Hydrophobic silica aerogels were successfully preparation by an ambient pressure drying method from sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) with different pH values (5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10). In this study, acidic HCl (1M), a basic NH4OH (1M) were selected as a catalyst to perform the surface modification in a TMCS (trimethylchlorosilane) solution. The surface chemical modification of the aerogels was assured by the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic studies. Other physical properties, such as pore volume and pore size and specific surface area were determined by Brunauer-Emmett- Teller (BET) method. The effect of pH values on the bulk density of aerogel. The sol–gel parameter pH value in the sol, have marked effects on the physical proper

Applying a well-performing heat exchanger is an efficient way to fortify the relatively low thermal response of phase-change materials (PCMs), which have broad application prospects in the fields of thermal management and energy storage. In this study, an improved PCM melting and solidification in corrugated (zigzag) plate heat exchanger are numerically examined compared with smooth (flat) plate heat exchanger in both horizontal and vertical positions. The effects of the channel width (0.5 W, W, and 2 W) and the airflow temperature (318 K, 323 K, and 328 K) are exclusively studied and reported. The results reveal the much better performance of the horizontal corrugated configuration compared with the smooth channel during both melti

Background: Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is the most commonly used material in denture fabrication. The material is far from ideal in fulfilling the mechanical requirements, like low impact and transverse strength, poor thermal conductivity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of addition a composite of surface treated Nano Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) filler and plasma treated polypropylene fiber (PP) on some properties of denture base material. Materials and methods: One hundred fifty prepared specimens were divided into 5 groups according to the tests, each group consisted of 30 specimens and these were subdivided into 3 groups (unreinforced heat cured acrylic resin as control group),reinforced acrylic resin with( 0.5%wt Nan

Objectives: Maxillofacial silicone is used to restore abnormalities due to congenital or acquired causes. However, the quality of silicone is far from ideal. This study was aimed at assessing the influence of the addition of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs; several nanometers wide and 2-5 micro m long) on the physical and mechanical characteristics of maxillofacial silicone elastomers. Methods: Two CNF weight percentages (0.5% and 1%) were tested, and 180 specimens were divided into one control and two experimental groups. Each group was subdivided into six subgroups. In each subgroup, ten specimens subjected to each of the following tests: tearing strength, Shore-A hardness, tensile strength, elongation percentage, surface roughness, and color

The main objective of this study is to determine whether the use of He-Ne Laser (632.8 nm wavelength and power 0.5 mW) is an eligible and effective tool to kill or reduce the cell viability of Candida albicans isolated from complete upper dentures. Twenty one swabs were taken from the complete upper dentures. Only six swabs showed positive cultures for C. albicans. The isolate was divided into two groups, group I was not irradiated (control), and group II was irradiated by He-Ne Laser for different periods (10, 15, 20, and 30) min. After irradiation, the results showed a significant reduction in the viable cell count and colonies diameters especially at exposure periods 10 and 15 min. Although the low power He-Ne Laser was not eradicating t

The paper include study the effect thickness of the polymeric sample which is manufactured by thermo press way. The sample was used as an active tunable R6G laser media. The remarks show that, when the thickness of the samples is increased, with the same concentration, the spectrum will shift towards the short wavelength, & the quantum fluorescence yield will increased. The best result we obtained for the quantum fluorescence yield is (0.68) at the sample, with thickness (0.304mm) in Ethanol solvent, while when we used the Pure Water as a solvent, we found that the best quantum fluorescence yield is (0.63) at (0.18mm) thickness of the sample.

The paper include studies the effect of solvent of dye doped in polymeric laser sample which manufactured in primo press way, which is used as an active (R6G) tunable dye lasers. The remarks show that, when the viscosity of the solvent (from Pure Water to Ethanol), for the same concentration and thickness of the performance polymeric sample is increased, the absorption spectrum is shifts towards the long wave length (red shift), & towards short wave length (blue shift) for fluorescence spectrum, also increased the quantum fluorescence yield. The best result we obtained for the quantum fluorescence yield is (0.882) with thickness (0.25mm) in Ethanol solvent in concentration (2*10-3mole/liter), while when we used the Pure Water as a solvent,

Natural fibers and particles reinforced composites are being broadly used due to their bio and specific properties such as low density and easy to machine and production with low cost. In this work, water absorption and mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength of recycled jute fibers reinforced epoxy resin were enhanced by treating these fibers with alkaline solution. The recycled jute fibers were treated with different concentration of (NaOH) solution at (25 ⁰C) for a period of (24) hours. From the obtained results, it was found that all these properties are improved when fibers treated with (7.5wt% NaOH) related to untreated fibers. Conversely, the mentioned properties of composit

Objective: The approximate life span of a silicone maxillofacial prosthesis is as short as1.5–2 years of clinical service, then a new prosthesis should be fabricated. The most common reasonfor re-making the prosthesis is silicone mechanical properties degradation. The aim of this studywas to assess some mechanical properties of VST-30 silicone for maxillofacial prostheses after addi-tion of intrinsic pigments.Methods: Two types of intrinsic pigments (rayon flocking and burnt sienna); each of them wasincorporated into silicone. One hundred and twenty samples were prepared and split into 4 groupsaccording to the conducted tests (tear strength, hardness, surface roughness, and tensile strengthand elongation percentage) with 30 samples for ea