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Controlling the molecular alignment of liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) within nano- and microstructures is essential in manipulating the actuation behavior of nematic liquid crystal elastomers (NLCEs). Here, we study how to induce uniformly vertical alignment of nematic LCMs within a micropillar array to maximize the macroscopic shape change using surface chemistry. Landau-de Gennes numerical modeling suggests that it is difficult to perfectly align LCMs vertically in every pore within a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) mold with porous channels during soft lithography. In an untreated PDMS mold that provides homeotropic anchoring of LCMs, a radially escaped configuration of LCMs is observed. Vertically aligned LCMs, a preferred configuration for actuation, are only observed when using a PDMS mold with planar anchoring. Guided by the numerical modeling, we coat the PDMS mold with a thin layer of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), leading to planar anchoring of LCM. Confirmed by polarized optical microscopy, we observe monodomains of vertically aligned LCMs within the mold, in agreement with modeling. After curing and peeling off the mold, the resulting NLCE micropillars showed a relatively large and reversible radial strain (∼30%) when heated above the nematic to isotropic transition temperature.

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The increasing usage of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) in oilfields as a flooding agent to enhance oil recovery at so large quantities is an ecological hazard to the subsurface ecosystem due to persistence and inertness. Biodegradation of HPAM is a potentially promising strategy for dealing with this problem among many other methods available. To understand the responsible microorganisms and mechanism of HPAM biodegradation under anaerobic conditions, an enrichment culture from production waters of oil reservoirs were established with HPAM as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen incubated for over 328 days, and analyzed using both molecular microbiology and chemical characterization methods. Gel permeation chromatography, High-pressure liquid chromatography and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy results indicated that, after 328 days of anaerobic incubation, some of the amide groups on HPAM were removed and released as ammonia/ammonium and carboxylic groups, while the carbon backbone of HPAM was converted to smaller polymeric fragments, including oligomers and various fatty acids. Based on these results, the biochemical process of anaerobic biodegradation of HPAM was proposed. The phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences retrieved from the enrichments showed that Proteobacteria and Planctomycetes were the dominant bacteria in the culture with HPAM as the source of carbon and nitrogen, respectively. For archaea, Methanofollis was more abundant in the anaerobic enrichment. These results are helpful for understanding the process of HPAM biodegradation and provide significant insights to the fate of HPAM in subsurface environment and for possible bioremediation.

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The precursor of poly(carborane)(silicon-acetylene) (PCBS) for silicon carbide (SiC)/B4C composite ceramics was synthesized by a salt metathesis reaction. The molecular weight of PCBS was measured by gel permeation chromatography and the corresponding structures were identified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). After thermal curing, the PCBS was converted to a dark red brittle nonporous monolith and the thermal stability was significantly improved, especially in an air atmosphere. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the 5% weight loss temperatures were 595°C and 633°C under nitrogen and air atmospheres, respectively, and the corresponding residues at 1000°C were 86.42% and 90.42%. After a heat treatment at 1600°C under inert atmosphere, the well-dispersed SiC/B4C ceramic was obtained and characterized by FTIR, X-ray diffraction analysis, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The obtained SiC/B4C ceramic has a good high-temperature and oxidation resistance which can be applied to aviation, aerospace, and other ultra-high temperature conditions.

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