Capillary action: enrichment of retention and habitation of cells via micro-channeled scaffolds for massive bone defect regeneration

The development of a biomaterial substitute that can promote bone regeneration in massive defects has remained as a significant clinical challenge even using bone marrow cells or growth factors. Without an active, thriving cell population present throughout and stable anchored to the construct, exceptional bone regeneration does not occur. An engineered micro-channel structures scaffold within each trabecular has been designed to overcome some current limitations involving the cultivation and habitation of cells in large, volumetric scaffolds to repair massive skeletal defect. We created a scaffold with a superior fluid retention capacity that also may absorb bone marrow cells and provide growth factor-containing body fluids such as blood clots and/or serum under physiological conditions. The scaffold is composed of 3 basic structures (1) porous trabecular network (300–400 μm) similar to that of human trabecular bones, (2) micro-size channels (25–70 μm) within each trabecular septum which mimic intra-osseous channels such as Haversian canals and Volkmann’s canals with body fluid access, diffusion, nutritional supply and gas exchange, and (3) nano-size pores (100–400 nm) on the surface of each septum that allow immobilized cells to anchor. Combinatorial effects of these internal structures result in a host-adapting construct that enhances cell retention and habitation throughout the 3 cm-height and 4 cm-length bridge-shaped scaffold.     

Evaluation of solar energy potential and PV module performance in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia

Here, we present the results of evaluation of solar energy potential and photovoltaic (PV) module performance from actual data measured over a period of more than 2 years in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. To allow estimation of solar energy potentials and durability of PV systems in the Gobi Desert area, a data acquisition system, including crystalline silicon (c‐Si), polycrystalline silicon (p‐Si) modules, and two sets of precision pyranometers, thermometers, and anemometer, was installed at Sainshand City in October 2002. This system measures 23 parameters, including solar irradiation and meteorological parameters, every 10 min. High output gain was observed due to operation at extremely low ambient temperatures and the module performance ratios (PRs) were high (>1·0) in winter. In summary, the present study showed that a PV module with a high temperature coefficient, such as crystalline silicon, is advantageous for use in the Gobi Desert area. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Integral floating‐image display using two lenses with reduced distortion and enhanced depth

Abstract— An integral floating display (IFD) with a long depth range without floating lens distortion is proposed. Two lenses were used to reduce barrel distortion of the floating lens and three‐dimensional (3‐D) image deformation from object‐dependent longitudinal and lateral magnifications in the floating‐display system, combined with an integral imaging display. The distance between the floating lenses is the sum of their focal lengths. In the proposed configuration, lateral and longitudinal magnifications are constant regardless of the distance of the integrated 3‐D images, so the distortions from the distant‐dependent magnifications of the floating lens do not occur with the proposed method. In addition, the proposed floating system expands the depth range of the integral imaging display. As a result, the display can show a correct 3‐D floating image with a large depth range. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method successfully displays a 3‐D image without floating lens distortions across a large depth range.     

Direct Observation of Fe-Ge Ordering in Fe5−xGeTe2 Crystals and Resultant Helimagnetism

Microscopic structures and magnetic properties are investigated for Fe_5−xGeTe₂ single crystal, recently discovered as a promising van der Waals (vdW) ferromagnet. An Fe atom (Fe(1)) located in the outermost Fe₅Ge sublayer has two possible split-sites which are either above or below the Ge atom. Scanning tunneling microscopy shows √3 × √3 superstructures which are attributed to the ordering of Fe(1) layer. The √3 × √3 superstructures have two different phases due to the symmetry of Fe(1) ordering. Intriguingly, the observed √3 × √3 ordering breaks the inversion symmetry of crystal, resulting in substantial antisymmetric exchange interaction. The temperature dependence of magnetization reveals a sharp magnetic anomaly suggesting helical magnetism of the Fe_5−xGeTe₂ due to its non-centrosymmetricity. Analytical study also supports that the observed ordering can give rise to the helimagnetism. The work will provide essential information to understand the complex magnetic properties and the origin of the new vdW ferromagnet, Fe_5−xGeTe₂ for future topology-based spin devices.     

Nonuniform viewing angle of integral imaging display

While the viewing angle (VA) is an important parameter of three‐dimensional (3‐D) displays, a method has not yet been devised to determine the VA. We proposed a new approach to determine a VA of an integral imaging display. An integrated point appears at the cross section between collected rays and a lens array; the VA of the integrated point is thus equal to the angle between the two farthest rays. This approach is useful to determine the VA of all 3‐D displays, because a 3‐D point appears in the cross section of collected rays. The result of this study showed that the VA depends on the position of the integrated point and is smaller than the VA of the conventional calculation.     

Resolution enhancement of integral‐imaging three‐dimensional display using directional elemental image projection

Abstract— A new approach to resolution enhancement of an integral‐imaging (II) three‐dimensional display using multi‐directional elemental images is proposed. The proposed method uses a special lens made up of nine pieces of a single Fresnel lens which are collected from different parts of the same lens. This composite lens is placed in front of the lens array such that it generates nine sets of directional elemental images to the lens array. These elemental images are overlapped on the lens array and produce nine point light sources per each elemental lens at different positions in the focal plane of the lens array. Nine sets of elemental images are projected by a high‐speed digital micromirror device and are tilted by a two‐dimensional scanning mirror system, maintaining the time‐multiplexing sequence for nine pieces of the composite lens. In this method, the concentration of the point light sources in the focal plane of the lens array is nine‐times higher, i.e., the distance between two adjacent point light sources is three times smaller than that for a conventional II display; hence, the resolution of three‐dimensional image is enhanced.     

Manufacturing nanofibrous bundles and the roller drafting effects on the bundle properties

This research reports a new product form made of nanofibers and the method used to produce it. Nanofibers are electrospun into a web form on a moving collector and the web is continuously transformed into a bundle by passage through a condenser. Since the web is made of loops of nanofibers and peeled off from the collector surface, the condensed bundle deforms very easily and is too weak for further processing. Thus, the bundle is drafted through a roller drafting system to improve the fiber array in the bundle length direction in various levels of draft temperature, since the temperature may affect the bundle drafting process and thus the bundle properties. Using a newly designed system, we tried to produce nanofibrous bundle of polyvinylidiene difluoride. The nanofiber arrangement and the tensile properties of the bundle were measured before and after the roller drafting process under various conditions. Results showed that the technology suggested in this paper had the feasibility to manufacture a new product form composed of nanofibers, which implied the possible improvement of the productivity and product quality. Thickness reduction of the bundle occurring during the roller drafting straightened the nanofiber loops in the bundle and rearranged the nanofibers along the bundle axis. The drafting process was affected by the process temperature. Uni-axial tensile tests demonstrated that the bundle strength reached 4.8 cN/tex, and the strain at breakage was 0.087, when the draft ratio was 4.0 and the temperature 110 °C, whereas the raw nanofiber bundle in process had a strength of 0.014 cN/tex and the strain at breakage of 0.65. The thickness of the constituent nanofibers was not significantly affected by drafting.