Corrosion of structural constituents of 2017 aluminium alloy in acidic solutions containing inhibitors

The objective of this study is to establish the corrosion behaviour of the most important structural constituents of the aluminium alloy 2017 in orthophosphoric acid solutions containing heteropolyoxomolybdate, tungstate and vanadate. These are potential candidates for replacing toxic hexavalent chromium species in stripping solution for anodic coatings. The corrosion rate of the alloy is estimated with linear polarisation method. It decreases from 0.58 mA cm⁻² in uninhibited solution to 0.10 mA cm⁻² in a solution containing heteropolyoxomolybdate species. Microscopic studies reveal that heteropolyoxomolybdate species inhibit corrosion of the matrix and intermetallic Al₁₅(Fe,Mn)₃(Si,Cu)₂ but not Mg₂Si. Intermetallic Al₂Cu remains not corroded. Heteropolyoxotungstate species virtually do not inhibit the corrosion of the alloy. The solution containing vanadium species is not stable with time and the corrosion rate is not determined. Nevertheless, corrosion of the matrix is inhibited, but intermetallics Al₁₅(Fe,Mn)₃(Si,Cu)₂ together with Mg₂Si are dissolved. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is used for examination of a corrosion product precipitated on the surface.     

State of the art in additive manufacturing and its possible chemical and particle hazards—review

Additive manufacturing, enabling rapid prototyping and so-called on-demand production, has become a common method of creating parts or whole devices. On a 3D printer, real objects are produced layer by layer, thus creating extraordinary possibilities as to the number of applications for this type of devices. The opportunities offered by this technique seem to be pushing new boundaries when it comes to both the use of 3D printing in practice and new materials from which the 3D objects can be printed. However, the question arises whether, at the same time, this solution is safe enough to be used without limitations, wherever and by everyone. According to the scientific reports, three-dimensional printing can pose a threat to the user, not only in terms of physical or mechanical hazards, but also through the potential emissions of chemical substances and fine particles. Thus, the presented publication collects information on the additive manufacturing, different techniques, and ways of printing with application of diverse raw materials. It presents an overview of the last 5 years’ publications focusing on 3D printing, especially regarding the potential chemical and particle emission resulting from the use of such printers in both the working environment and private spaces.     

Evoking emotions in virtual reality: schema activation via a freeze-frame stimulus

Virtual Reality - Virtual reality can be used for educational purposes, particularly in demanding professions such as firefighting. Such virtual training may be useful for preparing trainees for...     

Charge-Driven Self-Assembled Microspheres Hydrogel Scaffolds for Combined Drug Delivery and Photothermal Therapy of Diabetic Wounds

The treatment of diabetic wound remains a big clinical challenge. Hydrogel that can provide physical barrier and humidity displays amazing potentials for managing the diabetic wounds healing. Herein, a new charge-driven self-assembled microsphere hydrogel scaffold (SMHS) is reported based on an electric charge interaction, by combining use of black phosphorus (BP)-contained chitosan methacryloyl (CS) microspheres with positive charge and basic fibroblast growth factor-contained hyaluronic acid methacryloyl (HA) microspheres with negative charge. The weak charge attraction among microspheres gives the SMHS the injectable characteristic. Due to the existence of BP, near-infrared (NIR) irradiation has obvious effects on the degradation and drug release behaviors of SMHS. Significantly, SMHS that combines the short-term physical (photothermal) intervention and long-term chemical (drug release) intervention may be promising in spatio-temporal regulation of regenerative microenvironment. SMHS with NIR irradiation (SMHS+NIR) can promote cell proliferation, cell migration, angiogenesis and macrophage polarization. Moreover, in diabetic rat skin wounds, SMHS+NIR significantly accelerates the wound healing process by simultaneously inhibiting the inflammatory response, promoting angiogenesis and tissues remodeling. The outcome of this research not only provides a biomaterial for diabetic wounds healing, but also demonstrates a new strategy for designing novel hydrogel-based biomaterials which have the free editing and combination functions.     

A Universal Randomized Packet Scheduling Algorithm

We give a memoryless scale-invariant randomized algorithm ReMix for Packet Scheduling that is e/(e?1)-competitive against an adaptive adversary. ReMix unifies most of previously known randomized algorithms, and its general analysis yields improved performance guarantees for several restricted variants, including the s-bounded instances. In particular, ReMix attains the optimum competitive ratio of 4/3 on 2-bounded instances. Our results are applicable to a more general problem, called Item Collection, in which only the relative order between packets’ deadlines is known. ReMix is the optimal memoryless randomized algorithm against adaptive adversary for that problem.     

Mesoporous drug carrier systems for enhanced delivery rate of poorly water-soluble drug: nimodipine

Journal of Porous Materials - Two mesoporous silica materials: MCM-41 and SBA-15 were applied as potential nanocarriers for poorly soluble drug—nimodipine. Drug incorporation was performed...     

Studies on capillary waves generated by light pulses of Nd3+ - glass laser with ultrasonic Q-switch

In the paper some results of the studies on parameters of capillary waves generated in 18H2N4WA type steel by means of light pulses of Nd³⁺ - glass laser with ultrasonic modulation of Q-factor of the optical resonator have been presented.