458 research outputs found
Carbon nanotube grafted silica fibres: Characterising the interface at the single fibre level
No full text26/09/12 meb. Author version, OK to pub
Carbon nanotube grafted carbon fibres: A study of wetting and fibre fragmentation
No full text26/09/12 meb. Author version, OK to pub.Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were grafted on IM7 carbon fibres using a chemical vapour deposition method.The overall grafting process resulted in a threefold increase of the BET surface area compared to the original primary carbon fibres (0.57 m2/g). At the same time, there was a degradation of fibre tensile strength by around 15% (depending on gauge length), due to the dissolution of iron catalyst into the carbon;
the modulus was not significantly affected. The wetting behaviour between fibres and poly(methyl
methacrylate) (PMMA) was directly quantified using contact angle measurements for drop-on-fibre systems and indicated good wettability. Single fibre fragmentation tests were conducted on hierarchical fibre/PMMA model composites, demonstrating a significant (26%) improvement of the apparent interfacial shear strength (IFSS) over the baseline composites. The result is associated with improved stress transfer between the carbon fibres and surrounding matrix, through the grafted CNT layer. The improved IFSS was found to correlate directly with a reduced contact angle between fibre and matrix
Electrochemical Processing of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Related Materials
No full textThe remarkable properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and potential
applications are hindered by current solution-phase processing strategies. The initial dissolution
of SWNTs remains a fundamental challenge, reliant on aggressive chemistry or ultrasonication and
lengthy ultracentrifugation. In this thesis, a simple non-aqueous electrochemical reduction process
that leads to spontaneous dissolution of individualised SWNTs from raw, unprocessed powders is
outlined. The intrinsic electrochemical stability and conductivity of these nanoparticles allows
their electrochemical dissolution from a pure SWNT cathode to form solutions of well-defined
nanoparticle anions with characteristic charge density. Other than a reversible change in
redox/solvation state, there is no obvious chemical functionalisation of the structure, suggesting
an analogy to conventional atomic electrochemical dissolution. The heterogeneity of as-synthesised
SWNT samples leads to the sequential dissolution of distinct fractions over time. Initial
preferential dissolution of defective nanotubes and carbonaceous debris provides a simple,
non-destructive means to purify raw materials without recourse to the usual, damaging, competitive
oxidation reactions. During early stage developments, the process showed remarkable affinity for
dissolving metallic SWNTs, providing a potentially scalable route for separation by electronic
character, vital for many applications. However, selectivity was lost with significantly increased
process yields (complete dissolution) following several optimisations. Subsequently, the
electrochemical deposition of SWNTs is proposed as a new route to selectively plate specific SWNT
species and avoid unwanted functionalisations that occur when exposing reduced SWNTs to different
atmospheres. Finally, the extension of electrochemical processing to related materials including
activated and graphitic nanocarbons, metallic and metal chalcogenide nanomaterials was also
investigated, with great promise for the development of
new applications.Open Acces
Agarose gels of PCR products following () p16 MSP, () p16 MEP, and () cyclin A1 MEP
No full text<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Methylation enrichment pyrosequencing: combining the specificity of MSP with validation by pyrosequencing"</p><p>Nucleic Acids Research 2006;34(11):e78-e78.</p><p>Published online 28 Jun 2006</p><p>PMCID:PMC1904102.</p><p>© 2006 The Author(s)</p> U, PCR using MSP primers specific for unmethylated DNA; M, PCR using methylation-specific MSP primers; A and B, two independent MEP assays. Rows 1–4 (top to bottom) correlate with rows 1–4 in dilution matrix ; i.e. row 1, no dilution of starting M:U concentrations; row 2, 1/10 dilutions, etc. Lanes 1–8 correlate with columns 1–8 in dilution matrix ; i.e. lane 1, M:U ratio of 1:1; lane 2, M:U ratio of 1:5, etc
Sonochemical Degradation of N-Methylpyrrolidone and Its Influence on Single Walled Carbon Nanotube Dispersion
No full textSonicating pure N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) rapidly produces contaminating organic nanoparticles, at increasing concentration with time, as investigated by AFM, as well as UV-vis, IR and NMR spectroscopies. The contamination issue affects nanotube, and likely other nanomaterial, dispersions processed by sonication in organic solvents
Lessons learned in Marine Spatial Planning (MSP): The Shetland experience
No full textNo abstracts are to be cited without prior reference to the author. The Shetland Islands’ Marine Spatial Plan (SMSP) first developed in 2006 is now progressing towards adoption as Supplementary Guidance (SG) to the Council’s Local Development Plan (LDP), the first statutory plan in the UK. This marks a unique and significant move to standardise the approaches and responsibilities between terrestrial and marine planning jurisdictions and a more integrated approach to MSP and integrated coastal zone management (ICZM). Prior to reaching this stage, a review was carried out to evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of the SMSP to date. This exercise highlighted achievements to date, future challenges and opportunities and helped to guide the development of the forthcoming edition of the SMSP. The sharing of knowledge and practical experiences of MSP and its broader issues ensures an adaptive approach in addressing uncertainty over time. It is also imperative to understand that early ‘pioneers’ in MSP may not get it exactly right on the first attempt but by developing initial precedents and processes, these can be built upon in the futur
Synthesis and characterisation of carbon nanotubes grown on silica fibres by injection CVD
No full text25/09/12 MEB. Author version attached, OK to publish
Ceramic matrix composites containing carbon nanotubes
No full text26/09/12 meb. Author version, OK to pub
Development and validation of main spectral profile for rapid identification of Yersinia ruckeri isolated from Atlantic salmon using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry
No full textMatrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) allows rapid and reliable identification of microorganisms. The accuracy of bacterial identification using MALDI-TOF MS depends on main spectral profiles (MSPs) provided in a quality-assured commercial reference library, which requires ongoing improvement. This study aimed to develop and validate an in-house MALDI-TOF MS MSP to rapidly identify Yersinia ruckeri isolated from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). The novel MSP was prepared using an isolate of Y. ruckeri recovered from Atlantic salmon and confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Subsequently, a validation set which comprises 29 isolates of Y. ruckeri were examined from three fishes: Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) (n = 26), American eel (Anguilla rostrata) (n = 1), and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) (n = 2). These isolates were randomly selected from the Atlantic Veterinary College, Aquatic Diagnostic Services Bacteriology Laboratory's culture collection to validate the novel MSP. Analytical sensitivity of MALDI-TOF MS using the novel MSP to identify the validation set was 86.2%. Repeatability was assessed by acquiring spectra from 30 different spots of a randomly-selected isolate of Y. ruckeri, and analyzed spectra from each spot were compared against the novel MSP. The coefficient of variation was 3.3%. The novel MSP clustered with Bruker MSPs (n = 3) of Y. ruckeri in the reference library and did not falsely identify any closely related bacteria to Y. ruckeri. This study reports the development of a novel MSP of high analytical sensitivity and specificity for rapid identification of Y. ruckeri using MALDI-TOF MS
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