Understanding the techniques used to improve the adhesion strength of the epoxy resin is important especially for consumer applications such as repairing car parts, bonding aluminum sheeting, and repairing furniture or applications within the aviation or civil industry. Selleys Araldite epoxy makes specific strength claims emphasizing that the load or weight that can be supported by the adhesive is 72 kg/cm2. Nguyen and Clarke aimed to test the strength claims of Selley’s Araldite Epoxy by gluing two steel adhesion surfaces: a steel tube and bracket. Results showed that there is a lack of consideration by Selleys for adhesion loss mechanisms and environmental factors when accounting for consumer use of the product leading to disputable claims.
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Near-infrared activation of environmentally-friendly gold and silver nanoparticles for unclogging arteries
Coronary artery disease, the leading cause of death worldwide, results from cholesterol build-up in coronary arteries, limiting blood and oxygen flow to the heart. This study investigated the use of gold and silver nanoparticles coated with aspirin and activated by near-infrared light to improve blood flow in a clogged artery model. The nanoparticles increased simulated blood flow rates, demonstrating potential as a less invasive and more targeted treatment for cardiovascular disease.
Read More...The Effects of Vibrotactile Feedback on Task Performance in a 3D-printed Myoelectric Prosthetic Arm
Here the authors strive to remedy the financial and mechanical deficiencies in current prosthetics by building a simple, noninvasive vibratory sensory feedback system into an inexpensive constructed 3D-printed prosthetic arm. They find that this simple feedback system has the potential to enhance feedback performance at a less cost.
Read More...Investigation of the impact of acid reflux on dental cements
The authors test the effects of pH level on different kinds of dental cement to model the long-term effects of reflux-induced stomach acid exposure.
Read More...Effects of material advantage and space advantage on the Komodo and Stockfish chess engines
Chess engines, or computer programs built to play chess, outperform even the best human players. Kaushikan and Park investigate the inner workings of these chess engines by studying popular chess engines' evaluations of which side of a chess match is most likely to win, and how this is affected by the number of pieces and controlled squares on each side.
Read More...A new hybrid cold storage material
With low-temperature transportation being critical for the progress of research and medical services by preserving biological samples and vaccines, the optimization of cold storage materials is more critical now than ever. The exclusive use of dry ice has its limitations. Notably, it proves insufficient for cold storage during long-range transportation necessary for the delivery of specimens to rural areas. In this article, the authors have proposed a new means of cold storage through the combination of dry ice and ethanol. Upon thorough analysis, the authors have determined their new method as considerably better than the use of pure dry ice across many characteristics, including cold storage capacity, longevity of material, and financial and environmental feasibility.
Read More...Linear relationship between nanostructural features and coloring of biomimetic photonic material
Iridescent materials reflect different colored depending on viewing angle. This specific effect can be achieved by biomimetic photonic materials. This project models the quantitative relationship between these material’s coloring and its nanostructure to facilitate personalized design of art materials.
Read More...Mitigating microplastic exposure from water consumption in junior high students and teachers
Microplastics (MPs) are inorganic material that have been observed within items destined for human consumption, including water, and may pose a potential health hazard. Here we estimated the average amount of MPs junior high students and teachers consumed from different water sources and determined whether promoting awareness of microplastic (MP) exposure influenced choice of water source and potential MPs consumed.
Read More...Investigating sustainable insulation materials: Analysis of biofoams and petroleum-derived foams
The authors looked into eco-friendly alternatives for insulating material. They ultimately found that a polyurethane derived from eggshells was an effective insulator and further research into it is warranted.
Read More...How CAFOs affect Escherichia coli contents in surrounding water sources
Commercial Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) produce large quantities of waste material from the animals being housed in them. These feedlots found across the United States contain livestock that produce waste that results in hazardous runoff. This study examines how CAFOs affect water sources by testing for Escherichia Coli (E. coli) content in bodies of water near CAFOs.
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