scholarly journals Exploring nest structures of acorn dwelling ants with X-ray microtomography and surface-based three-dimensional visibility graph analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 373 (1753) ◽  
pp. 20170237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tasos Varoudis ◽  
Abigail G. Swenson ◽  
Scott D. Kirkton ◽  
James S. Waters
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Organization ◽  
High Surface ◽  
High Surface Area ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Visibility Graph ◽  
Graph Analysis ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approaches ◽  
Visibility Graph Analysis

The physical spaces within which organisms live affect their biology and in many cases can be considered part of their extended phenotype. The nests of social insect societies have a fundamental impact on their ability to function as complex superorganisms. Ants in many species excavate elaborate subterranean nests, but others inhabit relatively small pre-formed cavities within rock crevices and hollow seeds. Temnothorax ants, which often nest within acorns, have become a model system for studying collective decision making. While these ants have demonstrated remarkable degrees of rationality and consistent precision with regard to their nest choices, never before has the fine scale internal architecture and spatial organization of their nests been investigated. We used X-ray microtomography to record high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) scans of Temnothorax colonies within their acorns. These data were then quantified using image segmentation and surface-based 3D visibility graph analysis, a new computational methodology for analysing spatial structures. The visibility graph analysis method integrates knowledge from the field of architecture with the empirical study of animal-built structures, thus providing the first methodological cross-disciplinary synergy of these two research areas. We found a surprisingly high surface area and degree of spatial heterogeneity within the acorn nests. Specific regions, such as those associated with the locations of queens and brood, were significantly more conducive to connectivity than others. From an architect's point of view, spatial analysis research has never focused on all-surface 3D movement, as we describe within ant nests. Therefore, we believe our approach will provide new methods for understanding both human design and the comparative biology of habitat spaces. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Interdisciplinary approaches for uncovering the impacts of architecture on collective behaviour'.

Three-dimensional visibility graph analysis and its application

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 948-962 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Lu ◽  
Zhonghua Gou ◽  
Yu Ye ◽  
Qiang Sheng
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Visibility Graph ◽  
Graph Analysis ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Spatial System ◽  
Floor Plans ◽  
Graph System ◽  
New Applications ◽  
Visibility Graph Analysis

Graph-based visibility analysis, developed from space syntax and social network theory, embraces mutual visibility between locations in a spatial system. It helps designers and researchers to decode spatial cognition and behavior, but methodological constraints limit its application to two-dimensional floor plans. In this study, we propose a new visibility graph analysis that can be used in three-dimensional built environments, such as multilevel atrium buildings or urban environments with canopies or overpass bridges. Furthermore, we draw a distinction between a generic visibility graph and a targeted visibility graph. In the former, an occupiable location is considered as both the origin and target of visibility lines. In the latter, we further take into account the visible space or specific targets in a system. Visible locations are spaces people can see but cannot necessarily physically occupy. With this differentiation, the visibility graph system is more amenable to new applications in three-dimensional architectural and urban design while retaining a mapping back to the original two-dimensional visibility graph method through the generic visibility graph. Four examples illustrate the application of the proposed visibility graph analysis in complex three-dimensional building and urban environments.

scholarly journals Salt-Mediated Au-Cu Nanofoam and Au-Cu-Pd Porous Macrobeam Synthesis

Molecules ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 1701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred Burpo ◽  
Enoch Nagelli ◽  
Lauren Morris ◽  
Kamil Woronowicz ◽  
Alexander Mitropoulos
Keyword(s):  
Surface Area ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
High Surface ◽  
Electronic Conductivity ◽  
High Surface Area ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Synthesis Methods ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Sensing Applications ◽  
Metal Composition

Multi-metallic and alloy nanomaterials enable a broad range of catalytic applications with high surface area and tuning reaction specificity through the variation of metal composition. The ability to synthesize these materials as three-dimensional nanostructures enables control of surface area, pore size and mass transfer properties, electronic conductivity, and ultimately device integration. Au-Cu nanomaterials offer tunable optical and catalytic properties at reduced material cost. The synthesis methods for Au-Cu nanostructures, especially three-dimensional materials, has been limited. Here, we present Au-Cu nanofoams and Au-Cu-Pd macrobeams synthesized from salt precursors. Salt precursors formed from the precipitation of square planar ions resulted in short- and long-range ordered crystals that, when reduced in solution, form nanofoams or macrobeams that can be dried or pressed into freestanding monoliths or films. Metal composition was determined with X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Nitrogen gas adsorption indicated an Au-Cu nanofoam specific surface area of 19.4 m2/g. Specific capacitance determined with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was 46.0 F/g and 52.5 F/g for Au-Cu nanofoams and Au-Cu-Pd macrobeams, respectively. The use of salt precursors is envisioned as a synthesis route to numerous metal and multi-metallic nanostructures for catalytic, energy storage, and sensing applications.

Three-dimensional characterization of electrodeposited lithium microstructures using synchrotron X-ray phase contrast imaging

2015 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 266-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Eastwood ◽  
Paul M. Bayley ◽  
Hee Jung Chang ◽  
Oluwadamilola O. Taiwo ◽  
Joan Vila-Comamala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Area ◽  
Phase Contrast ◽  
High Surface ◽  
High Surface Area ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Phase Contrast Imaging ◽  
Contrast Imaging ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Phase Contrast Tomography

The morphology of electrodeposited high surface area lithium microstructures was imaged in 3D using synchrotron X-ray phase contrast tomography.

scholarly journals Non-Thermal Plasma-Modified Ru-Sn-Ti Catalyst for Chlorinated Volatile Organic Compound Degradation

Catalysts ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1456
Author(s):  
Yujie Fu ◽  
You Zhang ◽  
Qi Xin ◽  
Zhong Zheng ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Treatment ◽  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
High Surface ◽  
High Surface Area ◽  
Surface Oxidation ◽  
Treatment Method ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Chlorinated Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Doped Titania

Chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) are vital environmental concerns due to their low biodegradability and long-term persistence. Catalytic combustion technology is one of the more commonly used technologies for the treatment of CVOCs. Catalysts with high low-temperature activity, superior selectivity of non-toxic products, and resistance to chlorine poisoning are desirable. Here we adopted a plasma treatment method to synthesize a tin-doped titania loaded with ruthenium dioxide (RuO2) catalyst, possessing enhanced activity (T90%, the temperature at which 90% of dichloromethane (DCM) is decomposed, is 262 °C) compared to the catalyst prepared by the conventional calcination method. As revealed by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction, the high surface area of the tin-doped titania catalyst and the enhanced dispersion and surface oxidation of RuO2 induced by plasma treatment were found to be the main factors determining excellent catalytic activities.

Visibility Graph Analysis of Particle Size Distribution During Flocculation for Water Treatment

2021 ◽  
Vol 232 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamila Jessie Sammarro Silva ◽  
Larissa Lopes Lima ◽  
Gustavo Santos Nunes ◽  
Lyda Patricia Sabogal-Paz
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Particle Size Distribution ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Visibility Graph ◽  
Graph Analysis ◽  
Visibility Graph Analysis

scholarly journals Glucose/Graphene-Based Aerogels for Gas Adsorption and Electric Double Layer Capacitors

Polymers ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kang-Kai Liu ◽  
Biao Jin ◽  
Long-Yue Meng
Keyword(s):  
Gas Adsorption ◽  
High Surface ◽  
Aqueous Media ◽  
High Surface Area ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
High Specific Capacitance ◽  
Mesopore Size Distribution ◽  
Excellent Electrochemical Performance ◽  
Double Layer Capacitors ◽  
Hydrothermal Reduction

In this study, three-dimensional glucose/graphene-based aerogels (G/GAs) were synthesized using the hydrothermal reduction and CO2 activation method. Graphene oxide (GO) was used as a matrix, and glucose was used as a binder for the orientation of the GO morphology in an aqueous media. We determined that G/GAs exhibited narrow mesopore size distribution, a high surface area (763 m2 g−1), and hierarchical macroporous and mesoporous structures. These features contributed to G/GAs being promising adsorbents for the removal of CO2 (76.5 mg g−1 at 298 K), CH4 (16.8 mg g−1 at 298 K), and H2 (12.1 mg g−1 at 77 K). G/GAs presented excellent electrochemical performance, featuring a high specific capacitance of 305.5 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, and good cyclic stability of 98.5% retention after 10,000 consecutive charge-discharge cycles at 10 A g−1. This study provided an efficient approach for preparing graphene aerogels exhibiting hierarchical porosity for gas adsorption and supercapacitors.

scholarly journals Attached β-cyclodextrin/γ-(2,3-epoxypropoxy) propyl trimethoxysilane to graphene oxide and its application in copper removal

2017 ◽  
Vol 75 (10) ◽  
pp. 2403-2411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zongxue Yu ◽  
Qi Chen ◽  
Liang Lv ◽  
Yang Pan ◽  
Guangyong Zeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Graphene Oxide ◽  
High Surface ◽  
High Surface Area ◽  
Esterification Reaction ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Cavity Structure ◽  
Optimum Ph ◽  
Exchange Adsorption ◽  
Langmuir Isotherm Model

The environmental applications of graphene oxide and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) have attracted great attention since their first discovery. Novel nanocomposites were successfully prepared by using an esterification reaction between β-cyclodextrin/γ-(2,3-epoxypropoxy) propyl trimethoxysilane grafted graphene oxide (β-CD/GPTMS/GO). The β-CD/GPTMS/GO nanocomposites were used to remove the Cu2+ from aqueous solutions. The characteristics of β-CD/GPTMS/GO were detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The dispersibility of graphene oxide was excellent due to the addition of β-CD. The adsorption isotherms data obtained at the optimum pH 7 were fitted by Langmuir isotherm model. The excellent adsorption properties of β-CD/GPTMS/GO for Cu2+ ions could be attributed to the apolar cavity structure of β-CD, the high surface area and abundant functional groups on the surface of GO. The adsorption patterns of β-CD/GPTMS/GO were electrostatic attraction, formation of host-guest inclusion complexes and the ion exchange adsorption. The efficient adsorption of β-CD/GPTMS/GO for Cu2+ ions suggested that these novel nanocomposites may be ideal candidates for removing other cation pollutants from waste water.

Hierarchical Nano/Micro-structured Surfaces with High Surface Area/Volume Ratios

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-36
Author(s):  
Ketki Lichade ◽  
Yizhou Jiang ◽  
Yayue Pan
Keyword(s):  
Surface Structure ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Light Trapping ◽  
High Surface ◽  
High Surface Area ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structure Design ◽  
Surface Structures ◽  
Structured Surfaces ◽  
Design And Manufacture

Abstract Recently, many studies have investigated additive manufacturing of hierarchical surfaces with high surface area/volume (SA/V) ratios, and their performance has been characterized for applications in next-generation functional devices. Despite recent advances, it remains challenging to design and manufacture high SA/V ratio structures with desired functionalities. In this study, we established the complex correlations among the SA/V ratio, surface structure geometry, functionality, and manufacturability in the Two-Photon Polymerization (TPP) process. Inspired by numerous natural structures, we proposed a 3-level hierarchical structure design along with the mathematical modeling of the SA/V ratio. Geometric and manufacturing constraints were modeled to create well-defined three-dimensional hierarchically structured surfaces with a high accuracy. A process flowchart was developed to design the proposed surface structures to achieve the target functionality, SA/V ratio, and geometric accuracy. Surfaces with varied SA/V ratios and hierarchy levels were designed and printed. The wettability and antireflection properties of the fabricated surfaces were characterized. It was observed that the wetting and antireflection properties of the 3-level design could be easily tailored by adjusting the design parameter settings and hierarchy levels. Furthermore, the proposed surface structure could change a naturally-hydrophilic surface to near-superhydrophobic. Geometrical light trapping effects were enabled and the antireflection property could be significantly enhanced (>80% less reflection) by the proposed hierarchical surface structures. Experimental results implied the great potential of the proposed surface structures for various applications such as microfluidics, optics, energy, and interfaces.

Facile Synthesis of Unique Bismuth Vanadate Nano-Knitted Hollow Cage and its Application in Environmental Remediation

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Shamshi Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Remediation ◽  
Dye Degradation ◽  
High Surface ◽  
High Surface Area ◽  
Bismuth Vanadate ◽  
Bandgap Energy ◽  
Blue Dye ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Photodegradation Efficiency ◽  
Hollow Nanostructure

AbstractHierarchical bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) nano-knitted hollow cages have been synthesized by simple hydrothermal method and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometer, Fourier transform infrared, UV-Vis, and Raman. The photodegradation efficiency of BiVO4 nanocage for universally used methylene blue dye. The BiVO4 hollow nanostructure demonstrated better photocatalytic competence in dye degradation as compared to the commercial TiO2 powders (P25). The excellent dye degradation can be certified to the high crystallisation of monoclinic BiVO4 and hollow nanostructure, which leads to high surface area and small bandgap energy of 2.44 eV.

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