The synthetic routes and materials properties of polypropylene/montmorillonite nanocomposites are reviewed. The nanocomposite formation is achieved in two ways: either by using functionalized polypropylenes and common organo-montmorillonites, or by using neat/ unmodified polypropylene and a semi-fluorinated organic modification for the silicates. All the hybrids can be formed by solventless melt-intercalation or extrusion, and the resulting polymer/inorganic structures are characterized by a coexistence of intercalated and exfoliated montmorillonite layers. Small additionsstypically less than 6 wt %sof these nanoscale inorganic fillers promote concurrently several of the polypropylene materials properties, including improved tensile characteristics, higher heat deflection temperature, retained optical clarity, high barrier properties, better scratch resistance, and increased flame retardancy.

As an emerging topic, photonic-assisted microwave measurements with distinct features such as wide frequency coverage, large instantaneous bandwidth, low frequencydependent loss, and immunity to electromagnetic interference, have been extensively studied recently. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in photonic microwave measurements, including microwave spectrum analysis, instantaneous frequency measurement, microwave channelization, Doppler frequency-shift measurement, angle-of-arrival detection, time-frequency analysis, compressive sensing, and phase-noise measurement. A photonic microwave radar, as a functional measurement system, is also reviewed. The performance of the photonic measurement solutions is evaluated and compared with the electronic solutions. Future prospects using photonic integrated circuits and software-defined architectures to further improve the measurement performance are also discussed.

ABSTRACTeXTP is a science mission designed to study the state of matter under extreme conditions of density, gravity and magnetism. Primary goals are the determination of the equation of state of matter at supra-nuclear density, the measurement of QED effects in highly magnetized star, and the study of accretion in the strong-field regime of gravity. Primary targets include isolated and binary neutron stars, strong magnetic field systems like magnetars, and stellar-mass and supermassive black holes. The mission carries a unique and unprecedented suite of state-of-the-art scientific instruments enabling for the first time ever the simultaneous spectral-timing-polarimetry studies of cosmic sources in the energy range from 0.5-30 keV (and beyond). Key elements of the payload are: the Spectroscopic Focusing Array (SFA) -a set of 11 X-ray optics for a total effective area of ∼0.9 m 2 and 0.6 m 2 at 2 keV and 6 keV respectively, equipped with Silicon Drift Detectors offering <180 eV spectral resolution; the Large Area Detector (LAD) -a deployable set of 640 Silicon Drift Detectors, for a total effective area of ∼3.4 m 2 , between 6 and 10 keV, and spectral resolution better than 250 eV; the Polarimetry Focusing Array (PFA) -a set of 2 X-ray telescope, for a total effective area of 250 cm 2 at 2 keV, equipped with imaging gas pixel photoelectric polarimeters; the Wide Field Monitor (WFM) -a set of 3 coded mask wide field units, equipped with position-sensitive Silicon Drift Detectors, each covering a 90 degrees x 90 degrees field of view. The eXTP international consortium includes major institutions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Universities in China, as well as major institutions in several European countries and the United States. The predecessor of eXTP, the XTP mission concept, has been selected and funded as one of the so-called background missions in the Strategic Priority Space Science Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences since 2011. The strong European participation has significantly enhanced the scientific capabilities of eXTP. The planned launch date of the mission is earlier than 2025.

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This paper discusses a new class of maleic anhydride modified PP polymers (PP-MA), having a relatively well-defined molecular structure. The chemistry involves the borane-terminated PP intermediate that is prepared by hydroboration of the chain-end unsaturated PP. The borane group at the chain end was selectively oxidized by oxygen to form a “stable” polymeric radical which then in situ reacts with maleic anhydride to produce maleic anhydride terminated PP (PP-t-MA) with a single MA unit. In the presence of styrene, the polymeric radical initiated an alternative copolymerization of styrene and maleic anhydride to produce PP-b-SMA diblock copolymers, and the incorporated MA units are proportional to the concentration of styrene and the reaction time. No detectable side reaction was observed in the PP polymer chain. The resulting relatively well-defined PP-MA copolymers, with controllable PP molecular weight and MA concentration, were evaluated systematically in the reactive PP/PP-MA/polyamide blends. The compatibility is dependent on not only the microstructure of the compatibilizer, formed in situ by reacting PP-MA with polyamide chains, but also the composition of the PP/polyamide blend. In polyamide-rich blends, all PP-MA copolymers show limited compatibility. Higher MA concentrations result in poor blend morphologies. Most of the compatibilizers formed fail to position themselves at the interfaces between the PP and polyamide domains. On the other hand, in PP-rich blends the in situ formed compatibilizers are generally very effective, especially those involving the PP-b-SMA with high PP molecular weight and multiple MA units.