Fabrication and characterisation of MnOOH and β-MnO2 nanorods with rectangular cross-sections

MnOOH nanorods with rectangular cross-sections have been successfully prepared in high yield via a hydrothermal reduction process at a low temperature. After the subsequent heat treatment of the as-prepared MnOOH nanorods at 350°C for 6?h in air, β-MnO₂ nanorods with rectangular cross-section that retained the similar morphologies of MnOOH nanorods were obtained. The products were characterised by powder X-ray diffraction and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The influences of different degrees of pH on the morphology and phase of the final products under hydrothermal conditions are discussed.     

Application of response surface methodology for optimization of peroxi-coagulation of textile dye solution using carbon nanotube–PTFE cathode

The decolorization of C.I. Basic Yellow 2 (BY2) by peroxi-coagulation process based on carbon nanotube–PTFE electrode as cathode was studied in a batch reactor. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to assess individual and interactive effects of the four main independent parameters (electrolysis time, initial pH, applied current and initial concentration of the dye solution) on the decolorization efficiency. A central composite design (CCD) was employed for the optimization of peroxi-coagulation treatment of BY2. A second-order empirical relationship between the response and independent variables was derived. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a high coefficient of determination value (R² = 0.949). Maximum decolorization efficiency was predicted and experimentally validated. The optimum electrolysis time, initial pH, applied current and initial dye concentration were found to be 16 min, 3, 200 mA and 15 mg l^?1, respectively. Under the optimum conditions established, high decolorization (>95%) was experimentally obtained for BY2. This study clearly showed that response surface methodology was one of the suitable methods to optimize the operating conditions. Graphical response surface and contour plots were used to locate the optimum point.     

Closed-form solution for process-induced stresses and deformation of a composite part cured on a solid tool: Part II – Curved geometries

In this study, closed-form expressions are developed that provide insight into the mechanisms that lead to the stress development in curved composite parts undergoing autoclave processing. Despite many assumptions that are made in the course of the analytical development, the closed-form predictions agree well with the more sophisticated finite element results. It is shown that stresses in a curved part develop mainly due to the thermo-chemical strain mismatch between the part and the tool in the tangential and radial directions. The unbalanced moment which causes the deformation due to the thermo-chemical strain mismatch in the tangential direction develops mostly at the early stages (heat-up) of the curing process when the part shear modulus is very low compared to its axial modulus. In contrast, the unbalanced moment due to the thermo-chemical strain mismatch in the radial direction develops mostly at the final stages (cool-down) of the cure cycle when the part shear modulus is relatively high.     

Analytical solution for propagation of hydraulic fracture with Barenblatt’s cohesive tip zone

In the paper, a model of a hydraulic fracture with a tip cohesive zone according to the Barenblatt’s approach is considered. The particular case of inviscid fracturing fluid and impermeable rock is studied analytically. Dependencies on time of the fracture length, injection pressure, and fracture opening at the wellbore are obtained, and compared with the corresponding dependencies for a brittle (elliptic-tip) hydraulic fracture. It is proved that on the assumption of finiteness of the cohesive stresses action range, the cohesive zone length cannot also exceed a certain limit value. The limit form of the cohesive zone is obtained, and the limit fracture toughness is evaluated. It is shown that effective fracture toughness tends to the limit value as power function of fracture length with index −1/2.     

Fabrication of three-dimensional poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds with hierarchical pore structures for tissue engineering

The physical properties of tissue engineering scaffolds such as microstructures play important roles in controlling cellular behaviors and neotissue formation. Among them, the pore size stands out as a key determinant factor. In the present study, we aimed to fabricate porous scaffolds with pre-defined hierarchical pore sizes, followed by examining cell growth in these scaffolds. This hierarchical porous microstructure was implemented via integrating different pore-generating methodologies, including salt leaching and thermal induced phase separation (TIPS). Specifically, large (L, 200–300 μm), medium (M, 40–50 μm) and small (S, < 10 μm) pores were able to be generated. As such, three kinds of porous scaffolds with a similar porosity of ~ 90% creating pores of either two (LS or MS) or three (LMS) different sizes were successfully prepared. The number fractions of different pores in these scaffolds were determined to confirm the hierarchical organization of pores. It was found that the interconnectivity varied due to the different pore structures. Besides, these scaffolds demonstrated similar compressive moduli under dry and hydrated states. The adhesion, proliferation, and spatial distribution of human fibroblasts within the scaffolds during a 14-day culture were evaluated with MTT assay and fluorescence microscopy. While all three scaffolds well supported the cell attachment and proliferation, the best cell spatial distribution inside scaffolds was achieved with LMS, implicating that such a controlled hierarchical microstructure would be advantageous in tissue engineering applications.     

Driving simulator evaluation of drivers’ response to intersections with dynamic use of exit-lanes for left-turn

With the worsening of urban traffic congestion in large cities around the world, researchers have been looking for unconventional designs and/or controls to squeeze more capacity out of intersections, the most common bottlenecks of the road network. One of these innovative intersection designs, known as the exit-lanes for left-turn (EFL), opens up exit-lanes to be used by left-turn traffic with the help of an additional traffic light installed at the median opening (the pre-signal). This paper studies how drivers respond to EFL intersections with a series of driving simulator experiments. In our experiments, 64 drivers were recruited and divided into two groups. One group is trained to use the EFL while the other group is not. In addition, four scenarios were considered with different sign and marking designs and traffic conditions in the experiments. Results indicate that drivers show certain amount of confusion and hesitation when encountering an EFL intersection for the first time. They can be overcome, however, by increasing exposure through driver education or by cue provided from other vehicles. Moreover, drivers unfamiliar with EFL operation can make a left turn using the conventional left-turn lanes as usual. The EFL operation is not likely to pose any serious safety risk of the intersection in real life operations.     

Application of response surface methodology with a Box–Behnken design for struvite precipitation

Struvite crystals were precipitated by the reaction of magnesium chloride hexahydrate and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate using different concentrations of citric acid as the additive (100, 300, and 500 ppm). The structure, morphology, functional groups and particle size of the crystals were evaluated experimentally by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and particle size analysis. The experimental results demonstrated that citric acid exerted a significant influence on the struvite precipitation and the crystal morphology changed from rod-like to tubular shaped with a larger size and hollow bodies. The average particle size changed from 17.60 to 33.60 μm with increasing citric acid concentration. The results of FTIR suggested that the citric acid adsorbed on the crystal surface. Following the characterization of the crystals prepared using different concentrations of citric acid, the response surface methodology coupled with Box-Behnken design were applied as a statistical tool to determine the effects of the key parameters affecting the precipitation process (temperature, pH and additive concentration) on the responses (namely, particle size and specific cake resistance of struvite). Second-order polynomial equations for both responses were improved to correlate the parameters. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant quadratic regression model with high coefficients of the determination values. The optimum conditions for particle size were found to be 60 °C, pH 8 and 500 ppm additive concentration.     

Semi-analytical solution for free transverse vibrations of Euler–Bernoulli nanobeams with manifold concentrated masses

In the present study, transverse vibrations of nanobeams with manifold concentrated masses, resting on Winkler elastic foundations, are investigated. The model is based on the theory of nonlocal elasticity in the presence of concentrated masses applied to Euler–Bernoulli beams. A closed-form expression for the transverse vibration modes of Euler–Bernoulli beams is presented. The proposed expressions are provided explicitly as the function of two integrated constants, which are determined by the standard boundary conditions. The utilization of the boundary conditions leads to definite terms of natural frequency equations. The natural frequencies and vibration modes of the concerned nanobeams with different numbers of concentrated masses in different positions under some typical boundary conditions (simply supported, cantilevered, and clamped–clamped) have been analyzed by means of the proposed closed–form expressions in order to show their efficiency. It is worth mentioning that the effect of various nonlocal length parameters and Winkler modulus on natural frequencies and vibration modes are also discussed. Finally, the results are compared with those corresponding to a classical local model.     

Exact solution of Eshelby–Christensen problem in gradient elasticity for composites with spherical inclusions

The gradient elasticity theory is employed to solve exactly the problem of Eshelby–Christensen for filled composites with spherical inclusions across length scales. Relying on the fundamental symmetry considerations and using Lagrange’s variational formalism, we derive the governing relations of linear isotropic gradient elasticity. We demonstrate that to avoid spurious solutions, one should necessarily impose some additional symmetry restrictions on the operational strain gradient elastic constants that can be considered as a new correctness condition. By enforcing the “strain gradient” symmetry condition, we offer the variant of the correct applied one-parametric gradient theory of interfacial layer model. To solve the Eshelby–Christensen problem, we employ the generalized Eshelby’s integral representations for the gradient elasticity models that allow to formulate the closing equations in a self-consistent three-phase method, and we also use the generalized Papkovich–Neuber representation to determine the general form of the gradient solution and the structure of the scale effects. As a result, we obtained for the first time an exact solution of Eshelby–Christensen problem for composites reinforced with spherical inclusions in framework of the gradient interfacial layer model. There are known analogs of fundamental results for gradient models related to closed solution for composites with spherical inclusions obtained by R.M. Christensen and K.H. Lo in 1976. The obtained analytical solution of Eshelby–Christensen problem for correct gradient theory is used to determine the stress–strain state and the effective properties of dispersed composites. The analysis of the effect of scale factors is given; the error associated with the use of gradient theories that do not obey the proposed condition of correctness is estimated.     

Perturbation method for the solution of a Zener–Stroh crack with a slightly curved configuration

This paper investigates the Zener–Stroh crack with curved configuration in plane elasticity. A singular integral equation is suggested to solve the problem. Formulae for evaluating the SIFs and T-stress at the crack tip are suggested. If the curve configuration is a product of a small parameter and a quadratic function, a perturbation method based on the singular integral equation is suggested. In the method, the singular integral equation can be expanded into a series with respect to the small parameter. Therefore, many singular integral equations can be separated from the same power order for the small parameter. These singular integral equations can be solved successively. The solution of the successive singular integral equations will provide results for stress intensity factors and T-stress at the crack tip. It is found that the behaviors for the solution of SIFs and T-stress in the Zener–Stroh crack and the Griffith crack are quite different. This can be seen from the presented comparison results.     

Synthesis of water-compatible surface-imprinted composite microspheres with core–shell structure for selective recognition of thymopentin from aqueous solution

A novel water-compatible surface-imprinted core–shell microsphere, which had multiple non–covalent interactions with template molecule, was successfully prepared by the surface grafting polymerization method in acetonitrile–water systems with thymopentin as template through ionic liquid-functionalized polyethyleneglycolmethacrylate-co-vinylimidazole microsphere as the matrix. The average diameter of matrix was 1 μm ± 20 nm and the thickness of imprinted layer was about 50 nm. The results of static adsorption experiments indicated that ionic liquid-functionalized molecularly imprinted microspheres showed the good adsorption capacity and specific recognition for template peptide. The binding-isotherm analysis showed that Langmuir isotherm models gave a good fit in the range of concentrations, suggesting that there was only one kind of binding site in imprinted layer. Measurements of the binding kinetics revealed that surface-imprinted composite microspheres reached peptide-adsorption equilibrium in 60 min and the maximum adsorption capacity for TP5 was 38.4 mg g^?1. The effects of pH, salt concentration, and temperature on the adsorption capacities were investigated. The microspheres were found to have a high specificity for TP5 with little affinity for BSA and Hb. Finally, the core–shell microspheres can be reused with only 15.6 % decrease in TP5 adsorption capacity after six times.     

A comparison of staggered solution schemes for coupled particle–continuum systems modeled with the Arlequin method

This contribution aims at a systematic investigation of staggered solution schemes for the computation of coupled domains having different resolutions in space, a problem frequently arising in multi-scale modeling of materials. To couple a standard finite element domain with a high resolution atomistic or coarse-grained, i.e. particle-based domain, a so-called bridging domain is considered. In this handshake region a total energy, which is the sum of the weighted energies of both domains, needs to be formulated. Interactions in the particle domain are modeled by potential functions, e.g. a harmonic potential in the simplest case or the Lennard-Jones potential to consider also anharmonic interactions between the particles. The main goal is to separate the computation of finite element and particle domains as much as possible, amongst others to calculate the different domains on several CPUs. In the present work, the governing equations of the coupling method are presented. The energy functions of continuum, particle domain and bridging domain are recapitulated and the coupling constraint is set up. For the sake of simplicity, these relations are reformulated for the case of a one dimensional system. On the one hand, this system is computed monolithically without any separation of domains. On the other hand, various staggered solution schemes are derived systematically. The relevant equations of each scheme are given in detail together with the sequent iteration steps. All staggered schemes are investigated qualitatively, e.g. by their convergence behavior, as well as quantitatively by comparing the staggered solutions with the monolithic solution.     

Preparation of nanocrystalline NiO–MgO solid solution powders as catalyst for methane reforming with carbon dioxide: Effect of preparation conditions

A surfactant assisted co-precipitation method was employed for the preparation of nano crystalline NiO–MgO with high specific surface area. The effects of several process parameters such as refluxing time; refluxing temperature and calcination temperature were investigated on the structural properties of the powders. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption (BET); temperature programmed reduction (TPR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The obtained results showed that increase of refluxing time and temperature increased the specific surface area and decreased the crystallite size. The results revealed that the addition of surfactant has a significant effect on the synthesis of MgO nanocrystals and led to obtain a powder with high surface area. The powder prepared with a surfactant to metal molar ratio of 0.03 was employed as catalyst in methane reforming with carbon dioxide.     

The measurement of interfacial energies for solid Sn solution in equilibrium with the Sn–Bi–Ag liquid

The equilibrated grain boundary groove shapes of solid Sn solution in equilibrium with Sn–Bi–Ag liquid were observed from a quenched sample by using a radial heat flow apparatus. The Gibbs–Thomson coefficient, solid–liquid interfacial energy, and grain boundary energy of the solid Sn solution were determined from the observed grain boundary groove shapes. The thermal conductivity of the solid phase for Sn-10 at.%Bi-2 at.%Ag alloy and the thermal conductivity ratio of the liquid phase to the solid phase for Sn-10 at.%Bi-2 at.%Ag alloy at the melting temperature were also measured with a radial heat flow apparatus and a Bridgman-type growth apparatus, respectively. A comparison of present results for solid Sn solution in the Sn–10 at.%Bi–2 at.%Ag alloy with the results obtained in previous works for similar solid Sn in equilibrium with different binary or ternary liquid was made. From the comparison, it can be concluded that for solid Sn solution in equilibrium with different liquid, the Gibbs–Thomson coefficient seems to be constant and does not depend on the composition of liquid but solid–liquid interfacial energy changes little bit with composition of liquid at a constant temperature.     

A BEM formulation for analysing the coupled stretching–bending problem of plates reinforced by rectangular beams with columns defined in the domain

In this work, a boundary element formulation to analyse plates reinforced by rectangular beams, with columns defined in the domain is proposed. The model is based on Kirchhoff hypothesis and the beams are not required to be displayed over the plate surface, therefore eccentricity effects are taken into account. The presented boundary element method formulation is derived by applying the reciprocity theorem to zoned plates, where beams are treated as thin sub-regions with larger rigidities. The integral representations derived for this complex structural element consider the bending and stretching effects of both structural elements working together. The standard equilibrium and compatibility conditions along interface are naturally imposed, being the bending tractions eliminated along interfaces. The in-plane tractions and the bending and in-plane displacements are approximated along the beam width, reducing the number of degrees of freedom. The columns are introduced into the formulation by considering domain points where tractions can be prescribed. Some examples are then shown to illustrate the accuracy of the formulation, comparing the obtained results with other numerical solutions.