In this study, an advanced ceramic conversion surface engineering technology has been applied for the first time to self-drilling Ti6Al4V external fixation pins to improve their performance in terms of biomechanical, bio-tribological and antibacterial properties. Systematic characterisation of the ceramic conversion treated Ti pins was carried out using Scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffr...

The applications of lipase immobilized on ceramic beads and entrapped in sol-gel matrix, in the production of bio-diesel from waste cooking oil, are compared to that of free lipase. Experimental determination of the effect of molar equivalent of methanol, to moles of ester bond in the triglyceride, on the rate of the enzymatic trans-esterification was experimentally determined. It was found tha...

Shaping ceramics into complex and intricate geometries using cost-effective processes is desirable in many applications but still remains an open challenge. Inspired by plant seed dispersal units that self-fold on differential swelling, we demonstrate that self-shaping can be implemented in ceramics by programming the material's microstructure to undergo local anisotropic shrinkage during heat ...

Bio-contamination of water through biofouling, which involves the natural colonization submerged surfaces by waterborne organisms, is a global socio-economic concern, allied to premature materials bio-corrosion and high human health risks. Most effective strategies release toxic persistent disinfectant compounds into aquatic medium, causing environmental problems leading more stringent legislat...

INTRODUCTION Alumina ceramics have long been of technological importance. However, their brittleness limits their potential for use in structural applications. Traditional approaches proposed to improve the strength and reliability of ceramics include: decrease flaw size, improve fracture toughness and flaw insensitivity, and decrease applied stresses. Polymers on the other hand, although weak,...

Ceramic laser materials have come a long way since the first demonstration of lasing in 1964. Improvements in powder synthesis and ceramic sintering as well as novel ideas have led to notable achievements. These include the first Nd:yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) ceramic laser in 1995, breaking the 1 KW mark in 2002 and then the remarkable demonstration of more than 100 KW output power from a YA...

Eight novel dihydropyrimidine analogs named DHPM1-DHPM8 was synthesized in their hydrochloride salt form using one pot synthesis between methyl 2-chloro-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-6-methyl-1,4-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate and substituted arylamines in isopropanol. The antimosquito effect of the test compounds were assessed against the adult mosquito Anopheles arabiensis. For adulticidal properties t...

Bio-based surfactants have attracted increasing attention due to their renewable resources and excellent surface properties. In this study, a novel bio-based sulfonic zwitterionic surfactant (BSZS) derived from transgenic soybean oil was prepared using a simple reaction route with two steps of the amidation and quaterisation. The bio-based sulfonic zwitterionic surfactant showed a critical mice...