Single-variable porous nanomaterial series from polymer structure-directing agents

Block polymer structure-directing agents (SDA) enable the production of porous nanoscale materials. Most strategies rely upon polymer equilibration where diverse morphologies are realized in porous functional materials. This review details how solvent selectivity determines the polymer SDA behaviors, spanning from bulk-type to solution-type. Equilibrating behavior of either type, however, obscures nanostructure cause-and-effect since the resulting sample series convolve multiple spatial variations. Solution-type SDA behaviors include both dynamic and persistent micelles. Persistent micelle templates (PMT) use high solvent selectivity for kinetic entrapment. PMTs enable independent wall thickness control with demonstrated 2 Å precision alterations. Unimodal PMT pore size distributions have spanned from 11.8 to 109 nm and multimodal pore sizes up to 290 nm. The PMT method is simple to validate with diffraction models and is feasible in any laboratory. Finally, recent energy device publications enabled by PMT are reviewed where tailored nanomaterials provide a unique perspective to unambiguously identify nanostructure–property–performance relationships. Graphical abstract

Geometric, kinematic and dynamic parameters of the disc ripper

Introduction. The unit of continuous action for the formation of the underlying layer is designed to increase labour productivity in the construction of roads and other objects, for the construction of which it is necessary to remove the upper layer of soil. For loosening of soil in the unit used bit-like working bodies. Often, disc working bodies are used to cut the soil. Therefore, the expediency of using passive discs in road-building technical means, in particular, in the unit of continuous action for the formation of the underlying layer of highways, is of practical interest. Despite the large number of works, a detailed analysis of the operation of passive disks was not made. Therefore, in order to compare the energy costs for cutting the soil with passive discs and chisel-shaped working bodies, it is necessary to make a theoretical analysis of the operation of passive disks. Analysis of the energy costs of the disk ripper cannot be carried out without having the approximate values of its geometric, kinematic and dynamic parameters.The method of research. As part of a continuous unit to form the underlying layer of roads, each disc would be clamped with soil on both sides and carried out clamped cutting. Therefore, a disk ripper is adopted for analysis, aggregated with a separate energy device. On the basis of the constructive layout, rational geometric parameters of the disk ripper are revealed. The method of calculation of its kinematic and dynamic parameters is developed. In particular, the method of determining the weighted average circumferental velocity of the disk, the angular velocity of the disk and the circumferental velocity of the point on the edge of the disk blade is considered. The modes of cutting the soil by various parts of the disk are considered.Results. On the basis of the developed technique, the dependence of the minimum diameter of the disk on the depth of soil development was revealed. The moment of resistance of the soil to the rotation of the disks is calculated. The horizontal and vertical component of soil resistance to the front disc carrying out clamped cutting and subsequent discs carrying out semi-clamped cutting of the soil are determined. The necessary thrust force of the energy device for cutting the soil with a disk ripper and the dependence of the thrust force of the energy device for cutting the soil on the depth of soil development were revealed. The performance of the unit, including the power device and the disk ripper, is calculated.Conclusion. Since as part of the unit of continuous action for the formation of the underlying layer of roads, the disks will carry out clamped cutting of the soil, for preliminary loosening of the soil with disks, it is more expedient to use a separate unit, including an energy device and a disk ripper. On the basis of the theoretical studies carried out, the necessary thrust force of the energy device for cutting the soil and the total traction force necessary to move the disc ripper were revealed. The performance of the unit is calculated. To compare the energy costs for cutting the soil with passive discs and chisel-shaped working bodies, it is necessary to make a theoretical analysis of the energy costs for the operation of passive disks.

An Intellectual Energy Device for Household Appliances Using Artificial Neural Network

This article highlights the importance of implementing intelligent monitoring devices with the internet of things (IoT) for observing the amount of charges on different appliances in each household. In India, it has been observed that 20% of power is wasted due to commercial appliances where the amount of charge flow is much excess to corresponding appliances. Therefore, to perceive information about the flow of charges, it is necessary to implement an intelligent device, and it is possible to obtain exact information on the flow of charges with the help of wireless sensor networks (WSN). Even most of the researchers have developed an intelligent device for monitoring the amount of charges but delay, energy consumption, and cost of implementation are much higher. It is always necessary to extract precise information at corresponding time periods for reducing the delay in packet transmission of a specific network. To excerpt such real-time data in the network layer, an active procedure should be followed by integrating dissimilar network areas inside a single cluster, and binary coded artificial neural network (BCANN) is introduced to acquire information about hidden layers. To prove the effect of such integration process, several tests have been prepared using online and offline analyses where simulation results prove to be much effective in case of all different scenarios to an extent of 52.4% when compared to existing methods.

A pilot randomized controlled trial comparing THUNDERBEAT to the Maryland LigaSure energy device in laparoscopic left colon surgery

Background The THUNDERBEAT is a multi-functional energy device which delivers both ultrasonic and bipolar energy, but there are no randomized trials which can provide more rigorous evaluation of the clinical performance of THUNDERBEAT compared to other energy-based devices in colorectal surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical performance of THUNDERBEAT energy device to Maryland LigaSure in patients undergoing left laparoscopic colectomy. Methods Prospective randomized trial with two groups: Group 1 THUNDERBEAT and Group 2 LigaSure in a single university hospital. 60 Subjects, male and female, of age 18 years and above undergoing left colectomy for cancer or diverticulitis were included. The primary outcome was dissection time to specimen removal (DTSR) measured in minutes from the start of colon mobilization to specimen removal from the abdominal cavity. Versatility (composite of five variables) was measured by a score system from 1 to 5 (1 being worst and 5 the best), and adjusted/weighted by coefficient of importance with distribution of the importance as follow: hemostasis 0.275, sealing 0.275, cutting 0.2, dissection 0.15, and tissue manipulation 0.1. Other variables were: dryness of surgical field, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and mortality. Follow-up time was 30 days. Results 60 Patients completed surgery, 31 in Group 1 and 29 in Group 2. There was no difference in the DTSR between the groups, 91 min vs. 77 min (p = 0.214). THUNDERBEAT showed significantly higher score in dissecting and tissue manipulation in segment 3 (omental dissection), and in overall versatility score (p = 0.007) as well as versatility score in Segment 2 (retroperitoneal dissection p = 0.040) and Segment 3 (p = 0.040). No other differences were noted between the groups. Conclusions Both energy devices can be employed effectively and safely in dividing soft tissue and sealing mesenteric blood vessels during laparoscopic left colon surgery, with THUNDERBEAT demonstrating some advantages over LigaSure during omental dissection and tissue manipulation. ClinicalTrial.gov # NCT02628093.

Novel microwave surgical instrument for use in various lung resection situations

A novel surgical energy device with high sealing ability using microwave technology has been developed. This novel microwave surgical instrument (MSI) is capable of sealing and dissecting a vessel ≤ 5 mm in diameter. The high sealing ability of the MSI enables fine dissection of the lung parenchyma by a scissor-type blade. This device is particularly useful in situations wherein the use of an automatic suturing instrument is difficult. Here, we describe the dissection of the lung parenchyma using this device in three patients (cases 1–3). This device was used for wedge resection of a tumor located close to the pulmonary hilum, for subsegmentectomy, and for dividing incomplete interlobar fissure (cases 1–3, respectively). In all the cases, the postoperative course was uneventful. This MSI is effective for resection of the lung parenchyma, allowing fine tissue dissection and excellent tissue sealing. This technique could assist surgeons in various lung resection cases.

Stability of bucket movement and directionof movement of the continuous unit to form the underlying layer of the road

Introduction. The unit of continuous action for the formation of the underlying layer is designed to increase labor productivity in the construction of roads and other objects, for the construction of which it is necessary to remove the upper layer of soil. The working bodies of the unit are buckets that cut and transport soil. To balance these forces and moments in the transverse-vertical plane, relative to the direction of movement of the buckets, support bars with support hydraulic cylinders are used. To create and regulate the pressure in the support hydraulic cylinders, two hydraulic pneumatic accumulators for controlling the supporting strips are installed on the power device. Part of the forces and moments through the supporting strips, support hydraulic cylinders, the frame of the working part of the unit is transmitted to the energy device that serves to drive the unit. During the operation of the unit, the resistance of the soil to cutting changes continuously. Therefore, the forces and moments transmitted to the energy device change. During operation, the stability of the rectilinear course of the unit is necessary. To ensure the stability of the movement of buckets and the direction of movement of the unit, you should first consider the process of filling the buckets with soil.The method of research. On the basis of the constructive layout, the number of buckets filled with soil was revealed. Suppose the filling of buckets with soil occurs gradually and evenly. Hence, an increase in the load on the right and left support bar was revealed by each subsequent bucket as it is filled. By adding the vertical forces, the value and position of the total load on the supporting bars are determined. The resistance to the movement of the left and right wheels of the working part of the unit, due to the load from the buckets to the supporting strips, the gravity of the raised soil, the gravity of the working part of the unit, is determined. The total horizontal force, the impact of soil on the buckets, directed along the course of the unit, was revealed. The method of calculating the position of the thrust vector of the energy device is given.Results. On the basis of the developed technique, the diameters of the support hydraulic cylinders and the nominal pressure in the hydraulic pneumatic accumulators of the control of the right and left support strips were determined. A constructive layout of the hinged energy device and a system for automatic adjustment of the position of the thrust vector of the energy device depending on the properties of the developed soil is proposed.Conclusion. On the basis of theoretical studies, the diameters of the support hydraulic cylinders and the nominal pressure in the hydraulic pneumatic accumulators of the control of the right and left support strips were calculated. An example of calculating the position of the thrust vector of an energy device is given. The constructive arrangement of the system of automatic adjustment of the position of the thrust vector of the energy device depending on the properties of the developed soil and the general layout of the energy device is proposed. The conducted theoretical studies allow to ensure the stability of the movement of buckets and the direction of movement of the continuous unit for the formation of the underlying layer of roads.