Search results for "Polymer science"
showing 10 items of 157 documents
Adhesion enhancement of cribellate capture threads by epicuticular waxes of the insect prey sheds new light on spider web evolution
2017
To survive, web-building spiders rely on their capture threads to restrain prey. Many species use special adhesives for this task, and again the majority of those species cover their threads with viscoelastic glue droplets. Cribellate spiders, by contrast, use a wool of nanofibres as adhesive. Previous studies hypothesized that prey is restrained by van der Waals' forces and entrapment in the nanofibres. A large discrepancy when comparing the adhesive force on artificial surfaces versus prey implied that the real mechanism was still elusive. We observed that insect prey's epicuticular waxes infiltrate the wool of nanofibres, probably induced by capillary forces. The fibre-reinforced composi…
A poly-L-lactic acid/ collagen/glycosaminoglycan matrix for tissue engineering applications
2017
Adhesion of tissue cells to biomaterials is a prerequisite of paramount importance for the effectiveness of a tissue engineering construct (cell and scaffolds). Functionalization of polymeric scaffolds with organic polymers, such as collagen or proteoglycans, is a promising approach in order to improve the cytocompatibility. As a matter of fact, organic polymers, isolated directly from the extracellular matrix, contain a multitude of surface ligand (fibronectin, laminin, vitronectin) and arginine–glycine–aspartic acid-containing peptides that promote cell adhesion. In tissue engineering, the combination of organic and synthetic polymers gives rise to scaffolds characterized simultaneously …
Polyethylene bio-degradation by caterpillars?
2017
In their recent paper on the degradation of polyethylene by caterpillars of the wax moth Galleria melonella, Bombelli et al.[1] report various experiments, including microscopic and spectroscopic data which the authors believe support the chemical digestion of the polymers by these insects. While the biodegradation of mostly inert artificial polymers is definitely a very interesting research field, we must respectfully disagree with the methodology and conclusions from this paper.
Some intriguing items in the history of adsorption
1994
Abstract Clay was already used in antiquity as a drying and bleaching agent, a carrier for paints, and for various medical purposes. Sand was applied for water desalination. Charcoal was recommended as an antidote Based on Lowitz' discovery of the decolorizing effect in 1785, charcoal was used for the purification first of sugar. The patents of Ostrejko in 1900 opened the way for its industrial application. Already in the Bible we find the description of an adsorption experiment. The systematic research began 1773 when Scheele observed the adsorption of air by charcoal using a volumetric apparatus. The first adsorption measuring instruments were hygrometers as described by Nicholas of Cues …
Anthracene-containing PPE-PPV copolymers: Effect of side-chain nature and length on photophysical and photovoltaic properties
2009
Rupali Jadhav1,2, Stefan Turk3, Florian Kuhnlenz1, Vera Cimrova4, Silke Rathgeber5, Daniel A. M. Egbe*,2,3, and Harald Hoppe**,1 1 Institute of Physics, Ilmenau University of Technology, Weimarer Str. 32, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany 2 Linz Institute for Organic Solar Cells (LIOS), Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenbergerstr. 69, 4040 Linz, Austria 3 Institute for Print and Media Technology, Chemnitz University of Technology, Reichenhainer Str. 70, 09126 Chemnitz, Germany 4 Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic 5 Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 7, 55128 Mainz, Germany
Biomedical Applications of Polylactide (PLA) and Its Copolymers.
2018
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Cover Picture: Nanostructuring with a Crosslinkable Discotic Material (Small 8/2007)
2007
Carbon Nanotubes. By Stefanie Reich, Christian Thomsen and Janina Maultzsch.
2005
Design and synthesis of biobased epoxy thermosets from biorenewable resources
2017
International audience; Biobased diepoxy synthons derived from isoeugenol, eugenol or resorcinol (DGE-isoEu, DGE-Eu and DGER, respectively) have been used as epoxy monomers in replacement of the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA). Their curing with six different biobased anhydride hardeners leads to fully biobased epoxy thermosets. These materials exhibit interesting thermal and mechanical properties comparable to those obtained with conventional petrosourced DGEBA-based epoxy resins cured in similar conditions. In particular, a high Tg in the range of 90–130 °C and instantaneous moduli higher than 4.3 GPa have been recorded. These good performances are very encouraging, making these n…