined by using the Hilton B480 unit, based on the heat flowmeter method described in ISO 8301:1991. We have been analyzed 12 cases of composite sandwich structures. The results obtained by experimental determination and numerical simulation of all cases of modeling are compared and certain differences occurred on the analyzing of influence of the thermal field on the bending characteristics of sandwich structures.
Resin Based Materials used to Observing the Variations of the Origin of the Superior Thyroid Artery with Importance in Cervical and Cranial Pathology
The superior thyroid artery shows a great variability in what concerns its origin. Most often, it appears as an independent branch of the external carotid artery, as its first collateral branch, or directly from the common carotid or at its terminal level. The superior thyroid artery origin was evaluated on 144 cases, using as study methods the dissection (39 cases), the plastic injection (22 cases) and the CT angiography evaluation (83 cases). It was studied, by percentage, the originating artery of the superior thyroid artery, the relation to the bifurcation of the common carotid artery, the neighboring arterial branches and the surface of the external carotid on which originated, the caliber of the external carotid artery before and after the origin of the superior thyroid artery. Most commonly, in 89 cases (61.80%), we describe the origin of the superior thyroid artery from the external carotid artery; from the common carotid artery originated 31 superior thyroid arteries (21.53%); at the level of the bifurcation of the common carotid artery, the superior thyroid artery had its origin in 21 cases (14.58%); in 2 cases (1.39%) we encountered the superior thyroid artery originating from a thyro-lingual trunk and in one case (0.69%), we met a thyro-linguo-facial trunk. The superior thyroid arteries may originate as an independent artery or as arterial trunks in varying proportions. When the origin of the superior thyroid artery is from the terminal common carotid, we propose to use the expression of terminal branching or the common carotid artery trifurcation. The results of our study are similar to those found in international literature, with statistical differences that may be attributed primarily to the total number of cases on which we worked and also working methods or may be attributed to other causes, such as the geographic area where the study was conducted and the amount of time the results were obtained.
Flexible Acrylate Dentures versus Chromium Cobalt Removable Partial Dentures - a Viable Therapeutical Solution
The aim of this study was to compare the evaluation of two groups of denture wearers following specific parameters at 6 and 12 month after the treatment..The study group included 15 patients with Cr-Co alloy skeletal dentures with metallic crowns with distal occlusal clasps and the base of methyl polymethacrylate (PMMA) and 15 with partially flexible dentures made of super-nylon polyamide resin. Based on the evaluation of these dentures, the 7 clinical parameters stated, over a period of 18 months and within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that partial removable dentures made of nylon-Valplast superpolyamide can be considered as a viable option to Cr-Co alloy.
Flocculant Based on Acrylamide and Acrylic Acid Grafted on Sodium Alginate by Electron Beam Irradiation
The paper presents the obtaining, characterization and testing of a new type of polyelectrolyte based on acrylamide (2.63 mol/L), acrylic acid (1.73 mol/L) and sodium alginate (4.63x10-3 and 9.26x10-3 mol/L), for flocculation purposes. Two types of monomeric solutions were irradiated in electron beam at room temperature and in atmospheric conditions with doses between 0.5 and 2 kGy using ALID 7 linear electron accelerator of 5.5 MeV. The potassium persulfate (9.25x10-4 mol/L) was used as reaction initiator in both types of solutions. The flocculants thus obtained were characterized using various physical and chemical methods in order to determine conversion coefficient, residual monomer content, intrinsic viscosity, grafting ratio and grafting efficiency. The flocculation efficiency was evaluated in 0.1 and 0.2 wt % blue kaolin suspension at room temperature using a standard Jar test apparatus.
Comparative Studies on the Electrical and Mechanical Behavior of Some Soldering and / or Impregnation Lacquers
In order to evaluate the behavior in various electrical applications, the main mechanical and electrical characteristics of three different varieties of specifically chosen lacquers - based on alkyl-epoxy-melamine copolymer, the epoxy polymer and polyurethane were compared. From the mechanical determinations, it was found that at ambient temperature the polyurethane lacquer bending resistance was approximately equal to that of the epoxy lacquer and about 6.5 times higher that of the alkyl-epoxy-melamine copolymer. It has also been shown that at bending force of less than 150 Nm the investigated polyurethane lacquer has relatively large deformations of 0.4 mm / kN, which indicates a high capacity to take over relatively high deformations of the metal support (due to thermal expansion from various applications) without significant increasing mechanical stress. The recorded values for the alkyl-epoxy-melamine-based copolymer lacquer and the pure epoxy lacquer are 0.11 mm / kN and 0.03 mm / kN respectively. Determinations by dielectric spectroscopy have shown that at frequencies below 250 Hz the dielectric losses tgd for the epoxy and polyurethane lacquers are approximately equal and are about 2.9 times lower than for the alkyl-epoxy-melamine copolymer lacquer. It was also found that at frequencies higher than 250 Hz the investigated materials behave differently, respectively at the frequency increase up to 10 kHz, the dielectric loss tgd of the polyurethane lacquer remains constant at about 0.0045 in contrast to the epoxide lacquer at which the dielectric loss tgd increases monotone to 0.0095 at 10 kHz, respectively of the alkyl-epoxy-melamine copolymer at which the dielectric loss tgd is approximately constant 0.012 in the 250 Hz-10 kHz range.