Molecular dynamics simulation of diffusion of O2 and CO2 in blends of amorphous poly(ethylene terephthalate) and related polyesters

The diffusion of small molecules through polymers is important in many areas of polymer science, such as gas barrier and separation membrane materials, polymeric foams, and in the processing and properties of polymers. Molecular dynamics simulation techniques have been applied to study the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide as small molecule penetrants in models polyester blends of bulk amorphous poly(ethylene terephthalate) and related aromatic polyesters. A bulk amorphous configuration with periodic boundary conditions was generated into a unit cell whose dimensions were determined for each of the simulated polyester blends in the cell having the experimental density. The diffusion coefficients for O₂ and CO₂ were determined via NVE molecular dynamics simulations using the Dreiding 2.21 molecular mechanics force field over a range of temperatures (300, 500 and 600 K) using up to 40 ns simulation time. We have focussed on the influence of the temperature, polymer dynamics, density and free volume distribution on the diffusion properties. Correlation of diffusion coefficients with free volume distribution was found.     

Fibrillation potential amplitude after denervation

Fibrillation potentials have been reported to decline in amplitude with time after denervation. The use of maximum fibrillation potential amplitude to determine the relative acuity of axonal loss ("old" v "new/recurrent") has been advocated but with conflicting endorsements as to the appropriate benchmark amplitude, i.e., 100 microV compared with 250 microV. This investigation uses computer simulations to examine the rate of fibrillation potential amplitude decline expected given known values for muscle fiber size atrophy and conduction velocity slowing over time after denervation. Factors that affect the amplitude and potentially lead to erroneous interpretations in the clinical scenario of partially denervated muscle tissue are discussed. The use of fibrillation potential maximum amplitude criteria to determine the age of lesion onset in both totally and partially denervated muscle is fraught with technical and pathophysiological hazards of interpretation and must be considered cautiously, if at all, in clinical practice.     

Estimating durability of steels at repeated bending impacts

Many components are subjected to repeated impacts, or in some cases these impacts can appear as additional loads. Repeated impacts define a fatigue phenomenon known under the name of Impact Fatigue. Because the strain rate changes the material characteristics it is to expect that the material properties at impact fatigue to be different in regard to those obtained at non-impact fatigue. This paper presents a classification of repeated impact tests, and starting from this a series of parameters used for durability estimation will be analyzed. The high number of parameters used by different authors creates difficulties in comparison the different laboratories results. The importance of the shape and dimensions of specimens, and the stiffness of supports are highlighted. In order to avoid these influences the authors proposed an experimental technique, based on testing of Charpy specimens, in similar conditions as single impact test. A new parameter η is proposed in order to correlate the durability at repeated impacts with the Charpy V Notch (CVN) impact energy.     

Interfacial Modification of Polystyrene‐block‐polybutadiene‐block‐polystyrene/Magnesium Hydroxide Composites, 1

Composites based on polystyrene‐block‐polybutadiene‐block‐polystyrene (SBS triblock thermoplastic elastomer) and magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂) (5–60 wt.‐%) have been prepared by twin screw extrusion. Interfacial modifiers included dispersants, i.e., isostearic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid; and coupling agents, i.e., maleanised polybutadiene and vinyltriethoxysilane. In each case, approximately one monolayer of treatment was used. A dual bore motor driven extrusion rheometer was used for assessment shear and elongation flow behavior (Cogswell's method) over a shear rate range of 100 s^?1 to 5 000 s^?1. Untreated filler and filler treated with coupling agents gave composites that become increasingly pseudoplastic as filler level increased. Fatty acid structure was shown to have some influence over the level of melt viscosity reduction normally associated with such treatments; stearic acid gave the most pronounced reduction in melt viscosity possibly due to the tightly packed monolayer. Elongational flow properties, determined using Cogswell's method, indicated significant chain extension/branching of the bulk matrix when high levels of untreated filler were present and long range filler‐matrix interaction in composites modified with maleanised polybutadiene.

Elongational viscosity versus extensional stress (obtained by Cogswell's method) for SBS blended with filler surface treatments (□) unfilled matrix, and unfilled matrix plus (?) Hⁱst and (?) MPBD.     

Technology for obtaining samples of layered composite materials with metallic matrix

Layered composite materials significantly improved the mechanical process of fracturing, which means better fracture strength, while preserving surface properties such as hardness, resistance to wear and resistance to high temperatures. The properties are significantly influenced by the interphase mass transfer at the surface matrix-fiber reinforcement. We developed a mathematical model to determine the molar flux at the interface in stationary and in a nonstationary regime. The technological parameters are: hydraulic pressure, reinforced material, alloy type, fiber diameter, mass ratio between the reinforcement and the composite masses and mould preheating temperature. A mould patented in Romania was mounted on a hydraulic press to obtain the samples. We studied the material structure, matrix and fiber element distribution, metallic matrix element distribution and matrix and fiber element content variation. The results recorded revealed a 75% to 120% increase of the fracture strength, which means an improvement of the mechanical process of fracturing. We concluded that the reinforcement material, mass ratio and fiber diameter have a significant influences on the fracture strength.     

Assessment of ventilation efficiency for emergency situations in subway systems by CFD modeling

The ventilation system is the strategic component of the subway systems when incidents involving heavy smoke occur in tunnels. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to investigate the ventilation efficiency in one of the most severe emergency scenario: train on fire (maximum heat release rate reaching 30 MW due to an ultra-fast fire) and stopped in the tunnel, the incident requiring passenger evacuation. Two ventilation strategies are taken into account: tunnel ventilation fan system (mid-tunnel fan plant located in separate construction) in conjunction with stations mechanical ventilation and end-of-station fan plants in conjunction with stations mechanical ventilation. The analysis is performed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling. The numerical model proposes an original approach based on the introduction of source terms in conservation equations for energy, carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), in order to deal with the heat, CO, and CO₂ due to fire. Equations expressing the conservation of CO and CO₂ are specially added to the basic equations governing a turbulent non-isothermal airflow in the CFD model. This method allowed achieving values of velocity, temperature, CO and CO₂ concentrations all over the computational domain. In addition, the modeling and simulation methodology complies faithfully to the real operation of the ventilation systems investigated in normal and emergency (fire) conditions. The results show that both ventilation alternatives taken into account lead to the secure evacuation of passengers all over the simulation time. The evacuation process toward the nearest station is not at all disturbed by too high air velocities, high temperatures or critical CO or CO₂ concentrations.     

Pneumatic actuated robotic assistant system for aortic valve replacement under MRI guidance

We present a pneumatic actuated robotic assistant system for transapical aortic valve replacement under MRI guidance in a beating heart. This is a minimally invasive procedure that is currently performed manually inside the MRI bore. A robotic assistance system that integrates an interactive real-time MRI system, a robotic arm with a newly developed robotic valve delivery module, as well as user interfaces for the physician to plan the procedure and manipulate the robot, would be advantageous for the procedure. An Innomotion arm with hands-on cooperative interface was used as a device holder. A compact MRI compatible robotic delivery module was developed for delivering both balloon-expandable and self-expanding prostheses. A compact fiducial that can be placed close to the volume of interest and requires a single image plane was used for image-based robot registration. The system provides different user interfaces at various stages of the procedure. We present the development and evaluation of the components and the system in ex-vivo experiments.     

Differences in biofilm formation of produce and poultry Salmonella enterica isolates and their persistence on spinach plants

Spinach plants were irrigated biweekly with water containing 2.1 log CFU Salmonella/100 ml water (the maximum Escherichia coli MPN recommended by the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement; LGMA), or 4.1 CFU Salmonella/100 ml water to determine Salmonella persistence on spinach leaves. Green Fluorescent protein expressing Salmonella were undetectable by most-probable number (MPN) at 24 h and 7 days following each irrigation event. This study indicates that Salmonella are unlikely to persist on spinach leaves when irrigation water is contaminated at a level below the LGMA standards. In a parallel study, persistence of Salmonella isolated from poultry or produce was compared following biweekly irrigation of spinach plants with water containing 6 log CFU Salmonella/100 ml. Produce Salmonella isolates formed greater biofilms on polystyrene, polycarbonate and stainless steel surfaces and persisted at significantly higher numbers on spinach leaves than those Salmonella from poultry origin during 35 days study. Poultry Salmonella isolates were undetectable (<1 log CFU/g) on spinach plants 7 days following each irrigation event when assayed by direct plating. This study indicates that Salmonella persistence on spinach leaves is affected by the source of contamination and the biofilm forming ability of the strain.     

A new method to simulate the elastic interactions in the tribosystems of a multi‐bar mechanism

This paper presents a new method and criterion for predicting the occurrence of the interruption of a kinematic joint contact in a multi‐bar mechanism. The method is based on the elastic interactions in the tribosystems of the joints with imposed clearances. The method was used in a four‐bar mechanism with clearance in the joint formed from the coupler and the rocker. The analytical results were experimentally confirmed by measurement of the acceleration of the rocker.