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A new 100 % bio-based thermosetting coating system was developed from epoxidized sucrose soyate crosslinked with blocked bio-based dicarboxylic acids. A solvent-free, green method was used to block the carboxylic acid groups and render the acids miscible with the epoxy resin. The thermal reversibility of this blocking allowed for the formulation of epoxy-acid thermoset coatings that are 100 % bio-based. This was possible due to the volatility of the vinyl ethers under curing conditions. These systems have good adhesion to metal substrates and perform well under chemical and physical stress. Additionally, the hardness of the coating system is dependent on the chain length of the diacid used, making it tunable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Compact layers are used in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) to passivate transparent conducting oxides (TCOs). TCO passivation increases DSSC performance by reducing electrical loss from recombination at the TCO-electrolyte interface and by improving electrical contact between the TCO and TiO2 photoelectrode. A novel process for synthesis of 4.5nm colloidal TiO2 compact layer particles via acid hydrolysis of titanium isopropoxide was developed. DSSCs fabricated with the colloidal TiO2 compact layer, with no compact layer, and those with an RF-sputtered compact layer were evaluated. Relative to a DSSC with no compact layer, the colloidal compact layer improved the short-circuit current density, fill factor, and solar energy conversion efficiency by 17.6%, 4.4%, and 25.3%, respectively. Relative to the sputtered compact layer, the colloidal compact layer improved the short-circuit current density and solar energy conversion efficiency by 5.5% and 5.3%, respectively, with no significant change in the fill factor. The improved DSSC characteristics were attributed to increased shunt resistance due to decreased electrolyte reduction at the TCO-electrolyte interface and decreased series resistance due to improved electrical contact between the TCO and the TiO2 photoelectrode. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We examined the morphosyntax of eight left hemispherectomized children at two different stages and compared it to MLU-matched normals. We found that the language of the hemispherectomies paralleled that of their MLU matches with respect to the specific morphosyntactic characteristics of each stage. Our findings provide strong evidence for the presence of functional categories in all early grammars and demonstrate that grammatical development, regardless of its neural substrate, is highly constrained by UG and follows a narrowly determined course. We discuss our findings within a neurobiological framework in which etiology defines the integrity of the remaining hemisphere, which in turn, determines its potential for linguistic reorganization and/or acquisition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]