Design and Fabrication of a Low-Cost Silicone and Water-Based Soft Actuator with a High Load-to-Weight Ratio

Soft Robotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junfeng Li ◽  
Minjie Sun ◽  
Zuqi Wu
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
High Load ◽  
Soft Actuator ◽  
Water Based

Green water-based binders for LiFePO4/C cathode in Li-ion batteries: a comparative study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojing Zhang ◽  
xinyi Ge ◽  
Zhigang Shen ◽  
Han Ma ◽  
Jingshi Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Polyvinylidene Fluoride ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Green Water ◽  
Li Ion Batteries ◽  
Environmental Friendliness ◽  
Water Based ◽  
Li Ion

Compared with environmentally harmful binder polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) in Li-ion batteries (LIBs), water-based binders have many advantages, such as low cost, rich sources and environmental friendliness. In this study, various...

scholarly journals UV-A Treatment of ZrO2 Thin Films Fabricated by Environmental Friendlier Water-Based Solution Processing: Structural and Optical Studies

Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 821
Author(s):  
Aneeqa Bashir ◽  
Mehwish Farooq ◽  
Abdul Malik ◽  
Shahzad Naseem ◽  
Arshad Saleem Bhatti
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Annealed Film ◽  
Optical Transmittance ◽  
Amorphous Structure ◽  
Solution Processing ◽  
Vis Spectroscopy ◽  
Water Based ◽  
Free Films ◽  
Quartz Substrates

An environmentally friendlier solution processing has been introduced to fabricate zirconium oxide (ZrO2) films on quartz substrates, using spin coating of simple water-based solution. The films cured with UV-A = 330 nm for different times (40, 80, 120 min) were investigated for structural and optical properties and compared with thermally annealed film (at 350 °C). XRD and Raman spectroscopy showed amorphous structure in all the samples with no significant phase transformation with UV-A exposure. AFM microscopy showed smooth and crack free films with surface roughness ≤2 nm that reduced with UV-A exposure. Ultraviolet-visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy demonstrated optical transmittance ≥88% and energy band gap variations as 4.52–4.70 eV. Optical constants were found from spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). The refractive index (n) values, measured at 470 nm increased from 1.73 to 2.74 as the UV-A exposure prolonged indicating densification and decreasing porosity of the films. The extinction coefficient k decreased from 0.32 to 0.19 indicating reduced optical losses in the films under the UV-A exposure. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra exhibited more pronounced UV emissions which grew intense with UV-A exposure thereby improving the film quality. It is concluded that UV-A irradiation can significantly enhance the optical properties of ZrO2 films with minimal changes induced in the structure as compared to thermally treated film. Moreover, the present work indicates that water-based solution processing has the potential to produce high-quality ZrO2 films for low cost and environmental friendlier technologies. The work also highlights the use of UV-A radiations as an alternate to high temperature thermal annealing for improved quality.

Preparation and application of water-based nano-silver conductive ink in paper-based 3D printing

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenfei Zhao ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
Lini Lu
Keyword(s):  
Flexible Electronics ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Methyl Cellulose ◽  
Conductive Ink ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nano Silver ◽  
Printed Circuit ◽  
Silver Ink ◽  
Sintering Time ◽  
Water Based

Purpose In flexible electronics applications, organic inks are mostly used for inkjet printing. Three-dimensional (3 D) printing technology has the advantages of low cost, high speed and good precision in modern electronic printing. The purpose of this study is to solve the high cost of traditional printing and the pollution emissions of organic ink. It is necessary to develop a water-based conductive ink that is easily degradable and can be 3 D printed. A nano-silver ink printed circuit pattern with high precision, high conductivity and good mechanical properties is a promising strategy. Design/methodology/approach The researched nano-silver conductive ink is mainly composed of silver nanoparticles and resin. The effect of adding methyl cellulose on the ink was also explored. A simple 3 D circuit pattern was printed on photographic paper. The line width, line length, line thickness and conductivity of the printed circuit were tested. The influence of sintering temperature and sintering time on pattern resistivity was studied. The relationship between circuit pattern bending performance and electrical conductivity is analyzed. Findings The experimental results show that the ink has the characteristics of low silver content and good environmental protection effect. The printing feasibility of 3 D printing circuit patterns on paper substrates was confirmed. The best printing temperature is 160°C–180°C, and the best sintering time is 30 min. The circuit pattern can be folded 120°, and the cycle is folded more than 60 times. The minimum resistivity of the circuit pattern is 6.07 µΩ·cm. Methyl cellulose can control the viscosity of the ink. The mechanical properties of the pattern have been improved. The printing method of 3 D printing can significantly reduce the sintering time and temperature of the conductive ink. These findings may provide innovation for the flexible electronics industry and pave the way for alternatives to cost-effective solutions. Originality/value In this study, direct ink writing technology was used to print circuit patterns on paper substrates. This process is simple and convenient and can control the thickness of the ink layer. The ink material is nonpolluting to the environment. Nano-silver ink has suitable viscosity and pH value. It can meet the requirements of pneumatic 3 D printers. The method has the characteristics of simple process, fast forming, low cost and high environmental friendliness.

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERISATION OF WOVENROVING GLASS MAT FOR EPOXYCOMPOSITES

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahesh Mallampati ◽  
Sreekanth Mandalapu ◽  
Govidarajulu C
Keyword(s):  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Glass Fiber ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Hardness Test ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Sem Analysis ◽  
Low Thermal Expansion ◽  
Manufacturing Techniques

The composite materials are replacing the traditional materials because oftheir superior properties such as high tensile strength, low thermal expansion, high strength to weight ratio, low cost, lightweight, high specific modulus, renewability and biodegradability which are the most basic & common attractive features of composites that make them useful for industrial applications. The developments of new materials are on the anvil and are growing day by day. The efforts to produce economically attractive composite components have resulted in several innovative manufacturing techniques currently being used in the composites industry. Generally, composites consist of mainly two phases i.e., matrix and fiber. In this study, woven roving mats (E-glass fiber orientation (-45°/45°,0°/90°, - 45°/45°),UD450GSM)were cut in measured dimensions and a mixture of Epoxy Resin (EPOFINE-556, Density-1.15gm/cm3), Hardener (FINE HARDTM 951, Density- 0.94 gm/cm3) and Acetone [(CH3)2CO, M= 38.08 g/mol] was used to manufacture the glass fiber reinforced epoxy composite by hand lay-up method. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, SEM analysis, hardness test, density tests are evaluated.

Statistical Modeling, Optimization and Kinetics of Mn2+ Adsorption in Aqueous Solution Using a Biosorbent

2019 ◽  
Vol 233 (8) ◽  
pp. 1201-1214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaheh Tajari ◽  
Narges Samadani Langeroodi ◽  
Mahnaz Khalafi
Keyword(s):  
Wheat Bran ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
P Value ◽  
Core Shell ◽  
Optimal Conditions ◽  
Solution Ph ◽  
Shell Weight ◽  
Removal Ratio ◽  
Kinetics Of

Abstract This paper describes the adsorption of Mn2+ ions from water with a mixture of wheat bran and Japanese medlar core shell (weight ratio of 30–70 wheat bran to Japanese medlar core shell) as low-cost adsorbent. Scanning Electron Microscope was used to characterize the adsorbent. The response surface methodology (RSM) that is usually approximated by a second-order regression model was employed to evaluate the effects of solution pH, initial Mn2+ concentration, adsorbent weight and contact time on the removal ratio of the Mn2+ ions. In this regard, the significant variables initial Mn2+ ions concentration, pH, adsorbent weight and square pH were found based on the small P-value for the model coefficients. The predicted optimal conditions were also performed. In the process optimization, maximal value of the removal ratio of Mn2+ was achieved as 96.91%. Additionally, this paper discusses the kinetic of adsorption in optimal conditions.

Potential use of waste from tree pruning and recovered plastic to obtain a building material: Case study of Merida, Mexico

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (11) ◽  
pp. 1222-1230
Author(s):  
Ricardo Herbé Cruz-Estrada ◽  
Javier Guillén-Mallette ◽  
Carlos Vidal Cupul-Manzano ◽  
Josué Iván Balam-Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Building Material ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Plastic Composite ◽  
Trees And Shrubs ◽  
Tree Pruning ◽  
Potential Use ◽  
Better Than

This work presents a study on the use of wood and plastic wastes generated in abundance in Merida, Mexico, to help to reduce them in order to mitigate environmental deterioration. The use of these wastes is proposed to obtain a low-cost building material. So, the escalation process (i.e., extrusion) at the pilot level to obtain a prototype of a wood–plastic composite (WPC) corrugated sheet to evaluate the technical feasibility to make a low-cost product is reported. A corrugated sheet with recycled high-density polyethylene (R-HDPE) was produced. The R-HDPE was collected from Merida’s Separation Plant. The wood came from the trimmings of different varieties of trees and shrubs that are periodically pruned. WPC sheets with virgin HDPE were prepared to assess its effect on the materials’ mechanical performance. The wood/HDPE weight ratio was 40/60. The performance of the WPC sheets was compared with that of commercial products with similar characteristics, namely acrylic and polyester sheets reinforced with fibreglass, and black asphalt-saturated cardboard sheets. Thus, the effect of natural weathering on the maximum tensile tearing force and on the maximum flexural load of the different types of sheets was evaluated. Although the mechanical performance of the WPC sheets was lower than that of the acrylic and polyacrylic sheets, their performance was much better than that of the cheap black asphalt-saturated cardboard sheets. So, they are a good option to be used as low-cost temporary roofing.

scholarly journals Ultralow-temperature-driven water-based sorption refrigeration enabled by low-cost zeolite-like porous aluminophosphate

2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhangli Liu ◽  
Jiaxing Xu ◽  
Min Xu ◽  
Caifeng Huang ◽  
Ruzhu Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Water Sorption ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
High Water ◽  
Coefficient Of Performance ◽  
High Efficient ◽  
Water Based

AbstractThermally driven water-based sorption refrigeration is considered a promising strategy to realize near-zero-carbon cooling applications by addressing the urgent global climate challenge caused by conventional chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants. However, developing cost-effective and high-performance water-sorption porous materials driven by low-temperature thermal energy is still a significant challenge. Here, we propose a zeolite-like aluminophosphate with SFO topology (EMM-8) for water-sorption-driven refrigeration. The EMM-8 is characterized by 12-membered ring channels with large accessible pore volume and exhibits high water uptake of 0.28 g·g−1 at P/P0 = 0.2, low-temperature regeneration of 65 °C, fast adsorption kinetics, remarkable hydrothermal stability, and scalable fabrication. Importantly, the water-sorption-based chiller with EMM-8 shows the potential of achieving a record coefficient of performance (COP) of 0.85 at an ultralow-driven temperature of 63 °C. The working performance makes EMM-8 a practical alternative to realize high-efficient ultra-low-temperature-driven refrigeration.

Heat Moisture Modified Rice Flours as Additive in Drilling Fluids

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-72
Author(s):  
Bunyami Shafie ◽  
Lee Huei Hong ◽  
Phene Neoh Pei Nee ◽  
Fatin Hana Naning ◽  
Tze Jin Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Drilling Mud ◽  
Fluid Mixture ◽  
Gas Drilling ◽  
Water Based ◽  
Rice Flours

Drilling mud is a dense, viscous fluid mixture used in oil and gas drilling operations to bring rock cuttings to the earth's surface from the boreholes as well as to lubricate and cool the drill bit. Water-based mud is commonly used due to its relatively inexpensive and easy to dispose of. However, several components and additives in the muds become increasingly cautious and restricted. Starch was introduced as a safe and biodegradable additive into the water-based drilling fluid, in line with an environmental health concern. In this study, the suitability of four local rice flours and their heat moistures derivatives to be incorporated in the formulation of water-based drilling fluid was investigated. They were selected due to their natural amylose contents (waxy, low, intermediate, and high). They were also heat moisture treated to increase their amylose contents. Results showed that the addition of the rice flours into water-based mud significantly reduced the density, viscosity, and filtrate volume. However, the gel strength of the mud was increased. The rice flours, either native or heat moisture treated, could serve as additives to provide a variety of low cost and environmentally friendly drilling fluids to be incorporated and fitted into different drilling activity.

Investigation of the Mechanical Behavior of Natural Vegetable Fibers Used in Composite Materials for Structural Strengthening

2021 ◽  
Vol 888 ◽  
pp. 15-21
Author(s):  
Ivelina Ivanova ◽  
Jules Assih ◽  
Dimitar Dontchev
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Composite Materials ◽  
Fiber Composite ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Synthetic Fiber ◽  
Engineering Structures ◽  
Hemp Fiber ◽  
Plant Fibers ◽  
Hemp Fibers

This research aims at studying the mechanical properties of industrial hemp fibers and promoting their use as a reinforcing composite material for strengthening of civil engineering structures. Natural hemp fibers are of great interest due to the following advantages they have: low cost, high strength-to-weight ratio, low density and non-corrosive properties. The use of plant fiber composite materials has increased significantly in recent years because of the negative reduction impact on the environment. For example, the tendency to use renewable resources and their possibility for recycling. They cause fewer health and environmental problems than synthetic fibers. Natural fibers, in addition to environmental aspects, have advantages such as low densities, i.e. have low weight, interesting mechanical properties comparable to those of synthetic fiber materials, and last but not least, low cost. Composites based on natural plant fibers can be used to reinforce or repair reinforced concrete structures, as shown by research on flax fiber composites. These concretes specimens strengthened with biocomposite materials have very good resistance to bending and significantly increase the rigidity of the structure. The results show that the hemp fiber reinforcement has significant effects on the strengthening and increase in flexural strength from 8% to 35 %.

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