Digital image correlation strain measurement of thick adherend shear test specimen joined with an epoxy film adhesive

Structural bonding and bonded repairs of composite materials become more and more important. Understanding the strain within the bondline leads to suitable bonding design. For new design approaches the strain distribution within the bondline has to be analyzed. Thus, often finite element analysis (FE) are used. However, a huge challenge is the availability of reliable material properties for the adhesives and their validation. Previous work has shown that it is possible to measure the small displacements resulting within thin epoxy film adhesives using high resolution digital image correlation (DIC). In this work a 2D DIC setup with a high resolution consumer camera is used to visualize the strain distribution within the bondline over the length of the joint as well as over the adhesive thickness. Therefore, single lap joints with thick aluminum adherends according to ASTM D 5656 are manufactured and tested. Local 2D DIC strain measurements are performed and analyzed. Two different camera setups are used and compared. The evaluation provides reliable material data and enables a look insight the bondline. The results of the full field strain data measured with DIC are compared with numerical simulations. Thus, material models as well as chosen parameters for the adhesive are validated. Compared to extensometers, giving only point-wise information for fixed measuring points, the DIC allows a virtual point-wise inspection along the complete bondline. Furthermore, it allows measuring close to the bondline to reduce the influence of adherend deformation.     

Deep Integration of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (InE) Education in Chinese University Classrooms

Recently, InE has been regarded as a popular education strategy in Chinese universities. However, problems have been exposed in the adoption of InE, for example, in InE courses and competitions. The purpose of this paper is to provide a possible solution to the problems, which is to organize effective InE courses by integrating InE with Inter-Course-level Problem-Based Learning (ICPBL). A detailed case is demonstrated by an ICPBL elective course design with deep integration of InE in the teaching, learning, and assessments. This paper contributes to a new curriculum design for promoting InE education in practically for Chinese universities.     

Flexible poly(styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene) hybrid nanofibers for bioengineering and water filtration applications

Among the thermoplastic elastomers that play important roles in the polymer industry due to their superior properties, styrene-based species and polyurethane block copolymers are of great interest. Poly(styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene) (SEBS) as a triblock copolymer seems to have the potential to meet many demands in different applications due to various industrial requirements where durability, biocompatibility, breaking elongation, and interfacial adhesion are important. In this study, the SEBS triblock copolymer was functionalized with natural (Satureja hortensis, SH) and synthetic (nanopowder, TiO₂) agents to obtain composite nanofibers by electrospinning and electrospraying methods for use in biomedical and water filtration applications. The results were compared with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composite nanofibers, which are commonly used in these fields. Here, functionalized SEBS nanofibers exhibited antibacterial effect while at the same time improving cell viability. In addition, because of successful water filtration by using the SEBS composite nanofibers, the material may have a good potential to be used comparably to TPU for the application.     

Matrilin-3-Primed Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Spheroids Prevent Mesenchymal Stromal-Cell-Derived Chondrocyte Hypertrophy

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (Ad-MSCs) are a promising tool for articular cartilage repair and regeneration. However, the terminal hypertrophic differentiation of Ad-MSC-derived cartilage is a critical barrier during hyaline cartilage regeneration. In this study, we investigated the role of matrilin-3 in preventing Ad-MSC-derived chondrocyte hypertrophy in vitro and in an osteoarthritis (OA) destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) model. Methacrylated hyaluron (MAHA) (1%) was used to encapsulate and make scaffolds containing Ad-MSCs and matrilin-3. Subsequently, the encapsulated cells in the scaffolds were differentiated in chondrogenic medium (TGF-β, 1–14 days) and thyroid hormone hypertrophic medium (T3, 15–28 days). The presence of matrilin-3 with Ad-MSCs in the MAHA scaffold significantly increased the chondrogenic marker and decreased the hypertrophy marker mRNA and protein expression. Furthermore, matrilin-3 significantly modified the expression of TGF-β2, BMP-2, and BMP-4. Next, we prepared the OA model and transplanted Ad-MSCs primed with matrilin-3, either as a single-cell suspension or in spheroid form. Safranin-O staining and the OA score suggested that the regenerated cartilage morphology in the matrilin-3-primed Ad-MSC spheroids was similar to the positive control. Furthermore, matrilin-3-primed Ad-MSC spheroids prevented subchondral bone sclerosis in the mouse model. Here, we show that matrilin-3 plays a major role in modulating Ad-MSCs’ therapeutic effect on cartilage regeneration and hypertrophy suppression.     

Three-phase four-wire shunt active power filter based on the SOGI filter and Lyapunov function for DC bus control

The three-phase four-wire shunt active power filter (SAPF) was developed to suppress the harmonic currents generated by nonlinear loads, and for the compensation of unbalanced nonlinear load currents, reactive power, and the harmonic neutral current. In this work, we consider instantaneous reactive power theory (PQ theory) for reference current identification based on the following two algorithms: the classic low-pass filter (LPF) and the second-order generalized integrator (SOGI) filter. Furthermore, since an important process in SAPF control is the regulation of the DC bus voltage at the capacitor, a new controller based on the Lyapunov function is also proposed. A complete simulation of the resultant active filtering system confirms its validity, which uses the SOGI filter to extract the reference currents from the distorted line currents, compared with the traditional PQ theory based on LPF. In addition, the simulation performed also demonstrates the superiority of the proposed approach, for DC bus voltage control based on the Lyapunov function, compared with the traditional proportional-integral (PI) controller. Both novel approaches contribute towards an improvement in the overall performance of the system, which consists of a small rise and settling time, a very low or nonexistent overshoot, and the minimization of the total harmonic distortion (THD).     

La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ nanofiber cathode for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells by water-based sol-gel electrospinning: Synthesis and electrochemical behaviour

Water-based sol-gel electrospinning is employed to manufacture perovskite oxide La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3-δ (LSCF) nanofiber cathodes for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. LSCF fibrous scaffolds are synthesized through electrospinning of a sol-gel solution employing water as the only solvent. Morphological characterizations demonstrate that the LSCF fibers have highly crystalline structure with uniform elemental distribution. After heat treatment, the average fiber diameter is 250 nm and the porosity of the nanofiber tissue is 37.5 %. The heat treated LSCF nanofibers are applied directly onto a Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95 (CGO) electrolyte disk to form a symmetrical cell. Electrochemical characterization is carried out through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in the temperature range 550?°C–950?°C, and reproducibility of the electrochemical performance for a series of cells is demonstrated. At 650?°C, the average measured polarization resistance R_p is 1.0 Ω cm². Measured performance decay is 1 % during the first 33?h of operation at 750?°C, followed by an additional 0.7 % over the subsequent 70?h.     

Tough salami-inspired Cf/ZrB2 UHTCMCs produced by electrophoretic deposition

One of the biggest challenges of the materials science is the mutual exclusion of strength and toughness. This issue was minimized by mimicking the natural structural materials. To date, few efforts were done regarding materials that should be used in harsh environments. In this work we present novel continuous carbon fiber reinforced ultra-high-temperature ceramic matrix composites (UHTCMCs) for aerospace featuring optimized fiber/matrix interfaces and fibers distribution. The microstructures – produced by electrophoretic deposition of ZrB₂ on unidirectional carbon fibers followed by ZrB₂ infiltration and hot pressing – show a maximum flexural strength and fracture toughness of 330 MPa and 14 MPa m^1/2, respectively. Fracture surfaces are investigated to understand the mechanisms that affect strength and toughness. The EPD technique allows the achievement of a peculiar salami-inspired architecture alternating strong and weak interfaces.     

Pt–Ru nanoparticles anchored on poly(brilliant cresyl blue) as a new polymeric support: Application as an efficient electrocatalyst in methanol oxidation reaction

The glassy carbon electrode is modified by poly(brilliant cresyl blue) (PBCB) to be applied as a new green and efficient platform for Pt and Pt–Ru alloy nanoparticles deposition. Surface composition, morphology and catalytic activity of these modified electrodes towards methanol oxidation are assessed by applying X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. The X-ray diffraction patterns reveal that the highly crystalline Pt and Pt–Ru alloy and RuO₂ nanoparticles with low crystallinity are deposited on the PBCB modified glassy carbon electrodes. The microscopic images indicate smaller size and better distribution of deposited nanoparticles on the surface of PBCB modified electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results reveal that PBCB supported Pt and Pt–Ru nanoparticles have better electrocatalytic performance and durability towards methanol oxidation rather than the unsupported nanoparticles. From the obtained results it can be concluded that the presence of PBCB not only improves the stability of nanoparticles on the surface, but also leads to the formation of smaller size and more uniform distribution of nanoparticles on the surface, which, in turn, cause the nanoparticles to provide a higher accessible surface area and more active centers for the oxidation of methanol. The results will be valuable in extending the applications of this polymer in surface modification steps and in developing promising catalyst supports to be applied in direct methanol fuel cells.     

Robust Control of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors

In this paper, permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) are investigated. According to the feature of PMSMs, a novel state equation of PMSMs is obtained by choosing suitable state variables. Based on the state equation, robust controllers are designed via interval matrix and PI control idea. In terms of bilinear matrix inequations, sufficient conditions for the existence of the robust controller are derived. In order to reduce the conservation and the dependence on parameter, the control inputs of PMSMs are divided into two parts, a feedforward control input and a feedback control input, and relevant sufficient conditions for the existence of the controller are obtained. Because of the suitable choice of state variables, the proposed control strategies can cope with the load uncertainty and have robustness for disturbance. Finally, simulations are carried out via Matlab/Simulink soft to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control strategies. The performance of the proposed control strategies are demonstrated by the simulation results.      

Superior foetal electrocardiogram signal elicitation using a novel artificial intelligent Bayesian methodology

Innumerable casualties due to intrauterine hypoxia are a major worry during prenatal phase besides advanced patient monitoring with latest science and technology. Hence, the analysis of foetal electrocardiogram (fECG) signals is very vital in order to evaluate the foetal heart status for timely recognition of cardiac abnormalities. Regrettably, the latest technology in the cutting edge field of biomedical signal processing does not seem to yield the desired quality of fECG signals required by physicians, which is the major cause for the pathetic condition. The focus of this work is to extort non-invasive fECG signal with highest possible quality with a motive to support physicians in utilizing the methodology for the latest intrapartum monitoring technique called STAN (ST analysis) for forecasting intrapartum foetal hypoxia. However, the critical quandary is that the non-invasive fECG signals recorded from the maternal abdomen are affected by several interferences like power line interference, baseline drift interference, electrode motion interference, muscle movement interference and the maternal electrocardiogram (mECG) being the dominant interference. A novel hybrid methodology called BANFIS (Bayesian adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system) is proposed. The BANFIS includes a Bayesian filter and an adaptive neuro fuzzy filter for mECG elimination and non-linear artefacts removal to yield high quality fECG signal. Kalman filtering frame work has been utilized to estimate the nonlinear transformed mECG component in the abdominal electrocardiogram (aECG). The adaptive neuro fuzzy filter is employed to discover the nonlinearity of the nonlinear transformed version of mECG and to align the estimated mECG signal with the maternal component in the aECG signal for annulment. The outcomes of the investigation by the proposed BANFIS system proved valuable for STAN system for efficient prediction of foetal hypoxia.