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4D Biofabrication of fibrous artificial nerve graft for neuron regeneration
In this paper, we describe the application of the 4D biofabrication approach for the fabrication of artificial nerve graft. Bilayer scaffolds consisting of uniaxially aligned polycaprolactone-poly(glycerol sebacate) (PCL-PGS) and randomly aligned methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HA-MA) fibers were fabricated using electrospinning and further used for the culture of PC-12 neuron cells. Tubular structures form instantly after immersion of fibrous bilayer in an aqueous buffer and the diameter of obtained tubes can be controlled by changing bilayer parameters such as the thickness of each layer, overall bilayer thickness, and medium counterion concentration. Designed scaffolds showed a self-folded scroll-like structure with high stability after four weeks of real-time degradation. The significance of this research is in the fabrication of tuneable tubular nerve guide conduits that can simplify the current existing clinical treatment of neural injuries. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd.
Multifunctional-high resolution imaging plate based on hydrophilic graphene for digital pathology
In the present study, we showed that hydrophilic graphene can serve as an ideal imaging plate for biological specimens. Graphene being a single-atom-thick semi-metal with low secondary electron emission, array tomography analysis of serial sections of biological specimens on a graphene substrate showed excellent image quality with improved z-axis resolution, without including any conductive surface coatings. However, the hydrophobic nature of graphene makes the placement of biological specimens difficult; graphene functionalized with polydimethylsiloxane oligomer was fabricated using a simple soft lithography technique and then processed with oxygen plasma to provide hydrophilic graphene with minimal damage to graphene. High-quality scanning electron microscopy images of biological specimens free from charging effects or distortion were obtained, and the optical transparency of graphene enabled fluorescence imaging of the specimen; high-resolution correlated electron and light microscopy analysis of the specimen became possible with the hydrophilic graphene plate.
Field-induced interactions in magneto-active elastomers - a comparison of experiments and simulations
In this contribution, field-induced interactions of magnetizable particles embedded into a soft elastomer matrix are analyzed with regard to the resulting mechanical deformations. By comparing experiments for two-, three- and four-particle systems with the results of finite element simulations, a fully coupled continuum model for magneto-active elastomers is validated with the help of real data for the first time. The model under consideration permits the investigation of magneto-active elastomers with arbitrary particle distances, shapes and volume fractions as well as magnetic and mechanical properties of the individual constituents. It thus represents a basis for future studies on more complex, realistic systems. Our results show a very good agreement between experiments and numerical simulations—the deformation behavior of all systems is captured by the model qualitatively as well as quantitatively. Within a sensitivity analysis, the influence of the initial particle positions on the systems' response is examined. Furthermore, a comparison of the full three-dimensional model with the often used, simplified two-dimensional approach shows the typical overestimation of resulting interactions in magneto-active elastomers.
MWCNT induced negative real permittivity in a copolyester of Bisphenol-A with terephthalic and isophthalic acids
In the present study, the negative real permittivity behavior of a copolyester of bisphenol-A with terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid (PAr) containing 1.5 to 7.5 wt% multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been investigated in detail. The structural and morphological analysis of the melt-mixed composites was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy using attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and light microscopy. The influences of the MWCNT filler on the AC impedance, complex permittivity, and AC conductivity of the PAr polymer matrix were investigated at different operating temperatures varied between 296 K and 373 K. The transition from a negative to positive real permittivity was observed at different crossover frequencies depending on the MWCNT content of the composites whereas pure PAr showed positive values at all frequencies. The negative real permittivity characteristic of the composites was discussed in the context of Drude model. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd.
Beamline-implemented stretching devices for in situ X-ray scattering experiments
Two recently developed experimental devices for investigating soft matter deformation are presented. Both devices exploit the capabilities of a modern synchrotron beamline to enable advanced and highly precise materials-science experiments in which X-ray scattering is registered. The devices can be operated both in monotonic as well as cyclic mode and are implemented into a beamline at DESY, Hamburg (Germany). Hence, relevant experimental parameters, such as displacement, force and temperature, are recorded synchronously with the individual X-ray scattering patterns. In addition, spatial variation of materials deformation can be monitored and recorded with optical microscopy. This unique sample environment enables in situ X-ray experiments in transmission, i.e. small- or wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS or WAXS), and in grazing-incidence geometry, i.e. grazing-incidence (GI-) SAXS or WAXS. One device with stepper motors is designed for studies of slow, (quasi-) static deformation and the other one with pneumatic actuators can be used for fast, impact deformation. Both devices are available to external beamline users, too.
Review on VUV to MIR absorption spectroscopy of atmospheric pressure plasma jets
Absorption spectroscopy (AS) represents a reliable method for the characterization of cold atmospheric pressure plasma jets. The method's simplicity stands out in comparison to competing diagnostic techniques. AS is an in situ, non-invasive technique giving absolute densities, free of calibration procedures, which other diagnostics, such as laser-induced fluorescence or optical emission spectroscopy, have to rely on. Ground state densities can be determined without the knowledge of the influence of collisional quenching. Therefore, absolute densities determined by absorption spectroscopy can be taken as calibration for other methods. In this paper, fundamentals of absorption spectroscopy are presented as an entrance to the topic. In the second part of the manuscript, a review of AS performed on cold atmospheric pressure plasma jets, as they are used e.g. in the field of plasma medicine, is presented. The focus is set on special techniques overcoming not only the drawback of spectrally overlapping absorbing species, but also the line-of-sight densities that AS usually provides or the necessity of sufficiently long absorption lengths. Where references are not available for measurements on cold atmospheric pressure plasma jets, other plasma sources including low-pressure plasmas are taken as an example to give suggestions for possible approaches. The final part is a table summarizing examples of absorption spectroscopic measurements on cold atmospheric pressure plasma jets. With this, the paper provides a 'best practice' guideline and gives a compendium of works by groups performing absorption spectroscopy on cold atmospheric pressure plasma jets.
Extruded polycarbonate/Di-Allyl phthalate composites with ternary conductive filler system for bipolar plates of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
Here, we report multifunctional polycarbonate (PC)-based conductive polymer composites (CPCs) with outstanding performance manufactured by a simple extrusion process and intended for use in bipolar plate (BPP) applications in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. CPCs were developed using a ternary conductive filler system containing carbon nanotube (CNT), carbon fiber (CF), and graphite (G) and by introducing di-allyl phthalate (DAP) as a plasticizer to PC matrix. The samples were fabricated using twin-screw extrusion followed by compression molding and the microstructure, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and mechanical properties were investigated. The results showed a good dispersion of the fillers with some degree of interconnection between dissimilar fillers. The addition of DAP enhanced the electrical conductivity and tensile strength of the CPCs. Due to its plasticizing effect, DAP reduced the processing temperature by 75 °C and facilitated the extrusion of CPCs with filler loads as high as 63 wt% (3 wt% CNT, 30 wt% CF, 30 wt% G). Consequently, CPCs with the through-plane electrical, in-plane electrical and thermal conductivities and tensile strength of 4.2 S cm-1, 34.3 S cm-1, 2.9 W m-1 K-1, and 75.4 MPa, respectively, were achieved. This combination of properties indicates the potential of PC-based composites enriched with hybrid fillers and plasticizers as an alternative material for BPP application.