Multi-site impact response of S2-glass/epoxy composite laminates

High velocity transverse impact to laminated fiber reinforced composites is of interest in marine, military and civilian applications. Most studies in literature have addressed single point isolated impact events; while this work draws distinction in that we consider multi-site sequential and simultaneous impacts to composite structures. The overall objectives of this work were to investigate the response of laminated composites subjected to high velocity, multi-site impacts from a modeling and experimental viewpoint. Energy absorption, new surface creation, and failure mechanisms from sequential and simultaneous multi-site high velocity impacts are compared to assess additive and cumulative effects of these scenarios. Finite element modeling (LS-DYNA 3D) was used to gain insight into failure modes, energy absorption, and damage prediction. The modeling results correlated well with experimental data obtained from three layer laminates of vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) processed S2-glass/SC-15 epoxy. The impact damage has been characterized using optical nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques. Specimens subjected to sequential impact exhibited average of 10% greater energy absorption and 18% increase in damage than specimens impacted simultaneously.     

Gas breakdown with nanosecond CO2 laser radiation

The thresholds for CO₂ laser induced breakdown and their variation with pulse width have been measured at various pressures for Ar, N₂ and an 8/1/1 laser mixture of He/CO₂/N₂ using 3–40 ns duration pulses. These measurements indicate that excited state production plays a dominant role in determining the threshold for nanosecond duration pulses. This has been confirmed by the good agreement obtained between the measured and theoretical thresholds.     

"Nanohybrids" based on pH-responsive hydrogels and inorganic nanoparticles for drug delivery and sensor applications

Allyl-PEG capped inorganic NPs, including magnetic iron oxide (IONPs), fluorescent CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs), and metallic gold (AuNPs of 5 and 10 nm) both individually and in combination, were covalently attached to pH-responsive poly(2-vinylpyridine-co-divinylbenzene) nanogels via a facile and robust one-step surfactant-free emulsion polymerization procedure. Control of the NPs associated to the nanogels was achieved by the late injection of the NPs to the polymerization solution at a stage when just polymeric radicals were present. Remarkably, by varying the total amount of NPs injected, the swelling behavior could be affected. Furthermore, the magnetic response as well as the optical features of the nanogels containing either IONPs or QDs could be modified. In addition, a radical quenching in case of gold nanoparticles was observed, thus affecting the final nanogel geometry.     

Magnetic nanobeads decorated by thermo-responsive PNIPAM shell as medical platforms for the efficient delivery of doxorubicin to tumour cells

Medical nanoplatforms based on clusters of superparamagnetic nanoparticles decorated with a PNIPAM thermo-responsive shell have been synthesized and used as drug carriers for doxorubicin (DOXO), a common chemotherapeutic agent. The nanosystem here developed has a total diameter below 200 nm and exploits the temperature responsive behaviour of the PNIPAM polymeric shell for the controlled loading and release of DOXO. The system has been tested in vitro on tumour cells and it clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of drug polymer encapsulation and time-dependent cell death induced by the doxorubicin release. Comparative cellular studies of the DOXO loaded nanoplatform in the presence or absence of an external magnet (0.3 T) showed the synergic effect of accumulation and enhanced toxicity of the system, when magnetically guided, resulting in the enhanced efficacy of the system.     

Effect of SiO2 and nanoclay on the properties of wood polymer nanocomposite

Wood polymer composite (WPC) were developed by using solution blended high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(vinyl chloride), Phragmites karka wood flour and polyethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate. The effect of addition of nanoclay and SiO₂ on the properties of the composite was examined. X-ray diffractrometry and transmission electron microscopy were used to study the distribution of silicate layers and SiO₂ nanopowder in the composite. The improvement in miscibility among the polymers and WPC was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study revealed the interaction between polymer, wood, clay and SiO₂. WPC treated with 3 wt% each of clay and SiO₂ showed an excellent improvement in mechanical properties, thermal and flame retarding properties. Water uptake of WPC was found to decrease on incorporation of nanoclay and SiO₂ in WPC.     

Variation of Specific Gravity,Fibre Length and Cell Wall Thickness in Young Salix Clones

Specific gravity, fibre length and cell wall thickness of various hybrid Salix clones were compared. The densest clone was 1.47 times denser than the least dense clone. The highest specific gravity was 0.5, found in Salix viminalis L. whereas the lowest was 0.372, found in Salix dasyclados L. The clone with longest fibre was 1.34 times that of the clone with shortest fibre. Clones with long fibre also showed high specific gravity such as Salix viminalis L. The cell wall thickness in Salix clones varies from 0.0025 mm to 0.0037 mm or 1.48 times from minimum to maximum cell wall thickness. Since the above fibre properties indicate various paper strength characteristics such as flexibility coefficient and felting index, it is possible to select clones with superior characteristics for propagation as suitable source for pulp and paper industry.