Study of the Behavior of Structural Materials Treated with Bioconsolidant

In this article, the effectiveness of the bioconsolidation technique applied to degraded structural materials is illustrated as a new method of consolidation and conservation of the existing building heritage in a less invasive way. Satisfactory results have been obtained by an experimental campaign carried out through non-destructive diagnostic tests, static destructive mechanical tests, and microstructural analyses on a series of natural stone material specimens and artificial stone materials before and after the use of bioconsolidants. The consolidated specimens have been tested after three to four weeks after the application of the M3P nutritional solution on each specimen. The effect on the microstructure of this technique has also been observed using scanning electron microscope and optical photomicrograph, the formation of new calcium carbonate crystals promoting the structural consolidation of the materials under examination was observed in all the specimens analyzed.

Mechanical properties of low alloy high phosphorus weathering steel

Mechanical behaviour of two low alloy steels (G11 and G12) was studied with respect to different phosphorus contents. Tensile strength and yield strength increased while percentage elongation at fracture decreased on increasing phosphorus content. The SEM and light optical photomicrograph of low phosphorus steel (G11) revealed ferrite and pearlite microstructure. On increasing phosphorus content from 0.25 wt.% to 0.42 wt.%, the morphology of grain changed from equiaxed shape to pan-cake shape and grain size also increased. The Charpy V notch (CVN) impact energy of G11 and G12 steel at room temperature was 32 J and 4 J respectively and their fractographs revealed brittle rupture with cleavage facets for both the steels. However, the fractograph of G11 steel after tensile test exhibited ductile mode of fracture with conical equiaxed dimple while that of G12 steel containing 0.42 wt. % P exhibited transgranular cleavage fracture. Based on this study, G11 steel containing 0.25 wt. % P could be explored as a candidate material for weathering application purpose where the 20?C toughness requirement is 27 J as per CSN EN10025-2:2004 specification.

Fabrication of Customized Bio-Electrode for Neural Stimulation Using Rapid Prototyping Technique

In the treatment of disorders, bio-electrodes are used to be implanted into the patients’ deep brain for long-term stimulation. This paper presents a custom design and flexible fabrication process of bio-electrode for treating neural disorders using rapid prototyping (RP) technique. A 3D model of the bio-electrode is designed and the photosensitive resin electrode prototype is fabricated on the laser rapid prototyping machine, and then the bio-electrode is fabricated using this electrode prototype and the silicon rubber mold and winding technique. The spatial distribution of the electric field fabricated of the bio-electrode is analyzed, and the optical photomicrograph reveals that the cylindrical surfaces of the polyurethane of the bio-electrode have smooth surface and no visible microcracks, and the spiral lines are arranged densely and have no defects of loose and falling and partly protruding. The electrochemical experiments show that the electrochemical process of the bio-electrode is reversible and the bio-electrode has good functionality and stability property.