Energy Direction in Ultrasonic Impregnation of Continuous Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastics

As a new and innovative processing method for fabrication for fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites (CFRTs), the feasibility of ultrasonic welding technology was proven in several studies. This method offers potential for the direct manufacturing of CFRT–metal structures via embedded pin structures. Despite the previous studies, a deeper understanding of the process of energy input and whether fibers work as energy directors and consequently can, in combination with chosen processing parameters, influence the consolidation quality of the CFRTs, is still unknown. Consequently, the aim of this work is to establish a deeper process understanding of the ultrasonic direct impregnation of fiber-reinforced thermoplastics with an emphasis on the fiber’s function as energy directors. Based on the generated insights, a better assessment of the feasibility of direct, hybrid part manufacturing is possible. The produced samples were primarily evaluated by optical and mechanical test methods. It is demonstrated that with higher welding time and amplitude, a better consolidation quality can be achieved and that independent of the process parameters chosen in this study, no significant fiber breakage occurs. This is interpreted as a sign of a gentle impregnation process. Furthermore, based on the examination of single roving and 5-layer set-ups, it is shown that the glass fibers function as energy directors and can influence the transformation of sonic energy into thermal energy. In comparison to industrially available CFRT material, the mechanical properties are weaker, but materials and processes offer potential for significant improvement. Based on these findings, proposals for a direct impregnation and joining process are made.

MoS2-Cysteine Nanofiltration Membrane for Lead Removal

To overcome the limitations of polymers, such as the trade-off relationship between water permeance and solute rejection, as well as the difficulty of functionalization, research on nanomaterials is being actively conducted. One of the representative nanomaterials is graphene, which has a two-dimensional shape and chemical tunability. Graphene is usually used in the form of graphene oxide in the water treatment field because it has advantages such as high water permeance and functionality on its surface. However, there is a problem in that it lacks physical stability under water-contacted conditions due to the high hydrophilicity. To overcome this problem, MoS2, which has a similar shape to graphene and hydrophobicity, can be a new option. In this study, bulk MoS2 was dispersed in a mixed solvent of acetone/isopropyl alcohol, and MoS2 nanosheet was obtained by applying sonic energy to exfoliate. In addition, Cysteine was functionalized in MoS2 with a mild reaction. When the nanofiltration (NF) performance of the membrane was compared under various conditions, the composite membrane incorporated by Cysteine 10 wt % (vs. MoS2) showed the best NF performances.

Study of impact of sonic energy waves on the rate of precipitation of particles in liquid

The effects of sonic energy waves on the settling velocity of small particles in water were studied. A design of experiment (DOE) with five variables (frequency, amplitude, particle diameter, particle density and fluid viscosity) at two or three levels was conducted to obtain the particle settling velocity as the response. The DOE data were analyzed both experimentally and by a statistical multiple regression software. It was concluded that when sound frequency and amplitude in the range of 0 to 500 Hz and 2 to 3 Vrms (root mean square) respectively were applied to plastic particles of three different diameters (2,381 μm, 3,175 μm, and 4,763 μm) and two different densities ... their effects on the particle settling velocity in hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) solutions of three different viscosities ... were insignificant. The regression analysis gave an equation that is in good agreement with the experimental data.

Study of impact of sonic energy waves on the rate of precipitation of particles in liquid

The effects of sonic energy waves on the settling velocity of small particles in water were studied. A design of experiment (DOE) with five variables (frequency, amplitude, particle diameter, particle density and fluid viscosity) at two or three levels was conducted to obtain the particle settling velocity as the response. The DOE data were analyzed both experimentally and by a statistical multiple regression software. It was concluded that when sound frequency and amplitude in the range of 0 to 500 Hz and 2 to 3 Vrms (root mean square) respectively were applied to plastic particles of three different diameters (2,381 μm, 3,175 μm, and 4,763 μm) and two different densities ... their effects on the particle settling velocity in hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) solutions of three different viscosities ... were insignificant. The regression analysis gave an equation that is in good agreement with the experimental data.

Treatment of Simulated Carwash Wastewater by Electrocoagulation with Sonic Energy

Oily carwash wastewater is a high organic and chemical wastewater. This paper targeted to investigate a treatment to decrease the water consumption and contaminants in car-washing stations. Electrocoagulation combined with ultrasonic energy (Sono-Electrocoagulation) was suggested so that the carwash wastewater is treated to be reused. The effect of both the voltage and time of treatment on the removal of COD, turbidity, conductivity, and total dissolved solids (TDS) were studied at constant initial pH 7 and electrode distance 2 cm. The results showed the best results of removal COD, turbidity, TDS, and reduce electrical conductivity is when the voltage was 30 V and a treatment time of 90 minutes.

Improving Relative Bioavailability of Oral Imidazolidinedione by Reducing Particle Size Using Homogenization and Ultra-Sonication

Particle size is an important determinant of gastrointestinal absorption of compounds administrated orally. The present study evaluates the effect of a reduction in particle size assessed by homogenization, sonication, and homogenization plus sonication on the bioavailability of imidazolidinedione (IZ), an antimalarial compound with known causal prophylactic activity and radical cure of relapsing malaria. Formulations were administrated intragastrically to mice, and blood samples were collected for LC-MS/MS analysis. The homogenization method manually decreased particle size with minimal variance, resulting in a mean particle diameter of 42.22 μm, whereas the probe sonication method evenly distributed pulses of sound to break apart particles, resulting in a mean diameter of 1.50 μm. Homogenization plus sonication resulted in a mean particle diameter of 1.44 μm, which was similar to that of the sonication method alone. The compound suspensions did not show a significant difference in mean particle size between the different vehicles. The sonically engineered microparticle delivers high sonic energy to the suspension leads to faster breakdown and stabilizing of the micronized particles when compared with homogenizer. The bioavailability of the small particle IZ formulation was 100%, compared to the 55.79% relative bioavailability of IZ with larger particle size. These initial data clearly show that a reduction in particle size of orally administered IZ with probe sonication could significantly increase bioavailability in rodent animals that is affected by a high first-pass effect.

Poly(ε-caprolactone) electrospun nanofibers containing cinnamon essential oil nanocapsules: A promising technique for controlled release and high solubility

Nowadays, cinnamon essential oil is one of the most popular spices for food flavoring and also for medicinal uses such as anti-inflammation agent, but its low solubility, irritations, and allergic reactions limit its applications. To overcome these limitations, cinnamon essential oil-loaded nanocontainers were prepared via inclusion complexation between the cyclodextrins and cinnamon essential oil under two different conditions, i.e., at room temperature or under sonic energy. The resulting supramolecular nanocontainers were characterized by XRD, SEM, DSC, and FTIR. Successful insertion of cinnamon essential oil in the cyclodextrins’ cavity was confirmed by the significant differences between the FTIR, DSC, and XRD spectra of initial mixtures and those of the complexes. XRD results indicated that crystalline complexes adopted a mixture of head to head channel-type and cage conformation for cinnamon essential oil/cyclodextrins at various conditions. Solubility, bioavailability, and in vitro dissolution of obtained cinnamon essential oil nanocapsules were investigated, and results show that by encapsulation of cinnamon essential oil, solubility improved and its release is controllable. The solubility of cinnamon essential oil increased linearly as the concentration of cyclodextrins was increased, confirming the 1:1 stoichiometry of the complex. Electro-spun nanofibers of poly-ɛ-caprolactone containing cinnamon essential oil/cyclodextrins inclusion complex at various conditions indicated that these nanofibers did not show beading defect with controlled release of cinnamon essential oil.

Preliminary investigation of a novel endodôntico obturator

Conventional endodontic treatment requires the removal of the pulp and dentin by shaping the inside of the tooth. The shaping occurs with the use of drills to a geometry that is directly related to a predetermined form of material that will obturate the tooth’s interior.The aim of this study was to investigate a novel device that applies sonic energy during the obturation of the tooth’s interior. Extracted human teeth underwent endodontic treatment. Half of the group were conventionally obturated and the other half were obturated with the novel device. Post-treatment radiographs were evaluated utilizing Schulich dental school endodontic marking criteria.No statistical significance (α = 0.05) was determined between each group. A higher incidence of filled space (60%) occurred with sonic obturation when compared to conventional obturation (33%). Micro-computer tomography (CT) images were obtained of one sample from each group to assess the three-dimensional obturation. The novel device facilitated easy handling and demonstrated potential for effective obturation. Further tests are required for device refinement, larger sample sizes and clinical validation to assess the attitude and practice of dental professionals towards using of advance Radiographic technique.

Microtensile Bond Strength and Microhardness of Composite Resin Restorations Using a Sonic-Resin Placement System

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of applying sonic energy on microtensile bond strength and microhardness after the restoration process. A total of 40 human third molars were extracted. Class II cavities were prepared and restored with composite SonicFill or Filtek Z350 XT with and without the application of sonic energy. After the teeth were stored in water for 24 h, the teeth were sectioned into sticks (1.0 mm2) and subjected to tensile testing. For a depth Knoop hardness test, the samples were cut and indentations were made sequentially from the surface of the samples to the bottom of the samples in three intervals of 1 mm each. The samples were then subjected to a load of 50 g for 10 s. The results from the tensile (factors: placement system and composite) and hardness (factors: placement system, composite and depth) tests were subjected to the Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test, followed by analysis of variance and Tukey’s test (5% significance). For the placement system factor, higher bond strength was observed for the cavities that were restored with sonic energy (p < 0.001). For depth Knoop hardness, the hardness at 1 mm depth was significantly greater than that at 3 mm depth just for the restorations with Filtek Z350 XT composite without the application of sonic energy. Therefore, the use of sonic energy during the restorative process improved bonding, yet it did not markedly affect the depth hardness for both composites.