Finite Element Modeling of Magnitude and Location of Brain Micromotion Induced Strain for Intracortical Implants

Micromotion-induced stress remains one of the main determinants of life of intracortical implants. This is due to high stress leading to tissue injury, which in turn leads to an immune response coupled with a significant reduction in the nearby neural population and subsequent isolation of the implant. In this work, we develop a finite element model of the intracortical probe-tissue interface to study the effect of implant micromotion, implant thickness, and material properties on the strain levels induced in brain tissue. Our results showed that for stiff implants, the strain magnitude is dependent on the magnitude of the motion, where a micromotion increase from 1 to 10 μm induced an increase in the strain by an order of magnitude. For higher displacement over 10 μm, the change in the strain was relatively smaller. We also showed that displacement magnitude has no impact on the location of maximum strain and addressed the conflicting results in the literature. Further, we explored the effect of different probe materials [i.e., silicon, polyimide (PI), and polyvinyl acetate nanocomposite (PVAc-NC)] on the magnitude, location, and distribution of strain. Finally, we showed that strain distribution across cortical implants was in line with published results on the size of the typical glial response to the neural probe, further reaffirming that strain can be a precursor to the glial response.

A Study on the Manufacture and Physical Properties of Liquid Adhesive for Wood Preservation - Focusing on the Synthesis of Gelatin and Carrageenan -

In order to improve the usability of glue, a traditional adhesive material, and the gelation process of seaweed extract carrageenan, a liquid adhesive for wood preservation was prepared by mixing the two materials. The prepared wood adhesive was mixed with a 15 wt% aqueous solution of glue, λ-carrageenan, an antibacterial agent, an antifoaming agent, and the maximum adhesive strength of 1.80 Mpa was confirmed. As a result of comparison, the adhesive strength was superior to that of 5 different types of traditional natural adhesive ingredients (aqueous solution) and 1 type of polyvinyl acetate-based adhesive.

Properties of Emulsion Paint with Modified Natural Rubber Latex/Polyvinyl Acetate Blend Binder

The direct use of natural rubber latex (NRL) as a binder for emulsion paints did not produce emulsion paints with good opacity, washability resistance, and regulated touch drying time, even when mixed with polyvinyl acetate (PVAc). This study aimed to study the properties of opacity (hiding power), washability resistance, and set drying touch time of emulsion paint with a binder added from a mixture of modified natural rubber latex (NRL) and PVAc. NRL modifications included UV photodepolymerization with TiO2 catalyst and grafting copolymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene (NRL-g-(MMA-co-St)). NRL was mixed with PVAC at ratios of 0/100; 15/85; 25/75; 35/65; 50/50; 100/0% w/w before being used as a binder for emulsion paint. Emulsion paint samples had different binder contents, namely 2, 4, 6, and 8% w/w. Tests on paint samples included opacity using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer (EASYSPEC safas Monaco), washability using the Digital BGD 526 Wet Abrasion Scrub Tester, and drying time set using the ASTM STP500 procedure. The results showed that the opacity (hiding power), washability resistance, and set drying touch time met the emulsion paint standards for all binder levels, except the 100% w/w modified NRL composition. The higher level of NRL in the binder causes these properties to decrease and become unstable. The best opacity (hidden power), washing resistance, and drying touch time were obtained on modified NRL with a concentration of 15% w/w. The binder content in the paint was around 4% w/w, with an opacity of about 1.78% abs, washing resistance of 12 times, and the set drying touch time to 80 min.

Effect of modifiers and mineral additives from industrial waste on the quality of aerated concrete products

The given article is devoted to research of influence of polymer modifiers and mineral additives on quality of composite aerated concrete products. When selecting the composition of composite aerated concrete local raw materials and components were used: portland cement, sand, aluminum powder, polyvinyl acetate, fly ash, post-alcoholic bard and whey of milk. Preliminary polyvinyl acetate was combined with binder mixing water at a temperature above 55ºC to obtain a readily soluble polymer emulsion. Dispersion was carried out with a rotary-pulsation apparatus at a pressure of 0.5-1.0 MPa and a rotor speed of ~1200 rpm. In the same apparatus the complex modifier was produced. The offered technology of production of a complex modifier seems to be the most effective for composite aerated concrete. It made it possible to reduce water absorption and capillary suction of composite aerated concrete by an average of 25% and 45%, respectively. Moreover, different combinations of fly ash, polymer and modifier made it possible to achieve optimal values of thermal conductivity, compressive strength and frost resistance of composite aerated concrete.

Effect of the Reinforced Plastic Clamp Fitting on the Bending Strength of the Spruce T-Type Loose Tenon Joints

This article presents the bending strength and flexural properties of the glued T-type spruce loose tenon construction joints with and without reinforced plastic clamp fitting. Construction joints are designed according to Eurocode 5. The samples are made from European spruce (Picea abies Karst.) C24 class construction material with relative wood moisture 18% and relative wood density 410 kg/m3. Samples are assembled with water/high temperature resistant polyurethane adhesive and polyvinyl acetate dispersion adhesive. The total number of samples is 48. The sample width is 95mm and thickness is 45mm. Samples were subjected to moisture, weight controls and 48h stored in the climate chamber before practical bending load test. T-type loose tenon joint construction samples with reinforced plastic clamp fittings glued with polyurethane adhesive under bending load are 2.6% stronger and 13.8% less flexural then without reinforced plastic clamp fittings. T-type loose tenon joint construction samples with reinforced plastic clamp fittings glued with polyvinyl acetate dispersion adhesive under bending load are 9.7% weaker and 20% less flexural then without reinforced plastic clamp fittings. The accuracy of the developed bending strength, deformability and elasticity modulus of the examined construction joints was verified positively by experimental studies.