Approximate field measures for ionic polymer-metal composite Materials and a simplified Order-of-magnitude actuator model

As the field of soft robotics grows and new applications for this technology are discovered, the use of simplified models for the soft actuators found in these devices will be critical. In this study we explore arguments based on the magnitude of field gradients that arise in the ionic polymer-metal composite under large applied voltages and their use for approximating measures of the fields inside the polymer. Using the order-of-magnitude based arguments provides exceptional results for quantifying the field measures of maximum ionic concentration and electric potential within the bulk of the polymer. These measures are leveraged to reconstruct the fields themselves in such a way that the internal bending moments generated inside the actuator may be approximated. With the internal moments, a simplified kinematic model may be used to formulate the steady-state actuator response of the IPMC. This actuator model shows a great deal of accuracy as compared to a full multiphysics model, and we discuss the prospects for future development of this model to account for dynamic actuation.

Understanding MOF nucleation from solution with Evolving Graphs

Molecular modeling is ordinarily employed to understand the synthesis of complex materials. In this work, we investigate the collective assembly of building units that have been experimentally observed to initiate Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) nucleation. MOFs exhibit attractive characteristics such as remarkable surface area and diverse porosities, however, a mechanistic understanding of their synthesis and scale-up remains underexplored due to the complicated nature of the building block interactions. Here, we tackle this problem with large-scale molecular dynamics simulations under a variety of synthesis conditions and mixture compositions. We observe that the connectivity of building units, as well as their level of crystalline order and fractal dimension, largely vary depending on the synthesis conditions. However, these properties naturally emerge when interpreting the self-assembly process of MOF nuclei as the time-evolution of an undirected graph. The results show that solution-induced conformational complexity and ionic concentration have a dramatic effect on the morphology of clusters emerging during assembly, such diversity is captured by key features of the graph representation. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on graph properties successfully deconvolutes MOF self-assembly to be characterized by a small number of molecular descriptors, such as average coordination number between half-secondary building units (half-SBUs) and fractal dimension, which can be followed by time-resolved spectroscopy. We conclude that graph theory can be used to understand complex processes such as MOF nucleation by providing molecular descriptors accessible by both simulation and experiment.

Impaired ion homeostasis as a possible associate factor in mucopolysaccharidosis pathogenesis: transcriptomic, cellular and animal studies

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of diseases caused by mutations resulting in deficiencies of lysosomal enzymes which lead to the accumulation of partially undegraded glycosaminoglycans (GAG). This phenomenon causes severe and chronic disturbances in the functioning of the organism, and leads to premature death. The metabolic defects affect also functions of the brain in most MPS types (except types IV, VI, and IX). The variety of symptoms, as well as the ineffectiveness of GAG-lowering therapies, question the early theory that GAG storage is the only cause of these diseases. As disorders of ion homeostasis increasingly turn out to be co-causes of the pathogenesis of various human diseases, the aim of this work was to determine the perturbations related to the maintenance of the ion balance at both the transcriptome and cellular levels in MPS. Transcriptomic studies, performed with fibroblasts derived from patients with all types/subtypes of MPS, showed extensive changes in the expression of genes involved in processes related to ion binding, transport and homeostasis. Detailed analysis of these data indicated specific changes in the expression of genes coding for proteins participating in the metabolism of Ca2+, Fe2+ and Zn2+. The results of tests carried out with the mouse MPS I model (Idua−/−) showed reductions in concentrations of these 3 ions in the liver and spleen. The results of these studies indicate for the first time ionic concentration disorders as possible factors influencing the course of MPS and show them as hypothetical, additional therapeutic targets for this rare disease.

Trends of pH and aerosols in the precipitation at Srinagar, Mohanbari, Allahabad, Jodhpur, Nagpur and Minicoy during the period 1981-2001

Nature of Precipitation - alkaline or acidic depends upon the concentration of major water soluble inorganic gaseous and soil derived particulates dissolved in it. If the concentration of cations is higher than that of anions the precipitations becomes alkaline and vice versa. pH is the main parameter indicating the nature of precipitation. If pH of rainwater <5.65 it is acidic and >5.65, it is alkaline ,both in the pH scale ranging between 0 and 14. In this paper average ionic concentration (mg/lit) and their trends have been analyzed. Srinagar, Mohanbari, Jodhpur, Allahabad, Nagpur and Minicoy have been selected for the study of chemical precipitation during the period 1981-2001. Trends of different aerosols have been analyzed at the intervals 1981-87, 1988-94 and 1995-2001. It has been observed that percentage of anions has increased which results in the increase of acidic character of the precipitation. During the interval 1995-2001, Nagpur and Mohanbari had pH values 5.16 and 5.47 respectively which were in acidic range.

Reactive Transport Modeling of Reflux Dolomitization of Carbonate Platforms: Enlightenment from Yingshan Formation in Shunnan Area, Tarim Basin

Dolomite plays an important role in carbonate reservoirs. The topography in the study area creates conditions for reflux dolomitization. The northeastward paleogeomorphy during the deposition of the Yingshan Formation was favorable for reflux dolomitization. Furthermore, the petrological and geochemical evidence indicated that the formation of finely crystalline dolomites was penecontemporaneous to sedimentation. The content of powder crystal dolomites increases from grainstone, to packstone, to mudstone. Previous studies only analyzed the origin of dolomites based on traditional geological methods, but did not analyze the spatial influence of reflux dolomitization on the reservoir quality. In this study, the reflux dolomitization of platform carbonate sediments was evaluated using three-dimensional reactive transport models. The sensitivity of dolomitization to a range of intrinsic and extrinsic controls was also explored. The reflux dolomitization involves replacement dolomitization and over-dolomitization. The porosity change is the result of the abundance change of dolomite and anhydrite. The fluid flow pattern in the model is related to the injection rate and geothermal gradient. According to the spatial and temporal change of mineral, ionic concentration, and physical property, the reflux dolomitization could be divided into five stages. From the sensitivity analysis, high permeability promotes dolomitization only in the initial stage, while low permeability and high porosity means stronger dolomitization. Besides, the injection rate, reactive surface area (RSA), geothermal gradient, and brine salinity are all proportional to the dolomitization. Differently from porosity change, the permeability change is concentrated in the upper part of the numerical model. The location of “sweet spot” varies with the locations of change centers of porosity and permeability. In the stage-1 and 4 of dolomitzation, it overlaps with porosity and permeability growth centers. While in the stage-2, 3 and 5, it lies between the porosity and permeability growth/reduction centers.

Novel Mg-0.5Ca-xMn Biodegradable Alloys Intended for Orthopedic Application: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study

Mg-based biodegradable materials, used for medical applications, have been extensively studied in the past decades. The in vitro cytocompatibility study showed that the proliferation and viability (as assessed by quantitative MTT-assay—3-(4,5-dimethyltiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) were not negatively affected with time by the addition of Mn as an alloying element. In this sense, it should be put forward that the studied alloys don’t have a cytotoxic effect according to the standard ISO 10993-5, i.e., the level of the cells’ viability (cultured with the studied experimental alloys) attained both after 1 day and 5 days was over 82% (i.e., 82, 43–89, 65%). Furthermore, the fibroblastic cells showed variable morphology (evidenced by fluorescence microscopy) related to the alloy sample’s proximity (i.e., related to the variation on the Ca, Mg, and Mn ionic concentration as a result of alloy degradation). It should be mentioned that the cells presented a polygonal morphology with large cytoplasmic processes in the vicinity of the alloy’s samples, and a bipolar morphology in the remote region of the wells. Moreover, the in vitro results seem to indicate that only 0.5% Mn is sufficient to improve the chemical stability, and thus the cytocompatibility; from this point of view, it could provide some flexibility in choosing the right alloy for a specific medical application, depending on the specific parameters of each alloy, such as its mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. In order to assess the in vivo compatibility of each concentration of alloy, the pieces were implanted in four rats, in two distinct body regions, i.e., the lumbar and thigh. The body’s reaction was followed over time, 60 days, both by general clinical examinations considering macroscopic changes, and by laboratory examinations, which revealed macroscopic and microscopic changes using X-rays, CT(Computed Tomography), histology exams and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). In both anatomical regions, for each of the tested alloys, deformations were observed, i.e., a local reaction of different intensities, starting the day after surgery. The release of hydrogen gas that forms during Mg alloy degradation occurred immediately after implantation in all five of the groups examined, which did not affect the normal functionality of the tissues surrounding the implants. Imaging examinations (radiological and CT) revealed the presence of the alloy and the volume of hydrogen gas in the lumbar and femoral region in varying amounts. The biodegradable alloys in the Mg-Ca-Mn system have great potential to be used in orthopedic applications.

Insight into Debye Hückel length (κ−1): smart gravimetric and swelling techniques reveals discrepancy of diffuse double layer theory at high ionic concentrations

Smart gravimetric and swelling techniques were utilized in this work to examine the validity of the Debye Hückel length (κ−1) equation when shale interacts with highly concentrated salt solutions. The swelling and shrinkage behavior of two different shales, when exposed to monovalent and divalent ionic solutions (NaCl, KCl and CaCl2) at concentrations ranging from 2 to 22%w/w was observed and measured. Shale swelling and shrinkage results show that Debye Hückel length (κ−1) equation seems to work adequately at low ionic concentrations where osmotic water flow out of shale plays a major role in decreasing the diffuse double layer thickness by withdrawing water out and thereby shrinking κ−1. At high ionic concentration levels, the flow of associated water into the diffuse double layer negates the withdrawal of osmotic water out of the diffuse double layer which could maintain κ−1 or possibly increase it. Data on measured ionic uptake into shale suggests that excessive ionic diffusion into shale, especially at high concentrations, leads to higher electrical repulsion between alike ions in the diffuse layer which could lead to the expansion of the diffuse double layer thickness. Furthermore, swelling and shrinkage data analysis for shale suggests the existence of a ‘critical concentration’ below which the Debye Hückel length equation works. Above the critical concentration, the validity of the Debye Hückel length equation might be in question. The critical concentration is different for all ions and depends on ionic valence, hydrated ion diameter, and clay type.

Vanishing waters: water chemistry of temporary rock pools of the Western Ghats, India

The freshwater rockpools support high endemic biodiversity but are poorly studied habitats in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. These freshwater rock pools are situated on outcrops at various elevations in the Western Ghats and are composed of different bedrocks such as laterite and basalt. We aimed to analyze the water quality, geographical position based differences in the water chemistry and the role of bedrock in determining the water chemistry of the rock pools. Our study showed a wide range of water quality variables such as pH, conductivity, and ionic contents that attributed to the natural variation. We observed a drastic variation in the anions and cations at low elevation pools. Rock type and precipitation are influencing the ionic concentration, for example, Calcium and Bromide could be attributed to the seasonal precipitation and geomorphology. This documentation of physicochemical properties of the Western Ghats rock pools can form a baseline for further detailed studies.

Groundwater contamination with heavy metals in Chennai city, India – A threat to the human population

The goal of this research was to learn more about heavy metal pollution in groundwater in North Chennai during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The total no. of 108 groundwater samples were utilized for this study retrieved from both dug and bore wells. The analytical results indicate that all the determined trace metals show wide spatial and temporal variations. Spatial variation is mainly due to the different sources of contamination, and temporal variation is mainly due to the influence of rainfall and the associated changes in the hydrogeochemical conditions. The abundance order of trace elements based on average ionic concentration in pre-monsoon is Iron (Fe)> Manganese (Mn)> Chromium (Cr)> Copper (Cu)> Lead (Pb)> Nickel (Ni)> Zinc (Zn) and during post-monsoon Fe>Mn>Pb>Zn>Cr>Cu>Ni. Nemerow’s pollution index (NPI) gives an idea about the range of pollution for individual water quality parameters concerning a standard value. Our result showed that North Chennai city is polluted by Lead in both seasons.

Assessing Slope Stability of Clay-Dominated Sediments Based on Ionic Concentrations Using Liquid Limits

Clay minerals typically exhibit high specific surfaces with negative charges, which result in a sensitive response against the change in the ionic concentration of pore water. In this study, the liquid limits of kaolinite, illite, and bentonite were determined as functions of the ionic concentration, and the results were used to obtain the cohesion and friction angle based on the empirical relationship for evaluating slope stability through numerical simulations. The experimental and numerical results revealed increased liquid limits and a decreased strength-reduction factor as the ionic concentration increased. Based on the numerical results, the influence of ionic concentration on the slope stability of clay-contained soils was analyzed.