Everwide Newsletter No.178

Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) is an instrument we commonly use to analyze the characteristics of thermal stability, pyrolysis temperature, composition analysis, and inorganic content (Figure 1). In most cases, TGA has high stability, but accidents happen occasionally. Figure 2 is a close-up of the TGA detail, that is, when we burn the product to 800°C, the weight remaining rate is -19%. Theoretically, the components of the product will remain at high temperatures, and the weight remaining rate is positive, but if all of them are decomposed, it should be 0%, and it is really difficult to understand the negative value. How can we go further? We made a few assumptions, especially for hardware inspections to detect adverse reactions.

After completing these steps, do the TGA experiment with the original sample again, and still, get the same value of about -18% as before! (Figure 4) We suddenly received inspiration that we measured the weight difference of the crucible itself before and after the experiment, and found that the sample to be tested would react with the ceramic crucible at high temperatures, resulting in the weight of the crucible itself becoming lighter! This kind of example is really rare and it is said that the sample contains special fluoride.

─Author: Miss. Shuting, Yang

The 169th issue of the Biweekly Report reported this year's exhibition information. This year, we changed our style and intensively participated in professional exhibitions in different markets with smaller booths. In addition to the bicycle exhibition and automotive electronics exhibition in the first half of the year, the International Optoelectronics Exhibition in June (Figure 1), the touch panel and optical film manufacturing process, equipment, and materials exhibition have just ended from 8/27 to 8/29 ( Figure2, 3). Compared with other exhibitions, this time can be described as full. Although we only set up one booth and hung up two wall charts, we still attracted a lot of friends to ask for relevant details. What everyone is most interested in is the anti-hydrofluoric acid hydrolyzed UV glue used for the UV glue of the BEF composite film and the UV glue of the anti-blue film. The colleagues participating in the exhibition unanimously agreed that this is the exhibition with the highest CP value this year. We are preparing for the TAITRONICS from 10/6 to 10/9 (photo 4). Every time you see us, there will be some surprises, so is it very exciting?

Epoxy resin generally refers to a high-molecular prepolymer containing 2 or more epoxy groups (Oxirane) with aliphatic, alicyclic, or aromatic segments as the main chain. With appropriate chemical reagents, epoxy resin can form a three-dimensional intersecting network of cured products. Appropriate chemical reagents refer to amines, acid anhydrides, mercaptans, phenols, etc., which can react with epoxy groups and are often referred to as curing agents. There are some tertiary amines, boron halides, and amine complexes, etc., which can polymerize epoxy resins, so they are sometimes referred to as initiators, and sometimes also referred to as curing agents. Epoxy resin has quite good performance in all properties, and it is now one of the most important materials used in thermosetting plastics in the world.

In the content mentioned in the previous issue, we should pay attention to the red amaranth after washing at 50°C to shake and drain, and do not rub it during the warm soup washing process to avoid damage to the leaves. In fact, not all vegetables are suitable for washing at 50°C, such as lettuce. Vegetables with too soft leaves may not be washed with water at 50°C, or the washing time should be designed to be shorter. Another important point of preservation is to prevent the evapotranspiration of water. The bitter gourd will be dry and rot after being placed in the refrigerator for 21 days without sealing, but if it is washed at 50°C for two minutes, drained, and sealed in a zipper bag, it will remain fresh. We also studied whether washing at 50°C can reduce the nitrate content. The answer is negative. Only boiling at 100°C for about 3 to 5 minutes can effectively reduce the nitrate content. The nitrate content of bok choy is much higher than that of lettuce, so we recommend boiling the spinach and then sautéing it to effectively reduce it. We also experiment with bean sprouts, but the commercially available products are very moist and not necessarily fresh, so in order to require the data to be correct, we personally grow bean sprouts. Cultivating bean sprouts is actually very simple, and the taste is quite different. Please refer to the link for the difference between the method of self-cultivation and the commercially available products：http://www.everwide.com.tw/download/sciencefair.pdf A typhoon happened during the science exhibition competition, so the TV station broadcasted the interview we had previously received while broadcasting the news, which greatly encouraged the children. We won first place in the science exhibition of Yunlin County on this topic, and we were selected to participate in the national competition and won excellent works (8-10) among 28 teams, breaking the record of Shiliu Elementary School, which is a very rare result. In addition to achievements, the most important thing to participate in the science exhibition is to cultivate the process of hands-on work, group interaction, and acceptance of cross-examination. The children shouted that it was too fun, and they will go next year!

─Author: Miss. Miaoling, Lin