• Macromolecular Research
• /
• 제12권4호
• /
• pp.374-378
• /
• 2004

The biodegradable and biocompatible poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), a copolymer of microbial polyester, was fabricated as nanofibrous mats by electrospinning. Image analysis of the electrospun nanofibers fabricated from a 2 wt% 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol solution revealed a unimodal distribution pattern of fiber diameters with an observed average diameter of ca. 185 nm. The fiber diameter of electrospun fabrics could be controlled by adjusting the electro spinning parameters, including the solvent composition, concentration, applied voltage, and tip-to-collector distance. Chondrocytes derived from rabbit ear were cultured on a PHBV cast film and an electrospun PHBV nano-fibrous mat. After incubation for 2 h, the percentages of attached chondrocytes on the surfaces of the flat PHBV film and the PHBV nanofibrous mat were 19.0 and 30.1 %, respectively. On the surface of the electrospun PHBV fabric, more chondrocytes were attached and appeared to have a much greater spreaded morphology than did that of the flat PHBV cast film in the early culture stage. The electro spun PHBV nanofabric provides an attractive structure for the attachment and growth of chondrocytes as cell culture surfaces for tissue engineering.

• Macromolecular Research
• /
• 제16권5호
• /
• pp.411-417
• /
• 2008

The surfaces of henequen fibers, which can be obtained from the leaves of agave plants, were treated with two different media, tap water and sodium hydroxide, that underwent both soaking and ultrasonic methods for the fiber surface treatment. Various biocomposites were fabricated with untreated and treated, chopped henequen fibers and polypropylene using a compression molding method. The result is discussed in terms of interfacial shear strength, flexural properties, dynamic mechanical properties, and fracture surface observations of the biocomposites. The soaking (static method) and ultrasonic (dynamic method) treatments with tap water and sodium hydroxide at different concentrations and treatment times significantly influenced the interfacial, flexural and dynamic mechanical properties of henequen/polypropylene biocomposites. The alkali treatment was more effective than the water treatment in improving the interfacial and mechanical properties of randomly oriented, chopped henequen/PP bio-composites. In addition, the application of the ultrasonic method to each treatment was relatively more effective in increasing the properties than the soaking method, depending on the treatment medium and condition. The greatest improvement in the properties studied was achieved by ultrasonic alkalization of natural fibers, which was in agreement with the other results of interfacial shear strength, flexural strength and modulus, storage modulus, and fracture surfaces.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• 제32권6호
• /
• pp.753-767
• /
• 2019

Vibration control in mechanical equipments is an important problem where unwanted vibrations are vanish or at least diminished. In this paper, free vibration active control of the porous sandwich piezoelectric polymeric nanocomposite microbeam with microsensor and microactuater layers are investigated. The aim of this research is to reduce amplitude of vibration in micro beam based on linear quadratic regulator (LQR). Modified couple stress theory (MCST) according to sinusoidal shear deformation theory is presented. The porous sandwich microbeam is rested on elastic foundation. The core and face sheet are made of porous and three-phase carbon nanotubes/resin/fiber nanocomposite materials. The equations of motion are extracted by Hamilton's principle and then Navier's type solution are employed for solving them. The governing equations of motion are written in space state form and linear quadratic regulator (LQR) is used for active control approach. The various parameters are conducted to investigate on the frequency response function (FRF) of the sandwich microbeam for vibration active control. The results indicate that the higher length scale to the thickness, the face sheet thickness to total thickness and the considering microsensor and microactutor significantly affect LQR and uncontrolled FRF. Also, the porosity coefficient increasing, Skempton coefficient and Winkler spring constant shift the frequency response to higher frequencies. The obtained results can be useful for micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) and nano-electro-mechanical (NEMS) systems.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• 제41권6호
• /
• pp.805-820
• /
• 2021

In this research, the buckling and free vibration of three-phase carbon nanotubes/ fiber/ polymer piezoelectric nanocomposite face sheet sandwich microbeam with microsensor and micro-actuator surrounded in elastic foundation based on modified couple stress theory (MCST) is investigated. Three types of porous materials are considered for sandwich core. Higher order (Reddy) and sinusoidal shear deformation beam theories are employed for the displacement fields. Sinusoidal surface stress effects are extracted for sinusoidal shear deformation beam theory. The equations of motion are derived by Hamilton's principle and then the natural frequency and critical buckling load are obtained by Navier's type solution. The determined results are in good agreement with other literatures. The detailed numerical investigation for various parameters is performed for this microsensor-microactuator. The results reveal that the microsensor-microactuator enhanced by increasing of Skempton coefficient, carbon nanotubes diameter length to thickness ratio, small scale factor, elastic foundation, surface stress constants and reduction in porous coefficient, micro-actuator voltage and CNT weight fraction. The valuable results can be expedient for micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) and nano-electro-mechanical (NEMS) systems.

• Membrane Journal
• /
• 제32권4호
• /
• pp.227-234
• /
• 2022

Wastewater is released from leather, textile, paint, wood, or dye processing industries as well as petroleum refining industries. Wastewater from these industries contains water pollutant such as heavy metals and nitrogen compounds and has high chemical oxygen demand (COD). While there various filtering pollutants from wastewater for safe disposal, membrane-based technology is one of the most efficient methods for its high efficiency and low cost. Among various membranes, zeolite membranes gain spotlight for its cost-effectiveness and have undergone a lot of research. This review is focused on recent progress in zeolite membrane for wastewater treatment in following order: i) wastewater treatment, ii) microfiltration membrane, iii) hollow fiber membrane, and iv) ultrafiltration membrane.

• Advances in nano research
• /
• 제16권4호
• /
• pp.353-363
• /
• 2024

The incorporation of nanoplatelets in composite and polymeric materials represents a recent and innovative approach, holding substantial promise for diverse property enhancements. This study focuses on the application of nanocomposites in the production of sports equipment, particularly soccer balls, aiming to bridge the gap between theoretical advancements and practical implications. Addressing the longstanding challenge of suboptimal interaction between carbon nanofillers and epoxy resin in epoxy composites, this research pioneers inventive solutions. Furthermore, the investigation extends into unexplored territory, examining the integration of glass fiber/epoxy composites with nanoparticles. The incorporation of nanomaterials, specifically expanded graphite and graphene, at a concentration of 25.0% by weight in both the epoxy structure and the composite with glass fibers demonstrates a marked increase in impact resistance compared to their nanomaterial-free counterparts. The research transcends laboratory experiments to explore the practical applications of nanocomposites in the design and production of sports equipment, with a particular emphasis on soccer balls. Analytical techniques such as infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy are employed to scrutinize the surface chemical structure and morphology of the epoxy nanocomposites. Additionally, an in-depth examination of the thermal, mechanical, viscoelastic, and conductive properties of these materials is conducted. Noteworthy findings include the efficacy of surface modification of carbon nanotubes in preventing accumulation and enhancing their distribution within the epoxy matrix. This optimization results in improved interfacial interactions, heightened thermal stability, superior mechanical properties, and enhanced electrical conductivity in the nanocomposite.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• 제32권4호
• /
• pp.293-298
• /
• 2010

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to determine the capability of electrospun silk fibroin as a biomaterial template for bone formation when mixed with nano-hydoxyapatite in vivo. Materials and Methods: Ten New Zealand white rabbits were used for this study and bilateral round shaped defects were formed in the parietal bone (diameter: 8.0 mm). The electrospun silk fibroin was coated by nano-hydroxyapatite and grafted into the right parietal bone (experimental group). The left side (control group) did not receive a graft. The animals were sacrificed at 6 weeks and 12 weeks, humanly. The microcomputerized tomogram (${\mu}CT$) was taken for each specimen. Subsequently, they were undergone decalcification and stained for the histological analysis. Results: The average value of all measured variables was higher in the experimental group than in the control at 6 weeks after the operation. BMC in the experimental group at 6 weeks after operation was $48.94{\pm}19.25$ and that in the control was $26.17{\pm}16.40$ (P = 0.027). BMD in the experimental group at 6 weeks after operation was $324.59{\pm}165.24$ and that in the control was $173.03{\pm}120.30$ (P = 0.044). TMC in the experimental group at 6 weeks after operation was $19.50{\pm}6.00$ and that in the control was $10.52{\pm}6.20$ (P = 0.011). TMD in the experimental group at 6 weeks after operation was $508.88{\pm}297.57$ and that in the control was $273.54{\pm}175.91$ (P = 0.06). Gross image of both groups showed higher calcification area at 12 weeks than them in 6 weeks. The average value of ${\mu}CT$ analysis was higher at 12 weeks than that in 6 weeks in both groups. BMC in the experimental group at 12 weeks after operation was $51.21{\pm}8.81$ and that in the control was $33.47{\pm}11.13$ (P = 0.010). BMD in the experimental group at 12 weeks after operation was $323.39{\pm}21.54$ and that in the control was $197.75{\pm}76.23$ (P = 0.012). TMC in the experimental group at 12 weeks after operation was $21.44{\pm}5.30$ and that in the control was $13.31{\pm}4.17$ (P = 0.008). TMD in the experimental group at 12 weeks after operation was $524.47{\pm}19.37$ and that in the control was $299.60{\pm}136.20$ (P = 0.016). Conclusion: The rabbit calvarial defect could be successfully repaired by electrospun silk nano-fiber combined with nano-hydroxyapatite.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• 제36권1호
• /
• pp.47-52
• /
• 2012

Abstract: In this study, PAN/$TiO_2$ fiber mats were fabricated from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and titanium(IV) butoxide ($Ti(OBu)_4$) by an electrospinning method with various solution concentrations, applied voltages and solution flow rates. The fiber mats were irradiated with an electron beam to induce structural crosslinking and enhance photocatalytic activity. As a result, uniform and bead-free fibers without pits or cracks on surface were obtained at 5 wt% of $Ti(OBu)_4$ solution with 15 kV and 0.02 mL/min flow rate. The PAN/$TiO_2$ fiber mats were irradiated with an electron beam of 1.14 MeV acceleration voltage, 4 mA of current and $1{\times}10^4kGy$. Electron beam irradiation was enhanced the photocatalytic activity of PAN/$TiO_2$ nano fiber mat. The photocatalytic activity of the PAN/$TiO_2$ fiber mat was analyzed by degradation of methylene blue and volatile organic compounds.

• Membrane Journal
• /
• 제28권6호
• /
• pp.379-387
• /
• 2018

This study was conducted to improve the membrane characteristics and performance by increasing hydrophilicity by adding additives to the ultrafiltration polysulfone (PSf) hollow fiber membrane. The mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were prepared by dispersing 15 nm of fumed silica (FS) in the spinning solution at 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 wt%. SEM analysis was carried out to confirm the cross-section and surface condition. It was confirmed that mean pore radius of the hollow fiber increased by 4 nm as FS was added. In addition, contact angle measurement was carried out for the hydrophilicity analysis of hollow fiber membranes, and it was confirmed that the hydrophilicity of MMMs were increased by adding of FS. In the case of water permeability, the membrane including FS showed 91~96 LMH and showed 5~11% more increase than PSf membrane. In the antifouling performance test, relative flux reduction ratios of FS mixed hollow fiber membranes were lower than that of PSf membranes, and it was confirmed that increase of hydrophilicity hinders adsorption of hydrophobic BSA on the membrane surface.

• Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• 제13권1호
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2008

Recently a new technology called the flexible-fiber deep-bed filter (FDF) claimed to replace the conventional sand filter including coagulation and sedimentation filter (CSF) processes in the water treatment plant. Therefore the life cycle assessment (LCA) approach was applied for evaluating the life cycle impacts of FDF compared with those of CSF. The used LCA softwares were the Simapro 6 and PASS and their life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) methodologies were the Eco-indicator 99 and the Korean Eco-indicator, respectively. The goal of this LCA was to identify environmental loads of CSF and FDF from raw material to disposal stages. The scopes of the systems have been determined based on the experiences of existing CSF and FDF. The function was to remove suspended solids by filtration and the functional unit was $1\;m^3$/day. Both systems showed that most environmental impacts were occurred during the operation stage. To reduce the environmental impacts the coagulants and electricity consumptions need to be cut down. If the CSF was replaced with the FDF, the environmental impacts would be reduced in most of the impact categories. The LCA results of Korean Eco-indicator and Eco- indicator99 were quite different from each other due to the indwelling differences such as category indicators, impact categories, characterization factors, normalization values and weighting factors. This study showed that the life cycle assessment could be a valuable tool for evaluating the environmental impact of the new technology which was introduced in water treatment process.