scholarly journals Waterproof Aerated Bricks from Stone Powder Waste through Nano-TiO2 Structured Hydrophobic Surface Modification

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (13) ◽  
pp. 2619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Li ◽  
Shaopeng Zeng ◽  
Yaxiong Ji ◽  
Boxu Shen ◽  
Zhuangmiao Wang ◽  
...  

To eliminate the negative impacts of waste stone powder that arises from stone processing, the waste was recycled into aerated bricks with a porous structure that exhibited exceptional properties when applied in buildings. However, the pores easily absorb rainwater and dust, causing performance degradation and mold growth inside. In this paper, we have developed through hydrothermal reactions an environmentally friendly aqueous suspension, containing homemade highly dispersive TiO2 nanoparticles modified with super-hydrophobic groups on the surface. The suspension was coated onto the aerated bricks, creating a super-hydrophobic surface with a highly textured hierarchical structure. A large contact angle of 146° tested on the surface and negligible water absorption for 24 h immersion demonstrate the excellent water proofing performance, holding a great promise for large scale applications in construction and buildings.

Author(s):  
Ali Ansari ◽  
Nourooz Mohammad Nouri ◽  
Setareh Sekhavat ◽  
Ali Asgari

Marine structures such as ships, oil platforms, and oceanographic systems are permanently at risk of fouling affecting the performance of these structures. Antifouling paints were used to address the concerns associated to marine organisms, but they release toxic materials. This paper presents a new one-step environmentally friendly super hydrophobic coating considering the effect of particle size as well as weight percentage which is feasible in large-scale applications. Firstly, the aluminum flakes are become hydrophobic using silanization method. Then, they are mixed with polyester triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC) and are sprayed electrostatically. To assess the fabricated surfaces, effect of mixing time, weight percentage and particle size on the super hydrophobicity are evaluated using scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), contact angle measurement, and image processing. This method leads to a super hydrophobic coating with water contact angle about 152°. The super hydrophobic surface with particle size less than 45 µm results in higher resistance to algae settlement providing an excellent antifouling feature. The uniformity resulted from the particle size range 0–45 µm prevents any micro organisms settlement on the surface so that, after sixth day only some tiny algae are appeared on the surface sides.


Author(s):  
Wei Lee Lim ◽  
Shiplu Roy Chowdhury ◽  
Min Hwei Ng ◽  
Jia Xian Law

Tissue-engineered substitutes have shown great promise as a potential replacement for current tissue grafts to treat tendon/ligament injury. Herein, we have fabricated aligned polycaprolactone (PCL) and gelatin (GT) nanofibers and further evaluated their physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. PCL and GT were mixed at a ratio of 100:0, 70:30, 50:50, 30:70, 0:100, and electrospun to generate aligned nanofibers. The PCL/GT nanofibers were assessed to determine the diameter, alignment, water contact angle, degradation, and surface chemical analysis. The effects on cells were evaluated through Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cell (WJ-MSC) viability, alignment and tenogenic differentiation. The PCL/GT nanofibers were aligned and had a mean fiber diameter within 200–800 nm. Increasing the GT concentration reduced the water contact angle of the nanofibers. GT nanofibers alone degraded fastest, observed only within 2 days. Chemical composition analysis confirmed the presence of PCL and GT in the nanofibers. The WJ-MSCs were aligned and remained viable after 7 days with the PCL/GT nanofibers. Additionally, the PCL/GT nanofibers supported tenogenic differentiation of WJ-MSCs. The fabricated PCL/GT nanofibers have a diameter that closely resembles the native tissue’s collagen fibrils and have good biocompatibility. Thus, our study demonstrated the suitability of PCL/GT nanofibers for tendon/ligament tissue engineering applications.


2016 ◽  
Vol 879 ◽  
pp. 2524-2527
Author(s):  
Masazumi Okido ◽  
Kensuke Kuroda

Surface hydrophilicity is considered to have a strong influence on the biological reactions of bone-substituting materials. However, the influence of a hydrophilic or hydrophobic surface on the osteoconductivity is not completely clear. In this study, we produced super-hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface on Ti-and Zr-alloys. Hydrothermal treatment at 180 oC for 180 min. in the distilled water and immersion in x5 PBS(-) brought the super-hydrophilic surface (water contact angle < 10 (deg.)) and heat treatment of as-hydrothermaled the hydrophobic surface. The osteoconductivity of the surface treated samples with several water contact angle was evaluated by in vivo testing. The surface properties, especially water contact angle, strongly affected the osteoconductivity and protein adsorbability, and not the surface substance.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 211
Author(s):  
Hongfeng Li ◽  
Xiangwen Lin ◽  
Hongguang Wang

In order to address water damage of asphalt pavement, reduce the occurrence of water-related potholes, deformation, and other diseases, and improve the performance and service life of the pavement, a nano-TiO2 superhydrophobic coating (PSC) on asphalt pavement was prepared from waterborne polyurethane and nano-TiO2 modified by stearic acid. FT-IR measured stearic acid successfully modified low surface energy substance on the surface of nano-TiO2. The SEM image shows that the PSC has a rough surface structure. The contact angle and rolling angle of the PSC in the contact angle test are 153.5° and 4.7°, respectively. PSC has a super-hydrophobic ability, which can improve the water stability of the asphalt mixture. Although the texture depth and pendulum value have been reduced by 2.5% and 4.4%, respectively, they all comply with the standard requirements. After the abrasion resistance test, the PSC coating still has a certain hydrophobic ability. These results surface PSC coating can effectively reduce water damage on asphalt pavement, and has considerable application value.


Author(s):  
Annu Reetha Thomas

Discharging of wastes and toxic pollutants produced by the industrial activities into the natural environment which consist of air, water and land implies the term Industrial Pollution. It has serious consequences on human life and its health along with several ways of negative impacts on the environment and nature. As far as our nation is concerned most of the major cities are filled with these large-scale industries which place a crucial role financial development of a country. Strictly hindering the development of industries cannot be done as it is vital for the Socio-Economic progress of a country. Yet it is our duty to protect our natural environment by limiting the pollution due to industries. This Study consist of the issues occurred in Eloor- Kadungalloor region as result of the industrial pollution followed by policies for a development plan to enhance the natural and environmental conditions with a planning approach at micro study level. As far as the Kerala context is considered, the major spot which is mostly affected by the industrial pollution is the ‘Edayar Industrial belt’ which is the largest industrial belt in Kerala. This became one of most noted spot because of the continuous dumping of dangerous chemical pollutants from adjacent industries (pesticide and fertilizer manufacturing). It has also resulted in health issues for the inhabitants of the site. Though many complaints have been filed against the companies, there has no proper laws or schemes for taking measures for reduction of pollution have come up so far. Hence this paper deals with the application of technical solutions and strategies for an Environment Improvement plan development for an industrial as well as studying on the issues of sire and its inhabitants.


Author(s):  
Masato Matsumoto ◽  
Kyle Ruske

<p>Condition ratings of bridge components in the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)’s Structural Inventory and Appraisal database are determined by bridge inspectors in the field, often by visual confirmation or direct- contact sounding techniques. However, the determination of bridge condition ratings is generally subjective depending on individual inspectors’ knowledge and experience, as well as varying field conditions. There are also limitations to access, unsafe working conditions, and negative impacts of lane closures to account for. This paper describes an alternative method to obtaining informative and diagnostic inspection data for concrete bridge decks: mobile nondestructive bridge deck evaluation technology. The technology uses high- definition infrared and visual imaging to monitor bridge conditions over long-term (or desired) intervals. This combination of instruments benefits from rapid and large-scale data acquisition capabilities. Through its implementation in Japan over the course of two decades, the technology is opening new possibilities in a field with much untapped potential. Findings and lessons learned from our experience in the states of Virginia and Pennsylvania are described as examples of highway-speed mobile nondestructive evaluation in action. To validate the accuracy of delamination detection by the visual and infrared scanning, findings were proofed by physical sounding of the target deck structures.</p>


Author(s):  
Marcel D'Eon ◽  
Peggy Proctor ◽  
Jane Cassidy ◽  
Nora McKee ◽  
Krista Trinder

Background: Interprofessional education (IPE) holds great promise in continuing to reform the management of complex chronic conditions such as HIV/AIDS, and Problem-based Learning (PBL) is a suitable format for IPE. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a large scale, compulsory interprofessional PBL module on HIV/AIDS education. In 2004, 30 physical therapy and 30 medical students at the University of Saskatchewan engaged in the HIV/AIDS PBL module. By 2007 over 300 students from seven healthcare programs were involved.Methods and Findings: The module was evaluated over the years using student satisfaction surveys, focus groups, self-assessments, and in 2007 with written pretest/post-tests. Students rated the learning experience about both HIV/AIDS and about interprofessional collaboration, at 4 or 5 out of 6 and effect sizes fell between d = .70 and 3.19. That only one pre-test/post-test study was conducted at a single institution is one of the limitations of this study.Conclusions: Students generally thought highly of the interprofessional PBL module on HIV/AIDS and learned a considerable amount. Although more research is needed to substantiate the self-assessment data, establish what and how much is being learned, and compare PBL to alternative methodologies, PBL is a promising approach to IPE.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaisu Koivumäki ◽  
Clare Wilkinson

PurposeThis paper reports on research exploring the intersections between researchers and communication professionals' perspectives on the objectives, funders and organizational influences on their science communication practices.Design/methodology/approachExamining one context, the inter-organizational BCDC Energy Research project based at five different research organizations in Finland, this paper presents data from semi-structured interviews with 17 researchers and 15 communication professionals.FindingsThe results suggest that performance-based funding policies that drive the proliferation of large-scale research projects can create challenges. In particular, a challenge arises in generating a shared sense of identity and purpose amongst researchers and communication professionals. This may have unintended negative impacts on the quality and cohesiveness of the science communication which occurs.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was exploratory in nature and focuses on one organizational and institutional environment. Further research with a wider number of projects, as well as funders, would be conducive to a greater understanding of the issues involved.Practical implicationsOn a practical level, this research suggests that the creation of clearer communications awareness and guidance may be helpful in some large-scale projects, particularly involving broad numbers of organizations, individual researchers and funders.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies examining the perspectives of both researchers and communication professionals working over one project, drawing together a range of different institutional and disciplinary perspectives. The results highlight the importance of the influences of funding on science communication aims, assumptions, cultures and structures. The article articulates the need for further research in this area.


2021 ◽  
Vol 631 (1) ◽  
pp. 012005
Author(s):  
Liheng Zhang ◽  
Yi He ◽  
Jie Chen

Abstract As an auxiliary project of engineering construction, spoil ground is often not given enough attention. Unreasonable spoiled materials not only have negative impacts on the local natural environment, but also generate the risk of secondary disasters. The selection and design of spoil ground is an important part of earthwork. And thus it is necessary to select the site of spoil ground reasonably and carefully and carry out detailed design of spoil, protection and flood drainage. First of all, the basic selection principles of spoil ground were discussed in this paper. Then, combined with the spoil ground design of the Heat and Power Cogeneration Power Workshop Project in Zhenfeng County's Coal, Electricity and Metallurgical Integration Industrial Park, the author presented elaboration of the technical key points of site selection, slope stability, blocking engineering and flood drainage system of large-scale spoil ground. The analysis in this paper can be used as a reference for similar spoil ground design.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eterina Endiiarova ◽  
Artem Osipov ◽  
Sergey Alexandrov ◽  
Alexander Shakhmin

Abstract Textile is currently a promising material. Obtaining hydrophobic surfaces on textiles significantly increases its value when used in various fields. In this work we carried out experiments on textile processing. Treatment of textile materials in solutions containing aluminum allows to obtain a superhydrophobic surface. KAl(SO4) and AlCl3 solutions were used. It was found that treatment in AlCl3 solution is more effective and allows to achieve a hydrophobic surface on textile with a contact angle of more than 150º. The hydrophobic surface retained its properties even after 30 days. Textile samples were investigated using X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed hydrophobicity in the treatment of textile materials is ensured by the formation of aluminum oxide on the surface. The dependence of the coarse calico contact angle on the AlCl3 solution concentration is determined. which demonstrates that when the concentration of AlCl3 solution increases (within the limits of variation considered), the contact angle also increases.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document