ElsevierRedón-Santafé, M.; Ferrer-Gisbert, P.; Sánchez-Romero, F.;Torregrosa Soler, JB.; Ferran Gozalvez, JJ.; Ferrer Gisbert, CM. (2014) The article presents the main features of a floating photovoltaic cover system (FPCS) for water irrigation reservoirs whose purpose is to reduce the evaporation of water while generating electrical power. The system consists of polyethylene floating modules which are able to adapt to varying reservoir water levels by means of tension bars and elastic fasteners.

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The glass transition and the structural relaxation processes of blends of polystyrene and poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The experimental results were compared with the prediction of a model based on the calculation of the configurational entropy of the sample during the thermal history. The model is fitted to the experimental results, and material parameters independent of the thermal history are obtained. These parameters are used to estimate the length of the cooperativity unit at the glass-transition temperature for each blend and pure polymer.

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Titanium metal matrix composites were produced. The powder metallurgy route applied was a conventional route consisting of blending titanium matrix powder with different percentages of various titanium compounds, as reinforcement particles, followed by cold compaction in a uniaxial press with a floating matrix and a sintering process in a vacuum furnace. This work studied the different interactions between the titanium matrix and the various titanium compounds added. To evaluate these interactions microscopic techniques are used principally, optical and electronic microscopy, with EDX techniques. By microstructural analysis the reactivity between reinforcement and matrix particles was investigated, and any new phases that formed during the sintering process were evaluated. In addition, microhardness test were conducted to study the mechanical properties associated with the new phases, and to evaluate the relative strength or weakness of the interfacial zones.

Blends of polycarbonate (PC) and poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene) (ABS) with different compositions are characterized by means of dynamic mechanical measurements. The samples show phase separation. The shift in the temperatures of the main dynamic mechanical relaxation shown by the blend with respect to those of the pure components is attributed to the migration of oligomers present in the ABS toward the PC in the melt blending process. A comparison with other techniques (dielectric and calorimetric analysis) and the application of the Takayanagi three block model confirm this hypothesis. In all the studied blend compositions (ABS weight up to 28.6%) the PC appears as the matrix where a disperse phase of ABS is present. The scanning and transmission electron microscopy micrographs show that the size of the ABS particles increases when the proportion of ABS in the blend increases. The FTIR results indicate that the interaction between both components are nonpolar in nature and can be enhanced by the preparation procedure.

Particulate reinforced titanium composites were produced by PM route. Different volumetric percentages of TiN reinforcements were used, 5,10,15 vol%. Samples were uniaxially pressed and vacuum sintered at different temperatures between 1200-1300°C. Density, porosity, shrinkage, mechanical properties and microstructure were studied. Elastic properties and strength resistance were analysed by flexural strength and tension tests, and after the test, fractured samples were analysed as well to obtain the correlation between the fracture, interparticular or intraparticular, and the level of reinforcement addition. Hardness and microhardness test were done to obtain a better understanding of its mechanical properties. In order to study wear resistance pinon- disc tests were conducted. In addition, the influence of temperature, the reactivity between matrix and reinforcement on microstructural development were observed by optical and electron microscopy.