Comparison of soybean oil and castor oil methanolysis in the presence of tin(IV) complexes

Scopus: "In this paper we present and discuss the results obtained from the methanolysis of two vegetable oils with very distinct triglyceride composition, castor oil and soybean oil, using Lewis acid Sn(IV)-based compounds as catalysts."

For all transesterification reactions, two different types of reactors were employed; an open glass (OG) reactor equipped with a reflux condenser, and a closed steel (CS) reactor. The results indicated that in all reactions assayed, regardless of the Sn(IV)-based catalyst employed, the yields obtained with the methanolysis of castor oil are generally lower than those carried out with soybean oil. Furthermore, independently of the oil used, the reaction yields tend to be higher when the CS reactor was employed

Serra, T.M., De Mendona, D.R., Da Silva, J.P.V., Meneghetti, M.R., Plentz Meneghetti, S.M.

Grupo de Catálise e Reatividade Química, Instituto de Química e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, 57072-970 Maceió-AL, Brazil

New alloy could provide cheap drinking water to villages

Deccan Herald: "A new aluminum alloy could convert sea or freshwater into drinking water while also extracting hydrogen to generate power."

Such a technology could help provide power and drinking water to remote villages in Asian and African nations, said Jerry Woodall, Purdue University professor of electrical and computer engineering.

The alloy contains aluminum, gallium, indium and tin. Immersing the alloy in freshwater or saltwater causes a spontaneous reaction, splitting the water into hydrogen and oxygen molecules.

The hydrogen could then be fed to a fuel cell to generate electricity, producing water in the form of steam as a by-product, he said, according to a Purdue statement.

"The steam would kill any bacteria contained in the water, and then it would condense to purified water," Woodall said. "So, you are converting undrinkable water to drinking water."

"There is no other technology to compare it against, economically," Woodall said. "But it's obvious that 34 cents per kilowatt hour is cheap compared to building a power plant and installing power lines, especially in remote areas.

Researchers innovate a material to replace indium tin oxide

EEHerald: "The research team has been able to achieve higher conductivity by combining low concentrations of carbon nanotubes and conducting latex in a low-cost polystyrene film. The nanotubes and the latex together account for less than 1 percent of the weight of the conducting film. That is important, because a high concentration of carbon nanotubes makes the film black and opaque, so the concentration needs to be kept as low as possible. The research team was led by theoretical physicist Paul van der Schoot and polymer chemist Cor Koning. Post-doc Andriy Kyrylyuk is the first author of the paper in Nature Nanotechnology."

Tin materials suitable for high temperature bearings

Steel Guru "World Pumps reported that Graphite Metallizing Corporation has developed a new range of tin based babbitt Graphalloy materials for high temperature bearing applications up to 350'F.

The materials are available in NSF certified grades for drinking water and are FDA accepted. They are suitable for use as self-lubricating bearings in submerged and dry applications.

Graphalloy tin based babbitt is environmentally safe to machine and use, and eliminates the need for grease or oil, thus reducing contamination and maintenance. Graphite Metallizing Corporation says that the materials could replace plastics because they offer improved heat dissipation and will not melt or cold flow. In low temperature applications the bearings can help solve lubrication problems caused by the viscosity of grease and oil.

The materials can be used in potable water, food applications and traditional low temperature applications. Used in the manufacture of bushings, bearings and other components for machinery and process equipment, Graphalloy materials are self-lubricating, impervious to temperature extremes and thrive in harsh environments."

Nickel-tin foam with nanostructured walls for rechargeable lithium battery

Scopus: "Nickel-tin foams with a graded micro-porous framework and nano-porous walls are created by an electrochemical deposition method for use as the anode in rechargeable lithium batteries.

The resulting electrodes react readily with lithium electrochemically and deliver a reversible capacity of more than 470 mAh g-1 for up to 50 cycles. In addition, they show outstanding rate performance: their reversible capacity at a discharging rate of 20 C is about 70% of the capacity at a rate of 1 C, due mainly to their unique structure which allows facile lithium-ion transport and fast surface reactions. The reversible capacity and rate capability show strong dependence on the thickness of the deposit and this is associated with the accessibility of lithium ions inside the porous structure"

Preparation and corrosion resistance of tin salt conversion film on aluminum alloy surface

Scopus: "A chrome-free chemical conversion film with good corrosion resistance was prepared by chemical conversion method using stannous sulfate as main salt.

Effects of stannous sulfate concentration, film-forming oxidant concentration, film-forming accelerator concentration, reaction temperature and reaction time on corrosion resistance of the coating were studied. Corrosion resistance of the conversion coating was examined by electrochemical testing. At pH 2∼3, the optimal preparation technologic conditions of chrome-free chemical conversion film were SnSO4 0. 15 g/L, KMnO4 1. 5 g/L and NaF 2 g/L, reaction temperature 30°C, reaction time 1. 5 min. The tin salt conversion film has simple preparation technology, rapid film-forming speed and good corrosion resistance.