Backscattered electron imaging of the undersurface of resin-embedded cells by field-emission scanning electron microscopy

In this study backscattered electron (BSE) imaging was used to display cellular structures stained with heavy metals within an unstained resin by atomic number contrast in successively deeper layers. Balb/c 3T3 fibroblasts were cultured on either 13-mm discs of plastic Thermanox, commercially pure titanium or steel. The cells were fixed, stained and embedded in resin and the disc removed. The resin block containing the cells was sputter coated and examined in a field-emission scanning electron microscope. The technique allowed for the direct visualization of the cell undersurface and immediately overlying areas of cytoplasm through the surrounding embedding resin, with good resolution and contrast to a significant depth of about 2 μm, without the requirement for cutting sections. The fixation protocol was optimized in order to increase heavy metal staining for maximal backscattered electron production. The operation of the microscope was optimized to maximize the number of backscattered electrons produced and to minimize the spot size. BSE images were collected over a wide range of accelerating voltages (keV), from low values to high values to give ‘sections' of information from increasing depths within the sample. At 3–4 keV only structures a very short distance into the material were observed, essentially the areas of cell attachment to the removed substrate. At higher accelerating voltages information on cell morphology, including in particular stress fibres and cell nuclei, where heavy metals were intensely bound became more evident. The technique allowed stepwise ‘sectional’ information to be acquired. The technique should be useful for studies on cell morphology, cycle and adhesion with greater resolution than can be obtained with any light-microscope-based system.     

Comments on the sliding wear of metals

The author reviews selected experimental results which have contributed to improved understanding of sliding wear processes. The emphasis is on the chemical and structural changes which occur at and near the surface of metallic materials during sliding in different environments. The importance of plastic deformation, fracture, transfer, mechanical mixing, phase transformations and oxidation is discussed. Examples of transitions are described, and interesting correlations noted. In selecting the content of this paper, the author includes controversial results and conclusions and raises questions about the development of wear equations, interpretations of the wear coefficient, the importance of adhesion, the roles of hardness, the causes of transitions and the location of debris-producing cracks.     

拉开法附着力试验测试结果影响因素的探讨

选择若干种油漆样品和若干种底材,按标准方法进行拉开法附着力试验,对试验结果进行了分析比较,并由此探讨了拉开法附着力试验测试结果的影响因素。结果表明底材越粗糙或越厚测试数据越大,样板与试柱对接与否对试验数据的影响略小,底材越厚越坚硬对测试结果影响越小,胶粘剂的粘结力越强,测试数据越大,拉伸速度对测试结果无明显影响。     

Effect of loading conditions on the dissociation behaviour of catch bond clusters

Under increasing tensile load, the lifetime of a single catch bond counterintuitively increases up to a maximum and then decreases exponentially like a slip bond. So far, the characteristics of single catch bond dissociation have been extensively studied. However, it remains unclear how a cluster of catch bonds behaves under tensile load. We perform computational analysis on the following models to examine the characteristics of clustered catch bonds: (i) clusters of catch bonds with equal load sharing, (ii) clusters of catch bonds with linear load sharing, and (iii) clusters of catch bonds in micropipette-manipulated cell detachment. We focus on the differences between the slip and catch bond clusters, identifying the critical factors for exhibiting the characteristics of catch bond mechanism for the multiple-bond system. Our computation reveals that for a multiple-bond cluster, the catch bond behaviour could only manifest itself under relatively uniform loading conditions and at certain stages of decohesion, explaining the difficulties in observing the catch bond mechanism under real biological conditions.     

Comparative study of the fluid viscosity in tarsal hairy attachment systems of flies and beetles

Wet adhesive systems of insects strongly rely for their function on the formation of capillary bridges with the substrate. Studies on the chemical composition and evaporation dynamics of tarsal secretions strongly suggest a difference in chemistry of secretion in beetles and flies, both possessing hairy attachment devices. This difference is assumed to influence the viscosity of the secretion. Here, we applied a microrheological technique, based on the immersion of nanometric beads in the collected tarsal footprints, to estimate secretion viscosity in a beetle (Coccinella septempunctata) and a fly (Calliphora vicina). Both species studied possess distinct differences in viscosity, the median of which was calculated as 21.8 and 10.9 mPa s, respectively. We further present an approximate theoretical model to calculate the contact formation time of spatula-like terminal contact elements using the viscosity data of the covering fluid. The estimated contact formation time is proportional to the tarsal secretion viscosity and to the square of the contact radius of the contact element.     

Experimental investigations of mechanical and tribological behaviours for organic and inorganic coatings deposited on mild steel substrate

ABSTRACT

Surface treatment technologies are constantly evolving. Increasingly, surface functionalisation is of major concern to lighten structures, improve product performance and reduce costs. To fulfil its decorative and protective functions, it is essential that a coating adheres properly to its support. During the last few decades, many new deposition techniques have been developed and more and more tribological and corrosion resistant coatings have been made available. In this context, the present research has focused on two pneumatically sprayed epoxy/polyamide and inorganic silicate coatings which are deposited on the mild steel substrate. First, the main interest in this study is devoted to the analysis of the coating/substrate adhesion strength by using the squaring and pull-off tests. Second, the study has also focused on the analysis of friction and wear behaviours for the two systems of paint coatings under consideration by using a linear reciprocating tribometer under dry sliding condition. Experimental findings have shown that after appropriate surface preparation and degree of cleaning according to the standard ISO 8501-1, selected paint systems composed of organic or inorganic coatings effectively improve the service life of coated steel. Meanwhile, under the same sliding conditions, the wear results have revealed that the organic coatings have a higher anti-wear ability compared to the inorganic coatings. Thus, both organic and inorganic coatings play an important role in protecting the substrate against severe industrial environment. From the squaring and pull-off analyses, it has been deduced that scratch and pull-off behaviours of both coatings have been severely affected by the surface preparation, the number of protective layers and the thickness of coatings. In fact, the best adhesion, friction and wear properties are obtained for the paint system containing organic coatings where the third body is formed on the entire sliding strip in the test.     

Characterization and application of propylene grafted hydrogenated dicyclopentadiene hydrocarbon resin

Hydrocarbon resins, which are defined as low molecular weight, amorphous, and thermoplastic polymers, are widely used as tackifiers for various types of adhesives, as processing aids in rubber compounds, and as modifiers for paint and ink products, and for use in plastics polymers such as isotactic polypropylene. Recently, the quantities of the hydrocarbon resin׳ raw materials which are the side products from naphtha cracking process have decreased because of light-feed cracking such as gas cracking, so new raw materials for hydrocarbon resin production are essential. To be satisfied with the previously mentioned factors, the substitution of hydrocarbon resin raw materials with renewable resources is a worthy consideration. Moreover, new hydrocarbon resin having high adhesion performance, low specific gravity, and good compatibility with various polymers has been requested in various adhesives.To meet those requests, in this study, propylene instead of side product from naphtha cracking as main raw material of hydrocarbon resin were partially used. The propylene serves as a new, sustainable raw material and was successfully grafted onto dicyclopentadiene. The reaction of the propylene with dicyclopentadiene was confirmed because, according to NMR and FT-IR analyses, a pendant methyl-propylene group exists in the structure of the propylene-grafted, hydrogenated dicyclopentadiene hydrocarbon resin. To establish an optimal production condition regarding the propylene-grafted, hydrogenated dicyclopentadiene hydrocarbon resin, numerous experiments were conducted according to the mole ratio of the raw materials and the polymerization temperature. The propylene-grafted, hydrogenated dicyclopentadiene hydrocarbon resin that was manufactured according to optimal conditions results in a lower specific gravity and a high molecular weight, whereby the advantages of the adhesion properties of an SIS-based pressure-sensitive-adhesive are exploited. When the propylene-grafted, hydrogenated dicyclopentadiene hydrocarbon resin was formulated with the SIS-based pressure-sensitive-adhesive, both the heat stability and the shear-adhesion strength are sound.     

Novel organic–inorganic hybrid coatings prepared by the sol–gel process: corrosion and mechanical properties

(Hyperbranched polyurethane‐urea)/[(3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane]‐ZnO (HBPUU‐APTES‐ZnO) hybrid coatings were synthesized using an inexpensive mixing technique by varying the APTES‐modified ZnO concentration. The mechanical and surface properties of the hybrid coating films were studied and compared with unmodified and modified ZnO. The corrosion, solvent and abrasion resistance show significant enhancement in HBPUU‐APTES‐ZnO hybrids and their properties are increased with increasing APTES‐ZnO concentration. This hybrid coating has opened up an opportunity for automotive topcoat application. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characterization of Chemical Densified Coating as Tritium Permeation Barrier

In a fusion blanket design, ceramic coating on structural materials has been considered to be used as a tritium permeation barrier. The Chemical Densified Coating (CDC) method has some advantage compared with another coating method. This method is capable to form densified coating on either the outer or the inner surface of a tube or a container. This process temperature is low (450°C). The fabrication technique of Cr₂O₃-SiO₂ coating had been developed using CDC method. However, Cr₂O₃-SiO₂ coating had open pores in the coating. For filling open pores, the densification treatment by CrPO₄ was examined. In this study, the verification of open pores, the thermal shock resistivity, the adhesion strength and the deuterium permeability were evaluated and compared with Cr₂O₃-SiO₂ (Type 1) coating and Cr₂O₃-SiO₂ including CrPO₄ (Type 2) coating. From these results, it was confirmed that Type 2 coating had a good adhesion property, and permeation reduction factor of SS316 with Cr₂O₃-SiO₂ including CrPO₄ coating reached about 1,000 at 600°C.