Functional morphology of the sonic apparatus in Ophidion barbatum (Teleostei, Ophidiidae)

in Journal of Morphology (2006), 267(12), 1461-1468

Most soniferous fishes producing sounds with their swimbladder utilize relatively simple mechanisms: contraction and relaxation of a unique pair of sonic muscles cause rapid movements of the swimbladder ... [more ▼]

Most soniferous fishes producing sounds with their swimbladder utilize relatively simple mechanisms: contraction and relaxation of a unique pair of sonic muscles cause rapid movements of the swimbladder resulting in sound production. Here we describe the sonic mechanism for Ophidion barbatum, which includes three pairs of sonic muscles, highly transformed vertebral centra and ribs, a neural arch that pivots and a swimbladder whose anterior end is modified into a bony structure, the rocker bone. The ventral and intermediate muscles cause the rocker bone to swivel inward, compressing the swimbladder, and this action is antagonized by the dorsal muscle. Unlike other sonic systems in which the muscle contraction rate determines sound fundamental frequency, we hypothesize that slow contraction of these antagonistic muscles produces a series of cycles of swimbladder vibration. [less ▲]

Chemical interactions between Bi2Sr3CaO7(Bi-2310) and Bi2Sr2Ca0.8Dy0.2Cu2O8 (Bi-2212(Dy))

in Superconductor Science & Technology (2006), 19(1), 39-43

The chemical interactions between Bi2Sr3CaO7 (Bi-2310) and Bi2Sr2Ca0.8Dy0.2Cu2O8 (Bi-2212(Dy)) at 965 degrees C were investigated by means of: (i) an interdiffusion couple and (ii) layers deposited by dip ... [more ▼]

The chemical interactions between Bi2Sr3CaO7 (Bi-2310) and Bi2Sr2Ca0.8Dy0.2Cu2O8 (Bi-2212(Dy)) at 965 degrees C were investigated by means of: (i) an interdiffusion couple and (ii) layers deposited by dip coating on oxidized nickel Substrates. The samples were characterized by optical and electron microscopies, energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis and x-ray diffraction. It turns out that at the peritectic temperature Of Bi-2212(Dy), the Bi-2310 phase reacts with the liquid phase resulting from the peritectic decomposition of the Bi-2212(Dy) phase. Dissolution of Bi-2310 leads to an enrichment in Sr and an impoverishment in Cu of the liquid phase, resulting in a shift of the composition of the insoluble phase towards the Ca-rich end of the (Ca, Sr)O Solid Solution. [less ▲]

(Micro)-structural comparison between geopolymers, alkali-activated slag cement and Portland cement

in Journal of the European Ceramic Society (2006), 26(16), 3789-3797

Concurrently to research conducted on ordinary Portland cement (PC), new types of binders were developed during the last decades. These are formed by alkali-activation of metakaolin or ground-granulated ... [more ▼]

Concurrently to research conducted on ordinary Portland cement (PC), new types of binders were developed during the last decades. These are formed by alkali-activation of metakaolin or ground-granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and are named, respectively, geopolymers (GP) or alkali-activated slag (AAS). Four different cementitious materials were synthesised: PC, AAS, GP, and a mix GP-AAS and fully compared about their compositions and (micro)-structures. X-ray diffraction has revealed the presence of semi-crystalline C-S-H gel binding phase in PC while AAS, GP and GP-AAS are nearly amorphous. Progressive structural changes have been observed between the different samples by means of infrared spectroscopy, Si-29 and At-27 magic-angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy: there is a polymerisation extent of the (alumino)-silicate framework from PC [SiQ(1) and SiQ(2) units] to AAS [SiQ(2) and SiQ(2)(1Al) units] and finally to GP [SiQ(4)(2Al) and SiQ(4)(3Al) units]. Scanning electron microscopy has shown that GP is a homogeneous matrix while the other materials are composites containing GGBFS grains surrounded by a binding matrix. Energy dispersive X-ray EDX analyses (line scans) have shown the absence of formation of any specific phase at the matrix-grains interfaces. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Texturation of YBa2Cu3O7-delta thick films by electrophoretic deposition under magnetic field

in Key Engineering Materials [=KEM] (2006), 314

YBa2Cu3O7-delta coatings were deposited by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) onto Ni substrates. Particles of different sizes and shapes were used in order to study the influence of the powder ... [more ▼]

YBa2Cu3O7-delta coatings were deposited by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) onto Ni substrates. Particles of different sizes and shapes were used in order to study the influence of the powder microstructure on the film density. Texturation of the thick films was induced by application of a magnetic field during the electrophoretic deposition. X-ray diffraction analysis has clearly shown preferred c-axis alignment of the YBa2Cu3O7-delta films along the direction normal to the substrate surface. Scanning electron microscopy and optical polarised light microscopy were used to characterise the microstructure of the coatings, revealing a nonrandom platelets organisation. [less ▲]

Sound-producing apparatus of the snake-blenny Ophidion barbatum

Poster (2005)

Texture of alumina by neutron diffraction and SEM-EBSD

in Material Science Forum (2005), 495-497(Textures of Materials - ICOTOM 14), 1395-1400

The orientation distributions of alpha-Al2O3 textured ceramics are determined from neutron diffraction and SEM-EBSD. A curved position-sensitive detector coupled to a tilt angle (chi) scan allowed the ... [more ▼]

The orientation distributions of alpha-Al2O3 textured ceramics are determined from neutron diffraction and SEM-EBSD. A curved position-sensitive detector coupled to a tilt angle (chi) scan allowed the whole neutron diffraction pattern treatment in the combined Rietveld-WIMV-Popa algorithm. Analyses from neutron and electron diffraction data gave similar results if EBSD data are smoothed to account for grain statistics. Four textured alumina ceramics were prepared by slip-casting under a high magnetic field and sintered at 800 degrees C, 1300 degrees C, 1400 degrees C and 1600 degrees C. The inverse pole figures and EBSD-mapping highlights the influence of the magnetic field and sintering temperature on the texture development. The inverse pole figures calculated for the fiber direction show a major (001) component for all the samples. With the increasing sintering temperature, the texture strength is enhanced and the c-axis distribution is sharper. The effectiveness of the combined approach for determining the crystallite size is also evident. As a global trend, the calculated crystallite size and observed grain size are similar and increase with the increasing sintering temperature. The mechanism of the texture development in the sintered specimens is certainly initiated from the preferred orientation of the green body after slip-casting under a high magnetic field. The basal texture is enhanced during sintering by selective anisotropic grain growth. We evidenced here the powerfulness of the Rietveld texture analysis correlated to SEM-EBSD calculation to provide a basis for the correlation of texture, microstructural parameters and anisotropic properties. [less ▲]

Synthèse et caractérisation de nanocharges inorganiques lamellaires à haut rapport d'aspect

Doctoral thesis (2003)

Study of the morphology of copper hydroxynitrate nanoplatelets obtained by controlled double jet precipitation and urea hydrolysis

in Journal of Crystal Growth (2003), 254(1-2), 176-187

A copper hydroxynitrate of stoichiometry Cu-2(OH)(3)NO3, analogous to the layered double hydroxide family, was synthesized by the so-called controlled double jet precipitation technique, and by hydrolysis ... [more ▼]

A copper hydroxynitrate of stoichiometry Cu-2(OH)(3)NO3, analogous to the layered double hydroxide family, was synthesized by the so-called controlled double jet precipitation technique, and by hydrolysis of urea in the presence of copper nitrate. Special attention has been focused on the size, morphology and agglomeration tendency of the particles. The aim of this work is to define the optimum precipitation conditions in terms of quality and dispersability of the recovered product. Such platelet-like particles Can be used as anisotropic fillers in nanocomposite materials. Several reaction parameters such as flow and concentration of the reactant solutions, design of the reactor and addition of a growth modifier were studied. (C) 2003 Elsevier -Science B.V. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Morphological study of magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles precipitated in dilute aqueous solution

in Journal of Crystal Growth (2003), 249(1-2), 321-330

Among other applications, magnesium hydroxide is commonly used as a flame-retardant filler in composite materials, as well as a precursor for magnesium oxide refractory ceramic. The microstructure of the ... [more ▼]

Among other applications, magnesium hydroxide is commonly used as a flame-retardant filler in composite materials, as well as a precursor for magnesium oxide refractory ceramic. The microstructure of the powder is of prime importance in both technical applications. The influence of synthesis parameters on the morphological characteristics of magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles precipitated in dilute aqueous medium was studied. Several parameters were envisaged such as chemical nature of the base precipitant, type of counter-ion, temperature and hydrothermal treatment. Special attention was given to the obtaining of platelet-shaped, nanometric and de-agglomerated powders. The powders were characterized in terms of particle size distribution, crystal habits, morphology and ability to be redispersed in water. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen adsorption and laser diffusion analyses were used for this purpose. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Intercalative polymerization of cyclic esters in layered silicates : thermal vs. catalytic activation

in Composite Interfaces (2003), 10(4-5), 423-433

Poly(ε-caprolactone) layered silicate nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ inter-calative ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone. The polymerization was promoted by thermal or catalytic ... [more ▼]

Poly(ε-caprolactone) layered silicate nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ inter-calative ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone. The polymerization was promoted by thermal or catalytic initiation starting from either non-modified natural sodium-montmorillonite (MMT-Na) or montmorillonite modified by different ammonium cations bearing either non-functional alkyl chains or chains terminated by carboxylic acid or hydroxyl functions. The resulting compositions were analyzed by small-angle X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The clay dispersion depended on the structure of the alkyl ammonium. Exfoliated nanocomposites were formed when hydroxyl-containing alkyl-ammonium was used; otherwise, partially intercalated/partially exfoliated structures were observed. Moreover, caving to the inherent catalytic properties of the montmo-rillomte surface, it was also possible to prepare intercalated nanocomposites by in situ polymerization of ε-caprolactone in presence of non-modified montmorillonite-Na (MMT-Na) without any added catalyst. [less ▲]