Evaluating and controlling process variability in micro-injection moulding

Microsystem technologies require relatively strict quality requirements. This is because their functionalities are usually dependent on stringent requirements of dimensions, masses or tolerances. When mass-producing micro-components, e.g. replication of disposable microfluidic diagnostics devices, the consistency of the produced components could be significantly affected by process variability. The variability could be associated with a specific process parameter or could be a result of process noise. This paper presents a methodology to assess and minimise process variability in micro-injection moulding, an example of well-established mass-production techniques for micro-components. A design-of-experiments approach was implemented, where five process parameters were investigated for possible effects on the process variability of two components. The variability was represented by the standard deviation of the replicated part mass. It was found that melt temperature was a significant source of variability in part mass for one of the components, whilst the other was affected by unsystematic variability. Optimisations tools such as response surfaces and desirability functions were implemented to minimise mass variability by more than 40%.     

Tailored biodegradable films via extrusion blow molding using PBS,PBAT, and TPS

Research to replace synthetic polymers with biodegradable polymers is on the rise because common plastics have generated serious ecosystem problems. Films with thermoplastic starch (TPS), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), poly(butylene adipate-co-butylene terephthalate (PBAT), and citric acid (CA) were produced by blown extrusion. They were characterized by blow-up ratio (BUR), water vapor permeability (WVP), soluble ratio (SR), water sorption isotherm, and thermogravimetric (TG) techniques. Films were uniform and showed BUR > 205%. The different proportions of PBS and PBAT significantly influenced the WVP of the films. All samples had WVP with an order of magnitude similar to other blends with high starch content (10⁻⁶ g m⁻¹ day⁻¹ Pa⁻¹). CA efficiently decreased the WVP of the PBS/PBAT/TPS formulations (15/15/70% and 20/10/70% by mass) by 25.2% and 24.7% compared to the acid-free formulations. There was no significant difference in SR (19.0%–20.1%). These materials were sensitive to moisture since the equilibrium moisture content increased pronouncedly from water activity of 0.5. Films showed good thermal stability, with a maximum decomposition temperature close to pure polyesters. CA did not increase the thermal stability of blends, probably because of the low content used (0.1%). Given the outcomes of this study, these films could be deemed appropriate for applications in food packaging.     

Complex pBAE Nanoparticle Cell Trafficking: Tracking Both Position and Composition Using Super Resolution Microscopy

Nanomedicine emerged some decades ago with the hope to be the solution for most unmet medical needs. However, tracking materials at nanoscale is challenging to their reduced size, below the resolution limit of most conventional techniques. In this context, we propose the use of direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM) to study time stability and cell trafficking after transfection of oligopeptide end-modified poly(β-aminoester) (OM-pBAE) nanoparticles. We selected different combinations of cationic end oligopeptides (arginine – R; histidine – H; and lysine – K) among polymer libraries, since the oligopeptide combination demonstrated to be useful for different applications, such as vaccination and gene silencing. We demonstrate that their time evolution as well as their cell uptake and trafficking are dependent on the oligopeptide. This study opens the pave to broad mechanistic studies at nanoscale that could enable a rational selection of specific pBAE nanoparticles composition after determining their stability and cell trafficking.     

Remediation of chromium(VI) at polypyrrole-coated titanium

The application of conducting polypyrrole (PPy) and polyaniline (PAni) coated substrates in remediation of chromium, Cr(VI), is an area of considerable interest. Here, we discuss the implementation of PPy-coated titanium as a new material for the reduction of Cr(VI) to the less toxic trivalent state, Cr(III). An alkaline-peroxide based etching process was used to ensure the adhesion of the PPy coatings to the underlying titanium. The PPy films showed excellent resistance to acidic Cr(VI) solutions and remained adherent after continuous exposure to the solutions. In order to optimise the remediation process a number of experimental parameters were investigated, including the thickness of the PPy coating, the reduction potential used in pre-treatment of the PPy and the degree of solution agitation. The durability of the materials on exposure to the Cr(VI) test solutions made them suitable for repeated remediation experiments. Following several test-runs, the cleanup efficiency of the material was found to decrease slightly, however, increasing the exposure/experiment time resulted in significantly improved cleanup ability.     

Rheological behavior and stability of emulsions obtained from Pereskia aculeata Miller via different drying methods

Hydrocolloid powders from Pereskia aculeata Miller were obtained by using drying in a vacuum oven and freeze-drying at different concentrations (0.5–3.0 g of hydrocolloids/100 g of aqueous phase) to produce oil-in-water emulsions. The rheological characteristics of the emulsions and their microstructures were determined. The freeze-dried hydrocolloids and higher hydrocolloid concentrations resulted in emulsions with higher viscosities. The drying method and hydrocolloid concentration influenced the thixotropic behavior, and the resulting emulsions exhibited shear-thinning behavior. Microstructural analysis showed that with increasing freeze-dried hydrocolloid concentration, the emulsions had droplets with lower average diameters and greater uniformity, suggesting greater system stability.     

Edible mushrooms’ enrichment in food and feed: A mini review

Dietary fibres and high fibre-containing foods have been a huge attraction among researchers and nutraceutical industries due to their health-promoting benefits. From Greek and Roman times, edible mushrooms are considered the ‘elixir of life’ and are often stated as a new source of dietary fibre. Containing rich sources of essential amino acids and polysaccharides, mushrooms are viewed as an advantage over protein sources of both animal and plant origin. Additionally, the ability of mushrooms to grow under controlled conditions and attain high yield in a short span has made this added-value food of extreme interest. Nowadays, mushrooms and their by-products have been used to fortify various food products as well as for use in animal feed owing to their bioactive, therapeutic and nutritional value. Hence, this review intends to highlight the current knowledge on edible mushrooms and their waste for food and feed enrichment and nutritional purposes, along with their role in human and animal diet.     

Cysteamine-CdTe Quantum Dots Electrochemically Synthesized as Fluorescence Probe for Resveratrol

This work proposes a fluorescent probe based on CdTe quantum dots (QDs) for the determination of resveratrol in wine samples. The synthesis of cysteamine (CA) capped CdTe QD was carried out in a one-pot eco-friendly process, resorting to the electrochemical reduction of metallic tellurium powder in a graphite macroelectrode (cavity cell). The reduced species of tellurium (Te^2? and Te₂^2?) migrated to an intermediate compartment of the electrochemical cell and in the presence of a cadmium salt and organic stabilizing agent (CA), forming the colloidal dispersion of CdTe in a single step. Under optimum synthesis conditions, the fluorescence intensity of the prepared nanoparticles varied linearly with the resveratrol concentration in the range from 3.25 to 75 μg L^?1 (R²?=?0.9984), with a detection limit of 0.97 μg L^?1 and RSD of 3.7% (5.0 μg L^?1 resveratrol, n?=?10). The method was successfully applied to the resveratrol determination in wines, with recoveries from 97.8 to 112.4%. Student’s t test was applied and no statistically significant difference was observed between the two methods (HPLC and proposed), with a confidence level of 95% (t_tabulated?=?2.45 and t_calculated?=?0.38). The resveratrol determination method, by using CdTe-CA QDs as fluorescence probe, was simple, rapid, inexpensive, and sensitive.     

In vivo and in vitro antifungal effect of fungal chitosan nanocomposite edible coating against strawberry phytopathogenic fungi

This study compared the effectiveness of fungal chitosan nanocomposite, chitosan gel and chitosan nanoparticles against strawberry phytopathogenic fungi (Botrytis cinerea; Rhizopus stolonifer and Aspergillus niger). Nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation method and characterised by dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy. The influence of the edible coatings on fungal growth was analysed in vitro and in vivo The fungal chitosan nanoparticles presented an average size = 331.1 nm (±7.21) with a narrow size distribution (PDI = 0.377) and a zeta potential = +34 mV. The edible coating made by the nanocomposite exhibited important changes in fungal morphology, and the best control of the growth of the assayed fungal strains in artificially infected strawberries. Therefore, nanotechnology brought some benefits to the conventional chitosan gel edible coating, improving its antifungal activity and forming a new eco-friendly coating.     

Drawing Instruments

Despite the obvious diversity in the ideology, materiality and character of architectural production, here it is argued that the way we (architects) draw is surprisingly uniform. One reason for this might be the limited range of materials and tools we draw with, and their generic qualities. Architect, researcher and maker Nat Chard reveals relationships between acts of drawing, making images and making ideas, by taking us through the design and manufacture of a series of analytical drawing instruments and contingent works. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.