scholarly journals Robust and precise identification of the hygro-expansion of single fibers: a full-field fiber topography correlation approach

Cellulose ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (12) ◽  
pp. 6777-6792
Author(s):  
N. H. Vonk ◽  
N. A. M. Verschuur ◽  
R. H. J. Peerlings ◽  
M. G. D. Geers ◽  
J. P. M. Hoefnagels
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Natural Fibers ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Surface Displacement ◽  
Fiber Surface ◽  
Surface Strain ◽  
Full Field ◽  
Hygroscopic Properties ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Over the past decades, natural fibers have become an important constituent in multiple engineering- and biomaterials. Their high specific strength, biodegradability, low-cost production, recycle-ability, vast availability and easy processing make them interesting for many applications. However, fiber swelling due to moisture uptake poses a key challenge, as it significantly affects the geometric stability and mechanical properties. To characterize the hygro-mechanical behavior of fibers in detail, a novel micromechanical characterization method is proposed which allows continuous full-field fiber surface displacement measurements during wetting and drying. A single fiber is tested under an optical height microscope inside a climate chamber wherein the relative humidity is changed to capture the fiber swelling behavior. These fiber topographies are, subsequently, analyzed with an advanced Global Digital Height Correlation methodology dedicated to extract the full three-dimensional fiber surface displacement field. The proposed method is validated on four different fibers: flat viscose, trilobal viscose, 3D-printed hydrogel and eucalyptus, each having different challenges regarding their geometrical and hygroscopic properties. It is demonstrated that the proposed method is highly robust in capturing the full-field fiber kinematics. A precision analysis shows that, for eucalyptus, at 90% relative humidity, an absolute surface strain precision in the longitudinal and transverse directions of, respectively, 1.2 × 10-4 and 7 × 10-4 is achieved, which is significantly better than existing techniques in the literature. The maximum absolute precision in both directions for the other three tested fibers is even better, demonstrating that this method is versatile for precise measurements of the hygro-expansion of a wide range of fibers. Graphic abstract

scholarly journals Developing Relative Humidity and Temperature Corrections for Low-Cost Sensors Using Machine Learning

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3338
Author(s):  
Ivan Vajs ◽  
Dejan Drajic ◽  
Nenad Gligoric ◽  
Ilija Radovanovic ◽  
Ivan Popovic
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Quality Monitoring ◽  
Air Quality Monitoring ◽  
Lower Accuracy ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Monitoring Stations

Existing government air quality monitoring networks consist of static measurement stations, which are highly reliable and accurately measure a wide range of air pollutants, but they are very large, expensive and require significant amounts of maintenance. As a promising solution, low-cost sensors are being introduced as complementary, air quality monitoring stations. These sensors are, however, not reliable due to the lower accuracy, short life cycle and corresponding calibration issues. Recent studies have shown that low-cost sensors are affected by relative humidity and temperature. In this paper, we explore methods to additionally improve the calibration algorithms with the aim to increase the measurement accuracy considering the impact of temperature and humidity on the readings, by using machine learning. A detailed comparative analysis of linear regression, artificial neural network and random forest algorithms are presented, analyzing their performance on the measurements of CO, NO2 and PM10 particles, with promising results and an achieved R2 of 0.93–0.97, 0.82–0.94 and 0.73–0.89 dependent on the observed period of the year, respectively, for each pollutant. A comprehensive analysis and recommendations on how low-cost sensors could be used as complementary monitoring stations to the reference ones, to increase spatial and temporal measurement resolution, is provided.

μCHILL: a lightweight, modular system for handling crystalline samples at low temperatures under inert conditions

2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 541-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Solar ◽  
Nils Trapp
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperatures ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Modular System ◽  
Preparation Time ◽  
Stable Conditions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Single Operator ◽  
Cold Gas

A procedure for preparing and mounting crystals under inert conditions is demonstrated, using a specialized apparatus (μCHILL) to provide a cold gas stream fed from a liquid nitrogen (LN2) reservoir or an open bath heat exchanger. A second, dry gas stream at room temperature enwraps the cold gas, protecting the sample preparation zone from ambient moisture. The technique is extremely flexible, requiring only a single operator, little practice and almost no preparation time. The device enables operation in a wide temperature range (at least 213 K to room temperature), providing temperature control and very stable conditions with no icing for extended time periods. The flexible, modular and low-cost design is based on three-dimensional-printed parts and readily available standard components, potentially making the device available to a wide range of users and applications not limited to single-crystal studies.

scholarly journals A Printable Device for Measuring Clarity and Colour in Lake and Nearshore Waters

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Brewin ◽  
Thomas Brewin ◽  
Joseph Phillips ◽  
Sophie Rose ◽  
Anas Abdulaziz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Scientific Discovery ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Secchi Depth ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Water Clarity ◽  
3D Printer ◽  
Satellite Validation ◽  
Wide Range

Two expanding areas of science and technology are citizen science and three-dimensional (3D) printing. Citizen science has a proven capability to generate reliable data and contribute to unexpected scientific discovery. It can put science into the hands of the citizens, increasing understanding, promoting environmental stewardship, and leading to the production of large databases for use in environmental monitoring. 3D printing has the potential to create cheap, bespoke scientific instruments that have formerly required dedicated facilities to assemble. It can put instrument manufacturing into the hands of any citizen who has access to a 3D printer. In this paper, we present a simple hand-held device designed to measure the Secchi depth and water colour (Forel Ule scale) of lake, estuarine and nearshore regions. The device is manufactured with marine resistant materials (mostly biodegradable) using a 3D printer and basic workshop tools. It is inexpensive to manufacture, lightweight, easy to use, and accessible to a wide range of users. It builds on a long tradition in optical limnology and oceanography, but is modified for ease of operation in smaller water bodies, and from small watercraft and platforms. We provide detailed instructions on how to build the device and highlight examples of its use for scientific education, citizen science, satellite validation of ocean colour data, and low-cost monitoring of water clarity, colour and temperature.

scholarly journals Measurement of three-dimensional displacement field in piled embankments using synchrotron X-ray tomography

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 885-892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis King ◽  
Abdelmalek Bouazza ◽  
Anton Maksimenko ◽  
Will P. Gates ◽  
Stephen Dubsky
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Physical Models ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Full Field ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Piled Embankments

The measurement of displacement fields by nondestructive imaging techniques opens up the potential to study the pre-failure mechanisms of a wide range of geotechnical problems within physical models. With the advancement of imaging technologies, it has become possible to achieve high-resolution three-dimensional computed tomography volumes of relatively large samples, which may have previously resulted in excessively long scan times or significant imaging artefacts. Imaging of small-scale model piled embankments (142 mm diameter) comprising sand was undertaken using the imaging and medical beamline at the Australian Synchrotron. The monochromatic X-ray beam produced high-resolution reconstructed volumes with a fine texture due to the size and mineralogy of the sand grains as well as the phase contrast enhancement achieved by the monochromatic X-ray beam. The reconstructed volumes were well suited to the application of digital volume correlation, which utilizes cross-correlation techniques to estimate three-dimensional full-field displacement vectors. The output provides insight into the strain localizations that develop within piled embankments and an example of how advanced imaging techniques can be utilized to study the kinematics of physical models.

scholarly journals Divergent excitation two photon microscopy for 3D random access mesoscale imaging at single cell resolution

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
FK Janiak ◽  
P Bartel ◽  
MR Bale ◽  
T Yoshimatsu ◽  
E Komulainen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Cell ◽  
Neuronal Activity ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Random Access ◽  
Field Of View ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Two Photon ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Effective Excitation

ABSTACTIn neuroscience, diffraction limited two-photon (2P) microscopy is a cornerstone technique that permits minimally invasive optical monitoring of neuronal activity. However, most conventional 2P microscopes impose significant constraints on the size of the imaging field-of-view and the specific shape of the effective excitation volume, thus limiting the scope of biological questions that can be addressed and the information obtainable. Here, employing ‘divergent beam optics’ (DBO), we present an ultra-low-cost, easily implemented and flexible solution to address these limitations, offering a several-fold expanded three-dimensional field of view that also maintains single-cell resolution. We show that this implementation increases both the space-bandwidth product and effective excitation power, and allows for straight-forward tailoring of the point-spread-function. Moreover, rapid laser-focus control via an electrically tunable lens now allows near-simultaneous imaging of remote regions separated in three dimensions and permits the bending of imaging planes to follow natural curvatures in biological structures. Crucially, our core design is readily implemented (and reversed) within a matter of hours, and fully compatible with a wide range of existing 2P customizations, making it highly suitable as a base platform for further development. We demonstrate the application of our system for imaging neuronal activity in a variety of examples in mice, zebrafish and fruit flies.

scholarly journals Treatment of Natural Fiber for Application in Concrete Pavement

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Anteneh Geremew ◽  
Pieter De Winne ◽  
Tamene Adugna Demissie ◽  
Hans De Backer
Keyword(s):  
Natural Fiber ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Natural Fibers ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Fiber Surface ◽  
Drying Shrinkage ◽  
Concrete Technology ◽  
Treatment Techniques ◽  
Concrete Crack ◽  
Concrete Production

Concrete crack is one of the main problems observed in concrete technology due to drying shrinkage. Incorporating fibers in concrete production is one of the mechanisms implemented to mitigate cracks. Nowadays, investigators concentrate on different techniques to replace human-made fiber with existing natural fibers for fiber-reinforced composite material. Utilization of natural fiber has an initiation for the development of eco-friendly materials by reducing damages caused by human-made materials and saving nonrenewable resources. Natural fibers are readily and abundantly available, sustainable, and biodegradable, with low cost and low density, and have superior specific properties. Nevertheless, there are some limitations of natural fiber compared to human-made fiber. Consequently, significant energy was applied to alter natural fiber’s surface and morphology using physical, chemical, and biological treatment techniques to overcome the limitation. The primary intention of surface treatment is to modify the bond between the fiber surface and the polymer matrix. However, based on this literature review, there were no specific treatment techniques to be followed to select the best one from the others as criteria. It should include all parameters to consider starting from the stage from the cradle to the grave, cost of chemicals, transportation, and labors, including energy consumption and effluent energy. Additionally, their environmental effect also investigated in detail to compare each other.

scholarly journals ASSESSING THE ACCURACY AND PRECISION OF IMPERFECT POINT CLOUDS FOR 3D INDOOR MAPPING AND MODELING

2018 ◽  
Vol IV-4/W6 ◽  
pp. 3-10
Author(s):  
J. Chen ◽  
O. E. Mora ◽  
K. C. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Random Noise ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Laser Scanner ◽  
Point Clouds ◽  
Accuracy And Precision ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Sharp Edges ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Indoor Spaces

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> In recent years, growing public interest in three-dimensional technology has led to the emergence of affordable platforms that can capture 3D scenes for use in a wide range of consumer applications. These platforms are often widely available, inexpensive, and can potentially find dual use in taking measurements of indoor spaces for creating indoor maps. Their affordability, however, usually comes at the cost of reduced accuracy and precision, which becomes more apparent when these instruments are pushed to their limits to scan an entire room. The point cloud measurements they produce often exhibit systematic drift and random noise that can make performing comparisons with accurate data difficult, akin to trying to compare a fuzzy trapezoid to a perfect square with sharp edges. This paper outlines a process for assessing the accuracy and precision of these imperfect point clouds in the context of indoor mapping by integrating techniques such as the extended Gaussian image, iterative closest point registration, and histogram thresholding. A case study is provided at the end to demonstrate use of this process for evaluating the performance of the Scanse Sweep 3D, an ultra-low cost panoramic laser scanner.</p>

scholarly journals Robust and continuous oil/water separation with superhydrophobic glass microfiber membrane by vertical polymerization under harsh conditions

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seeun Woo ◽  
Hong Ryul Park ◽  
Jinyoung Park ◽  
Johan Yi ◽  
Woonbong Hwang
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
High Water ◽  
Alkaline Solutions ◽  
Oxygen Plasma Treatment ◽  
Membrane Thickness ◽  
Water Separation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Oil Water Separation ◽  
Oil Water

AbstractWe report a robust and continuous oil/water separation with nanostructured glass microfiber (GMF) membranes modified by oxygen plasma treatment and self-assembled monolayer coating with vertical polymerization. The modified GMF membrane had a nanostructured surface and showed excellent superhydrophobicity. With an appropriate membrane thickness, a high water intrusion pressure (< 62.7 kPa) was achieved for continuous pressure-driven separation of oil/water mixtures with high flux (< 4418 L h−1 m−2) and high oil purity (> 99%). Under simulated industrial conditions, the modified GMF membrane exhibited robust chemical stability against strong acidic/alkaline solutions and corrosive environments. The proposed superhydrophobic composite coating technique is simple, low cost, environmentally friendly, and suitable for the mass production of scalable three-dimensional surfaces. Moreover, its stability and customizable functionality offers considerable potential for a wide range of novel applications.

Effect of Different Iron Sources on In-Situ Growth of Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks-8: For Efficient Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 5319-5328
Author(s):  
Sha-Sha Luo ◽  
Yu-Meng Ma ◽  
Peng-Wei Li ◽  
Ming-Hua Tian ◽  
Qiao-Xia Li
Keyword(s):  
Catalytic Activity ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Oxygen Reduction ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Precious Metals ◽  
High Catalytic Activity ◽  
Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks ◽  
Wide Range

Transition metal and nitrogen co-doped carbon-based catalysts (TM-N-C) have become the most promising catalysts for Pt/C due to their wide range of sources, low cost, high catalytic activity, excellent stability and strong resistance to poisoning, especially Fe–N–C metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are some of the most promising precursors for the preparation of Fe–N–C catalysts due to their inherent properties, such as their highly ordered three-dimensional framework structure, controlled porosity, and tuneable chemistry. Based on these, in this paper, different iron sources were added to synthesis a sort of zeolitic imidazole frameworks (ZIF-8). Then the imidazole salt in ZIF-8 was rearranged into high N-doped carbon by high-temperature pyrolysis to prepare the Fe–N–C catalyst. We studied the physical characteristics of the catalysts by different iron sources and their effects on the catalytic properties of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). From the point of morphology, various iron sources have a positive influence on maintaining the morphology of ZIF-8 polyhedron. Fe–N/C–Fe(NO3)3 has the same anion as zinc nitrate, and can maintain a polyhedral morphology after high-temperature calcination. It had the highest ORR catalytic activity compared to the other four catalyst materials, which proved that there is a certain relationship between morphology and performance. This paper will provide a useful reference and new models for the development of high-performance ORR catalysts without precious metals.

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