Development of a metal-organic framework/textile composite for the rapid degradation and sensitive detection of the nerve agent VX

In the case of an incident with nerve agents, the timely and ready detection and identification of such a substance on suspected surfaces is essential. However, the detection of low levels of nerve agents on a surface is a considerable challenge for conventional detection equipment, especially with VX, a highly toxic nerve agent with low...

Dustiness and deagglomeration testing: Interlaboratory comparison of systems for nanoparticle powders

Different types of aerosolization and deagglomeration testing systems exist for studying the properties of nanomaterial powders and their aerosols. However, results are dependent on the specific methods used. In order to have well-characterized aerosols, we require a better understanding of how system parameters and testing conditions influence...

Towards an alternative testing strategy for nanomaterials used in nanomedicine: Lessons from NanoTEST

In spite of recent advances in describing the health outcomes of exposure to nanoparticles (NPs), it still remains unclear how exactly NPs interact with their cellular targets. Size, surface, mass, geometry, and composition may all play a beneficial role as well as causing toxicity. Concerns of scientists, politicians and the public about...

Physical and chemical degradation behavior of sputtered aluminum doped zinc oxide layers for Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells

Sputtered aluminum doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Al) layers on borosilicate glass were exposed to damp heat (85 C/85% relative humidity) for 2876 h to accelerate the physical and chemical degradation behavior. The ZnO:Al samples were characterized by electrical, compositional and optical measurements before and after degradation. Hall measurements show...

Sepiolite needle-like clay for PA6 nanocomposites: An alternative to layered silicates?

This paper presents a study of polyamide 6/sepiolite clay nanocomposite, obtained by melt compounding in a mini twin-screw extruder, and characterised in terms of morphology (SEM and TEM analysis) and mechanical properties of the composite, along with their crystallinity and crystal structure of the semi-crystalline matrix. The tensile test...

Changes at the KinA PAS-A dimerization interface influence histidine kinase function

The Bacillus subtilis KinA protein is a histidine protein kinase that controls the commitment of this organism to sporulate in response to nutrient deprivation and several other conditions. Prior studies indicated that the N-terminal Per-ARNT-Sim domain (PAS-A) plays a critical role in the catalytic activity of this enzyme, as demonstrated by...

On the impact testing of cyclotrimethylene trinitramine crystals with different internal qualities

Impact testing of various cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX) samples has been carried out with the Ballistic Impact Chamber (BIC). Numerical simulations have been performed to guide its experimental design and explain the phenomena that are observed in the measured pressure evolution. The experimental results obtained with the BIC are compared...

Digestibility of resistant starch containing preparations using two in vitro models

Background: Resistant starch (RS) is known for potential health benefits in the human colon. To investigate these positive effects it is important to be able to predict the amount, and the structure of starch reaching the large intestine. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to compare two different in vitro models simulating the...

Effects of processing on microstructure and properties of SLS Nylon 12

There currently exists the requirement to improve reproducibility and mechanical properties of SLS Nylon parts for rapid manufacturing (RM). In order to achieve this, further fundamental research is needed and this paper addresses this need by investigating effects of potential sources of the lack of reproducibility and reports effects in...

Influence of shear flow on the specific volume and the crystalline morphology of isotactic polypropylene

The influence of shear flow on the temperature evolution of the specific volume and the crystalline morphology of two iPP's, differing in weight-averaged molar mass Mw, was investigated at nonisofhermal conditions and elevated pressures, using a custom-designed dilatometer. These conditions are typically in the range of conditions as experienced...

Structure of Rhodococcus erythropolis limonene-1,2-epoxide hydrolase reveals a novel active site

Epoxide hydrolases are essential for the processing of epoxide-containing compounds in detoxification or metabolism. The classic epoxide hydrolases have an α/β hydrolase fold and act via a two-step reaction mechanism including an enzyme-substrate intermediate. We report here the structure of the limonene-1,2-epoxide hydrolase from Rhodococcus...

Synthesis and properties of phenyl benzoate-based and biphenyl-based liquid crystalline thiol-ene monomers

Novel phenyl benzoate-based and biphenyl-based liquid crystalline thiol-ene monomers were synthesized and their properties investigated. By varying the bridging unit and spacer length, the type of mesophase can be tuned from the low ordered nematic and smectic A phase in the case of the phenyl benzoate-based monomers, to the highly ordered...

Study on the decomposition kinetics of FOX-7 and HNF

At TNO Prins Maurits Laboratory the characterisation and application of energetic materials is one of the main research topics. In this respect, the activities are focussed on using thermal analysis techniques such as TG/DTA and DSC. Standard DSC and TG/DTA techniques usually apply a linear temperature increase, During this gradual temperature...

Characterization of a commercial grade CL-20: Morphology, crystal shape, sensitivity and shock initiation testing by flyer impact

The influence of a solvent on the crystal morphology of RDX

A solvent can have a large influence on the crystal morphology. A molecular modeling technique based on the adsorption of solvent molecules on a crystal surface has been used to predict the influence of a solvent on the morphology of RDX. The predicted morphology has been compared with the experimentally found morphology of RDX crystallized from...

Elucidation of the Structure of Solanoeclepin A, a Natural Hatching Factor of Potato and Tomato Cyst Nematodes, by Single-crystal X-ray Diffraction

Potato crops can be severely damaged by potato cyst nematodes Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida, nematodes highly specific to potatoes and some other Solanaceae. Hatching of juveniles is controlled by agents excreted by the roots of some Solanaceae species. Over seventy years much effort has been expended by many groups to isolate...