Research on the friction and wear mechanism of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/hydroxylapatite composite hydrogel

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Hydroxylapatite (PVA/HA) composite hydrogel was prepared with poly(vinyl alcohol) and hydroxylapatite as raw materials, using the method of repeated freezing and thawing. The morphologies of PVA/HA composite hydrogel were observed by means of high-accuracy 3D profiler and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The compressive elastic modulus and the stress relaxation characteristics of PVA/HA composite hydrogel were measured using the flat-head cylinder indenter. The friction and wear tests between PVA/HA composite hydrogel and bovine knee articular cartilage were performed on the micro-tribometer. The worn morphologies of PVA/HA composite hydrogel were observed with environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). The results showed that PVA/HA composite hydrogel has the cross-link network microstructure which is similar to that of the natural bovine knee articular cartilages. With the increase of freezing-thawing cycles and the HA content, the degree of cross-link and the crystallization of PVA/HA composite hydrogel both increase, the elastic modulus increases evidently, the rate of stress relaxation is improved and the value of balance stress decreases. The friction coefficient decreases with the increase of the freezing-thawing cycles and the HA content. The more the freezing-thawing cycles are, the earlier the friction coefficient reaches the stable balance value. The friction deformation depth between PVA/HA composite hydrogel and bovine knee articular cartilage is inversely proportional to freezing-thawing cycles and the HA content. The main wear mechanisms of PVA/HA composite hydrogel are plastic flowing and adhesive flaking. The wear severity degree decreases with the increase of freezing-thawing cycles and the HA content. Supported by Key Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50535050), Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (Grant No. NCET-06-0479) and Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (Grant No. BK2005403)     

Numerical simulation of electroosmotic flow in hydrophobic microchannels

Electroosmotic flow (EOF) is a promising way for driving and mixing fluids in microfluidics. For the parallel-plate microchannel with the hydrophobic surface, this paper solved the governing equations using the finite element method (FEM), and the effects of microchannel height, electric strength and ionic concentration on EOF were thus investigated. The simulation indicates that the transient characteristics of EOF are similar in hydrophobic and hydrophilic microchannels, the steady time of EOF is proportional to the square of microchannel height, and the scale is microsecond. EOF velocity is proportional to the electric strength and independent of the channel height, and decreases slowly with the ionic concentration, which is lower than that in hydrophilic microchannel due to the presence of slip length in hydrophobic microchannel. The results can provide valuable insights into the optimal design of microchannel surfaces to achieve accurate EOF control in hydrophobic microchannel. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50730007)     

Separation of nanocolloids driven by dielectrophoresis: A molecular dynamics simulation

The nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) method was used to model the nanocolloids and the solvent particles. By introducing a non-uniform electric field, colloids were polarized to have opposite polarities. Separation of colloids driven by dielectrophoresis (DEP) could be seen clearly under a strong electric field at low temperatures. Analyzing the ratio of DEP velocities of colloids to thermal velocities of neutral solvent particles showed that when the ratio was correspondingly big, collision between colloids and solvent particles would be intense, making the DEP velocity of colloids fluctuate frequently. By changing the electric field strength, it was found that the enhancement of electric field strength would quicken the separation of colloids. But when the electric field strength increased to a certain degree, the separation motion would be slow because of the strong friction resistance of the solvent particles to the colloids. Moreover, studying the separation reason of colloids based on the potential energy showed that after colloids were polarized, the attractive potential energy among the colloids would be weaker than before, while the increase of temperature would reduce the attractive potential energy and increase the repulsive potential energy, which accorded with the DLVO theory. Supported by the National Hi-Tech Research and Derelopment Program of China (“863” Project) (Grant No. 2006AA04Z351) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 50675033, 30770553)     

Effect of coagulation temperature on structures and properties of poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (DHPBO) fibers during dry-jet wet-spinning process

The effect of coagulation temperature on the morphology, microstructures and mechanical properties of dihydroxy poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (DHPBO) fibers was investigated during dry-jet wet-spinning process, in which the coagulation bath concentration and drawn ratio were kept as 10 wt% of PPA in water and 1.7, respectively. The structures and mechanical properties of the as-spun DHPBO fibers were characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, and single fiber tensile testing. The results indicated that in PPA/H₂O coagulation system, when the coagulation temperature was 25°C, highly crystallized DHPBO as-spun fibers possessing fine crystallites, circular and smooth morphology, and excellent mechanical properties could be achieved. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50673017), Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project (Grant No. B603) and the Program of Introducing Taleuts of Discipline to University of People’s Republic of China (“111” Program) (Grant No. 111-2-04)     

Rapid prediction method for nonlinear expansion process of medical vascular stent

A neural network model with high nonlinear recognition capability was constructed to describe the relationship between the deformation impact factors and the deformation results of vascular stent.Then,using the weighted correction method with the attached momentum term,the network training algorithm was optimized by introducing learning factor η and momentum factor ψ,so the speed of the network training and the system robustness were enhanced.The network was trained by some practi-cal cases,and the statisti...     

Method of change management based on dynamic machining error propagation

In multistage machining processes(MMPs),the final quality of a part is influenced by a series of machining processes,which are complex correlations.So it is necessary to research the rule of machin-ing error propagation to ensure the machining quality.For this issue,a change management method of quality control nodes(i.e.,QC-nodes) for machining error propagation is proposed.A new framework of QC-nodes is proposed including association analysis of quality attributes,quality closed-loop control,error tracing...     

Equilibrium equations for nonlinear buckling analysis of drill-strings in 3D curved well-bores

With the development of drilling technology, the oil/gas well has evolved from its early vertical straight form to the inclined, horizontal, plane curved, or even 3D curved well-bore. Understanding of the buck-ling behavior of a drill-string in a well-bore is crucial for the success of a drilling operation. Therefore, equilibrium equations for analyzing the buckling behavior of a drill-string in a 3D curved well-bore are required. Based on Love’s equilibrium equations for a curved and twisted rod in space, ...     

A macro-meso constitutive law for concrete having imperfect interface and nonlinear matrix

The overall behavior of concrete depends on its meso structures such as aggregate shape, interface status, and mortar matrix property. The two key meso structure characters of concrete, bond status of interface and nonlinear property of matrix, are considered in focus. The variational structure principle is adopted to establish the macro-meso constitutive law of concrete. Specially, a linear reference composite material is selected to make its effective behavior approach the nonlinear overall behavior of concrete. And the overall property of linear reference composite can be estimated by classical estimation method such as self-consistent estimates method and Mori-Tanaka method. This variational structure method involves an optimum problem ultimately. Finally, the macro-meso constitutive law of concrete is established by optimizing the shear modulus of matrix of the linear reference composite. By analyzing the constitutive relation of concrete established, we find that the brittleness of concrete stems from the imperfect interface and the shear dilation property of concrete comes from the micro holes contained in concrete. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 50679022, 90510017, 50539090) and National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2007CB714104)     

Development of Zr/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> high temperature and high pressure sensors for <Emphasis Type="Italic">in-situ</Emphasis> measuring chemical parameters of deep-sea water

In order to in situ measure chemical parameters of deep-sea water and hydrothermal fluids at midocean ridge(MOR), it is necessary to use high temperature and high pressure chemical sensors.Developing new sensors is essential to measure in-situ pH and other chemical parameters(dissolved H2, dissolved H2S) of deep-sea water and hydrothermal fluids in a wide temperature range(2℃―400℃) at MOR vents.The YSZ(Yttria Stabilized Zirconia, 9%Y2O3) ceramic-based(HgO/Hg) chemical sensors possess excellent electrochemic...     

Thermal activation and radiation quenching characteristics and their application to the pre-dose dating of porcelain

The pre-dose technique is important for thermoluminescence (TL) dating of porcelain. The principle of pre-dose dating is based on two characteristics: thermal activation and radiation quenching of the porcelain. Based on these principles, two measurement methods, "the activation method" and "the quenching method", respectively, have been developed for evaluation of the porcelain paleodose. The paleodose values obtained are the same for the ages in the range of 100―1000 a BP for porcelains measured by these two methods. But for dating at lower age limits (less than 100 a BP), the activation method is more accurate; conversely, at higher age limits (greater than 1000 a BP) the quenching method is more accurate. In addition, two specific calculating methods are described for a few porce-lains having anomalous activation and quenching characteristics that make these two methods invalid.