No description available.

No description available.

Filmes foram preparados com êxito dissolvendo e misturando quitosana com celulose de sisal no sistema de solvente NaOH/tiouréia. Nenhum solvente residual foi encontrado nos filmes preparados, conforme mostrado por análise elementar (S) e absorção atômica (Na). Os filmes foram caracterizados por técnicas como espectroscopia na região do infravermelho com transformada Fourier, difração de raios-X e análise térmica (TG, DSC e DMTA). A compatibilidade de ambos biopolímeros foi avaliada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura, em cujas imagens o filme de biocompósito mostrou uma organização intermediária entre a rede de fibra de celulose e a homogeneidade do filme de quitosana. Interações com água foram estudadas por medida de ângulos de contatos de uma gota d\'água com a superfície do filme, isoterma de absorção de umidade e relaxometria de RMN T2. A análise de ângulo de contato mostrou uma deformação que pode ocorrer na superfície devido a alta afinidade destes materiais com a gota d\'água. O sistema de solvente NaOH/tiouréia levou a despolimerização de ambos biopolímeros, mas sem provocar perda da capacidade de formação de filme dos mesmos. Resultados de índice de cristalinidade sugeriram que as interações entre quitosana e o solvente foram mais intensas do que as interações entre celulose e o solvente. Os resultados de relaxometria de RMN T2 do biocompósitos mostrou que as características da quitosana prevaleceram sobre as da celulose no que se refere as interações com água. Acetatos de celulose de sisal com diferentes graus de substituição foram preparados em meio homogêneo (DMAc/LiCl como sistema de solvente) e caracterizados por RMN 1H (determinação do grau de substituição), cromatografia de exclusão por tamanho (determinação da massa molar média) e análise térmica (TG e DSC). Filmes deste acetato de celulose de sisal com diferentes graus de substituição, com e sem reforço de celulose de sisal, foram preparados com êxito a partir de soluções de DMAc/LiCl. Nenhum solvente residual foi encontrado nos filmes preparados, conforme evidenciado por análise elementar (Na) e absorção atômica (Li). Na caracterização dos filmes, foram utilizadas técnicas de análise térmica (DSC, TG e DMTA) e ensaio de tração que mostraram que os filmes de acetatos de celulose mais substituídos apresentam decomposição térmica em temperaturas mais elevada e são menos resistentes a tração que os filmes de acetatos de celulose menos substituídos. A partir da análise de isoterma de absorção de umidade, foi possível constatar que os filmes de acetatos de celulose mais substituídos são consideravelmente menos higroscópicos que os filmes de acetatos de celulose menos substituídos. As imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura mostraram que os filmes de acetato com diferentes graus de substituição apresentam morfologia distinta. Tanto a associação de celulose de sisal com quitosana quanto com acetato de celulose, obtido de celulose de sisal, mostrou melhoras nas propriedades dos filmes, gerando um interesse em novas pesquisas e aplicações destes materiais. / Films were successfully prepared by dissolving and mixing chitosan and sisal cellulose in NaOH/thiourea solvent system. No residual solvent was found in the prepared films, as shown by elemental analysis (S) and atomic absorption (NA). They were characterized by conventional techniques such as Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry and thermal analysis (DSC, TG, DMTA). The compatibility of both biopolymers was evaluated by scanning electron microscopic, in which the biocomposite film showed an organization interposed between the cellulose fiber mesh and chitosan films homogeneity. Water interactions were studied by measuring contact angles, humidity absorption isotherms and NMR T2 relaxometry. Contact angle analysis pointed out the deformation that can occur at the surface due to the high affinity of these materials with the drop of water. The solvent system, NaOH/thiourea, led to depolymerization of both biopolymers, without causing loss of film forming capacities. Results about crystalline-properties index suggested that the interactions between chitosan and solvent were more intense than the interactions between cellulose and solvent. The behavior of the T2 NMR relaxometry of biocomposites showed more evident interaction between chitosan and water compared to cellulose-water interaction. Sisal cellulose acetates with different degrees of substitution (DS) were prepared in homogeneous environment (DMAc/LiCl as solvent) and characterized by NMR 1H (determining the degree of substitution), size exclusion chromatography (determination of molar mass average) and thermal analysis (TG and DSC). Sisal cellulose acetate films of varying degrees of substitution (DS), were successfully prepared using DMAc/LiCl as solvent system, with and without sisal cellulose strengthening. No residual solvent was found in the prepared films, as verified by elemental analysis (Na) and atomic absorption (Li). The characterization of the films were carried out by thermal analysis techniques (DSC, TG and DMTA) and traction test which showed that the cellulose acetate films with bigger DS present thermal decomposition at higher temperatures and are less resistant to traction than cellulose acetate films with smaller DS. From humidity absorption analysis, it was found that the cellulose acetate films with higher DS are considerably less hygroscopic than cellulose acetate films with lower DS. From scanning electron microscopic analysis it was possible to evaluate that acetate films with different DS have distinct morphology. Sisal cellulose association with both chitosan and cellulose acetate obtained from sisal cellulose, showed improvements in the properties of films, generating an interest in new research and applications of these materials.

Filmes foram preparados com êxito dissolvendo e misturando quitosana com celulose de sisal no sistema de solvente NaOH/tiouréia. Nenhum solvente residual foi encontrado nos filmes preparados, conforme mostrado por análise elementar (S) e absorção atômica (Na). Os filmes foram caracterizados por técnicas como espectroscopia na região do infravermelho com transformada Fourier, difração de raios-X e análise térmica (TG, DSC e DMTA). A compatibilidade de ambos biopolímeros foi avaliada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura, em cujas imagens o filme de biocompósito mostrou uma organização intermediária entre a rede de fibra de celulose e a homogeneidade do filme de quitosana. Interações com água foram estudadas por medida de ângulos de contatos de uma gota d\'água com a superfície do filme, isoterma de absorção de umidade e relaxometria de RMN T2. A análise de ângulo de contato mostrou uma deformação que pode ocorrer na superfície devido a alta afinidade destes materiais com a gota d\'água. O sistema de solvente NaOH/tiouréia levou a despolimerização de ambos biopolímeros, mas sem provocar perda da capacidade de formação de filme dos mesmos. Resultados de índice de cristalinidade sugeriram que as interações entre quitosana e o solvente foram mais intensas do que as interações entre celulose e o solvente. Os resultados de relaxometria de RMN T2 do biocompósitos mostrou que as características da quitosana prevaleceram sobre as da celulose no que se refere as interações com água. Acetatos de celulose de sisal com diferentes graus de substituição foram preparados em meio homogêneo (DMAc/LiCl como sistema de solvente) e caracterizados por RMN 1H (determinação do grau de substituição), cromatografia de exclusão por tamanho (determinação da massa molar média) e análise térmica (TG e DSC). Filmes deste acetato de celulose de sisal com diferentes graus de substituição, com e sem reforço de celulose de sisal, foram preparados com êxito a partir de soluções de DMAc/LiCl. Nenhum solvente residual foi encontrado nos filmes preparados, conforme evidenciado por análise elementar (Na) e absorção atômica (Li). Na caracterização dos filmes, foram utilizadas técnicas de análise térmica (DSC, TG e DMTA) e ensaio de tração que mostraram que os filmes de acetatos de celulose mais substituídos apresentam decomposição térmica em temperaturas mais elevada e são menos resistentes a tração que os filmes de acetatos de celulose menos substituídos. A partir da análise de isoterma de absorção de umidade, foi possível constatar que os filmes de acetatos de celulose mais substituídos são consideravelmente menos higroscópicos que os filmes de acetatos de celulose menos substituídos. As imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura mostraram que os filmes de acetato com diferentes graus de substituição apresentam morfologia distinta. Tanto a associação de celulose de sisal com quitosana quanto com acetato de celulose, obtido de celulose de sisal, mostrou melhoras nas propriedades dos filmes, gerando um interesse em novas pesquisas e aplicações destes materiais. / Films were successfully prepared by dissolving and mixing chitosan and sisal cellulose in NaOH/thiourea solvent system. No residual solvent was found in the prepared films, as shown by elemental analysis (S) and atomic absorption (NA). They were characterized by conventional techniques such as Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry and thermal analysis (DSC, TG, DMTA). The compatibility of both biopolymers was evaluated by scanning electron microscopic, in which the biocomposite film showed an organization interposed between the cellulose fiber mesh and chitosan films homogeneity. Water interactions were studied by measuring contact angles, humidity absorption isotherms and NMR T2 relaxometry. Contact angle analysis pointed out the deformation that can occur at the surface due to the high affinity of these materials with the drop of water. The solvent system, NaOH/thiourea, led to depolymerization of both biopolymers, without causing loss of film forming capacities. Results about crystalline-properties index suggested that the interactions between chitosan and solvent were more intense than the interactions between cellulose and solvent. The behavior of the T2 NMR relaxometry of biocomposites showed more evident interaction between chitosan and water compared to cellulose-water interaction. Sisal cellulose acetates with different degrees of substitution (DS) were prepared in homogeneous environment (DMAc/LiCl as solvent) and characterized by NMR 1H (determining the degree of substitution), size exclusion chromatography (determination of molar mass average) and thermal analysis (TG and DSC). Sisal cellulose acetate films of varying degrees of substitution (DS), were successfully prepared using DMAc/LiCl as solvent system, with and without sisal cellulose strengthening. No residual solvent was found in the prepared films, as verified by elemental analysis (Na) and atomic absorption (Li). The characterization of the films were carried out by thermal analysis techniques (DSC, TG and DMTA) and traction test which showed that the cellulose acetate films with bigger DS present thermal decomposition at higher temperatures and are less resistant to traction than cellulose acetate films with smaller DS. From humidity absorption analysis, it was found that the cellulose acetate films with higher DS are considerably less hygroscopic than cellulose acetate films with lower DS. From scanning electron microscopic analysis it was possible to evaluate that acetate films with different DS have distinct morphology. Sisal cellulose association with both chitosan and cellulose acetate obtained from sisal cellulose, showed improvements in the properties of films, generating an interest in new research and applications of these materials.

No description available.

Biobased all-cellulose composites (ACCs), in which the matrix and the reinforcement are made out of the same material, have gained a noticeable increased attention in recent years. Their successful application would solve the commonly faced challenges with natural fiber composites regarding their chemical antipathy between the hydrophilic fiber and the usually hydrophobic polymer matrix, while still keeping the advantages of being environmental friendly. Moreover, the use of man-made continuous regenerated cellulose fibers for this purpose could result in unidirectional all-cellulose composites with excellent mechanical properties. In this study, a new processing technique for unidirectional all-cellulose composites, reinforced with continuous regenerated cellulose nanocomposite fibers, has been developed, where the fibers are wound directly after the coagulation bath and then welded together while still being swelled in order to form all-cellulose composite sheets without the need of adding any additional solvent or chemicals. Scanning electron microscopy and tensile testing were used to investigate and compare the microstructure and mechanical properties, of a reference material without nanoreinforced fibers and two variants reinforced with 2 % cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and 2 % halloysite nanotubes (HNTs). Analysis revealed that transparent all-cellulose composites with a high compaction degree and minimal warpage during shrinkage, showing high mechanical properties could be made. However, the addition of nanoreinforcements did not lead to any improvements.

The discovery and dissemination of new knowledge are essential in food science. To advance our understanding of fruit chemistry, analytical methods were compared and applied. Polyphenols are secondary metabolites in fruits of particular importance in food science, as they contribute to the sensory attributes and health benefits of the products. Evaluation of common analytical methods for the quantification of polyphenols, including the Folin-Ciocalteu (F-C), Lowenthal permanganate (L-P), 4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde (DMAC) and the bovine serum albumin (BSA) precipitation methods, was conducted using analytical method validation procedures. The F-C method was not specific to polyphenols, and the L-P method had the widest working range but lacked accuracy. The DMAC method was the most specific to flavanols, and the BSA method was not suitable for quantification of smaller flavanols. Quantitative performance of these four methods was evaluated using a broad range of fruit-derived samples. Variation in quantitative results obtained using these four methods was explained by differences in polyphenol and matrix composition of these samples and differences in operating principles of the methods. The reactivity of individual polyphenol compounds (catechin, epicatechin, PC B2, PC pentamer, chlorogenic acid, phloretin, and quercetin) to the polyphenol and flavanol quantification results using Prussian blue (P-B), F-C, DMAC and BSA precipitation methods were also assessed and determined to differ by up to thirteen-fold, depending on the assay. Furthermore, the contribution and interactions of polyphenol compounds (catechin, PC B2, and chlorogenic acid) and potentially interfering compounds likely to be found in fruit and fruit products (ascorbic acid, glucose, and SO2) to the quantitative results of these methods were evaluated using a full factorial design. Significant interactions among polyphenol compounds, and among the interfering compounds were found. The standardized coefficient (β) for all factors and interactions of polyphenol compounds varied from 0.347 to 129, and from near 0 to -46.8 for all factors and interactions of interfering compounds. Our findings indicate that the choice of standards, polyphenol and matrix composition of the sample may cause disparity among the quantitative results of these methods. Amino acids in apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) juice not only influence the quality of fermented cider through fermentation kinetics but also impact the flavor of the cider through yeast metabolism. Due to recent advances in analytical instrumentation, amino acids profiles in apple juice were determined much faster and more accurately than by previously applied methods. Twenty amino acids were quantified by UPLC-PDA in juices from 13 apple cultivars grown in Virginia. The relative amino acid profile was significantly different among the apple juices evaluated. The total amino acid concentration ranged from 18 mg/L in Blacktwig juice to 57 mg/L in Enterprise juice. L-Asparagine, L-aspartic acid and L-glutamine are the principal amino acids observed in most apple juices. These results will inform future research on yeast metabolism and nitrogen management during cider fermentation. To better disseminate knowledge gained through research to the next generation of food scientists, the effectiveness of new instructional technology—a cellphone-based personal response system—in food science education was evaluated. Students' academic performance was improved by the incorporation of this technology into lectures, and its use was well perceived by the students (easy to use and positively impacted their learning). This finding contributes to the scholarship of teaching and learning in food science by providing useful insight into the potential for application of such tools with improved student engagement and learning outcomes. Advances in food chemistry research will enable the development of value-added food products, and the pedagogical advancement in food science education will better convey new and existing knowledge to students, who will apply this knowledge to promote a safe and nutritious food supply that enhances human health and increases the value of specialty crops. / Doctor of Philosophy / In food science, both the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge are essential. To advance our understanding in fruit chemistry, several analytical methods were compared and applied. Polyphenols are important bioactive compounds in fruits associated with health benefits, and they also contribute to the bitterness and astringency of the products such as chocolate and red wines. Systematic evaluation of common analytical methods used to quantify polyphenols was conducted. When different methods were used to evaluate a broad range of fruit-derived samples, different results were obtained for a given sample, depending on the method applied. This was explained by the difference in polyphenol composition of these samples. Furthermore, different individual polyphenol compounds contributed differently to quantitative results for these methods. Interactions among polyphenol compounds and interference from constituents of the juice samples other than polyphenols were also found. These findings demonstrate that when comparing fruit chemistry (polyphenol concentration) results obtained using the methods evaluated, it is necessary to consider the polyphenol composition as well as the sample matrix composition. This knowledge will improve our ability to interpret and compare existing data on polyphenol content in fruits, advancing the understanding the polyphenols and health and informing producers to improve their fruit products with optimized quality and sensory characters. Secondly, amino acids in apple juice influence the quality of fermented cider, through not only controlling the fermentation rate, but also impacting the flavor of the cider through yeast metabolism. Twenty amino acids were quantified in juices from 13 apple cultivars grown in Virginia with potential use in cider making using a recently developed method in analytical chemistry. The relative amino acid profile was significantly different among the apple juices evaluated. L-Asparagine, L-aspartic acid and L-glutamine are the principal amino acids observed in most apple juices. This knowledge will help with the development of fermentation strategies for production of ciders with targeted sensory attributes. To better disseminate new knowledge in food science to the next generation, the effectiveness of a new educational technology application—a cellphone-based personal response system (similar to clickers)—in food science education was evaluated. Using this application during lecture resulted in improved quiz grades, and students felt that it was easy to use and positively impacted their learning. This application has the potential to improve effectiveness of lectures in higher education classrooms. Advances in food chemistry research will enable development of value-added food products, and the pedagogical advancement in food science education will better convey new and existing knowledge to students, who will apply this knowledge to promote a safe and nutritious food supply that enhances human health and increases the value of specialty crops.

For some time now coordinate measuring machines have been an integral part of the shop floor. The goal has been to make coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) into tools that can easily be used by machinists to improve their manufacturing capabilities. The value of a CMM as a quality control tool is undisputed. Now efforts are being made to further reduce the time and cost of measurement by reducing the physical distance between machining and measuring processes. The ability to reduce that distance to zero and measure a part directly on the chip-making machine has been a goal for many years. Dimensional inspection of parts is primarily conducted by coordinate measuring machines operating on motion instructions from task planning software. The research in direct machining and control (DMAC) at BYU has identified a potential application of CMM technologies on existing machine tools. To prove that a machine tool can be controlled as a CMM with the DMAC controller, this research will integrate the software package PC-DMIS provided by Wilcox Associates, Inc. with a DMAC controller provided by Direct Controls, Inc. to conduct in-process dimensional inspection of parts as they are being machined. This process is referred to as DirectCMM because it will link the DMAC controller directly to PC-DMIS without need for post-processing. This thesis will lay the groundwork for future efforts at developing systems that utilize in-process part inspection to dynamically correct computer aided manufacturing (CAM) process plans. To aid future efforts at dynamic CAM process updating, a software interface specification will be created for passing measurement data between CMM and CAD/CAM software packages. A CMM control specification will also be created to provide a standard method for controlling coordinate measuring machines with the DMAC controller. Possible methods for dynamic CAD/CAM updating will be explored.

Direct Machining And Control (DMAC) is a new method of controlling machine tools directly from process planning software. A motion planning module is developed for the DMAC system that operates directly off path geometry without pre-tessellation. The motion planner is developed with the intent to process Bezier curves. The motion planning module includes a deterministic predictor-corrector-type curve interpolator, a dynamics limiting module, and a two-pass jerk-limited speed profiling algorithm. The methods are verified by machining an automotive surface in a clay medium and evaluating the resultant machine dynamics, feed rate, and chordal error throughout the machining process.

In this thesis the possibilities of smart antenna systems in wireless mesh networks are examined. With respect to the individual smart antenna tradeoffs, a routing protocol (Modified HWMP, MHWMP) for IEEE 802.11s mesh networks is presented, that exploits the full range of benefits provided by smart antennas: MHWMP actively switches between the PHY-layer transmission/reception modes (multiplexing, beamforming and diversity) according to the wireless channel conditions. Spatial multiplexing and beamforming are used for unicast data transmissions, while antenna diversity is employed for efficient broadcasts. To adapt to the directional channel environment and to take full benefit of the PHY capabilities, a respective MAC scheme is employed. The presented protocol is tested in extensive simulation and the results are examined.