Federal University of São Carlos

About: Federal University of São Carlos is a education organization based out in São Carlos, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Microstructure. The organization has 16471 authors who have published 34057 publications receiving 456654 citations. The organization is also known as: UFSCar & Federal University of São Carlos.

Combustion synthesis of aluminium titanate

Abstract: Initial interest in aluminium titanate was due to its low thermal expansion coefficient and high thermal shock resistance, but further research was soon discouraged following the discovery of the expansion anisotropy and the instability of the compound over a specific range of temperatures. The development of a suitable active precursor powder could provide a possible solution to the fabrication difficulties (microcracking and decomposition). The scarce available thermodynamic data for the formation of Al2TiO5from its constituent oxides indicate that the reaction is endothermic and only possible at high temperature because of the titanate being entropy stabilised. The present work describes a straightforward combustion synthesis technique to prepare submicron Al2TiO5 powders, using the corresponding metal precursors-urea mixtures, at low temperature and short reaction times. A thermodynamic interpretation of the reaction is provided and the characteristics of the powder produced, like morphology, specific surface area and grain size, are discussed. The thermal behaviour of the combustion powder is compared with that of Al2TiO5 produced via the conventional ceramic solid state route.

B chromosomes in Astyanax scabripinnis (Pisces, Characidae)

Abstract: A karyotypic analysis was carried out using conventional staining and C-banding in 32 specimens of Astyanax scabripinnis (Pisces, Characidae) from Campos do Jordao (Sao Paulo State, Brazil). Twenty-eight individuals (87.5 per cent of the sample studied) showed 1–2 extra B-chromosomes, similar in size and shape (metacentrics) to pair 1 of the karyotype, with a high intra-individual constancy. Two types of B could be identified on the basis of their constitutive heterochromatin patterns. The hypothesis of the origin of the B-chromosome from non-disjunction of chromosome 1, followed by a heterochromatinization process, is postulated.