Eastern Iowa Community College

Abstract The vast majority of industrial electron‐beam (EB) polymerizations are initiated via radical mechanism. Because radicals drive EB polymerization, understanding their formation and secondary reactions can provide insight into polymerization kinetics and property development. Primary and initiating radicals were quantified by measuring G(R•) and G(M•), respectively, for various acrylate and methacrylate monomers. Monomer chemistry was shown to impact primary radical formation; however, increased primary radical concentration did not necessarily correlate to increased conversion. Despite exhibiting high values of G(R•), methacrylates achieved very little conversion and had G(M•) values near zero. Acrylates achieved much higher G(M•) values and rates of polymerization compared to their methacrylate counterparts. Additionally, the efficiency of primary radicals converting to initiating radicals, f(M•), for each acrylate monomer was shown to be a good predictor of the amount of gel fraction formed during polymerization. Understanding radical formation and secondary radical reactions can help guide the structure/processing conditions/properties relationships that are currently underdeveloped for EB reactions.

An automatic irrigation system was designed for use on green-house tomatoes growing in peat-based substrates. This system uses electronic tensiometers to monitor continuously substrate matric potential (SMP) in peat-bags. The system also uses the Penman equation to evaluate potential evapotranspiration (PET) through the acquisition of many greenhouse environmental parameters. Through a series of linear equations, estimates of PET are used in a computer-controller system to vary the electrical conductivity (EC) of irrigated nutrient solutions, as well as SMP setpoints at which irrigations are started. Such modifications to current irrigation management systems may improve fruit quality and reduce the risk of water stress during periods of high PET by irrigating more frequently with less-concentrated nutrient solutions. Conversely, during periods of low PET, irrigation is less frequent with more-concentrated nutrient solutions. Although no differences were found in fruit number or overall yield using variable nutrient solution EC, plant fresh weight was higher in those treatments. It is concluded that an integrated tensiometer-PET system may give increased precision to irrigation management and the control of crop growth in the greenhouse.