Isothermal crystallization of iPP in model glass-fiber composites

Isothermal crystallization of iPP in model glass-fiber composites is studied by DSC, and the basic energetic parameters of crystallization are determined. Unsized untreated and thermally treated glass fibers are used in model composites to determine the role of the surface on nucleation and crystallization processes. Thermally treated glass fibers are found to exhibit a predominant nucleating effect as compared to unsized untreated ones, and the crystallization proceeds faster, resulting in lower values for the half-time of crystallization (10–120 s). The energy of formation of a nuclei of critical dimensions at a given T_c is also lower, and it decreases as the content of the fibers in the composite increases. The surface free energy of folding, σ_e = 140 × 10⁻³ J/m², was determined for iPP in the composite containing 50% glass fibers, while for pure iPP, σ_e = 170 × 10⁻³J/m² was found. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 381–389, 1998     

New composite membrane poly(vinyl alcohol)/graphene oxide for direct ethanol–proton exchange membrane fuel cell

This study investigated a simple synthesis of a crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol)/ graphene oxide composite membrane with lower ethanol permeability membrane for passive direct ethanol–proton exchange membrane fuel cells (DE-PEMFCs). The chemical and physical structure, morphologies, ethanol uptake and permeability, ion exchange capacities, water uptake, and proton conductivities were determined and found that transport properties of the membrane were affected by the GO loading. The composite membrane with optimum GO content (15 wt %) exhibited the highest proton conductivity of 9.5 × 10⁻³ Scm⁻¹ at 30°C, 3.24 × 10⁻² Scm⁻¹ at 60°C, respectively and reduced ethanol permeability until 1.75 × 10⁻⁷ cm² s⁻¹. In the passive DE-PEMFC, the power density at 60°C were obtained as 5.84 mW cm⁻² higher than those by commercial Nafion 117 is 4.52 mW cm⁻². © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 46928.     

Concentration-dependent diffusivity of benzoic acid in water and its influence on the liquid–solid mass transfer

The diffusion coefficient of benzoic acid in water at 25°C has been measured as a function of concentration using the Taylor dispersion technique. The diffusion coefficient was found to decrease from 1.25 × 10⁻⁹ m²/s to 1.07 × 10⁻⁹ m²/s when the concentration increased from 0.27 mol/m³ to 5.44 mol/m³. Two different models describing the concentration dependence of the diffusion coefficient have been developed. They are fitted to the measured data and experimental data from literature at infinite dilution (D = 1.57 × 10⁻⁹ m²/s) and at higher concentrations up to 20 mol/m¹ (D = 0.75 × 10⁻⁹ m²/s). The significance of the concentration dependence is evaluated by measurement and by computer simulations of liquid–solid mass transfer in a tube. The simulations show that 0.80 × 10⁻⁹ m²/s is the constant diffusivity that gives the best approximation in dissolution studies.     

Ultrathin and nanofibers via room temperature electrospinning from trifluoroacetic acid solutions of untreated lignocellulosic sisal fiber or sisal pulp

Lignocellulosic sisal fiber (LSF) and sisal pulp (SP) were electrospun at room temperature from solutions in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) prepared at concentrations of 2 × 10⁻² g mL⁻¹ and 3 × 10⁻² g mL⁻¹, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy images of the electrospun LSF showed fibers with diameters ranging from 120 to 510 nm. The presence of defects decreased along with increasing the flow rate of the SP solution, which generated nanofibers and ultrathin fibers with diameters in the range of 40–60 (at 5.5 µL min⁻¹) up to 90–200 nm (at 65.5 µL min⁻¹). Despite the known ability of TFA to esterify the hydroxyl groups present in the starting materials, the Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated the absence of trifluoroacetyl groups in the electrospun samples. The thermal stability of the final materials proved suitable for many applications even though some differences were observed relative to the starting materials. This study demonstrated a feasible novel approach for producing nano/ultrathin fibers from lignocellulosic biomass or its main component, which allows for a wide range of applications for these materials. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41826.     

Cassava bagasse as a reinforcement agent in the polymeric blend of biodegradable films

The objective of this work was to develop biodegradable films using fibrous residue from the extraction of cassava starch and to investigate its effect as a reinforcement agent in polymeric films. Micrographs (SEM) showed that the obtained films presented smooth surfaces with no cracking. The addition of fibers affected the properties of the films significantly (p < 0.05), reducing water vapor permeability values (from 8.63 ± 0.15 × 10⁻¹¹ g.m.m⁻².s⁻¹.Pa⁻¹ to 3.33 ± 0.16 × 10⁻¹¹ g.m.m⁻².s⁻¹.Pa⁻¹) and increasing the maximum tensile strength (from 1.23 ± 0.15 MPa to 7.78 ± 0.83 MPa). These results encourage the use of cassava bagasse as a reinforcement in the production of green composites as packaging. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47224.     

Investigation on the Thermal Expansion and Theoretical Density of 1,3,5‐Trinitro‐1,3,5‐Triazacyclohexane

The CTE and the theoretical density are important properties for energetic materials. To obtain the CTE and the theoretical density of 1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazacyclohexane (RDX), XRD, and Rietveld refinement are employed to estimate the dimensional changes, within the temperature range from 30 to 170 °C. The CTE of a, b, c axis and volume are obtained as 3.07×10⁻⁵ K⁻¹, 8.28×10⁻⁵ K⁻¹, 9.19×10⁻⁵ K⁻¹, and 20.7×10⁻⁵ K⁻¹, respectively. Calculated from the refined cell parameters, the theoretical density at the given temperature can be obtained. The theoretical density at 20 °C (1.7994 g cm⁻³) is in close match with the RDX single‐crystal density (1.7990 g cm⁻³) measured by density gradient method. It is suggested that the CTE measured by XRD could perfectly meet with the thermal expansion of RDX.     

Nonlinear optical response of liquid crystalline azo‐dendrimer in picosecond and CW regimes

The nonlinear optical response of the liquid crystalline multiarm star‐shaped azodendrimer was investigated in picosecond pulse and CW regimes at 532 nm. The polymer exhibited large nonlinear refractive coefficient in two regimes (n₂ = −2.88 × 10⁻¹³ cm²/W and −1.1 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm²/W under picoseconds pulse excitation, whereas n₂ = −1.4 × 10⁻⁶ cm²/W and n₂ = −8.8 × 10⁻⁵ cm²/W under CW laser excitation in solution and film, respectively). The mechanism accounting for the process of nonlinear refraction was discussed. The value of photoinduced birefringence in the polymer film was also measured (Δn ∼ 10⁻³) under CW laser excitation at 532 nm. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Highly selective custom-made chitosan based membranes with reduced fuel permeability for direct methanol fuel cells

Custom-made nanocomposite proton exchange membranes (PEMs) are fabricated using the blends of sulfonated chitosan (S-Chitosan) and sulfonated graphene oxide (SGO) nanosheets for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Sulfonation of chitosan and GO are carried out by 1,3-propane sultone and sulfanilic acid, respectively. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray investigation revealed that the thick, folded and wrinkled sheet-like morphology of SGO and the existence of elemental sulfur. SEM and atomic force microscopy images showed the uniform dispersion of hydrophilic SGO nanosheets. Besides the S-Chitosan/SGO membranes showed higher water uptake, swelling ratio and ion exchange capacity due to the enhancement in hydrophilicity. The modified PEMs displayed improvement in proton conductivity since the ion-exchangeable sulfonic acid groups facilitate the proton conduction and effectively resist the methanol permeability by forming a strong hydrogen bond network with chitosan and thus diminish the void volume. Particularly, S-Chiotsan-1 membrane showed superior proton conductivity of 4.86 × 10⁻³ Scm⁻¹ at (25°C), selectivity of 1.89 × 10⁵ Scm⁻³ s and lesser methanol permeability of 2.57 × 10⁻⁸ cm²s⁻¹. Overall results suggest that the S-Chitosan/SGO membranes found to be a suitable alternate for Nafion® in DMFCs.     

Structure and physical properties of Ba(PO3)2–AlF3–BaSO4 fluoro-sulfo-phosphate glasses

Alkali-earth-metaphosphate-based fluoro-sulfo-phosphate M(PO₃)₂–AlF₃–MSO₄ (MPFS, M = Ca, Sr, Ba) glasses have been developed via simultaneously incorporating fluoride and sulfate into metaphosphate glass. Their glass-forming regions were efficiently determined under the guidance of thermodynamic calculation method. The physical and structural properties of BaPFS glass were investigated in detail. Furthermore, near-infrared spectroscopic properties of Er³⁺-doped BaPFS (Er–BaPFS) glass were studied. Physical parameters, such as Abbe's number ν_d (55-75) and nonlinear refractive index n₂ (1.17-1.86 × 10⁻¹³ esu), of BaPFS glass are strongly depended on P/F/S ratio. The structure of BaPFS glass gradually depolymerizes and tends to become multianionic when Ba(PO₃)₂ is substituted by AlF₃ and BaSO₄. Anion-substitution strategy effectively modulates the property and structure of glass, providing a scheme to derive glass materials. In addition, enhanced emission at ~1.5 μm has been observed from Er–BaPFS glass along with large emission cross section (5.0-5.5 × 10⁻²¹ cm²) and long lifetime (6.7-7.3 ms), resulting in large figure of merit (3.46-3.84 × 10⁻²³ cm²·s), which is a promising candidate for solid-state laser.     

In situ UV–VIS spectroelectrochemical study of polyaniline degradation

The degradation of polyaniline at anodic potentials was studied with in situ UV–Vis spectroscopy of polymer‐coated ITO glass electrodes. Spectral changes at high potential values were observed and discussed. Degradation follows first‐order kinetics, with rate constants ranging from 8.40 × 10⁻⁶ to 2.93 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ at electrode potentials of E_NHE = +0.85 to +1.20 V. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 287–294, 1999     

Reactions of Photoexcited Triplet States of Zinc Porphyrin with Transient Radicals in Aqueous Solutions

The technique of simultaneous pulse radiolysis and photolysis, PRAP, has been utilized to study the reactions of various radicals with ground state ZnTPPS and the triplet state ZnTPPS^T in aqueous solutions. The radicals H and OH add to both states with k ∼ 1 × 10¹⁰ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. The CH₂C(CH₃)₂OH radical from t-BuOH is relatively inert toward ZnTPPS but reacts rapidly (k = 1.8 × 10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹) with ZnTPPS^T to form an adduct. Electron transfer reactions are found to be about an order of magnitude faster with the triplet than with the ground state. The (CH₃)₂COH radical reduces both ZnTPPS (k = 1 × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹) and ZnTPPS^T (k = 3 × 10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹) to the anion radical (ZnTPPS)⁻. The radical Br⁻₂ oxidizes both states to the cation radical (ZnTPPS)⁺ with k = 8 × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the ground state and 5 × 10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the triplet. The transient cation Cd⁺ reduces both states with a diffusion-controlled rate (k = 1 × 10¹⁰ M⁻¹ s⁻¹) to produce the anion radical. The above mechanisms of radical addition and electron transfer are also supported by the product spectra.     

A study on mechano‐electro‐chemical behavior of chitosan/poly(propylene glycol) composite fibers

Chitosan (CS) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) composite fibers were prepared via solution spinning. The fibers were then crosslinked with epichlorohydrin (ECH) and glutaraldehyde (GA). Data indicated that the swelling behavior of CS‐PEG fibers exhibited pH sensitivity, and crosslinking could change the mechanical properties of fibers. Moreover, the mechano‐electro‐chemical (MEC) performance showed that the bending direction of fiber specimen would invert at a critical concentration of both of the crosslinking agents. i.e., in a 0.1% HCl aqueous solution under a dc electric field, as the ECH concentration was more than 9.0 × 10⁻³ M or GA concentration was more than 5.64 × 10⁻⁴ M, the CS‐PEG fibers bent to the cathode, while they bent to the anode if ECH or GA concentration was less than the above values respectively. The mechanisms involve variation in the fixed charge density on the macromolecular network as well as difference in the mechanical properties of the fibers. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 76: 542–551, 2000     

Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)/s–TiO2 composite membrane for a vanadium redox flow battery

The SPEEK/s-TiO₂ composite membrane was prepared by blending sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and sulfonated titanium dioxide (s-TiO₂) nanoparticles. The important physiochemical parameters such as proton conductivity, water uptake, swelling degree and ion exchange capacity of the composite membrane were measured. The thermal stability and chemical stability were also tested. It was observed that the SPEEK/s-TiO₂ composite membrane exhibited the best selectivity (7.13 × 10⁴ S·min·cm⁻³) accompanying high proton conductivity (0.061 S·cm⁻¹) and low tetravalent vanadium ion (VO²⁺) permeability (8.55 × 10⁻⁷ cm²·min⁻¹) compared with Nafion117, SPEEK and SPEEK/TiO₂ membranes. The battery performance with these membranes was characterized by charge–discharge cycling tests and it was found that the SPEEK/s-TiO₂ composite membrane showed the highest energy efficiency (EE) up to 82.3%, indicating the SPEEK/s-TiO₂ composite membrane is a candidate for vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) application. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48830.     

Direct current electrical characterization of plasma polymerized pyrrole-N,N,3,5 tetramethylaniline bilayer thin films

The direct current conduction mechanism in plasma polymerized pyrrole-N,N,3,5 tetramethylaniline (PPPy-PPTMA) bilayer thin films has been discussed in this article. A parallel plate capacitively coupled glow discharge reactor was used to deposit PPPy, PPTMA, and PPPy-PPTMA thin films at room temperature onto glass substrates. The Fourier Transform Infrared analyses showed that the PPPy-PPTMA bilayer thin films contained the structural characteristics of both the PPPy and PPTMA. The current density-voltage characteristics of PPPy-PPTMA bilayer thin films of different deposition time-ratios indicated an increase in electrical conductivity as the proportion of PPTMA was increased in the bilayer films. It is also observed that the conductivity of the bilayer thin film is reduced compared with its component thin films. It is seen that in the low voltage region the current conduction obeys Ohm's law, while the charge transport phenomenon appears to be the space charge limited conduction in the higher voltage region. The mobility of the charges, the free charge carrier density, and the permittivity of the PPPy, PPTMA and PPPy-PPTMA bilayer thin films have been calculated. The permittivity for PPPy, PPTMA and PPPy-PPTMA bilayer thin films were found to be 1.07 × 10⁻¹⁰, 2.2 × 10⁻¹¹, and 1.26 × 10⁻¹⁰ C² N⁻¹ m⁻², respectively; the free charge carrier density were (3.56 ± 0.01) × 10²², 2 × 10²¹ and (5.19 ± 0.02) × 10²² m⁻³ respectively; and the mobility of the charges were found to be (4.4 ± 0.01) × 10⁻¹⁹, 1.3 × 10⁻¹³ and (2.1 ± 0.01) × 10⁻¹⁹ m² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ respectively. PACS: 72.80.Le, 73.21.Ac, 73.40.Rw, 73.50.Gr, 73.61.Ph. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Settled/unsettled blend nanofibers electrospun from photoactive polymeric/nonpolymeric constituents in PBDT-DTNT:PCBM solar cells

To increase internal donor–acceptor interfaces and highlight the influence of ordering of donor–acceptor components inside fibers, novel blend fibrous structures comprising unsettled poly[benzodithiophene-bis(decyltetradecyl-thien) naphthothiadiazole] (PBDT-DTNT):grafted-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanofibers, settled PBDT-DTNT/grafted-rGO nanofibers including PBDT-DTNT, and settled PBDT-DTNT/grafted-rGO nanofibers excluding PBDT-DTNT were prepared and embedded in photovoltaics. Hence, three-dimensional nonwoven network morphologies of triple electrospun fibers were acquired using electrospinning. Average diameter and conductivity of PBDT-DTNT:grafted-rGO, PBDT-DTNT/grafted-rGO:PBDT-DTNT, and PBDT-DTNT/grafted-rGO fibers ranged in 200–250 and 1.1–1.6 × 10⁻⁹ S cm⁻¹, 150–190 and 9.2–9.5 × 10⁻⁷ S cm⁻¹, and 60–80 nm and 3.3–3.7 × 10⁻¹⁰ S cm⁻¹, respectively. Photoluminescence quenching and thus donating–accepting characteristic of settled PBDT-DTNT/grafted-rGO nanofibers including PBDT-DTNT were more intensified, resulting from greater internal interfaces. Through blending PBDT-DTNT/grafted-rGO supramolecules with PBDT-DTNT chains and embedding them in PBDT-DTNT:phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) thin films, the best results were obtained. Short-circuit current density (J_sc), open circuit voltage (V_oc), fill factor (FF), and power conversion efficiency (PCE) were 12.18 mA cm⁻², 0.66 V, 65%, and 5.22%, respectively. Nanofiber template not only acted as guide path for charge transport but also increased interfacial area between donor and acceptor to induce more exciton dissociation. Inclusion of PBDT-DTNT donor chains into blend nanofibers increased donor–acceptor interface in organic filaments. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47591.     

Preparation of ZnO-glass composite hollow fiber and its application in formation of ZIF-8 membrane

The sintering temperature of ZnO ceramic hollow fibers (HFs) is generally up to 1400°C and presents a major challenge to obtain HFs with high permeability and mechanical strength at lower sintering temperature. This work proposed a glass powder-assisted method to reduce the sintering temperature by using their adhesive property. ZnO-glass composite HFs with longer finger-like channels, high permeability (3.12 × 10⁻⁵–9.1 × 10⁻⁶ mol·m⁻²·s⁻¹·Pa⁻¹) and good mechanical strength (42.12–52.75 MPa) were obtained at sintering temperature of 1150°C. More glass powders can generate stronger bonding effect during the ZnO particles, resulting in a decrease in porosity and an increase in the mechanical strength of ZnO-HF. These ZnO-HFs were further applied for inducing ZIF-8 membranes by one-step solvothermal growth. ZnO not only provides the growth and nucleation centers but also acts as transitional bridge to make the ZIF embed into support to improve the bonding force between membrane and support. Therefore, HF-supported-ZIF-8 membrane exhibited both mechanical and thermal robustness by maintaining their gas separation performance during the 30-min sonication treatment and 50-h operation testing at 25–200°C. Furthermore, this membrane provided good reproducibility. This work opens prospects for preparing ceramic HFs at lower sintering temperature and their functional applications as well as the preparation of MOF membranes.     

Soret coefficient of a sodium germanate glass melt: Experiment,theory, and molecular dynamics simulation

The Soret effect is a diffusion phenomenon driven by a temperature gradient in a multicomponent system. This effect in condensed systems is not fully understood. Previously, we reported a theoretical model called “adjusted Kempers model” to predict the Soret coefficient in glass melts, and compared the experimental value to the theoretical value for 11Na₂O-89B₂O₃ (mol%) melts. Here, molecular dynamics calculations, as well as theoretical and experimental values, are quantitatively compared in 10Na₂O-90GeO₂ melts. We used a vertical tubular furnace to cause a temperature gradient and heated the sample from top side to reduce the natural convection. We measured the composition of 10Na₂O-90GeO₂ glass samples after 45, 90, and 180 hours of heat treatment under a temperature gradient, and estimated the steady-state Soret coefficient near 1373 K to be 1.09 × 10⁻³ K⁻¹. In addition, we calculated Soret coefficients to be 3.65 × 10⁻³ K⁻¹ and 1.85 × 10⁻³ K⁻¹ in theory and molecular dynamics calculation, respectively. The ratios between the experimental and theoretical Soret coefficients were 1.2 and 3.3 for 11Na₂O-89B₂O₃ melts and 10Na₂O-90GeO₂ melts, respectively. The difference in ratios may be attributed to the mass and size of diffusion species in the glass melts.     

Supercritical fluid extraction of walnut kernel oil

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the main process parameters on supercritical fluid extraction of walnut (Juglans regia L.) kernel oil. The recovery of walnut kernel oil was performed in a green and high-tech separation process. CO₂ and CO₂ + ethanol mixtures were used as the supercritical solvent. The extraction was carried out at operating pressures of 30, 40 and 50 MPa, operating temperatures of 313, 323 and 333 K, mean particle sizes of 1.78×10⁻⁴, 3.03×10⁻⁴, 4.78×10⁻⁴, 7.00×10⁻⁴ and 9.00×10⁻⁴ m, supercritical CO₂ (SC CO₂) flow rates of 1.67×10⁻⁸, 3.33×10⁻⁸, 6.67×10⁻⁸ and 13.33×10⁻⁸ m³/s and entrainer (ethanol) concentrations of 2, 4, 8 and 12 vol-%. Maximum extraction yield and oil solubility in SC CO₂ obtained at 50 MPa, 333 K, 9.00×10⁻⁴ m, 3.33×10⁻⁴ m³/h were 0.65 kg oil/kg of dry sample and 37.16 g oil/kg CO₂, respectively. The results obtained in this study showed that the crossover pressure effect of walnut kernel oil was at 30 MPa. At 30 MPa and 313 K, the obtained extraction yields above 4 vol-% ethanol reached the organic solvent extraction yield of 68.5 kg oil/kg dry sample. Extraction time was decreased significantly because of the higher solubility of walnut kernel oil in SC CO₂ + ethanol mixtures.     

Coefficient of thermal expansion for Twaron® fibers using crystallographic data

The effect of in situ heating on the unit cell dimensions of crystalline aramid fiber (Twaron® fibers) has been studied in the temperature range 20–280°C. The changes in the unit cell dimensions have been used to estimate the coefficients of thermal expansion along the axial directions. On heating, the a and b axes expand, the coefficients of thermal expansion being α_a = 35.84 × 10⁻⁶/°C and α_b = 38 × 10⁻⁶/°C at room temperature. The c-axis contracts on heating, giving negative coefficient of thermal expansion α_c = −5.38 × 10⁻⁶/°C at room temperature. Volume coefficient of thermal expansion α_V however is positive, being 101.22 × 10⁻⁶/°C. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Characterization of an anisotropic hydrogel tissue substrate for infusion testing

Artificial tissue models that capture specific transport properties are useful for investigating physical phenomena important to drug delivery. In this study, an in vitro tissue model was developed and characterized with the goal of mimicking aligned tissue. An anisotropic porous medium was developed by the construction of a 1% agarose hydrogel implanted with different volume fractions (～ 5, 10, and 20%) of 10‐μm‐diameter glass fibers. The developed substrate was able to capture anisotropic transport after the direct infusion of a macromolecular tracer, Evans blue albumin (EBA). To further characterize the test substrate, the diffusion tensor of water was measured by diffusion tensor imaging, and the ratios of the diffusivities in the directions parallel and perpendicular to the glass fibers were 1.16, 1.20, and 1.26 for 5, 10, and 20% fiber volume fractions, respectively. The hydraulic conductivity was estimated by the measurement of pressure gradients across samples under controlled microflow conditions in the direction parallel to implanted fibers. The hydraulic conductivities at various hydrogel concentrations without fibers and in a 1% hydrogel with various fiber volume fractions were measured; for example, K_∥ = 1.20 × 10^?12 m⁴ N^?1 s^?1 (where K_∥ is the conductivity component in the direction parallel to the glass fibers) for 20% fiber volume fractions. Also, EBA distributions were fit to porous medium transport models to estimate hydraulic conductivity in the direction perpendicular to glass fibers. The estimated ratio of directional hydraulic conductivity, K_∥/K_? (where K_? is the conductivity component in the direction perpendicular to the glass fibers), ranged from approximately 3 to 5, from 6 to 10, and from 40 to 90 for 5, 10, and 20% fiber volume fractions, respectively. These agarose hydrogel models provided convenient media for quantifying infusion protocols at low flow rates. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009