Laser microgrooved vs. machined healing abutment disconnection/reconnection: a comparative clinical, radiographical and biochemical study with split-mouth design

Background Repeated removal and replacement of healing abutments result in frequent injuries to the soft tissues. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of disconnection/reconnection of laser microgrooved vs. machined healing and prosthetic abutments on clinical periodontal parameters, marginal bone levels, and proinflammatory cytokine levels around dental implants. Material and methods Twenty-four patients each received 2 implants with one-stage protocol in a split-mouth design on the same jaw. In each patient, one healing and prosthetic abutments with a laser microgrooved surface (LMS group) and one healing and prosthetic abutments with machined surface (MS group) were used. Four months following implant placement (T0), the healing abutments were disconnnected and reconnected three times to carry out the impression procedures and metal framework try-in. Four weeks later (T1), definitive prosthetic abutments were installated with screw-retained crowns. Modified plaque index (mPI), modified gingival index (mGI) bleeding on probing (BOP), and probing depth (PD) were recorded at T0 and T1. At the same time points, samples for immunological analyses were taken from the sulcus around each implant. Peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF) samples were analyzed for interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels using the ELISA kit. Results At T0 and T1, mPI and mGI showed no statistical difference between the two groups, while higher PD and BoP values were noted for the MS group (P < 0.05). The mean PICF volume and mean concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and (TNF)-α in the LMS group were statistically less than those in the MS group (P < 0.05). In addition, comparison of IL-6 and IL-1β mean concentrations at T0 and T1 in the MS group showed a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) over time, which was not noted for the LMS. Conclusion Disconnection/reconnection of healing and prosthetic abutments with a laser-microgrooved surface resulted in less inflammatory molecular response compared with conventional machined ones. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.govNCT04415801, registered 03/06/2020

An investigation on the drag reduction performance of bioinspired pipeline surfaces with transverse microgrooves

A novel surface morphology for pipelines using transverse microgrooves was proposed in order to reduce the pressure loss of fluid transport. Numerical simulation and experimental research efforts were undertaken to evaluate the drag reduction performance of these bionic pipelines. It was found that the vortex ‘cushioning’ and ‘driving’ effects produced by the vortexes in the microgrooves were the main reason for obtaining a drag reduction effect. The shear stress of the microgrooved surface was reduced significantly owing to the decline of the velocity gradient. Altogether, bionic pipelines achieved drag reduction effects both in a pipeline and in a concentric annulus flow model. The primary and secondary order of effect on the drag reduction and optimal microgroove geometric parameters were obtained by an orthogonal analysis method. The comparative experiments were conducted in a water tunnel, and a maximum drag reduction rate of 3.21% could be achieved. The numerical simulation and experimental results were cross-checked and found to be consistent with each other, allowing to verify that the utilization of bionic theory to reduce the pressure loss of fluid transport is feasible. These results can provide theoretical guidance to save energy in pipeline transportations.

Investigation on drag reduction performance of pipeline with bioinspired microgrooved surface

Novel surface morphology of pipeline with transverse microgrooves was proposed for reducing the pressure loss of fluid transport. Numerical simulation and experimental research efforts were undertaken to evaluate the drag reduction performance of bionic pipeline. The computational fluid dynamic calculation, using SST κ-ω turbulent model, shown that the “vortex cushioning effect” and “driving effect” produced by the vortexes in the microgrooves were the main reason for the drag reduction. The shear stress of the microgrooved surface was reduced significantly owing to the decline of the velocity gradient; then bionic pipeline achieved drag reduction effect in the pipe and concentric annulus flow. The primary and secondary order of effect on the drag reduction and optimal microgroove geometric parameters were obtained by orthogonal analysis method. The comparative experiments were conducted in a water tunnel, and a maximum drag reduction rate of 3.21% was achieved. The numerical simulation and experimental results were cross-checked and consistent with each other to verify that the utilization of bionic theory to reduce the pressure loss of fluid transport is feasible. Results can provide theoretical guidance for the energy saving of pipeline transportation.

Analysis of Drag Reduction Methods and Mechanisms of Turbulent

Turbulent flow is a difficult issue in fluid dynamics, the rules of which have not been totally revealed up to now. Fluid in turbulent state will result in a greater frictional force, which must consume great energy. Therefore, it is not only an important influence in saving energy and improving energy utilization rate but also an extensive application prospect in many fields, such as ship domain and aerospace. Firstly, bionic drag reduction technology is reviewed and is a hot research issue now, the drag reduction mechanism of body surface structure is analyzed, such as sharks, earthworms, and dolphins. Besides, we make a thorough study of drag reduction characteristics and mechanisms of microgrooved surface and compliant wall. Then, the relevant drag reduction technologies and mechanisms are discussed, focusing on the microbubbles, the vibrant flexible wall, the coating, the polymer drag reduction additives, superhydrophobic surface, jet surface, traveling wave surface drag reduction, and the composite drag reduction methods. Finally, applications and advancements of the drag reduction technology in turbulence are prospected.