The use of mindmapping software for patent search and management

Modern information technologies and in particular the internet have revolutionized the patent information professionals' work in terms of speed of access and information comprehensiveness from both company internal and external digital sources. Here, I describe how the digital mindmapping technique can be used to complement existing intellectual property management software solutions to meet the challenge of optimizing and managing patent search workflows as well as to rapidly organise and access highly dynamic, heterogeneous and scattered patent information sources. Both eye catching and highly memorable and at the same time self-explanatory mindmapping examples are presented. These were designed to include basic and advanced level digital mindmapping features tailored to significantly speed up and maintain a high work quality level of patent search professionals. A special emphasis is put on the great benefit of organising and accessing the plethora of internet-based worldwide online patent registers through mindmapping, both in terms of managing the constantly changing deep links to the actual search options for e.g., legal status information, and keeping track of the offered level of content.     

Vaccine R&D in Brazil: The effectiveness of push and pull regulations

Government regulations can guide the technological progress, investment in research and development (R&D), and institutional organization of a specific sector. In this context, using patent data, this study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of three laws that pertain to R&D in Brazilian pharmaceutical market for vaccines. The results reveal an increasing international interest in the Brazilian market since the promulgation of the Industrial Property Law. Despite its limitations, this study reveals significant efforts and promising results in Brazil with respect to ensuring that technological and industrial policies and strategies incorporate innovation in vaccine R&D and change the economy's competitive circumstances.     

Advances in piezoelectric thin films for acoustic biosensors,acoustofluidics and lab-on-chip applications

Recently, piezoelectric thin films including zinc oxide (ZnO) and aluminium nitride (AlN) have found a broad range of lab-on-chip applications such as biosensing, particle/cell concentrating, sorting/patterning, pumping, mixing, nebulisation and jetting. Integrated acoustic wave sensing/microfluidic devices have been fabricated by depositing these piezoelectric films onto a number of substrates such as silicon, ceramics, diamond, quartz, glass, and more recently also polymer, metallic foils and bendable glass/silicon for making flexible devices. Such thin film acoustic wave devices have great potential for implementing integrated, disposable, or bendable/flexible lab-on-a-chip devices into various sensing and actuating applications. This paper discusses the recent development in engineering high performance piezoelectric thin films, and highlights the critical issues such as film deposition, MEMS processing techniques, control of deposition/processing parametres, film texture, doping, dispersion effects, film stress, multilayer design, electrode materials/designs and substrate selections. Finally, advances in using thin film devices for lab-on-chip applications are summarised and future development trends are identified.     

Effects of surface washing on the mitigation of concrete corrosion under sewer conditions

This study systematically investigated the potential of mitigating sulfide induced sewer concrete corrosion by surface washing. Washing interrupted the corrosion activity of concrete coupons by increasing the surface pH and decreasing the H₂S uptake rates (SUR). The SUR recovered to the level prior to washing within 60–140 days. The slowest recovery rate was from the most severely corroded coupon. However, no significant difference was observed for concrete mass loss of the washed and unwashed coupons after 54 months. The results suggest that frequent washing at short intervals of a few months might be needed to control corrosion over a long term.     

Advances in metals and alloys for joint replacement

Metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites have been employed in joint arthroplasty with ever increasing success since the 1960s. New materials to repair or replace human skeletal joints (e.g. hip, knee, shoulder, ankle, fingers) are being introduced as materials scientists and engineers develop better understanding of the limitations of current joint replacement technologies. Advances in the processing and properties of all classes of materials are providing superior solutions for human health. However, as the average age of patients for joint replacement surgery decreases and the average lifespans of men and women increases worldwide, the demands upon the joint materials are growing. This article focuses solely on advances in metals, highlighting the current and emerging technologies in metals processing, metal surface treatment, and integration of metals into hybrid materials systems. The needed improvements in key properties such as wear, corrosion, and fatigue resistance are discussed in terms of the enhanced microstructures that can be achieved through advanced surface and bulk metal treatments. Finally, far reaching horizons in metals science that may further increase the effectiveness of total joint replacement solutions are outlined.     

Controlled chemical modification of the internal surface of photonic crystal fibers for application as biosensitive elements

Photonic crystal fibers (PCF) are one of the most promising materials for creation of constructive elements for bio-, drug and contaminant sensing based on unique optical properties of the PCF as effective nanosized optical signal collectors. In order to provide efficient and controllable binding of biomolecules, the internal surface of glass hollow core photonic crystal fibers (HC-PCF) has been chemically modified with silanol groups and functionalized with (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES). The shift of local maxima in the HC-PCF transmission spectrum has been selected as a signal for estimating the amount of silanol groups on the HC-PCF inner surface. The relationship between amount of silanol groups on the HC-PCF inner surface and efficiency of following APTES functionalization has been evaluated. Covalent binding of horseradish peroxidase (chosen as a model protein) on functionalized PCF inner surface has been performed successively, thus verifying the possibility of creating a biosensitive element.     

Recent advances in thermoelectric materials

Thermoelectric materials are crucial in renewable energy conversion technologies to solve the global energy crisis. They have been proven to be suitable for high-end technological applications such as missiles and spacecraft. The thermoelectric performance of devices depends primarily on the type of materials used and their properties such as their Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and thermal stability. Classic inorganic materials have become important due to their enhanced thermoelectric responses compared with organic materials. In this review, we focus on the physical and chemical properties of various thermoelectric materials. Newly emerging materials such as carbon nanomaterials, electronically conducting polymers, and their nanocomposites are also briefly discussed. Strategies for improving the thermoelectric performance of materials are proposed, along with an insight into semiconductor physics. Approaches such as nanostructuring, nanocomposites, and doping are found to enhance thermoelectric responses by simultaneously tuning various properties within a material. A recent trend in thermoelectric research shows that high-performance thermoelectric materials such as inorganic materials and carbon nanomaterials/electronically conducting polymer nanocomposites may be suitable for power generation and energy sustainability in the near future.     

Effect of boron waste and boric acid addition on the production of low energy belite cement

The effect of boron oxide addition on the production of low energy belite cements has been investigated. Three types of clinkers were prepared with 1.5 wt.% (BC_BA1.5) boric acid, and 1.0 wt.% (BC_BW1) and 6.5 wt.% (BC_BW6.5) boron waste addition. The design of the raw mixtures was based on modified Bogue equations. According to the free lime content and the evolution of the microstructure of the clinkers, firing was performed at 1330 °C, 1350 °C and 1310 °C for BC_BA1.5, BC_BW1 and BC_BW6.5, respectively. Boron addition favored the reduction of the clinkering temperature as well as the stabilization of upper belite polymorphs. According to the present results, late compressive strength development of belite cements depends mainly on the crystal type rather than on the content of belite in the clinker. The results indicate that controlled quantities of boron oxide can be beneficial in the production of belite cement.     

Influence of recycled aggregates and high contents of fly ash on concrete fresh properties

This study presents the fresh properties of concrete with supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) and recycled concrete aggregates (RCA), with emphasis on the feasibility of using high volumes of fly ash (FA) in RCA concrete. For this purpose, two mix families (0% coarse RCA and 100% coarse RCA) were produced, both with and without superplasticizers (SP). The coarse natural aggregates (NA) were replaced with coarse RCA at 0% and 100%, respectively. For each of the mentioned families, three incorporation levels (0%, 50% and 100%) of fine RCA were used with 0%, 30% and 60% of FA, resulting in 28 compositions. Each mix was tested in the fresh state by means of slump, density and air content. The results of this study show that RCA decreased the slump of concrete mixes, but the required water content can be minimized by incorporation FA. Regardless of the water absorption of the aggregates, for a given fine RCA incorporation ratio and the same ratio of FA, no increase in water content is required to obtain the same target slump as in the reference concrete. On the other hand, for a given coarse RCA incorporation ratio, a five times lower FA ratio is enough to obtain the same target slump as in the reference concrete. Air voids in concrete mixes were more affected by the shape of the aggregates than by their water absorption. The air content of concrete mixes increased as the incorporation levels of FA and RCA increased. However, in comparison with the individual effects, the air content decreased by combining the incorporation of both FA and RCA. Moreover, the rate of reduction in fresh density by increasing the incorporation of RCA and FA was similar in concrete mixes with and without SP.     

Luminescence properties of long-lasting phosphor SrMg2(PO4)2:Eu2+, Ho3+, Zr4+

Novel long lasting phosphors SrMg₂(PO₄)₂:Eu²⁺, SrMg₂(PO₄)₂:Eu²⁺, Zr⁴⁺, SrMg₂(PO₄)₂:Eu²⁺, Ho³⁺ and SrMg₂(PO₄)₂:Eu²⁺, Ho³⁺, Zr⁴⁺ were synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction method. The luminescent properties were systematically characterized by X-ray diffraction, photoluminescent excitation and emission spectra, as well as thermoluminescence spectrum and decay curves. The XRD patterns indicated that the samples belonged to monoclinic phase and co-doping Eu²⁺, Ho³⁺ and Zr⁴⁺ ions had no effect on the basic crystal structure. These phosphors emitting purplish blue light is related to the characteristic emission of Eu²⁺. The afterglow time of Eu²⁺ activated SrMg₂(PO₄)₂ can be greatly enhanced by the co-doping of Ho³⁺, Zr⁴⁺. After the 365 nm UV light excitation source switching off, the Sr_0.92Mg_1.95(PO₄)₂:Eu²⁺_0.01, Zr⁴⁺_0.05, Ho³⁺_0.07 phosphorescence can be observed for more than 1013 s in the limit of light perception of dark-adapted human eyes (0.32 mcd/m²). Different kinds of TL peaks at 423, 448 and 473 K have appeared, and traps densities have increased compared with the Eu²⁺ single doped SrMg₂(PO₄)₂ phosphor. By analyzing the TL curve the depths of traps were calculated to be 0.846, 0.896 and 0.946 eV, respectively, which suggested that the co-doping of Ho³⁺, Zr⁴⁺ improved the electron storage ability of material. Besides, the mechanism was discussed in this report.     

Mechanical properties of graphene and graphene-based nanocomposites

In this present review, the current status of the intrinsic mechanical properties of the graphene-family of materials along with the preparation and properties of bulk graphene-based nanocomposites is thoroughly examined. The usefulness of Raman spectroscopy for the characterization and study of the mechanical properties of graphene flakes and their composites is clearly exhibited. Furthermore, the preparation strategies of bulk graphene-based nanocomposites are discussed and the mechanical properties of nanocomposites reported in the literature are analysed. In particular, through the analyse of several hundred literature papers on graphene composites, we have found a unique correlation between the filler modulus, derived from the rule of mixtures, and the composite matrix. This correlation is found to hold true across a wide range of polymer matrices and thus suggests that the common assumption that the filler modulus is independent of the matric is incorrect, explaining the apparent under performance of graphene in some systems. The presence of graphene even at very low loadings can provide significant reinforcement to the final material, while the parameters that affect the nanocomposite strongly are thoroughly reviewed. Finally, the potential applications and future perspectives are discussed with regard to scale up capabilities and possible developments of graphene-based nanocomposite materials.     

Drug self-assembly: A phenomenon at the nanometer scale with major impact in the structure–biological properties relationship and the treatment of disease

Under water-rich conditions, small amphiphilic and hydrophobic drug molecules self-assemble into supramolecular nanostructures. Thus, substantial modifications in their interaction with cellular structures and the ability to reach intracellular targets could happen. Additionally, drug aggregates could be more toxic than the non-aggregated counterparts, or vice versa. Moreover, since self-aggregation reduces the number of effective “monomeric” molecules that interact with the target, the drug potency could be underestimated. In other cases, the activity could be ascribed to the non-aggregated molecule while it stems from its aggregates. Thus, drug self-assembly could mislead from drug throughput screening assays to advanced preclinical and clinical trials. Finally, aggregates could serve as crystallization nuclei. The impact that this phenomenon has on the biological performance of active compounds, the inconsistent and often controversial nature of the published data and the need for recommendations/guidelines as preamble of more harmonized research protocols to characterize drug self-aggregation were main motivations for this review. First, the key molecular and environmental parameters governing drug self-aggregation, the main drug families for which this phenomenon and the methods used for its characterization are described. Then, promising nanotechnology platforms investigated to prevent/control it towards a more efficient drug development process are briefly discussed.     

Polymer/carbon based composites as electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials

The extensive development of electronic systems and telecommunications has lead to major concerns regarding electromagnetic pollution. Motivated by environmental questions and by a wide variety of applications, the quest for materials with high efficiency to mitigate electromagnetic interferences (EMI) pollution has become a mainstream field of research. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art research in the design and characterization of polymer/carbon based composites as EMI shielding materials. After a brief introduction, in Section 1, the electromagnetic theory will be briefly discussed in Section 2 setting the foundations of the strategies to be employed to design efficient EMI shielding materials. These materials will be classified in the next section by the type of carbon fillers, involving carbon black, carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes and graphene. The importance of the dispersion method into the polymer matrix (melt-blending, solution processing, etc.) on the final material properties will be discussed. The combination of carbon fillers with other constituents such as metallic nanoparticles or conductive polymers will be the topic of Section 4. The final section will address advanced complex architectures that are currently studied to improve the performances of EMI materials and, in some cases, to impart additional properties such as thermal management and mechanical resistance. In all these studies, we will discuss the efficiency of the composites/devices to absorb and/or reflect the EMI radiation.     

One-way Fluid Structure Interaction modelling methodology for boiler tube fatigue failure

A modelling methodology developed for dealing with fatigue failures on large boiler tube assemblies, as used by power generation industries, is described. Boiler tube fatigue failures are resultant to a coupled combination of fluid flow and heat transfer mechanisms, inducing thermal expansion leading to fatigue failure. A combination of modelling tools is effectively combined for one-way Fluid Structure Interaction, solving for and extracting stress results efficiently. A one dimensional fluid solver is used to approximate and model the thermal flow components. The study case considered implemented the developed methodology on a quarter boiler hopper section made up of 3022 tube and membrane structure with a collective length of 4787 m. Operating conditions are iteratively adjusted in the one dimensional pipe flow model until a correlation is formed with instrumented data. This validated model enables further use for various postulated plant conditions and operational sequences through transient start-up conditions. The boiler tube temperatures obtained from the one dimensional model are transferred and used as boundary conditions in a full three dimensional finite element analysis where deformations are solved for and stress results obtained due to thermal expansion within the boiler tube walls and the adjacent support structure. The model is used for redesign of sections of the boiler to reduce stress in those areas and subsequently reduce fatigue failures.     

Corrosion resistance of strain-hardening steel-fiber-reinforced cementitious composites

This study investigated the corrosion resistance of strain-hardening steel-fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (SH-SFRCs) in a chloride environment. Two types of steel fibers, hooked and twisted, were added (2% by volume) to a high-strength mortar matrix (90 MPa). All the specimens were exposed to cyclic wetting in a 3.5% chloride solution followed by drying. The corrosion resistance of SH-SFRCs was then evaluated by measuring the direct tensile resistance after the chloride cycles. The strain capacity and toughness of all the SH-SFRCs decreased significantly after 105 chloride cycles, whereas a slight reduction was observed in their post-cracking strength. The corrosion resistance of SH-SFRCs after the chloride cycles was strongly dependent on the width of multiple microcracks when the SH-SFRCs were pre-cracked by tensioning until 0.1% tensile strain. The addition of calcium nitrite (CNI) was successful in improving the corrosion resistance of the pre-cracked SH-SFRCs in the chloride environment.     

Effects of microstructural heterogeneity on very high cycle fatigue properties of 7050-T7451 aluminum alloy friction stir butt welds

In this study, the very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) properties of 7050-T7451 aluminum alloy and its friction stir welding (FSW) butt welds have been investigated. The results show that the failure of FSW joints still occurs at 7.0 × 10⁸ cycles. The fatigue properties of the FSW joints are superior to those of the base material, especially in the super long life regime. Most fatigue cracks initiate at the thermo-mechanically affected zone and heat affected zone on the advancing side of the FSW joints, and the susceptibility of these zones to fatigue is attributed to the metallurgical heterogeneity.     

Damage and permeability in tape-laid thermoplastic composite cryogenic tanks

This work presents a combined experimental and numerical approach to the design and analysis of tape-laid thermoplastic composite cryogenic tanks. A detailed material and defect characterisation of automated tape-laid CF/PEEK is undertaken using optical micrography and 3D X-ray CT (computed tomography) as well as cryogenic testing to investigate damage formation. Resulting material data is used as input for a novel XFEM (extended finite element method)–cohesive zone methodology which is used to predict intra- and inter-ply damage in an internally pressurised cryogenic tank. An optimised tank lay-up is presented and analysed using the numerical method to ensure resistance to microcrack formation and fuel leakage through the tank walls under operating loads.     

Multilayer design of hybrid phosphor film for application in LEDs

Crosslinked polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite coatings containing luminescent micrometer-sized yellow Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ (YAG:Ce³⁺) particles were prepared by spraying for potential applications in solid-state lighting. Blue light was down converted by phosphor particles to produce white light, yet poor color properties of YAG:Ce³⁺ stemmed from a deficiency of red. When nitride-based red phosphor was simply blended into the system, the electrostatic interaction of negatively charged YAG:Ce³⁺ and positively charged red phosphor particles caused remarkable clustering and heterogeneity in particle dispersion. Consequently, the light is dominantly blue and shifted to cold white. In other case, phosphor particles were sprayed onto the diffused polycarbonate substrate in stacked layers. Coatings with >80% inorganic content by mass with a thickness of 60 μm were subjected to thermal crosslinking, which the presence of the phosphor particles obstructed, presumably due to the hindrance of large phosphor particles in the diffusion of PDMS precursors. The coating of YAG:Ce³⁺ first followed by red phosphor in stacked layers produced better light output and color properties than the coating obtained by spraying the mixture at once. Monte Carlo simulation validated the hypothesis.     

Thermal conductivity of silver loaded conductive epoxy from cryogenic to ambient temperature and its application for precision cryogenic noise measurements

The pressure to increase the sensitivity of instrumentation has pushed the use of cryogenic Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) technology into a growing number of fields. These areas range from radio astronomy and deep space communications to fundamental physics. In this context manufacturing for cryogenic environments requires a proper thermal knowledge of the materials to be able to achieve adequate design behavior. In this work, we present experimental measurements of the thermal conductivity of a silver filled conductive epoxy (EPO-TEK H20E) which is widely used in cryogenic electronics applications. The characterization has been made using a sample preparation which mimics the practical use of this adhesive in the fabrication of cryogenic devices. We apply the data obtained to a detailed analysis of the effects of the conductive epoxy in a monolithic thermal noise source used for high accuracy cryogenic microwave noise measurements. In this application the epoxy plays a fundamental role since its limited thermal conductivity allows heating the chip with relatively low power. To our knowledge, the cryogenic thermal conductivity data of this epoxy has not been reported before in the literature in the 4–300 K temperature range. A second non-conductive epoxy (Gray Scotch-Weld 2216 B/A), also widely used in cryogenic applications, has been measured in order to validate the method by comparing with previous published data.     

Effect of hypophosphite on electrodeposition of graphite@copper powders

The effect of sodium hypophosphite (NaH₂PO₂) on the electrodeposition of copper coated graphite powders (graphite@Cu) was investigated in this paper. The cathodic polarization curves were determined by potentiodynamic scanning method in the electrolyte containing various concentrations of NaH₂PO₂. Hypophosphite could reduce the overpotential of copper deposited on the graphite particles surface and accelerate electroless copper nuclei generated by the reduction reaction. The applied potential promoted the formation of copper nuclei on the surface of graphite powders. Uniform graphite@Cu powders were fabricated by optimizing the NaH₂PO₂ concentration in the range of 10–15 g dm⁻³. The residue of NaH₂PO₂ could be depleted to less than 0.25 g dm⁻³ by decomposition on the anode and chemical reduction in the bath during electrodeposition. The effect of hypophosphite on the electrodeposition of graphite@Cu is also discussed.