PEG and Thickeners: A Critical Interaction Between Polyethylene Glycol Laxative and Starch-Based Thickeners.

Clinicians commonly encounter dysphagia and constipation in a skilled nursing population. Increasing the viscosity of liquids, usually with a starch- or xanthan gum-based thickener, serves as a key intervention for patients with dysphagia. We report a newly identified and potentially dangerous interaction between polyethylene glycol 3350 laxative (PEG) and starch-thickened liquids. A patient requiring nectar-thickened liquids became constipated, and medical staff prescribed PEG for constipation. His nurse observed that the thickened apple juice immediately thinned to near-water consistency when PEG was added. She obtained the same results with thickened water and coffee. We quantified this phenomenon by isothermal rotational rheology. Results confirmed a precipitous loss of thickening when PEG was added to starch-based thickeners but not with xanthan gum-based thickeners. Clinicians and front-line staff should be aware of this potentially critical interaction between PEG- and starch-based thickeners. Although confirmatory studies are needed, our preliminary data suggest that PEG may be compatible with xanthan gum-- based thickeners.

Study of polymeric interactions of copolymers: 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and 2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylate (DHPMA) with copper hydroxylated nanoballs.

2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and 2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylate (DHPMA) were used to synthesize novel nanocomposites containing 0.5% by weight of copper hydroxylated nanoballs. Glass transition temperatures of the copolymers and their respective nanocomposites were determined by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was employed to measure the degradation temperatures of the samples and to determine if the degradation is a single step process or multiple step process. The dielectric permittivity (epsilon') and loss factor (epsilon") were measured via Dielectric Analysis (DEA) in the frequency range 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz and between the temperature -150 to 190 degrees C. gamma, beta, and alphabeta conductivity relaxations were revealed using the electric modulus formalism. The activation energies for the relaxations were calculated. Argand plots of M" versus M' were used to study the viscoelastic effects of both copolymer and the composites. Herein we show that it is possible to tune solubility and relaxation properties which are important to the design of new biomaterials.

Dielectric properties of novel polyurethane/silica nanowire composites.

An aliphatic isocyanate, polyether, polyol thermoplastic polyurethane, Tecoflex SG-85A, was solution processed with the varying amounts of silica nanowire. The dielectric permittivity (epsilon') and loss factor (epsilon") were measured via Dielectric Analysis (DEA) in the frequency range 1 Hz to 100 kHz and between the temperature -150 to 150 degrees C. The electric modulus formalism was used to reveal alpha, beta and conductivity relaxations. The activation energies for the relaxations are presented. Nanocomposites were also characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to determine glass transition temperatures. The onset of decomposition temperature was measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided images of the polymer-nanocomposites.

The measurement of charge for induction-based fluidic MALDI dispense event and nanoliter volume verification in real time.

This study preliminarily investigates whether nanoliter volumes of concentrated polar liquids and organic monomers launched to targets using induction based fluidics (IBF) can be verified through the real time charge measurements. We show that using a nanoliter IBF dispensing device and nanocoulomb meter, charge measurements made on nanoliter drops in real time are correlated with surface area following Gauss's Law. We infer the "induction only" formation of the double layer showing the ability to determine nanoliter volumes, nearly instantaneously, in real time. We discuss the implications that these observations may have for on improving/monitoring MALDI quantitation and its quality control.

Dielectric properties of PMMA/Soot nanocomposites.

Dielectric analysis (DEA) of relaxation behavior in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) soot nanocomposites is described herein. The soot, an inexpensive material, consists of carbon nanotubes, amorphous and graphitic carbon and metal particles. Results are compared to earlier studies on PMMA/multi-walled nanotube (MWNT) composites and PMMA/single-walled nanotube (SWNT) composites. The beta relaxation process appeared to be unaffected by the presence of the soot, as was noted earlier in nanotube composites. The gamma relaxation region in PMMA, normally dielectrically inactive, was "awakened" in the PMMA/soot composite. This occurrence is consistent with previously published data on nanotube composites. The dielectric permittivity, s', increased with soot content. The sample with 1% soot exhibited a permittivity (at 100 Hz and 25 degrees C) of 7.3 as compared to 5.1 for neat PMMA. Soot increased the dielectric strength, deltaE, of the composites. The 1% soot sample exhibited a dielectric strength of 6.38, while the neat PMMA had a value of 2.95 at 40 degrees C. The symmetric broadening term (alpha) was slightly higher for the 1% composite at temperatures near the secondary relaxation and near the primary relaxation, but all samples deviated from symmetrical semi-circular behavior (alpha = 1). The impact of the soot filler is seen more clearly in dielectric properties than in mechanical properties studies conducted earlier.

DC conductivity and interfacial polarization in PMMA/nanotube and PMMA/soot composites.

This work focuses on the DC conductivity and interfacial polarization of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites made with single wall nanotubes (SWNTs) and nanotube precursor soot. We aim to compare and contrast the behavior of the two nanofillers in an effort to determine if the precursor material imparts tunable electrical properties to PMMA. The DC activity of the polymers and composites was determined by extrapolating AC conductivity versus frequency plots to zero. Activation energies and DC conductivities were obtained through Arrhenius plots. The conductivity increased with temperature for all the samples in conjunction with viscous flow. Both nanotubes and nanosoot increased the DC conductivities. Activation energies for the SWNT decreased slightly upon the addition of nanotubes to the matrix. However, the activation energies increased with soot content in the matrix, indicating obstruction of motion or possible bridging caused by the soot. Cole-Cole plots were effectively used to determine the extent of interfacial polarization in the composite samples. Plots shifted toward the origin with the addition of carbon nanotubes or with soot concentration indicating a Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars process.

Dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes in a non-polar polymer, poly(4-methyl-1-pentene).

Poly(4-methyl-1-pentene), PMP, a high melting polymer composed of hydrogen and carbon, has the potential to become an alternative to polyethylene (PE) as shielding material against Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCR). PMP exhibits higher thermal stability than PE and is transparent in the UV/visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were pretreated with a polar solvent, N, N-Dimethylformimide (DMF), and then dispersed in a halogenated hydrocarbon, cyclohexyl chloride, which also dissolved the non polar polymer, PMP. The composites were characterized via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), microhardness measurements, and optical microscopy. DMA data revealed that the carbon nanotubes contributed to the enhancement of the high temperature alpha(c) relaxation which is thought to arise from motion around crystalline regions in the matrix. The storage modulus (60 Hz) increased from 2409 MPa in the neat PMP to 3716 MPa at -50 degrees C. The magnitude of the increase diminished near and above the glass transition region; the glassy matrix restricted motion of the crystalline regions. DSC data showed an increase in the percent crystallinity of the composite (75%) as compared to the neat polymer (68%). Low concentrations of nanotubes, when well dispersed, produced nanocomposites with varying degrees of transparency.

Persistent interactions between hydroxylated nanoballs and atactic poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)(PHEMA).

The incorporation of self-assembled nanoparticles, a.k.a. hydroxylated nanoballs, into poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)(PHEMA) gives rise to a cross-linked network/hydrogel with enhanced interfacial interaction, whereas its inclusion in poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) results in plasticization.