Droplet microfluidics driven by gradients of confinement.

PubMed

Dangla, Rémi; Kayi, S Cagri; Baroud, Charles N

2013-01-15

The miniaturization of droplet manipulation methods has led to drops being proposed as microreactors in many applications of biology and chemistry. In parallel, microfluidic methods have been applied to generate monodisperse emulsions for applications in the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food industries. To date, microfluidic droplet production has been dominated by a few designs that use hydrodynamic forces, resulting from the flowing fluids, to break drops at a junction. Here we present a platform for droplet generation and manipulation that does not depend on the fluid flows. Instead, we use devices that incorporate height variations to subject the immiscible interfaces to gradients of confinement. The resulting curvature imbalance along the interface causes the detachment of monodisperse droplets, without the need for a flow of the external phase. Once detached, the drops are self-propelled due to the gradient of surface energy. We show that the size of the drops is determined by the device geometry; it is insensitive to the physical fluid properties and depends very weakly on the flow rate of the dispersed phase. This allows us to propose a geometric theoretical model that predicts the dependence of droplet size on the geometric parameters, which is in agreement with experimental measurements. The approach presented here can be applied in a wide range of standard applications, while simplifying the device operations. We demonstrate examples for single-droplet operations and high-throughput generation of emulsions, all of which are performed in simple and inexpensive devices.

Droplet microfluidics driven by gradients of confinement

PubMed Central

Dangla, Rémi; Kayi, S. Cagri; Baroud, Charles N.

2013-01-01

The miniaturization of droplet manipulation methods has led to drops being proposed as microreactors in many applications of biology and chemistry. In parallel, microfluidic methods have been applied to generate monodisperse emulsions for applications in the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food industries. To date, microfluidic droplet production has been dominated by a few designs that use hydrodynamic forces, resulting from the flowing fluids, to break drops at a junction. Here we present a platform for droplet generation and manipulation that does not depend on the fluid flows. Instead, we use devices that incorporate height variations to subject the immiscible interfaces to gradients of confinement. The resulting curvature imbalance along the interface causes the detachment of monodisperse droplets, without the need for a flow of the external phase. Once detached, the drops are self-propelled due to the gradient of surface energy. We show that the size of the drops is determined by the device geometry; it is insensitive to the physical fluid properties and depends very weakly on the flow rate of the dispersed phase. This allows us to propose a geometric theoretical model that predicts the dependence of droplet size on the geometric parameters, which is in agreement with experimental measurements. The approach presented here can be applied in a wide range of standard applications, while simplifying the device operations. We demonstrate examples for single-droplet operations and high-throughput generation of emulsions, all of which are performed in simple and inexpensive devices. PMID:23284169

Wetting-induced formation of controllable monodisperse multiple emulsions in microfluidics.

PubMed

Deng, Nan-Nan; Wang, Wei; Ju, Xiao-Jie; Xie, Rui; Weitz, David A; Chu, Liang-Yin

2013-10-21

Multiple emulsions, which are widely applied in a myriad of fields because of their unique ability to encapsulate and protect active ingredients, are typically produced by sequential drop-formations and drop-encapsulations using shear-induced emulsification. Here we report a qualitatively novel method of creating highly controlled multiple emulsions from lower-order emulsions. By carefully controlling the interfacial energies, we adjust the spreading coefficients between different phases to cause drops of one fluid to completely engulf other drops of immiscible fluids; as a result multiple emulsions are directly formed by simply putting preformed lower-order emulsion drops together. Our approach has highly controllable flexibility. We demonstrate this in preparation of both double and triple emulsions with a controlled number of inner drops and precisely adjusted shell thicknesses including ultra-thin shells. Moreover, this controllable drop-engulfing-drop approach has a high potential in further investigations and applications of microfluidics. Importantly, this innovative approach opens a window to exploit new phenomena occurring in fluids at the microscale level, which is of great significance for developing novel microfluidics.

A hanging drop culture method to study terminal erythroid differentiation.

PubMed

Gutiérrez, Laura; Lindeboom, Fokke; Ferreira, Rita; Drissen, Roy; Grosveld, Frank; Whyatt, David; Philipsen, Sjaak

2005-10-01

To design a culture method allowing the quantitative and qualitative analysis of terminal erythroid differentiation. Primary erythroid progenitors derived either from mouse tissues or from human umbilical cord blood were differentiated using hanging drop cultures and compared to methylcellulose cultures. Cultured cells were analyzed by FACS to assess differentiation. We describe a practical culture method by adapting the previously described hanging drop culture system to conditions allowing terminal differentiation of primary erythroid progenitors. Using minimal volumes of media and small numbers of cells, we obtained quantitative terminal erythroid differentiation within two days of culture in the case of murine cells and 4 days in the case of human cells. The established methods for ex vivo culture of primary erythroid progenitors, such as methylcellulose-based burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) and colony-forming unit-erythroid (CFU-E) assays, allow the detection of committed erythroid progenitors but are of limited value to study terminal erythroid differentiation. We show that the application of hanging drop cultures is a practical alternative that, in combination with clonogenic assays, enables a comprehensive assessment of the behavior of primary erythroid cells ex vivo in the context of genetic and drug-induced perturbations.

Analysis of Drop Oscillations Excited by an Electrical Point Force in AC EWOD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, Jung Min; Ko, Sung Hee; Kang, Kwan Hyoung

2008-03-01

Recently, a few researchers have reported the oscillation of a sessile drop in AC EWOD (electrowetting on dielectrics), and some of its consequences. The drop oscillation problem in AC EWOD is associated with various applications based on electrowetting such as LOC (lab-on-a-chip), liquid lens, and electronic display. However, no theoretical analysis of the problem has been attempted yet. In the present paper, we propose a theoretical model to analyze the oscillation by applying the conventional method to analyze the drop oscillation. The domain perturbation method is used to derive the shape mode equations under the assumptions of weak viscous flow and small deformation. The Maxwell stress is exerted on the three-phase contact line of the droplet like a point force. The force is regarded as a delta function, and is decomposed into the driving forces of each shape mode. The theoretical results on the shape and the frequency responses are compared with experiments, which shows a qualitative agreement.

Effect of Eccentricity in Compound Droplets Subject to a Simple Shear Flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Sangkyu; Dabiri, Sadegh

2016-11-01

A double emulsion, or a compound droplet, is a system where two liquids are separated by an immiscible third liquid, thereby forming an emulsion inside an emulsion. Compound drops benefit from this separation in applications such food sciences, microfluidics, pharmaceutical engineering, and polymer sciences. While the subjects of double emulsion preparations, deformations, and breakup mechanisms are well-explored, the time-evolution of non-concentric compound drops has received far less analytical or computational scrutiny. In this work, we present computational results using finite volume method with front-tracking approach for initially spherical and non-concentric compound drops in a shear flow. Our findings for low Reynolds number flows show that: 1. The surrounding shear flow to the outer drop induces a rotational velocity field inside it, causing the inner drop to tumble with the flow, 2. the tumbling motion persists in time, and acts to increase the eccentricity of the compound drop, and 3. the hemisection-plane to the outer drop that is aligned with the plane of the simple shear defines an unstable equilibrium for inner drop's center, and the inner drop continuously drifts away from that plane. This work suggests a means of favorably configuring compound drops suitable for breakups, and helps to understand their migration in channel flows.

Laser precipitation monitor for measurement of drop size and velocity of moving spray-plate sprinklers

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Sprinkler drop size distribution and associated drop velocities have a major influence on sprinkler performance in regards to application intensity, uniformity of water application, wind drift, evaporation losses and kinetic energy transferred to the soil surface. Sprinkler drop size measurements a...

Nanoparticle monolayers under stress: mechanically forced desorption from a fluid-fluid interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garbin, Valeria; Crocker, John C.; Stebe, Kathleen J.

2011-11-01

Nanoparticle-laden interfaces are studied for applications to materials with tunable electronic and optical properties, as emulsion stabilizers, and in catalysis. The mechanical response of nanoparticle monolayers under applied stress is of emerging interest since it impacts the success of these applications. Here we focus on the response of nanoparticle-laden interfaces to compression. A monolayer of nanoparticles is allowed to spontaneously form by adsorption from an aqueous suspension onto a pendant drop of oil. The effective surface pressure Π of the composite interface is monitored by pendant drop tensiometry. As the drop is compressed, the nanoparticles are mechanically forced out of the interface into the aqueous phase. A new optical method is developed to measure the nanoparticle area density in situ. We show that desorption occurs at a coverage that corresponds to close packing of the ligand-capped particles, suggesting that ligand-induced repulsion plays a crucial role in the desorption process.

New applications for helicopter based high impact weight drops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jolly, A. D.; Neuberg, J.; Jousset, P. G.; Chardot, L.; Fournier, N.; Scott, B.; Sherburn, S.

2012-12-01

A high impact weight drop method has been successfully completed at White Island volcano, New Zealand, yielding new estimates for the shallow seismic velocity and attenuation. Such estimates are useful for many practical applications including refinement of earthquake locations and understanding variations of sub-surface structural relationships. Beyond these important sub-surface parameters, the method has the potential for understanding the dynamics of surface and near surface source processes including hazardous eruptive impulses through volcanic lakes, pyroclastic flows, lahars and rockfalls. We conducted the initial mass drop experiment at White Island volcano on 23 September 2011, during the final stage of a 6 month deployment of 14 broadband seismometers. Three drops were carried out, two at either end of a 6 station linear array within the crater floor, and the third within the volcano's shallow active acid crater lake. Bags were dropped from ~400 m height and contained ~700 kg of fine beach sand held within tarpaulin sacks having a volume capacity of ~2.0 m3. The impact velocity was estimated at ~70 m/s yielding a kinetic energy of about 106 to 107 Nm. The source position was established by GPS on the resulting impact crater and was accurate to within ~10 m. The lake drop position was estimated from video footage relative to known ground features and was accurate to ~30 m. Impact timing was achieved by drop placement close to, but not on, the nearby seismometer recording systems. For the crater floor drops the timing was constrained to within ~0.05 s based on distance from the closest stations. The kinetic energy allowed strong first-P arrivals to penetrate beyond ~1 km of the impact position. We obtained a rough velocity estimate of about 1.0-1.5 km/s for the unconsolidated crater floor and a velocity of ~1.5-2.0 km/s for P-waves traversing mostly through the consolidated rocks comprising the crater walls. Attenuation was found to be generally very strong (Q< 10) for both consolidated and unconsolidated parts of the volcano. We will first show how the basic experiment is set up and implemented. We then show some basic synthetic examples using a 3D finite difference method which are compared to the active source seismograms. Next, we outline a possible approach to use, real data and synthetics to learn about surface and near surface seismic source processes. Finally, we compare the lake drops to two small eruptions occurring through the White Island crater lake on 27 July and 5 August, 2012.

Dynamics of simultaneously impinging drops on a dry surface: Role of inhomogeneous wettability and impact shape.

PubMed

Ashoke Raman, K

2018-04-15

The quality of the printed lines in applications such as ink-jet printing and additive manufacturing is affected by the interactions between the impinging drops. Impact shape and the inhomogeneity in surface wettability govern the spreading and recoiling dynamics of the interacting drops. Hence, understanding the role of these factors on the interaction dynamics is essential to optimize these applications. Phase-field based lattice Boltzmann method solver has been employed to investigate the interaction dynamics of two simultaneously impinging drops onto a dry surface. A geometry-based contact angle scheme is used to model the moving contact line. Numerical simulations reveal that the previously identified interaction modes (Raman et al., 2017) are sensitive to the contact angle hysteresis, resulting in different impact outcomes. Two different interaction mechanisms have been discerned when drops impinge on a surface with a wettability gradient. It is shown that the deviation from the spherical geometry of the impact shape leads to different spreading behaviors and droplet morphology around the connecting region. With the increase in the cross-sectional aspect ratio, the interaction dynamics of oblate-oblate combination is similar to its spherical counterpart, albeit at a faster recoiling rate. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Application of hanging drop technique for stem cell differentiation and cytotoxicity studies.

PubMed

Banerjee, Meenal; Bhonde, Ramesh R

2006-05-01

The aim of our study is to explore the possibility of using an ancient method of culture technique- the hanging drop technique for stem cell differentiation and cytotoxicity testing. We demonstrate here a variety of novel applications of this age old technique not only to harness the differentiation potential of stem cells into specific lineages but also for cytotoxicity studies. Here we have prepared hanging drop cultures by placing 20 microl micro-drops of nutrient media and 10% Fetal Calf Serum (FCS) containing cells of interest on the lids of 60 mm dishes. Bottom plates of the dishes were filled with sterile Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS) to avoid desiccation of samples. Lids were then placed on the bottom plates to achieve hanging drop cultures. We utilized this technique for cultivation of ciliated epithelia to study cytotoxicity and differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells. Most importantly the modified culture technique presented here is simple, economical and cost effective in terms of the time taken and the reagents required and are amenable to goal specific modification such as cytotoxicity testing. It is advantageous over the existing system in terms of retention of viability and functionality for longer duration and for providing three dimensional growth micro-environment making it useful for organotypic cultures and in vivo simulation.

Viscosity Measurement using Drop Coalescence in Microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Antar, Basil N.; Ethridge, Edwin; Maxwell, Daniel

1999-01-01

We present in here details of a new method, using drop coalescence, for application in microgravity environment for determining the viscosity of highly viscous undercooled liquids. The method has the advantage of eliminating heterogeneous nucleation at container walls caused by crystallization of undercooled liquids during processing. Also, due to the rapidity of the measurement, homogeneous nucleation would be avoided. The technique relies on both a highly accurate solution to the Navier-Stokes equations as well as on data gathered from experiments conducted in near zero gravity environment. The liquid viscosity is determined by allowing the computed free surface shape relaxation time to be adjusted in response to the measured free surface velocity of two coalescing drops. Results are presented from two validation experiments of the method which were conducted recently on board the NASA KC-135 aircraft. In these tests the viscosity of a highly viscous liquid, such as glycerine at different temperatures, was determined to reasonable accuracy using the liquid coalescence method. The experiments measured the free surface velocity of two glycerine drops coalescing under the action of surface tension alone in low gravity environment using high speed photography. The free surface velocity was then compared with the computed values obtained from different viscosity values. The results of these experiments were found to agree reasonably well with the calculated values.

Protein spheres prepared by drop jet freeze drying.

PubMed

Eggerstedt, Sören N; Dietzel, Mathias; Sommerfeld, Martin; Süverkrüp, Richard; Lamprecht, Alf

2012-11-15

In spray freeze drying (SFD) solutions are frozen by spraying into a very cold environment and subsequently dried by sublimation. In contrast to conventional freeze drying, spray freeze drying has the possibility to produce flowable lyophilizates which offers a variety of new pharmaceutical applications. Here, a drop jet nozzle is proposed as liquid dispenser that is able to produce droplets with a very narrow size distribution compared to standard methods. The drop jet nozzle is mounted in a spray tower designed to prevent direct contact of the product with the freezing medium. Various formulations have been tested containing lysozyme as model protein and stabilizers such as bovine serum albumin, polyvinylpyrrolidone or dextran in various concentrations and mannitol. Excellent free flowing and nearly monodispersed, porous particles are produced where particle properties can be controlled by formulation and process conditions. The particle diameter varied between 231 ± 3 μm and 310 ± 10 μm depending on the formulation composition. The lysozyme activity was >94 ± 5% for all formulations exhibiting a full preservation of enzyme activity. This new method is very promising for the production of nearly monodisperse particulate lyophilizates in various therapeutic applications. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Estimation of dynamic stability parameters from drop model flight tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chambers, J. R.; Iliff, K. W.

1981-01-01

A recent NASA application of a remotely-piloted drop model to studies of the high angle-of-attack and spinning characteristics of a fighter configuration has provided an opportunity to evaluate and develop parameter estimation methods for the complex aerodynamic environment associated with high angles of attack. The paper discusses the overall drop model operation including descriptions of the model, instrumentation, launch and recovery operations, piloting concept, and parameter identification methods used. Static and dynamic stability derivatives were obtained for an angle-of-attack range from -20 deg to 53 deg. The results of the study indicated that the variations of the estimates with angle of attack were consistent for most of the static derivatives, and the effects of configuration modifications to the model (such as nose strakes) were apparent in the static derivative estimates. The dynamic derivatives exhibited greater uncertainty levels than the static derivatives, possibly due to nonlinear aerodynamics, model response characteristics, or additional derivatives.

Predicting who will drop out of nursing courses: a machine learning exercise.

PubMed

Moseley, Laurence G; Mead, Donna M

2008-05-01

The concepts of causation and prediction are different, and have different implications for practice. This distinction is applied here to studies of the problem of student attrition (although it is more widely applicable). Studies of attrition from nursing courses have tended to concentrate on causation, trying, largely unsuccessfully, to elicit what causes drop out. However, the problem may more fruitfully be cast in terms of predicting who is likely to drop out. One powerful method for attempting to make predictions is rule induction. This paper reports the use of the Answer Tree package from SPSS for that purpose. The main data set consisted of 3978 records on 528 nursing students, split into a training set and a test set. The source was standard university student records. The method obtained 84% sensitivity, 70% specificity, and 94% accuracy on previously unseen cases. The method requires large amounts of high quality data. When such data are available, rule induction offers a way to reduce attrition. It would be desirable to compare its results with those of predictions made by tutors using more informal conventional methods.

1×3 optical drop splitter in a rod-type silicon photonic crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhuang, Dongxia; Chen, Xiyao; Li, Junjun; Lin, Guimin; Qiang, Zexuan; Qiu, Yishen; Li, Hui

2011-12-01

We report an 1×3 optical drop splitter (ODS) based on a self-collimation ring resonator (SCRR) in a rod-type silicon photonic crystal. The proposed 1×3 ODS consists of four beam splitters which are formed by changing the radius of one row of silicon rods. When the self-collimated light with resonance frequency is launched into the ODS, the light beam can be split into three parts come out from three drop ports while no light coming out from the through port. The splitting ratio of the three drop beams can be controlled by tuning the radii of the beam splitters. The FDTD method is employed to calculate the transmission of the 1×3 ODS. For the drop wavelength of 1550 nm, the free spectral range is 28.7 nm, which almost covers the whole optical communication C-band window. This 1×3 ODS may have applications in photonic integrated circuits.

384 hanging drop arrays give excellent Z-factors and allow versatile formation of co-culture spheroids.

PubMed

Hsiao, Amy Y; Tung, Yi-Chung; Qu, Xianggui; Patel, Lalit R; Pienta, Kenneth J; Takayama, Shuichi

2012-05-01

We previously reported the development of a simple, user-friendly, and versatile 384 hanging drop array plate for 3D spheroid culture and the importance of utilizing 3D cellular models in anti-cancer drug sensitivity testing. The 384 hanging drop array plate allows for high-throughput capabilities and offers significant improvements over existing 3D spheroid culture methods. To allow for practical 3D cell-based high-throughput screening and enable broader use of the plate, we characterize the robustness of the 384 hanging drop array plate in terms of assay performance and demonstrate the versatility of the plate. We find that the 384 hanging drop array plate performance is robust in fluorescence- and colorimetric-based assays through Z-factor calculations. Finally, we demonstrate different plate capabilities and applications, including: spheroid transfer and retrieval for Janus spheroid formation, sequential addition of cells for concentric layer patterning of different cell types, and culture of a wide variety of cell types. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

384 Hanging Drop Arrays Give Excellent Z-factors and Allow Versatile Formation of Co-culture Spheroids

PubMed Central

Hsiao, Amy Y.; Tung, Yi-Chung; Qu, Xianggui; Patel, Lalit R.; Pienta, Kenneth J.; Takayama, Shuichi

2012-01-01

We previously reported the development of a simple, user-friendly, and versatile 384 hanging drop array plate for 3D spheroid culture and the importance of utilizing 3D cellular models in anti-cancer drug sensitivity testing. The 384 hanging drop array plate allows for high-throughput capabilities and offers significant improvements over existing 3D spheroid culture methods. To allow for practical 3D cell-based high-throughput screening and enable broader use of the plate, we characterize the robustness of the 384 hanging drop array plate in terms of assay performance and demonstrate the versatility of the plate. We find that the 384 hanging drop array plate performance is robust in fluorescence- and colorimetric-based assays through z-factor calculations. Finally, we demonstrate different plate capabilities and applications, including: spheroid transfer and retrieval for Janus spheroid formation, sequential addition of cells for concentric layer patterning of different cell types, and culture of a wide variety of cell types. PMID:22161651

A weighted multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method for multiphase flows and its application to partial coalescence cascades

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fakhari, Abbas; Bolster, Diogo; Luo, Li-Shi

2017-07-01

We present a lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) with a weighted multiple-relaxation-time (WMRT) collision model and an adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) algorithm for direct numerical simulation of two-phase flows in three dimensions. The proposed WMRT model enhances the numerical stability of the LBM for immiscible fluids at high density ratios, particularly on the D3Q27 lattice. The effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed WMRT-LBM-AMR is validated through simulations of (a) buoyancy-driven motion and deformation of a gas bubble rising in a viscous liquid; (b) the bag-breakup mechanism of a falling drop; (c) crown splashing of a droplet on a wet surface; and (d) the partial coalescence mechanism of a liquid drop at a liquid-liquid interface. The numerical simulations agree well with available experimental data and theoretical approximations where applicable.

SU-8 Lenses: Simple Methods of Fabrication and Application in Optical Interconnection Between Fiber/LED and Microstructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, Minh-Hang; Nguyen, Hai-Binh; Nguyen, Tuan-Hung; Vu, Xuan-Manh; Lai, Jain-Ren; Tseng, Fan-Gang; Chen, Te-Chang; Lee, Ming-Chang

2016-05-01

This paper presents two facile methods to fabricate off-plane lenses made of SU-8, an epoxy-based negative photoresist from MicroChem, on glass for optical interconnection. The methods allow the fabrication of lenses with flexible spot size and focal length depending on SU-8 well size and SU-8 drop volume and viscosity. In the first method, SU-8 drops were applied directly into patterned SU-8 wells with Teflon-coated micropipettes, and were baked to become (a)-spherical lenses. The lens shape and size were mainly determined by SU-8 viscosity, ratio of drop volume to well volume, and baking temperature and time. In the second method, a glass substrate with SU-8 patterned wells was emerged in diluted SU-8, then drawn up and baked to form lenses. The lens shapes and sizes were mainly determined by SU-8 viscosity and well volume. By the two methods, SU-8 lenses were successfully fabricated with spot sizes varying in range from micrometers to hundred micrometers, and focal lengths varying in range of several millimeters, depending on the lens rim diameters and aspheric sag height. Besides, on-plane SU-8 lenses were fabricated by photolithography to work in conjunction with the off-plane SU-8 lenses. The cascaded lenses produced light spots reduced to several micrometers, and they can be applied as a coupler for light coupling from fiber/Light-emitting diode (LED) to microstructures and nanostructures. The results open up the path for fabricating novel optical microsystems for optical communication and optical sensing applications.

Antiviral Activity of Intranasally Applied Human Leukocyte Interferon

PubMed Central

Greenberg, Stephen B.; Harmon, Maurice W.; Johnson, Paul E.; Couch, Robert B.

1978-01-01

Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that the development of antiviral activity of human leukocyte interferon (IF) in nasal epithelial cells is time and concentration dependent and that the loss of intranasally applied human leukocyte IF is rapid. The present studies compared the activity of IF applied intranasally either by nasal drops or by a saturated cotton pledget. Adult volunteers had IF applied to an area of nasal mucosa (2 by 2 cm2) either by repeated nose drops or by a saturated cotton pledget that was applied to the nasal mucosa and left in place for 1 h. Nasal epithelial cells scraped from the area of application, as well as the control, untreated side of the same volunteers, were challenged with vesicular stomatitis virus. No significant reduction in mean virus yield was found in volunteers who received 80,000 U by nose drops. Significant reduction (P < 0.025) in mean virus yield was found in cells obtained 4 h after 80,000, 50,000, or 20,000 U was applied by cotton pledget or in volunteers pretreated with oral antihistamines prior to receiving 80,000 U by nose drops. These experiments indicate that nasal epithelial cells can be made antiviral in vivo by application of human leukocyte IF. However, practical usefulness of human leukocyte IF for prophylaxis against respiratory viral infections may depend on the method of local application. PMID:214028

Measurement correction method for force sensor used in dynamic pressure calibration based on artificial neural network optimized by genetic algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Tingwei; Kong, Deren; Shang, Fei; Chen, Jing

2017-12-01

We present an optimization algorithm to obtain low-uncertainty dynamic pressure measurements from a force-transducer-based device. In this paper, the advantages and disadvantages of the methods that are commonly used to measure the propellant powder gas pressure, the applicable scope of dynamic pressure calibration devices, and the shortcomings of the traditional comparison calibration method based on the drop-weight device are firstly analysed in detail. Then, a dynamic calibration method for measuring pressure using a force sensor based on a drop-weight device is introduced. This method can effectively save time when many pressure sensors are calibrated simultaneously and extend the life of expensive reference sensors. However, the force sensor is installed between the drop-weight and the hammerhead by transition pieces through the connection mode of bolt fastening, which causes adverse effects such as additional pretightening and inertia forces. To solve these effects, the influence mechanisms of the pretightening force, the inertia force and other influence factors on the force measurement are theoretically analysed. Then a measurement correction method for the force measurement is proposed based on an artificial neural network optimized by a genetic algorithm. The training and testing data sets are obtained from calibration tests, and the selection criteria for the key parameters of the correction model is discussed. The evaluation results for the test data show that the correction model can effectively improve the force measurement accuracy of the force sensor. Compared with the traditional high-accuracy comparison calibration method, the percentage difference of the impact-force-based measurement is less than 0.6% and the relative uncertainty of the corrected force value is 1.95%, which can meet the requirements of engineering applications.

Microprocessor controlled compliance monitor for eye drop medication

PubMed Central

Hermann, M M; Diestelhorst, M

2006-01-01

Background/aims The effectiveness of a self administered eye drop medication can only be assessed if the compliance is known. The authors studied the specificity and sensitivity of a new microprocessor controlled monitoring device. Methods The monitoring system was conducted by an 8 bit microcontroller for data acquisition and storage with sensors measuring applied pressure to the bottle, temperature, and vertical position. 10 devices were mounted under commercial 10 ml eye drops. Test subjects had to note down each application manually. A total of 15 applications each within 3 days was intended. Results Manual reports confirmed 15 applications for each of the 10 bottles. The monitoring devices detected a total of 149 events; one was missed; comprising a sensitivity of 99%. Two devices registered three applications, which did not appear in the manual protocols, indicating a specificity of about 98%. Refrigerated bottles were correctly identified. The battery lifetime exceeded 60 days. Conclusion The new monitoring device demonstrated a high reliability of the collected compliance data. The important, yet often unknown, influence of compliance in patient care and clinical trials shall be illuminated by the new device. This may lead to a better adapted patient care. Studies will profit from a higher credibility and results will be less influenced by non‐compliance. PMID:16540488

Influence of Computational Drop Representation in LES of a Droplet-Laden Mixing Layer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bellan, Josette; Radhakrishnan, Senthilkumaran

2013-01-01

Multiphase turbulent flows are encountered in many practical applications including turbine engines or natural phenomena involving particle dispersion. Numerical computations of multiphase turbulent flows are important because they provide a cheaper alternative to performing experiments during an engine design process or because they can provide predictions of pollutant dispersion, etc. Two-phase flows contain millions and sometimes billions of particles. For flows with volumetrically dilute particle loading, the most accurate method of numerically simulating the flow is based on direct numerical simulation (DNS) of the governing equations in which all scales of the flow including the small scales that are responsible for the overwhelming amount of dissipation are resolved. DNS, however, requires high computational cost and cannot be used in engineering design applications where iterations among several design conditions are necessary. Because of high computational cost, numerical simulations of such flows cannot track all these drops. The objective of this work is to quantify the influence of the number of computational drops and grid spacing on the accuracy of predicted flow statistics, and to possibly identify the minimum number, or, if not possible, the optimal number of computational drops that provide minimal error in flow prediction. For this purpose, several Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of a mixing layer with evaporating drops have been performed by using coarse, medium, and fine grid spacings and computational drops, rather than physical drops. To define computational drops, an integer NR is introduced that represents the ratio of the number of existing physical drops to the desired number of computational drops; for example, if NR=8, this means that a computational drop represents 8 physical drops in the flow field. The desired number of computational drops is determined by the available computational resources; the larger NR is, the less computationally intensive is the simulation. A set of first order and second order flow statistics, and of drop statistics are extracted from LES predictions and are compared to results obtained by filtering a DNS database. First order statistics such as Favre averaged stream-wise velocity, Favre averaged vapor mass fraction, and the drop stream-wise velocity, are predicted accurately independent of the number of computational drops and grid spacing. Second order flow statistics depend both on the number of computational drops and on grid spacing. The scalar variance and turbulent vapor flux are predicted accurately by the fine mesh LES only when NR is less than 32, and by the coarse mesh LES reasonably accurately for all NR values. This is attributed to the fact that when the grid spacing is coarsened, the number of drops in a computational cell must not be significantly lower than that in the DNS.

How glaucoma patient characteristics, self-efficacy and patient-provider communication are associated with eye drop technique.

PubMed

Sayner, Robyn; Carpenter, Delesha M; Robin, Alan L; Blalock, Susan J; Muir, Kelly W; Vitko, Michelle; Hartnett, Mary Elizabeth; Lawrence, Scott D; Giangiacomo, Annette L; Tudor, Gail; Goldsmith, Jason A; Sleath, Betsy

2016-04-01

The objective of this study was to examine the extent to which patient characteristics, eye drop technique self-efficacy, and ophthalmologist-patient communication about eye drop administration are associated with glaucoma patients' ability to instil a single drop, have the drop land in the eye, and avoid touching the applicator tip of the medication bottle to the eye or face while self-administering eye drops. Glaucoma patients (n = 279) were recruited from six ophthalmology clinics. Medical visits were videotape-recorded. Afterwards, patients were interviewed and demonstrated administering an eye drop on a videotaped-recording. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyse the data. Ophthalmologists provided eye drop administration instruction to 40 patients. Patients with more years of education were significantly more likely to both instil a single drop (P = 0.017) and have the drop land in their eye (P = 0.017). Women were significantly more likely to touch the applicator tip to their eyes or face (P = 0.014). Patients with severe glaucoma (P = 0.016), women (P = 0.026), and patients who asked at least one eye drop administration question (P = 0.001) were significantly less likely to instil a single drop. Patients with arthritis were significantly less likely to have the drop land in their eye (P = 0.008). African American patients were significantly less likely to touch the applicator tip to their eyes or face (P = 0.008). Some glaucoma patients have a difficult time self-administering eye drops. As so few patients received eye drop administration instruction from their providers, there is an opportunity for pharmacists to complement care. © 2015 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Enhanced intelligent water drops algorithm for multi-depot vehicle routing problem

PubMed Central

Akutsah, Francis; Olusanya, Micheal O.; Adewumi, Aderemi O.

2018-01-01

The intelligent water drop algorithm is a swarm-based metaheuristic algorithm, inspired by the characteristics of water drops in the river and the environmental changes resulting from the action of the flowing river. Since its appearance as an alternative stochastic optimization method, the algorithm has found applications in solving a wide range of combinatorial and functional optimization problems. This paper presents an improved intelligent water drop algorithm for solving multi-depot vehicle routing problems. A simulated annealing algorithm was introduced into the proposed algorithm as a local search metaheuristic to prevent the intelligent water drop algorithm from getting trapped into local minima and also improve its solution quality. In addition, some of the potential problematic issues associated with using simulated annealing that include high computational runtime and exponential calculation of the probability of acceptance criteria, are investigated. The exponential calculation of the probability of acceptance criteria for the simulated annealing based techniques is computationally expensive. Therefore, in order to maximize the performance of the intelligent water drop algorithm using simulated annealing, a better way of calculating the probability of acceptance criteria is considered. The performance of the proposed hybrid algorithm is evaluated by using 33 standard test problems, with the results obtained compared with the solutions offered by four well-known techniques from the subject literature. Experimental results and statistical tests show that the new method possesses outstanding performance in terms of solution quality and runtime consumed. In addition, the proposed algorithm is suitable for solving large-scale problems. PMID:29554662

Enhanced intelligent water drops algorithm for multi-depot vehicle routing problem.

PubMed

Ezugwu, Absalom E; Akutsah, Francis; Olusanya, Micheal O; Adewumi, Aderemi O

2018-01-01

The intelligent water drop algorithm is a swarm-based metaheuristic algorithm, inspired by the characteristics of water drops in the river and the environmental changes resulting from the action of the flowing river. Since its appearance as an alternative stochastic optimization method, the algorithm has found applications in solving a wide range of combinatorial and functional optimization problems. This paper presents an improved intelligent water drop algorithm for solving multi-depot vehicle routing problems. A simulated annealing algorithm was introduced into the proposed algorithm as a local search metaheuristic to prevent the intelligent water drop algorithm from getting trapped into local minima and also improve its solution quality. In addition, some of the potential problematic issues associated with using simulated annealing that include high computational runtime and exponential calculation of the probability of acceptance criteria, are investigated. The exponential calculation of the probability of acceptance criteria for the simulated annealing based techniques is computationally expensive. Therefore, in order to maximize the performance of the intelligent water drop algorithm using simulated annealing, a better way of calculating the probability of acceptance criteria is considered. The performance of the proposed hybrid algorithm is evaluated by using 33 standard test problems, with the results obtained compared with the solutions offered by four well-known techniques from the subject literature. Experimental results and statistical tests show that the new method possesses outstanding performance in terms of solution quality and runtime consumed. In addition, the proposed algorithm is suitable for solving large-scale problems.

Deformation and breakup of liquid-liquid threads, jets, and drops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doshi, Pankaj

The formation and breakup of two-fluid jets and drops find application in various industrially important processes like microencapsulation, inkjet printing, dispersion and emulsion formation, micro fluidics. Two important aspects of these problems are studied in this thesis. The first regards the study of the dynamics of a two-fluid jet issuing out of a concentric nozzle and breaking into multiple liquid drops. The second aspect concerns the study of the dynamics of liquid-liquid interface rupture. Highly robust and accurate numerical algorithms based on the Galerkin finite element method (G/FEM) and elliptic mesh generation technique are developed. The most important results of this research are the prediction of compound drop formation and volume partitioning between primary drop and satellite drops, which are of critical importance for microencapsulation technology. Another equally important result is computational and experimental demonstration of a self-similar behavior for the rupture of liquid-liquid interface. The final focus is the study of the pinch-off dynamics of generalized-Newtonian fluids with deformation-rate-dependent rheology using asymptotic analysis and numerical computation. A significant result is the first ever prediction of self-similar pinch-off of liquid threads of generalized Newtonian fluids.

Comparison of drop size data from ground and aerial application nozzles at three testing laboratories

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Spray drop size is a critical factor in the performance of any agrochemical solution and is a function of spray solution, nozzle selection, and nozzle operation. Applicators generally base their selection of a particular nozzle based on the drop size reported by manufacturers and researchers. Like m...

A New Approach to Measure Contact Angle and Evaporation Rate with Flow Visualization in a Sessile Drop

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhang, Nengli; Chao, David F.

1999-01-01

The contact angle and the spreading process of sessile droplet are very crucial in many technological processes, such as painting and coating, material processing, film-cooling applications, lubrication, and boiling. Additionally, as it is well known that the surface free energy of polymers cannot be directly, measured for their elastic and viscous restraints. The measurements of liquid contact angle on the polymer surfaces become extremely important to evaluate the surface free energy of polymers through indirect methods linked with the contact angle data. Due to the occurrence of liquid evaporation is inevitable, the effects of evaporation on the contact angle and the spreading become very important for more complete understanding of these processes. It is of interest to note that evaporation can induce Marangoni-Benard convection in sessile drops. However, the impacts of the inside convection on the wetting and spreading processes are not clear. The experimental methods used by previous investigators cannot simultaneously measure the spreading process and visualize the convection inside. Based on the laser shadowgraphic system used by the present author, a very simple optical procedure has been developed to measure the contact angle, the spreading speed, the evaporation rate, and to visualize inside convection of a sessile drop simultaneously. Two CCD cameras were used to synchronously record the real-time diameter of the sessile drop, which is essential for determination of both spreading speed and evaporation rate, and the shadowgraphic image magnified by the sessile drop acting as a thin plano-convex lens. From the shadowgraph, the inside convection of the drop can be observed if any and the image outer diameter, which linked to the drop profile, can be measured. Simple equations have been derived to calculate the drop profile, including the instantaneous contact angle, height, and volume of the sessile drop, as well as the evaporation rate. The influence of the inside convection on the wetting and spreading processes can be figured out through comparison of the drop profiles with and without inside convection when the sessile drop is placed at different evaporation conditions.

Singularities in Free Surface Flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thete, Sumeet Suresh

Free surface flows where the shape of the interface separating two or more phases or liquids are unknown apriori, are commonplace in industrial applications and nature. Distribution of drop sizes, coalescence rate of drops, and the behavior of thin liquid films are crucial to understanding and enhancing industrial practices such as ink-jet printing, spraying, separations of chemicals, and coating flows. When a contiguous mass of liquid such as a drop, filament or a film undergoes breakup to give rise to multiple masses, the topological transition is accompanied with a finite-time singularity . Such singularity also arises when two or more masses of liquid merge into each other or coalesce. Thus the dynamics close to singularity determines the fate of about-to-form drops or films and applications they are involved in, and therefore needs to be analyzed precisely. The primary goal of this thesis is to resolve and analyze the dynamics close to singularity when free surface flows experience a topological transition, using a combination of theory, experiments, and numerical simulations. The first problem under consideration focuses on the dynamics following flow shut-off in bottle filling applications that are relevant to pharmaceutical and consumer products industry, using numerical techniques based on Galerkin Finite Element Methods (GFEM). The second problem addresses the dual flow behavior of aqueous foams that are observed in oil and gas fields and estimates the relevant parameters that describe such flows through a series of experiments. The third problem aims at understanding the drop formation of Newtonian and Carreau fluids, computationally using GFEM. The drops are formed as a result of imposed flow rates or expanding bubbles similar to those of piezo actuated and thermal ink-jet nozzles. The focus of fourth problem is on the evolution of thinning threads of Newtonian fluids and suspensions towards singularity, using computations based on GFEM and experimental techniques. The aim of fifth problem is to analyze the coalescence dynamics of drops through a combination of GFEM and scaling theory. Lastly, the sixth problem concerns the thinning and rupture dynamics of thin films of Newtonian and power-law fluids using scaling theory based on asymptotic analysis and the predictions of this theory are corroborated using computations based on GFEM.

The Role of Drag Force in Shedding of Multiple Sessile Drops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Razzaghi, Aysan; Banitabaei, Sayyed Hossein; Amirfazli, Alidad; -Team

2017-11-01

A sessile drop placed on a solid surface can shed, if the drag force due to a shearing airflow overcomes the drop adhesion to the surface. Sessile drop shedding is of importance due to its applications in condensation, fuel cells, icing, etc. Majority of the studies so far have considered the shedding of a single sessile droplet; however, in the applications above, multiple sessile droplets appear on a surface. Shedding of sessile drops in different arrangements, i.e. tandem, side by side, triangle, and rectangle have been investigated both experimentally and through VOF simulations. The minimum air velocity (Ucr) at which the drop(s) at the upstream dislodge from the surface was measured. Drops were placed in a wind tunnel with increasing air velocity at a rate of 1m/s2. It has been found that Ucr, deviates from its value for a single drop due to presence of the neighboring drops. The amount of the deviation is closely related to the flow pattern and interaction of drop wakes which are elucidated numerically. The interacting wakes change the drag force on the drops. Generally, the adhesion force is not affected by presence of other drops. As such, when the drops' wakes are interacting strongly, Ucr can increase by 45%.

Simple, robust storage of drops and fluids in a microfluidic device.

PubMed

Boukellal, Hakim; Selimović, Seila; Jia, Yanwei; Cristobal, Galder; Fraden, Seth

2009-01-21

We describe a single microfluidic device and two methods for the passive storage of aqueous drops in a continuous stream of oil without any external control but hydrodynamic flow. Advantages of this device are that it is simple to manufacture, robust under operation, and drops never come into contact with each other, making it unnecessary to stabilize drops against coalescence. In one method the device can be used to store drops that are created upstream from the storage zone. In the second method the same device can be used to simultaneously create and store drops from a single large continuous fluid stream without resorting to the usual flow focusing or T-junction drop generation processes. Additionally, this device stores all the fluid introduced, including the first amount, with zero waste. Transport of drops in this device depends, however, on whether or not the aqueous drops wet the device walls. Analysis of drop transport in these two cases is presented. Finally, a method for extraction of the drops from the device is also presented, which works best when drops do not wet the walls of the chip.

Estimations of temperature deviations in chromatographic columns using isenthalpic plots. I. Theory for isocratic systems.

PubMed

Tarafder, Abhijit; Iraneta, Pamela; Guiochon, Georges; Kaczmarski, Krzysztof; Poe, Donald P

2014-10-31

We propose to use constant enthalpy or isenthalpic diagrams as a tool to estimate the extent of the temperature variations caused by the mobile phase pressure drop along a chromatographic column, e.g. of its cooling in supercritical fluid and its heating in ultra-performance liquid chromatography. Temperature strongly affects chromatographic phenomena. Any of its variations inside the column, whether intended or not, can lead to significant changes in separation performance. Although instruments use column ovens in order to keep constant the column temperature, operating conditions leading to a high pressure drop may cause significant variations of the column temperature, both in the axial and the radial directions, from the set value. Different ways of measuring these temperature variations are available but they are too inconvenient to be employed in many practical situations. In contrast, the thermodynamic plot-based method that we describe here can easily be used with only a ruler and a pencil. They should be helpful in developing methods or in analyzing results in analytical laboratories. Although the most effective application area for this approach should be SFC (supercritical fluid chromatography), it can be applied to any chromatographic conditions in which temperature variations take place along the column due to the pressure drop, e.g. in ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC). The method proposed here is applicable to isocractic conditions only. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Magnetic Flattening of Stem-Cell Spheroids Indicates a Size-Dependent Elastocapillary Transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazuel, Francois; Reffay, Myriam; Du, Vicard; Bacri, Jean-Claude; Rieu, Jean-Paul; Wilhelm, Claire

2015-03-01

Cellular aggregates (spheroids) are widely used in biophysics and tissue engineering as model systems for biological tissues. In this Letter we propose novel methods for molding stem-cell spheroids, deforming them, and measuring their interfacial and elastic properties with a single method based on cell tagging with magnetic nanoparticles and application of a magnetic field gradient. Magnetic molding yields spheroids of unprecedented sizes (up to a few mm in diameter) and preserves tissue integrity. On subjecting these spheroids to magnetic flattening (over 150 g ), we observed a size-dependent elastocapillary transition with two modes of deformation: liquid-drop-like behavior for small spheroids, and elastic-sphere-like behavior for larger spheroids, followed by relaxation to a liquidlike drop.

Application of Hanging Drop Technique for Kidney Tissue Culture.

PubMed

Wang, Shaohui; Wang, Ximing; Boone, Jasmine; Wie, Jin; Yip, Kay-Pong; Zhang, Jie; Wang, Lei; Liu, Ruisheng

2017-01-01

The hanging drop technique is a well-established method used in culture of animal tissues. However, this method has not been used in adult kidney tissue culture yet. This study was to explore the feasibility of using this technique for culturing adult kidney cortex to study the time course of RNA viability in the tubules and vasculature, as well as the tissue structural integrity. In each Petri dish with the plate covered with sterile buffer, a section of mouse renal cortex was cultured within a drop of DMEM culture medium on the inner surface of the lip facing downward. The tissue were then harvested at each specific time points for Real-time PCR analysis and histological studies. The results showed that the mRNA level of most Na+ related transporters and cotransporters were stably maintained within 6 hours in culture, and that the mRNA level of most receptors found in the vasculature and glomeruli were stably maintained for up to 9 days in culture. Paraffin sections of the cultured renal cortex indicated that the tubules began to lose tubular integrity after 6 hours, but the glomeruli and vasculatures were still recognizable up to 9 days in culture. We concluded that adult kidney tissue culture by hanging drop method can be used to study gene expressions in vasculature and glomeruli. © 2017 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.

Proceedings of the Second International Colloquium on Drops and Bubbles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lecroissette, D. H. (Editor)

1982-01-01

Applications of bubble and drop technologies are discussed and include: low gravity manufacturing, containerless melts, microballoon fabrication, ink printers, laser fusion targets, generation of organic glass and metal shells, and space processing. The fluid dynamics of bubbles and drops were examined. Thermomigration, capillary flow, and interfacial tension are discussed. Techniques for drop control are presented and include drop size control and drop shape control.

Application of a Novel DCPD Adjustment Method for the J-R Curve Characterization: A study based on ORNL and ASTM Interlaboratory Results

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Xiang; Sokolov, Mikhail A; Nanstad, Randy K

Material fracture toughness in the fully ductile region can be described by a J-integral vs. crack growth resistance curve (J-R curve). As a conventional J-R curve measurement method, the elastic unloading compliance (EUC) method becomes impractical for elevated temperature testing due to relaxation of the material and friction induced back-up shape of the J-R curve. One alternative solution of J-R curve testing applies the Direct Current Potential Drop (DCPD) technique for measuring crack extension. However, besides crack growth, potential drop can also be influenced by plastic deformation, crack tip blunting, etc., and uncertainties exist in the current DCPD methodology especiallymore » in differentiating potential drop due to stable crack growth and due to material deformation. Thus, using DCPD for J-R curve determination remains a challenging task. In this study, a new adjustment procedure for applying DCPD to derive the J-R curve has been developed for conventional fracture toughness specimens, including compact tension, three-point bend, and disk-shaped compact specimens. Data analysis has been performed on Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) interlaboratory results covering different specimen thicknesses, test temperatures, and materials, to evaluate the applicability of the new DCPD adjustment procedure for J-R curve characterization. After applying the newly-developed procedure, direct comparison between the DCPD method and the normalization method on the same specimens indicated close agreement for the overall J-R curves, as well as the provisional values of fracture toughness near the onset of ductile crack extension, Jq, and of tearing modulus.« less

A third-order silicon racetrack add-drop filter with a moderate feature size

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Ying; Zhou, Xin; Chen, Qian; Shao, Yue; Chen, Xiangning; Huang, Qingzhong; Jiang, Wei

2018-01-01

In this work, we design and fabricate a highly compact third-order racetrack add-drop filter consisting of silicon waveguides with modified widths on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. Compared to the previous approach that requires an exceedingly narrow coupling gap less than 100nm, we propose a new approach that enlarges the minimum feature size of the whole device to be 300 nm to reduce the process requirement. The three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (3D-FDTD) method is used for simulation. Experiment results show good agreement with simulation results in property. In the experiment, the filter shows a nearly box-like channel dropping response, which has a large flat 3-dB bandwidth ({3 nm), relatively large FSR ({13.3 nm) and out-of-band rejection larger than 14 dB at the drop port with a footprint of 0.0006 mm2 . The device is small and simple enough to have a wide range of applications in large scale on-chip photonic integration circuits.

Spray nozzle designs for agricultural aviation applications. [relation of drop size to spray characteristics and nozzle efficiency

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, K. W.; Putnam, A. A.; Gieseke, J. A.; Golovin, M. N.; Hale, J. A.

1979-01-01

Techniques of generating monodisperse sprays and information concerning chemical liquids used in agricultural aviation are surveyed. The periodic dispersion of liquid jet, the spinning disk method, and ultrasonic atomization are the techniques discussed. Conceptually designed spray nozzles for generating monodisperse sprays are assessed. These are based on the classification of the drops using centrifugal force, on using two opposing liquid laden air jets, and on operating a spinning disk at an overloaded flow. Performance requirements for the designs are described and estimates of the operational characteristics are presented.

Flow tests of a single fuel element coolant channel for a compact fast reactor for space power

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Springborn, R. H.

1971-01-01

Water flow tests were conducted on a single-fuel-element cooling channel for a nuclear concept to be used for space power. The tests established a method for measuring coolant flow rate which is applicable to water flow testing of a complete mockup of the reference reactor. The inlet plenum-to-outlet plenum pressure drop, which approximates the overall core pressure drop, was measured and correlated with flow rate. This information can be used for reactor coolant flow and heat transfer calculations. An analytical study of the flow characteristics was also conducted.

Electrostatic formation of liquid marbles and agglomerates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liyanaarachchi, K. R.; Ireland, P. M.; Webber, G. B.; Galvin, K. P.

2013-07-01

We report observations of a sudden, explosive release of electrostatically charged 100 μm glass beads from a particle bed. These cross an air gap of several millimeters, are engulfed by an approaching pendant water drop, and form a metastable spherical agglomerate on the bed surface. The stability transition of the particle bed is explained by promotion of internal friction by in-plane electrostatic stresses. The novel agglomerates formed this way resemble the "liquid marbles" formed by coating a drop with hydrophobic particles. Complex multi-layered agglomerates may also be produced by this method, with potential industrial, pharmaceutical, environmental, and biological applications.

Trapping of drops by wetting defects

PubMed Central

't Mannetje, Dieter; Ghosh, Somnath; Lagraauw, Rudy; Otten, Simon; Pit, Arjen; Berendsen, Christian; Zeegers, Jos; van den Ende, Dirk; Mugele, Frieder

2014-01-01

Controlling the motion of drops on solid surfaces is crucial in many natural phenomena and technological processes including the collection and removal of rain drops, cleaning technology and heat exchangers. Topographic and chemical heterogeneities on solid surfaces give rise to pinning forces that can capture and steer drops in desired directions. Here we determine general physical conditions required for capturing sliding drops on an inclined plane that is equipped with electrically tunable wetting defects. By mapping the drop dynamics on the one-dimensional motion of a point mass, we demonstrate that the trapping process is controlled by two dimensionless parameters, the trapping strength measured in units of the driving force and the ratio between a viscous and an inertial time scale. Complementary experiments involving superhydrophobic surfaces with wetting defects demonstrate the general applicability of the concept. Moreover, we show that electrically tunable defects can be used to guide sliding drops along actively switchable tracks—with potential applications in microfluidics. PMID:24721935

Outcome regimes of binary raindrop collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Testik, Firat Y.

2009-11-01

This study delineates the physical conditions that are responsible for the occurrence of main outcome regimes (i.e., bounce, coalescence, and breakup) for binary drop collisions with a precipitation microphysics perspective. Physical considerations based on the collision kinetic energy and the surface energies of the colliding drops lead to the development of a theoretical regime diagram for the drop/raindrop collision outcomes in the We- p plane ( We — Weber number, p — raindrop diameter ratio). This theoretical regime diagram is supported by laboratory experimental observations of drop collisions using high-speed imaging. Results of this fundamental study bring in new insights into the quantitative understanding of drop dynamics, applications of which extend beyond precipitation microphysics. In particular, results of this drop collision study are expected to give impetus to the physics-based dynamic modeling of the drop size distributions that is essential for various typical modern engineering applications, including numerical modeling of evolution of raindrop size distribution in rain shaft.

Automated Droplet Manipulation Using Closed-Loop Axisymmetric Drop Shape Analysis.

PubMed

Yu, Kyle; Yang, Jinlong; Zuo, Yi Y

2016-05-17

Droplet manipulation plays an important role in a wide range of scientific and industrial applications, such as synthesis of thin-film materials, control of interfacial reactions, and operation of digital microfluidics. Compared to micron-sized droplets, which are commonly considered as spherical beads, millimeter-sized droplets are generally deformable by gravity, thus introducing nonlinearity into control of droplet properties. Such a nonlinear drop shape effect is especially crucial for droplet manipulation, even for small droplets, at the presence of surfactants. In this paper, we have developed a novel closed-loop axisymmetric drop shape analysis (ADSA), integrated into a constrained drop surfactometer (CDS), for manipulating millimeter-sized droplets. The closed-loop ADSA generalizes applications of the traditional drop shape analysis from a surface tension measurement methodology to a sophisticated tool for manipulating droplets in real time. We have demonstrated the feasibility and advantages of the closed-loop ADSA in three applications, including control of drop volume by automatically compensating natural evaporation, precise control of surface area variations for high-fidelity biophysical simulations of natural pulmonary surfactant, and steady control of surface pressure for in situ Langmuir-Blodgett transfer from droplets. All these applications have demonstrated the accuracy, versatility, applicability, and automation of this new ADSA-based droplet manipulation technique. Combining with CDS, the closed-loop ADSA holds great promise for advancing droplet manipulation in a variety of material and surface science applications, such as thin-film fabrication, self-assembly, and biophysical study of pulmonary surfactant.

Delay in the Freezing of Supercooled Water Drops on Superhydrophobic Surfaces of Silicone Rubber at Negative Temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bezdomnikov, A. A.; Emel'yanenko, A. M.; Emel'yanenko, K. A.; Boinovich, L. B.

2018-01-01

A method is proposed for fabricating textured superhydrophobic surfaces of silicone rubber with mechanical resistance toward liquid or freezing aqueous solutions. The anti-icing characteristics of silicone rubber samples that differ in the wetting characteristics and mechanical stability of their micro- and nanotextures are derived by analyzing the delays in the freezing of supercooled sessile water drops deposited on the sample surface. The longest delay in freezings are observed for sessile water drops on superhydrophobic surfaces prepared by laser texturing with subsequent application of a layer of a hydrophobic agent to consolidate the textural elements. Delay in freezings can be as long as tens of hours on such surfaces at T = -18°C. The prepared superhydrophobic surfaces exhibit greater anti-icing ability with respect to aqueous salt solutions than to deionized water.

Collection Efficiencies of Various Airborne Spray Flux Samplers Used in Aerial Application Research

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

provided by ASTM Standard E1260: Standard Test Method for Determining Liquid Drop Size Characteristics in a Spray Using Optical Nonimaging Light...Size Characteristics in a Spray Using Optical Nonimaging Light-Scattering Instruments,” Annual Book of ASTM Stan- dards, ASTM International, West

Elite Private Colleges See a Drop in Applications.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gose, Ben

1997-01-01

Applicants to highly selective private colleges are down substantially nationwide. Flagship public universities are experiencing a drop in minority applicants, particularly in Texas and California, where use of race as a factor in admissions has been under attack. It is suggested that parents of minority students perceive the institutions are not…

Earthquake stress via event ratio levels: Application to the 2011 and 2016 Oklahoma seismic sequences

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Walter, William R.; Yoo, Seung -Hoon; Mayeda, Kevin

Here, we develop a new methodology for determining earthquake stress drop and apparent stress values via spectral ratio asymptotic levels. With sufficient bandwidth, the stress ratio for a pair of events can be directly related to these low- and high-frequency levels. This avoids the need to assume a particular spectral model and derive stress drop from cubed corner frequency measures. The method can be applied to spectral ratios for any pair of closely related earthquakes and is particularly well suited for coda envelope methods that provide good azimuthally averaged, point-source measures. We apply the new method to the 2011 Praguemore » and 2016 Pawnee earthquake sequences in Oklahoma. The sequences show stress scaling with size and depth, with the largest events having apparent stress levels near 1 MPa and smaller and/or shallower events having systematically lower stress values.« less

Earthquake stress via event ratio levels: Application to the 2011 and 2016 Oklahoma seismic sequences

DOE PAGES

Walter, William R.; Yoo, Seung -Hoon; Mayeda, Kevin; ...

2017-04-03

Here, we develop a new methodology for determining earthquake stress drop and apparent stress values via spectral ratio asymptotic levels. With sufficient bandwidth, the stress ratio for a pair of events can be directly related to these low- and high-frequency levels. This avoids the need to assume a particular spectral model and derive stress drop from cubed corner frequency measures. The method can be applied to spectral ratios for any pair of closely related earthquakes and is particularly well suited for coda envelope methods that provide good azimuthally averaged, point-source measures. We apply the new method to the 2011 Praguemore » and 2016 Pawnee earthquake sequences in Oklahoma. The sequences show stress scaling with size and depth, with the largest events having apparent stress levels near 1 MPa and smaller and/or shallower events having systematically lower stress values.« less

Method to produce large, uniform hollow spherical shells

DOEpatents

Hendricks, C.D.

1983-09-26

The invention is a method to produce large uniform hollow spherical shells by (1) forming uniform size drops of heat decomposable or vaporizable material, (2) evaporating the drops to form dried particles, (3) coating the dried particles with a layer of shell forming material and (4) heating the composite particles to melt the outer layer and to decompose or vaporize the inner particle to form an expanding inner gas bubble. The expanding gas bubble forms the molten outer layer into a shell of relatively large diameter. By cycling the temperature and pressure on the molten shell, nonuniformities in wall thickness can be reduced. The method of the invention is utilized to produce large uniform spherical shells, in the millimeter to centimeter diameter size range, from a variety of materials and of high quality, including sphericity, concentricity and surface smoothness, for use as laser fusion or other inertial confinement fusion targets as well as other applications.

Method and apparatus for decoupled thermo-catalytic pollution control

DOEpatents

Tabatabaie-Raissi, Ali; Muradov, Nazim Z.; Martin, Eric

2006-07-11

A new method for design and scale-up of thermocatalytic processes is disclosed. The method is based on optimizing process energetics by decoupling of the process energetics from the DRE for target contaminants. The technique is applicable to high temperature thermocatalytic reactor design and scale-up. The method is based on the implementation of polymeric and other low-pressure drop support for thermocatalytic media as well as the multifunctional catalytic media in conjunction with a novel rotating fluidized particle bed reactor.

Gold nanorods for in-drop colorimetric determination of thiomersal after photochemical decomposition.

PubMed

Martín-Alonso, Manuel; Pena-Pereira, Francisco; Lavilla, Isela; Bendicho, Carlos

2018-03-13

This work reports on the implementation of gold nanorods (AuNRs) in headspace solvent microextraction for colorimetric determination of volatile analyte derivatives in a single drop. The exposure of AuNRs to both H 2 Se and elemental mercury (Hg 0 ) results in a shift of the longitudinal plasmonic band, unlike a number of volatiles. Accordingly, a method is reported for the determination of Hg 0 with potential applicability to the determination of thiomersal (sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate). It is based on the photochemical decomposition of thiomersal into Hg(II) and subsequent exposure of AuNRs-containing microdrop to in situ generated Hg 0 . Colorimetric analysis of the enriched drop was carried out without dilution by means of a cuvetteless microvolume UV-vis spectrometer. Under optimal conditions, the limit of detection was 0.5 ng mL -1 (as Hg). The repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation, was 8.4% (for n = 10). AuNRs exposed to increasing concentrations of the analyte were characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy and UV-vis spectrophotometry to ascertain the mechanism of detection. The method was finally applied to the determination of thiomersal in various pharmaceutical samples and showed quantitative recoveries. Graphical abstract Schematic illustration of a miniaturized colorimetric method based on the use of a microdrop of gold nanorods (AuNRs) for thiomersal determination in pharmaceuticals. It is based on the photochemical decomposition of thiomersal and subsequent Hg 0 generation with in-drop amalgamation.

Ergonomic Factors Related to Drop-Off Detection With the Long Cane: Effects of Cane Tips and Techniques

PubMed Central

Kim, Dae Shik; Wall Emerson, Robert S.; Curtis, Amy B.

2010-01-01

Objective This study examined the effect of cane tips and cane techniques on drop-off detection with the long cane. Background Blind pedestrians depend on a long cane to detect drop-offs. Missing a drop-off may result in falls or collision with moving vehicles in the street. Although cane tips appear to affect a cane user’s ability to detect drop-offs, few experimental studies have examined such effect. Method A repeated-measures design with block randomization was used for the study. Participants were 17 adults who were legally blind and had no other disabilities. Participants attempted to detect the drop-offs of varied depths using different cane tips and cane techniques. Results Drop-off detection rates were similar between the marshmallow tip (77.0%) and the marshmallow roller tip (79.4%) when both tips were used with the constant contact technique, p = .294. However, participants detected drop-offs at a significantly higher percentage when they used the constant contact technique with the marshmallow roller tip (79.4%) than when they used the two-point touch technique with the marshmallow tip (63.2%), p < .001. Conclusion The constant contact technique used with a marshmallow roller tip (perceived as a less advantageous tip) was more effective than the two-point touch technique used with a marshmallow tip (perceived as a more advantageous tip) in detecting drop-offs. Application The findings of the study may help cane users and orientation and mobility specialists select appropriate cane techniques and cane tips in accordance with the cane user’s characteristics and the nature of the travel environment. PMID:21077566

Solving for source parameters using nested array data: A case study from the Canterbury, New Zealand earthquake sequence

USGS Publications Warehouse

Neighbors, Corrie; Cochran, Elizabeth S.; Ryan, Kenneth; Kaiser, Anna E.

2017-01-01

The seismic spectrum can be constructed by assuming a Brune spectral model and estimating the parameters of seismic moment (M0), corner frequency (fc), and high-frequency site attenuation (κ). Using seismic data collected during the 2010–2011 Canterbury, New Zealand, earthquake sequence, we apply the non-linear least-squares Gauss–Newton method, a deterministic downhill optimization technique, to simultaneously determine the M0, fc, and κ for each event-station pair. We fit the Brune spectral acceleration model to Fourier-transformed S-wave records following application of path and site corrections to the data. For each event, we solve for a single M0 and fc, while any remaining residual kappa, κr">κrκr, is allowed to differ per station record to reflect varying high-frequency falloff due to path and site attenuation. We use a parametric forward modeling method, calculating initial M0 and fc values from the local GNS New Zealand catalog Mw, GNS magnitudes and measuring an initial κr">κrκr using an automated high-frequency linear regression method. Final solutions for M0, fc, and κr">κrκr are iteratively computed through minimization of the residual function, and the Brune model stress drop is then calculated from the final, best-fit fc. We perform the spectral fitting routine on nested array seismic data that include the permanent GeoNet accelerometer network as well as a dense network of nearly 200 Quake Catcher Network (QCN) MEMs accelerometers, analyzing over 180 aftershocks Mw,GNS ≥ 3.5 that occurred from 9 September 2010 to 31 July 2011. QCN stations were hosted by public volunteers and served to fill spatial gaps between existing GeoNet stations. Moment magnitudes determined using the spectral fitting procedure (Mw,SF) range from 3.5 to 5.7 and agree well with Mw,GNS, with a median difference of 0.09 and 0.17 for GeoNet and QCN records, respectively, and 0.11 when data from both networks are combined. The majority of events are calculated to have stress drops between 1.7 and 13 MPa (20th and 80th percentile, correspondingly) for the combined networks. The overall median stress drop for the combined networks is 3.2 MPa, which is similar to median stress drops previously reported for the Canterbury sequence. We do not observe a correlation between stress drop and depth for this region, nor a relationship between stress drop and magnitude over the catalog considered. Lateral spatial patterns in stress drop, such as a cluster of aftershocks near the eastern extent of the Greendale fault with higher stress drops and lower stress drops for aftershocks of the 2011 Mw,GNS 6.2 Christchurch mainshock, are found to be in agreement with previous reports. As stress drop is arguably a method-dependent calculation and subject to high spatial variability, our results using the parametric Gauss–Newton algorithm strengthen conclusions that the Canterbury sequence has stress drops that are more similar to those found in intraplate regions, with overall higher stress drops that are typically observed in tectonically active areas.

The application of artificial neural networks and support vector regression for simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of commercial eye drop contents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valizadeh, Maryam; Sohrabi, Mahmoud Reza

2018-03-01

In the present study, artificial neural networks (ANNs) and support vector regression (SVR) as intelligent methods coupled with UV spectroscopy for simultaneous quantitative determination of Dorzolamide (DOR) and Timolol (TIM) in eye drop. Several synthetic mixtures were analyzed for validating the proposed methods. At first, neural network time series, which one type of network from the artificial neural network was employed and its efficiency was evaluated. Afterwards, the radial basis network was applied as another neural network. Results showed that the performance of this method is suitable for predicting. Finally, support vector regression was proposed to construct the Zilomole prediction model. Also, root mean square error (RMSE) and mean recovery (%) were calculated for SVR method. Moreover, the proposed methods were compared to the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as a reference method. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test at the 95% confidence level applied to the comparison results of suggested and reference methods that there were no significant differences between them. Also, the effect of interferences was investigated in spike solutions.

Method For Screening Microcrystallizations For Crystal Formation

DOEpatents

Santarsiero, Bernard D. , Stevens, Raymond C. , Schultz, Peter G. , Jaklevic, Joseph M. , Yegian, Derek T. , Cornell, Earl W. , Nordmeyer, Robert A.

2003-10-07

A method is provided for performing array microcrystallizations to determine suitable crystallization conditions for a molecule, the method comprising: forming an array of microcrystallizations, each microcrystallization comprising a drop comprising a mother liquor solution whose composition varies within the array and a molecule to be crystallized, the drop having a volume of less than 1 microliter; storing the array of microcrystallizations under conditions suitable for molecule crystals to form in the drops in the array; and detecting molecule crystal formation in the drops by taking images of the drops.

Tetrazolium chloride as an indicator of pine pollen germinability

Treesearch

Stanton A. Cook; Robert G. Stanley

1960-01-01

Controlled pollination in forest tree breeding requires pollen of known germination capacity. Methods of determining pollen viability include germination in a hanging drop, in a moist atmosphere, on agar gel, or in a sugar solution (DUFFIELD, 1954; DILLON et al., 1957). Errors commonly arise in the application of these techniques because maximum...

Scaling of Two-Phase Flows to Partial-Earth Gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hurlbert, Kathryn M.; Witte, Larry C.

2003-01-01

A report presents a method of scaling, to partial-Earth gravity, of parameters that describe pressure drops and other characteristics of two-phase (liquid/ vapor) flows. The development of the method was prompted by the need for a means of designing two-phase flow systems to operate on the Moon and on Mars, using fluid-properties and flow data from terrestrial two-phase-flow experiments, thus eliminating the need for partial-gravity testing. The report presents an explicit procedure for designing an Earth-based test bed that can provide hydrodynamic similarity with two-phase fluids flowing in partial-gravity systems. The procedure does not require prior knowledge of the flow regime (i.e., the spatial orientation of the phases). The method also provides for determination of pressure drops in two-phase partial-gravity flows by use of a generalization of the classical Moody chart (previously applicable to single-phase flow only). The report presents experimental data from Mars- and Moon-activity experiments that appear to demonstrate the validity of this method.

Design of a micromachined terahertz electromagnetic crystals (EMXT) channel-drop filter on silicon-substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Kai; Liu, Yong; Si, Liming; Lv, Xin

2013-08-01

An integrated 0.5 THz electromagnetic crystals(EMXT) channel-drop filter based on PBG structure is presented in this paper. A channel-drop filter is a device in which a narrow bandwidth is redirected to another "drop" waveguide while other frequencies are unaffected. It's capable of extracting a certain frequency from a continuous spectrum in the bus channel and passing it to the test channel. It has potential applications in photonic integrated circuits, radio astronomy, THz spectroscopy, THz communication and remote sensing radar receiver. PBG structures(or photonic crystals) are periodic structures which possess band gaps, where the electromagnetic wave of certain ranges of frequencies cannot pass through and is reflected. The proposed channel-drop filter consists of input waveguide,output waveguide and PBG structure. The proposed filter is simulated using the finite element method and can be fabricated by micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology,due to its low cost, high performance and high processing precision.The filter operation principle and fabrication process are discussed.The simulation results show its ability to filter the frequency of 496GHz with a linewidth of approximately 4GHz and transmission of 27.2 dB above background.The loss at resonant frequency is less than 1dB considering the thickness and roughness of gold layer required by the MEMS process.The channel drop efficiency is 84%.

Beyond Bernoulli

PubMed Central

Donati, Fabrizio; Myerson, Saul; Bissell, Malenka M.; Smith, Nicolas P.; Neubauer, Stefan; Monaghan, Mark J.; Nordsletten, David A.

2017-01-01

Background— Transvalvular peak pressure drops are routinely assessed noninvasively by echocardiography using the Bernoulli principle. However, the Bernoulli principle relies on several approximations that may not be appropriate, including that the majority of the pressure drop is because of the spatial acceleration of the blood flow, and the ejection jet is a single streamline (single peak velocity value). Methods and Results— We assessed the accuracy of the Bernoulli principle to estimate the peak pressure drop at the aortic valve using 3-dimensional cardiovascular magnetic resonance flow data in 32 subjects. Reference pressure drops were computed from the flow field, accounting for the principles of physics (ie, the Navier–Stokes equations). Analysis of the pressure components confirmed that the spatial acceleration of the blood jet through the valve is most significant (accounting for 99% of the total drop in stenotic subjects). However, the Bernoulli formulation demonstrated a consistent overestimation of the transvalvular pressure (average of 54%, range 5%–136%) resulting from the use of a single peak velocity value, which neglects the velocity distribution across the aortic valve plane. This assumption was a source of uncontrolled variability. Conclusions— The application of the Bernoulli formulation results in a clinically significant overestimation of peak pressure drops because of approximation of blood flow as a single streamline. A corrected formulation that accounts for the cross-sectional profile of the blood flow is proposed and adapted to both cardiovascular magnetic resonance and echocardiographic data. PMID:28093412

Interventions for the prevention of postoperative ear discharge after insertion of ventilation tubes (grommets) in children.

PubMed

Syed, Mohammed Iqbal; Suller, Sharon; Browning, George G; Akeroyd, Michael A

2013-04-30

Grommets are frequently inserted in children's ears for acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion. A common complication is postoperative ear discharge (otorrhoea). A wide range of treatments are used to prevent the discharge, but there is no consensus on whether or not intervention is necessary nor which is the most effective intervention. To assess the effectiveness of prophylactic interventions, both topical and systemic, in reducing the incidence of otorrhoea following the surgical insertion of grommets in children. We searched the Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group Trials Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); PubMed; EMBASE; CINAHL; Web of Science; BIOSIS Previews; Cambridge Scientific Abstracts; ICTRP and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. The date of the search was 3 July 2012. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the efficacy of prophylactic interventions against placebo/control and/or with other prophylactic interventions for postoperative otorrhoea in children. Two review authors independently assessed study eligibility and risk of bias, and extracted data. The outcome data were dichotomous for all the included trials. We calculated individual and pooled risk ratios (RR) using the Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effect method. We also calculated the numbers needed to treat to benefit (NNTB). We found 15 eligible RCTs (2476 children, aged from four months to 17 years). We graded seven RCTs as being at a low risk of bias (n = 926 children) and for an eighth RCT we also graded two of the arms as being at a low risk of bias. We graded the other seven trials as being at a high risk of bias.For a single application at surgery, there was evidence from two low risk of bias trials that at two weeks postoperatively the risk of otorrhoea was reduced by multiple saline washouts (from 30% to 16%; RR 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.27 to 1.00; NNTB 7; one RCT; 140 children) and antibiotic/steroid ear drops (from 9% to 1%; RR 0.13, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.57; NNTB 13; one RCT; 322 ears). A meta-analysis of two low risk of bias trials (222 ears) failed to find an effect of a single application of antibiotic/steroid ear drops at four to six weeks postoperatively.For a prolonged application of an intervention, there was evidence from four low risk of bias trials that the risk of otorrhoea was reduced two weeks postoperatively by antibiotic ear drops (from 15% to 8%; RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.97; NNTB 15; one RCT; 372 children), antibiotic/steroid ear drops (from 39% to 5%; RR 0.13, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.31; NNTB 3; one RCT; 200 children), aminoglycoside/steroid ear drops (from 15% to 5%; RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.74; NNTB 11; one RCT; 356 children) or oral antibacterial agents/steroids (from 39% to 5%; RR 0.13, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.51; NNTB 3; one RCT; 77 children).Only one trial assessed the secondary outcome of ototoxicity, but no effect was found. There were no trials that assessed quality of life. Our review found that each of the following were effective at reducing the rate of otorrhoea up to two weeks following surgery: (1) multiple saline washouts at surgery, (2) a single application of topical antibiotic/steroid drops at surgery, (3) a prolonged application of topical drops (namely antibiotic ear drops, antibiotic/steroid eardrops or aminoglycoside/steroid ear drops) and (4) a prolonged application of oral antibacterial agents/steroids. However, the rate of otorrhoea between RCTs varied greatly and the higher the rates of otorrhoea within a RCT, the smaller the NNTB for therapy.We conclude that if a surgeon has a high rate of postoperative otorrhoea in children then either saline irrigation or antibiotic ear drops at the time of surgery would significantly reduce that rate. If topical drops are chosen, it is suggested that to reduce the cost and potential for ototoxic damage this be a single application at the time of surgery and not prolonged thereafter.

Droplet evaporation on a horizontal substrate under gravity field by mesoscopic modeling.

PubMed

Xie, Chiyu; Zhang, Jianying; Bertola, Volfango; Wang, Moran

2016-02-01

The evaporation of water drop deposited on a horizontal substrate is investigated using a lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) for multiphase flows with a large-density ratio. To account for the variation of evaporation flux distribution along the drop interface, a novel evaporation scheme is introduced into the LBM framework, and validated by comparison with experimental data. We aim at discovering the effect of gravity on the evaporating drop in detail, and various evaporation conditions are considered as well as different wetting properties of the substrates. An effective diameter is introduced as an indicator of the critical drop size under which gravity is negligible. Our results show that such critical diameter is much smaller than the capillary length, which has been widely accepted as the critical size in previous and current works. The critical diameter is found to be almost independent of the evaporation conditions and the surface wettability. A correlation between this critical diameter and the capillary length is also proposed for easy use in applications. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Model for determining vapor equilibrium rates in the hanging drop method for protein crystal growth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baird, James K.; Frieden, Richard W.; Meehan, E. J., Jr.; Twigg, Pamela J.; Howard, Sandra B.; Fowlis, William A.

1987-01-01

An engineering analysis of the rate of evaporation of solvent in the hanging drop method of protein crystal growth is presented. Results are applied to 18 drop and well arrangements commonly encountered in the laboratory. The chemical nature of the salt, drop size and shape, drop concentration, well size, well concentration, and temperature are taken into account. The rate of evaporation increases with temperature, drop size, and the salt concentration difference between the drop and the well. The evaporation in this model possesses no unique half-life. Once the salt in the drop achieves 80 percent of its final concentration, further evaporation suffers from the law of diminishing returns.

Standalone Mobile Application for Shipping Services Based on Geographic Information System and A-Star Algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gunawan, D.; Marzuki, I.; Candra, A.

2018-03-01

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) plays an essential role in shipping service related application. By utilizing GIS, the courier can find the route to deliver goods for its customer. This research proposes a standalone mobile application to provide the shortest route to the destinations by utilizing geographic information systems with A-Star algorithm. This application is intended to be used although the area has no Internet network available. The developed application can handle several drop off points then calculates the shortest route that passes through all the drop off points. According to the conducted testing, the number of drop off points that can be calculated is influenced by the specification of the smartphone. More destinations require more smartphone resources and time to process.

A Study of Eutectic Gallium Indium Liquid Metal in Microsystems and Interfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohammed, Mohammed Gamal Abdel Naser

This dissertation studies the behavior of the eutectic alloy of gallium and indium (commonly called EGaIn) in microfluidic channels, on thin metal films and with metal powders. EGaIn is a metal alloy that is liquid at room temperature, has high surface tension and low viscosity. EGaIn forms in presence of oxygen a thin robust oxide skin that allows the liquid metal to take non-spherical shapes despite its high surface tension. The first chapter discusses properties and applications of liquid metals in general and EGaIn in more details. The second chapter studies the phenomenon of spectral colors that appear on PDMS microchannels filled with EGaIn upon applying a compression strain on it. The channels are sealed using oxygen plasma which alters the surface chemistry by attaching oxygen atoms to it and forming a thin rigid film. Buckles form on that thin rigid layer when the channel is compressed due to the difference in elastic moduli between the film and the bulk of PDMS. Optical microscopy and AFM confirmed the presence of the buckles. The third chapter presents a new method for producing liquid metal droplets by forcing EGaIn into reservoirs with designed dimensions. The dimensions of the reservoir can be easily manipulated to produce the desired drop size. We can collect the drops or embed them in PDMS. The fourth chapter studies the behavior of these drops upon contacting metal films. EGaIn drops self-run on weakly-bounded metal films to substrate in media that continuously etch its oxide skin like acid solution or under reducing bias. Our experiments show that EGaIn drops achieve the highest velocities on films of Ag over Au on glass substrates. The running mechanism is novel and has not been reported before, the liquid metal drop pulls the film from the substrate while dissolving it and running forward. The contact between the EGaIn drop and the metal film creates an electrochemical cell that leads to formation of hydrogen bubbles beneath the metal film, the bubbles make the film loose and easy for the EGaIn drop to pull. We investigated the role of drop diameter to film width ratio and the degree of saturation with the other metal on the speed of the drop. The velocity we report is higher than that of any self-running liquid metal drop and any aqueous creature. Self-running drops have potential applications such as fabricating self-destroying electronic circuits. The fifth chapter explores a new method to create metal micro and nanostructures at ambient conditions by imprinting a paste made by mixing gallium and metal powders against molds. Gallium and metal powder interdiffuse in a short period of time and form a solid alloy. In this study we use copper powder as it is not expensive, safe to work with and can form a solid alloy with gallium at room temperature. We investigated the optimum mixing ratio (65 wt% Ga and 35 wt% Cu) that allows easy mixing, enough workable time and results in a solid alloy as diffusion proceeds. The paste can replicate relatively big features (features on a penny for instance) and create free standing structures, however imprints of small features suffers from imperfections. Milling and reducing the powder under inert atmosphere helped to enhance mixing. We are currently studying the effect of particle size on replication and homogeneity of the solid alloy.

Pendant-Drop Surface-Tension Measurement On Molten Metal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Man, Kin Fung; Thiessen, David

1996-01-01

Method of measuring surface tension of molten metal based on pendant-drop method implemented in quasi-containerless manner and augmented with digital processing of image data. Electrons bombard lower end of sample rod in vacuum, generating hanging drop of molten metal. Surface tension of drop computed from its shape. Technique minimizes effects of contamination.

SU-E-T-124: Dosimetric Comparison of HDR Brachytherapy and Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wu, J; Wu, H; Das, I

2014-06-01

Purpose: Brachytherapy is known to be able to deliver more radiation dose to tumor while minimizing radiation dose to surrounding normal tissues. Proton therapy also provides superior dose distribution due to Bragg peak. Since both HDR and Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) are beneficial for their quick dose drop off, our goal in this study is to compare the pace of dose gradient drop-off between HDR and IMPT plans based on the same CT image data-set. In addition, normal tissues sparing were also compared among HDR, IMPT and SBRT. Methods: Five cervical cancer cases treated with EBRT + HDR boostmore » combination with Tandem and Ovoid applicator were used for comparison purpose. Original HDR plans with prescribed dose of 5.5 Gy x 5 fractions were generated and optimized. The 100% isodose line of HDR plans was converted to a dose volume, and treated as CTV for IMPT and SBRT planning. The same HDR CT scans were also used for IMPT plan and SBRT plan for direct comparison. The philosophy of the IMPT and SBRT planning was to create the same CTV coverage as HDR plans. All three modalities treatment plans were compared to each other with a set of predetermined criteria. Results: With similar target volume coverage in cervix cancer boost treatment, HDR provides a slightly sharper dose drop-off from 100% to 50% isodose line, averagely in all directions compared to IMPT. However, IMPT demonstrated more dose gradient drop-off at the junction of the target and normal tissues by providing more normal tissue sparing and superior capability to reduce integral dose. Conclusion: IMPT is capable of providing comparable dose drop-off as HDR. IMPT can be explored as replacement for HDR brachytherapy in various applications.« less

Reliable TLDA-microvolume UV spectroscopy with applications in chemistry and biosciences for microlitre analysis and rapid pipette calibration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McMillan, Norman; O'Neill, Martina; Smith, Stephen; Hammond, John; Riedel, Sven; Arthure, Kevin; Smith, S.

2009-05-01

A TLDA-microvolume (transmitted light drop analyser) accessory for use with a standard UV-visible fibre spectrophotometer is described. The physics of the elegantly simple optical design is described along with the experimental testing of this accessory. The modelling of the arrangement is fully explored to investigate the performance of the drop spectrophotometer. The design optimizes the focusing to deliver the highest quality spectra, rapid and simple sample handling and, importantly, no detectable carryover on the single quartz drophead. Results of spectral measurements in a laboratory providing NIST standards show the closest correlation between modelled pathlength and experimental measurement for different drop volumes in the range 0.7-3 µl. This instrument accessory delivers remarkably accurate and reproducible results that are good enough to allow the accessory to be used for rapid pipette calibration to avoid the laborious weighing methods currently employed. Measurements on DNA standards and proteins are given to illustrate the main application area of biochemistry for this accessory. The accessory has a measurement range of at least 0-60 A units without sample dilution and, since there exists an accurate volume-pathlength relationship, the drop volume used in any specific measurement or assay should be optimized to minimize the photometric error. Studies demonstrate that the cleaning of the drophead with lab wipes results in no measurable carryover. This important practical result is confirmed from direct reading of the accessory and an analytical balance which was used to perform carryover studies. For further information on the TLDA please contact: Drop Technology, Unit 2, Tallaght Business Park, Whitestown, Dublin 24, Republic of Ireland. email: info@droptechnology.com.

Using the Image Analysis Method for Describing Soil Detachment by a Single Water Drop Impact

PubMed Central

Ryżak, Magdalena; Bieganowski, Andrzej

2012-01-01

The aim of the present work was to develop a method based on image analysis for describing soil detachment caused by the impact of a single water drop. The method consisted of recording tracks made by splashed particles on blotting paper under an optical microscope. The analysis facilitated division of the recorded particle tracks on the paper into drops, “comets” and single particles. Additionally, the following relationships were determined: (i) the distances of splash; (ii) the surface areas of splash tracks into relation to distance; (iii) the surface areas of the solid phase transported over a given distance; and (iv) the ratio of the solid phase to the splash track area in relation to distance. Furthermore, the proposed method allowed estimation of the weight of soil transported by a single water drop splash in relation to the distance of the water drop impact. It was concluded that the method of image analysis of splashed particles facilitated analysing the results at very low water drop energy and generated by single water drops.

Ex-situ gas diffusion layer intrusion effect determination of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell flow fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haase, S.; Rauber, M.

2015-09-01

In automotive PEM fuel cell systems, one of the most important targets is to reduce the parasitic power of balance of plant components, e.g. the air supply. This can be achieved for example by decreasing air stoichiometry. However, this could lead to bad flow sharing in the fuel cell stack. Therefore the fluid distribution in the flow field has to be evaluated, understood and optimized. This work evaluates the effect of GDL intrusion on the pressure drop via ex-situ determination of GDL intrusion using CFD simulation. The intruded GDL geometries, evaluated by an optical microscope with 200 times enlargement, are transferred to pressure drop behaviors by a numerical CFD model. These results are compared to the results of the differential pressure method of mapping the pressure distribution, described in [43]. The intrusion of the GDL leads to homogeneous flow distribution up to clamping pressures of 2.5 MPa. The inhomogeneous intrusion, induced by cracked fibers that extend into the channel, dominates the flow at higher clamping pressures and leads to the exponential increase in pressure drop in the differential pressure method. For clamping pressures used in typical fuel cell applications, the results of both methods show homogeneous flow through the channels.

Computations of Drop Collision and Coalescence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tryggvason, Gretar; Juric, Damir; Nas, Selman; Mortazavi, Saeed

1996-01-01

Computations of drops collisions, coalescence, and other problems involving drops are presented. The computations are made possible by a finite difference/front tracking technique that allows direct solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations for a multi-fluid system with complex, unsteady internal boundaries. This method has been used to examine the various collision modes for binary collisions of drops of equal size, mixing of two drops of unequal size, behavior of a suspension of drops in linear and parabolic shear flows, and the thermal migration of several drops. The key results from these simulations are reviewed. Extensions of the method to phase change problems and preliminary results for boiling are also shown.

Boston College Sees a Sharp Drop in Applications after Adding an Essay

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hoover, Eric

2013-01-01

Boston College saw a 26-percent decrease in applications this year, a drop officials largely attribute to a new essay requirement. Last year the private Jesuit institution received a record 34,051 applications for 2,250 spots in its freshman class. This year approximately 25,000 students applied, and all of them had to do one thing their…

Opening Loads Analyses for Various Disk-Gap-Band Parachutes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cruz, J. R.; Kandis, M.; Witkowski, A.

2003-01-01

Detailed opening loads data is presented for 18 tests of Disk-Gap-Band (DGB) parachutes of varying geometry with nominal diameters ranging from 43.2 to 50.1 ft. All of the test parachutes were deployed from a mortar. Six of these tests were conducted via drop testing with drop test vehicles weighing approximately 3,000 or 8,000 lb. Twelve tests were conducted in the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex 80- by 120-foot wind tunnel at the NASA Ames Research Center. The purpose of these tests was to structurally qualify the parachute for the Mars Exploration Rover mission. A key requirement of all tests was that peak parachute load had to be reached at full inflation to more closely simulate the load profile encountered during operation at Mars. Peak loads measured during the tests were in the range from 12,889 to 30,027 lb. Of the two test methods, the wind tunnel tests yielded more accurate and repeatable data. Application of an apparent mass model to the opening loads data yielded insights into the nature of these loads. Although the apparent mass model could reconstruct specific tests with reasonable accuracy, the use of this model for predictive analyses was not accurate enough to set test conditions for either the drop or wind tunnel tests. A simpler empirical model was found to be suitable for predicting opening loads for the wind tunnel tests to a satisfactory level of accuracy. However, this simple empirical model is not applicable to the drop tests.

Method of synthesizing bulk transition metal carbide, nitride and phosphide catalysts

DOEpatents

Choi, Jae Soon; Armstrong, Beth L; Schwartz, Viviane

2015-04-21

A method for synthesizing catalyst beads of bulk transmission metal carbides, nitrides and phosphides is provided. The method includes providing an aqueous suspension of transition metal oxide particles in a gel forming base, dropping the suspension into an aqueous solution to form a gel bead matrix, heating the bead to remove the binder, and carburizing, nitriding or phosphiding the bead to form a transition metal carbide, nitride, or phosphide catalyst bead. The method can be tuned for control of porosity, mechanical strength, and dopant content of the beads. The produced catalyst beads are catalytically active, mechanically robust, and suitable for packed-bed reactor applications. The produced catalyst beads are suitable for biomass conversion, petrochemistry, petroleum refining, electrocatalysis, and other applications.

Evaporation kinetics in the hanging drop method of protein crystal growth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baird, James K.; Frieden, Richard W.; Meehan, E. J., Jr.; Twigg, Pamela J.; Howard, Sandra B.; Fowlis, William A.

1987-01-01

An engineering analysis of the rate of evaporation of solvent in the hanging drop method of protein crystal growth is presented; these results are applied to 18 different drop and well arrangements commonly encountered in the laboratory, taking into account the chemical nature of the salt, the drop size and shape, the drop concentration, the well size, the well concentration, and the temperature. It is found that the rate of evaporation increases with temperature, drop size, and with the salt concentration difference between the drop and the well. The evaporation possesses no unique half-life. Once the salt in the drop achieves about 80 percent of its final concentration, further evaporation suffers from the law of diminishing returns.

Studying the field induced breakup of acoustically levitated drops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warschat, C.; Riedel, J.

2017-10-01

Coulomb fission of charged droplets (The terms drop and droplet are often used synonymous. Throughout this manuscript, to avoid confusion, the terms drop and droplet will be used for liquid spheres with radii in the millimeter range and the micrometer range, respectively. In our experiments, the first correspond to the parent drop while the latter describes the ejected progeny droplets.) is a well-studied natural phenomenon. Controlled droplet fission is already successfully employed in several technological applications. Still, since the occurring surface rupture relies on the exact understanding and description of the liquid gas boundary, some details are still under debate. Most empirical systematic studies observe falling micrometer droplets passing through the electric field inside a plate capacitor. This approach, although easily applicable and reliable, limits the experimental degrees of freedom regarding the observable time and the maximum size of the drops and can only be performed in consecutive individual observations of different subsequent drops. Here we present a novel setup to study the field induced breakup of acoustically levitated drops. The design does not bear any restrictions towards the temporal window of observation, and allows handling of drops of a tunable radius ranging from 10 μm to several millimeters and a real-time monitoring of one single drop. Our comprehensive study includes a time resolved visual inspection, laser shadowgraphy, laser induced fluorescence imaging, and ambient mass spectrometric interrogation of the nascent Taylor cone. The results shown for a millimeter sized drop, previously inaccessible for Coulomb fission experiments, are mostly comparable with previous results for smaller drops. The major difference is the time scale and the threshold potential of the drop rupture. Both values, however, resemble theoretically extrapolations to the larger radius. The technique allows for a systematic study of breakup behavior of drops of different charge, material, and size.

Dropwise condensation

PubMed Central

Leach, R. N.; Stevens, F.; Langford, S. C.; Dickinson, J. T.

2008-01-01

Dropwise condensation of water vapor from a naturally cooling, hot water reservoir onto a hydrophobic polymer film and a silanized glass slide was studied by direct observation and simulations. The observed drop growth kinetics suggest that smallest drops grow principally by the diffusion of water adsorbed on the substrate to the drop perimeter, while drops larger than 50 μm in diameter grow principally by direct deposition from the vapor onto the drop surface. Drop coalescence plays a critical role in determining the drop size distribution, and stimulates the nucleation of new, small drops on the substrates. Simulations of drop growth incorporating these growth mechanisms provide a good description of the observed drop size distribution. Because of the large role played by coalescence, details of individual drop growth make little difference to the final drop size distribution. The rate of condensation per unit substrate area is especially high for the smallest drops, and may help account for the high heat transfer rates associated with dropwise condensation relative to filmwise condensation in heat exchange applications. PMID:17014129

Capillary Thinning of Particle-laden Drops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wagoner, Brayden; Thete, Sumeet; Jahns, Matt; Doshi, Pankaj; Basaran, Osman

2015-11-01

Drop formation is central in many applications such as ink-jet printing, microfluidic devices, and atomization. During drop formation, a thinning filament is created between the about-to-form drop and the fluid hanging from the nozzle. Therefore, the physics of capillary thinning of filaments is key to understanding drop formation and has been thoroughly studied for pure Newtonian fluids. The thinning dynamics is, however, altered completely when the fluid contains particles, the physics of which is not well understood. In this work, we explore the impact of solid particles on filament thinning and drop formation by using a combination of experiments and numerical simulations.

Numerical Modelling of Three-Fluid Flow Using The Level-set Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Hongying; Lou, Jing; Shang, Zhi

2014-11-01

This work presents a numerical model for simulation of three-fluid flow involving two different moving interfaces. These interfaces are captured using the level-set method via two different level-set functions. A combined formulation with only one set of conservation equations for the whole physical domain, consisting of the three different immiscible fluids, is employed. Numerical solution is performed on a fixed mesh using the finite volume method. Surface tension effect is incorporated using the Continuum Surface Force model. Validation of the present model is made against available results for stratified flow and rising bubble in a container with a free surface. Applications of the present model are demonstrated by a variety of three-fluid flow systems including (1) three-fluid stratified flow, (2) two-fluid stratified flow carrying the third fluid in the form of drops and (3) simultaneous rising and settling of two drops in a stationary third fluid. The work is supported by a Thematic and Strategic Research from A*STAR, Singapore (Ref. #: 1021640075).

Controlling charge on levitating drops.

PubMed

Hilger, Ryan T; Westphall, Michael S; Smith, Lloyd M

2007-08-01

Levitation technologies are used in containerless processing of materials, as microscale manipulators and reactors, and in the study of single drops and particles. Presented here is a method for controlling the amount and polarity of charge on a levitating drop. The method uses single-axis acoustic levitation to trap and levitate a single, initially neutral drop with a diameter between 400 microm and 2 mm. This drop is then charged in a controllable manner using discrete packets of charge in the form of charged drops produced by a piezoelectric drop-on-demand dispenser equipped with a charging electrode. The magnitude of the charge on the dispensed drops can be adjusted by varying the voltage applied to the charging electrode. The polarity of the charge on the added drops can be changed allowing removal of charge from the trapped drop (by neutralization) and polarity reversal. The maximum amount of added charge is limited by repulsion of like charges between the drops in the trap. This charging scheme can aid in micromanipulation and the study of charged drops and particles using levitation.

Experimental microbubble generation by sudden pressure drop and fluidics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franco Gutierrez, Fernando; Figueroa Espinoza, Bernardo; Aguilar Corona, Alicia; Vargas Correa, Jesus; Solorio Diaz, Gildardo

2014-11-01

Mass and heat transfer, as well as chemical species in bubbly flow are of importance in environmental and industrial applications. Microbubbles are well suited to these applications due to the large interface contact area and residence time. The objective of this investigation is to build devices to produce microbubbles using two methods: pressure differences and fluidics. Some characteristics, advantages and drawbacks of both methods are briefly discussed, as well as the characterization of the bubbly suspensions in terms of parameters such as the pressure jump and bubble equivalent diameter distribution. The authors acknowledge the support of Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología.

Computational Methods for Stability and Control (COMSAC): The Time Has Come

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, Robert M.; Biedron, Robert T.; Ball, Douglas N.; Bogue, David R.; Chung, James; Green, Bradford E.; Grismer, Matthew J.; Brooks, Gregory P.; Chambers, Joseph R.

2005-01-01

Powerful computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools have emerged that appear to offer significant benefits as an adjunct to the experimental methods used by the stability and control community to predict aerodynamic parameters. The decreasing costs for and increasing availability of computing hours are making these applications increasingly viable as time goes on and the cost of computing continues to drop. This paper summarizes the efforts of four organizations to utilize high-end computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools to address the challenges of the stability and control arena. General motivation and the backdrop for these efforts will be summarized as well as examples of current applications.

First steps towards the successful surface-based cultivation of human embryonic stem cells in hanging drop systems.

PubMed

Schulz, Julia C; Stumpf, Patrick S; Katsen-Globa, Alisa; Sachinidis, Agapios; Hescheler, Jürgen; Zimmermann, Heiko

2012-11-01

Miniaturization and parallelization of cell culture procedures are in focus of research in order to develop test platforms with low material consumption and increased standardization for toxicity and drug screenings. The cultivation in hanging drops (HDs) is a convenient and versatile tool for biological applications and represents an interesting model system for the screening applications due to its uniform shape, the advantageous gas supply, and the small volume. However, its application has so far been limited to non-adherent and aggregate forming cells. Here, we describe for the first time the proof-of-principle regarding the adherent cultivation of human embryonic stem cells in HD. For this microcarriers were added to the droplet as dynamic cultivation surfaces resulting in a maintained pluripotency and proliferation capacity for 10 days. This enables the HD technique to be extended to the cultivation of adherence-dependent stem cells. Also, the possible automation of this method by implementation of liquid handling systems opens new possibilities for miniaturized screenings, the improvement of cultivation and differentiation conditions, and toxicity and drug development.

First steps towards the successful surface-based cultivation of human embryonic stem cells in hanging drop systems

PubMed Central

Schulz, Julia C; Stumpf, Patrick S; Katsen-Globa, Alisa; Sachinidis, Agapios; Hescheler, Jürgen; Zimmermann, Heiko

2012-01-01

Miniaturization and parallelization of cell culture procedures are in focus of research in order to develop test platforms with low material consumption and increased standardization for toxicity and drug screenings. The cultivation in hanging drops (HDs) is a convenient and versatile tool for biological applications and represents an interesting model system for the screening applications due to its uniform shape, the advantageous gas supply, and the small volume. However, its application has so far been limited to non‐adherent and aggregate forming cells. Here, we describe for the first time the proof-of-principle regarding the adherent cultivation of human embryonic stem cells in HD. For this microcarriers were added to the droplet as dynamic cultivation surfaces resulting in a maintained pluripotency and proliferation capacity for 10 days. This enables the HD technique to be extended to the cultivation of adherence-dependent stem cells. Also, the possible automation of this method by implementation of liquid handling systems opens new possibilities for miniaturized screenings, the improvement of cultivation and differentiation conditions, and toxicity and drug development. PMID:23486530

Reversed-phase single drop microextraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection for the quantification of synthetic phenolic antioxidants in edible oil samples.

PubMed

Farajmand, Bahman; Esteki, Mahnaz; Koohpour, Elham; Salmani, Vahid

2017-04-01

The reversed-phase mode of single drop microextraction has been used as a preparation method for the extraction of some phenolic antioxidants from edible oil samples. Butylated hydroxyl anisole, tert-butylhydroquinone and butylated hydroxytoluene were employed as target compounds for this study. High-performance liquid chromatography followed by fluorescence detection was applied for final determination of target compounds. The most interesting feature of this study is the application of a disposable insulin syringe with some modification for microextraction procedure that efficiently improved the volume and stability of the solvent microdrop. Different parameters such as the type and volume of solvent, sample stirring rate, extraction temperature, and time were investigated and optimized. Analytical performances of the method were evaluated under optimized conditions. Under the optimal conditions, relative standard deviations were between 4.4 and 10.2%. Linear dynamic ranges were 20-10 000 to 2-1000 μg/g (depending on the analytes). Detection limits were 5-670 ng/g. Finally, the proposed method was successfully used for quantification of the antioxidants in some edible oil samples prepared from market. Relative recoveries were achieved from 88 to 111%. The proposed method had a simplicity of operation, low cost, and successful application for real samples. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Cyclodextrins in eye drop formulations: enhanced topical delivery of corticosteroids to the eye.

PubMed

Loftsson, Thorsteinn; Stefánsson, Einar

2002-04-01

Cyclodextrins are cylindrical oligosaccharides with a lipophilic central cavity and hydrophilic outer surface. They can form water-soluble complexes with lipophilic drugs, which 'hide' in the cavity. Cyclodextrins can be used to form aqueous eye drop solutions with lipophilic drugs, such as steroids and some carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. The cyclodextrins increase the water solubility of the drug, enhance drug absorption into the eye, improve aqueous stability and reduce local irritation. Cyclodextrins are useful excipients in eye drop formulations of various drugs, including steroids of any kind, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, pilocarpine, cyclosporins, etc. Their use in ophthalmology has already begun and is likely to expand the selection of drugs available as eye drops. In this paper we review the properties of cyclodextrins and their application in eye drop formulations, of which their use in the formulation of dexamethasone eye drops is an example. Cyclodextrins have been used to formulate eye drops containing corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, with levels of concentration and ocular absorption which, according to human and animal studies, are many times those seen with presently available formulations. Cyclodextrin-based dexamethasone eye drops are well tolerated in the eye and seem to provide a higher degree of bioavailability and clinical efficiency than the steroid eye drop formulations presently available. Such formulations offer the possibility of once per day application of corticosteroid eye drops after eye surgery, and more intensive topical steroid treatment in severe inflammation. While cyclodextrins have been known for more than a century, their use in ophthalmology is just starting. Cyclodextrins are useful excipients in eye drop formulations for a variety of lipophilic drugs. They will facilitate eye drop formulations for drugs that otherwise might not be available for topical use, while improving absorption and stability and decreasing local irritation.

Preliminary investigation into the analytical potential of a multiwavelength fiber drop analyzer with special reference to applications in medical diagnostics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McMillan, Norman D.; O'Mongain, Eon; Walsh, James E.; Breen, Liam; McMillan, Duncan G.; Power, Michael J.; O'Dea, John P.; Kinsella, Seamus M.; Kelly, Mairead P.; Hammil, Conor; Orr, Dermot

1994-12-01

A preliminary investigation into the use of multiwavelength fiber drop analyzer (FDA) for the measurement of viscosity, spectral absorbance and refractive index is made with a view to obtaining conservative estimates of the instrumental capability of the FDA for these measurands. Some important new insights into drop vibrations are made from studies on the fiber drop traces (FDTs) of mechanically excited damped vibrations in drops with a set volume. A brief description of the feasibility measurements on the first application of the FDA in the diagnosis of disease in synovial fluid is given. Strong experimental evidence is reported for the existence of the surface-guided wave peak of the fiber drop trace and some new insights into the nature of the FDT are suggested based on a comparative study of the FDTs from a multiple-wavelength and a single-wavelength FDA. The earlier reported drop period dependence on applied electric field is critically reexamined, a new interpretation of this effect, is suggested, and an experimental study of clarification is given. Finally, a brief review of the projected capabilities of the FDA based on the work reported here is provided.

Dynamics of contracting surfactant-covered filaments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamat, Pritish; Thete, Sumeet; Xu, Qi; Basaran, Osman

2013-11-01

When drops are produced from a nozzle, a thin liquid thread connects the primary drop that is about to form to the rest of the liquid in the nozzle. Often, the thread becomes disconnected from both the primary drop and the remnant liquid mass hanging from the nozzle and thereby gives rise to a free filament. Due to surface tension, the free filament then contracts or recoils. During recoil, the filament can either contract into a single satellite droplet or break up into several small satellites. Such satellite droplets are undesirable in applications where they can, for example, cause misting in a manufacturing environment and mar product quality in ink-jet printing. In many applications, the filaments are coated with a monolayer of surfactant. In this work, we study the dynamics of contraction of slender filaments of a Newtonian fluid that are covered with a monolayer of surfactant when the surrounding fluid is a passive gas. Taking advantage of the fact that the filaments are long and slender, we use a 1D-slender-jet approximation of the governing system of equations consisting of the Navier-Stokes system and the convection-diffusion equation for surfactant transport. We solve the 1D system of equations by a finite element based numerical method.

Study of two-phase flow in helical and spiral coils

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keshock, Edward G.; Yan, AN; Omrani, Adel

1990-01-01

The principal purposes of the present study were to: (1) observe and develop a fundamental understanding of the flow regimes and their transitions occurring in helical and spiral coils; and (2) obtain pressure drop measurements of such flows, and, if possible, develop a method for predicting pressure drop in these flow geometries. Elaborating upon the above, the general intent is to develop criteria (preferably generalized) for establishing the nature of the flow dynamics (e.g. flow patterns) and the magnitude of the pressure drop in such configurations over a range of flow rates and fluid properties. Additionally, the visualization and identification of flow patterns were a fundamental objective of the study. From a practical standpoint, the conditions under which an annular flow pattern exists is of particular practical importance. In the possible practical applications which would implement these geometries, the working fluids are likely to be refrigerant fluids. In the present study the working fluids were an air-water mixture, and refrigerant 113 (R-113). In order to obtain records of flow patterns and their transitions, video photography was employed extensively. Pressure drop measurements were made using pressure differential transducers connected across pressure taps in lines immediately preceding and following the various test sections.

A mix-and-read drop-based in vitro two-hybrid method for screening high-affinity peptide binders

PubMed Central

Cui, Naiwen; Zhang, Huidan; Schneider, Nils; Tao, Ye; Asahara, Haruichi; Sun, Zhiyi; Cai, Yamei; Koehler, Stephan A.; de Greef, Tom F. A.; Abbaspourrad, Alireza; Weitz, David A.; Chong, Shaorong

2016-01-01

Drop-based microfluidics have recently become a novel tool by providing a stable linkage between phenotype and genotype for high throughput screening. However, use of drop-based microfluidics for screening high-affinity peptide binders has not been demonstrated due to the lack of a sensitive functional assay that can detect single DNA molecules in drops. To address this sensitivity issue, we introduced in vitro two-hybrid system (IVT2H) into microfluidic drops and developed a streamlined mix-and-read drop-IVT2H method to screen a random DNA library. Drop-IVT2H was based on the correlation between the binding affinity of two interacting protein domains and transcriptional activation of a fluorescent reporter. A DNA library encoding potential peptide binders was encapsulated with IVT2H such that single DNA molecules were distributed in individual drops. We validated drop-IVT2H by screening a three-random-residue library derived from a high-affinity MDM2 inhibitor PMI. The current drop-IVT2H platform is ideally suited for affinity screening of small-to-medium-sized libraries (103–106). It can obtain hits within a single day while consuming minimal amounts of reagents. Drop-IVT2H simplifies and accelerates the drop-based microfluidics workflow for screening random DNA libraries, and represents a novel alternative method for protein engineering and in vitro directed protein evolution. PMID:26940078

New Method Developed to Measure Contact Angles of a Sessile Drop

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chao, David F.; Zhang, Nengli

2002-01-01

The spreading of an evaporating liquid on a solid surface occurs in many practical processes and is of importance in a number of practical situations such as painting, textile dyeing, coating, gluing, and thermal engineering. Typical processes involving heat transfer where the contact angle plays an important role are film cooling, boiling, and the heat transfer through heat pipes. The biological phenomenon of cell spreading also is analogous to a drop spreading (ref. 1). In the study of spreading, the dynamic contact angle describes the interfacial properties on solid substrates and, therefore, has been studied by physicists and fluid mechanics investigators. The dynamic contact angle of a spreading nonvolatile liquid drop provides a simple tool in the study of the free-boundary problem, but the study of the spreading of a volatile liquid drop is of more practical interest because the evaporation of common liquids is inevitable in practical processes. The most common method to measure the contact angle, the contact radius, and the height of a sessile drop on a solid surface is to view the drop from its edge through an optical microscope. However, this method gives only local information in the view direction. Zhang and Yang (ref. 2) developed a laser shadowgraphy method to investigate the evaporation of sessile drop on a glass plate. As described here, Zhang and Chao (refs. 3 and 4) improved the method and suggested a new optical arrangement to measure the dynamic contact angle and the instant evaporation rate of a sessile drop with much higher accuracy (less than 1 percent). With this method, any fluid motion in the evaporating drop can be visualized through shadowgraphy without using a tracer, which often affects the field under investigation.

Simulation on Thermocapillary-Driven Drop Coalescence by Hybrid Lattice Boltzmann Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Haiqiong; Zeng, Zhong; Zhang, Liangqi; Yokota, Yuui; Kawazoe, Yoshiyuki; Yoshikawa, Akira

2016-04-01

A hybrid two-phase model, incorporating lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) and finite difference method (FDM), was developed to investigate the coalescence of two drops during their thermocapillary migration. The lattice Boltzmann method with a multi-relaxation-time (MRT) collision model was applied to solve the flow field for incompressible binary fluids, and the method was implemented in an axisymmetric form. The deformation of the drop interface was captured with the phase-field theory, and the continuum surface force model (CSF) was adopted to introduce the surface tension, which depends on the temperature. Both phase-field equation and the energy equation were solved with the finite difference method. The effects of Marangoni number and Capillary numbers on the drop's motion and coalescence were investigated.

Enhanced Condensation Heat Transfer On Patterned Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alizadeh-Birjandi, Elaheh; Kavehpour, H. Pirouz

2017-11-01

Transition from film to drop wise condensation can improve the efficiency of thermal management applications and result in considerable savings in investments and operating costs by millions of dollars every year. The current methods available are either hydrophobic coating or nanostructured surfaces. The former has little adhesion to the structure which tends to detach easily under working conditions, the fabrication techniques of the latter are neither cost-effective nor scalable, and both are made with low thermal conductivity materials that would negate the heat transfer enhancement by drop wise condensation. Therefore, the existing technologies have limitations in enhancing vapor-to-liquid condensation. This work focuses on development of surfaces with wettability contrast to boost drop wise condensation, which its overall heat transfer efficiency is 2-3 times film wise condensation, while maintaining high conduction rate through the surface at low manufacturing costs. The variation in interfacial energy is achieved through crafting hydrophobic patterns to the surface of the metal via scalable fabrication techniques. The results of experimental and surface optimization studies are also presented.

Grating droplets with a mesh

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soto, Dan; Le Helloco, Antoine; Clanet, Cristophe; Quere, David; Varanasi, Kripa

2016-11-01

A drop thrown against a mesh can pass through its holes if impacting with enough inertia. As a result, although part of the droplet may remain on one side of the sieve, the rest will end up grated through the other side. This inexpensive method to break up millimetric droplets into micrometric ones may be of particular interest in a wide variety of applications: enhancing evaporation of droplets launched from the top of an evaporative cooling tower or preventing drift of pesticides sprayed above crops by increasing their initial size and atomizing them at the very last moment with a mesh. In order to understand how much liquid will be grated we propose in this presentation to start first by studying a simpler situation: a drop impacting a plate pierced with a single off centered hole. The study of the role of natural parameters such as the radius drop and speed or the hole position, size and thickness allows us to discuss then the more general situation of a plate pierced with multiple holes: the mesh.

Development of Active Learning Curriculum for CASPER's Microgravity Drop Tower

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carmona-Reyes, Jorge; Wang, Li; York, Judy; Matthews, Lorin; Laufer, Rene; Cook, Mike; Schmoke, Jimmy; Hyde, Truell

2016-10-01

As CASPER's new drop tower comes on line, plans for correlated educational research curricula are underway. CASPER's educational research team is working on developing curricula specific to the CASPER drop tower, modeled on a contest currently in use by (BEST) Robotics Inc. within central Texas independent school districts. The curricula integrates age specific use of computer programming software packages such as ``Scratch'' with industry standard communication protocols and augmented reality applications. Content is constructed around an earth and space science framework, covering subjects such as stars and galaxies, matter and energy, fusion and fission at a middle school level. CASPER faculty are partnering with the Region 12 Service Center; this combination provides a wide range of expertise that includes professional development, pedagogical methods, computational thinking in addition to microgravity and space science research expertise. The details of this work will be presented and samples of the manner in which it is impacting the CASPER research and educational outreach partnership will be discussed.

Scaling during capillary thinning of particle-laden drops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thete, Sumeet; Wagoner, Brayden; Basaran, Osman

2017-11-01

A fundamental understanding of drop formation is crucial in many applications such as ink-jet printing, microfluidic devices, and atomization. During drop formation, the about-to-form drop is connected to the fluid hanging from the nozzle via a thinning filament. Therefore, the physics of capillary thinning of filaments is key to understanding drop formation and has been thoroughly studied for pure Newtonian fluids using theory, simulations, and experiments. In some of the applications however, the forming drop and hence the thinning filament may contain solid particles. The thinning dynamics of such particle-laden filaments differs radically from that of particle-free filaments. Moreover, our understanding of filament thinning in the former case is poor compared to that in the latter case despite the growing interest in pinch-off of particle-laden filaments. In this work, we go beyond similar studies and experimentally explore the impact of solid particles on filament thinning by measuring both the radial and axial scalings in the neck region. The results are summarized in terms of a phase diagram of capillary thinning of particle-laden filaments.

Efficient biotechnological approach for lentiviral transduction of induced pluripotent stem cells.

PubMed

Zare, Mehrak; Soleimani, Masoud; Mohammadian, Mozhdeh; Akbarzadeh, Abolfazl; Havasi, Parvaneh; Zarghami, Nosratollah

2016-01-01

Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are generated from differentiated adult somatic cells by reprogramming them. Unlimited self-renewal, and the potential to differentiate into any cell type, make iPS cells very promising candidates for basic and clinical research. Furthermore, iPS cells can be genetically manipulated for use as therapeutic tools. DNA can be introduced into iPS cells, using lentiviral vectors, which represent a helpful choice for efficient transduction and stable integration of transgenes. In this study, we compare two methods of lentiviral transduction of iPS cells, namely, the suspension method and the hanging drop method. In contrast to the conventional suspension method, in the hanging drop method, embryoid body (EB) formation and transduction occur concurrently. The iPS cells were cultured to form EBs, and then transduced with lentiviruses, using the conventional suspension method and the hanging drop method, to express miR-128 and green fluorescent protein (GFP). The number of transduced cells were assessed by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry. MTT assay and real-time PCR were performed to determine the cell viability and transgene expression, respectively. Morphologically, GFP+ cells were more detectable in the hanging drop method, and this finding was quantified by flow cytometric analysis. According to the results of the MTT assay, cell viability was considerably higher in the hanging drop method, and real-time PCR represented a higher relative expression of miR-128 in the iPS cells introduced with lentiviruses in drops. Altogether, it seems that lentiviral transduction of challenging iPS cells using the hanging drop method offers a suitable and sufficient strategy in their gene transfer, with less toxicity than the conventional suspension method.

Drop-to-drop solvent microextraction coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for rapid determination of trimeprazine in urine and blood of rats: application to pharmacokinetic studies.

PubMed

Agrawal, Kavita; Wu, Hui-Fen

2007-01-01

A simple and rapid method based on drop-to-drop solvent microextraction (DDSME) coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) has been successfully applied for the pharmacokinetic studies of trimeprazine in 8 microL of urine and blood samples of rats. Several factors that influenced the extraction efficiency of DDSME, such as selection of organic solvent, extraction time, exposure volume of organic phase, addition of salt and pH, were optimized. Linearity was obtained over the concentration ranges of 0.2-10, 0.25-7.0 and 0.5-6.0 microg/mL with correlation coefficients of 0.998, 0.996 and 0.993 in deionized water, urine and blood samples of rats, respectively. The limits of detection (LODs) of trimeprazine were 0.05, 0.06 and 0.1 microg/mL in deionized water, urine and blood samples. The concentrations of trimeprazine obtained in urine and blood samples of rats were 0.21-1.25 and 2.72-0.22 microg/mL, respectively, after a single intravenous administration of this drug. The enrichment factors and LOD values obtained by DDSME coupled to GC/MS were compared with those of hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction (HF-LPME) combined with GC/MS. We believe that this novel approach can be very useful in clinical application since only one microdrop of biological samples was required to perform the pharmacokinetic studies from rats, so the sample pretreatments for animal experiments can be very easy too. Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Controllable embedding of sulfur in high surface area nitrogen doped three dimensional reduced graphene oxide by solution drop impregnation method for high performance lithium-sulfur batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zegeye, Tilahun Awoke; Tsai, Meng-Che; Cheng, Ju-Hsiang; Lin, Ming-Hsien; Chen, Hung-Ming; Rick, John; Su, Wei-Nien; Kuo, Chung-Feng Jeffrey; Hwang, Bing-Joe

2017-06-01

High capacity lithium-sulfur batteries with stable cycle performance and sulfur loadings greater than 70 wt% are regarded as promising candidates for energy storage devices. However, it has been challenged to achieving practical application of sulfur cathode because of low loading of active sulfur and poor cycle performance. Herein, we design novel nanocomposite cathode materials consist of sulfur (80 wt%) embedded within nitrogen doped three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide (N-3D-rGO) by controllable sulfur-impregnation method. Nitrogen doping helps increase the surface area by ten times from pristine graphene, and pore volume by seven times. These structural features allow the cathode to hold more sulfur. It also adsorbs polysulfides and prevents their detachment from the host materials; thereby achieving stable cycle performance. The solution drop sulfur-impregnation method provides uniform distribution of nano-sulfur in controlled manner. The material delivers a high initial discharge capacity of 1042 mAhg-1 and 916 mAhg-1 with excellent capacity retention of 94.8% and 81.9% at 0.2 C and 0.5 C respectively after 100 cycles. Thus, the combination of solution drop and nitrogen doping opens a new chapter for resolving capacity fading as well as long cycling problems and creates a new strategy to increase sulfur loading in controlled mechanism.

Blood drop patterns: Formation and applications.

PubMed

Chen, Ruoyang; Zhang, Liyuan; Zang, Duyang; Shen, Wei

2016-05-01

The drying of a drop of blood or plasma on a solid substrate leads to the formation of interesting and complex patterns. Inter- and intra-cellular and macromolecular interactions in the drying plasma or blood drop are responsible for the final morphologies of the dried patterns. Changes in these cellular and macromolecular components in blood caused by diseases have been suspected to cause changes in the dried drop patterns of plasma and whole blood, which could be used as simple diagnostic tools to identify the health of humans and livestock. However, complex physicochemical driving forces involved in the pattern formation are not fully understood. This review focuses on the scientific development in microscopic observations and pattern interpretation of dried plasma and whole blood samples, as well as the diagnostic applications of pattern analysis. Dried drop patterns of plasma consist of intricate visible cracks in the outer region and fine structures in the central region, which are mainly influenced by the presence and concentration of inorganic salts and proteins during drying. The shrinkage of macromolecular gel and its adhesion to the substrate surface have been thought to be responsible for the formation of the cracks. Dried drop patterns of whole blood have three characteristic zones; their formation as functions of drying time has been reported in the literature. Some research works have applied engineering treatment to the evaporation process of whole blood samples. The sensitivities of the resultant patterns to the relative humidity of the environment, the wettability of the substrates, and the size of the drop have been reported. These research works shed light on the mechanisms of spreading, evaporation, gelation, and crack formation of the blood drops on solid substrates, as well as on the potential applications of dried drop patterns of plasma and whole blood in diagnosis. Crown Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Modeling of drop breakup in the bag breakup regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, C.; Chang, S.; Wu, H.; Xu, J.

2014-04-01

Several analytic models for predicting the drop deformation and breakup have been developed over the last three decades, but modeling drop breakup in the bag-type regime is less reported. In this Letter, a breakup model has been proposed to predict the drop deformation length and breakup time in the bag-type breakup regime in a more accurate manner. In the present model, the drop deformation which is approximately as the displacement of the centre of mass (c. m.) along the axis located at the centre of the drop, and the movement of c. m. is obtained by solving the pressure balance equation. The effects of the drop deformation on the drop external aerodynamic force are considered in this model. Drop breakup occurs when the deformation length reaches the maximum value and the maximum deformation length is a function of Weber number. The performance and applicability of the proposed breakup model are tested against the published experimental data.

Airborne chemistry: acoustic levitation in chemical analysis.

PubMed

Santesson, Sabina; Nilsson, Staffan

2004-04-01

This review with 60 references describes a unique path to miniaturisation, that is, the use of acoustic levitation in analytical and bioanalytical chemistry applications. Levitation of small volumes of sample by means of a levitation technique can be used as a way to avoid solid walls around the sample, thus circumventing the main problem of miniaturisation, the unfavourable surface-to-volume ratio. Different techniques for sample levitation have been developed and improved. Of the levitation techniques described, acoustic or ultrasonic levitation fulfils all requirements for analytical chemistry applications. This technique has previously been used to study properties of molten materials and the equilibrium shape()and stability of liquid drops. Temperature and mass transfer in levitated drops have also been described, as have crystallisation and microgravity applications. The airborne analytical system described here is equipped with different and exchangeable remote detection systems. The levitated drops are normally in the 100 nL-2 microL volume range and additions to the levitated drop can be made in the pL-volume range. The use of levitated drops in analytical and bioanalytical chemistry offers several benefits. Several remote detection systems are compatible with acoustic levitation, including fluorescence imaging detection, right angle light scattering, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Applications include liquid/liquid extractions, solvent exchange, analyte enrichment, single-cell analysis, cell-cell communication studies, precipitation screening of proteins to establish nucleation conditions, and crystallisation of proteins and pharmaceuticals.

Effect of a third application of toothpastes (1450 and 5000 ppm F), including a 'massage' method on fluoride retention and pH drop in plaque.

PubMed

Nordström, Anna; Birkhed, Dowen

2013-01-01

The aim was to investigate fluoride (F) retention in plaque, saliva and pH drop in plaque using high-F toothpaste (5000 ppm F) or standard toothpaste (1450 ppm F) twice a day or 3-times a day. A method using the toothpaste as a 'lotion' and massaging the buccal surfaces with the fingertip was also evaluated. The investigation had a randomized, single-blinded, cross-over design and 16 subjects participated in six brushing regimes: (1) 5000 ppm F; twice a day, (2) 5000 ppm; 3-times/day, (3) 5000 ppm; twice a day, plus the 'massage' method once a day, (4) 1450 ppm F; twice a day, (5) 1450 ppm; 3-times/day and (6) 1450 ppm; twice a day, plus the 'massage' method once a day. The outcome measure was F retention in plaque, saliva and the plaque-pH change after a sucrose rinse. The highest F concentration was found using high-F toothpaste (No 1-3) and differed significantly from those with 1450 ppm (No 4-6). Brushing with high-F toothpaste 3-times a day (No 2) resulted in a 3.6-times higher F saliva value compared with standard toothpaste twice a day (No 4) (p < 0.001). Increasing the frequency of application, from twice to 3-times a day, increased the F retention in plaque significantly when the two methods for application 3-times a day were pooled (p < 0.05). Brushing with 5000 and 1450 ppm toothpastes twice a day plus the 'massage' once a day resulted in the same F concentration in saliva and plaque as brushing 3-times a day with the same paste. A third application of toothpaste is increasing the F retention and toothpaste as a 'lotion' and massaging the buccal surfaces with the fingertip may be a simple and inexpensive way of delivering F a third time during the day.

Apparatus for decoupled thermo-photocatalytic pollution control

DOEpatents

Tabatabaie-Raissi, Ali; Muradov, Nazim Z.; Martin, Eric

2003-04-22

A new method for design and scale-up of photocatalytic and thermocatalytic processes is disclosed. The method is based on optimizing photoprocess energetics by decoupling of the process energy efficiency from the DRE for target contaminants. The technique is applicable to photo-thermocatalytic reactor design and scale-up. At low irradiance levels, the method is based on the implementation of low pressure drop biopolymeric and synthetic polymeric support for titanium dioxide and other band-gap media. At high irradiance levels, the method utilizes multifunctional metal oxide aerogels and other media within a novel rotating fluidized particle bed reactor.

Strain induced on (TMTSF){2}ReO{4} microwires deposited on a silicon substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colin, C. V.; Joo, N.; Pasquier, C. R.

2009-12-01

We present the successful recrystallization of Bechgaard salts with the microwire shape using the drop casting method. The samples are deposited on a substrate with previously prepared patterns made by optical lithography. The physical properties of the microwires are shown. The excellent transport properties show that this technique provides a new method for the tuning of the physical properties of molecular conductors and the first step toward applications. The pressure effects of the substrate on the conduction are discussed.

Electrochemical methods for monitoring of environmental carcinogens.

PubMed

Barek, J; Cvacka, J; Muck, A; Quaiserová, V; Zima, J

2001-04-01

The use of modern electroanalytical techniques, namely differential pulse polarography, differential pulse voltammetry on hanging mercury drop electrode or carbon paste electrode, adsorptive stripping voltammetry and high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection for the determination of trace amounts of carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds, azo compounds, heterocyclic compounds, nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and aromatic and heterocyclic amines is discussed. Scope and limitations of these methods are described and some practical applications based on their combination with liquid-liquid or solid phase extraction are given.

Electronic compliance monitoring of topical treatment after ophthalmic surgery.

PubMed

Hermann, Manuel Marcel; Ustündag, Can; Diestelhorst, Michael

2010-08-01

The success of many medical treatments is built on compliance. Electronic monitoring is the most accurate tool to quantify compliance by measuring adherence. In order to assess the efficiency of a recently introduced miniature monitoring device for eye drop application, we evaluated adherence in ophthalmic patients undergoing post-operative short-term topical treatment. This pilot study enrolled 30 outpatients (mean age 61.8 +/- 18.5 years) after cataract (n = 24) and glaucoma filtration surgery (n = 6) applying fixed-combination eye drops containing prednisolone and gentamicin five times daily for 2 weeks. Patients received eye drops in conventional bottles each equipped with a miniature monitoring device recording events of application. Two patients failed to bring back the monitoring device; therefore data collected from only 28 patients could be examined. Data showed highly variable results with a mean dose compliance of 50.2%. Dose compliance was below 25% in approximately one out of five patients. Four cataract patients, but no glaucoma patient, discontinued therapy prematurely. The observed mean dosage interval was calculated for each patient and ranged 4.6-19.7 h. Thirty percent of analysed dosage intervals exceeded 12.0 h. Different patterns of compliance behaviour-like early non-persistence, drug holiday and low treatment frequency could be identified and illustrated using electronic data. Age or gender did not significantly influence compliance rates. Our pilot study demonstrates successful electronic compliance monitoring using a technology capable of continuous data recording over weeks of treatment. The low compliance rate for a relevant part of the patients demonstrates the necessity to study and improve compliance in ophthalmology. In future, new application methods and electronic application devices may improve treatment response in eye care.

Electromagnetic Processing as a Way of Increasing Microbiological Safety of Animal Waste

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soboleva, O. M.; Kolosova, M. M.; Filipovich, L. A.; Aksenov, V. A.

2017-05-01

The article shows the possibility of using the electromagnetic field of ultrahigh frequency (EMF UHF) for drying and disinfecting of such animal waste as pig manure and poultry droppings. The studied modes included the following options: processing exposure of 60, 90, 120 sec, the capacity of 60 kW, the frequency of 915 MHz. The method of UHF processing of manure and poultry droppings is environmentally safe and effective in neutralizing the pathogenic microflora, as well as larvae and eggs of worms. The following processing mode of animal waste in the electromagnetic field of ultrahigh frequency was recognized as optimal: exposure of 90 seconds, the capacity of 60 kW, the frequency of 915 MHz. This option leads to the complete destruction of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms, as well as the eggs and larvae of worms. As a result of this processing, a high level of microbiological safety of pig manure and poultry droppings is achieved that allows using them as organic fertilizers. The peculiarities of some species of pathogenic fungi developing on the surface of the wheat grain are shown. Pre-processed animal waste (pig manure and and poultry droppings) were applied in experimental variants. Used organic fertilizers underwent electromagnetic processing of ultra-high frequency. The qualitative composition of the microflora on the surface of the grain depends on the type of animal waste (manure or droppings) and used dose. The safest part of the microflora of grain was marked with the application of the UHF-processed pig manure and poultry droppings in doses of 10 t/ha.

Comparative clinical trial of topical anesthetic agents in cataract surgery: lidocaine 2% gel, bupivacaine 0.5% drops, and benoxinate 0.4% drops.

PubMed

Soliman, Mahmoud M; Macky, Tamer A; Samir, M Khaled

2004-08-01

To assess the efficacy of lidocaine gel, bupivacaine drops, and benoxinate drops as topical anesthetic agents in cataract surgery. Kasr El-Aini Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. This prospective randomized study comprised 90 patients scheduled for routine cataract extraction. Patients were randomized into 3 groups of 30 each based on which anesthetic agent they received: lidocaine 2% gel, bupivacaine 0.5% drops, or benoxinate 0.4% drops. Subjective pain at application of the agent and intraoperatively was quantified by the patients using a verbal pain score (VPS) scale from 0 to 10. The duration of discomfort at application, duration of surgery, rate of supplemental sub-Tenon's anesthesia, and complications were recorded. The mean VPS at application was 2.97, 1.53, and 1.03 in the lidocaine, bupivacaine, and benoxinate groups, respectively; the VPS in the lidocaine group was statistically significantly higher than in the other 2 groups (P<.001). The mean duration of pain at application was 25 seconds, 14 seconds, and 6 seconds in the lidocaine, bupivacaine, and benoxinate groups, respectively, and was statistically significantly higher in the lidocaine group (P<.001). The mean VPS during surgery was 1.6, 4.1, and 7.1 in the lidocaine, bupivacaine, and benoxinate groups; the lidocaine group had a statistically significantly lower mean VPS than the other 2 groups (P<.001). The incidence of supplemental sub-Tenon's injection was 3.3%, 10.0%, and 73.3%, respectively, and was statistically significantly lower in the lidocaine and bupivacaine groups than in the benoxinate group (P<.001). The patients' overall satisfaction was statistically significantly higher in the lidocaine and bupivacaine groups than in the benoxinate group (93.3%, 83.3%, and 33.3%, respectively) (P<.001). Three patients in the lidocaine group had corneal haze at the time of surgery, which was not statistically significant (P>.1). Lidocaine gel was a better topical anesthetic agent than bupivacaine and benoxinate drops. Bupivacaine drops were effective in providing deep topical anesthesia.

Electrohydrodynamic generation of millimetric drops and control of electrification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yun, Sungchan

2017-07-01

We report a simple method for millimetric drop generation by electrohydrodynamic (EHD) detachment using a conventional nozzle-ring device. The EHD detachment method provides distinct features of uniform-size and controlled electrification of millimetric drops. The drop dynamics of detachment and shape oscillation are recorded using a high-speed camera and analyzed for several dc voltages applied to the electrode. Experimental studies show that an oscillation frequency can be closely related to the amount of electric charge, which can be explained based on both effective interfacial tension and inviscid Rayleigh and Lamb frequency. Furthermore, we present a concept to generate a neutral drop by adjusting the duration time of a pulse signal and discuss a drop oscillation induced by the detachment. This study can provide potential implications for drop manipulation, such as transporting, merging, and mixing, in microfluidic platforms.

Charged drop dynamics experiment using an electrostatic-acoustic hybrid system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rhim, W. K.; Chung, S. K.; Trinh, E. H.; Elleman, D. D.

1987-01-01

The design and the performance of an electrostatic-acoustic hybrid system and its application to a charge drop rotation experiment are presented. This system can levitate a charged drop electrostatically and induce drop rotation or oscillation by imposing an acoustic torque or an oscillating acoustic pressure. Using this system, the equilibrium shapes and stability of a rotating charged drop were experimentally investigated. A 3 mm size water drop was rotated as a rigid body and its gyrostatic equilibrium shapes were observed. Families of axisymmetric shapes, two-lobed shapes, and eventual fissioning have been observed. With the assumption of 'effective surface tension' in which the surface charge simply modified the surface tension of neutral liquid, the results agree exceptionally well with the Brown and Scriven's (1980) prediction for uncharged drops.

A programmable and portable NMES device for drop foot correction and blood flow assist applications.

PubMed

Breen, Paul P; Corley, Gavin J; O'Keeffe, Derek T; Conway, Richard; Olaighin, Gearóid

2009-04-01

The Duo-STIM, a new, programmable and portable neuromuscular stimulation system for drop foot correction and blood flow assist applications is presented. The system consists of a programmer unit and a portable, programmable stimulator unit. The portable stimulator features fully programmable, sensor-controlled, constant-voltage, dual-channel stimulation and accommodates a range of customized stimulation profiles. Trapezoidal and free-form adaptive stimulation intensity envelope algorithms are provided for drop foot correction applications, while time dependent and activity dependent algorithms are provided for blood flow assist applications. A variety of sensor types can be used with the portable unit, including force sensitive resistor-based foot switches and MEMS-based accelerometer and gyroscope devices. The paper provides a detailed description of the hardware and block-level system design for both units. The programming and operating procedures for the system are also presented. Finally, functional bench test results for the system are presented.

A programmable and portable NMES device for drop foot correction and blood flow assist applications.

PubMed

Breen, Paul P; Corley, Gavin J; O'Keeffe, Derek T; Conway, Richard; OLaighin, Gearoid

2007-01-01

The Duo-STIM, a new, programmable and portable neuromuscular stimulation system for drop foot correction and blood flow assist applications is presented. The system consists of a programmer unit and a portable, programmable stimulator unit. The portable stimulator features fully programmable, sensor-controlled, constant-voltage, dual-channel stimulation and accommodates a range of customized stimulation profiles. Trapezoidal and free-form adaptive stimulation intensity envelope algorithms are provided for drop foot correction applications, while time dependent and activity dependent algorithms are provided for blood flow assist applications. A variety of sensor types can be used with the portable unit, including force sensitive resistor based foot switches and NMES based accelerometer and gyroscope devices. The paper provides a detailed description of the hardware and block-level system design for both units. The programming and operating procedures for the system are also presented. Finally, functional bench test results for the system are presented.

[Preliminary exploration on knockout drops (Meng Han Agents)].

PubMed

Zhang, Z

1996-05-01

This author points out, based on relevant materials, that knockout drops were vertigo powder. Due to homophonic reasons in Chinese language, the term "mingxuan" was transliterated into the former Chinese term (menghan). Knockout drops for medicinal use were merely made up of compound recipes containing stramonium flowers. The knockout drops in old fictions and opera books were powder of stramonium flower. The ingredients and application of such recipes are discussed here, the anti-remedies for such recipes are also mentioned.

Modeling, investigation and formulation of hydrophobic coatings for potential self-cleaning applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rios, Pablo Fabian

Self-cleaning surfaces have received a great deal of attention, both in research and commercial applications. Transparent and non-transparent self-cleaning surfaces are highly desired. The Lotus flower is a symbol of purity in Asian cultures, even when rising from muddy waters it stays clean and untouched by dirt. The Lotus leaf "self-cleaning" surface is hydrophobic and rough, showing a two-layer morphology. While hydrophobicity produces a high contact angle, surface morphology reduces the adhesion of dirt and water to the surface, thus water drops slide easily across the leaf carrying the dirt particles with them. Nature example in the Lotus-effect and extensive scientific research on related fields have rooted wide acceptance that high hydrophobicity can be obtained only by a proper combination of surface chemistry and roughness. Most researchers relate hydrophobicity to a high contact angle. However, the contact angle is not the only parameter that defines liquid-solid interactions. An additional parameter, the sliding angle, related to the adhesion between the liquid drop and the solid surface is also important in cases where liquid sliding is involved, such as self-cleaning applications. In this work, it is postulated that wetting which is related to the contact angle, and interfacial adhesion, which is related to the sliding angle, are interdependent phenomena and have to be considered simultaneously. A variety of models that relate the sliding angle to forces developed along the contact line between a liquid drop and a solid surface have been proposed in the literature. A new model is proposed here that quantifies the drop sliding phenomenon, based also on the interfacial adhesion across the contact area of the liquid/solid interface. The effects of roughness and chemical composition on the contact and sliding angles of hydrophobic smooth and rough surfaces were studied theoretically and experimentally. The validity of the proposed model was investigated and compared with the existing models. Ultra-hydrophobic non-transparent and transparent coatings for potential self-cleaning applications were produced using hydrophobic chemistry and different configurations of roughening micro and nano-particles, however they present low adhesion and durability. Durability and stability enhancement of such coatings was attempted and improved by different methods.

Dynamics and universal scaling law in geometrically-controlled sessile drop evaporation

PubMed Central

Sáenz, P. J.; Wray, A. W.; Che, Z.; Matar, O. K.; Valluri, P.; Kim, J.; Sefiane, K.

2017-01-01

The evaporation of a liquid drop on a solid substrate is a remarkably common phenomenon. Yet, the complexity of the underlying mechanisms has constrained previous studies to spherically symmetric configurations. Here we investigate well-defined, non-spherical evaporating drops of pure liquids and binary mixtures. We deduce a universal scaling law for the evaporation rate valid for any shape and demonstrate that more curved regions lead to preferential localized depositions in particle-laden drops. Furthermore, geometry induces well-defined flow structures within the drop that change according to the driving mechanism. In the case of binary mixtures, geometry dictates the spatial segregation of the more volatile component as it is depleted. Our results suggest that the drop geometry can be exploited to prescribe the particle deposition and evaporative dynamics of pure drops and the mixing characteristics of multicomponent drops, which may be of interest to a wide range of industrial and scientific applications. PMID:28294114

Dynamics and universal scaling law in geometrically-controlled sessile drop evaporation.

PubMed

Sáenz, P J; Wray, A W; Che, Z; Matar, O K; Valluri, P; Kim, J; Sefiane, K

2017-03-15

The evaporation of a liquid drop on a solid substrate is a remarkably common phenomenon. Yet, the complexity of the underlying mechanisms has constrained previous studies to spherically symmetric configurations. Here we investigate well-defined, non-spherical evaporating drops of pure liquids and binary mixtures. We deduce a universal scaling law for the evaporation rate valid for any shape and demonstrate that more curved regions lead to preferential localized depositions in particle-laden drops. Furthermore, geometry induces well-defined flow structures within the drop that change according to the driving mechanism. In the case of binary mixtures, geometry dictates the spatial segregation of the more volatile component as it is depleted. Our results suggest that the drop geometry can be exploited to prescribe the particle deposition and evaporative dynamics of pure drops and the mixing characteristics of multicomponent drops, which may be of interest to a wide range of industrial and scientific applications.

A computer-controlled apparatus for micrometric drop deposition at liquid surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peña-Polo, Franklin; Trujillo, Leonardo; Sigalotti, Leonardo Di G.

2010-05-01

A low-cost, automated apparatus has been used to perform micrometric deposition of small pendant drops onto a quiet liquid surface. The approach of the drop to the surface is obtained by means of discrete, micron-scale translations in order to achieve deposition at adiabatically zero velocity. This process is not only widely used in scientific investigations in fluid mechanics and thermal sciences but also in engineering and biomedical applications. The apparatus has been designed to produce accurate deposition onto the surface and minimize the vibrations induced in the drop by the movement of the capillary tip. Calibration tests of the apparatus have shown that a descent of the drop by discrete translational steps of ˜5.6 μm and duration of 150-200 ms is sufficient to minimize its penetration depth into the liquid when it touches the surface layer and reduce to a level of noise the vibrations transmitted to it by the translation of the dispenser. Different settings of the experimental setup can be easily implemented for use in a variety of other applications, including deposition onto solid surfaces, surface tension measurements of pendant drops, and wire bonding in microelectronics.

OpenDrop: An Integrated Do-It-Yourself Platform for Personal Use of Biochips

PubMed Central

Alistar, Mirela; Gaudenz, Urs

2017-01-01

Biochips, or digital labs-on-chip, are developed with the purpose of being used by laboratory technicians or biologists in laboratories or clinics. In this article, we expand this vision with the goal of enabling everyone, regardless of their expertise, to use biochips for their own personal purposes. We developed OpenDrop, an integrated electromicrofluidic platform that allows users to develop and program their own bio-applications. We address the main challenges that users may encounter: accessibility, bio-protocol design and interaction with microfluidics. OpenDrop consists of a do-it-yourself biochip, an automated software tool with visual interface and a detailed technique for at-home operations of microfluidics. We report on two years of use of OpenDrop, released as an open-source platform. Our platform attracted a highly diverse user base with participants originating from maker communities, academia and industry. Our findings show that 47% of attempts to replicate OpenDrop were successful, the main challenge remaining the assembly of the device. In terms of usability, the users managed to operate their platforms at home and are working on designing their own bio-applications. Our work provides a step towards a future in which everyone will be able to create microfluidic devices for their personal applications, thereby democratizing parts of health care. PMID:28952524

Method and means for producing solid evacuated microspheres of hydrogen

DOEpatents

Turnbull, Robert J.; Foster, Christopher A.; Hendricks, Charles D.

1976-01-01

A method is provided for producing solid, evacuated microspheres comprised of hydrogen. The spheres are produced by forming a jet of liquid hydrogen and exciting mechanical waves on the jet of appropriate frequency so that the jet breaks up into drops with a bubble formed in each drop by cavitation. The drops are exposed to a pressure less than the vapor pressure of the liquid hydrogen so that the bubble which is formed within each drop expands. The drops which contain bubbles are exposed to an environment having a pressure just below the triple point of liquid hydrogen and they thereby freeze giving solid, evacuated spheres of hydrogen.

Rapid and nondestructive method for evaluation of embryo culture media using drop coating deposition Raman spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Zufang; Sun, Yan; Wang, Jing; Du, Shengrong; Li, Yongzeng; Lin, Juqiang; Feng, Shangyuan; Lei, Jinping; Lin, Hongxin; Chen, Rong; Zeng, Haishan

2013-12-01

In this study, a rapid and simple method which combines drop coating deposition and Raman spectroscopy (DCDR) was developed to characterize the dry embryo culture media (ECM) droplet. We demonstrated that Raman spectra obtained from the droplet edge presented useful and characteristic signatures for protein and amino acids assessment. Using a different analytical method, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, we further confirmed that Na, K, and Cl were mainly detected in the central area of the dry ECM droplet while sulphur, an indicative of the presence of macromolecules such as proteins, was mainly found at the periphery of the droplet. In addition, to reduce sample preparation time, different temperatures for drying the droplets were tested. The results showed that drying temperature at 50°C can effectively reduce the sample preparation time to 6 min (as compared to 50 min for drying at room temperature, ˜25°C) without inducing thermal damage to the proteins. This work demonstrated that DCDR has potential for rapid and reliable metabolomic profiling of ECM in clinical applications.

Studies of the Stability and Dynamics of Levitated Drops

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anikumar, A.; Lee, Chun Ping; Wang, T. G.

1996-01-01

This is a review of our experimental and theoretical studies relating to equilibrium and stability of liquid drops, typically of low viscosity, levitated in air by a sound field. The major emphasis here is on the physical principles and understanding behind the stability of levitated drops. A comparison with experimental data is also given, along with some fascinating pictures from high-speed photography. One of the aspects we shall deal with is how a drop can suddenly burst in an intense sound field; a phenomenon which can find applications in atomization technology. Also, we are currently investigating the phenomenon of suppression of coalescence between drops levitated in intense acoustic fields.

Droplet flow along the wall of rectangular channel with gradient of wettability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kupershtokh, A. L.

2018-03-01

The lattice Boltzmann equations (LBE) method (LBM) is applicable for simulating the multiphysics problems of fluid flows with free boundaries, taking into account the viscosity, surface tension, evaporation and wetting degree of a solid surface. Modeling of the nonstationary motion of a drop of liquid along a solid surface with a variable level of wettability is carried out. For the computer simulation of such a problem, the three-dimensional lattice Boltzmann equations method D3Q19 is used. The LBE method allows us to parallelize the calculations on multiprocessor graphics accelerators using the CUDA programming technology.

Determination of 1-octanol-air partition coefficient using gaseous diffusion in the air boundary layer.

PubMed

Ha, Yeonjeong; Kwon, Jung-Hwan

2010-04-15

Exact determination of the partition coefficient between 1-octanol and air (K(OA)) is very important because it is a key descriptor for describing the thermodynamic partitioning between the air and organic phases. In spite of its importance, the number and quality of experimental K(OA) values for hydrophobic organic chemicals are limited because of experimental difficulties. Thus, to measure K(OA) values, a high-throughput method was developed that used liquid-phase extraction with 1-octanol drop at the tip of a microsyringe needle. The concentration in the headspace surrounding the 1 muL octanol drop was equilibrated with liquid octanol containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The change in concentrations of PAHs in the octanol drop was measured to obtain mass transfer rate constants, and these rate constants were then converted into K(OA) values using a film diffusion model. Thirteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with log K(OA) between 5 and 12 were chosen for the proof of the principle. Experimental determination of log K(OA) was accomplished in 30 h for PAHs with their log K(OA) less than 11. The measured log K(OA) values were very close to those obtained by various experimental and estimation methods in the literature, suggesting that this new method can provide a fast and easy determination of log K(OA) values for many chemicals of environmental interests. In addition, the applicability of the method can be extended to determine Henry's law constant for compounds with low vapor pressure and to estimate gaseous transfer rate of semivolatile compounds for environmental fate modeling.

A boundary element method for particle and droplet electrohydrodynamics in the Quincke regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Debasish; Saintillan, David

2014-11-01

Quincke electrorotation is the spontaneous rotation of dielectric particles suspended in a dielectric liquid of higher conductivity when placed in a sufficiently strong electric field. This phenomenon of Quincke rotation has interesting implications for the rheology of these suspensions, whose effective viscosity can be controlled and reduced by application of an external field. While spherical harmonics can be used to solve the governing equations for a spherical particle, they cannot be used to study the dynamics of particles of more complex shapes or deformable particles or droplets. Here, we develop a novel boundary element formulation to model the dynamics of a dielectric particle under Quincke rotation based on the Taylor-Melcher leaky dielectric model, and compare the numerical results to theoretical predictions. We then employ this boundary element method to analyze the dynamics of a two-dimensional drop under Quincke rotation, where we allow the drop to deform under the electric field. Extensions to three-dimensions and to the electrohydrodynamic interactions of multiple droplets are also discussed.

Topical and intravenous pilocarpine stimulated accommodation in anesthetized rhesus monkeys.

PubMed

Wendt, Mark; Glasser, Adrian

2010-05-01

Many studies have used pilocarpine to stimulate accommodation in both humans and monkeys. However, the concentrations of pilocarpine used and the methods of administration vary. In this study, three different methods of pilocarpine administration are evaluated for their effectiveness in stimulating accommodation in rhesus monkeys. Experiments were performed in 17 iridectomized, anesthetized rhesus monkeys aged 4-16 years. Maximum accommodation was stimulated in all these monkeys with a 2% pilocarpine solution maintained on the cornea for at least 30 min in a specially designed perfusion lens. In subsequent topical pilocarpine experiments, baseline refraction was measured with a Hartinger coincidence refractometer and then while the monkeys were upright and facing forward, commercially available pilocarpine (2, 4, or 6%) was applied topically to the cornea as 2 or 4 drops in two applications or 6 drops in three applications over a five minute period with the eyelids closed between applications. Alternatively, while supine, 10-12 drops of pilocarpine were maintained on the cornea in a scleral cup for 5 min. Refraction measurements were begun 5 min after the second application of pilocarpine and continued for at least 30 min after initial administration until no further change in refraction occurred. In intravenous experiments, pilocarpine was given either as boluses ranging from 0.1mg/kg to 2mg/kg or boluses followed by a constant infusion at rates between 3.06 mg/kg/h and 11.6 mg/kg/h. Constant 2% pilocarpine solution on the eye in the perfusion lens produced 10.88+/-2.73 D (mean+/-SD) of accommodation. Topically applied pilocarpine produced 3.81 D+/-2.41, 5.49 D+/-4.08, and 5.55 D+/-3.27 using 2%, 4%, and 6% solutions respectively. When expressed as a percentage of the accommodative response amplitude obtained in the same monkey with constant 2% pilocarpine solution on the eye, the responses were 34.7% for 2% pilocarpine, 48.4% for 4% pilocarpine, and 44.6% for 6% pilocarpine. Topical 4% and 6% pilocarpine achieved similar, variable accommodative responses, but neither achieved maximum accommodation. IV boluses of pilocarpine achieved near maximal levels of accommodation at least ten times faster than topical methods. Doses effective for producing maximum accommodation ranged from 0.25mg/kg to 1.0mg/kg. IV pilocarpine boluses caused an anterior movement of the anterior lens surface, a posterior movement of the posterior lens surface, and a slight net anterior movement of the entire lens. Considerable variability in response amplitude occurred and maximum accommodative amplitude was rarely achieved with topical application of a variety of concentrations of commercially available pilocarpine. Intravenous infusion of pilocarpine was a rapid and reliable method of producing a nearly maximal accommodative response and maintaining accommodation when desired. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Surface active properties of lipid nanocapsules

PubMed Central

Mouzouvi, Celia R. A.; Bigot, André K.; Saulnier, Patrick

2017-01-01

Lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) are biomimetic nanocarriers used for the encapsulation of a broad variety of active ingredients. Similar to surface active compounds, LNCs contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts in their structure. Moreover, the components of LNCs, macrogol 15 hydroxystearate (MHS) and lecithin, are known for their surface active properties. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to investigate the capability of the LNCs to decrease surface tension using two techniques: drop tensiometry and the Wilhelmy plate method. LNCs with diameters ranging from 30 to 100 nm were successfully obtained using a phase inversion technique. The LNCs’ properties, such as size and zeta potential, depend on the composition. LNCs exhibit a lower limiting surface tension compared to MHS (34.8–35.0 mN/m and 37.7–38.8 mN/m, respectively), as confirmed by both drop tensiometry and the Wilhelmy plate method. LNCs have exhibited a saturated interfacial concentration (SIC) that was 10-fold higher than the critical micellar concentration (CMC) of MHS or the SIC of binary and ternary mixtures of LNC ingredients. The SIC of the LNC formulations depended on the mass mixing ratio of the MHS/triglycerides but not on the presence of lecithin. The CMC/SIC values measured by the Wilhelmy plate method were higher than those obtained using drop tensiometry because of the longer duration of the tensiometry measurement. In conclusion, the surfactant-like properties of the LNCs offer new possibilities for medical and pharmaceutical applications. PMID:28796777

Application of an improved spectral decomposition method to examine earthquake source scaling in Southern California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trugman, Daniel T.; Shearer, Peter M.

2017-04-01

Earthquake source spectra contain fundamental information about the dynamics of earthquake rupture. However, the inherent tradeoffs in separating source and path effects, when combined with limitations in recorded signal bandwidth, make it challenging to obtain reliable source spectral estimates for large earthquake data sets. We present here a stable and statistically robust spectral decomposition method that iteratively partitions the observed waveform spectra into source, receiver, and path terms. Unlike previous methods of its kind, our new approach provides formal uncertainty estimates and does not assume self-similar scaling in earthquake source properties. Its computational efficiency allows us to examine large data sets (tens of thousands of earthquakes) that would be impractical to analyze using standard empirical Green's function-based approaches. We apply the spectral decomposition technique to P wave spectra from five areas of active contemporary seismicity in Southern California: the Yuha Desert, the San Jacinto Fault, and the Big Bear, Landers, and Hector Mine regions of the Mojave Desert. We show that the source spectra are generally consistent with an increase in median Brune-type stress drop with seismic moment but that this observed deviation from self-similar scaling is both model dependent and varies in strength from region to region. We also present evidence for significant variations in median stress drop and stress drop variability on regional and local length scales. These results both contribute to our current understanding of earthquake source physics and have practical implications for the next generation of ground motion prediction assessments.

Surface active properties of lipid nanocapsules.

PubMed

Mouzouvi, Celia R A; Umerska, Anita; Bigot, André K; Saulnier, Patrick

2017-01-01

Lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) are biomimetic nanocarriers used for the encapsulation of a broad variety of active ingredients. Similar to surface active compounds, LNCs contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts in their structure. Moreover, the components of LNCs, macrogol 15 hydroxystearate (MHS) and lecithin, are known for their surface active properties. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to investigate the capability of the LNCs to decrease surface tension using two techniques: drop tensiometry and the Wilhelmy plate method. LNCs with diameters ranging from 30 to 100 nm were successfully obtained using a phase inversion technique. The LNCs' properties, such as size and zeta potential, depend on the composition. LNCs exhibit a lower limiting surface tension compared to MHS (34.8-35.0 mN/m and 37.7-38.8 mN/m, respectively), as confirmed by both drop tensiometry and the Wilhelmy plate method. LNCs have exhibited a saturated interfacial concentration (SIC) that was 10-fold higher than the critical micellar concentration (CMC) of MHS or the SIC of binary and ternary mixtures of LNC ingredients. The SIC of the LNC formulations depended on the mass mixing ratio of the MHS/triglycerides but not on the presence of lecithin. The CMC/SIC values measured by the Wilhelmy plate method were higher than those obtained using drop tensiometry because of the longer duration of the tensiometry measurement. In conclusion, the surfactant-like properties of the LNCs offer new possibilities for medical and pharmaceutical applications.

Rheological properties, shape oscillations, and coalescence of liquid drops with surfactants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Apfel, R. E.; Holt, R. G.

1990-01-01

A method was developed to deduce dynamic interfacial properties of liquid drops. The method involves measuring the frequency and damping of free quadrupole oscillations of an acoustically levitated drop. Experimental results from pure liquid-liquid systems agree well with theoretical predictions. Additionally, the effects of surfactants is considered. Extension of these results to a proposed microgravity experiment on the drop physics module (DPM) in USML-1 are discussed. Efforts are also underway to model the time history of the thickness of the fluid layer between two pre-coalescence drops, and to measure the film thickness experimentally. Preliminary results will be reported, along with plans for coalescence experiments proposed for USML-1.

Oscillations of a sessile droplet in open air

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Korenchenko, A. E., E-mail: korenchenko@physics.susu.ac.ru; Beskachko, V. P.

2013-11-15

The open system consisting of a sessile drop, a neutral gas, and a substrate is analyzed by numerical methods. The mode with constant contact angle is considered. The model takes into account evaporation from drop surface, free and forced convection in gas, buoyancy, and Marangoni effect in the liquid phase. It was established that every considered mechanical and thermodynamical disturbance of the system leads to the drop surface oscillations, and thus a drop in an open air oscillates almost inevitably. The displacement of the liquid-gas interface due to oscillations is analyzed in terms of its impact on the accuracy ofmore » measurement of the surface tension by sessile drop method.« less

Radiation force on drops and bubbles in acoustic Bessel beams modeled using finite elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marston, Philip L.; Thiessen, David B.; Zhang, Likun

2009-11-01

Analysis of the scattering of sound by spheres centered on ordinary and helicoidal (higher-order) Bessel beams makes it possible to evaluate the acoustic radiation force on idealized drops and bubbles centered on the beam [1]. For potential applications it would be necessary to know if a small transverse displacement of the sphere from the beam's axis causes a radiation force that pushes the sphere toward (or away from) the axis of the beam. We applied 3D-finite elements to that problem. To trust FEM calculations of the radiation force with helicoidal beams it was first necessary to verify that analytical values for the axial force are recovered in the on-axis helicoidal case since only the zero-order beam had been previously studied with FEM. Cases have been identified where the force pushes a slightly off-set drop or bubble toward the axis. For some cases the effective potential method of Gorkov may be used to predict the transverse stability of small spheres.[4pt] [1] P. L. Marston, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 125, 3539-3545 (2009).

Creation of nano eye-drops and effective drug delivery to the interior of the eye

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ikuta, Yoshikazu; Aoyagi, Shigenobu; Tanaka, Yuji; Sato, Kota; Inada, Satoshi; Koseki, Yoshitaka; Onodera, Tsunenobu; Oikawa, Hidetoshi; Kasai, Hitoshi

2017-03-01

Nano eye-drops are a new type of ophthalmic treatment with increased potency and reduced side effects. Compounds in conventional eye-drops barely penetrate into the eye because the cornea, located at the surface of eye, has a strong barrier function for preventing invasion of hydrophilic or large-sized materials from the outside. In this work, we describe the utility of nano eye-drops utilising brinzolamide, a commercially available glaucoma treatment drug, as a target compound. Fabrication of the nanoparticles of brinzolamide prodrug increases the eye penetration rate and results in high drug efficacy, compared with that of commercially available brinzolamide eye-drops formulated as micro-sized structures. In addition, the resulting nano eye-drops were not toxic to the corneal epithelium after repeated administration for 1 week. The nano eye-drops may have applications as a next-generation ophthalmic treatment.

Dynamics and Instabilities of Acoustically Stressed Interfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, William Tao

An intense sound field exerts acoustic radiation pressure on a transitional layer between two continuous fluid media, leading to the unconventional dynamical behavior of the interface in the presence of the sound field. An understanding of this behavior has applications in the study of drop dynamics and surface rheology. Acoustic fields have also been utilized in the generation of interfacial instability, which may further encourage the dispersion or coalescence of liquids. Therefore, the study of the dynamics of the acoustically stressed interfaces is essential to infer the mechanism of the various phenomena related to interfacial dynamics and to acquire the properties of liquid surfaces. This thesis studies the dynamics of acoustically stressed interfaces through a theoretical model of surface interactions on both closed and open interfaces. Accordingly, a boundary integral method is developed to simulate the motions of a stressed interface. The method has been employed to determine the deformation, oscillation and instability of acoustically levitated drops. The generalized computations are found to be in good agreement with available experimental results. The linearized theory is also derived to predict the instability threshold of the flat interface, and is then compared with experiments conducted to observe and measure the unstable motions of the horizontal interface. This thesis is devoted to describing and classifying the simplest mechanisms by which acoustic fields provide a surface interaction with a fluid. A physical picture of the competing processes introduced by the evolution of an interface in a sound field is presented. The development of an initial small perturbation into a sharp form is observed on either a drop surface or a horizontal interface, indicating a strong focusing of acoustic energy at certain spots of the interface. Emphasis is placed on understanding the basic coupling mechanisms, rather than on particular applications that may involve this coupling. The dynamical behavior of a stressed drop can be determined in terms of a given form of an incident sound field and three dimensionless quantities. Thus, the behavior of a complex dynamic system has been clarified, permitting the exploration and interpretation of the nature of liquid surface phenomena.

Innovative architecture of switching device for expanding the applications in fiber to the home (FTTH)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahmoud, Mohamed; Fayed, Heba A.; Aly, Moustafa H.; Aboul Seoud, A. K.

2011-08-01

A new device, optical cross add drop multiplexer (OXADM), is proposed and analyzed. It uses the combination concept of optical add drop multiplexer (OADM) and optical cross connect (OXC). It enables a wavelength switch while implementing add and drop functions simultaneously. So, it expands the applications in fiber to the home (FTTH) and optical core networks. A very high isolation crosstalk level (~ 60 dB) is achieved. Also, a bidirectional OXADM and N×N OXADM are proposed. Finally, a multistage OXADM is presented making some sort of wavelength buffering. To make these devices operate more efficient, tunable fiber Bragg gratings (TFBGs) switches are used to control the operation mechanism.

Characterization of Acousto-Electric Cluster and Array Levitation and its Application to Evaporation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Robert E. Apfel; Zheng, Yibing

2000-01-01

An acousto-electric levitator has been developed to study the behavior of liquid drop and solid particle clusters and arrays. Unlike an ordinary acoustic levitator that uses only a standing acoustic wave to levitate a single drop or particle, this device uses an extra electric static field and the acoustic field simultaneously to generate and levitate charged drops in two-dimensional arrays in air without any contact to a solid surface. This cluster and array generation (CAG) instrument enables us to steadily position drops and arrays to study the behavior of multiple drop and particle systems such as spray and aerosol systems relevant to the energy, environmental, and material sciences.

Inkjet Printing of Functional and Structural Materials: Fluid Property Requirements, Feature Stability, and Resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Derby, Brian

2010-08-01

Inkjet printing is viewed as a versatile manufacturing tool for applications in materials fabrication in addition to its traditional role in graphics output and marking. The unifying feature in all these applications is the dispensing and precise positioning of very small volumes of fluid (1-100 picoliters) on a substrate before transformation to a solid. The application of inkjet printing to the fabrication of structures for structural or functional materials applications requires an understanding as to how the physical processes that operate during inkjet printing interact with the properties of the fluid precursors used. Here we review the current state of understanding of the mechanisms of drop formation and how this defines the fluid properties that are required for a given liquid to be printable. The interactions between individual drops and the substrate as well as between adjacent drops are important in defining the resolution and accuracy of printed objects. Pattern resolution is limited by the extent to which a liquid drop spreads on a substrate and how spreading changes with the overlap of adjacent drops to form continuous features. There are clearly defined upper and lower bounds to the width of a printed continuous line, which can be defined in terms of materials and process variables. Finer-resolution features can be achieved through appropriate patterning and structuring of the substrate prior to printing, which is essential if polymeric semiconducting devices are to be fabricated. Low advancing and receding contact angles promote printed line stability but are also more prone to solute segregation or “coffee staining” on drying.

An investigation of two phase flow pressure drops in a reduced acceleration environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wheeler, Montgomery W.; Best, Frederick R.; Reinarts, Thomas R.

1993-01-01

Thermal systems for space applications based on two phase flow have several advantages over single phase systems. Two phase thermal energy management and dynamic power conversion system advantages include the capability of achieving high specific power levels. Before two phase systems for space applications can be designed effectively, knowledge of the flow behavior in a reduced acceleration environment is necessary. To meet these needs, two phase flow experiments were conducted aboard the National Aeronautic and Space Administration's KC-135 using R12 as the working fluid. Annular flow two phase pressure drops were measured through 10.41-mm ID 1.251-m long glass tubing during periods with acceleration levels in the range ±0.05 G. The experiments were conducted with emphasis on achieving data with a high level of accuracy. The reduced acceleration annular flow pressure drops were compred with pressure drops measured in a 1-G environment for similar flow conditions. The reduced acceleration pressure drops were found to be 45% greater than the 1-G pressure drops. In addition, the reduced acceleration annular flow interfacial friction factors were compared with models for vertical up-flow in a 1-G environment. The reduced acceleration interfacial friction factor data was not predicted by the 1-G models.

Carbon-Based Honeycomb Monoliths for Environmental Gas-Phase Applications

PubMed Central

Moreno-Castilla, Carlos; Pérez-Cadenas, Agustín F.

2010-01-01

Honeycomb monoliths consist of a large number of parallel channels that provide high contact efficiencies between the monolith and gas flow streams. These structures are used as adsorbents or supports for catalysts when large gas volumes are treated, because they offer very low pressure drop, short diffusion lengths and no obstruction by particulate matter. Carbon-based honeycomb monoliths can be integral or carbon-coated ceramic monoliths, and they take advantage of the versatility of the surface area, pore texture and surface chemistry of carbon materials. Here, we review the preparation methods of these monoliths, their characteristics and environmental applications.

Drop shape visualization and contact angle measurement on curved surfaces.

PubMed

Guilizzoni, Manfredo

2011-12-01

The shape and contact angles of drops on curved surfaces is experimentally investigated. Image processing, spline fitting and numerical integration are used to extract the drop contour in a number of cross-sections. The three-dimensional surfaces which describe the surface-air and drop-air interfaces can be visualized and a simple procedure to determine the equilibrium contact angle starting from measurements on curved surfaces is proposed. Contact angles on flat surfaces serve as a reference term and a procedure to measure them is proposed. Such procedure is not as accurate as the axisymmetric drop shape analysis algorithms, but it has the advantage of requiring only a side view of the drop-surface couple and no further information. It can therefore be used also for fluids with unknown surface tension and there is no need to measure the drop volume. Examples of application of the proposed techniques for distilled water drops on gemstones confirm that they can be useful for drop shape analysis and contact angle measurement on three-dimensional sculptured surfaces. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DSD Characteristics of a Mid-Winter Tornadic Storm Using C-Band Polarimetric Radar and Two 2D-Video Disdrometers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thurai, M.; Petersen, W. A.; Carey, L. A.

2010-01-01

Drop size distributions in an evolving tornadic storm are examined using C-band polarimetric radar observations and two 2D-video disdrometers. The E-F2 storm occurred in mid-winter (21 January 2010) in northern Alabama, USA, and caused widespread damage. The evolution of the storm occurred within the C-band radar coverage and moreover, several minutes prior to touch down, the storm passed over a site where several disdrometers including two 2D video disdrometers (2DVD) had been installed. One of the 2DVDs is a low profile unit and the other is a new next generation compact unit currently undergoing performance evaluation. Analyses of the radar data indicate that the main region of precipitation should be treated as a "big-drop" regime case. Even the measured differential reflectivity values (i.e. without attenuation correction) were as high as 6-7 dB within regions of high reflectivity. Standard attenuation-correction methods using differential propagation phase have been "fine tuned" to be applicable to the "big drop" regime. The corrected reflectivity and differential reflectivity data are combined with the co-polar correlation coefficient and specific differential phase to determine the mass-weighted mean diameter, Dm, and the width of the mass spectrum, (sigma)M, as well as the intercept parameter , Nw. Significant areas of high Dm (3-4 mm) were retrieved within the main precipitation areas of the tornadic storm. The "big drop" regime assumption is substantiated by the two sets of 2DVD measurements. The Dm values calculated from 1-minute drop size distributions reached nearly 4 mm, whilst the maximum drop diameters were over 6 mm. The fall velocity measurements from the 2DVD indicate almost all hydrometeors to be fully melted at ground level. Drop shapes for this event are also being investigated from the 2DVD camera data.

Direct numerical simulation of variable surface tension flows using a Volume-of-Fluid method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seric, Ivana; Afkhami, Shahriar; Kondic, Lou

2018-01-01

We develop a general methodology for the inclusion of a variable surface tension coefficient into a Volume-of-Fluid based Navier-Stokes solver. This new numerical model provides a robust and accurate method for computing the surface gradients directly by finding the tangent directions on the interface using height functions. The implementation is applicable to both temperature and concentration dependent surface tension coefficient, along with the setups involving a large jump in the temperature between the fluid and its surrounding, as well as the situations where the concentration should be strictly confined to the fluid domain, such as the mixing of fluids with different surface tension coefficients. We demonstrate the applicability of our method to the thermocapillary migration of bubbles and the coalescence of drops characterized by a different surface tension coefficient.

Flow visualization V; Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium, Prague, Czechoslovakia, Aug. 21-25, 1989

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reznicek, R.

The present conference on flow visualization encompasses methods exploiting tracing particles, surface tracing methods, methods exploiting the effects of streaming fluid on passing radiation/field, computer-aided flow visualization, and applications to fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, flow devices, shock tubes, and heat/mass transfer. Specific issues include visualizing velocity distribution by stereo photography, dark-field Fourier quasiinterferometry, speckle tomography of an open flame, a fast eye for real-time image analysis, and velocity-field determination based on flow-image analysis. Also addressed are flows around rectangular prisms with oscillating flaps at the leading edges, the tomography of aerodynamic objects, the vapor-screen technique applied to a delta-wing aircraft, flash-lamp planar imaging, IR-thermography applications in convective heat transfer, and the visualization of marangoni effects in evaporating sessile drops.

Expression of KGF-1 and KGF-2 in Skin Wounds and Its Application in Forensic Pathology.

PubMed

Yu, Lin Sheng; Li, Xing Biao; Fan, Yan Yan; Ye, Guang Hua; Li, Jun-Li; Fu, Tong-Tong; Liao, Yi; Li, Feng

2017-09-01

The expression of keratinocyte growth factor-1 (KGF-1) and keratinocyte growth factor-2 (KGF-2) in skin wounds in mice was studied using multiple methods. The dynamic expression of KGF-1 and KGF-2 for antemortem and postmortem injuries as well as the examination of antemortem injuries after death under different temperature and over varying time periods was studied. It demonstrates that skin KGF-1 resulting from an antemortem injury starts to rise at 6 hours, reaches its peak at 1 day, and starts to drop at 5 days. The expression of skin KGF-2 resulting from an antemortem injury starts to rise at 12 hours, reaches its peak at 7 days, and begins to drop at 10 days. Skin KGF-1 and skin KGF-2 after death stabilize within 7 days at 4°C and -20°C, within 5 days at 20°C, and within 1 day at 30°C. The application of KGF-1 and KGF-2 indicators in skin wound age determination is both feasible and reliable.

Coplanar electrowetting-induced stirring as a tool to manipulate biological samples in lubricated digital microfluidics. Impact of ambient phase on drop internal flow patterna)

PubMed Central

Davoust, Laurent; Fouillet, Yves; Malk, Rachid; Theisen, Johannes

2013-01-01

Oscillating electrowetting on dielectrics (EWOD) with coplanar electrodes is investigated in this paper as a way to provide efficient stirring within a drop with biological content. A supporting model inspired from Ko et al. [Appl. Phys. Lett. 94, 194102 (2009)] is proposed allowing to interpret oscillating EWOD-induced drop internal flow as the result of a current streaming along the drop surface deformed by capillary waves. Current streaming behaves essentially as a surface flow generator and the momentum it sustains within the (viscous) drop is even more significant as the surface to volume ratio is small. With the circular electrode pair considered in this paper, oscillating EWOD sustains toroidal vortical flows when the experiments are conducted with aqueous drops in air as ambient phase. But when oil is used as ambient phase, it is demonstrated that the presence of an electrode gap is responsible for a change in drop shape: a pinch-off at the electrode gap yields a peanut-shaped drop and a symmetry break-up of the EWOD-induced flow pattern. Viscosity of oil is also responsible for promoting an efficient damping of the capillary waves which populate the surface of the actuated drop. As a result, the capillary network switches from one standing wave to two superimposed traveling waves of different mechanical energy, provided that actuation frequency is large enough, for instance, as large as the one commonly used in electrowetting applications (f ∼ 500 Hz and beyond). Special emphasis is put on stirring of biological samples. As a typical application, it is demonstrated how beads or cell clusters can be focused under flow either at mid-height of the drop or near the wetting plane, depending on how the nature of the capillary waves is (standing or traveling), and therefore, depending on the actuation frequency (150 Hz–1 KHz). PMID:24404038

Actuation of digital micro drops by electrowetting on open microfluidic chips fabricated in photolithography.

PubMed

Ko, Hyojin; Lee, Jeong Soo; Jung, Chan-Hee; Choi, Jae-Hak; Kwon, Oh-Sun; Shin, Kwanwoo

2014-08-01

Basic manipulations of discrete liquid drops on opened microfluidic chips based on electrowetting on dielectrics were described. While most developed microfluidic chips are closed systems equipped with a top plate to cover mechanically and to contact electrically to drop samples, our chips are opened systems with a single plate without any electric contact to drops directly. The chips consist of a linear array of patterned electrodes at 1.8 mm pitch was fabricated on a glass plate coated with thin hydrophobic and dielectric layers by using various methods including photolithography, spin coating and ion sputtering. Several actuations such as lateral oscillation, colliding mergence and translational motion for 3-10 μL water drops have been demonstrated satisfactory. All these kinetic performances of opened chips were similar to those of closed chip systems, indicating superiority of a none-contact method for the transport of drops on opened microfluidic chips actuated by using electrowetting technique.

Impact of a heterogeneous liquid droplet on a dry surface: application to the pharmaceutical industry.

PubMed

Bolleddula, D A; Berchielli, A; Aliseda, A

2010-09-15

Droplet impact has been studied for over a hundred years dating back to the pioneering work of Worthington. In fact, much of his ingenuity contributed to modern day high speed photography. Over the past 40 years significant contributions in theoretical, numerical, and experimental work have been made. Droplet impact is a problem of fundamental importance due to the wealth of applications involved, namely, spray coating, spray painting, delivery of agricultural chemicals, spray cooling, inkjet printing, soil erosion due to rain drop impact, and turbine wear. Here we highlight one specific application, spray coating. Although most studies have focused their efforts on low viscosity Newtonian fluids, many industrial applications such as spray coating utilize more viscous and complex rheology liquids. Determining dominant effects and quantifying their behavior for colloidal suspensions and polymer solutions remains a challenge and thus has eluded much effort. In the last decade, it has been shown that introducing polymers to Newtonian solutions inhibits the rebounding of a drop upon impact, Bergeron et al. Furthermore Bartolo et al. concluded that the normal stress component of the elongational viscosity was responsible for the rebounding inhibition of polymer based non-Newtonian solutions. We aim to uncover the drop impact dynamics of highly viscous Newtonian and complex rheology liquids used in pharmaceutical coating processes. The generation and impact of drops of mm and microm size drops of coating liquids and glycerol/water mixtures on tablet surfaces are systematically studied over a range of We approximately O(1-300), Oh approximately O(10(-2)-1), and Re approximately O(1-700). We extend the range of Oh to values above 1, which are not available to previous studies of droplet impacts. Outcomes reveal that splashing and rebounding are completely inhibited and the role of wettability is negligible in the early stages of impact. The maximum spreading diameter of the drop is compared with three models demonstrating reasonable agreement. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

BIOPHYSICAL PARAMETERS DURING RADIOFREQUENCY CATHETER ABLATION OF SCAR-MEDIATED VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA: EPICARDIAL AND ENDOCARDIAL APPLICATIONS VIA MANUAL AND MAGNETIC NAVIGATION

PubMed Central

Bourke, Tara; Buch, Eric; Mathuria, Nilesh; Michowitz, Yoav; Yu, Ricky; Mandapati, Ravi; Shivkumar, Kalyanam; Tung, Roderick

2014-01-01

Background There is a paucity of data on biophysical parameters during radiofrequency ablation of scar-mediated ventricular tachycardia (VT). Methods and Results Data was collected from consecutive patients undergoing VT ablation with open-irrigation. Complete data was available for 372 lesions in 21 patients. The frequency of biophysical parameter changes were: >10Ω reduction (80%), bipolar EGM reduction (69%), while loss of capture was uncommon (32%). Unipolar injury current was seen in 72% of radiofrequency applications. Both EGM reduction and impedance drop were seen in 57% and a change in all 3 parameters was seen in only 20% of lesions. Late potentials were eliminated in 33%, reduced/modified in 56%, and remained after ablation in 11%. Epicardial lesions exhibited an impedance drop (90% vs 76%, p=0.002) and loss of capture (46% vs 27%, p<0.001) more frequently than endocardial lesions. Lesions delivered manually exhibited a >10Ω impedance drop (83% vs 71%, p=0.02) and an EGM reduction (71% vs 40%, p< 0.001) more frequently than lesions applied using magnetic navigation, although loss of capture, elimination of LPs, and a change in all 3 parameters were similarly observed. Conclusions VT ablation is inefficient as the majority of radiofrequency lesions do not achieve more than one targeted biophysical parameter. Only one-third of RF applications targeted at LPs result in complete elimination. Epicardial ablation within scar may be more effective than endocardial lesions and lesions applied manually may be more effective than lesions applied using magnetic navigation. New technologies directed at identifying and optimizing ablation effectiveness in scar are clinically warranted. PMID:24946895

Break-up of droplets in a concentrated emulsion flowing through a narrow constriction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Minkyu; Rosenfeld, Liat; Tang, Sindy; Tang Lab Team

2014-11-01

Droplet microfluidics has enabled a wide range of high throughput screening applications. Compared with other technologies such as robotic screening technology, droplet microfluidics has 1000 times higher throughput, which makes the technology one of the most promising platforms for the ultrahigh throughput screening applications. Few studies have considered the throughput of the droplet interrogation process, however. In this research, we show that the probability of break-up increases with increasing flow rate, entrance angle to the constriction, and size of the drops. Since single drops do not break at the highest flow rate used in the system, break-ups occur primarily from the interactions between highly packed droplets close to each other. Moreover, the probabilistic nature of the break-up process arises from the stochastic variations in the packing configuration. Our results can be used to calculate the maximum throughput of the serial interrogation process. For 40 pL-drops, the highest throughput with less than 1% droplet break-up was measured to be approximately 7,000 drops per second. In addition, the results are useful for understanding the behavior of concentrated emulsions in applications such as mobility control in enhanced oil recovery.

Hydrophilic magnetic ionic liquid for magnetic headspace single-drop microextraction of chlorobenzenes prior to thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Fernández, Elena; Vidal, Lorena; Canals, Antonio

2017-11-23

A new, fast, easy to handle, and environmentally friendly magnetic headspace single-drop microextraction (Mag-HS-SDME) based on a magnetic ionic liquid (MIL) as an extractant solvent is presented. A small drop of the MIL 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetraisothiocyanatocobaltate(II) ([Emim] 2 [Co(NCS) 4 ]) is located on one end of a small neodymium magnet to extract nine chlorobenzenes (1,2-dichlorobenzene, 1,3-dichlorobenzene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene, 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobenzene, 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene, and pentachlorobenzene) as model analytes from water samples prior to thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry determination. A multivariate optimization strategy was employed to optimize experimental parameters affecting Mag-HS-SDME. The method was evaluated under optimized extraction conditions (i.e., sample volume, 20 mL; MIL volume, 1 μL; extraction time, 10 min; stirring speed, 1500 rpm; and ionic strength, 15% NaCl (w/v)), obtaining a linear response from 0.05 to 5 μg L -1 for all analytes. The repeatability of the proposed method was evaluated at 0.7 and 3 μg L -1 spiking levels and coefficients of variation ranged between 3 and 18% (n = 3). Limits of detection were in the order of nanograms per liter ranging from 4 ng L -1 for 1,4-dichlorobenzene and 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobenzene to 8 ng L -1 for 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene. Finally, tap water, pond water, and wastewater were selected as real water samples to assess the applicability of the method. Relative recoveries varied between 82 and 114% showing negligible matrix effects. Graphical abstract Magnetic headspace single-drop microextraction followed by thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Evaporation of pure liquid sessile and spherical suspended drops: a review.

PubMed

Erbil, H Yildirim

2012-01-15

A sessile drop is an isolated drop which has been deposited on a solid substrate where the wetted area is limited by a contact line and characterized by contact angle, contact radius and drop height. Diffusion-controlled evaporation of a sessile drop in an ambient gas is an important topic of interest because it plays a crucial role in many scientific applications such as controlling the deposition of particles on solid surfaces, in ink-jet printing, spraying of pesticides, micro/nano material fabrication, thin film coatings, biochemical assays, drop wise cooling, deposition of DNA/RNA micro-arrays, and manufacture of novel optical and electronic materials in the last decades. This paper presents a review of the published articles for a period of approximately 120 years related to the evaporation of both sessile drops and nearly spherical droplets suspended from thin fibers. After presenting a brief history of the subject, we discuss the basic theory comprising evaporation of micrometer and millimeter sized spherical drops, self cooling on the drop surface and evaporation rate of sessile drops on solids. The effects of drop cooling, resultant lateral evaporative flux and Marangoni flows on evaporation rate are also discussed. This review also has some special topics such as drop evaporation on superhydrophobic surfaces, determination of the receding contact angle from drop evaporation, substrate thermal conductivity effect on drop evaporation and the rate evaporation of water in liquid marbles. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Method and system rapid piece handling

DOEpatents

Spletzer, Barry L.

1996-01-01

The advent of high-speed fabric cutters has made necessary the development of automated techniques for the collection and sorting of garment pieces into collated piles of pieces ready for assembly. The present invention enables a new method for such handling and sorting of garment parts, and to apparatus capable of carrying out this new method. The common thread is the application of computer-controlled shuttling bins, capable of picking up a desired piece of fabric and dropping it in collated order for assembly. Such apparatus with appropriate computer control relieves the bottleneck now presented by the sorting and collation procedure, thus greatly increasing the overall rate at which garments can be assembled.

Method and apparatus for controlling electrode gap during vacuum consumable arc remelting

DOEpatents

Fisher, R.W.; Maroone, J.P.; Tipping, D.W.; Zanner, F.J.

During vacuum consumable arc remelting the electrode gap between a consumable electrode and a pool of molten metal is difficult to control. The present invention monitors drop shorts by detecting a decrease in the voltage between the consumable electrode and molten pool. The drop shorts and their associated voltage reductions occur as repetitive pulses which are closely correlated to the electrode gap. Thus, the method and apparatus of the present invention controls electrode gap based upon drop shorts detected from the monitored anode-cathode voltage. The number of drop shorts are accumulated, and each time the number of drop shorts reach a predetermined number, the average period between drop shorts is calculated from this predetermined number and the time in which this number is accumulated. This average drop short period is used in a drop short period electrode gap model which determines the actual electrode gap from the drop short. The actual electrode gap is then compared with a desired electrode gap which is selected to produce optimum operating conditions and the velocity of the consumable error is varied based upon the gap error. The consumable electrode is driven according to any prior art system at this velocity. In the preferred embodiment, a microprocessor system is utilized to perform the necessary calculations and further to monitor the duration of each drop short. If any drop short exceeds a preset duration period, the consumable electrode is rapidly retracted a predetermined distance to prevent bonding of the consumable electrode to the molten remelt.

Drop Ejection From an Oscillating Rod

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilkes, E. D.; Basaran, O. A.

1999-01-01

The dynamics of a drop of a Newtonian liquid that is pendant from or sessile on a solid rod that is forced to undergo time-periodic oscillations along its axis is studied theoretically. The free boundary problem governing the time evolution of the shape of the drop and the flow field inside it is solved by a method of lines using a finite element algorithm incorporating an adaptive mesh. When the forcing amplitude is small, the drop approaches a limit cycle at large times and undergoes steady oscillations thereafter. However, drop breakup is the consequence if the forcing amplitude exceeds a critical value. Over a wide range of amplitudes above this critical value, drop ejection from the rod occurs during the second oscillation period from the commencement of rod motion. Remarkably, the shape of the interface at breakup and the volume of the primary drop formed are insensitive to changes in forcing amplitude. The interface shape at times close to and at breakup is a multi-valued function of distance measured along the rod axis and hence cannot be described by recently popularized one-dimensional approximations. The computations show that drop ejection occurs without the formation of a long neck. Therefore, this method of drop formation holds promise of preventing formation of undesirable satellite droplets.

Sorting drops and cells with acoustics: acoustic microfluidic fluorescence-activated cell sorter.

PubMed

Schmid, Lothar; Weitz, David A; Franke, Thomas

2014-10-07

We describe a versatile microfluidic fluorescence-activated cell sorter that uses acoustic actuation to sort cells or drops at ultra-high rates. Our acoustic sorter combines the advantages of traditional fluorescence-activated cell (FACS) and droplet sorting (FADS) and is applicable for a multitude of objects. We sort aqueous droplets, at rates as high as several kHz, into two or even more outlet channels. We can also sort cells directly from the medium without prior encapsulation into drops; we demonstrate this by sorting fluorescently labeled mouse melanoma cells in a single phase fluid. Our acoustic microfluidic FACS is compatible with standard cell sorting cytometers, yet, at the same time, enables a rich variety of more sophisticated applications.

Using the sessile drop geometry to measure fluid and elastic block copolymer interfaces.

PubMed

Rozairo, Damith P; Croll, Andrew B

2015-02-03

There is considerable interest in the fabrication and mechanics of soft spheres and capsules because of their use in a large number of applications ranging from targeted drug delivery to cosmetically active agents. Many systems, such as lipid and block copolymer vesicles, are already finding considerable industrial use where the performance of soft spheres depends intimately on their mechanics. New advanced features such as fast cargo delivery can be realized only if they fit into the existing mechanical niche of the system in question. Here we present a model system to demonstrate how a capsule structure can be fundamentally changed while maintaining its overall mechanical response as well as a simple, universal method to measure the resulting capsule material properties. Specifically, we use confocal microscopy to adapt the sessile drop geometry to a measurement of the static properties of an ensemble of polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-PEO)-stabilized oil droplets. We then synthesize a polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid)-b-polystyrene (PS-PAA-PS) elastic-shell-coated emulsion drop that shows an identical deformation to the fluidlike PS-PEO droplets. Both systems, in sessile geometry, can be related to their basic material properties through appropriate modeling. We find that the elastic shell is dominated by its surface tension, easily enabling it to match the static response of a purely fluid drop.

Colorimetric determinations of lithium levels in drop-volumes of human plasma for monitoring patients with bipolar mood disorder.

PubMed

Qassem, M; Hickey, M; Kyriacou, P A

2016-08-01

Lithium preparations are considered the most reliable form of mood stabilizing medication for patients with Bipolar disorder. Nevertheless, lithium is a toxic element and its therapeutic range is extremely narrow, with levels of 0.61.0 mEq considered normal, whereas levels above 1.5 mEq are toxic. Thus unfortunately, many patients reach toxic levels that lead to unnecessary complications. It is believed that personal monitoring of blood lithium levels would benefit patients taking lithium medication. Therefore, our aim is to develop a personal lithium blood level analyzer for patients with bipolar mood disorder, and we report here our initial results of a colorimetric-based method used to test drop-volumes of human plasma that had been spiked with lithium. It was possible to validate results with standard flame photometry readings. Applying the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method on preprocessed spectra, therapeutic concentrations of lithium in a single drop can be predicted in a rapid manner, and furthermore, the calibration results were used to select effective wavelengths which were employed as inputs in Multiple Linear Regression (MLR). The simplified algorithms of this would prove useful when developing a personal lithium analyzer. Overall, both calibration methods gave high correlation and small error outputs with a R2= 0.99036 and RMSEC = 0.03778, and R2= 0.994148 and RMSEC= 0.0294404, for PLS and MLR methods, respectively. The results show that the spectrophotometric determination of blood lithium levels can be extended beyond laboratory applications and indicate the capability of this testing principle to be employed in a personal monitoring device. Future work will now focus on the technical development of a miniaturized system for measurement of lithium levels in blood with an acceptable level of accuracy and sensitivity.

Dynamic ultrasonic nebulisation extraction coupled with headspace ionic liquid-based single-drop microextraction for the analysis of the essential oil in Forsythia suspensa.

PubMed

Yang, Jinjuan; Wei, Hongmin; Teng, Xiane; Zhang, Hanqi; Shi, Yuhua

2014-01-01

Ionic liquids have attracted much attention as an extraction solvent instead of traditional organic solvent in single-drop microextraction. However, non-volatile ionic liquids are difficult to couple with gas chromatography. Thus, the following injection system for the determination of organic compounds is described. To establish an environmentally friendly, simple, and effective extraction method for preparation and analysis of the essential oil from aromatic plants. The dynamic ultrasonic nebulisation extraction was coupled with headspace ionic liquid-based single-drop microextraction(UNE-HS/IL/SDME)for the extraction of essential oils from Forsythia suspense fruits. After 13 min of extraction for 50 mg sample, the extracts in ionic liquid were evaporated rapidly in the gas chromatography injector through a thermal desorption unit (5 s). The traditional extraction method was carried out for comparative study. The optimum conditions were: 3 μL of 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate was selected as the extraction solvent, the sample amount was 50 mg, the flow rate of purging gas was 200 mL/min, the extraction time was 13 min, the injection volume was 2 μL, and the thermal desorption temperature and time were 240 °C and 5 s respectively. Comparing with hydrodistillation (HD), the proposed method was environment friendly and efficient. The proposed method is environmentally friendly, time saving, with high efficiency and low consumption. It would extend the application range of the HS/SDME and would be useful especially for aromatic plants analysis. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Stable stress‐drop measurements and their variability: Implications for ground‐motion prediction

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hanks, Thomas C.; Baltay, Annemarie S.; Beroza, Gregory C.

2013-01-01

We estimate the arms‐stress drop, Graphic, (Hanks, 1979) using acceleration time records of 59 earthquakes from two earthquake sequences in eastern Honshu, Japan. These acceleration‐based static stress drops compare well to stress drops calculated for the same events by Baltay et al. (2011) using an empirical Green’s function (eGf) approach. This agreement supports the assumption that earthquake acceleration time histories in the bandwidth between the corner frequency and a maximum observed frequency can be considered white, Gaussian, noise. Although the Graphic is computationally simpler than the eGf‐based Graphic‐stress drop, and is used as the “stress parameter” to describe the earthquake source in ground‐motion prediction equations, we find that it only compares well to the Graphic at source‐station distances of ∼20  km or less because there is no consideration of whole‐path anelastic attenuation or scattering. In these circumstances, the correlation between the Graphic and Graphic is strong. Events with high and low stress drops obtained through the eGf method have similarly high and low Graphic. We find that the inter‐event standard deviation of stress drop, for the population of earthquakes considered, is similar for both methods, 0.40 for the Graphic method and 0.42 for the Graphic, in log10 units, provided we apply the ∼20  km distance restriction to Graphic. This indicates that the observed variability is inherent to the source, rather than attributable to uncertainties in stress‐drop estimates

Comparative evaluation of Nano-Hydroxyapatite preparation and Calcium Sucrose Phosphate on microhardness of deciduous teeth after iron drop exposure - An in-vitro study.

PubMed

Rathi, Nilesh; Baid, Rutika; Baliga, Sudhindra; Thosar, Nilima

2017-04-01

To evaluate and compare the microhardness of deciduous teeth treated with nano-hydroxyapatite and calcium sucrose phosphate after iron drop exposure. Twenty healthy anterior deciduous teeth were collected and stored in 0.9% saline solution at room temperature. All the teeth were immersed in artificial saliva in an incubator shaker at 37° for an hour and then subjected to Vickers microhardness test at 100g load for 5 seconds. The teeth were then immersed in iron drop for 5 minutes, twice daily, rinsed with distilled water and kept in artificial saliva. This procedure was repeated for 7 days and teeth were subjected to microhardness testing. Further, the teeth were divided in two groups, each group containing 10 teeth. In group I, nanohydroxyapatite preparation and in group II, calcium sucrose phosphate were applied for 10 minutes, twice daily for 7 days and subjected again to microhardness testing again. Vickers microhardness analysis revealed that iron drop exposure to teeth caused significant decrease in microhardness ( p <0.05). Application of nanohydroxyapatite preparation in Group I showed significantly increased enamel microhardness (206.90) than that after iron drop exposure. Similarly, application of calcium sucrose phosphate in Group II showed significantly increased enamel microhardness (200.89) than that after iron drop exposure. Statistical difference was seen between the two groups, with nanohydroxyapatite preparation showing increased microhardness than calcium sucrose phosphate. Nanohydroxyapatite preparation and calcium sucrose phosphate have remineralizing effect over teeth affected by acid challenge of iron drops, nanohydroxyapatite preparation showing better results than calcium sucrose phosphate. Key words: Iron drops, Nanohydroxyapaptite, calcium sucrose phosphate, anticay.

Modeling Evaporation of Drops of Different Kerosenes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bellan, Josette; Harstad, Kenneth

2007-01-01

A mathematical model describes the evaporation of drops of a hydrocarbon liquid composed of as many as hundreds of chemical species. The model is intended especially for application to any of several types of kerosenes commonly used as fuels. The concept of continuous thermodynamics, according to which the chemical composition of the evaporating multicomponent liquid is described by use of a probability distribution function (PDF). However, the present model is more generally applicable than is its immediate predecessor.

Electrophoretic deposition of graphene oxide on magnetic ribbon: Toward high sensitive and selectable magnetoimpedance response

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jamilpanah, L.; Azadian, S.; Shoa e Gharehbagh, J.; Haghniaz Jahromi, S.; Sheykhifard, Z.; Hosseinizadeh, S.; Erfanifam, S.; Hajiali, M. R.; Tehranchi, M. M.; Mohseni, S. M.

2018-07-01

Graphene oxide (GO) layers have shown to be fascinating elements for application in high performance sensors. They can be applied in multi-disciplinary designs based on surface selective sensing mechanisms. One immediate application of such surface sensitive elements is implementing of GO layer in magnetoimpedance (MI) sensors to improve their multi-functionality. In this paper, deposition of GO on the surface of Co-based amorphous ribbons (Co68.15Fe4.35Si12.5B15) is performed using electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method to evaluate the MI response. MI ratio increased from 271% (bare ribbon) up to 281% and 301% EPD GO deposited within 4 and 8 min, respectively. Similar experiment for the ribbon drop coated with GO was carried out while no enhancement in MI response was seen. Vertical growth of GO on the surface of the ribbon in EPD and drop coated layers observed by topographical measurements. We explained the difference between the MI responses based on layers verticality and surface coverage. UV-Visible absorption and Raman spectroscopy were used to study the nature of GO. Gaining a high surface area of GO along with their biocompatible and anticorrosive properties atop the MI sensors can open pathways towards increasing applications of surface selective and high sensitive MI sensors.

Morphology of viscoplastic drop impact on viscoplastic surfaces.

PubMed

Chen, Simeng; Bertola, Volfango

2017-01-25

The impact of viscoplastic drops onto viscoplastic substrates characterized by different magnitudes of the yield stress is investigated experimentally. The interaction between viscoplastic drops and surfaces has an important application in additive manufacturing, where a fresh layer of material is deposited on a partially cured or dried layer of the same material. So far, no systematic studies on this subject have been reported in literature. The impact morphology of different drop/substrate combinations, with yield stresses ranging from 1.13 Pa to 11.7 Pa, was studied by high speed imaging for impact Weber numbers between 15 and 85. Experimental data were compared with one of the existing models for Newtonian drop impact onto liquid surfaces. Results show the magnitude of the yield stress of drop/substrate strongly affects the final shape of the impacting drop, permanently deformed at the end of impact. The comparison between experimental data and model predictions suggests the crater evolution model is only valid when predicting the evolution of the crater at sufficiently high Weber numbers.

The Flow Induced by the Coalescence of Two Initially Stationary Drops

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nobari, M. R.; Tryggvason, G.

1994-01-01

The coalescence of two initially stationary drops of different size is investigated by solving the unsteady, axisymmetric Navier-Stokes equations numerically, using a Front-Tracking/Finite Difference method. Initially, the drops are put next to each other and the film between them ruptured. Due to surface tension forces, the drops coalesce rapidly and the fluid from the small drop is injected into the larger one. For low nondimensional viscosity, or Ohnesorge number, little mixing takes place and the small drop fluid forms a blob near the point where the drops touched initially. For low Ohnesorge number, on the other hand, the small drop forms a jet that penetrates far into the large drop. The penetration depth also depends on the size of the drops and shows that for a given fluid of sufficiently low viscosity, there is a maximum penetration depth for intermediate size ratios.

Resistive method for measuring the disintegration speed of Prince Rupert's drops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bochkov, Mark; Gusenkova, Daria; Glushkov, Evgenii; Zotova, Julia; Zhabin, S. N.

2016-09-01

We have successfully applied the resistance grid technique to measure the disintegration speed in a special type of glass objects, widely known as Prince Rupert's drops. We use a fast digital oscilloscope and a simple electrical circuit, glued to the surface of the drops, to detect the voltage changes, corresponding to the breaks in the specific parts of the drops. The results obtained using this method are in good qualitative and quantitative agreement with theoretical predictions and previously published data. Moreover, the proposed experimental setup does not include any expensive equipment (such as a high-speed camera) and can therefore be widely used in high schools and universities.

Steam distillation/drop-by-drop extraction with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for fast determination of volatile components in jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) extract.

PubMed

Sun, Shi-Hao; Chai, Guo-Bi; Li, Peng; Xie, Jian-Ping; Su, Yue

2017-10-13

Jujube extract is commonly used as a food additive and flavoring. The unique jujube aroma and the mild sweet aroma of the extract are critical factors that determine product quality and affect consumer acceptability. The aroma changes with changes in the extraction condition, which is typically dependent on the characteristics of volatile oils in the extract. Despite their importance, the volatile oils of jujube extract have received less attention compared with the soluble components. So, an appropriate qualitative and quantitative method for determination of the volatile oils is vitally important for quality control of the product. A method coupling steam distillation/drop-by-drop extraction with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (S3DE/GC-MS) was developed to determine the volatile components of jujube extract. Steam distillation was coupled with solvent extraction; the resulting condensate containing volatile components from jujube extract was drop-by-drop extracted using 2 mL of methyl tertiary butyl ether. The solvent served two purposes. First, the solvent extracted the volatile components from the condensate. Second, the volatile components were pre-concentrated by drop-by-drop accumulation in the solvent. As a result, the extraction, separation, and concentration of analytes in the sample were simultaneously completed in one step. The main parameters affecting the S3DE procedure, such as the water steam bubbling rate, extraction solvent volume, sample weight and S3DE time, were optimized. The standard addition approach was essential to obtain accurate measurements by minimizing matrix effects. Good linearity (R 2  ≥ 0.9887) and good repeatability (RSDs ≤ 10.35%, n = 5) for 16 analytes in spiked standard analyte samples were achieved. With the S3DE/GC-MS method, seventy-six volatile compounds from jujube extract were identified and the content of 16 compounds was measured. The results were similar to those from simultaneous distillation extraction. The developed method was simple, fast, effective, sensitive, and provided an overall profile of the volatile components in jujube extract. Thus, this method can be used to determine the volatile components of extracts. Graphical abstract The diagram of steam distillation/drop-by-drop extraction device.

Microfluidic pressure sensing using trapped air compression.

PubMed

Srivastava, Nimisha; Burns, Mark A

2007-05-01

We have developed a microfluidic method for measuring the fluid pressure head experienced at any location inside a microchannel. The principal component is a microfabricated sealed chamber with a single inlet and no exit; the entrance to the single inlet is positioned at the location where pressure is to be measured. The pressure measurement is then based on monitoring the movement of a liquid-air interface as it compresses air trapped inside the microfabricated sealed chamber and calculating the pressure using the ideal gas law. The method has been used to measure the pressure of the air stream and continuous liquid flow inside microfluidic channels (d approximately 50 microm). Further, a pressure drop has also been measured using multiple microfabricated sealed chambers. For air pressure, a resolution of 700 Pa within a full-scale range of 700-100 kPa was obtained. For liquids, pressure drops as low as 70 Pa were obtained in an operating range from 70 Pa to 10 kPa. Since the method primarily uses a microfluidic sealed chamber, it does not require additional fabrication steps and may easily be incorporated in several lab-on-a-chip fluidic applications for laminar as well as turbulent flow conditions.

Optimization of single plate-serial dilution spotting (SP-SDS) with sample anchoring as an assured method for bacterial and yeast cfu enumeration and single colony isolation from diverse samples.

PubMed

Thomas, Pious; Sekhar, Aparna C; Upreti, Reshmi; Mujawar, Mohammad M; Pasha, Sadiq S

2015-12-01

We propose a simple technique for bacterial and yeast cfu estimations from diverse samples with no prior idea of viable counts, designated as single plate-serial dilution spotting (SP-SDS) with the prime recommendation of sample anchoring (10 0 stocks). For pure cultures, serial dilutions were prepared from 0.1 OD (10 0 ) stock and 20 μl aliquots of six dilutions (10 1 -10 6 ) were applied as 10-15 micro-drops in six sectors over agar-gelled medium in 9-cm plates. For liquid samples 10 0 -10 5 dilutions, and for colloidal suspensions and solid samples (10% w/v), 10 1 -10 6 dilutions were used. Following incubation, at least one dilution level yielded 6-60 cfu per sector comparable to the standard method involving 100 μl samples. Tested on diverse bacteria, composite samples and Saccharomyces cerevisiae , SP-SDS offered wider applicability over alternative methods like drop-plating and track-dilution for cfu estimation, single colony isolation and culture purity testing, particularly suiting low resource settings.

Microfluidic pressure sensing using trapped air compression

PubMed Central

Srivastava, Nimisha; Burns, Mark A.

2010-01-01

We have developed a microfluidic method for measuring the fluid pressure head experienced at any location inside a microchannel. The principal component is a microfabricated sealed chamber with a single inlet and no exit; the entrance to the single inlet is positioned at the location where pressure is to be measured. The pressure measurement is then based on monitoring the movement of a liquid–air interface as it compresses air trapped inside the microfabricated sealed chamber and calculating the pressure using the ideal gas law. The method has been used to measure the pressure of the air stream and continuous liquid flow inside microfluidic channels (d ~ 50 μm). Further, a pressure drop has also been measured using multiple microfabricated sealed chambers. For air pressure, a resolution of 700 Pa within a full-scale range of 700–100 kPa was obtained. For liquids, pressure drops as low as 70 Pa were obtained in an operating range from 70 Pa to 10 kPa. Since the method primarily uses a microfluidic sealed chamber, it does not require additional fabrication steps and may easily be incorporated in several lab-on-a-chip fluidic applications for laminar as well as turbulent flow conditions. PMID:17476384

Rapid detection of atrazine and metolachlor in farm soils: gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based analysis using the bubble-in-drop single drop microextraction enrichment method.

PubMed

Williams, D Bradley G; George, Mosotho J; Marjanovic, Ljiljana

2014-08-06

Tracking of metolachlor and atrazine herbicides in agricultural soils, from spraying through to harvest, was conducted using our recently reported "bubble-in-drop single-drop microextraction" method. The method showed good linearity (R(2) = 0.999 and 0.999) in the concentration range of 0.01-1.0 ng/mL with LOD values of 0.01 and 0.02 ng/mL for atrazine and metolachlor, respectively. Sonication methods were poor at releasing these herbicides from the soil matrixes, while hot water extraction readily liberated them, providing an efficient accessible alternative to sonication techniques. Good recoveries of 97% and 105% were shown for atrazine and metolachlor, respectively, from the soil. The spiking protocol was also investigated, resulting in a traceless spiking method. We demonstrate a very sensitive technique by which to assess, for example, the length of residence of pesticides in given soils and thus risk of exposure.

Characterization of new eye drops with choline salicylate and assessment of their irritancy by in vitro short time exposure tests.

PubMed

Wroblewska, Katarzyna; Kucinska, Małgorzata; Murias, Marek; Lulek, Janina

2015-09-01

The aim of our study was to examine the irritation potential of new eye drops containing 2% choline salicylate (CS) as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and various polymers increasing eye drop viscosity (hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone). The standard method for assessing the potential of irritating substances has been the Draize rabbit eye test. However the European Centre for Validation of Alternative Methods and the Coordinating Committee for Validation of Alternative Methods recommend, short time exposure (STE) in vitro tests as an alternative method for assessing eye irritation. The eye irritation potential was determined using cytotoxicity test methods for rabbit corneal cell line (SIRC) after 5 min exposure. The viability of cells was determined using two cytotoxicity assays: MTT and Neutral Red Uptake. According to the irritation rankings for the short time exposure test, all tested eye drops are classified as non-irritating (cell viability >70%).

Characterization of new eye drops with choline salicylate and assessment of their irritancy by in vitro short time exposure tests

PubMed Central

Wroblewska, Katarzyna; Kucinska, Małgorzata; Murias, Marek; Lulek, Janina

2014-01-01

The aim of our study was to examine the irritation potential of new eye drops containing 2% choline salicylate (CS) as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and various polymers increasing eye drop viscosity (hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone). The standard method for assessing the potential of irritating substances has been the Draize rabbit eye test. However the European Centre for Validation of Alternative Methods and the Coordinating Committee for Validation of Alternative Methods recommend, short time exposure (STE) in vitro tests as an alternative method for assessing eye irritation. The eye irritation potential was determined using cytotoxicity test methods for rabbit corneal cell line (SIRC) after 5 min exposure. The viability of cells was determined using two cytotoxicity assays: MTT and Neutral Red Uptake. According to the irritation rankings for the short time exposure test, all tested eye drops are classified as non-irritating (cell viability >70%). PMID:27134543

Direct numerical simulations of fluid flow, heat transfer and phase changes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Juric, D.; Tryggvason, G.; Han, J.

1997-01-01

Direct numerical simulations of fluid flow, heat transfer, and phase changes are presented. The simulations are made possible by a recently developed finite difference/front tracking method based on the one-field formulation of the governing equations where a single set of conservation equations is written for all the phases involved. The conservation equations are solved on a fixed rectangular grid, but the phase boundaries are kept sharp by tracking them explicitly by a moving grid of lower dimension. The method is discussed and applications to boiling heat transfer and the solidification of drops colliding with a wall are shown.

Electrowetting-on-dielectrics for manipulation of oil drops and gas bubbles in aqueous-shell compound drops.

PubMed

Li, Jiang; Wang, Yixuan; Chen, Haosheng; Wan, Jiandi

2014-11-21

We present the manipulation of oil, organic and gaseous chemicals by electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) technology using aqueous-shell compound drops. We demonstrate that the transport and coalescence of viscous oil drops, the reaction of bromine with styrene in benzene solution, and the reaction of red blood cells with carbon monoxide bubbles can be accomplished using this method.

Self-wrapping of an ouzo drop induced by evaporation on a superamphiphobic surface.

PubMed

Tan, Huanshu; Diddens, Christian; Versluis, Michel; Butt, Hans-Jürgen; Lohse, Detlef; Zhang, Xuehua

2017-04-12

Evaporation of multi-component drops is crucial to various technologies and has numerous potential applications because of its ubiquity in nature. Superamphiphobic surfaces, which are both superhydrophobic and superoleophobic, can give a low wettability not only for water drops but also for oil drops. In this paper, we experimentally, numerically and theoretically investigate the evaporation process of millimetric sessile ouzo drops (a transparent mixture of water, ethanol, and trans-anethole) with low wettability on a superamphiphobic surface. The evaporation-triggered ouzo effect, i.e. the spontaneous emulsification of oil microdroplets below a specific ethanol concentration, preferentially occurs at the apex of the drop due to the evaporation flux distribution and volatility difference between water and ethanol. This observation is also reproduced by numerical simulations. The volume decrease of the ouzo drop is characterized by two distinct slopes. The initial steep slope is dominantly caused by the evaporation of ethanol, followed by the slower evaporation of water. At later stages, thanks to Marangoni forces the oil wraps around the drop and an oil shell forms. We propose an approximate diffusion model for the drying characteristics, which predicts the evaporation of the drops in agreement with experiment and numerical simulation results. This work provides an advanced understanding of the evaporation process of ouzo (multi-component) drops.

Point force singularities outside a drop covered with an incompressible surfactant: Image systems and their applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaik, Vaseem A.; Ardekani, Arezoo M.

2017-11-01

In this work we derive the image flow fields for point force singularities placed outside a stationary drop covered with an insoluble, nondiffusing, and incompressible surfactant. We assume the interface to be Newtonian and use the Boussinesq-Scriven constitutive law for the interfacial stress tensor. We use this analytical solution to investigate two different problems. First, we derive the mobility matrix for two drops of arbitrary sizes covered with an incompressible surfactant. In the second example, we calculate the velocity of a swimming microorganism (modeled as a Stokes dipole) outside a drop covered with an incompressible surfactant.

Accurate Characterization of Rain Drop Size Distribution Using Meteorological Particle Spectrometer and 2D Video Disdrometer for Propagation and Remote Sensing Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thurai, Merhala; Bringi, Viswanathan; Kennedy, Patrick; Notaros, Branislav; Gatlin, Patrick

2017-01-01

Accurate measurements of rain drop size distributions (DSD), with particular emphasis on small and tiny drops, are presented. Measurements were conducted in two very different climate regions, namely Northern Colorado and Northern Alabama. Both datasets reveal a combination of (i) a drizzle mode for drop diameters less than 0.7 mm and (ii) a precipitation mode for larger diameters. Scattering calculations using the DSDs are performed at S and X bands and compared with radar observations for the first location. Our accurate DSDs will improve radar-based rain rate estimates as well as propagation predictions.

Inertial Confinement fusion targets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hendricks, C. D.

1982-01-01

Inertial confinement fusion (ICF) targets are made as simple flat discs, as hollow shells or as complicated multilayer structures. Many techniques were devised for producing the targets. Glass and metal shells are made by using drop and bubble techniques. Solid hydrogen shells are also produced by adapting old methods to the solution of modern problems. Some of these techniques, problems, and solutions are discussed. In addition, the applications of many of the techniques to fabrication of ICF targets is presented.

Numerical study of effect of the gas-coolant free surface on the droplet fragmentation behavior of coolants

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, H.X.; Anh, B.V.; Dinh, T.N.

1999-07-01

This paper presents results of a numerical investigation on the behavior of melt drops falling in a gas (vapor) space and then penetrating into a liquid volume through the gas-liquid interface. The phenomenon studied here is, usually, observed when a liquid drop falls through air into a water pool and is, specially, of interest when a hypothetical severe reactor core meltdown accident is considered. The objective of this work is to study the effect of the gas-liquid interface on the dynamic evolution of the interaction area between the fragmenting melt drop and water. In the present study, the Navier-Stokes equationsmore » are solved for three phases (gas, liquid and melt-drop) using a higher-order, explicit, numerical method, called Cubic-Interpolated Pseudo-Particle (CIP) method, which is employed in combination with an advanced front-capturing scheme, named the Level Set Algorithm (LSA). By using this method, reasonable physical pictures of droplet deformation and fragmentation during movement in a stationary uniform water pool, and in a gas-liquid two-layer volume, is simulated. Effect of the gas-liquid interface on the drop deformation and fragmentation is analyzed by comparing the simulation results obtained for the two cases. Effects of the drop geometry, and of the flow conditions, on the behavior of the melt drop are also analyzed.« less

Leveraging AMI data for distribution system model calibration and situational awareness

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Peppanen, Jouni; Reno, Matthew J.; Thakkar, Mohini

The many new distributed energy resources being installed at the distribution system level require increased visibility into system operations that will be enabled by distribution system state estimation (DSSE) and situational awareness applications. Reliable and accurate DSSE requires both robust methods for managing the big data provided by smart meters and quality distribution system models. This paper presents intelligent methods for detecting and dealing with missing or inaccurate smart meter data, as well as the ways to process the data for different applications. It also presents an efficient and flexible parameter estimation method based on the voltage drop equation andmore » regression analysis to enhance distribution system model accuracy. Finally, it presents a 3-D graphical user interface for advanced visualization of the system state and events. Moreover, we demonstrate this paper for a university distribution network with the state-of-the-art real-time and historical smart meter data infrastructure.« less

Leveraging AMI data for distribution system model calibration and situational awareness

DOE PAGES

Peppanen, Jouni; Reno, Matthew J.; Thakkar, Mohini; ...

2015-01-15

The many new distributed energy resources being installed at the distribution system level require increased visibility into system operations that will be enabled by distribution system state estimation (DSSE) and situational awareness applications. Reliable and accurate DSSE requires both robust methods for managing the big data provided by smart meters and quality distribution system models. This paper presents intelligent methods for detecting and dealing with missing or inaccurate smart meter data, as well as the ways to process the data for different applications. It also presents an efficient and flexible parameter estimation method based on the voltage drop equation andmore » regression analysis to enhance distribution system model accuracy. Finally, it presents a 3-D graphical user interface for advanced visualization of the system state and events. Moreover, we demonstrate this paper for a university distribution network with the state-of-the-art real-time and historical smart meter data infrastructure.« less

Experimental determination of forces applied by liquid water drops at high drop velocities impacting a glass plate with and without a shallow water layer using wavelet deconvolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Y.; Hopkins, C.

2018-05-01

Time-dependent forces applied by 2 and 4.5 mm diameter drops of water (with velocities up to terminal velocity) impacting upon a glass plate with or without a water layer (up to 10 mm depth) have been measured using two different approaches, force transduction and wavelet deconvolution. Both approaches are in close agreement for drops falling on dry glass. However, only the wavelet approach is able to measure natural features of the splash on shallow water layers that impart forces to the plate after the initial impact. At relatively high velocities (including terminal velocity) the measured peak force from the initial impact is significantly higher than that predicted by idealised drop shape models and models from Roisman et al. and Marengo et al. Hence empirical formulae are developed for the initial time-dependent impact force from drops falling at (a) different velocities up to and including terminal velocity onto a dry glass surface, (b) terminal velocity onto dry glass or glass with a water layer and (c) different velocities below terminal velocity onto dry glass or glass with a water layer. For drops on dry glass, the empirical formulae are applicable to a glass plate or a composite layered plate with a glass surface, although they apply to other plate thicknesses and are applicable to any plate material with a similar surface roughness and wettability. The measurements also indicate that after the initial impact there can be high level forces when bubbles are entrained in the water layer.

Drop Impact Dynamics with Sessile Drops and Geometries: Spreading, Jetting, and Fragmentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tilger, Christopher F.

The tendency of surface tension to cause small parcels of fluid to form into drops allows convenient packaging, transport, dispersal of liquid phase matter. Liquid drop impacts with solids, liquids, and other drops have realized and additional future applications in biological, manufacturing, heat transfer, and combustion systems. Experiments were conducted to investigate the dynamics of multiple drop collisions, rather than the most-studied phenomenon of single drop impacts. Additional drop impacts were performed on rigid hemispheres representing sessile drops, angled substrates, and into the vertex of two tilted surfaces arranged into a vee shape. A qualitative inspection of drop-sessile drop impacts shows distinct post-impact shapes depending on the offset distance between the drops. At intermediate offset distances, distinct jets issue from the overlap region between the two drops projected areas. These jets are observed to reach their maximum extent at a critical offset distance ratio, epsilon epsilon ˜ 0.75-0.80, with substrate contact angle and W e having a lesser effect. Capillary waves that traverse the sessile drop after collision cause a lower aspect ratio liquid column to emanate from the sessile drop opposite the impact. In order to better understand the jetting phenomenon seen in the offset drop-sessile drop impacts, simpler solid geometries are investigated that elicit a similar behavior. Solid hemispheres do not show the singular jetting observed in the fluidic case, however, a simple vee formed by two intersection planar substrates do jet in a similar fashion to the fluidic case. A geometric model with partnered experiments is developed to describe the bisymmetric spread of an impacting drop on an angled substrate. This geometric model is used to guide a time of arrival based model for various features of the drop impact, which is used to predict jetting in various vee channel experiments.

Measurement of surface tension by sessile drop tensiometer with superoleophobic surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwak, Wonshik; Park, Jun Kwon; Yoon, Jinsung; Lee, Sanghyun; Hwang, Woonbong

2018-03-01

A sessile drop tensiometer provides a simple and efficient method of determining the surface tension of various liquids. The technique involves obtaining the shape of an axisymmetric liquid droplet and iterative fitting of the Young-Laplace equation, which balances the gravitational deformation of the drop. Since the advent of high quality digital cameras and desktop computers, this process has been automated with precision. However, despite its appealing simplicity, there are complications and limitations in a sessile drop tensiometer, i.e., it must dispense spherical droplets with low surface tension. We propose a method of measuring surface tension using a sessile drop tensiometer with a superoleophobic surface fabricated by acidic etching and anodization for liquids with low surface tension and investigate the accuracy of the measurement by changing the wettability of the measuring plate surface.

Role of regression analysis and variation of rheological data in calculation of pressure drop for sludge pipelines.

PubMed

Farno, E; Coventry, K; Slatter, P; Eshtiaghi, N

2018-06-15

Sludge pumps in wastewater treatment plants are often oversized due to uncertainty in calculation of pressure drop. This issue costs millions of dollars for industry to purchase and operate the oversized pumps. Besides costs, higher electricity consumption is associated with extra CO 2 emission which creates huge environmental impacts. Calculation of pressure drop via current pipe flow theory requires model estimation of flow curve data which depends on regression analysis and also varies with natural variation of rheological data. This study investigates impact of variation of rheological data and regression analysis on variation of pressure drop calculated via current pipe flow theories. Results compare the variation of calculated pressure drop between different models and regression methods and suggest on the suitability of each method. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

What’s in a drop? Correlating observations and outcomes to guide macromolecular crystallization experiments

PubMed Central

Luft, Joseph R.; Wolfley, Jennifer R.; Snell, Edward H.

2011-01-01

Observations of crystallization experiments are classified as specific outcomes and integrated through a phase diagram to visualize solubility and thereby direct subsequent experiments. Specific examples are taken from our high-throughput crystallization laboratory which provided a broad scope of data from 20 million crystallization experiments on 12,500 different biological macromolecules. The methods and rationale are broadly and generally applicable in any crystallization laboratory. Through a combination of incomplete factorial sampling of crystallization cocktails, standard outcome classifications, visualization of outcomes as they relate chemically and application of a simple phase diagram approach we demonstrate how to logically design subsequent crystallization experiments. PMID:21643490

An Open Pit Nanofluidic Tool: Localized Chemistry Assisted by Mesoporous Thin Film Infiltration.

PubMed

Mercuri, Magalí; Pierpauli, Karina A; Berli, Claudio L A; Bellino, Martín G

2017-05-17

Nanofluidics based on nanoscopic porous structures has emerged as the next evolutionary milestone in the construction of versatile nanodevices with unprecedented applications. However, the straightforward development of nanofluidically interconnected systems is crucial for the production of practical devices. Here, we demonstrate that spontaneous infiltration into supramolecularly templated mesoporous oxide films at the edge of a sessile drop in open air can be used to connect pairs of landmarks. The liquids from the drops can then join through the nanoporous network to guide a localized chemical reaction at the nanofluid-front interface. This method, here named "open-pit" nanofluidics, allows mixing reagents from nanofluidically connected droplet reservoirs that can be used as reactors to conduct reactions and precipitation processes. From the fundamental point of view, the work contributes to unveiling subtle phenomena during spontaneous infiltration of fluids in bodies with nanoscale dimensions such as the front broadening effect and the oscillatory behavior of the infiltration-evaporation front. The approach has distinctive advantages such as easy fabrication, low cost, and facility of scaling up for future development of ultrasensitive detection, controlled nanomaterial synthesis, and novel patterning methods.

Development of a New Paradigm for Analysis of Disdrometric Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larsen, Michael L.; Kostinski, Alexander B.

2017-04-01

A number of disdrometers currently on the market are able to characterize hydrometeors on a drop-by-drop basis with arrival timestamps associated with each arriving hydrometeor. This allows an investigator to parse a time series into disjoint intervals that have equal numbers of drops, instead of the traditional subdivision into equal time intervals. Such a "fixed-N" partitioning of the data can provide several advantages over the traditional equal time binning method, especially within the context of quantifying measurement uncertainty (which typically scales with the number of hydrometeors in each sample). An added bonus is the natural elimination of measurements that are devoid of all drops. This analysis method is investigated by utilizing data from a dense array of disdrometers located near Charleston, South Carolina, USA. Implications for the usefulness of this method in future studies are explored.

Characterization of fatigue crack initiation and propagation in Ti-6Al-4V with electrical potential drop technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kalluri, Sreeramesh; Telesman, Jack

1988-01-01

Electrical potential methods have been used in the past primarily to monitor crack length in long crack specimens subjected to fatigue loading. An attempt was made to develop test procedures for monitoring the fatigue crack initiation and the growth of short fatigue cracks in a turbine disk alloy with the electrical potential drop technique (EPDT). In addition, the EPDT was also applied to monitor the fatigue crack growth in long crack specimens of the same alloy. The resolution of the EPDT for different specimen geometries was determined. Factors influencing the EPDT are identified and the applicability of EPDT in implementing damage tolerant design concepts for turbine disk materials is discussed. The experimental procedure adopted and the results obtained is discussed. No substantial differences were observed between the fatigue crack growth data of short and long crack specimens.

Acoustic levitation of liquid drops: Dynamics, manipulation and phase transitions.

PubMed

Zang, Duyang; Yu, Yinkai; Chen, Zhen; Li, Xiaoguang; Wu, Hongjing; Geng, Xingguo

2017-05-01

The technique of acoustic levitation normally produces a standing wave and the potential well of the sound field can be used to trap small objects. Since no solid surface is involved it has been widely applied for the study of fluid physics, nucleation, bio/chemical processes, and various forms of soft matter. In this article, we survey the works on drop dynamics in acoustic levitation, focus on how the dynamic behavior is related to the rheological properties and discuss the possibility to develop a novel rheometer based on this technique. We review the methods and applications of acoustic levitation for the manipulation of both liquid and solid samples and emphasize the important progress made in the study of phase transitions and bio-chemical analysis. We also highlight the possible open areas for future research. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Drop Impingement on Highly Wetting Micro/Nano Porous Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buie, Cullen; Joung, Youngsoo

2011-11-01

Recently, we developed a novel fabrication method using a combination of electrophoretic deposition (EPD) and break down anodization (BDA) to achieve highly wetting nanoporous surfaces with microscale features. In this study we investigate droplet impingement behavior on these surfaces as a function of impact velocity, droplet size, and liquid properties. We observe impingement modes we denote as ``necking'' (droplet breaks before full penetration in the porous surface), ``spreading'' (continuous wicking into the porous surface), and ``jetting'' (jets of liquid emanate from the edges of the wicking liquid). To predict the droplet impingement modes, we've developed a non-dimensional parameter that is a function of droplet velocity, dynamic viscosity, effective pore radius and contact angle. The novel dimensionless parameter successfully predicts drop impingement modes across multiple fluids. Results of this study will inform the design of spray impingement cooling systems for electronics applications where the ``spreading'' mode is preferred.

Different cellular effects of four anti-inflammatory eye drops on human corneal epithelial cells: independent in active components.

PubMed

Qu, Mingli; Wang, Yao; Yang, Lingling; Zhou, Qingjun

2011-01-01

To evaluate and compare the cellular effects of four commercially available anti-inflammatory eye drops and their active components on human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) in vitro. The cellular effects of four eye drops (Bromfenac Sodium Hydrate Eye Drops, Pranoprofen Eye Drops, Diclofenac Sodium Eye Drops, and Tobramycin & Dex Eye Drops) and their corresponding active components were evaluated in an HCEC line with five in vitro assays. Cell proliferation and migration were measured using 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3 5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) assay and transwell migration assay. Cell damage was determined with the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. Cell viability and median lethal time (LT₅₀) were measured by 7-amino-actinomycin D (7-AAD) staining and flow cytometry analysis. Cellular effects after exposure of HCECs to the four anti-inflammatory eye drops were concentration dependent. The differences of cellular toxicity on cell proliferation became significant at lower concentrations (<0.002%). Diclofenac Sodium Eye Drops showed significant increasing effects on cell damage and viability when compared with the other three solutions. Tobramycin & Dex Eye Drops inhibited the migration of HCECs significantly. Tobramycin & Dex Eye Drops showed the quickest effect on cell viability: the LT₅₀ was 3.28, 9.23, 10.38, and 23.80 min for Tobramycin & Dex Eye Drops, Diclofenac Sodium Eye Drops, Pranoprofen Eye Drops, and Bromfenac Sodium Hydrate Eye Drops, respectively. However, the comparisons of cellular toxicity revealed significant differences between the eye drops and their active components under the same concentration. The corneal epithelial toxicity differences among the active components of the four eye drops became significant as higher concentration (>0.020%). The four anti-inflammatory eye drops showed different cellular effects on HCECs, and the toxicity was not related with their active components, which provides new reference for the clinical application and drug research and development.

Parametric resonance in acoustically levitated water drops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, C. L.; Xie, W. J.; Wei, B.

2010-05-01

Liquid drops can be suspended in air with acoustic levitation method. When the sound pressure is periodically modulated, the levitated drop is usually forced into an axisymmetric oscillation. However, a transition from axisymmetric oscillation into sectorial oscillation occurs when the modulation frequency approaches some specific values. The frequency of the sectorial oscillation is almost exactly half of the modulation frequency. It is demonstrated that this transition is induced by the parametric resonance of levitated drop. The natural frequency of sectorial oscillation is found to decrease with the increase of drop distortion extent.

Static shape of an acoustically levitated drop with wave-drop interaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, C. P.; Anilkumar, A. V.; Wang, T. G.

1994-11-01

The static shape of a drop levitated and flattened by an acoustic standing wave field in air is calculated, requiring self-consistency between the drop shape and the wave. The wave is calculated for a given shape using the boundary integral method. From the resulting radiation stress on the drop surface, the shape is determined by solving the Young-Laplace equation, completing an iteration cycle. The iteration is continued until both the shape and the wave converge. Of particular interest are the shapes of large drops that sustain equilibrium, beyond a certain degree of flattening, by becoming more flattened at a decreasing sound pressure level. The predictions for flattening versus acoustic radiation stress, for drops of different sizes, compare favorably with experimental data.

The Drop Tower Bremen -Experiment Operation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Könemann, Thorben; von Kampen, Peter; Rath, Hans J.

The idea behind the drop tower facility of the Center of Applied Space Technology and Micro-gravity (ZARM) in Bremen is to provide an inimitable technical opportunity of a daily access to short-term weightlessness on earth. In this way ZARM`s european unique ground-based microgravity laboratory displays an excellent economic alternative for research in space-related conditions at low costs comparable to orbital platforms. Many national and international ex-perimentalists motivated by these prospects decide to benefit from the high-quality and easy accessible microgravity environment only provided by the Drop Tower Bremen. Corresponding experiments in reduced gravity could open new perspectives of investigation methods and give scientists an impressive potential for a future technology and multidisciplinary applications on different research fields like Fundamental Physics, Astrophysics, Fluid Dynamics, Combus-tion, Material Science, Chemistry and Biology. Generally, realizing microgravity experiments at ZARM`s drop tower facility meet new requirements of the experimental hardware and may lead to some technical constraints in the setups. In any case the ZARM Drop Tower Operation and Service Company (ZARM FAB mbH) maintaining the drop tower facility is prepared to as-sist experimentalists by offering own air-conditioned laboratories, clean rooms, workshops and consulting engineers, as well as scientific personal. Furthermore, ZARM`s on-site apartment can be used for accommodations during the experiment campaigns. In terms of approaching drop tower experimenting, consulting of experimentalists is mandatory to successfully accomplish the pursued drop or catapult capsule experiment. For this purpose there will be a lot of expertise and help given by ZARM FAB mbH in strong cooperation to-gether with the experimentalists. However, in comparison to standard laboratory setups the drop or catapult capsule setup seems to be completely different at first view. While defining a microgravity project at the Drop Tower Bremen, interesting experimentalists should keep in mind generally reducing dimensions and masses of their common laboratory setups to meet the capsule constraints: overall payload height 980mm/1730mm (short/long drop capsule) and 950mm (catapult capsule); area of each capsule platform 0,359sqm; maximum payload mass 274kg/234kg (short/long drop capsule) and 163,8kg (catapult capsule). The base equipments of each capsule are the Capsule Control System (CCS) to remote control the experiment and the rechargeable battery pack (24V/40A) for the experiment operation. Moreover, the exper-iment components must be able to withstand maximum decelerations of 50g while the short capsule impact of about 200ms, and maximum accelerations of 30g while catapult launch with a duration of about 300ms. In our second talk concerning ZARM`s drop tower facility we will go on with detailed infor-mations about the technical base setups of the drop and the catapult capsule structure to completely handle a freely falling experiment. Furthermore, we will summarize interesting current drop tower projects as an outlook to present you the range of opportunities at the ground-based short-term microgravity laboratory of ZARM.

Rapid jetting status inspection and accurate droplet volume measurement for a piezo drop-on-demand inkjet print head using a scanning mirror for display applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, Dong-Youn; Kim, Minsung

2017-02-01

Despite the inherent fabrication simplicity of piezo drop-on-demand inkjet printing, the non-uniform deposition of colourants or electroluminescent organic materials leads to faulty display products, and hence, the importance of rapid jetting status inspection and accurate droplet volume measurement increases from a process perspective. In this work, various jetting status inspections and droplet volume measurement methods are reviewed by discussing their advantages and disadvantages, and then, the opportunities for the developed prototype with a scanning mirror are explored. This work demonstrates that jetting status inspection of 384 fictitious droplets can be performed within 17 s with maximum and minimum measurement accuracies of 0.2 ± 0.5 μ m for the fictitious droplets of 50 μ m in diameter and -1.2 ± 0.3 μ m for the fictitious droplets of 30 μ m in diameter, respectively. In addition to the new design of an inkjet monitoring instrument with a scanning mirror, two novel methods to accurately measure the droplet volume by amplifying a minute droplet volume difference and then converting to other physical properties are suggested and the droplet volume difference of ±0.3% is demonstrated to be discernible using numerical simulations, even with the low measurement accuracy of 1 μ m . When the fact is considered that the conventional vision-based method with a CCD camera requires the optical measurement accuracy less than 25 nm to measure the volume of an in-flight droplet in the nominal diameter of 50 μ m at the same volume measurement accuracy, the suggested method with the developed prototype offers a whole new opportunity to inkjet printing for display applications.

Rapid jetting status inspection and accurate droplet volume measurement for a piezo drop-on-demand inkjet print head using a scanning mirror for display applications.

PubMed

Shin, Dong-Youn; Kim, Minsung

2017-02-01

Despite the inherent fabrication simplicity of piezo drop-on-demand inkjet printing, the non-uniform deposition of colourants or electroluminescent organic materials leads to faulty display products, and hence, the importance of rapid jetting status inspection and accurate droplet volume measurement increases from a process perspective. In this work, various jetting status inspections and droplet volume measurement methods are reviewed by discussing their advantages and disadvantages, and then, the opportunities for the developed prototype with a scanning mirror are explored. This work demonstrates that jetting status inspection of 384 fictitious droplets can be performed within 17 s with maximum and minimum measurement accuracies of 0.2 ± 0.5 μm for the fictitious droplets of 50 μm in diameter and -1.2 ± 0.3 μm for the fictitious droplets of 30 μm in diameter, respectively. In addition to the new design of an inkjet monitoring instrument with a scanning mirror, two novel methods to accurately measure the droplet volume by amplifying a minute droplet volume difference and then converting to other physical properties are suggested and the droplet volume difference of ±0.3% is demonstrated to be discernible using numerical simulations, even with the low measurement accuracy of 1 μm. When the fact is considered that the conventional vision-based method with a CCD camera requires the optical measurement accuracy less than 25 nm to measure the volume of an in-flight droplet in the nominal diameter of 50 μm at the same volume measurement accuracy, the suggested method with the developed prototype offers a whole new opportunity to inkjet printing for display applications.

The structure of evaporating and combusting sprays: Measurements and predictions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shuen, J. S.; Solomon, A. S. P.; Faeth, G. M.

1984-01-01

An apparatus developed, to allow observations of monodisperse sprays, consists of a methane-fueled turbulent jet diffusion flame with monodisperse methanol drops injected at the burner exit. Mean and fluctuating-phase velocities, drop sizes, drop-mass fluxes and mean-gas temperatures were measured. Initial drop diameters of 100 and 180 microns are being considered in order to vary drop penetration in the flow and effects of turbulent dispersion. Baseline tests of the burner flame with no drops present were also conducted. Calibration tests, needed to establish methods for predicting drop transport, involve drops supported in the post-flame region of a flat-flame burner operated at various mixture ratios. Spray models which are being evaluated include: (1) locally homogeneous flow (LFH) analysis, (2) deterministic separated flow (DSF) analysis and (3) stochastic separated flow (SSF) analysis.

Statistical contact angle analyses; "slow moving" drops on a horizontal silicon-oxide surface.

PubMed

Schmitt, M; Grub, J; Heib, F

2015-06-01

Sessile drop experiments on horizontal surfaces are commonly used to characterise surface properties in science and in industry. The advancing angle and the receding angle are measurable on every solid. Specially on horizontal surfaces even the notions themselves are critically questioned by some authors. Building a standard, reproducible and valid method of measuring and defining specific (advancing/receding) contact angles is an important challenge of surface science. Recently we have developed two/three approaches, by sigmoid fitting, by independent and by dependent statistical analyses, which are practicable for the determination of specific angles/slopes if inclining the sample surface. These approaches lead to contact angle data which are independent on "user-skills" and subjectivity of the operator which is also of urgent need to evaluate dynamic measurements of contact angles. We will show in this contribution that the slightly modified procedures are also applicable to find specific angles for experiments on horizontal surfaces. As an example droplets on a flat freshly cleaned silicon-oxide surface (wafer) are dynamically measured by sessile drop technique while the volume of the liquid is increased/decreased. The triple points, the time, the contact angles during the advancing and the receding of the drop obtained by high-precision drop shape analysis are statistically analysed. As stated in the previous contribution the procedure is called "slow movement" analysis due to the small covered distance and the dominance of data points with low velocity. Even smallest variations in velocity such as the minimal advancing motion during the withdrawing of the liquid are identifiable which confirms the flatness and the chemical homogeneity of the sample surface and the high sensitivity of the presented approaches. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A highly accurate dynamic contact angle algorithm for drops on inclined surface based on ellipse-fitting.

PubMed

Xu, Z N; Wang, S Y

2015-02-01

To improve the accuracy in the calculation of dynamic contact angle for drops on the inclined surface, a significant number of numerical drop profiles on the inclined surface with different inclination angles, drop volumes, and contact angles are generated based on the finite difference method, a least-squares ellipse-fitting algorithm is used to calculate the dynamic contact angle. The influences of the above three factors are systematically investigated. The results reveal that the dynamic contact angle errors, including the errors of the left and right contact angles, evaluated by the ellipse-fitting algorithm tend to increase with inclination angle/drop volume/contact angle. If the drop volume and the solid substrate are fixed, the errors of the left and right contact angles increase with inclination angle. After performing a tremendous amount of computation, the critical dimensionless drop volumes corresponding to the critical contact angle error are obtained. Based on the values of the critical volumes, a highly accurate dynamic contact angle algorithm is proposed and fully validated. Within nearly the whole hydrophobicity range, it can decrease the dynamic contact angle error in the inclined plane method to less than a certain value even for different types of liquids.

In vitro differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells using the hanging drop method.

PubMed

Wang, Xiang; Yang, Phillip

2008-07-23

Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, This promising of science is leading scientists to investigate the possibility of cell-based therapies to treat disease. When culture in suspension without antidifferentiation factors, embryonic stem cells spontaneously differentiate and form three-dimensional multicellular aggregates. These cell aggregates are called embryoid bodies(EB). Hanging drop culture is a widely used EB formation induction method. The rounded bottom of hanging drop allows the aggregation of ES cells which can provide mES cells a good environment for forming EBs. The number of ES cells aggregatied in a hanging drop can be controlled by varying the number of cells in the initial cell suspension to be hung as a drop from the lid of Petri dish. Using this method we can reproducibly form homogeneous EBs from a predetermined number of ES cells.

Development and application of a validated stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic method using photodiode array detection for simultaneous determination of granisetron, methylparaben, propylparaben, sodium benzoate, and their main degradation products in oral pharmaceutical preparations.

PubMed

Hewala, Ismail; El-Fatatry, Hamed; Emam, Ehab; Mabrouk, Mokhtar

2011-01-01

A simple, rapid, and sensitive RP-HPLC method using photodiode array detection was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of granisetron hydrochloride, 1-methyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid (the main degradation product of granisetron), sodium benzoate, methylparaben, propylparaben, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (the main degradation product of parabens) in granisetron oral drops and solutions. The separation of the compounds was achieved within 8 min on a SymmetryShield RP18 column (100 x 4.6 mm id, 3.5 microm particle size) using the mobile phase acetonitrile--0.05 M KH2PO4 buffered to pH 3 using H3PO4 (3+7, v/v). The photodiode array detector was used to test the purity of the peaks, and the chromatograms were extracted at 240 nm. The method was validated, and validation acceptance criteria were met in all cases. The robust method was successfully applied to the determination of granisetron and preservatives, as well as their degradation products in different batches of granisetron oral drops and solutions. The method proved to be sensitive for determination down to 0.04% (w/w) of granisetron degradation product relative to granisetron and 0.03% (w/w) 4-hydroxybenzoic acid relative to total parabens.

Spray Characteristics of a Hybrid Twin-Fluid Pressure-Swirl Atomizer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Durham, M. J.; Sojka, P. E.; Ashmore, C. B.

2004-01-01

The spray performance of a fuel injection system applicable for use in main combustion chamber of an oxidizer-rich staged combustion (ORSC) cycles is presented. The experimental data reported here include mean drop size and drop size distribution, spray cone half-angle, and momentum rate (directly related to spray penetration). The maximum entropy formalism, MEF, method to predict drop size distribution is applied and compared to the experimental data. Geometric variables considered include the radius of the injector inlet orifice plate through which oxidizer flows (&) and the exposed length from the fuel inlet to the injector exit plane (L2). Operating conditions that were varied include the liquid mass flow rate and air mass flow rate. For orifices B and C there is a significant dependence of D3Z on both the air and liquid mass flow rates, as well as on L2. For the A orifice, the momentum rate of the air flow appears to exceed a threshold value above which a constant D32 is obtained. Using the MEF method, a semi-analytical process was developed to model the spray distribution using two input parameters (q = 0.4 and Dso). The momentum rate of the spray is directly related to the air and liquid mass flow rates. The cone half angle of the spray ranges from 25 to 17 degrees. The data resulting from this project will eventually be used to develop advanced rocket systems.

High-precision drop shape analysis on inclining flat surfaces: introduction and comparison of this special method with commercial contact angle analysis.

PubMed

Schmitt, Michael; Heib, Florian

2013-10-07

Drop shape analysis is one of the most important and frequently used methods to characterise surfaces in the scientific and industrial communities. An especially large number of studies, which use contact angle measurements to analyse surfaces, are characterised by incorrect or misdirected conclusions such as the determination of surface energies from poorly performed contact angle determinations. In particular, the characterisation of surfaces, which leads to correlations between the contact angle and other effects, must be critically validated for some publications. A large number of works exist concerning the theoretical and thermodynamic aspects of two- and tri-phase boundaries. The linkage between theory and experiment is generally performed by an axisymmetric drop shape analysis, that is, simulations of the theoretical drop profiles by numerical integration onto a number of points of the drop meniscus (approximately 20). These methods work very well for axisymmetric profiles such as those obtained by pendant drop measurements, but in the case of a sessile drop onto real surfaces, additional unknown and misunderstood effects on the dependence of the surface must be considered. We present a special experimental and practical investigation as another way to transition from experiment to theory. This procedure was developed to be especially sensitive to small variations in the dependence of the dynamic contact angle on the surface; as a result, this procedure will allow the properties of the surface to be monitored with a higher precession and sensitivity. In this context, water drops onto a 111 silicon wafer are dynamically measured by video recording and by inclining the surface, which results in a sequence of non-axisymmetric drops. The drop profiles are analysed by commercial software and by the developed and presented high-precision drop shape analysis. In addition to the enhanced sensitivity for contact angle determination, this analysis technique, in combination with innovative fit algorithms and data presentations, can result in enhanced reproducibility and comparability of the contact angle measurements in terms of the material characterisation in a comprehensible way.

Stress Drop and Its Relationship to Radiated Energy, Ground Motion and Uncertainty

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baltay, A.

2014-12-01

Despite the seemingly diverse circumstances under which crustal earthquakes occur, scale-invariant stress drop and apparent stress, the ratio of radiated seismic energy to moment, is observed. The magnitude-independence of these parameters is central to our understanding of both earthquake physics and strong ground motion genesis. Estimates of stress drop and radiated energy, however, display large amounts of scatter potentially masking any secondary trends in the data. We investigate sources of this uncertainty within the framework of constant stress drop and apparent stress. We first re-visit estimates of energy and stress drop from a variety of earthquake observations and methods, for events ranging from magnitude ~2 to ~9. Using an empirical Green's function (eGf) deconvolution method, which removes the path and site effects, radiated energy and Brune stress drop are estimated for both regional events in the western US and Eastern Honshu, Japan from the HiNet network, as well as teleseismically recorded global great earthquakes [Baltay et al., 2010, 2011, 2014]. In addition to eGf methods, ground-motion based metrics for stress drop are considered, using both KikNet data from Japan [Baltay et al., 2013] and the NGA-West2 data, a very well curated ground-motion database. Both the eGf-based stress drop estimates and those from the NGA-West2 database show a marked decrease in scatter, allowing us to identify deterministic secondary trends in stress drop. We find both an increasing stress drop with depth, as well as a larger stress drop of about 30% on average for mainshock events as compared to on-fault aftershocks. While both of these effects are already included in some ground-motion prediction equations (GMPE), many previous seismological studies have been unable to conclusively uncover these trends because of their considerable scatter. Elucidating these effects in the context of reduced and quantified epistemic uncertainty can help both seismologists and engineers to understand the true aleatory variability of the earthquake source, which may be due to the complex and diverse circumstances under which these earthquake occur and which we are yet unable to model.

High-precision drop shape analysis on inclining flat surfaces: Introduction and comparison of this special method with commercial contact angle analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmitt, Michael; Heib, Florian

2013-10-01

Drop shape analysis is one of the most important and frequently used methods to characterise surfaces in the scientific and industrial communities. An especially large number of studies, which use contact angle measurements to analyse surfaces, are characterised by incorrect or misdirected conclusions such as the determination of surface energies from poorly performed contact angle determinations. In particular, the characterisation of surfaces, which leads to correlations between the contact angle and other effects, must be critically validated for some publications. A large number of works exist concerning the theoretical and thermodynamic aspects of two- and tri-phase boundaries. The linkage between theory and experiment is generally performed by an axisymmetric drop shape analysis, that is, simulations of the theoretical drop profiles by numerical integration onto a number of points of the drop meniscus (approximately 20). These methods work very well for axisymmetric profiles such as those obtained by pendant drop measurements, but in the case of a sessile drop onto real surfaces, additional unknown and misunderstood effects on the dependence of the surface must be considered. We present a special experimental and practical investigation as another way to transition from experiment to theory. This procedure was developed to be especially sensitive to small variations in the dependence of the dynamic contact angle on the surface; as a result, this procedure will allow the properties of the surface to be monitored with a higher precession and sensitivity. In this context, water drops onto a 111 silicon wafer are dynamically measured by video recording and by inclining the surface, which results in a sequence of non-axisymmetric drops. The drop profiles are analysed by commercial software and by the developed and presented high-precision drop shape analysis. In addition to the enhanced sensitivity for contact angle determination, this analysis technique, in combination with innovative fit algorithms and data presentations, can result in enhanced reproducibility and comparability of the contact angle measurements in terms of the material characterisation in a comprehensible way.

Biomechanical and histologic evaluation of two application forms of surgical glue for mesh fixation to the abdominal wall.

PubMed

Ortillés, Á; Pascual, G; Peña, E; Rodríguez, M; Pérez-Köhler, B; Mesa-Ciller, C; Calvo, B; Bellón, J M

2017-11-01

The use of an adhesive for mesh fixation in hernia repair reduces chronic pain and minimizes tissue damage in the patient. This study was designed to assess the adhesive properties of a medium-chain (n-butyl) cyanoacrylate glue applied as drops or as a spray in a biomechanical and histologic study. Both forms of glue application were compared to the use of simple-loose or continuous-running polypropylene sutures for mesh fixation. Eighteen adult New Zealand White rabbits were used. For mechanical tests in an ex vivo and in vivo study, patches of polypropylene mesh were fixed to an excised fragment of healthy abdominal tissue or used to repair a partial abdominal wall defect in the rabbit respectively. Depending on the fixation method used, four groups of 12 implants each or 10 implants each respectively for the ex vivo and in vivo studies were established: Glue-Drops, Glue-Spray, Suture-Simple and Suture-Continuous. Biomechanical resistance in the ex vivo implants was tested five minutes after mesh fixation. In vivo implants for biomechanical and histologic assessment were collected at 14 days postimplant. In the ex vivo study, the continuous suture implants showed the highest failure sample tension, while the implants fixed with glue showed lower failure sample tension values. However, the simple and continuous suture implants returned the highest stretch values. In the in vivo implants, failure sample tension values were similar among groups while the implants fixed with a continuous running suture had the higher stretch values, and the glue-fixed implants the lower stretch values. All meshes showed good tissue integration within the host tissue regardless of the fixation method used. Our histologic study revealed the generation of a denser, more mature repair tissue when the cyanoacrylate glue was applied as a spray rather than as drops. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Coalescence of Drops of a Power-law Fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamat, Pritish; Thete, Sumeet; Basaran, Osman

2014-11-01

Drop coalescence is crucial in a host of industrial, household, and natural processes that involve dispersions. Coalescence is a rate-controlling process in breaking emulsions and strongly influences drop-size-distributions in sprays. In a continuum approach, coalescence begins by the formation of a microscopic, non-slender bridge connecting the two drops. Indefinitely large axial curvature at the neck results in local lowering of pressure that drives fluid from the bulk of the drops toward the neck, thereby causing the bridge radius r (t) and height z (t) to increase in time t. The coalescence of Newtonian drops in air has heretofore been thoroughly studied. Here, we extend these earlier studies by analyzing the coalescence of drops of power-law fluids because many fluids encountered in real applications, including cosmetic creams, shampoos, grease, and paint, exhibit power-law (deformation-rate thinning) rheology. On account of the non-slender geometry of the liquid bridge connecting the two drops (z << r) , we analyze the resulting free surface flow problem by numerical simulation. Among other results, we present and discuss the nature of flows and scaling behaviors for r and z as functions of the initial viscosity and power-law index (0 < n <= 1) .

A kinematic wave model in Lagrangian coordinates incorporating capacity drop: Application to homogeneous road stretches and discontinuities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Kai; Knoop, Victor L.; Hoogendoorn, Serge P.

2017-01-01

On freeways, congestion always leads to capacity drop. This means the queue discharge rate is lower than the pre-queue capacity. Our recent research findings indicate that the queue discharge rate increases with the speed in congestion, that is the capacity drop is strongly correlated with the congestion state. Incorporating this varying capacity drop into a kinematic wave model is essential for assessing consequences of control strategies. However, to the best of authors' knowledge, no such a model exists. This paper fills the research gap by presenting a Lagrangian kinematic wave model. "Lagrangian" denotes that the new model is solved in Lagrangian coordinates. The new model can give capacity drops accompanying both of stop-and-go waves (on homogeneous freeway section) and standing queues (at nodes) in a network. The new model can be applied in a network operation. In this Lagrangian kinematic wave model, the queue discharge rate (or the capacity drop) is a function of vehicular speed in traffic jams. Four case studies on links as well as at lane-drop and on-ramp nodes show that the Lagrangian kinematic wave model can give capacity drops well, consistent with empirical observations.

Heat exchange between a bouncing drop and a superhydrophobic substrate

PubMed Central

Shiri, Samira; Bird, James C.

2017-01-01

The ability to enhance or limit heat transfer between a surface and impacting drops is important in applications ranging from industrial spray cooling to the thermal regulation of animals in cold rain. When these surfaces are micro/nanotextured and hydrophobic, or superhydrophobic, an impacting drop can spread and recoil over trapped air pockets so quickly that it can completely bounce off the surface. It is expected that this short contact time limits heat transfer; however, the amount of heat exchanged and precise role of various parameters, such as the drop size, are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the amount of heat exchanged between a millimeter-sized water drop and a superhydrophobic surface will be orders of magnitude less when the drop bounces than when it sticks. Through a combination of experiments and theory, we show that the heat transfer process on superhydrophobic surfaces is independent of the trapped gas. Instead, we find that, for a given spreading factor, the small fraction of heat transferred is controlled by two dimensionless groupings of physical parameters: one that relates the thermal properties of the drop and bulk substrate and the other that characterizes the relative thermal, inertial, and capillary dynamics of the drop. PMID:28630306

3D Imaging of Water-Drop Condensation on Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Lubricant-Impregnated Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kajiya, Tadashi; Schellenberger, Frank; Papadopoulos, Periklis; Vollmer, Doris; Butt, Hans-Jürgen

2016-04-01

Condensation of water from the atmosphere on a solid surface is an ubiquitous phenomenon in nature and has diverse technological applications, e.g. in heat and mass transfer. We investigated the condensation kinetics of water drops on a lubricant-impregnated surface, i.e., a micropillar array impregnated with a non-volatile ionic liquid. Growing and coalescing drops were imaged in 3D using a laser scanning confocal microscope equipped with a temperature and humidity control. Different stages of condensation can be discriminated. On a lubricant-impregnated hydrophobic micropillar array these are: (1) Nucleation on the lubricant surface. (2) Regular alignment of water drops between micropillars and formation of a three-phase contact line on a bottom of the substrate. (3) Deformation and bridging by coalescence which eventually leads to a detachment of the drops from the bottom substrate. The drop-substrate contact does not result in breakdown of the slippery behaviour. Contrary, on a lubricant-impregnated hydrophilic micropillar array, the condensed water drops replace the lubricant. Consequently, the surface loses its slippery property. Our results demonstrate that a Wenzel-like to Cassie transition, required to maintain the facile removal of condensed water drops, can be induced by well-chosen surface hydrophobicity.

3D Imaging of Water-Drop Condensation on Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Lubricant-Impregnated Surfaces.

PubMed

Kajiya, Tadashi; Schellenberger, Frank; Papadopoulos, Periklis; Vollmer, Doris; Butt, Hans-Jürgen

2016-04-04

Condensation of water from the atmosphere on a solid surface is an ubiquitous phenomenon in nature and has diverse technological applications, e.g. in heat and mass transfer. We investigated the condensation kinetics of water drops on a lubricant-impregnated surface, i.e., a micropillar array impregnated with a non-volatile ionic liquid. Growing and coalescing drops were imaged in 3D using a laser scanning confocal microscope equipped with a temperature and humidity control. Different stages of condensation can be discriminated. On a lubricant-impregnated hydrophobic micropillar array these are: (1) Nucleation on the lubricant surface. (2) Regular alignment of water drops between micropillars and formation of a three-phase contact line on a bottom of the substrate. (3) Deformation and bridging by coalescence which eventually leads to a detachment of the drops from the bottom substrate. The drop-substrate contact does not result in breakdown of the slippery behaviour. Contrary, on a lubricant-impregnated hydrophilic micropillar array, the condensed water drops replace the lubricant. Consequently, the surface loses its slippery property. Our results demonstrate that a Wenzel-like to Cassie transition, required to maintain the facile removal of condensed water drops, can be induced by well-chosen surface hydrophobicity.

Analysis of preparation of Chinese traditional medicine based on the fiber fingerprint drop trace

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zhilin; Wang, Jialu; Sun, Weimin; Yan, Qi

2010-11-01

The purpose of the fiber micro-drop analyzing technique is to measure the characteristics of liquids using optical methods. The fiber fingerprint drop trace (FFDT) is a curve of light intensity vs. time. This curve indicates the forming, growing and dripping processes of the liquid drops. A pair of fibers was used to monitor the dripping process. The FFDTs are acquired and analyzed by a computer. Different liquid samples of many kinds of preparation of Chinese traditional medicines were tested by using the fiber micro-drop sensor in the experiments. The FFDTs of preparation of Chinese traditional medicines with different concentrations were analyzed in different ways. Considering the characters of the FFDTs, a novel method is proposed to measure the different preparation of Chinese traditional medicines and its concentration based on the corresponding relationship of FFDTs and the physical and chemical parameters of the liquids.

Distinguishing between microscale gaseous bubbles and liquid drops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Beng Hau; An, Hongjie; Chan, Chon U.; Ohl, Claus-Dieter

2015-11-01

In recent years, there has been strong research interest in decorating surfaces with tiny bubbles and drops due to their potential applications in reducing slippage in micro and nanofluidic devices. Both nanobubbles and nanodrops are typically nucleated by exchanging fluids over a suitable substrate. However, the nucleation experiments present many challenges, such as reproducibility and the possibility of contamination. The use of one-use plastic syringes and needle cannulas in nucleation experiments can introduce polymeric contamination. A contaminated experiment may nucleate bubbles, drops or both. Moreover, it is surprisingly difficult to distinguish between bubbles and drops under the usual atomic force microscopy or optical techniques. Here we present an experimental study comparing bubbles and oil (PDMS) drops on an atomically smooth surface (HOPG). Instead of nucleating the objects via solvent exchange, we directly introduced bubbles via electrolysis, and oil drops by injecting a dilute solution. Contrary to previous reports, we find that under careful AFM characterisation, liquid drops and gaseous bubbles respond differently to a change in imaging force, and moreover present different characteristic force curves.

Microwave Dielectric Heating of Drops in Microfluidic Devices†

PubMed Central

Issadore, David; Humphry, Katherine J.; Brown, Keith A.; Sandberg, Lori; Weitz, David; Westervelt, Robert M.

2010-01-01

We present a technique to locally and rapidly heat water drops in microfluidic devices with microwave dielectric heating. Water absorbs microwave power more efficiently than polymers, glass, and oils due to its permanent molecular dipole moment that has a large dielectric loss at GHz frequencies. The relevant heat capacity of the system is a single thermally isolated picoliter drop of water and this enables very fast thermal cycling. We demonstrate microwave dielectric heating in a microfluidic device that integrates a flow-focusing drop maker, drop splitters, and metal electrodes to locally deliver microwave power from an inexpensive, commercially available 3.0 GHz source and amplifier. The temperature of the drops is measured by observing the temperature dependent fluorescence intensity of cadmium selenide nanocrystals suspended in the water drops. We demonstrate characteristic heating times as short as 15 ms to steady-state temperatures as large as 30°C above the base temperature of the microfluidic device. Many common biological and chemical applications require rapid and local control of temperature, such as PCR amplification of DNA, and can benefit from this new technique. PMID:19495453

Evaporation of oil-water emulsion drops when heated at high temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Strizhak, P. A.; Piskunov, M. V.; Kuznetsov, G. V.; Voytkov, I. S.

2017-10-01

An experimental study on conditions and main characteristics for high-temperature (more than 700 K) evaporation of oil-water drops is presented. The high-temperature water purification from impurities can be the main practical application of research results. Thus, the heating of drops is implemented by the two typical schemes: on a massive substrate (the heating conditions are similar to those achieved in a heating chamber) and in a flow of the heated air. In the latter case, the heating conditions correspond to those attained while moving water drops with impurities in a counter high-temperature gaseous flow in the process of water purification. Evaporation time as function of heating temperature is presented. The influence of oil product concentration in an emulsion drop on evaporation characteristics is discussed. The conditions for intensive flash boiling of an emulsion drop and its explosive breakup with formation of the fine droplets cloud are pointed out. Heat fluxes required for intensive flash boiling and explosive breakup of a drop with further formation of the fine aerosol are determined in the boundary layer of a drop. The fundamental differences between flash boiling and explosive breakup of an emulsion drop when heated on a substrate and in a flow of the heated air are described. The main prospects for the development of the high-temperature water purification technology are detailed taking into account the fast emulsion drop breakup investigated in the paper.

Acoustic Streaming in Microgravity: Flow Stability and Heat Transfer Enhancement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trinh, E. H.

1999-01-01

Experimental results are presented for drops and bubbles levitated in a liquid host, with particular attention given to the effect of shape oscillations and capillary waves on the local flow fields. Some preliminary results are also presented on the use of streaming flows for the control of evaporation rate and rotation of electrostatically levitated droplets in 1 g. The results demonstrate the potential for the technological application of acoustic methods to active control of forced convection in microgravity.

The effect of head protection on the hearing of rugby players.

PubMed

Kieran, S M; Dunne, J; Hughes, J P; Fenton, J E

2008-09-01

Professional rugby players utilise various methods of head protection to prevent against the development of a pinna haematoma. This study tests the hypothesis that these measures, whilst preventing injury, decrease the wearers' hearing threshold and therefore their performance. Eight patients had free field audiometry performed in a soundproof room, with warble tones. All patients were young men (mean 24.75 years (range 22-34)). No participant had ear symptomatology or a past history of ear surgery. Three separate audiological assessments were performed on each patient: normal free field audiometry in a sound field room, following application of adhesive tape and whilst wearing a scrum cap. All measurements were performed by a single audiological scientist. A significant clinical drop in hearing threshold was defined as an increase of 10 dB. No patient demonstrated a significant drop in hearing threshold following the application of either tape or a scrum cap, nor was there a significant difference in the mean (SD) warble tone average: air 7.03 (5.47); tape 7.19 (6.40); scrum cap 6.56 (5.58). Theoretical concerns that "ear taping" and scrum caps affect hearing of rugby players are unfounded and should not discourage their use.

Artificial tektites: an experimental technique for capturing the shapes of spinning drops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baldwin, K. A.

2014-12-01

Tektites are small stones formed from rapidly cooling drops of molten rock ejected from high velocity asteroid impacts with the Earth, that freeze into a myriad of shapes during flight. Many splash-form tektites have an elongated or dumb-bell shape owing to their rotation prior to solidification[1]. Here we present a novel method for creating 'artificial tektites' from spinning drops of molten wax, using diamagnetic levitation to suspend the drops[2]. We find that the solid wax models produced this way are the stable equilibrium shapes of a spinning liquid droplet held together by surface tension. In addition to the geophysical interest in tektite formation, the stable equilibrium shapes of liquid drops have implications for many physical phenomena, covering a wide range of length scales, from nuclear physics (e.g. in studies of rapidly rotating atomic nuclei), to astrophysics (e.g. in studies of the shapes of astronomical bodies such as asteroids, rapidly rotating stars and event horizons of rotating black holes). For liquid drops bound by surface tension, analytical and numerical methods predict a series of stable equilibrium shapes with increasing angular momentum. Slowly spinning drops have an oblate-like shape. With increasing angular momentum these shapes become secularly unstable to a series of triaxial pseudo-ellipsoids that then evolve into a family of two-lobed 'dumb-bell' shapes as the angular momentum is increased still further. Our experimental method allows accurate measurements of the drops to be taken, which are useful to validate numerical models. This method has provided a means for observing tektite formation, and has additionally confirmed experimentally the stable equilibrium shapes of liquid drops, distinct from the equivalent shapes of rotating astronomical bodies. Potentially, this technique could be applied to observe the non-equilibrium dynamic processes that are also important in real tektite formation, involving, e.g. viscoelastic effects, non-uniform solidification, surface wrinkling (Schlieren), and rapid separation/fission of dumb-bells via the Rayleigh-Plateau instability. [1] M. R. Stauffer and S. L. Butler, Earth Moon Planets, 107, 169 (2009). [2] R. J. A. Hill and L. Eaves, Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 234501 (2008).

Dropout policies and trends for students with and without disabilities.

PubMed

Kemp, Suzanne E

2006-01-01

Students with and without disabilities are dropping out of school at an alarming rate. However, the precise extent of the problem remains elusive because individual schools, school districts, and state departments of education often use different definitional criteria and calculation methods. In addition, specific reasons why students drop out continues to be speculative and minimal research exists validating current dropout prevention programs for students with and without disabilities. This study examined methods secondary school principals used to calculate dropout rates, reasons they believed students dropped out of school, and what prevention programs were being used for students with and without disabilities. Results indicated that school districts used calculation methods that minimized dropout rates, students with and without disabilities dropped out for similar reasons, and few empirically validated prevention programs were being implemented. Implications for practice and directions for future research are discussed.

Detailed statistical contact angle analyses; "slow moving" drops on inclining silicon-oxide surfaces.

PubMed

Schmitt, M; Groß, K; Grub, J; Heib, F

2015-06-01

Contact angle determination by sessile drop technique is essential to characterise surface properties in science and in industry. Different specific angles can be observed on every solid which are correlated with the advancing or the receding of the triple line. Different procedures and definitions for the determination of specific angles exist which are often not comprehensible or reproducible. Therefore one of the most important things in this area is to build standard, reproducible and valid methods for determining advancing/receding contact angles. This contribution introduces novel techniques to analyse dynamic contact angle measurements (sessile drop) in detail which are applicable for axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric drops. Not only the recently presented fit solution by sigmoid function and the independent analysis of the different parameters (inclination, contact angle, velocity of the triple point) but also the dependent analysis will be firstly explained in detail. These approaches lead to contact angle data and different access on specific contact angles which are independent from "user-skills" and subjectivity of the operator. As example the motion behaviour of droplets on flat silicon-oxide surfaces after different surface treatments is dynamically measured by sessile drop technique when inclining the sample plate. The triple points, the inclination angles, the downhill (advancing motion) and the uphill angles (receding motion) obtained by high-precision drop shape analysis are independently and dependently statistically analysed. Due to the small covered distance for the dependent analysis (<0.4mm) and the dominance of counted events with small velocity the measurements are less influenced by motion dynamics and the procedure can be called "slow moving" analysis. The presented procedures as performed are especially sensitive to the range which reaches from the static to the "slow moving" dynamic contact angle determination. They are characterised by small deviations of the computed values. Additional to the detailed introduction of this novel analytical approaches plus fit solution special motion relations for the drop on inclined surfaces and detailed relations about the reactivity of the freshly cleaned silicon wafer surface resulting in acceleration behaviour (reactive de-wetting) are presented. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of preserved and preservative-free timolol eye drops on tear film stability in healthy Africans

PubMed Central

Ilechie, Alex; Abokyi, Samuel; Boateng, Gifty; Koffuor, George Asumeng

2016-01-01

Background: Preserved versus nonpreserved formulations for ophthalmic use have been well described in the literature although not specifically in the African population where beta blockers are frequently used as the first-line therapy due to economic and availability issues. This study sought to determine the effect of preserved and preservative-free Timolol eye drops on tear film stability in healthy black Africans. Materials and Methods: Sixty healthy nondry eye subjects aged 19–25 years were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 15) and differently treated with eye drops of phosphate buffered saline (PBS), preservative-free timolol (PFT), benzalkonium chloride (BAK) only, and BAK-preserved timolol (BPT). Noninvasive tear break-up time (NITBUT) was measured using the keratometer at baseline and 30, 60, and 90 min after drop application. Results: No significant decline in NITBUT was observed following treatment with PFT and PBS. However, BAK treatment showed a positive time-dependent significant decline in NITBUT (P < 0.001) while a significant decline in the BPT-treated group was only found at 90 min (−3.52 s; P < 0.001). In comparison to the PFT-treated group, treatment with BAK and BPT showed significantly lower NITBUT (P < 0.001). Conclusion: BPT is associated with a significant decline in tear film stability in black Africans. This finding has implications in the management of glaucoma in patients with high-risk of dry eyes in this population. PMID:27226684

Experimental studies of contact angle hysteresis phenomena on polymer surfaces – Toward the understanding and control of wettability for different applications.

PubMed

Grundke, K; Pöschel, K; Synytska, A; Frenzel, R; Drechsler, A; Nitschke, M; Cordeiro, A L; Uhlmann, P; Welzel, P B

2015-08-01

Contact angle hysteresis phenomena on polymer surfaces have been studied by contact angle measurements using sessile liquid droplets and captive air bubbles in conjunction with a drop shape method known as Axisymmetric Drop Shape Analysis - Profile (ADSA-P). In addition, commercially available sessile drop goniometer techniques were used. The polymer surfaces were characterized with respect to their surface structure (morphology, roughness, swelling) and surface chemistry (elemental surface composition, acid-base characteristics) by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning force microscopy (SFM), ellipsometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and streaming potential measurements. Heterogeneous polymer surfaces with controlled roughness and chemical composition were prepared by different routes using plasma etching and subsequent dip coating or grafting of polymer brushes, anodic oxidation of aluminium substrates coated with thin polymer films, deposition techniques to create regular patterned and rough fractal surfaces from core-shell particles, and block copolymers. To reveal the effects of swelling and reorientation at the solid/liquid interface contact angle hysteresis phenomena on polyimide surfaces, cellulose membranes, and thermo-responsive hydrogels have been studied. The effect of different solutes in the liquid (electrolytes, surfactants) and their impact on contact angle hysteresis were characterized for solid polymers without and with ionizable functional surface groups in aqueous electrolyte solutions of different ion concentrations and pH and for photoresist surfaces in cationic aqueous surfactant solutions. The work is an attempt toward the understanding of contact angle hysteresis phenomena on polymer surfaces aimed at the control of wettability for different applications. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Topical NSAIDs effect on corneal sensitivity.

PubMed

Singer, Daniel D; Kennedy, John; Wittpenn, John R

2015-05-01

Topical nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are administered topically for a variety of ophthalmologic conditions. Brand diclofenac and brand ketorolac were previously shown to have topical anesthetic effects in addition to analgesic effects. Using the same method, we measured similar anesthetic effects of the 4 currently available topical NSAIDs--generic diclofenac, generic ketorolac, brand bromfenac, and brand nepafenac. Baseline corneal sensitivity was measured on 10 healthy adult volunteers with a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. One drop of the agent being studied was applied to the right eye every 5 minutes for a total of 4 drops. Corneal sensitivity was measured immediately after the last topical application and every 15 minutes for 60 minutes. After a 1-week washout period, a different agent was studied until all 4 NSAIDs were evaluated. Corneal sensitivity profiles over time were similar for all NSAIDs. Corneal sensitivity decreased significantly from baseline immediately after topical application remaining flat from 0 to 30 minutes and then rising from 45 to 60 minutes back toward baseline in all treatment groups (P < 0.001). The maximal absolute drop in corneal sensitivity as measured by pressure thresholds was greatest for diclofenac [28.6 mm (95% confidence intervals {CI}, 19.8-37.4)], followed by ketorolac [21.1 mm (95% CI, 15.1-27.1)], bromfenac [16.9 mm (10.7-23.1)], and nepafenac [16.4 mm (95% CI, 12.7-20.1)]. Only diclofenac and nepafenac were statistically different in maximal decrease in sensitivity. All 4 currently available NSAIDs demonstrated anesthetic effects similar to brand diclofenac and brand ketorolac.

Drop-in Security for Distributed and Portable Computing Elements.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Prevelakis, Vassilis; Keromytis, Angelos

2003-01-01

Proposes the use of a special purpose drop-in firewall/VPN gateway called Sieve, that can be inserted between the mobile workstation and the network to provide individualized security services for that particular station. Discusses features and advantages of the system and demonstrates how Sieve was used in various application areas such as at…

Formation of droplet interface bilayers in a Teflon tube

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walsh, Edmond; Feuerborn, Alexander; Cook, Peter R.

2016-09-01

Droplet-interface bilayers (DIBs) have applications in disciplines ranging from biology to computing. We present a method for forming them manually using a Teflon tube attached to a syringe pump; this method is simple enough it should be accessible to those without expertise in microfluidics. It exploits the properties of interfaces between three immiscible liquids, and uses fluid flow through the tube to pack together drops coated with lipid monolayers to create bilayers at points of contact. It is used to create functional nanopores in DIBs composed of phosphocholine using the protein α-hemolysin (αHL), to demonstrate osmotically-driven mass transfer of fluid across surfactant-based DIBs, and to create arrays of DIBs. The approach is scalable, and thousands of DIBs can be prepared using a robot in one hour; therefore, it is feasible to use it for high throughput applications.

Oscillations of a deformed liquid drop in an acoustic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Tao; Apfel, Robert E.

1995-07-01

The oscillations of an axially symmetric liquid drop in an acoustic standing wave field in air have been studied using the boundary integral method. The interaction between the drop oscillation and sound field has been included in this analysis. Our computations focus on the frequency shift of small-amplitude oscillations of an acoustically deformed drop typical of a drop levitated in air. In the presence or absence of gravity, the trend and the magnitude of the frequency shift have been given in terms of drop size, drop deformation, and the strength of the sound field. Our calculations are compared with experiments performed on the United States Microgravity Laboratory (USML-1) and with ground-based measurements, and are found to be in good agreement within the accuracy of the experimental data.

Method for reducing pressure drop through filters, and filter exhibiting reduced pressure drop

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sappok, Alexander; Wong, Victor

Methods for generating and applying coatings to filters with porous material in order to reduce large pressure drop increases as material accumulates in a filter, as well as the filter exhibiting reduced and/or more uniform pressure drop. The filter can be a diesel particulate trap for removing particulate matter such as soot from the exhaust of a diesel engine. Porous material such as ash is loaded on the surface of the substrate or filter walls, such as by coating, depositing, distributing or layering the porous material along the channel walls of the filter in an amount effective for minimizing ormore » preventing depth filtration during use of the filter. Efficient filtration at acceptable flow rates is achieved.« less

Method and apparatus for the production of metal oxide powder

DOEpatents

Harris, Michael T.; Scott, Timothy C.; Byers, Charles H.

1993-01-01

The present invention provides a method for preparing metal oxide powder. A first solution, which is substantially organic, is prepared. A second solution, which is an aqueous solution substantially immiscible in the first solution, is prepared and delivered as drops to the first solution. The drops of the second solution are atomized by a pulsed electric field forming micro-drops of the second solution. Reagents in the first solution diffuse into and react with reactants in the micro-drops of the second solution forming metal hydroxide or oxalate particles. The metal hydroxide or metal oxalate particles are then recovered and dried to produce the metal oxide powder. An apparatus for preparing a metal oxide powder is also disclosed.

Method and apparatus for the production of metal oxide powder

DOEpatents

Harris, Michael T.; Scott, Timothy C.; Byers, Charles H.

1992-01-01

The present invention provides a method for preparing metal oxide powder. A first solution, which is substantially organic, is prepared. A second solution, which is an aqueous solution substantially immiscible in the first solution, is prepared and delivered as drops to the first solution. The drops of the second solution are atomized by a pulsed electric field forming micro-drops of the second solution. Reagents in the first solution diffuse into and react with reactants in the micro-drops of the second solution forming metal hydroxide or oxalate particles. The metal hydroxide or metal oxalate particles are then recovered and dried to produce the metal oxide powder. An apparatus for preparing a metal oxide powder is also disclosed.

Method and apparatus for the production of metal oxide powder

DOEpatents

Harris, M.T.; Scott, T.C.; Byers, C.H.

1992-06-16

The present invention provides a method for preparing metal oxide powder. A first solution, which is substantially organic, is prepared. A second solution, which is an aqueous solution substantially immiscible in the first solution, is prepared and delivered as drops to the first solution. The drops of the second solution are atomized by a pulsed electric field forming micro-drops of the second solution. Reagents in the first solution diffuse into and react with reactants in the micro-drops of the second solution forming metal hydroxide or oxalate particles. The metal hydroxide or metal oxalate particles are then recovered and dried to produce the metal oxide powder. An apparatus for preparing a metal oxide powder is also disclosed. 2 figs.

Mode conversion in a tapered fiber via a whispering gallery mode resonator and its application as add/drop filter.

PubMed

Huang, Ligang; Wang, Jie; Peng, Weihua; Zhang, Wending; Bo, Fang; Yu, Xuanyi; Gao, Feng; Chang, Pengfa; Song, Xiaobo; Zhang, Guoquan; Xu, Jingjun

2016-02-01

Based on the conversion between the fundamental mode (LP01) and the higher-order mode (LP11) in a tapered fiber via a whispering gallery mode resonator, an add/drop filter was proposed and demonstrated experimentally, in which the resonator only interacted with one tapered fiber, rather than two tapered fibers as in conventional configurations. The filter gains advantages of easy alignment and low scattering loss over the other filters based on tapered fiber and resonator, and will be useful in application.

Correction of Pressure Drop in Steam and Water System in Performance Test of Boiler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Jinglong; Zhao, Xianqiao; Hou, Fanjun; Wu, Xiaowu; Wang, Feng; Hu, Zhihong; Yang, Xinsen

2018-01-01

Steam and water pressure drop is one of the most important characteristics in the boiler performance test. As the measuring points are not in the guaranteed position and the test condition fluctuation exsits, the pressure drop test of steam and water system has the deviation of measuring point position and the deviation of test running parameter. In order to get accurate pressure drop of steam and water system, the corresponding correction should be carried out. This paper introduces the correction method of steam and water pressure drop in boiler performance test.

COMPARISON OF PRESSURE DROP PRODUCED BY SPIRAL WRAPS, COOKIE CUTTERS AND OTHER ROD BUNDLE SPACERS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Noyes, R.C.

The problem of predicting pressure drop due to various fuel bundle spacers is considered in some detail. Three sets of experimental data are reviewed and presented in reduced form. These data are compared to several semitheoretical approaches to pressure drop prediction and a best method is selected to make the required predictions. The comparison between predictions for the ASCR spiral wrap spacer and cookie cutter spacer shows that both types of spacers produce about the same pressure drop. Spacer pressure drop is shown to be strongly dependent on spacer frontal area and pitch. (auth)

Analysis and testing of a new method for drop size measurement using laser scatter interferometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bachalo, W. D.; Houser, M. J.

1984-01-01

Research was conducted on a laser light scatter detection method for measuring the size and velocity of spherical particles. The method is based upon the measurement of the interference fringe pattern produced by spheres passing through the intersection of two laser beams. A theoretical analysis of the method was carried out using the geometrical optics theory. Experimental verification of the theory was obtained by using monodisperse droplet streams. Several optical configurations were tested to identify all of the parametric effects upon the size measurements. Both off-axis forward and backscatter light detection were utilized. Simulated spray environments and fuel spray nozzles were used in the evaluation of the method. The measurements of the monodisperse drops showed complete agreement with the theoretical predictions. The method was demonstrated to be independent of the beam intensity and extinction resulting from the surrounding drops. Signal processing concepts were considered and a method was selected for development.

Viscosity Measurement of Highly Viscous Liquids Using Drop Coalescence in Low Gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Antar, Basil N.; Ethridge, Edwin; Maxwell, Daniel

1999-01-01

The method of drop coalescence is being investigated for use as a method for determining the viscosity of highly viscous undercooled liquids. Low gravity environment is necessary in this case to minimize the undesirable effects of body forces and liquid motion in levitated drops. Also, the low gravity environment will allow for investigating large liquid volumes which can lead to much higher accuracy for the viscosity calculations than possible under 1 - g conditions. The drop coalescence method is preferred over the drop oscillation technique since the latter method can only be applied for liquids with vanishingly small viscosities. The technique developed relies on both the highly accurate solution of the Navier-Stokes equations as well as on data from experiments conducted in near zero gravity environment. In the analytical aspect of the method two liquid volumes are brought into contact which will coalesce under the action of surface tension alone. The free surface geometry development as well as its velocity during coalescence which are obtained from numerical computations are compared with an analogous experimental model. The viscosity in the numerical computations is then adjusted to bring into agreement of the experimental results with the calculations. The true liquid viscosity is the one which brings the experiment closest to the calculations. Results are presented for method validation experiments performed recently on board the NASA/KC-135 aircraft. The numerical solution for this validation case was produced using the Boundary Element Method. In these tests the viscosity of a highly viscous liquid, in this case glycerine at room temperature, was determined to high degree of accuracy using the liquid coalescence method. These experiments gave very encouraging results which will be discussed together with plans for implementing the method in a shuttle flight experiment.

Evaluation of a Proposed Drift Reduction Technology High-Speed Wind Tunnel Testing Protocol

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-01

05: “Standard Test Method for Determining Liquid Drop Size Characteristics in a Spray Using Optical Nonimaging Light- Scattering Instruments” 15...Method for Determining Liquid Drop Size Characteris- tics in a Spray Using Optical Nonimaging Light-Scattering Instruments,” Annual Book of ASTM Standards

Microprocessor controlled compliance monitor for eye drop medication.

PubMed

Hermann, M M; Diestelhorst, M

2006-07-01

The effectiveness of a self administered eye drop medication can only be assessed if the compliance is known. The authors studied the specificity and sensitivity of a new microprocessor controlled monitoring device. The monitoring system was conducted by an 8 bit microcontroller for data acquisition and storage with sensors measuring applied pressure to the bottle, temperature, and vertical position. 10 devices were mounted under commercial 10 ml eye drops. Test subjects had to note down each application manually. A total of 15 applications each within 3 days was intended. Manual reports confirmed 15 applications for each of the 10 bottles. The monitoring devices detected a total of 149 events; one was missed; comprising a sensitivity of 99%. Two devices registered three applications, which did not appear in the manual protocols, indicating a specificity of about 98%. Refrigerated bottles were correctly identified. The battery lifetime exceeded 60 days. The new monitoring device demonstrated a high reliability of the collected compliance data. The important, yet often unknown, influence of compliance in patient care and clinical trials shall be illuminated by the new device. This may lead to a better adapted patient care. Studies will profit from a higher credibility and results will be less influenced by non-compliance.

Generation of Homogenous Three-Dimensional Pancreatic Cancer Cell Spheroids Using an Improved Hanging Drop Technique

PubMed Central

Ware, Matthew J.; Colbert, Kevin; Keshishian, Vazrik; Ho, Jason; Corr, Stuart J.; Curley, Steven A.

2016-01-01

In vitro characterization of tumor cell biology or of potential anticancer drugs is usually performed using tumor cell lines cultured as a monolayer. However, it has been previously shown that three-dimensional (3D) organization of the tumor cells is important to provide insights on tumor biology and transport of therapeutics. Several methods to create 3D tumors in vitro have been proposed, with hanging drop technique being the most simple and, thus, most frequently used. However, in many cell lines this method has failed to form the desired 3D tumor structures. The aim of this study was to design and test an easy-to-use and highly reproducible modification of the hanging drop method for tumor sphere formation by adding methylcellulose polymer. Most pancreatic cancer cells do not form cohesive and manageable spheres when the original hanging drop method is used, thus we investigated these cell lines for our modified hanging drop method. The spheroids produced by this improved technique were analyzed by histology, light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and scanning electron microscopy. Results show that using the proposed simple method; we were able to produce uniform spheroids for all five of the tested human pancreatic cancer cell lines; Panc-1, BxPC-3, Capan-1, MiaPaCa-2, and AsPC-1. We believe that this method can be used as a reliable and reproducible technique to make 3D cancer spheroids for use in tumor biology research and evaluation of therapeutic responses, and for the development of bio-artificial tissues. PMID:26830354

Generation of Homogenous Three-Dimensional Pancreatic Cancer Cell Spheroids Using an Improved Hanging Drop Technique.

PubMed

Ware, Matthew J; Colbert, Kevin; Keshishian, Vazrik; Ho, Jason; Corr, Stuart J; Curley, Steven A; Godin, Biana

2016-04-01

In vitro characterization of tumor cell biology or of potential anticancer drugs is usually performed using tumor cell lines cultured as a monolayer. However, it has been previously shown that three-dimensional (3D) organization of the tumor cells is important to provide insights on tumor biology and transport of therapeutics. Several methods to create 3D tumors in vitro have been proposed, with hanging drop technique being the most simple and, thus, most frequently used. However, in many cell lines this method has failed to form the desired 3D tumor structures. The aim of this study was to design and test an easy-to-use and highly reproducible modification of the hanging drop method for tumor sphere formation by adding methylcellulose polymer. Most pancreatic cancer cells do not form cohesive and manageable spheres when the original hanging drop method is used, thus we investigated these cell lines for our modified hanging drop method. The spheroids produced by this improved technique were analyzed by histology, light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and scanning electron microscopy. Results show that using the proposed simple method; we were able to produce uniform spheroids for all five of the tested human pancreatic cancer cell lines; Panc-1, BxPC-3, Capan-1, MiaPaCa-2, and AsPC-1. We believe that this method can be used as a reliable and reproducible technique to make 3D cancer spheroids for use in tumor biology research and evaluation of therapeutic responses, and for the development of bio-artificial tissues.

On the rising motion of a drop in stratified fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bayareh, M.; Doostmohammadi, A.; Dabiri, S.; Ardekani, A. M.

2013-10-01

The rising dynamics of a deformable drop in a linearly stratified fluid is numerically obtained using a finite-volume/front-tracking method. Our results show that the drag coefficient of a spherical drop in a stratified fluid enhances as C_{d,s}/C_{d,h}-1˜ Fr_d^{-2.86} for drop Froude numbers in the range of 4 < Frd < 16. The role of the deformability of the drop on the temporal evolution of the motion is investigated along with stratification and inertial effects. We also present the important role of stratification on the transient rising motion of the drop. It is shown that a drop can levitate in the presence of a vertical density gradient. The drop undergoes a fading oscillatory motion around its neutrally buoyant position except for high viscosity ratio drops where the oscillation occurs around a density level lighter than the neutral buoyancy level. In addition, a detailed characterization of the flow signature of a rising drop in a linearly stratified fluid including the buoyancy induced vortices and the resultant buoyant jet is presented.

Queues with Dropping Functions and General Arrival Processes

PubMed Central

Chydzinski, Andrzej; Mrozowski, Pawel

2016-01-01

In a queueing system with the dropping function the arriving customer can be denied service (dropped) with the probability that is a function of the queue length at the time of arrival of this customer. The potential applicability of such mechanism is very wide due to the fact that by choosing the shape of this function one can easily manipulate several performance characteristics of the queueing system. In this paper we carry out analysis of the queueing system with the dropping function and a very general model of arrival process—the model which includes batch arrivals and the interarrival time autocorrelation, and allows for fitting the actual shape of the interarrival time distribution and its moments. For such a system we obtain formulas for the distribution of the queue length and the overall customer loss ratio. The analytical results are accompanied with numerical examples computed for several dropping functions. PMID:26943171

Novel tunable dynamic tweezers using dark-bright soliton collision control in an optical add/drop filter.

PubMed

Teeka, Chat; Jalil, Muhammad Arif; Yupapin, Preecha P; Ali, Jalil

2010-12-01

We propose a novel system of the dynamic optical tweezers generated by a dark soliton in the fiber optic loop. A dark soliton known as an optical tweezer is amplified and tuned within the microring resonator system. The required tunable tweezers with different widths and powers can be controlled. The analysis of dark-bright soliton conversion using a dark soliton pulse propagating within a microring resonator system is analyzed. The dynamic behaviors of soliton conversion in add/drop filter is also analyzed. The control dark soliton is input into the system via the add port of the add/drop filter. The dynamic behavior of the dark-bright soliton conversion is observed. The required stable signal is obtained via a drop and throughput ports of the add/drop filter with some suitable parameters. In application, the trapped light/atom and transportation can be realized by using the proposed system.

Exogenous gibberellic acid application induces the overexpression of key genes for pedicel lignification and an increase in berry drop in table grape.

PubMed

García-Rojas, Miguel; Meneses, Marco; Oviedo, Kristen; Carrasco, Carlos; Defilippi, Bruno; González-Agüero, Mauricio; León, Gabriel; Hinrichsen, Patricio

2018-05-01

Most table grape (Vitis vinifera L.) varieties require gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) applications to obtain an adequate berry size in order to satisfy market requirements. However, GA 3 treatments also produce severe berry drop in some cultivars, which occurs mainly after a cold storage period during post-harvest. Berry drop in bunches treated with GA 3 has been related to the hardening and thickening of the pedicel produced by the over-accumulation of cellulose and its lignification. The main goal of this study was to compare the morphology and gene expression in pedicel samples of genotypes contrasting for berry drop susceptibility. These genotypes are Thompson Seedless, which exhibits a low incidence of berry drop, and a genetic line (Line #23) of INIA's breeding program that is very susceptible to berry drop at harvest and after storage in bunches sprayed with GA 3 . The parameters measured to study this phenomenon during fruit growth and post-harvest storage included fruit detachment force (FDF), hardness and thickness of the pedicel and berry drop frequency. Histological analyses of pedicel structures at harvest showed an increase in cell size and deposition of lignin in the cortex zone in both contrasting genotypes treated with GA 3 . The expression profile in both genotypes of the key lignin biosynthesis genes Vv4CL4, VvCCR1L and VvCAD1 analyzed by quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) revealed evident changes in response to GA 3 treatments. In particular, gene VvCAD1 is overexpressed (100X) in pedicels of line #23 treated with GA 3 after 30 and 45 days in cold storage compared to control. Moreover, the frequency of berry drop was higher for Line #23 treated with GA 3 than for the control (23% vs. 1%). Our results suggest that gibberellic acid regulates the expression of the biosynthesis of lignin genes, generating changes in cell wall composition and pedicel structure that result in an increase in berry drop. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

CFD simulation of liquid-liquid dispersions in a stirred tank bioreactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gelves, R.

2013-10-01

In this paper simulations were developed in order to allow the examinations of drop sizes in liquid-liquid dispersions (oil-water) in a stirred tank bioreactor using CFD simulations (Computational Fluid Dynamics). The effects of turbulence, rotating flow, drop breakage were simulated by using the k-e, MRF (Multiple Reference Frame) and PBM (Population Balance Model), respectively. The numerical results from different operational conditions are compared with experimental data obtained from an endoscope technique and good agreement is achieved. Motivated by these simulated and experimental results CFD simulations are qualified as a very promising tool for predicting hydrodynamics and drop sizes especially useful for liquid-liquid applications which are characterized by the challenging problem of emulsion stability due to undesired drop sizes.

Heat loss and drag of spherical drop tube samples

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wallace, D. B.

1982-01-01

Analysis techniques for three aspects of the performance of the NASA/MSFC 32 meter drop tube are considered. Heat loss through the support wire in a pendant drop sample, temperature history of a drop falling through the drop tube when the tube is filled with helium gas at various pressures, and drag and resulting g-levels experienced by a drop falling through the tube when the tube is filled with helium gas at various pressures are addressed. The developed methods apply to systems with sufficiently small Knudsen numbers for which continuum theory may be applied. Sample results are presented, using niobium drops, to indicate the magnitudes of the effects. Helium gas at one atmosphere pressure can approximately double the amount of possible undercooling but it results in an apparent gravity levels of up to 0.1 g.

System for monitoring physical characteristics of fluids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trinh, E. H.; Wang, T. G. (Inventor)

1983-01-01

An apparatus and method are described for measuring physical characteristics of fluid, by placing a drop of the fluid in a batch of a second fluid and passing acoustic waves through the bath. The applied frequency of the acoustic waves is varied, to determine the precise value of a frequency at which the drop undergoes resonant oscillations. The resonant frequency indicates the interfacial tension of the drop in the bath, and the interfacial tension can indicate physical properties of the fluid in the drop.

Development of PIV for Microgravity Diffusion Flames

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Greenberg, Paul S.; Wernet, Mark P.; Yanis, William; Urban, David L.; Sunderland, Peter B.

2003-01-01

Results are presented from the application of Particle Image Velocimetry(PIV) to the overfire region of a laminar gas jet diffusion flame in normal gravity. A methane flame burning in air at 0.98 bar was considered. The apparatus demonstrated here is packaged in a drop rig designed for use in the 2.2 second drop tower.

Utilization of Low Gravity Environment for Measuring Liquid Viscosity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Antar, Basil N.; Ethridge, Edwin

1998-01-01

The method of drop coalescence is used for determining the viscosity of highly viscous undercooled liquids. Low gravity environment is necessary in order to allow for examining large volumes affording much higher accuracy for the viscosity calculations than possible for smaller volumes available under 1 - g conditions. The drop coalescence method is preferred over the drop oscillation technique since the latter method can only be applied for liquids with vanishingly small viscosities. The technique developed relies on both the highly accurate solution of the Navier-Stokes equations as well as on data from experiments conducted in near zero gravity environment. Results are presented for method validation experiments recently performed on board the NASA/KC-135 aircraft. While the numerical solution was produced using the Boundary Element Method. In these tests the viscosity of a highly viscous liquid, glycerine at room temperature, was determined using the liquid coalescence method. The results from these experiments will be discussed.

A new approach to stability and oscillations of constrained drops and capillary bridges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fabre, David; Chireux, Veronique; Risso, Frederic; Tordjeman, Philippe

2014-11-01

Static equilibria of liquid inclusions under the effect of gravity and capillarity is a large class of situations which encompasses drops hanging from a ceiling or from a capillary, sessile drops, liquid bridges, etc... In such equilibria the surface shape is governed by the Yong-Laplace equation, which is usually solved in a local way using a ``shooting'' method. We introduce a new method which solves the Laplace-Young in a global way, using an iterative deformation of the shape towards the equilibrium shape. The method is easy to implement and versatile, and allows to prescribe constraints such as the volume of liquid, the angle of attachment, etc... We subsequently consider the issue of stability and oscillations of such configurations. Using finite elements and considering small-amplitude displacements of the surface with respect to the static configuration previously computed, we introduce a global stability approach which allows to predict the stability limits, the oscillation frequencies and the eigenmode shapes for quite general geometries. The approach will be illustrated and compared with experiments in two situations, namely a drop attached to a capilary and a liquid bridge resulting from the coalescence of two facing millimetric drops.

Shape oscillations of acoustically levitated drops in water: Early research with Bob Apfel on modulated radiation pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marston, Philip L.

2004-05-01

In 1976, research in collaboration with Bob Apfel demonstrated that low-frequency shape oscillations of hydrocarbon drops levitated in water could be driven using modulated radiation pressure. While that response to modulated ultrasound was subsequently extended to a range of systems, the emphasis here is to recall the initial stages of development in Bob Apfel's laboratory leading to some publications [P. L. Marston and R. E. Apfel, J. Colloid Interface Sci. 68, 280-286 (1979); J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 67, 27-37 (1980)]. The levitation technology used at that time was such that it was helpful to develop a sensitive method for detecting weak oscillations using the interference pattern in laser light scattered by levitated drops. The initial experiments to verify this scattering method used shape oscillations induced by modulated electric fields within the acoustic levitator. Light scattering was subsequently used to detect shape oscillations induced by amplitude modulating a carrier having a high frequency (around 680 kHz) at a resonance of the transducer. Methods were also developed for quantitative measurements of the drop's response and with improved acoustic coupling drop fission was observed. The connection with research currently supported by NASA will also be noted.

3D Imaging of Water-Drop Condensation on Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Lubricant-Impregnated Surfaces

PubMed Central

Kajiya, Tadashi; Schellenberger, Frank; Papadopoulos, Periklis; Vollmer, Doris; Butt, Hans-Jürgen

2016-01-01

Condensation of water from the atmosphere on a solid surface is an ubiquitous phenomenon in nature and has diverse technological applications, e.g. in heat and mass transfer. We investigated the condensation kinetics of water drops on a lubricant-impregnated surface, i.e., a micropillar array impregnated with a non-volatile ionic liquid. Growing and coalescing drops were imaged in 3D using a laser scanning confocal microscope equipped with a temperature and humidity control. Different stages of condensation can be discriminated. On a lubricant-impregnated hydrophobic micropillar array these are: (1) Nucleation on the lubricant surface. (2) Regular alignment of water drops between micropillars and formation of a three-phase contact line on a bottom of the substrate. (3) Deformation and bridging by coalescence which eventually leads to a detachment of the drops from the bottom substrate. The drop-substrate contact does not result in breakdown of the slippery behaviour. Contrary, on a lubricant-impregnated hydrophilic micropillar array, the condensed water drops replace the lubricant. Consequently, the surface loses its slippery property. Our results demonstrate that a Wenzel-like to Cassie transition, required to maintain the facile removal of condensed water drops, can be induced by well-chosen surface hydrophobicity. PMID:27040483

Nanofluid of zinc oxide nanoparticles in ionic liquid for single drop liquid microextraction of fungicides in environmental waters prior to high performance liquid chromatographic analysis.

PubMed

Amde, Meseret; Tan, Zhi-Qiang; Liu, Rui; Liu, Jing-Fu

2015-05-22

Using a nanofluid obtained by dispersing ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, new single drop microextraction method was developed for simultaneous extraction of three fungicides (chlorothalonil, kresoxim-methyl and famoxadone) in water samples prior to their analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-VWD). The parameters affecting the extraction efficiency such as amount of ZnO NPs in the nanofluid, solvent volume, extraction time, stirring rate, pH and ionic strength of the sample solution were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the limits of detection were in the range of 0.13-0.19ng/mL, the precision of the method assessed with intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviations were <4.82% and <7.04%, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine the three fungicides in real water samples including lake water, river water, as well as effluent and influent of wastewater treatment plant, with recoveries in the range of 74.94-96.11% at 5ng/mL spiking level. Besides to being environmental friendly, the high enrichment factor and the data quality obtained with the proposed method demonstrated its potential for application in multi residue analysis of fungicides in actual water samples. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Measurement of interfacial tension by use of pendant drop video techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herd, Melvin D.; Thomas, Charles P.; Bala, Gregory A.; Lassahn, Gordon D.

1993-09-01

This report describes an instrument to measure the interfacial tension (IFT) of aqueous surfactant solutions and crude oil. The method involves injection of a drop of fluid (such as crude oil) into a second immiscible phase to determine the IFT between the two phases. The instrument is composed of an AT-class computer, optical cell, illumination, video camera and lens, video frame digitizer board, monitor, and software. The camera displays an image of the pendant drop on the monitor, which is then processed by the frame digitizer board and non-proprietary software to determine the IFT. Several binary and ternary phase systems were taken from the literature and used to measure the precision and accuracy of the instrument in determining IFT's. A copy of the software program is included in the report. A copy of the program on diskette can be obtained from the Energy Science and Technology Software Center, P.O. Box 1020, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-1020. The accuracy and precision of the technique and apparatus presented is very good for measurement of IFT's in the range from 72 to 10(exp -2) mN/m, which is adequate for many EOR applications. With modifications to the equipment and the numerical techniques, measurements of ultralow IFT's (less than 10(exp -3) mN/m) should be possible as well as measurements at reservoir temperature and pressure conditions. The instrument has been used at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory to support the research program on microbial enhanced oil recovery. Measurements of IFT's for several bacterial supernatants and unfractionated acid precipitates of microbial cultures containing biosurfactants against medium to heavy crude oils are reported. These experiments demonstrate that the use of automated video imaging of pendant drops is a simple and fast method to reliably determine interfacial tension between two immiscible liquid phases, or between a gas and a liquid phase.

Interlaminar stress analysis of dropped-ply laminated plates and shells by a mixed method. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harrison, Peter N.; Johnson, Eric R.; Starnes, James H., Jr.

1994-01-01

A mixed method of approximation based on Reissner's variational principle is developed for the linear analysis of interlaminar stresses in laminated composites, with special interest in laminates that contain terminated internal plies (dropped-ply laminates). Two models are derived, one for problems of generalized plane deformation and the other for the axisymmetric response of shells of revolution. A layerwise approach is taken in which the stress field is assumed with an explicit dependence on the thickness coordinate in each layer. The dependence of the stress field on the thickness coordinate is determined such that the three-dimensional equilibrium equations are satisfied by the approximation. The solution domain is reduced to one dimension by integration through the thickness. Continuity of tractions and displacements between layers is imposed. The governing two-point boundary value problem is composed of a system of both differential and algebraic equations (DAE's) and their associated boundary conditions. Careful evaluation of the system of DAE's was required to arrive at a form that allowed application of a one-step finite difference approximation. A two-stage Gauss implicit Runge-Kutta finite difference scheme was used for the solution because of its relatively high degree of accuracy. Patch tests of the two models revealed problems with solution accuracy for the axisymmetric model of a cylindrical shell loaded by internal pressure. Parametric studies of dropped-ply laminate characteristics and their influence on the interlaminar stresses were performed using the generalized plane deformation model. Eccentricity of the middle surface of the laminate through the ply drop-off was found to have a minimal effect on the interlaminar stresses under longitudinal compression, transverse tension, and in-plane shear. A second study found the stiffness change across the ply termination to have a much greater influence on the interlaminar stresses.

Quantification of nimesulide in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Application to bioequivalence studies.

PubMed

Barrientos-Astigarraga, R E; Vannuchi, Y B; Sucupira, M; Moreno, R A; Muscará, M N; De Nucci, G

2001-12-01

A method based on liquid chromatography with negative ion electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry is described for the determination of nimesulide in human plasma. Liquid-liquid extraction using a mixture of diethyl ether and dichloromethane was employed and celecoxib was used as an internal standard. The chromatographic run time was 4.5 min and the weighted (1/x) calibration curve was linear in the range 10.0-2000 ng x ml(-1). The limit of quantification was 10 ng x ml(-1), the intra-batch precision was 6.3, 2.1 and 2.1% and the intra-batch accuracy was 3.2, 0.3 and 0.1% for 30, 300 and 1200 ng x ml(-1) respectively. The inter-batch precision was 2.3, 2.8 and 2.7% and the accuracy was 3.3, 0.3 and 0.1% for 30, 300 and 1200 ng x ml(-1) respectively. This method was employed in a bioequivalence study of one nimesulide drop formulation (nimesulide 50 mg x ml(-1) drop, Medley S/A Indústria Farmacêutica, Brazil) against one standard nimesulide drop formulation (Nisulid, 50 mg x ml(-1) drop, Astra Médica, Brazil). Twenty-four healthy volunteers (both sexes) took part in the study and received a single oral dose of nimesulide (100 mg, equivalent to 2 ml of either formulation) in an open, randomized, two-period crossover way, with a 2-week washout interval between periods. The 90% confidence interval (CI) for geometric mean ratios between nimesulide and Nisulid were 93.1-109.6% for C(max), 87.7-99.8% for AUC(last) and 88.1-99.7% for AUC(0-infinity). Since the 90% CI for the above-mentioned parameters were included in the 80-125% interval proposed by the US Food and Drug Administration, the two formulations were considered bioequivalent in terms of both rate and extent of absorption. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Emotional Competence and Drop-Out Rates in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kingston, Emma

2008-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to compare the emotional competence of first year undergraduates enrolled on a high or low drop-out rate (HDR and LDR, respectively) course, at a newly established university within the UK. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed methods approach using both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods was…

Electro-Microfluidic Packaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benavides, G. L.; Galambos, P. C.

2002-06-01

There are many examples of electro-microfluidic products that require cost effective packaging solutions. Industry has responded to a demand for products such as drop ejectors, chemical sensors, and biological sensors. Drop ejectors have consumer applications such as ink jet printing and scientific applications such as patterning self-assembled monolayers or ejecting picoliters of expensive analytes/reagents for chemical analysis. Drop ejectors can be used to perform chemical analysis, combinatorial chemistry, drug manufacture, drug discovery, drug delivery, and DNA sequencing. Chemical and biological micro-sensors can sniff the ambient environment for traces of dangerous materials such as explosives, toxins, or pathogens. Other biological sensors can be used to improve world health by providing timely diagnostics and applying corrective measures to the human body. Electro-microfluidic packaging can easily represent over fifty percent of the product cost and, as with Integrated Circuits (IC), the industry should evolve to standard packaging solutions. Standard packaging schemes will minimize cost and bring products to market sooner.

A precise goniometer/tensiometer using a low cost single-board computer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Favier, Benoit; Chamakos, Nikolaos T.; Papathanasiou, Athanasios G.

2017-12-01

Measuring the surface tension and the Young contact angle of a droplet is extremely important for many industrial applications. Here, considering the booming interest for small and cheap but precise experimental instruments, we have constructed a low-cost contact angle goniometer/tensiometer, based on a single-board computer (Raspberry Pi). The device runs an axisymmetric drop shape analysis (ADSA) algorithm written in Python. The code, here named DropToolKit, was developed in-house. We initially present the mathematical framework of our algorithm and then we validate our software tool against other well-established ADSA packages, including the commercial ramé-hart DROPimage Advanced as well as the DropAnalysis plugin in ImageJ. After successfully testing for various combinations of liquids and solid surfaces, we concluded that our prototype device would be highly beneficial for industrial applications as well as for scientific research in wetting phenomena compared to the commercial solutions.

Self-peeling of impacting droplets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Ruiter, Jolet; Soto, Dan; Varanasi, Kripa K.

2018-01-01

Whether an impacting droplet sticks or not to a solid surface has been conventionally controlled by functionalizing the target surface or by using additives in the drop. Here we report on an unexpected self-peeling phenomenon that can happen even on smooth untreated surfaces by taking advantage of the solidification of the impacting drop and the thermal properties of the substrate. We control this phenomenon by tuning the coupling of the short-timescale fluid dynamics--leading to interfacial defects upon local freezing--and the longer-timescale thermo-mechanical stresses--leading to global deformation. We establish a regime map that predicts whether a molten metal drop impacting onto a colder substrate will bounce, stick or self-peel. In many applications, avoiding adhesion of impacting droplets around designated target surfaces can be as crucial as bonding onto them to minimize waste or cleaning. These insights have broad applicability in processes ranging from thermal spraying and additive manufacturing to extreme ultraviolet lithography.

Two Phase Flow Modeling: Summary of Flow Regimes and Pressure Drop Correlations in Reduced and Partial Gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balasubramaniam, R.; Rame, E.; Kizito, J.; Kassemi, M.

2006-01-01

The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of state-of-the-art predictions for two-phase flows relevant to Advanced Life Support. We strive to pick out the most used and accepted models for pressure drop and flow regime predictions. The main focus is to identify gaps in predictive capabilities in partial gravity for Lunar and Martian applications. Following a summary of flow regimes and pressure drop correlations for terrestrial and zero gravity, we analyze the fully developed annular gas-liquid flow in a straight cylindrical tube. This flow is amenable to analytical closed form solutions for the flow field and heat transfer. These solutions, valid for partial gravity as well, may be used as baselines and guides to compare experimental measurements. The flow regimes likely to be encountered in the water recovery equipment currently under consideration for space applications are provided in an appendix.

The Measurement of the Surface Energy of Solids by Sessile Drop Accelerometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calvimontes, Alfredo

2018-05-01

A new physical method, the sessile drop accelerometry (SDACC) for the study and measurement of the interfacial energies of solid-liquid-gas systems, is tested and discussed in this study. The laboratory instrument and technique—a combination of a drop shape analyzer with high-speed camera and a laboratory drop tower- and the evaluation algorithms, were designed to calculate the interfacial energies as a function of the geometrical changes of a sessile droplet shape due to the effect of "switching off" gravity during the experiment. The method bases on Thermodynamics of Interfaces and differs from the conventional approach of the two hundred-years-old Young's equation in that it assumes a thermodynamic equilibrium between interfaces, rather than a balance of tensions on a point of the solid-liquid-gas contour line. A comparison of the mathematical model that supports the method with the widely accepted Young`s equation is discussed in detail in this study. The method opens new possibilities to develop surface characterization procedures by submitting the solid-liquid-system to artificial generated and uniform force fields.

Three-dimensional culture of buffalo granulosa cells in hanging drop mimics the preovulatory follicle stage.

PubMed

Yadav, Monica; Agrawal, Himanshu; Pandey, Mamta; Singh, Dheer; Onteru, Suneel K

2018-03-01

Granulosa cell (GC) culture models mimicking the intrafollicular environment are limited. Such models have a great potential in reproductive toxicity studies. The buffalo, a monovulatory species like humans, could be a better model than polyovulatory rodents. Therefore, we targeted the development and characterization of three-dimensional (3D) culture systems for buffalo GCs. The GCs from small ovarian follicles (SF) maintained the CYP19 gene expression for 144 hr in a 2D culture system. Hence, GCs from SF were cultured directly in 3D using hanging drop and Poly-([2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate]) (polyHEMA) methods in the DMEM media containing 1 ng/ml FSH and 10 ng/ml IGF-1 for 144 hr. The expression profile of nine GC-specific transcripts; CYP19, TNFAIP6, AMH, PTI, NR4A1, FSHR, RUNX, LHR, and COX2/PTGS2; revealed that 3D-spheroids developed in hanging drop method maintained the GC phenotype of preovulatory follicles. Therefore, hanging drop method is a best method for culturing GCs to mimic the intrafollicular environment. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Solid evacuated microspheres of hydrogen

DOEpatents

Turnbull, Robert J.; Foster, Christopher A.; Hendricks, Charles D.

1982-01-01

A method is provided for producing solid, evacuated microspheres comprised of hydrogen. The spheres are produced by forming a jet of liquid hydrogen and exciting mechanical waves on the jet of appropriate frequency so that the jet breaks up into drops with a bubble formed in each drop by cavitation. The drops are exposed to a pressure less than the vapor pressure of the liquid hydrogen so that the bubble which is formed within each drop expands. The drops which contain bubbles are exposed to an environment having a pressure just below the triple point of liquid hydrogen and they thereby freeze giving solid, evacuated spheres of hydrogen.

The stopped-drop method: a novel setup for containment-free and time-resolved measurements

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schiener, Andreas; Seifert, Soenke; Magerl, Andreas

2016-03-01

A novel setup for containment-free time-resolved experiments at a free-hanging drop is reported. Within a dead-time of 100 ms a drop of mixed reactant solutions is formed and the time evolution of a reaction can be followed from thereon by various techniques. As an example, a small-angle X-ray scattering study on the formation mechanism of EDTA-stabilized CdS both at a synchrotron and a laboratory X-ray source is presented here. While the evolution can be followed with one drop only at a synchrotron source, a stroboscopic mode with many drops is preferable for the laboratory source.

Performance evaluation on an air-cooled heat exchanger for alumina nanofluid under laminar flow.

PubMed

Teng, Tun-Ping; Hung, Yi-Hsuan; Teng, Tun-Chien; Chen, Jyun-Hong

2011-08-09

This study analyzes the characteristics of alumina (Al2O3)/water nanofluid to determine the feasibility of its application in an air-cooled heat exchanger for heat dissipation for PEMFC or electronic chip cooling. The experimental sample was Al2O3/water nanofluid produced by the direct synthesis method at three different concentrations (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt.%). The experiments in this study measured the thermal conductivity and viscosity of nanofluid with weight fractions and sample temperatures (20-60°C), and then used the nanofluid in an actual air-cooled heat exchanger to assess its heat exchange capacity and pressure drop under laminar flow. Experimental results show that the nanofluid has a higher heat exchange capacity than water, and a higher concentration of nanoparticles provides an even better ratio of the heat exchange. The maximum enhanced ratio of heat exchange and pressure drop for all the experimental parameters in this study was about 39% and 5.6%, respectively. In addition to nanoparticle concentration, the temperature and mass flow rates of the working fluid can affect the enhanced ratio of heat exchange and pressure drop of nanofluid. The cross-section aspect ratio of tube in the heat exchanger is another important factor to be taken into consideration.

Safety, efficacy, and patient acceptability of lidocaine hydrochloride ophthalmic gel as a topical ocular anesthetic for use in ophthalmic procedures

PubMed Central

Page, Michael A; Fraunfelder, Frederick W

2009-01-01

Purpose: To review the current literature on safety, efficacy, and measures of surgeon and patient satisfaction with lidocaine hydrochloride gel as a tool for ocular anesthesia. Methods: Pubmed search using keywords “lidocaine gel,” “ophthalmic,” and “surgery” and compiling cross-references. Twenty-six total references were reviewed, including 15 prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs, total N = 933, average N = 62), 6 nonrandomized prospective studies (total N = 234, average N = 39), 2 animal studies, 1 microbiologic study, and 2 letters to the editor. Results: The RCTs and nonrandomized prospective studies evaluated a number of measures including timing of onset of anesthesia, duration of anesthesia, intraoperative and postoperative pain, need for additional anesthetic applications, intracameral lidocaine levels, and adverse effects. Control groups received topical drops, subconjunctival anesthetic, retrobulbar anesthetic, or sham gel. Lidocaine gel was shown to be at least as effective for pain control as alternative therapies in all studies, with longer duration of action than topical drops. Patient and surgeon satisfaction were high, and adverse effects were rare and comparable to those for anesthetic drop formulations. Surgical settings included cataract, pterygium, trabeculectomy, strabismus, intravitreal injection, vitrectomy, and penetrating keratoplasty. Conclusions: Lidocaine gel is a safe, effective, and potentially underutilized tool for ophthalmic surgery. PMID:19898665

Performance evaluation on an air-cooled heat exchanger for alumina nanofluid under laminar flow

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

This study analyzes the characteristics of alumina (Al2O3)/water nanofluid to determine the feasibility of its application in an air-cooled heat exchanger for heat dissipation for PEMFC or electronic chip cooling. The experimental sample was Al2O3/water nanofluid produced by the direct synthesis method at three different concentrations (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt.%). The experiments in this study measured the thermal conductivity and viscosity of nanofluid with weight fractions and sample temperatures (20-60°C), and then used the nanofluid in an actual air-cooled heat exchanger to assess its heat exchange capacity and pressure drop under laminar flow. Experimental results show that the nanofluid has a higher heat exchange capacity than water, and a higher concentration of nanoparticles provides an even better ratio of the heat exchange. The maximum enhanced ratio of heat exchange and pressure drop for all the experimental parameters in this study was about 39% and 5.6%, respectively. In addition to nanoparticle concentration, the temperature and mass flow rates of the working fluid can affect the enhanced ratio of heat exchange and pressure drop of nanofluid. The cross-section aspect ratio of tube in the heat exchanger is another important factor to be taken into consideration. PMID:21827644

Isothermal separation processes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

England, C.

1982-01-01

The isothermal processes of membrane separation, supercritical extraction and chromatography were examined using availability analysis. The general approach was to derive equations that identified where energy is consumed in these processes and how they compare with conventional separation methods. These separation methods are characterized by pure work inputs, chiefly in the form of a pressure drop which supplies the required energy. Equations were derived for the energy requirement in terms of regular solution theory. This approach is believed to accurately predict the work of separation in terms of the heat of solution and the entropy of mixing. It can form the basis of a convenient calculation method for optimizing membrane and solvent properties for particular applications. Calculations were made on the energy requirements for a membrane process separating air into its components.

Smoothed particle hydrodynamics method for evaporating multiphase flows.

PubMed

Yang, Xiufeng; Kong, Song-Charng

2017-09-01

The smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method has been increasingly used for simulating fluid flows; however, its ability to simulate evaporating flow requires significant improvements. This paper proposes an SPH method for evaporating multiphase flows. The present SPH method can simulate the heat and mass transfers across the liquid-gas interfaces. The conservation equations of mass, momentum, and energy were reformulated based on SPH, then were used to govern the fluid flow and heat transfer in both the liquid and gas phases. The continuity equation of the vapor species was employed to simulate the vapor mass fraction in the gas phase. The vapor mass fraction at the interface was predicted by the Clausius-Clapeyron correlation. An evaporation rate was derived to predict the mass transfer from the liquid phase to the gas phase at the interface. Because of the mass transfer across the liquid-gas interface, the mass of an SPH particle was allowed to change. Alternative particle splitting and merging techniques were developed to avoid large mass difference between SPH particles of the same phase. The proposed method was tested by simulating three problems, including the Stefan problem, evaporation of a static drop, and evaporation of a drop impacting a hot surface. For the Stefan problem, the SPH results of the evaporation rate at the interface agreed well with the analytical solution. For drop evaporation, the SPH result was compared with the result predicted by a level-set method from the literature. In the case of drop impact on a hot surface, the evolution of the shape of the drop, temperature, and vapor mass fraction were predicted.

Capillary Phenomena: Investigations in Compressed Bubble Migration, Geometric Wetting, and Blade-Bound Droplet Stability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blackmore, William Henry

Capillary flows continue to be important in numerous spacecraft systems where the effective magnitude of the gravity vector is approximately one millionth that of normal Earth gravity. Due to the free fall state of orbiting spacecraft, the effects of capillarity on the fluid systems onboard can dominate the fluid behavior over large length scales. In this research three investigations are pursued where the unique interplay between surface tension forces, wetting characteristics, and system geometry control the fluid behavior, whether in large systems aboard spacecraft, or micro-scale systems on Earth. First, efforts in support of two International Space Station (ISS) experiments are reported. A description of the development of a new NASA ground station at Portland State University is provided along with descriptions of astronaut training activities for the proper operation of four handheld experiments currently in orbit as part of the second iteration of the Capillary Flow Experiments (CFE-2). Concerning the latter, seven more vessels are expected to be launched to the ISS shortly. Analysis of the data alongside numerical simulations shows excellent agreement with theory, and a new intuitive method of viewing critical wetting angles and fluid bulk shift phenomena is offered. Secondly, during the CFE-2 space experiments, unplanned peripheral observations revealed that, on occasion, rapidly compressed air bubbles migrate along paths with vector components common to the residual acceleration onboard the ISS. Unexpectedly however, the migration velocities could be shown to be up to three orders of magnitude greater than the appropriate Stokes flow limit! Likely mechanisms are explored analytically and experimentally while citing prior theoretical works that may have anticipated such phenomena. Once properly understood, compressed bubble migration may be used as an elegant method for phase separation in spacecraft systems or microgravity-based materials manufacturing. Lastly, the stability of drops on surfaces is important in a variety of natural and industrial processes. So called 'wall-edge-vertex bound drops' (a.k.a. drops on blade tips or drops on leaf tips which they resemble) are explored using a numerical approach which applies the Surface Evolver algorithm through implementation of a new file layer and a multi-parameter sweep function. As part of a recently open sourced SE-FIT software, thousands of critical drop configurations are efficiently computed as functions of contact angle, blade edge vertex half-angle, and g-orientation. With the support of other graduate students, simple experiments are performed to benchmark the computations which are then correlated for ease of application. It is shown that sessile, pendant, and wall-edge bound drops are only limiting cases of the more generalized blade-bound drops, and that a ubiquitous 'dry leaf tip' is observed for a range of the critical geometric and wetting parameters.

Drop Testing Representative Multi-Canister Overpacks

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Snow, Spencer D.; Morton, Dana K.

The objective of the work reported herein was to determine the ability of the Multi- Canister Overpack (MCO) canister design to maintain its containment boundary after an accidental drop event. Two test MCO canisters were assembled at Hanford, prepared for testing at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL), drop tested at Sandia National Laboratories, and evaluated back at the INEEL. In addition to the actual testing efforts, finite element plastic analysis techniques were used to make both pre-test and post-test predictions of the test MCOs structural deformations. The completed effort has demonstrated that the canister design is capablemore » of maintaining a 50 psig pressure boundary after drop testing. Based on helium leak testing methods, one test MCO was determined to have a leakage rate not greater than 1x10 -5 std cc/sec (prior internal helium presence prevented a more rigorous test) and the remaining test MCO had a measured leakage rate less than 1x10 -7 std cc/sec (i.e., a leaktight containment) after the drop test. The effort has also demonstrated the capability of finite element methods using plastic analysis techniques to accurately predict the structural deformations of canisters subjected to an accidental drop event.« less

Thin film drainage between pre-inflated capsules or vesicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keh, Martin; Walter, Johann; Leal, Gary

2013-11-01

Capsules and vesicles are often used as vehicles to carry active ingredients or fragrance in drug delivery and consumer products and oftentimes in these applications the particles may be pre-inflated due to the existence of a small osmotic pressure difference between the interior and exterior fluid. We study the dynamics of thin film drainage between capsules and vesicles in flow as it is crucial to fusion and deposition of the particles and, therefore, the stability and effectiveness of the products. Simulations are conducted using a numerical model coupling the boundary integral method for the motion of the fluids and a finite element method for the membrane mechanics. For low capillary numbers, the drainage behavior of vesicles and capsules are approximately the same, and also similar to that of drops as the flow-independent and uniform tension due to pre-inflation dominates. The tension due to deformation caused by flow will become more important as the strength of the external flow (i.e. the capillary number) increases. In this case, the shapes of the thin film region are fundamentally different for capsules and vesicles, and the drainage behavior in both cases differs from a drop. Funded by P&G.

A Study of Drop-Microstructured Surface Interactions during Dropwise Condensation with Quartz Crystal Microbalance

PubMed Central

Su, Junwei; Charmchi, Majid; Sun, Hongwei

2016-01-01

Dropwise condensation (DWC) on hydrophobic surfaces is attracting attention for its great potential in many industrial applications, such as steam power plants, water desalination, and de-icing of aerodynamic surfaces, to list a few. The direct dynamic characterization of liquid/solid interaction can significantly accelerate the progress toward a full understanding of the thermal and mass transport mechanisms during DWC processes. This work reports a novel Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) based method that can quantitatively analyze the interaction between water droplets and micropillar surfaces during different condensation states such as filmwise, Wenzel, and partial Cassie states. A combined nanoimprinting lithography and chemical surface treatment approach was utilized to fabricate the micropillar based superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic surfaces on the QCM substrates. The normalized frequency shift of the QCM device together with the microscopic observation of the corresponding drop motion revealed the droplets growth and their coalescence processes and clearly demonstrated the differences between the three aforementioned condensation states. In addition, the transition between Cassie and Wenzel states was successfully captured by this method. The newly developed QCM system provides a valuable tool for the dynamic characterization of different condensation processes. PMID:27739452

Preparation and Investigation of Foaming Amphiphilic Fluorinated Nanoparticles for Enhanced Oil Recovery.

PubMed

Wang, Keliang; Wang, Gang; Lu, Chunjing; Pei, Cuiying; Wang, Ying

2017-12-08

Amphiphilic nanoparticles have attracted increasing interest as Pickering emulsifiers owing to the combined advantages of both traditional surfactants and homogeneous particles. Here, foaming amphiphilic fluorinated nanoparticles were prepared for enhanced oil recovery by the toposelective surface modification method. The structure and properties of amphiphilic nanoparticles were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, a laser diffraction method, fluorescence microscopy, a pendant drop tensiometer, and foamscan. It was found that the amphiphilic fluorinated nanoparticles exhibited significant interfacial activity at the air-water interface and generated stabilized aqueous foams against coalescence and drainage even in the absence of surfactants. When the particle concentration reached 0.6 wt %, the adsorption of the amphiphilic nanoparticles at the interface was saturated and the equilibrium surface tension dropped to around 32.7 mN/m. When the particle concentration reached 0.4 wt %, the Gibbs stability criterion was fulfilled. The amphiphilic nanoparticles foam system has a better plugging capacity and enhanced oil recovery capacity. The results obtained provide fundamental insights into the understanding of the self-assembly behavior and foam properties of amphiphilic fluorinated nanoparticles and further demonstrate the future potential of the amphiphilic nanoparticles used as colloid surfactants for enhanced oil recovery applications.

Preparation and Investigation of Foaming Amphiphilic Fluorinated Nanoparticles for Enhanced Oil Recovery

PubMed Central

Wang, Keliang; Lu, Chunjing; Pei, Cuiying; Wang, Ying

2017-01-01

Amphiphilic nanoparticles have attracted increasing interest as Pickering emulsifiers owing to the combined advantages of both traditional surfactants and homogeneous particles. Here, foaming amphiphilic fluorinated nanoparticles were prepared for enhanced oil recovery by the toposelective surface modification method. The structure and properties of amphiphilic nanoparticles were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, a laser diffraction method, fluorescence microscopy, a pendant drop tensiometer, and foamscan. It was found that the amphiphilic fluorinated nanoparticles exhibited significant interfacial activity at the air–water interface and generated stabilized aqueous foams against coalescence and drainage even in the absence of surfactants. When the particle concentration reached 0.6 wt %, the adsorption of the amphiphilic nanoparticles at the interface was saturated and the equilibrium surface tension dropped to around 32.7 mN/m. When the particle concentration reached 0.4 wt %, the Gibbs stability criterion was fulfilled. The amphiphilic nanoparticles foam system has a better plugging capacity and enhanced oil recovery capacity. The results obtained provide fundamental insights into the understanding of the self-assembly behavior and foam properties of amphiphilic fluorinated nanoparticles and further demonstrate the future potential of the amphiphilic nanoparticles used as colloid surfactants for enhanced oil recovery applications. PMID:29292747

Wind-tunnel simulation of store jettison with the aid of magnetic artificial gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stephens, T.; Adams, R.

1972-01-01

A method employed in the simulation of jettison of stores from aircraft involving small scale wind-tunnel drop tests from a model of the parent aircraft is described. Proper scaling of such experiments generally dictates that the gravitational acceleration should ideally be a test variable. A method of introducing a controllable artificial component of gravity by magnetic means has been proposed. The use of a magnetic artificial gravity facility based upon this idea, in conjunction with small scale wind-tunnel drop tests, would improve the accuracy of simulation. A review of the scaling laws as they apply to the design of such a facility is presented. The design constraints involved in the integration of such a facility with a wind tunnel are defined. A detailed performance analysis procedure applicable to such a facility is developed. A practical magnet configuration is defined which is capable of controlling the strength and orientation of the magnetic artificial gravity field in the vertical plane, thereby allowing simulation of store jettison from a diving or climbing aircraft. The factors involved in the choice between continuous or intermittent operation of the facility, and the use of normal or superconducting magnets, are defined.

Visualization Measurement of Streaming Flows Associated with a Single-Acoustic Levitator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasegawa, Koji; Abe, Yutaka; Kaneko, Akiko; Yamamoto, Yuji; Aoki, Kazuyoshi

2009-08-01

The purpose of the study is to experimentally investigate flow fields generated by an acoustic levitator. This flow field has been observed using flow visualization, PIV method. In the absent of a drop, the flow field was strongly influenced by sound pressure level (SPL). In light of the interfacial stability of a levitated drop, SPL was set at 161-163 [dB] in our experiments. In the case of any levitated drop at a pressure node of a standing wave, the toroidal vortices were appeared around a drop and clearly observed the flow fields around the drop by PIV measurement. It is found that the toroidal vortices around a levitated drop were strongly affected by the viscosity of a drop. For more detailed research, experiments in the reduced gravity were conducted with aircraft parabolic flights. By comparison with experimental results in the earth and reduced gravity, it is also indicated that the configuration of the external flow field around a drop is most likely to be affected by a position of a drop as well.

Controlling Particle Morphologies at Fluid Interfaces: Macro- and Micro- approaches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beesabathuni, Shilpa Naidu

The controlled generation of varying shaped particles is important for many applications: consumer goods, biomedical diagnostics, food processing, adsorbents and pharmaceuticals which can benefit from the availability of geometrically complex and chemically inhomogeneous particles. This thesis presents two approaches to spherical and non-spherical particle synthesis using macro and microfluidics. In the first approach, a droplet microfluidic technique is explored to fabricate spherical conducting polymer, polyaniline, particles with precise control over morphology and functionality. Microfluidics has recently emerged as an important alternate to the synthesis of complex particles. The conducting polymer, polyaniline, is widely used and known for its stability, high conductivity, and favorable redox properties. In this approach, monodisperse micron-sized polyaniline spherical particles were synthesized using two-phase droplet microfluidics from Aniline and Ammonium persulfate oxidative polymerization in an oil-based continuous phase. The morphology of the polymerized particles is porous in nature which can be used for encapsulation as well as controlled release applications. Encapsulation of an enzyme, glucose oxidase, was also performed using the technique to synthesize microspheres for glucose sensing. The polymer microspheres were characterized using SEM, UV-Vis and EDX to understand the relationship between their microstructure and stability. In the second approach, molten drop impact in a cooling aqueous medium to generate non-spherical particles was explored. Viscoelastic wax based materials are widely used in many applications and their performance and application depends on the particle morphology and size. The deformation of millimeter size molten wax drops as they impacted an immiscible liquid interface was investigated. Spherical molten wax drops impinged on a cooling water bath, then deformed and as a result of solidification were arrested into various shapes such as ellipsoids, mushrooms, spherulites and discs. The final morphology of the wax particles is governed by the interfacial, inertial, viscous and thermal effects, which can be studied over a range of Weber, Capillary, Reynolds and Stefan numbers. A simplified Stefan problem for a spherical drop was solved. The time required to initiate a phase transition at the interface of the molten wax and water after impact was estimated and correlated with the drop deformation history and final wax particle shape to develop a capability to predict the shape. While the microfluidic synthesis approach offers precise control over morphology and functionality, large particle throughput is a limitation. The drop impact in a liquid medium emulsion approach is limited to crosslinking or heat sensitive materials but can be extended to large scale production for industrial applications. Both approaches are simple, robust and cost effective making them viable and attractive solutions for complex particle synthesis. The choice of the approach is dependent on considerations such as particle material, size, shape, throughput and end application.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tao, Keyu; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Photonic Information Technology, Shenzhen 518067; College of Electronic Science and Technology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518067

We present a versatile add-drop integrated photonic filter (ADF) consisting of nonreciprocal waveguides in which the propagation of light is restricted in one predetermined direction. With the bus and add/drop waveguides symmetrically coupled through a cavity, the four-port device allows each individual port to add and/or drop a signal of the same frequency. The scheme is general and we demonstrate the nonreciprocal ADF with magneto-optical photonic crystals. The filter is immune to waveguide defects, allowing straightforward implementation of multi-channel ADFs by cascading the four-port designs. The results should find applications in wavelength-division multiplexing and related integrated photonic techniques.

Quadratic formula for determining the drop size in pressure-atomized sprays with and without swirl

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, T.-W, E-mail: attwl@asu.edu; An, Keju

2016-06-15

We use a theoretical framework based on the integral form of the conservation equations, along with a heuristic model of the viscous dissipation, to find a closed-form solution to the liquid atomization problem. The energy balance for the spray renders to a quadratic formula for the drop size as a function, primarily of the liquid velocity. The Sauter mean diameter found using the quadratic formula shows good agreements and physical trends, when compared with experimental observations. This approach is shown to be applicable toward specifying initial drop size in computational fluid dynamics of spray flows.

Containerless protein crystal growth method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rhim, Won-Kyu; Chung, Sang K.

1991-01-01

A method of growing protein crystals from levitated drops is introduced and unique features of containerless approach in 1-g and micro-G laboratories are discussed. Electrostatic multidrop levitation system which is capable of simultaneous four drop levitation is described. A method of controlling protein saturation level in a programmed way is introduced and discussed. Finally, some of the unique features of containerless approach of protein crystal growth in space are discussed and summarized.

Faraday forcing of high-temperature levitated liquid metal drops for the measurement of surface tension.

PubMed

Brosius, Nevin; Ward, Kevin; Matsumoto, Satoshi; SanSoucie, Michael; Narayanan, Ranga

2018-01-01

In this work, a method for the measurement of surface tension using continuous periodic forcing is presented. To reduce gravitational effects, samples are electrostatically levitated prior to forcing. The method, called Faraday forcing, is particularly well suited for fluids that require high temperature measurements such as liquid metals where conventional surface tension measurement methods are not possible. It offers distinct advantages over the conventional pulse-decay analysis method when the sample viscosity is high or the levitation feedback control system is noisy. In the current method, levitated drops are continuously translated about a mean position at a small, constant forcing amplitude over a range of frequencies. At a particular frequency in this range, the drop suddenly enters a state of resonance, which is confirmed by large executions of prolate/oblate deformations about the mean spherical shape. The arrival at this resonant condition is a signature that the parametric forcing frequency is equal to the drop's natural frequency, the latter being a known function of surface tension. A description of the experimental procedure is presented. A proof of concept is given using pure Zr and a Ti 39.5 Zr 39.5 Ni 21 alloy as examples. The results compare favorably with accepted literature values obtained using the pulse-decay method.

Self-Renewal and CSCs In Vitro Enrichment: Growth as Floating Spheres

PubMed Central

Mehta, Pooja; Novak, Caymen; Raghavan, Shreya; Ward, Maria; Mehta, Geeta

2018-01-01

Cancer stem cells (CSC) are a vital component to the progression and reoccurrence of cancers, making them a primary target of study for both fundamental understanding of cancer biology and the development of effective and targeted treatments. CSCs reside in a complex 3D microenvironment, and the 3D spheroids are an indispensable tool in tumor biology due to their 3D structure and replication of the tumor microenvironment. Within this chapter the methodology for CSC isolation, suspension culture in hanging drop model, and characterization assays for CSC are described. First, the methodology for identifying and isolating CSCs from patient tumors, ascites, or cancer cell lines is described through the use of FACS analysis. Next, a detailed description of 3D hanging drop model for generating CSC spheroids is provided, followed by maintenance and monitoring techniques for extended 3D culture. Analysis methods are described for the quantification of CSC spheroid proliferation and viability tracking, throughout culture by on-plate alamarBlue fluorescence. Additional viability assays are described utilizing confocal microscopy with Live/Dead Viability/Cytotoxicity Kit. The characterization of CSCs populations within spheroids is described through FACS analysis. Further, an immunohistochemistry procedure is described for cell-cell and cell-matrix interaction assessment. Finally, several notes and tips for successful experiments with 3D CSC spheroids on the hanging drop model are provided. These methods are not only applicable to CSCs within a variety of tumor cell types, for not only understanding the fundamental tumor biology, but also for drug screening and development of preclinical chemotherapeutic strategies. PMID:28986887

Drop impact on spherical soft surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Simeng; Bertola, Volfango

2017-08-01

The impact of water drops on spherical soft surfaces is investigated experimentally through high-speed imaging. The effect of a convex compliant surface on the dynamics of impacting drops is relevant to various applications, such as 3D ink-jet printing, where drops of fresh material impact on partially cured soft substrates with arbitrary shape. Several quantities which characterize the morphology of impacting drops are measured through image-processing, including the maximum and minimum spreading angles, length of the wetted curve, and dynamic contact angle. In particular, the dynamic contact angle is measured using a novel digital image-processing scheme based on a goniometric mask, which does not require edge fitting. It is shown that the surface with a higher curvature enhances the retraction of the spreading drop; this effect may be due to the difference of energy dissipation induced by the curvature of the surface. In addition, the impact parameters (elastic modulus, diameter ratio, and Weber number) are observed to significantly affect the dynamic contact angle during impact. A quantitative estimation of the deformation energy shows that it is significantly smaller than viscous dissipation.

Influence of surfactant on the drop bag breakup in a continuous air jet stream

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Hui; Zhang, Wen-Bin; Xu, Jian-Liang; Li, Wei-Feng; Liu, Hai-Feng

2016-05-01

The deformation and breakup of surfactant-laden drops is a common phenomenon in nature and numerous practical applications. We investigate influence of surfactant on the drop bag breakup in a continuous air jet stream. The airflow would induce the advection diffusion of surfactant between interface and bulk of drop. Experiments indicate that the convective motions of deforming drop would induce the non-equilibrium distribution of surfactant, which leads to the change of surface tension. When the surfactant concentration is smaller than critical micelle concentration (CMC), with the increase of surface area of drop, the surface tension of liquid-air interface and the critical Weber number will increase. When the surfactant concentration is bigger than CMC, the micelle can be considered as the source term, which can supply the monomers. So in the presence of surfactant, there would be the significant nonlinear variation on the critical Weber number of bag breakup. We build the dynamic non-monotonic relationship between concentrations of surfactant and critical Weber number theoretically. In the range of parameters studied, the experimental results are consistent with the model estimates.

Cost and Performance Report: Low-Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP)/Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)-Compliant Resins for Military Applications

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-01

properties of such resins are poor. Various solutions have been proposed over the years, but most suffer from a number of drawbacks that have...as a pendulum into a rigid wall. The flatwise drop involved dropping the container flatwise onto the feet from 15 and 30 cm. The stacking test

Building micro-soccer-balls with evaporating colloidal fakir drops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gelderblom, Hanneke; Marín, Álvaro G.; Susarrey-Arce, Arturo; van Housselt, Arie; Lefferts, Leon; Gardeniers, Han; Lohse, Detlef; Snoeijer, Jacco H.

2013-11-01

Drop evaporation can be used to self-assemble particles into three-dimensional microstructures on a scale where direct manipulation is impossible. We present a unique method to create highly-ordered colloidal microstructures in which we can control the amount of particles and their packing fraction. To this end, we evaporate colloidal dispersion drops from a special type of superhydrophobic microstructured surface, on which the drop remains in Cassie-Baxter state during the entire evaporative process. The remainders of the drop consist of a massive spherical cluster of the microspheres, with diameters ranging from a few tens up to several hundreds of microns. We present scaling arguments to show how the final particle packing fraction of these balls depends on the drop evaporation dynamics, particle size, and number of particles in the system.

Transfer, Imaging, and Analysis Plate for Facile Handling of 384 Hanging Drop 3D Tissue Spheroids

PubMed Central

Cavnar, Stephen P.; Salomonsson, Emma; Luker, Kathryn E.; Luker, Gary D.; Takayama, Shuichi

2014-01-01

Three-dimensional culture systems bridge the experimental gap between in vivo and in vitro physiology. However, nonstandardized formation and limited downstream adaptability of 3D cultures have hindered mainstream adoption of these systems for biological applications, especially for low- and moderate-throughput assays commonly used in biomedical research. Here we build on our recent development of a 384-well hanging drop plate for spheroid culture to design a complementary spheroid transfer and imaging (TRIM) plate. The low-aspect ratio wells of the TRIM plate facilitated highfidelity, user-independent, contact-based collection of hanging drop spheroids. Using the TRIM plate, we demonstrated several downstream analyses, including bulk tissue collection for flow cytometry, high-resolution low working-distance immersion imaging, and timely reagent delivery for enzymatic studies. Low working-distance multiphoton imaging revealed a cell type–dependent, macroscopic spheroid structure. Unlike ovarian cancer spheroids, which formed loose, disk-shaped spheroids, human mammary fibroblasts formed tight, spherical, and nutrient-limited spheroids. Beyond the applications we describe here, we expect the hanging drop spheroid plate and complementary TRIM plate to facilitate analyses of spheroids across the spectrum of throughput, particularly for bulk collection of spheroids and high-content imaging. PMID:24051516

Transfer, imaging, and analysis plate for facile handling of 384 hanging drop 3D tissue spheroids.

PubMed

Cavnar, Stephen P; Salomonsson, Emma; Luker, Kathryn E; Luker, Gary D; Takayama, Shuichi

2014-04-01

Three-dimensional culture systems bridge the experimental gap between in vivo and in vitro physiology. However, nonstandardized formation and limited downstream adaptability of 3D cultures have hindered mainstream adoption of these systems for biological applications, especially for low- and moderate-throughput assays commonly used in biomedical research. Here we build on our recent development of a 384-well hanging drop plate for spheroid culture to design a complementary spheroid transfer and imaging (TRIM) plate. The low-aspect ratio wells of the TRIM plate facilitated high-fidelity, user-independent, contact-based collection of hanging drop spheroids. Using the TRIM plate, we demonstrated several downstream analyses, including bulk tissue collection for flow cytometry, high-resolution low working-distance immersion imaging, and timely reagent delivery for enzymatic studies. Low working-distance multiphoton imaging revealed a cell type-dependent, macroscopic spheroid structure. Unlike ovarian cancer spheroids, which formed loose, disk-shaped spheroids, human mammary fibroblasts formed tight, spherical, and nutrient-limited spheroids. Beyond the applications we describe here, we expect the hanging drop spheroid plate and complementary TRIM plate to facilitate analyses of spheroids across the spectrum of throughput, particularly for bulk collection of spheroids and high-content imaging.

D.R.O.P. The Durable Reconnaissance and Observation Platform

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McKenzie, Clifford; Parness, Aaron

2012-01-01

The Durable Reconnaissance and Observation Platform (DROP) is a prototype robotic platform with the ability to climb concrete surfaces up to 85deg at a rate of 25cm/s, make rapid horizontal to vertical transitions, carry an audio/visual reconnaissance payload, and survive impacts from 3 meters. DROP is manufactured using a combination of selective laser sintering (SLS) and shape deposition manufacturing (SDM) techniques. The platform uses a two-wheel, two-motor design that delivers high mobility with low complexity. DROP extends microspine climbing technology from linear to rotary applications, providing improved transition ability, increased speeds, and simpler body mechanics while maintaining microspines ability to opportunistically grip rough surfaces. Various aspects of prototype design and performance are discussed, including the climbing mechanism, body design, and impact survival.

A comparative study of novel spectrophotometric methods based on isosbestic points; application on a pharmaceutical ternary mixture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lotfy, Hayam M.; Saleh, Sarah S.; Hassan, Nagiba Y.; Salem, Hesham

This work represents the application of the isosbestic points present in different absorption spectra. Three novel spectrophotometric methods were developed, the first method is the absorption subtraction method (AS) utilizing the isosbestic point in zero-order absorption spectra; the second method is the amplitude modulation method (AM) utilizing the isosbestic point in ratio spectra; and third method is the amplitude summation method (A-Sum) utilizing the isosbestic point in derivative spectra. The three methods were applied for the analysis of the ternary mixture of chloramphenicol (CHL), dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DXM) and tetryzoline hydrochloride (TZH) in eye drops in the presence of benzalkonium chloride as a preservative. The components at the isosbestic point were determined using the corresponding unified regression equation at this point with no need for a complementary method. The obtained results were statistically compared to each other and to that of the developed PLS model. The specificity of the developed methods was investigated by analyzing laboratory prepared mixtures and the combined dosage form. The methods were validated as per ICH guidelines where accuracy, repeatability, inter-day precision and robustness were found to be within the acceptable limits. The results obtained from the proposed methods were statistically compared with official ones where no significant difference was observed.

Genetic interaction of the fusiform rust fungus with resistance gene FR1 in loblolly pine

Treesearch

Thomas L. Kubisiak; Henry V. Amerson; C. Dana Nelson

2005-01-01

We propose a method for defining DNA markers linked to Cronartium quercuum f. sp. fusiforme avirulence (Avr) genes. However, before this method can be successfully employed, a spore competition study was needed to determine the genetic composition of single pycnial drops and multiple drops on single galls when using the standard...

Mechanism for amorphization of boron carbide under complex stress conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jun; Xu, Shuang; Liu, Lisheng; Wang, Zhen; Zhang, Jinyong; Liu, Qiwen

2018-05-01

As an excellent material, the application of boron carbide (B4C) is limited by pressure-induced amorphization. To understand the mechanism for amorphization in B4C, first-principles methods based on density functional theory were employed to investigate the mechanical behaviors and the deformation process in B4C under complex stress conditions with six different biaxial perpendicular compression directions. The angle (θ) between one of the loading directions and the [0 0 0 1] c-axis ranged from 0° to 75° with every 15° interval. We found that the maximum stress at θ = 30° is 124.5 GPa, which is the lowest among six biaxial compressions. Simulation results show that the mechanism for amorphization in B4C under complex stress conditions is complicated. We take the θ = 30° biaxial compression as an example to explain the complicated deformation process. In the elastic deformation region, sudden bending of three-atom chains occurs and results in a stress fluctuation. Then the formation of new B–B bonds between the three-atom chains and the icosahedra leads to the first stress drop. After that, the B–C bonds in the chains are broken, resulting in the second stress drop. In this process, the icosahedra are partially destroyed. The stress increases continuously and then drops at the critical failure strain. Finally, the fully destruction of icosahedra leads to amorphization in B4C. However, under other five biaxial compressions, the B–C bonds in three-atom chains are not fractured before structural failure. Understanding the deformation mechanism for amorphization of B4C in real applications is prime important for proposing how to resist amorphization and enhance the toughness of B4C.

Intra-articular versus intravenous tranexamic acid application in total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

PubMed

Mi, Bobin; Liu, Guohui; Zhou, Wu; Lv, Huijuan; Liu, Yi; Zha, Kun; Wu, Qipeng; Liu, Jing

2017-07-01

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the blood loss and complications of intra-articular (IA) with intravenous (IV) tranexamic acid (TXA) for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A comprehensive search of studies was conducted to identify related articles in Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane central Register of Controlled Trials, springerLink, OVID and the Research published from January 1980 to September 2016. All studies that compared IA TXA with IV TXA application on TKA were included. Main outcomes of the two methods were collected and analyzed by using Review Manager 5.3. There were 16 randomized controlled trials with 1308 cases met the criteria. Compared with IV TXA, IA TXA had similar blood volume of drainage, hidden blood loss, transfusion rate and complications (P > 0.05). IA TXA had lower total blood loss than IV TXA, and there was significant difference (P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis of total blood loss based on times of IV TXA administration showed that repeat dose of IV TXA had a higher total blood loss and postoperative hemoglobin drop (P < 0.05) than IA TXA. However, single dose of IV TXA had a similar efficacy on total blood loss and postoperative hemoglobin drop (P > 0.05) when compared with IA TXA. Both IA TXA and single dose of IV TXA are effective in reducing total blood loss and postoperative hemoglobin drop without increasing complications of DVT or PE. The current meta-analysis suggests that 1.5 g TXA by IA administration or 1 g TXA by IV administration 10 min before tourniquet deflation is effective and safe in patients undergoing TKA.

Normal Forces at Solid-Liquid Interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Ratul

Adhesion can be defined as the tendency of dissimilar particles or surfaces to cling on to one another. Fields that require knowledge about adhesion interactions at the solid-liquid interface span over a wide spectrum from biotechnological issues such as liquid adhesion to skin tissues, insect feet adhesion to solids, or contact lenses to tear fluid adhesion; filtration issues such as membrane fouling and membrane affinity to different liquids; oil and gas extraction where one needs knowledge of the adhesion of the oil and brine to the rock; fuel cells in which droplets are formed on the electrodes and need to be considered in the system's design; classic chemical engineering industry such as drop adhesion to the mist eliminators in flash drums, or to heat exchangers; and classic surface science such as nano-structured surfaces, self cleaning surfaces, and general wetting phenomena. We execute the Young-Dupre (Y-P) gedanken experiment to establish unique values of work of adhesion rather than a work of adhesion range that the contact angle hysteresis results in. We use the Centrifugal Adhesion Balance (CAB) which allows independent manipulation of normal and lateral forces to induce an increase in the normal force which pulls on a liquid drop while keeping zero lateral force. This method mimics a drop that is subjected to a gravitational force that is gradually increasing. The values obtained for the work of adhesion are independent of drop size and are in agreement with the Y-P estimate. Cyclically varying the normal force, just to prevent the drop flying away from the surface will also enable us to study the Contact Angle Hysteresis for a pendant drop. With this set up, the work of adhesion is not only calculated from experimental normal force measurements, but the found results are also used to provide a venue for calculating the Young equilibrium contact angle, theta0. According to Shanahan and de Gennes, a liquid drop with a non-zero contact angle is associated with a deformation of the solid surface at the three phase contact line, causing the triple line to protrude up and form a rim, this is due to the unsatisfied normal component of the surface tension. Such rims were demonstrated by Care et al, and by Extrand, and the stresses associated with the rims facilitate reorientation of solid molecules at the interface, and therefore result in stronger solid liquid interaction at the rim. This stronger interaction gives rise to retention forces (due to adhesion). Recently, Xu et al, wrote a force equation based on this understanding, we test the validity of this approach and the Furmidge - Dussan model and other, more empirical, retention force approaches. A liquid drop that partially wets a solid surface will slide along the plane when a force beyond a critical value is applied to it. We study the sliding pattern of such a drop. Experiments for identifying the pattern of motion of liquid drops under influence of different normal forces are performed. We use a centrifugal adhesion balance (CAB) to study the pattern of drop motion under different effective gravities. A drop on a solid surface only slides after a certain critical force is applied to it, which is dependent on the drop volume, surface heterogeneities and other factors, even after the application of force the drop doesn't continue to move uniformly, which is the subject matter of this discussion.

Rapid direct identification of Cryptococcus neoformans from pigeon droppings by nested PCR using CNLAC1 gene.

PubMed

Chae, H S; Park, G N; Kim, S H; Jo, H J; Kim, J T; Jeoung, H Y; An, D J; Kim, N H; Shin, B W; Kang, Y I; Chang, K S

2012-08-01

Isolation and identification of Cryptococcus neoformans and pathogenic yeast-like fungi from pigeon droppings has been taken for a long time and requires various nutrients for its growth. In this study, we attempted to establish a rapid direct identification method of Cr. neoformans from pigeon dropping samples by nested-PCR using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) CAP64 and CNLAC1 genes, polysaccharide capsule gene and laccase-associated gene to produce melanin pigment, respectively, which are common genes of yeasts. The ITS and CAP64 genes were amplified in all pathogenic yeasts, but CNLAC1 was amplified only in Cr. neoformans. The ITS gene was useful for yeast genotyping depending on nucleotide sequence. Homology of CAP64 genes among the yeasts were very high. The specificity of PCR using CNLAC1 was demonstrated in Cr. neoformans environmental strains but not in other yeast-like fungi. The CNLAC1 gene was detected in 5 serotypes of Cr. neoformans. The nested-PCR amplified up to 10(-11) μg of the genomic DNA and showed high sensitivity. All pigeon droppings among 31 Cr. neoformans-positive samples were positive and all pigeon droppings among 348 Cr. neoformans-negative samples were negative by the direct nested-PCR. In addition, after primary enrichment of pigeon droppings in Sabouraud dextrose broth, all Cr. neoformans-negative samples were negative by the nested-PCR, which showed high specificity. The nested-PCR showed high sensitivity without culture of pigeon droppings. Nested-PCR using CNLAC1 provides a rapid and reliable molecular diagnostic method to overcome weak points such as long culture time of many conventional methods.

Contact Angle of Drops Measured on Nontransparent Surfaces and Capillary Flow Visualized

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chao, David F.; Zhang, Nengli

2003-01-01

The spreading of a liquid on a solid surface is important for various practical processes, and contact-angle measurements provide an elegant method to characterize the interfacial properties of the liquid with the solid substrates. The complex physical processes occurring when a liquid contacts a solid play an important role in determining the performance of chemical processes and materials. Applications for these processes are in printing, coating, gluing, textile dyeing, and adhesives and in the pharmaceutical industry, biomedical research, adhesives, flat panel display manufacturing, surfactant chemistry, and thermal engineering.

Protein crystal growth in space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bugg, C. E.; Clifford, D. W.

1987-01-01

The advantages of protein crystallization in space, and the applications of protein crystallography to drug design, protein engineering, and the design of synthetic vaccines are examined. The steps involved in using protein crystallography to determine the three-dimensional structure of a protein are discussed. The growth chamber design and the hand-held apparatus developed for protein crystal growth by vapor diffusion techniques (hanging-drop method) are described; the experimental data from the four Shuttle missions are utilized to develop hardware for protein crystal growth in space and to evaluate the effects of gravity on protein crystal growth.

Effect of ambient temperature and relative humidity on interfacial temperature during early stages of drop evaporation.

PubMed

Fukatani, Yuki; Orejon, Daniel; Kita, Yutaku; Takata, Yasuyuki; Kim, Jungho; Sefiane, Khellil

2016-04-01

Understanding drop evaporation mechanisms is important for many industrial, biological, and other applications. Drops of organic solvents undergoing evaporation have been found to display distinct thermal patterns, which in turn depend on the physical properties of the liquid, the substrate, and ambient conditions. These patterns have been reported previously to be bulk patterns from the solid-liquid to the liquid-gas drop interface. In the present work the effect of ambient temperature and humidity during the first stage of evaporation, i.e., pinned contact line, is studied paying special attention to the thermal information retrieved at the liquid-gas interface through IR thermography. This is coupled with drop profile monitoring to experimentally investigate the effect of ambient temperature and relative humidity on the drop interfacial thermal patterns and the evaporation rate. Results indicate that self-generated thermal patterns are enhanced by an increase in ambient temperature and/or a decrease in humidity. The more active thermal patterns observed at high ambient temperatures are explained in light of a greater temperature difference generated between the apex and the edge of the drop due to greater evaporative cooling. On the other hand, the presence of water humidity in the atmosphere is found to decrease the temperature difference along the drop interface due to the heat of adsorption, absorption and/or that of condensation of water onto the ethanol drops. The control, i.e., enhancement or suppression, of these thermal patterns at the drop interface by means of ambient temperature and relative humidity is quantified and reported.

A Realtime Active Feedback Control System For Coupled Nonlinear Chemical Oscillators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tompkins, Nathan; Fraden, Seth

2012-02-01

We study the manipulation and control of oscillatory networks. As a model system we use an emulsion of Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) oscillators packed on a hexagonal lattice. Each drop is observed and perturbed by a Programmable Illumination Microscope (PIM). The PIM allows us to track individual BZ oscillators, calculate the phase and order parameters of every drop, and selectively perturb specific drops with photo illumination, all in realtime. To date we have determined the native attractor patterns for drops in 1D arrays and 2D hexagonal packing as a function of coupling strength as well as determined methods to move the system from one attractor basin to another. Current work involves implementing these attractor control methods with our experimental system and future work will likely include implementing a model neural network for use with photo controllable BZ emulsions.

Analysis of random drop for gateway congestion control. M.S. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hashem, Emam Salaheddin

1989-01-01

Lately, the growing demand on the Internet has prompted the need for more effective congestion control policies. Currently No Gateway Policy is used to relieve and signal congestion, which leads to unfair service to the individual users and a degradation of overall network performance. Network simulation was used to illustrate the character of Internet congestion and its causes. A newly proposed gateway congestion control policy, called Random Drop, was considered as a promising solution to the pressing problem. Random Drop relieves resource congestion upon buffer overflow by choosing a random packet from the service queue to be dropped. The random choice should result in a drop distribution proportional to the bandwidth distribution among all contending TCP connections, thus applying the necessary fairness. Nonetheless, the simulation experiments demonstrate several shortcomings with this policy. Because Random Drop is a congestion control policy, which is not applied until congestion has already occurred, it usually results in a high drop rate that hurts too many connections including well-behaved ones. Even though the number of packets dropped is different from one connection to another depending on the buffer utilization upon overflow, the TCP recovery overhead is high enough to neutralize these differences, causing unfair congestion penalties. Besides, the drop distribution itself is an inaccurate representation of the average bandwidth distribution, missing much important information about the bandwidth utilization between buffer overflow events. A modification of Random Drop to do congestion avoidance by applying the policy early was also proposed. Early Random Drop has the advantage of avoiding the high drop rate of buffer overflow. The early application of the policy removes the pressure of congestion relief and allows more accurate signaling of congestion. To be used effectively, algorithms for the dynamic adjustment of the parameters of Early Random Drop to suite the current network load must still be developed.

Drop-in Services: Findings from an Evaluation of the Healthy Living Centre Programme in Scotland

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Truman, J.; Rankin, D.; Backett-Milburn, K.; Platt, S.

2007-01-01

Objective: To explore the diverse roles of drop-in services in the HLC sector; to develop further the classification of drop-in services offered by earlier studies; and to provide an example of some the challenges faced by HLCs in their attempts to tackle poor health using area-based methods with vulnerable, hard-to-reach users. Setting: Scottish…

Development and Validation of the Delinquency Reduction Outcome Profile (DROP) in a Sample of Incarcerated Juveniles: A Multiconstruct/Multisituational Scoring Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barbot, Baptiste; Haeffel, Gerald J.; Macomber, Donna; Hart, Lesley; Chapman, John; Grigorenko, Elena L.

2012-01-01

The "Delinquency Reduction Outcome Profile" ("DROP") is a novel situational-judgment test (SJT) designed to measure social decision making in delinquent youth. The DROP includes both a typical SJT scoring method, which captures the deviation of an individual response from an "ideal" expert-based response pattern, as well as a novel…

Preparation and Characterization of Silymarin Synchronized and Sustained Release Dropping Pill.

PubMed

Liu, Zhi-Hong; Li, Xue-Jing; Huang, Ai-Wen; Zhang, Jing; Song, Hong-Tao

2017-01-01

This study aimed to develop a synchronized and sustained-release silymarin dropping pill, and to evaluate its pharmacokinetic characteristics. Polyoxyethylene stearate, glyceryl monostearate, and stearic acid were used to prepare the dropping pills. X-ray powder diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and release were used to evaluate its physicochemical properties. The plasma concentration of silybin in beagle dogs after oral administration of silymarin dropping pills and silymarin capsule was determined by RP-HPLC. Synchronized release was achieved with high similarity factor f2 values between every set of two of the five components. Mean plasma concentration-time curves of silymarin after oral administration of dropping pills in beagle dogs were in accordance with first-order absorption and open twocompartment model. The Tmax, Cmax, and AUC0-∞ of dropping pills in beagle dogs were 0.8750±0.13 h, 0.8183±0.07 μg·ml-1, and 2.274±0.90 μg·h·ml-1, respectively. Silymarin dropping pills prolonged in vivo exposure and reduced maximum in vivo concentration, achieving a stable level in the serum. The combination of solid dispersion technique and dropping pill formulation allowed synchronized release of multiple components in herbal medicine, and has potential application in the development of sustained release in herbal medicine. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

[Manufacture of autologous serum eye drops for out-patient therapy : cooperation between ophthalmic clinic and transfusion medicine department].

PubMed

Dietrich, T; Weisbach, V; Seitz, B; Jacobi, C; Kruse, F E; Eckstein, R; Cursiefen, C

2008-11-01

Autologous serum eye drops are an important therapy option in severe ocular surface disorders and the therapeutic effectiveness has been demonstrated in many clinical studies. The production and use of autologous serum eye drops is strictly controlled by legal regulations in Germany: Both the German Medicines Act (AMG) and the Blood Transfusion Act regulate production, distribution and application, unless it is carried out by one person under controlled conditions in a hospital setting. In cooperation with the ophthalmic clinic and the department of transfusion medicine, a standard operating procedure (SOP) was developed and a license for production and delivery of autologous serum eye drops was obtained from the appropriate local authorities. The experiences of the first two years of practice were analyzed. By an interfaculty cooperation, the possibility of legal and feasible out-patient treatment with autologous eye drops has been established at the University Hospital Erlangen. From 07/2005 to 07/2007, there ware 240 prescriptions for autologous serum eye drops. Unexpectedly, a relatively high rate (3.3%) of patients with primarily unknown viral or bacterial infectious diseases were found, which were diagnosed during the screening. These patients had to be excluded from autologous serum eye drop therapy. The treatment with autologous serum eye drops in an out-patient setting is possible, when the infrastructure for manufacture and delivery is provided in accordance with existing regulations.

Amphiphilic nanoparticles suppress droplet break-up in a concentrated emulsion flowing through a narrow constriction

PubMed Central

Gai, Ya; Kim, Minkyu; Pan, Ming; Tang, Sindy K. Y.

2017-01-01

This paper describes the break-up behavior of a concentrated emulsion comprising drops stabilized by amphiphilic silica nanoparticles flowing in a tapered microchannel. Such geometry is often used in serial droplet interrogation and sorting processes in droplet microfluidics applications. When exposed to high viscous stresses, drops can undergo break-up and compromise their physical integrity. As these drops are used as micro-reactors, such compromise leads to a loss in the accuracy of droplet-based assays. Here, we show droplet break-up is suppressed by replacing the fluoro-surfactant similar to the one commonly used in current droplet microfluidics applications with amphiphilic nanoparticles as droplet stabilizer. We identify parameters that influence the break-up of these drops and demonstrate that break-up probability increases with increasing capillary number and confinement, decreasing nanoparticle size, and is insensitive to viscosity ratio within the range tested. Practically, our results reveal two key advantages of nanoparticles with direct applications to droplet microfluidics. First, replacing surfactants with nanoparticles suppresses break-up and increases the throughput of the serial interrogation process to 3 times higher than that in surfactant system under similar flow conditions. Second, the insensitivity of break-up to droplet viscosity makes it possible to process samples having different composition and viscosities without having to change the channel and droplet geometry in order to maintain the same degree of break-up and corresponding assay accuracy. PMID:28652887

Electrohydrodynamics of a viscous drop with inertia.

PubMed

Nganguia, H; Young, Y-N; Layton, A T; Lai, M-C; Hu, W-F

2016-05-01

Most of the existing numerical and theoretical investigations on the electrohydrodynamics of a viscous drop have focused on the creeping Stokes flow regime, where nonlinear inertia effects are neglected. In this work we study the inertia effects on the electrodeformation of a viscous drop under a DC electric field using a novel second-order immersed interface method. The inertia effects are quantified by the Ohnesorge number Oh, and the electric field is characterized by an electric capillary number Ca_{E}. Below the critical Ca_{E}, small to moderate electric field strength gives rise to steady equilibrium drop shapes. We found that, at a fixed Ca_{E}, inertia effects induce larger deformation for an oblate drop than a prolate drop, consistent with previous results in the literature. Moreover, our simulations results indicate that inertia effects on the equilibrium drop deformation are dictated by the direction of normal electric stress on the drop interface: Larger drop deformation is found when the normal electric stress points outward, and smaller drop deformation is found otherwise. To our knowledge, such inertia effects on the equilibrium drop deformation has not been reported in the literature. Above the critical Ca_{E}, no steady equilibrium drop deformation can be found, and often the drop breaks up into a number of daughter droplets. In particular, our Navier-Stokes simulations show that, for the parameters we use, (1) daughter droplets are larger in the presence of inertia, (2) the drop deformation evolves more rapidly compared to creeping flow, and (3) complex distribution of electric stresses for drops with inertia effects. Our results suggest that normal electric pressure may be a useful tool in predicting drop pinch-off in oblate deformations.

Micro-explosion of compound drops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Chun-Kuei; Lin, Ta-Hui

2014-08-01

Introducing water into spray combustion systems, by either water-in-oil emulsification or supplementary water injection, is one of the major techniques for combustion improvement and NOx reduction. Plentiful researches are available on combustion of water-in-oil emulsion fuel drops. The emulsified liquid is a heterogeneous mixture of immiscible liquids. One component forms the continuous phase and the other component forms the discrete phase. The discrete phase consists of globules of the one fluid that are suspended in the continuous phase fluid. Water-in-oil emulsions are commonly considered for combustion applications because emulsions can result in micro-explosion, thereby reducing the average drop diameter to enhance liquid vaporization, and suppressing the formation of soot and NOx. However, the water addition generally does not exceed about 20% for smooth engine operations[!, 21. The combustion characteristics and micro-explosion of emulsion drop were studied by many researchers. The micro-explosion of water in fuel emulsion drops was caused by very fast growth of superheated water vapor bubbles, its superheat limits must be lower than the boiling point temperature of the fuel. These bubbles were primarily governed by the pressure difference between the superheated vapor and the liquid, and by the inertia imparted to the liquid by the motion of the bubble surface[3 6 In this study, we used a coaxial nozzle to generation the multi-component drop. The different type of water-in-oil fuel drops called the compound drops. Unlike an emulsion drop, a compound drop consists of a water core and a fuel shell, which can originate from the phase separation of emulsion[7, 81 or a water drop colliding with a fuel drop[9, 101 Burning and micro-explosion of compound drops have been found to be distinct from those of emulsion drops[9-111 Wang et al.[9 , 101 studied the combustion characteristics of collision merged alkane-water drops. The merged drops appeared in adhesive and inserted manners. The drop ignition delay time increased with increasing water content. The average burning rate of alkane-water drops decreased with increasing water content. In the burning process, hexadecane-water drops exhibited flash vaporization or flame extinction. Heterogeneous explosion was occasionally observed in drops with trapped air bubbles. The air bubbles were assumed to be the nucleation points of the heterogeneous explosions. Chen and Lin[11 studied the characteristics of water-in-dodecane compound drop with different water content, diameter of drop and environmental oxygen concentration. The vaporization rate increased with increasing environmental oxygen concentration. The compound drops micro-exploded during the burning process in a random way. The number of micro-explosions was majorly influenced by drop diameter, followed by environmental oxygen concentration. Water content had a weaker effect on micro-explosion. As available literature and research results of compound drop burning are scarce, their combustion and micro-explosion behaviors are still poorly understood. In this regard, we changed the drop nature as compound drops to study their combustion characteristics and micro-explosion phenomena.

Algorithm Building and Learning Programming Languages Using a New Educational Paradigm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jain, Anshul K.; Singhal, Manik; Gupta, Manu Sheel

2011-08-01

This research paper presents a new concept of using a single tool to associate syntax of various programming languages, algorithms and basic coding techniques. A simple framework has been programmed in Python that helps students learn skills to develop algorithms, and implement them in various programming languages. The tool provides an innovative and a unified graphical user interface for development of multimedia objects, educational games and applications. It also aids collaborative learning amongst students and teachers through an integrated mechanism based on Remote Procedure Calls. The paper also elucidates an innovative method for code generation to enable students to learn the basics of programming languages using drag-n-drop methods for image objects.

Gel-based morphological design of zirconium metal–organic frameworks† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Optical microscopy, PDF TGA, Hg intrusion, nanoindentation, gels of various Zr-MOFs, oil-drop process. See DOI: 10.1039/c6sc05602d Click here for additional data file.

PubMed Central

Bueken, Bart; Van Velthoven, Niels; Willhammar, Tom; Stassin, Timothée; Stassen, Ivo; Keen, David A.; Baron, Gino V.; Denayer, Joeri F. M.; Ameloot, Rob; Bals, Sara

2017-01-01

The ability of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) to gelate under specific synthetic conditions opens up new opportunities in the preparation and shaping of hierarchically porous MOF monoliths, which could be directly implemented for catalytic and adsorptive applications. In this work, we present the first examples of xero- or aerogel monoliths consisting solely of nanoparticles of several prototypical Zr4+-based MOFs: UiO-66-X (X = H, NH2, NO2, (OH)2), UiO-67, MOF-801, MOF-808 and NU-1000. High reactant and water concentrations during synthesis were observed to induce the formation of gels, which were converted to monolithic materials by drying in air or supercritical CO2. Electron microscopy, combined with N2 physisorption experiments, was used to show that irregular nanoparticle packing leads to pure MOF monoliths with hierarchical pore systems, featuring both intraparticle micropores and interparticle mesopores. Finally, UiO-66 gels were shaped into monolithic spheres of 600 μm diameter using an oil-drop method, creating promising candidates for packed-bed catalytic or adsorptive applications, where hierarchical pore systems can greatly mitigate mass transfer limitations. PMID:28553536

Pollination Drop in Juniperus communis: Response to Deposited Material

PubMed Central

Mugnaini, Serena; Nepi, Massimo; Guarnieri, Massimo; Piotto, Beti; Pacini, Ettore

2007-01-01

Background and Aims The pollination drop is a liquid secretion produced by the ovule and exposed outside the micropyle. In many gymnosperms, pollen lands on the surface of the pollination drop, rehydrates and enters the ovule as the drop retracts. The objective of this work was to study the formation of the pollination drop in Juniperus communis, its carbohydrate composition and the response to deposition of conspecific pollen, foreign pollen and other particulate material, in an attempt to clarify the mechanism of pollination drop retraction. Method Branches with female cones close to pollination drop secretion were collected. On the first day of pollination drop exposure, an eyelash mounted on a wooden stick with paraffin was used to collect pollen or silica gel particles, which were then deposited by contact with the drop. Volume changes in pollination drops were measured by using a stereomicroscope with a micrometer eyepiece 3 h after deposition. The volume of non-pollinated control drops was also recorded. On the first day of secretion, drops were also collected for sugar analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography. Key Results The pollination drop persisted for about 12 d if not pollinated, and formed again after removal for up to four consecutive days. After pollination with viable conspecific pollen, the drop retracted quickly and did not form again. Partial withdrawal occurred after deposition of other biological and non-biological material. Fructose was the dominant sugar; glucose was also present but at a much lower percentage. Conclusions Sugar analysis confirmed the general trend of fructose dominance in gymnosperm pollination drops. Complete pollination drop withdrawal appears to be triggered by a biochemical mechanism resulting from interaction between pollen and drop constituents. The results of particle deposition suggest the existence of a non-specific, particle-size-dependent mechanism that induces partial pollination drop withdrawal. These results suggest that the non-specific response may decrease the probability of pollen landing on the drop, reducing pollination efficiency. PMID:17942592

Real time charge efficiency monitoring for nickel electrodes in NICD and NIH2 cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zimmerman, A. H.

1987-09-01

The charge efficiency of nickel-cadmium and nickel-hydrogen battery cells is critical in spacecraft applications for determining the amount of time required for a battery to reach a full state of charge. As the nickel-cadmium or nickel-hydrogen batteries approach about 90 percent state of charge, the charge efficiency begins to drop towards zero, making estimation of the total amount of stored charge uncertain. Charge efficiency estimates are typically based on prior history of available capacity following standardized conditions for charge and discharge. These methods work well as long as performance does not change significantly. A relatively simple method for determining charge efficiencies during real time operation for these battery cells would be a tremendous advantage. Such a method was explored and appears to be quite well suited for application to nickel-cadmium and nickel-hydrogen battery cells. The charge efficiency is monitored in real time, using only voltage measurements as inputs. With further evaluation such a method may provide a means to better manage charge control of batteries, particularly in systems where a high degree of autonomy or system intelligence is required.

Real time charge efficiency monitoring for nickel electrodes in NICD and NIH2 cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zimmerman, A. H.

1987-01-01

The charge efficiency of nickel-cadmium and nickel-hydrogen battery cells is critical in spacecraft applications for determining the amount of time required for a battery to reach a full state of charge. As the nickel-cadmium or nickel-hydrogen batteries approach about 90 percent state of charge, the charge efficiency begins to drop towards zero, making estimation of the total amount of stored charge uncertain. Charge efficiency estimates are typically based on prior history of available capacity following standardized conditions for charge and discharge. These methods work well as long as performance does not change significantly. A relatively simple method for determining charge efficiencies during real time operation for these battery cells would be a tremendous advantage. Such a method was explored and appears to be quite well suited for application to nickel-cadmium and nickel-hydrogen battery cells. The charge efficiency is monitored in real time, using only voltage measurements as inputs. With further evaluation such a method may provide a means to better manage charge control of batteries, particularly in systems where a high degree of autonomy or system intelligence is required.

Dynamic in-plane potential gradients for actively controlling electrochemical reactions: Part I. Characterization of 1- and 2-component alkanethiol monolayer gradients on thin gold films. Part II. Applications of in-plane potential gradients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balss, Karin Maria

The research contained in this thesis is focused on the formation and characterization of surface composition gradients on thin gold films that are formed by applications of in-plane potential gradients. Injecting milliamp currents into thin Au films yields significant in-plane voltage drops so that, rather than assuming a single value of potential, an in-plane potential gradient is imposed on the film which depends on the resistivity of the film, the cross sectional area and the magnitude of the potential drop. Furthermore, the in-plane electric potential gradient means that, relative to a solution reference couple, electrochemical reactions occurs at defined spatial positions corresponding to the local potential, V(x) ˜ E0. The spatial gradient in electrochemical potential can then produce spatially dependent electrochemistry. Surface-chemical potential gradients can be prepared by arranging the spread of potentials to span an electrochemical wave mediating redox-associated adsorption or desorption. Examples of reactions that can be spatially patterned include the electrosorption of alkanethiols and over-potential metal deposition. The unique advantage of this method for patterning spatial compositions is the control of surface coverage in both space and time. The thesis is organized into two parts. In Part I, formation and characterization of 1- and 2-component alkanethiol monolayer gradients is investigated. Numerous surface science tools are employed to examine the distribution in coverage obtained by application of in-plane potential gradients. Macroscopic characterization was obtained by sessile water drop contact angle measurements and surface plasmon resonance imaging. Gradients were also imaged on micron length scales with pulsed-force mode atomic force microscopy. Direct chemical evidence of surface compositions in aromatic thiol surface coverage was obtained by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. In Part II, the applications of in-plane potential gradients is discussed. Electrochemical reactions other than electrosorption of alkanethiols were demonstrated with over-potential deposition of copper onto gold films. One application of these patterns is to control the movement of supermolecular objects. As a first step towards this goal, biological cells were seeded onto gradient patterns containing adhesion promoters and inhibitors. The morphology and adhesion was investigated as a function of concentration along the gradient.

AN EVALUATION OF HOW GLAUCOMA PATIENTS USE TOPICAL MEDICATIONS: A PILOT STUDY

PubMed Central

Tsai, Tony; Robin, Alan L.; Smith, Judson P.

2007-01-01

Purpose Multiple factors can influence patients’ adherence to topical ophthalmic intraocular pressure–lowering medications. An important factor that is often overlooked is the method of eye drop administration, including the handling, storing, and actual administering of eye drops. These aspects of patients’ eye drop administration, which may be strongly related to the success of prescribed therapies, are evaluated. Methods A 2-page questionnaire was distributed to 253 sequential glaucoma patients at the time of their regular clinical visit with one of two geographically distinct glaucoma specialists. In addition to providing demographic data, the patients were asked to complete a 2-page questionnaire about their current use of eye drops. Results The study participants had a mean age of 71.5 years (SD, 15.1 years) and were predominantly female (59.8%) and white (72.6%). Approximately 17% of them relied on others for the administration of drops and most commonly cited inadequate vision and trouble with manual dexterity leading to this dependency. Of those who self-administered drops, only 16.3% used a mirror. The most common location for administration was the bedroom (46.8%), followed by the bathroom (23.4%) and kitchen (16.1%). Almost 16% reported “rarely” or “never” washing their hands. Conclusions Although most individuals may have little difficulty with the use, storage, and handling of eye drops, this study demonstrates that broad variation in reported practices exists. This finding suggests a need for better instruction in eye drop administration and illuminates some of the methodological problems that could be overcome to reduce patients’ frustration, improve compliance, and increase efficacy. PMID:18427591

[Use of an aerosol generator (Guard) to control injurious insects in forestry, agriculture, and medical disinsection].

PubMed

Abdraziakov, O N; Ermishev, Iu V; Levkov, P A

2012-01-01

The Guard aerosol generator is a universal multioperational device without a field-of-use restriction in the application of permitted chemical and biological substances, by combining the function of a controlled dispersion aerosol generator and a remote small- and large-drop sprayer in one mechanism and can use aerosol pesticides. The drop fractionation range is as follows: 3-50, 50-100, 100-300, and 200-400 microm for aerosol, dead water, small-drop, and large-drop spraying, respectively, with smooth and step control of working liquid drops. Treatment using the Guard generator has been shown to be highly effective against agricultural and forestry pests. This paper describes the advantages of the Guard sprayer over those of the conventional air and ground ones. The long-term use of the Guard generator to control mosquitoes and ticks in the Tyumen region could substantially improve the epidemiological situation of tick-borne infections and protect children's recreation centers from attacks of bloodsuckers.

Implementation of a protocol for assembling DNA in a Teflon tube

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walsh, Edmond J.; Feuerborn, Alexander; Cook, Peter R.

2017-02-01

Droplet based microfluidics continues to grow as a platform for chemical and biological reactions using small quantities of fluids, however complex protocols are rarely possible in existing devices. This paper implements a new approach to merging of drops, combined with magnetic bead manipulation, for the creation of ligated double-stranded DNA molecule using "Gibson assembly" chemistry. DNA assembly is initially accomplished through the merging, and mixing, of five drops followed by a thermal cycle. Then, integrating this drop merging method with magnetic beads enable the implementation of amore complete protocol consisting of nine wash steps,merging of four drop, transport of selective reagents between twelve drops using magnetic particles, followed by a thermal cycle and finally the deposition of a purified drop into an Eppendorf for downstream analysis. Gel electrophoresis is used to confirm successful DNA assembly.

Estimation and applicability of attenuation characteristics for source parameters and scaling relations in the Garhwal Kumaun Himalaya region, India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Rakesh; Paul, Ajay; Kumar, Arjun; Kumar, Parveen; Sundriyal, Y. P.

2018-06-01

Source parameters of the small to moderate earthquakes are significant for understanding the dynamic rupture process, the scaling relations of the earthquakes and for assessment of seismic hazard potential of a region. In this study, the source parameters were determined for 58 small to moderate size earthquakes (3.0 ≤ Mw ≤ 5.0) occurred during 2007-2015 in the Garhwal-Kumaun region. The estimated shear wave quality factor (Qβ(f)) values for each station at different frequencies have been applied to eliminate any bias in the determination of source parameters. The Qβ(f) values have been estimated by using coda wave normalization method in the frequency range 1.5-16 Hz. A frequency-dependent S wave quality factor relation is obtained as Qβ(f) = (152.9 ± 7) f(0.82±0.005) by fitting a power-law frequency dependence model for the estimated values over the whole study region. The spectral (low-frequency spectral level and corner frequency) and source (static stress drop, seismic moment, apparent stress and radiated energy) parameters are obtained assuming ω-2 source model. The displacement spectra are corrected for estimated frequency-dependent attenuation, site effect using spectral decay parameter "Kappa". The frequency resolution limit was resolved by quantifying the bias in corner frequencies, stress drop and radiated energy estimates due to finite-bandwidth effect. The data of the region shows shallow focused earthquakes with low stress drop. The estimation of Zúñiga parameter (ε) suggests the partial stress drop mechanism in the region. The observed low stress drop and apparent stress can be explained by partial stress drop and low effective stress model. Presence of subsurface fluid at seismogenic depth certainly manipulates the dynamics of the region. However, the limited event selection may strongly bias the scaling relation even after taking as much as possible precaution in considering effects of finite bandwidth, attenuation and site corrections. Although, the scaling can be improved further with the integration of large dataset of microearthquakes and use of a stable and robust approach.

Investigating a Drop-on-Demand Microdispenser for Standardized Sample Preparation

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-01

including the printing of photodiodes , polymer and protein arrays , and in electronics manufacturing (4–7). These applications benefit from the wide...photograph of an array of microdroplets demonstrates a more even sample dispersion when sample is dispensed with a DOD microdispenser... threats encountered. A variety of techniques that offer temporary alternatives have been employed, including drop-and-dry (dropcasting) and spray

Dropping Out of High School: An Application of the Theory of Reasoned Action.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Prestholdt, Perry H.; Fisher, Jack L.

To develop and test a theoretical model, based on the Theory of Reasoned Action (Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975), for understanding and predicting the decision to stay in or drop out of school, to identify the specific beliefs that are the basis of that decision, and to evaluate the use of moderator variables (sex, race) to individualize the model,…

Library construction for next-generation sequencing: Overviews and challenges

PubMed Central

Head, Steven R.; Komori, H. Kiyomi; LaMere, Sarah A.; Whisenant, Thomas; Van Nieuwerburgh, Filip; Salomon, Daniel R.; Ordoukhanian, Phillip

2014-01-01

High-throughput sequencing, also known as next-generation sequencing (NGS), has revolutionized genomic research. In recent years, NGS technology has steadily improved, with costs dropping and the number and range of sequencing applications increasing exponentially. Here, we examine the critical role of sequencing library quality and consider important challenges when preparing NGS libraries from DNA and RNA sources. Factors such as the quantity and physical characteristics of the RNA or DNA source material as well as the desired application (i.e., genome sequencing, targeted sequencing, RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, RIP-seq, and methylation) are addressed in the context of preparing high quality sequencing libraries. In addition, the current methods for preparing NGS libraries from single cells are also discussed. PMID:24502796

New therapeutic modality for corneal endothelial disease using Rho-associated kinase inhibitor eye drops.

PubMed

Koizumi, Noriko; Okumura, Naoki; Ueno, Morio; Kinoshita, Shigeru

2014-11-01

Corneal endothelial dysfunction accompanied by visual disturbance is a primary indication for corneal endothelial transplantation. However, despite the value and potential of endothelial graft surgery, a strictly pharmacological approach for treating corneal endothelial dysfunction remains an attractive proposition. Previously, we reported that the selective Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632 promotes cell adhesion and proliferation, and inhibits the apoptosis of primate corneal endothelial cells in culture. These findings have led us to develop a novel medical treatment for the early phase of corneal endothelial disease using ROCK inhibitor eye drops. In rabbit and monkey models of partial endothelial dysfunction, we showed that corneal endothelial wound healing was accelerated via the topical application of ROCK inhibitor to the ocular surface, resulting in the regeneration of a corneal endothelial monolayer with a high endothelial cell density. Based on these animal studies, we are now attempting to advance the clinical application of ROCK inhibitor eye drops for patients with corneal endothelial dysfunction. A pilot clinical study was performed at the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, and the effects of Y-27632 eye drops after transcorneal freezing were evaluated in 8 patients with corneal endothelial dysfunction. We observed a positive effect of ROCK inhibitor eye drops in treating patients with central edema caused by Fuchs corneal endothelial dystrophy. We believe that our new findings will contribute to the establishment of a new approach for the treatment of corneal endothelial dysfunction.

Priority Queue Based Reactive Buffer Management Policy for Delay Tolerant Network under City Based Environments.

PubMed

Ayub, Qaisar; Ngadi, Asri; Rashid, Sulma; Habib, Hafiz Adnan

2018-01-01

Delay Tolerant Network (DTN) multi-copy routing protocols are privileged to create and transmit multiple copies of each message that causes congestion and some messages are dropped. This process is known as reactive drop because messages were dropped re-actively to overcome buffer overflows. The existing reactive buffer management policies apply a single metric to drop source, relay and destine messages. Hereby, selection to drop a message is dubious because each message as source, relay or destine may have consumed dissimilar magnitude of network resources. Similarly, DTN has included time to live (ttl) parameter which defines lifetime of message. Hence, when ttl expires then message is automatically destroyed from relay nodes. However, time-to-live (ttl) is not applicable on messages reached at their destinations. Moreover, nodes keep replicating messages till ttl expires even-though large number of messages has already been dispersed. In this paper, we have proposed Priority Queue Based Reactive Buffer Management Policy (PQB-R) for DTN under City Based Environments. The PQB-R classifies buffered messages into source, relay and destine queues. Moreover, separate drop metric has been applied on individual queue. The experiment results prove that proposed PQB-R has reduced number of messages transmissions, message drop and increases delivery ratio.

Priority Queue Based Reactive Buffer Management Policy for Delay Tolerant Network under City Based Environments

PubMed Central

Ngadi, Asri; Rashid, Sulma; Habib, Hafiz Adnan

2018-01-01

Delay Tolerant Network (DTN) multi-copy routing protocols are privileged to create and transmit multiple copies of each message that causes congestion and some messages are dropped. This process is known as reactive drop because messages were dropped re-actively to overcome buffer overflows. The existing reactive buffer management policies apply a single metric to drop source, relay and destine messages. Hereby, selection to drop a message is dubious because each message as source, relay or destine may have consumed dissimilar magnitude of network resources. Similarly, DTN has included time to live (ttl) parameter which defines lifetime of message. Hence, when ttl expires then message is automatically destroyed from relay nodes. However, time-to-live (ttl) is not applicable on messages reached at their destinations. Moreover, nodes keep replicating messages till ttl expires even-though large number of messages has already been dispersed. In this paper, we have proposed Priority Queue Based Reactive Buffer Management Policy (PQB-R) for DTN under City Based Environments. The PQB-R classifies buffered messages into source, relay and destine queues. Moreover, separate drop metric has been applied on individual queue. The experiment results prove that proposed PQB-R has reduced number of messages transmissions, message drop and increases delivery ratio. PMID:29438438

The influence of gravity on the distribution of the deposit formed onto a substrate by sessile, hanging, and sandwiched hanging drop evaporation.

PubMed

Sandu, Ion; Fleaca, Claudiu Teodor

2011-06-15

The focus of the present article is the study of the influence of gravity on the particle deposition profiles on a solid substrate during the evaporation of sessile, hanging and sandwiched hanging drops of colloidal particle suspensions. For concentrations of nanoparticles in the colloidal solutions in the range 0.0001-1 wt.%, highly diluted suspensions will preferentially form rings while concentrated suspensions will preferentially form spots in both sessile and hanging drop evaporation. For intermediary concentrations, the particle deposition profiles will depend on the nanoparticle aggregation dynamics in the suspension during the evaporation process, gravity and on the detailed evaporation geometry. The evaporation of a drop of toluene/carbon nanoparticle suspension hanging from a pendant water drop will leave on the substrate a circular spot with no visible external ring. By contrast, a clear external ring is formed on the substrate by the sessile evaporation of a similar drop of suspension sandwiched between a water drop and the substrate. From the application viewpoint, these processes can be used to create preferential electrical conductive carbon networks and contacts for arrays of self-assembled nanostructures fabricated on solid substrates as well as on flexible polymeric substrates. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Strategic obstacle placement reduces drop breakup probability in concentrated emulsion flowing into a constriction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khor, Jian Wei; Hua, Yu; Bick, Alison; Tang, Sindy

2017-11-01

In this study, we investigate the effect of an obstacle on the breakup probability of droplets within a concentrated emulsion flowing into a constriction. We introduce a concentrated emulsion as a 2D monolayer through a tapered channel into a narrow constriction. This geometry is commonly used for the serial interrogation of droplet content in droplet microfluidics applications. We found that certain drop-drop interactions near the constriction entrance lead to the breakup of these drops at a high flow rates. Such breakup sets the upper limit for the droplet interrogation throughput. Incidentally, previous findings have shown that strategic placement of a circular post near a narrow exit can reduce the conflict from the interactions among living organisms (humans, ants, and sheep) or a cluster of particles when entering a narrow exit. Inspired by these results, we modify the tapered channel by placing a circular post in a strategic location near the constriction entrance in order to reduce catastrophic drop-drop interactions and to avoid breakup. Preliminary work shows that the circular posts can reduce the breakup fraction of drops by up to 17%. The optimization of the location and size of the obstacle is expected to further reduce the breakup fraction.

Electrodeless electro-hydrodynamic gentle printing of personalized medicines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khusid, Boris; Elele, Ezinwa; Shen, Yueyang

2010-11-01

Drop-on-demand (DOD) principle appears to be a particular promising approach for manufacturing personalized treatments carefully tailored to a patient's genetic background. The authors have recently developed a DOD method for gentle printing of personalized medicines. A fluid is infused into an electrically insulating nozzle to form a pendant drop. A sufficiently strong voltage pulse is applied to external electrodes to stretch the pendant drop until it touches an electrically insulating film and forms a liquid bridge. As the liquid bridge is intentionally formed in an unstable configuration, it breaks up, creating two drops, one on the film and the other hanging from the nozzle. To prove the validity and versatility of the method, experiments are conducted on fluids whose viscosity, conductivity, dielectric constant, and surface tension vary over a broad range, respectively: 1-1045 cP, 0.02-290 μS/cm, 9-78, and 41-72 dyn/cm. We present a scaling analysis that captures the essential physics of drop evolution and provides the critical design guidelines. The work was supported by NSF Engineering Research Center on Structured Organic Particulate Systems.

Numerical Investigation of Temperature Distribution in an Eroded Bend Pipe and Prediction of Erosion Reduced Thickness

PubMed Central

Zhu, Hongjun; Feng, Guang; Wang, Qijun

2014-01-01

Accurate prediction of erosion thickness is essential for pipe engineering. The objective of the present paper is to study the temperature distribution in an eroded bend pipe and find a new method to predict the erosion reduced thickness. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations with FLUENT software are carried out to investigate the temperature field. And effects of oil inlet rate, oil inlet temperature, and erosion reduced thickness are examined. The presence of erosion pit brings about the obvious fluctuation of temperature drop along the extrados of bend. And the minimum temperature drop presents at the most severe erosion point. Small inlet temperature or large inlet velocity can lead to small temperature drop, while shallow erosion pit causes great temperature drop. The dimensionless minimum temperature drop is analyzed and the fitting formula is obtained. Using the formula we can calculate the erosion reduced thickness, which is only needed to monitor the outer surface temperature of bend pipe. This new method can provide useful guidance for pipeline monitoring and replacement. PMID:24719576

New Drop Fluidics Enabled by Magnetic-Field-Mediated Elastocapillary Transduction.

PubMed

Biswas, Saheli; Pomeau, Yves; Chaudhury, Manoj K

2016-07-12

This research introduces a new drop fluidics that uses a deformable and stretchable elastomeric film as the platform instead of the commonly used rigid supports. Such a soft film impregnated with magnetic particles can be modulated with an external electromagnetic field that produces a vast array of topographical landscapes with varying surface curvature, which, in conjunction with capillarity, can direct and control the motion of water droplets efficiently and accurately. When a thin layer of oil is present on this film that is deformed locally, a centrosymmetric wedge is formed. A water droplet placed on this oil-laden film becomes asymmetrically deformed, thus producing a gradient of Laplace pressure within the droplet and setting it in motion. A simple theory is presented that accounts for the droplet speed in terms of such geometric variables as the volume of the droplet and the thickness of the oil film covering the soft elastomeric film as well as material variables such as the viscosity of the oil and the interfacial tension of the oil-water interfaces. Following the verification of the theoretical result using well-controlled model systems, we demonstrate how the electromagnetically controlled elastocapillary force can be used to manipulate the motion of single and/or multiple droplets on the surface of the elastomeric film and how elementary operations such as drop fusion and thermally addressed chemical transformation can be carried out in aqueous droplets. It is expected that the resulting drop fluidics would be suitable for the digital control of drop motion by simply switching on and off the electromagnetic fields applied at different positions underneath the elastomeric film in a Boolean sequence. We anticipate that this method of directing and manipulating water droplets is poised for application in various biochemical reaction engineering situations, an example of which is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Nonlinear electrohydrodynamics of leaky dielectric drops in the Quincke regime: Numerical simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Debasish; Saintillan, David

2015-11-01

The deformation of leaky dielectric drops in a dielectric fluid medium when subject to a uniform electric field is a classic electrohydrodynamic phenomenon best described by the well-known Melcher-Taylor leaky dielectric model. In this work, we develop a three-dimensional boundary element method for the full leaky dielectric model to systematically study the deformation and dynamics of liquid drops in strong electric fields. We compare our results with existing numerical studies, most of which have been constrained to axisymmetric drops or have neglected interfacial charge convection by the flow. The leading effect of convection is to enhance deformation of prolate drops and suppress deformation of oblate drops, as previously observed in the axisymmetric case. The inclusion of charge convection also enables us to investigate the dynamics in the Quincke regime, in which experiments exhibit a symmetry-breaking bifurcation leading to a tank-treading regime. Our simulations confirm the existence of this bifurcation for highly viscous drops, and also reveal the development of sharp interfacial charge gradients driven by convection near the drop's equator. American Chemical Society, Petroleum Research Fund.

Evaporation Flux Distribution of Drops on a Hydrophilic or Hydrophobic Flat Surface by Molecular Simulations.

PubMed

Xie, Chiyu; Liu, Guangzhi; Wang, Moran

2016-08-16

The evaporation flux distribution of sessile drops is investigated by molecular dynamic simulations. Three evaporating modes are classified, including the diffusion dominant mode, the substrate heating mode, and the environment heating mode. Both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drop-substrate interactions are considered. To count the evaporation flux distribution, which is position dependent, we proposed an azimuthal-angle-based division method under the assumption of spherical crown shape of drops. The modeling results show that the edge evaporation, i.e., near the contact line, is enhanced for hydrophilic drops in all the three modes. The surface diffusion of liquid molecular absorbed on solid substrate for hydrophilic cases plays an important role as well as the space diffusion on the enhanced evaporation rate at the edge. For hydrophobic drops, the edge evaporation flux is higher for the substrate heating mode, but lower than elsewhere of the drop for the diffusion dominant mode; however, a nearly uniform distribution is found for the environment heating mode. The evidence shows that the temperature distribution inside drops plays a key role in the position-dependent evaporation flux.

[Predicting drop-out during the systems training for emotional predictability and problem solving (STEPPS)].

PubMed

van Diepen, J B; de Groot, I W

2016-01-01

Drop-out is a complex problem in mental health care and in STEPPS. Research has revealed a variety of predicting factors and has produced contradictory results. To investigate whether the information available at the start of STEPPS can pinpoint predictors of drop-out. The ROM data for 150 patients were used to test the link between the following factors: age, gender, education, employment, substance abuse, anxiety, hostility, interpersonal relations, responsibility and social concordance with drop-out. The method used for testing was logistic regression analysis. Factors that contributed significantly to the prediction of drop-out were gender and employment status. These factors made up 16% of the explained variation (R2 Nagelkerkes) in drop-out. Gender was the strongest predictive factor. Concerning the other factors, no differences were found between groups (drop-out and non-dropouts). In its present form STEPPS does not suit a large number of the male participants. Drop-out during STEPPS is hard to predict on the basis of ROM-questionnaires. Future research should focus on preconditions and marginal conditions that influence patients to complete their training.

Combat Helmet-Headform Coupling Characterized from Blunt Impact Events

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-11-01

Testing was completed on a monorail drop tower to analyze the effect of helmet/headform coupling on the blunt impact behavior of ACH helmets using FMVSS...designates its own methods and test equipment: a drop tower ( monorail or twin- wire), headform (DOT, ISO, NOCSAE), headform CG accelerometer (single or...the more anthropomorphic International Standard Organization (ISO) half headform. Testing was completed on a monorail drop tower to analyze the effect

Ultrasonic Substrate Vibration-Assisted Drop Casting (SVADC) for the Fabrication of Photovoltaic Solar Cell Arrays and Thin-Film Devices.

PubMed

Eslamian, Morteza; Zabihi, Fatemeh

2015-12-01

A simple, low-cost, versatile, and potentially scalable casting method is proposed for the fabrication of micro- and nano-thin films, herein termed as ultrasonic "substrate vibration-assisted drop casting" (SVADC). The impingement of a solution drop onto a substrate in a simple process called drop casting, usually results in spreading of the liquid solution and the formation of a non-uniform thin solid film after solvent evaporation. Our previous and current supporting results, as well as few similar reports by others, confirm that imposing ultrasonic vibration on the substrate can simply convert the uncontrollable drop casting method into a controllable coating technique. Therefore, the SVADC may be used to fabricate an array of emerging thin-film solar cells, such as polymer, perovskite, and quantum-dot solar cells, as well as other small thin-film devices, in a roll-to-roll and automated fabrication process. The preliminary results demonstrate a ten-fold increase in electrical conductivity of PSS made by SVADC compared with the film made by conventional drop casting. Also, simple planar perovskite solar cells made here using SVADC show promising performance with an efficiency of over 3 % for a simple structure without performing process optimization or using expensive materials and treatments.

Optimising self-regulated study: the benefits - and costs - of dropping flashcards.

PubMed

Kornell, Nate; Bjork, Robert A

2008-02-01

Self-regulation of study activities is a constant in the lives of students - who must decide what to study, when to study, how long to study, and by what method to study. We investigated self-regulation in the context of a common study method: flashcards. In four experiments we examined the basis and effectiveness of a metacognitive strategy adopted almost universally by students: setting aside (dropping) items they think they know. Dropping has a compelling logic - it creates additional opportunities to study undropped items - but it rests on two shaky foundations: students' metacognitive monitoring and the value they assign to further study. In fact, being allowed to drop flashcards had small but consistently negative effects on learning. The results suggest that the effectiveness of self-regulated study depends on both the accuracy of metacognitive monitoring and the learner's understanding, or lack thereof, of how people learn.

Coupling analysis of high Q resonators in add-drop configuration through cavity ringdown spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frigenti, G.; Arjmand, M.; Barucci, A.; Baldini, F.; Berneschi, S.; Farnesi, D.; Gianfreda, M.; Pelli, S.; Soria, S.; Aray, A.; Dumeige, Y.; Féron, P.; Nunzi Conti, G.

2018-06-01

An original method able to fully characterize high-Q resonators in an add-drop configuration has been implemented. The method is based on the study of two cavity ringdown (CRD) signals, which are produced at the transmission and drop ports by wavelength sweeping a resonance in a time interval comparable with the photon cavity lifetime. All the resonator parameters can be assessed with a single set of simultaneous measurements. We first developed a model describing the two CRD output signals and a fitting program able to deduce the key parameters from the measured profiles. We successfully validated the model with an experiment based on a fiber ring resonator of known characteristics. Finally, we characterized a high-Q, home-made, MgF2 whispering gallery mode disk resonator in the add-drop configuration, assessing its intrinsic and coupling parameters.

An empirically derived basis for calculating the area, rate, and distribution of water-drop impingement on airfoils

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bergrun, Norman R

1952-01-01

An empirically derived basis for predicting the area, rate, and distribution of water-drop impingement on airfoils of arbitrary section is presented. The concepts involved represent an initial step toward the development of a calculation technique which is generally applicable to the design of thermal ice-prevention equipment for airplane wing and tail surfaces. It is shown that sufficiently accurate estimates, for the purpose of heated-wing design, can be obtained by a few numerical computations once the velocity distribution over the airfoil has been determined. The calculation technique presented is based on results of extensive water-drop trajectory computations for five airfoil cases which consisted of 15-percent-thick airfoils encompassing a moderate lift-coefficient range. The differential equations pertaining to the paths of the drops were solved by a differential analyzer.

Optimization of the formation of embedded multicellular spheroids of MCF-7 cells: How to reliably produce a biomimetic 3D model.

PubMed

Zhang, Wenli; Li, Caibin; Baguley, Bruce C; Zhou, Fang; Zhou, Weisai; Shaw, John P; Wang, Zhen; Wu, Zimei; Liu, Jianping

2016-12-15

To obtain a multicellular MCF-7 spheroid model to mimic the three-dimensional (3D) of tumors, the microwell liquid overlay (A) and hanging-drop/agar (B) methods were first compared for their technical parameters. Then a method for embedding spheroids within collagen was optimized. For method A, centrifugation assisted cells form irregular aggregates but not spheroids. For method B, an extended sedimentation period of over 24 h for cell suspensions and increased viscosity of the culture medium using methylcellulose were necessary to harvest a dense and regular cell spheroid. When the number was less than 5000 cells/drop, embedded spheroids showed no tight cores and higher viability than the unembedded. However, above 5000 cells/drop, cellular viability of embedded spheroids was not significantly different from unembedded spheroids and cells invading through the collagen were in a sun-burst pattern with tight cores. Propidium Iodide staining indicated that spheroids had necrotic cores. The doxorubicin cytotoxicity demonstrated that spheroids were less susceptible to DOX than their monolayer cells. A reliable and reproducible method for embedding spheroids using the hanging-drop/agarose method within collagen is described herein. The cell culture model can be used to guide experimental manipulation of 3D cell cultures and to evaluate anticancer drug efficacy. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Influence of Electrification of Droplet on Hydrophobicity Reduction of Polymer Material during a Dynamic Drop Test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haji, Kenichi; Shiibara, Daiki; Arata, Yoshihiro; Sakoda, Tatsuya; Otsubo, Masahisa

The dynamic drop test was proposed as a method to evaluate hydrophobicity reduction of polymer materials. In this test, the formation change of a water channel was confirmed, and thereafter, the remained droplets and the dropped droplets on the sampled surface were repulsed each other. The distributions of electrification on the droplet and the sample surface were measured. The influence of the electrified droplet on the hydrophobicity reduction was examined. The results showed that the polarity on the sample surface changed by the dropped droplet, leading to the hydrophobicity loss.

Automated single cell sorting and deposition in submicroliter drops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salánki, Rita; Gerecsei, Tamás; Orgovan, Norbert; Sándor, Noémi; Péter, Beatrix; Bajtay, Zsuzsa; Erdei, Anna; Horvath, Robert; Szabó, Bálint

2014-08-01

Automated manipulation and sorting of single cells are challenging, when intact cells are needed for further investigations, e.g., RNA or DNA sequencing. We applied a computer controlled micropipette on a microscope admitting 80 PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tubes to be filled with single cells in a cycle. Due to the Laplace pressure, fluid starts to flow out from the micropipette only above a critical pressure preventing the precise control of drop volume in the submicroliter range. We found an anomalous pressure additive to the Laplace pressure that we attribute to the evaporation of the drop. We have overcome the problem of the critical dropping pressure with sequentially operated fast fluidic valves timed with a millisecond precision. Minimum drop volume was 0.4-0.7 μl with a sorting speed of 15-20 s per cell. After picking NE-4C neuroectodermal mouse stem cells and human primary monocytes from a standard plastic Petri dish we could gently deposit single cells inside tiny drops. 94 ± 3% and 54 ± 7% of the deposited drops contained single cells for NE-4C and monocytes, respectively. 7.5 ± 4% of the drops contained multiple cells in case of monocytes. Remaining drops were empty. Number of cells deposited in a drop could be documented by imaging the Petri dish before and after sorting. We tuned the adhesion force of cells to make the manipulation successful without the application of microstructures for trapping cells on the surface. We propose that our straightforward and flexible setup opens an avenue for single cell isolation, critically needed for the rapidly growing field of single cell biology.

Drop short control of electrode gap

DOEpatents

Fisher, Robert W.; Maroone, James P.; Tipping, Donald W.; Zanner, Frank J.

1986-01-01

During vacuum consumable arc remelting the electrode gap between a consumable electrode and a pool of molten metal is difficult to control. The present invention monitors drop shorts by detecting a decrease in the voltage between the consumable electrode and molten pool. The drop shorts and their associated voltage reductions occur as repetitive pulses which are closely correlated to the electrode gap. Thus, the method and apparatus of the present invention controls electrode gap based upon drop shorts detected from the monitored anode-cathode voltage. The number of drop shorts are accumulated, and each time the number of drop shorts reach a predetermined number, the average period between drop shorts is calculated from this predetermined number and the time in which this number is accumulated. This average drop short period is used in a drop short period electrode gap model which determines the actual electrode gap from the drop short. The actual electrode gap is then compared with a desired electrode gap which is selected to produce optimum operating conditions and the velocity of the consumable error is varied based upon the gap error. The consumable electrode is driven according to any prior art system at this velocity. In the preferred embodiment, a microprocessor system is utilized to perform the necessary calculations and further to monitor the duration of each drop short. If any drop short exceeds a preset duration period, the consumable electrode is rapidly retracted a predetermined distance to prevent bonding of the consumable electrode to the molten remelt.

Modified Drop Tower Impact Tests for American Football Helmets.

PubMed

Rush, G Alston; Prabhu, R; Rush, Gus A; Williams, Lakiesha N; Horstemeyer, M F

2017-02-19

A modified National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) test method for American football helmet drop impact test standards is presented that would provide better assessment of a helmet's on-field impact performance by including a faceguard on the helmet. In this study, a merger of faceguard and helmet test standards is proposed. The need for a more robust systematic approach to football helmet testing procedures is emphasized by comparing representative results of the Head Injury Criterion (HIC), Severity Index (SI), and peak acceleration values for different helmets at different helmet locations under modified NOCSAE standard drop tower tests. Essentially, these comparative drop test results revealed that the faceguard adds a stiffening kinematic constraint to the shell that lessens total energy absorption. The current NOCSAE standard test methods can be improved to represent on-field helmet hits by attaching the faceguards to helmets and by including two new helmet impact locations (Front Top and Front Top Boss). The reported football helmet test method gives a more accurate representation of a helmet's performance and its ability to mitigate on-field impacts while promoting safer football helmets.

Niv versus dropping vitrification in cryopreservation of human ovarian tissue.

PubMed

Xiao, Z; Li, S W; Zhang, Y Y; Wang, Y; Li, L L; Fan, W

2014-01-01

The containers for vitrification of tissues include cryovials, copper grids, Pasteur pipettes, the solid-surface method and etc. Recently the acupuncture needle was used to achieve better result in vitrification of human ovarian tissue. To determine if the needle immersed vitrification method (NIV) is a promising approach to vitrify the human ovarian tissue. Human ovarian biopsies from five patients were vitrified using NIV and Dropping vitrification. After 14 days of in vitro culture, the incidence of apoptotic primordial follicles from fresh and vitrified groups was assessed by TUNEL assay. 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) were detected in the media after culturing of vitrified and fresh ovarian tissues. The incidence of apoptotic primordial follicles was significantly higher in the dropping vitrification group than in the NIV group (P < 0.05). E2 and P4 concentrations were significantly higher in NIV groups than in Dropping vitrification group (P < 0.05). NIV was an appropriate method to vitrify ovarian tissue by improving the growth potential of frozen-warmed ovarian tissue in vitro culture.

Method and apparatus for determining minority carrier diffusion length in semiconductors

DOEpatents

Moore, Arnold R.

1984-01-01

Method and apparatus are provided for determining the diffusion length of minority carriers in semiconductor material, particularly amorphous silicon which has a significantly small minority carrier diffusion length using the constant magnitude surface-photovoltage (SPV) method. Steady or modulated illumination at several wavelengths provides the light excitation on the surface of the material to generate the SPV. A manually controlled or automatic servo system maintains a constant predetermined value of the SPV for each wavelength. A drop of a transparent electrolyte solution containing redox couples (preferably quinhydrone) having an oxidation-reduction potential (E) in the order of +0.6 to -1.65 volts couples the SPV to a measurement system. The drop of redox couple solution functions to create a liquid Schottky barrier at the surface of the material. Illumination light is passed through a transparent rod supported over the surface and through the drop of transparent electrolyte. The drop is held in the gap between the rod and the surface. Steady red light is also used as an optical bias to reduce deleterious space-charge effects that occur in amorphous silicon.

On the equilibrium contact angle of sessile liquid drops from molecular dynamics simulations.

PubMed

Ravipati, Srikanth; Aymard, Benjamin; Kalliadasis, Serafim; Galindo, Amparo

2018-04-28

We present a new methodology to estimate the contact angles of sessile drops from molecular simulations by using the Gaussian convolution method of Willard and Chandler [J. Phys. Chem. B 114, 1954-1958 (2010)] to calculate the coarse-grained density from atomic coordinates. The iso-density contour with average coarse-grained density value equal to half of the bulk liquid density is identified as the average liquid-vapor (LV) interface. Angles between the unit normal vectors to the average LV interface and unit normal vector to the solid surface, as a function of the distance normal to the solid surface, are calculated. The cosines of these angles are extrapolated to the three-phase contact line to estimate the sessile drop contact angle. The proposed methodology, which is relatively easy to implement, is systematically applied to three systems: (i) a Lennard-Jones (LJ) drop on a featureless LJ 9-3 surface; (ii) an SPC/E water drop on a featureless LJ 9-3 surface; and (iii) an SPC/E water drop on a graphite surface. The sessile drop contact angles estimated with our methodology for the first two systems are shown to be in good agreement with the angles predicted from Young's equation. The interfacial tensions required for this equation are computed by employing the test-area perturbation method for the corresponding planar interfaces. Our findings suggest that the widely adopted spherical-cap approximation should be used with caution, as it could take a long time for a sessile drop to relax to a spherical shape, of the order of 100 ns, especially for water molecules initiated in a lattice configuration on a solid surface. But even though a water drop can take a long time to reach the spherical shape, we find that the contact angle is well established much faster and the drop evolves toward the spherical shape following a constant-contact-angle relaxation dynamics. Making use of this observation, our methodology allows a good estimation of the sessile drop contact angle values even for moderate system sizes (with, e.g., 4000 molecules), without the need for long simulation times to reach the spherical shape.

On the equilibrium contact angle of sessile liquid drops from molecular dynamics simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ravipati, Srikanth; Aymard, Benjamin; Kalliadasis, Serafim; Galindo, Amparo

2018-04-01

We present a new methodology to estimate the contact angles of sessile drops from molecular simulations by using the Gaussian convolution method of Willard and Chandler [J. Phys. Chem. B 114, 1954-1958 (2010)] to calculate the coarse-grained density from atomic coordinates. The iso-density contour with average coarse-grained density value equal to half of the bulk liquid density is identified as the average liquid-vapor (LV) interface. Angles between the unit normal vectors to the average LV interface and unit normal vector to the solid surface, as a function of the distance normal to the solid surface, are calculated. The cosines of these angles are extrapolated to the three-phase contact line to estimate the sessile drop contact angle. The proposed methodology, which is relatively easy to implement, is systematically applied to three systems: (i) a Lennard-Jones (LJ) drop on a featureless LJ 9-3 surface; (ii) an SPC/E water drop on a featureless LJ 9-3 surface; and (iii) an SPC/E water drop on a graphite surface. The sessile drop contact angles estimated with our methodology for the first two systems are shown to be in good agreement with the angles predicted from Young's equation. The interfacial tensions required for this equation are computed by employing the test-area perturbation method for the corresponding planar interfaces. Our findings suggest that the widely adopted spherical-cap approximation should be used with caution, as it could take a long time for a sessile drop to relax to a spherical shape, of the order of 100 ns, especially for water molecules initiated in a lattice configuration on a solid surface. But even though a water drop can take a long time to reach the spherical shape, we find that the contact angle is well established much faster and the drop evolves toward the spherical shape following a constant-contact-angle relaxation dynamics. Making use of this observation, our methodology allows a good estimation of the sessile drop contact angle values even for moderate system sizes (with, e.g., 4000 molecules), without the need for long simulation times to reach the spherical shape.

A Proposed In Vitro Method to Assess Effects of Inhaled Particles on Lung Surfactant Function.

PubMed

Sørli, Jorid B; Da Silva, Emilie; Bäckman, Per; Levin, Marcus; Thomsen, Birthe L; Koponen, Ismo K; Larsen, Søren T

2016-03-01

The lung surfactant (LS) lining is a thin liquid film covering the air-liquid interface of the respiratory tract. LS reduces surface tension, enabling lung surface expansion and contraction with minimal work during respiration. Disruption of surface tension is believed to play a key role in severe lung conditions. Inhalation of aerosols that interfere with the LS may induce a toxic response and, as a part of the safety assessment of chemicals and inhaled medicines, it may be relevant to study their impact on LS function. Here, we present a novel in vitro method, based on the constrained drop surfactometer, to study LS functionality after aerosol exposure. The applicability of the method was investigated using three inhaled asthma medicines, micronized lactose, a pharmaceutical excipient used in inhaled medication, and micronized albumin, a known inhibitor of surfactant function. The surfactometer was modified to allow particles mixed in air to flow through the chamber holding the surfactant drop. The deposited dose was measured with a custom-built quartz crystal microbalance. The alterations allowed the study of continuously increasing quantified doses of particles, allowing determination of the dose of particles that affects the LS function. The tested pharmaceuticals did not inhibit the function of a model LS even at extreme doses--neither did lactose. Micronized albumin, however, impaired surfactant function. The method can discriminate between safe inhaled aerosols--as exemplified by the approved inhaled medicines and the pharmaceutical excipient lactose--and albumin known to impair lung functionality by inhibiting LS function.

Numerical study of the impact of a drop containing a bubble

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Yu; Thoraval, Marie-Jean

2017-11-01

The impact of a drop has many applications from inkjet printing to the spreading of crops diseases. This fundamental phenomenon has therefore attracted a lot of interest from different fields. However, they have mostly focused on the simplest case of a drop containing a single fluid. In inkjet printing and in the deposition process of thermal barrier coatings, some bubbles can be present in the drop when it impacts on the solid surface. The presence of the bubble can produce some additional splashing, and affect the quality of the deposited material. Only a few studies have looked at this problem, and many questions still need to be investigated. Generally, there are three possibilities when a drop containing a bubble impacts onto a solid surface, namely the bubble stays in drop, the bubble bursts and a counter jet forms. We have performed axisymmetric numerical simulations with the open source code Gerris to study this vertical jet. We have systematically varied several parameters, including the impact velocity, the bubble size, the vertical position of the bubble, and the liquid properties. We were thus able to characterize under which condition the bubble leads to splashing and the velocity of the produced jet.

Drop impact on thin liquid films using TIRM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pack, Min; Ying Sun Team

2015-11-01

Drop impact on thin liquid films is relevant to a number of industrial processes such as pesticide spraying and repellent surface research such as self-cleaning applications. In this study, we systematically investigate the drop impact dynamics on thin liquid films on plain glass substrates by varying the film thickness, viscosity and impact velocity. High speed imaging is used to track the droplet morphology and trajectory over time as well as observing instability developments at high Weber number impacts. Moreover, the air layer between the drop and thin film upon drop impact is probed by total internal reflection microscopy (TIRM) where the grayscale intensity is used to measure the air layer thickness and spreading radius over time. For low We impact on thick films (We ~ 10), the effect of the air entrainment is pronounced where the adhesion of the droplet to the wall is delayed by the air depletion and liquid film drainage, whereas for high We impact (We >100) the air layer is no longer formed and instead, the drop contact with the wall is limited only to the film drainage for all film thicknesses. In addition, the maximum spreading radius of the droplet is analyzed for varying thin film thickness and viscosity.

Rolling viscous drops on a non-wettable surface containing both micro- and macro-scale roughness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abolghasemibizaki, Mehran; Robertson, Connor J.; Fergusson, Christian P.; McMasters, Robert L.; Mohammadi, Reza

2018-02-01

It has previously been shown that when a liquid drop of high viscosity is placed on a non-wettable inclined surface, it rolls down at a constant descent velocity determined by the balance between viscous dissipation and the reduction rate of its gravitational potential energy. Since increasing the roughness of the surface boosts its non-wetting property, the drop should move faster on a surface structured with macrotextures (ribbed surface). Such a surface was obtained from a superhydrophobic soot coating on a solid specimen printed with an extruder-type 3D printer. The sample became superoleophobic after a functionalization process. The descent velocity of glycerol drops of different radii was then measured on the prepared surface for varied tilting angles. Our data show that the drops roll down on the ribbed surface approximately 27% faster (along the ridges) than on the macroscopically smooth counterpart. This faster velocity demonstrates that ribbed surfaces can be promising candidates for drag-reduction and self-cleaning applications. Moreover, we came up with a modified scaling model to predict the descent velocity of viscous rolling drops more accurately than what has previously been reported in the literature.

A system for the delivery of programmable, adaptive stimulation intensity envelopes for drop foot correction applications.

PubMed

Breen, P P; O'Keeffe, D T; Conway, R; Lyons, G M

2006-03-01

We describe the design of an intelligent drop foot stimulator unit for use in conjunction with a commercial neuromuscular electrical nerve stimulation (NMES) unit, the NT2000. The developed micro-controller unit interfaces to a personal computer (PC) and a graphical user interface (GUI) allows the clinician to graphically specify the shape of the stimulation intensity envelope required for a subject undergoing drop foot correction. The developed unit is based on the ADuC812S micro-controller evaluation board from Analog Devices and uses two force sensitive resistor (FSR) based foot-switches to control application of stimulus. The unit has the ability to display to the clinician how the stimulus intensity envelope is being delivered during walking using a data capture capability. The developed system has a built-in algorithm to dynamically adjust the delivery of stimulus to reflect changes both within the gait cycle and from cycle to cycle. Thus, adaptive control of stimulus intensity is achieved.

Alternative Test Methods for Electronic Parts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Plante, Jeannette

2004-01-01

It is common practice within NASA to test electronic parts at the manufacturing lot level to demonstrate, statistically, that parts from the lot tested will not fail in service using generic application conditions. The test methods and the generic application conditions used have been developed over the years through cooperation between NASA, DoD, and industry in order to establish a common set of standard practices. These common practices, found in MIL-STD-883, MIL-STD-750, military part specifications, EEE-INST-002, and other guidelines are preferred because they are considered to be effective and repeatable and their results are usually straightforward to interpret. These practices can sometimes be unavailable to some NASA projects due to special application conditions that must be addressed, such as schedule constraints, cost constraints, logistical constraints, or advances in the technology that make the historical standards an inappropriate choice for establishing part performance and reliability. Alternate methods have begun to emerge and to be used by NASA programs to test parts individually or as part of a system, especially when standard lot tests cannot be applied. Four alternate screening methods will be discussed in this paper: Highly accelerated life test (HALT), forward voltage drop tests for evaluating wire-bond integrity, burn-in options during or after highly accelerated stress test (HAST), and board-level qualification.

Small-amplitude oscillations of electrostatically levitated drops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, J. Q.; Beard, K. V.

1990-07-01

The nature of axisymmetric oscillations of electrostatically levitated drops is examined using an analytical method of multiple-parameter perturbations. The solution for the quiescent equilibrium shape exhibits both stretching of the drop surface along the direction of the externally applied electric field and asymmetry about the drop's equatorial plane. In the presence of electric and gravitational fields, small-amplitude oscillations of charged drops differ from the linear modes first analyzed by Rayleigh. The oscillatory response at each frequency consists of several Legendre polynomials rather than just one, and the characteristic frequency for each axisymmetric mode decreases from that calculated by Rayleigh as the electric field strength increases. This lowering of the characteristic frequencies is enhanced by the net electric charge required for levitation against gravity. Since the contributions of the various forces appear explicitly in the analytic solutions, physical insight is readily gained into their causative role in drop behavior.

Quasi-Uniform High Speed Foam Crush Testing Using a Guided Drop Mass Impact

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, Lisa E. (Technical Monitor); Kellas, Sotiris

2004-01-01

A relatively simple method for measuring the dynamic crush response of foam materials at various loading rates is described. The method utilizes a drop mass impact configuration with mass and impact velocity selected such that the crush speed remains approximately uniform during the entire sample crushing event. Instrumentation, data acquisition, and data processing techniques are presented, and limitations of the test method are discussed. The objective of the test method is to produce input data for dynamic finite element modeling involving crash and energy absorption characteristics of foam materials.

Nanoengineered Surfaces for High Flux Thin Film Evaporation

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-07-15

for a variety of heat transfer and resource conserving applications. References 1. Mudawar , I., Assessment of high-heat-flux thermal...M.B. and I. Mudawar , High-flux boiling in low-flow rate, low-pressure drop mini- channel and microchannel heat sinks. International Journal of Heat...pressure drop elements and fabricated nucleation sites. Journal of Heat Transfer, 2006. 128(4): p. 389-396. 7. Qu, W. and I. Mudawar , Measurement and

Two-phase adiabatic pressure drop experiments and modeling under micro-gravity conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Longeot, Matthieu J.; Best, Frederick R.

1995-01-01

Thermal systems for space applications based on two phase flow have several advantages over single phase systems. Two phase thermal energy management and dynamic power conversion systems have the capability of achieving high specific power levels. However, before two phase systems for space applications can be designed effectively, knowledge of the flow behavior in a ``0-g'' acceleration environment is necessary. To meet this need, two phase flow experiments were conducted by the Interphase Transport Phenomena Laboratory Group (ITP) aboard the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) KC-135, using R12 as the working fluid. The present work is concerned with modeling of two-phase pressure drop under 0-g conditions, for bubbly and slug flow regimes. The set of data from the ITP group includes 3 bubbly points, 9 bubbly/slug points and 6 slug points. These two phase pressure drop data were collected in 1991 and 1992. A methodology to correct and validate the data was developed to achieve high levels of confidence. A homogeneous model was developed to predict the pressure drop for particular flow conditions. This model, which uses the Blasius Correlation, was found to be accurate for bubbly and bubbly/slug flows, with errors not larger than 28%. For slug flows, however, the errors are greater, attaining values up to 66%.

Assessment of relevant factors and relationships concerning human dermal exposure to pesticides in greenhouse applications.

PubMed

Martínez Vidal, Jose L; Egea González, Francisco J; Garrido Frenich, Antonia; Martínez Galera, María; Aguilera, Pedro A; López Carrique, Enrique

2002-08-01

Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to the gas chromatographic data obtained from 23 different greenhouse trials. This was used to establish which factors, including application technique (very small, small, medium and large drop-size), crop characteristics (short/tall, thin/dense) and pattern application of the operator (walking towards or away from the treated area) are relevant to the dermal exposure levels of greenhouse applicators. The results showed that the highest exposure by pesticides during field applications in greenhouses, in the climatic conditions and in the crop conditions typical of a southern European country, occurs on the lower legs and front thighs of the applicators. Similar results were obtained by hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). Drop-size seems to be very important in determining total exposure, while height and density of crops have little influence on total exposure under the conditions of the present study. No pesticide type is a major factor in total exposure. The application of multiple regression analysis (MRA) allowed assessment of the relationships between the pesticide exposure of the less affected parts of the body with the most affected parts.

Cold Blooded: Evaluating Brain Temperature by MRI During Surface Cooling of Human Subjects.

PubMed

Curran, Eric J; Wolfson, Daniel L; Watts, Richard; Freeman, Kalev

2017-10-01

Targeted temperature management (TTM) confers neurological and survival benefits for post-cardiac arrest patients with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) who remain comatose. Specialized equipment for induction of hypothermia is not available in the prehospital setting, and there are no reliable methods for emergency medical services personnel to initiate TTM. We hypothesized that the application of surface cooling elements to the neck will decrease brain temperature and act as initiators of TTM. Magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy was used to evaluate the effect of a carotid surface cooling element on brain temperature in healthy adults. Six individuals completed this study. We measured a temperature drop of 0.69 ± 0.38 °C (95% CI) in the cortex of the brain following the application of the cooling element. Application of a room temperature element also caused a measurable decrease in brain temperature of 0.66 ± 0.41 °C (95% CI) which may be attributable to baroreceptor activation. The application of surface cooling elements to the neck decreased brain temperature and may serve as a method to initiate TTM in the prehospital setting.

Detection and characterization of elongated bubbles and drops in two-phase flow using magnetic fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wiederhold, A.; Boeck, T.; Resagk, C.

2017-08-01

We report a method to detect and to measure the size and velocity of elongated bubbles or drops in a dispersed two-phase flow. The difference of the magnetic susceptibilities between two phases causes a force on the interface between both phases when it is exposed to an external magnetic field. The force is measured with a state-of-the-art electromagnetic compensation balance. While the front and the back of the bubble pass the magnetic field, two peaks in the force signal appear, which can be used to calculate the velocity and geometry parameters of the bubble. We achieve a substantial advantage over other bubble detection techniques because this technique is contactless, non-invasive, independent of the electrical conductivity and can be applied to opaque or aggressive fluids. The measurements are performed in an inclined channel with air bubbles and paraffin oil drops in water. The bubble length is in the range of 0.1-0.25 m and the bubble velocity lies between 0.02-0.22 m s-1. Furthermore we show that it is possible to apply this measurement principle for nondestructive testing (NDT) of diamagnetic and paramagnetic materials like metal, plastics or glass, provided that defects are in the range of 10‒2 m. This technique opens up new possibilities in industrial applications to measure two-phase flow parameters and in material testing.

Bacillus subtilis based-formulation for the control of postbloom fruit drop of citrus.

PubMed

Klein, Mariana Nadjara; da Silva, Aline Caroline; Kupper, Katia Cristina

2016-12-01

Postbloom fruit drop (PFD) caused by Colletotrichum acutatum affects flowers and causes early fruit drop in all commercial varieties of citrus. Biological control with the isolate ACB-69 of Bacillus subtilis has been considered as a potential method for controlling this disease. This study aimed to develop and optimize a B. subtilis based-formulation with a potential for large-scale applications and evaluate its effect on C. acutatum in vitro and in vivo. Bacillus subtilis based-formulations were developed using different carrier materials, and their ability to control PFD was evaluated. The results of the assays led to the selection of the B. subtilis based-formulation with talc + urea (0.02 %) and talc + ammonium molybdate (1 mM), which inhibited mycelial growth and germination of C. acutatum. Studies with detached citrus flowers showed that the formulations were effective in controlling the pathogen. In field conditions, talc + urea (0.02 %) provided 73 % asymptomatic citrus flowers and 56 % of the average number of effective fruit (ANEF), equating with fungicide treatment. On the contrary, non-treated trees had 8.8 % of asymptomatic citrus flowers and 0.83 % ANEF. The results suggest that B. subtilis based-formulations with talc as the carrier supplemented with a nitrogen source had a high potential for PFD control.

Initial Systolic Time Interval (ISTI) as a Predictor of Intradialytic Hypotension (IDH)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biesheuvel, J. D.; Vervloet, M. G.; Verdaasdonk, R. M.; Meijer, J. H.

2013-04-01

In haemodialysis treatment the clearance and volume control by the kidneys of a patient are partially replaced by intermittent haemodialysis. Because this artificial process is performed on a limited time scale, unphysiological imbalances in the fluid compartments of the body occur, that can lead to intradialytic hypotensions (IDH). An IDH endangers the efficacy of the haemodialysis session and is associated with dismal clinical endpoints, including mortality. A diagnostic method that predicts the occurrence of these drops in blood pressure could facilitate timely measures for the prevention of IDH. The present study investigates whether the Initial Systolic Time Interval (ISTI) can provide such a diagnostic method. The ISTI is defined as the time difference between the R-peak in the electrocardiogram (ECG) and the C-wave in the impedance cardiogram (ICG) and is considered to be a non-invasive assessment of the time delay between the electrical and mechanical activity of the heart. This time delay has previously been found to depend on autonomic nervous function as well as preload of the heart. Therefore, it can be expected that ISTI may predict an imminent IDH caused by a low circulating blood volume. This ongoing observational clinical study investigates the relationship between changes in ISTI and subsequent drops in blood pressure during haemodialysis. A registration of a complicated dialysis showed a significant correlation between a drop in blood pressure, a decrease in relative blood volume and a substantial increase in ISTI. An uncomplicated dialysis, in which also a considerable amount of fluid was removed, showed no correlations. Both, blood pressure and ISTI remained stable. In conclusion, the preliminary results of the present study show a substantial response of ISTI to haemodynamic instability, indicating an application in optimization and individualisation of the dialysis process.

Load and dynamic assessment of B-52B-008 carrier aircraft for finned configuration 1 space shuttle solid rocket booster decelerator subsystem drop test vehicle. Volume 3: Pylon load data method 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Quade, D. A.

1978-01-01

The pylon loading at the drop test vehicle and wing interface attach points is presented. The loads shown are determined using a stiffness method, which assumes the side stiffness of the foreward hook guide to be one-fourth of the fore and aft stiffness of each drag pin. The net effect of this assumption is that the forward hook guide reacts approximately 85% of the drop test vehicle yawing moment. For a comparison of these loads to previous X-15 analysis design loadings, see Volume 1 of this document.

A Ghost Fluid/Level Set Method for boiling flows and liquid evaporation: Application to the Leidenfrost effect

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rueda Villegas, Lucia; Alis, Romain; Lepilliez, Mathieu

2016-07-01

The development of numerical methods for the direct numerical simulation of two-phase flows with phase change, in the framework of interface capturing or interface tracking methods, is the main topic of this study. We propose a novel numerical method, which allows dealing with both evaporation and boiling at the interface between a liquid and a gas. Indeed, in some specific situations involving very heterogeneous thermodynamic conditions at the interface, the distinction between boiling and evaporation is not always possible. For instance, it can occur for a Leidenfrost droplet; a water drop levitating above a hot plate whose temperature is muchmore » higher than the boiling temperature. In this case, boiling occurs in the film of saturated vapor which is entrapped between the bottom of the drop and the plate, whereas the top of the water droplet evaporates in contact of ambient air. The situation can also be ambiguous for a superheated droplet or at the contact line between a liquid and a hot wall whose temperature is higher than the saturation temperature of the liquid. In these situations, the interface temperature can locally reach the saturation temperature (boiling point), for instance near a contact line, and be cooler in other places. Thus, boiling and evaporation can occur simultaneously on different regions of the same liquid interface or occur successively at different times of the history of an evaporating droplet. Standard numerical methods are not able to perform computations in these transient regimes, therefore, we propose in this paper a novel numerical method to achieve this challenging task. Finally, we present several accuracy validations against theoretical solutions and experimental results to strengthen the relevance of this new method.« less

Solution identification and quantitative analysis of fiber-capacitive drop analyzer based on multivariate statistical methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Zhe; Qiu, Zurong; Huo, Xinming; Fan, Yuming; Li, Xinghua

2017-03-01

A fiber-capacitive drop analyzer is an instrument which monitors a growing droplet to produce a capacitive opto-tensiotrace (COT). Each COT is an integration of fiber light intensity signals and capacitance signals and can reflect the unique physicochemical property of a liquid. In this study, we propose a solution analytical and concentration quantitative method based on multivariate statistical methods. Eight characteristic values are extracted from each COT. A series of COT characteristic values of training solutions at different concentrations compose a data library of this kind of solution. A two-stage linear discriminant analysis is applied to analyze different solution libraries and establish discriminant functions. Test solutions can be discriminated by these functions. After determining the variety of test solutions, Spearman correlation test and principal components analysis are used to filter and reduce dimensions of eight characteristic values, producing a new representative parameter. A cubic spline interpolation function is built between the parameters and concentrations, based on which we can calculate the concentration of the test solution. Methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, and saline solutions are taken as experimental subjects in this paper. For each solution, nine or ten different concentrations are chosen to be the standard library, and the other two concentrations compose the test group. By using the methods mentioned above, all eight test solutions are correctly identified and the average relative error of quantitative analysis is 1.11%. The method proposed is feasible which enlarges the applicable scope of recognizing liquids based on the COT and improves the concentration quantitative precision, as well.

Improved Doubly Robust Estimation when Data are Monotonely Coarsened, with Application to Longitudinal Studies with Dropout

PubMed Central

Tsiatis, Anastasios A.; Davidian, Marie; Cao, Weihua

2010-01-01

Summary A routine challenge is that of making inference on parameters in a statistical model of interest from longitudinal data subject to drop out, which are a special case of the more general setting of monotonely coarsened data. Considerable recent attention has focused on doubly robust estimators, which in this context involve positing models for both the missingness (more generally, coarsening) mechanism and aspects of the distribution of the full data, that have the appealing property of yielding consistent inferences if only one of these models is correctly specified. Doubly robust estimators have been criticized for potentially disastrous performance when both of these models are even only mildly misspecified. We propose a doubly robust estimator applicable in general monotone coarsening problems that achieves comparable or improved performance relative to existing doubly robust methods, which we demonstrate via simulation studies and by application to data from an AIDS clinical trial. PMID:20731640

Significant improvement in Mn2O3 transition metal oxide electrical conductivity via high pressure

PubMed Central

Hong, Fang; Yue, Binbin; Hirao, Naohisa; Liu, Zhenxian; Chen, Bin

2017-01-01

Highly efficient energy storage is in high demand for next-generation clean energy applications. As a promising energy storage material, the application of Mn2O3 is limited due to its poor electrical conductivity. Here, high-pressure techniques enhanced the electrical conductivity of Mn2O3 significantly. In situ synchrotron micro X-Ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and resistivity measurement revealed that resistivity decreased with pressure and dramatically dropped near the phase transition. At the highest pressure, resistivity reduced by five orders of magnitude and the sample showed metal-like behavior. More importantly, resistivity remained much lower than its original value, even when the pressure was fully released. This work provides a new method to enhance the electronic properties of Mn2O3 using high-pressure treatment, benefiting its applications in energy-related fields. PMID:28276479

O the Electrohydrodynamics of Drop Extraction from a Conductive Liquid Meniscus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wright, Graham Scott

This thesis is concerned with the use of an electric field in the extraction of liquid drops from a capillary orifice or nozzle. The motivating application is ink jet printing. Current drop-on-demand ink jets use pressure pulses to eject drops. Literature on electrostatic spraying suggests that by using an electric field, drops could be produced with a wider range of sizes and speeds than is possible with pressure ejection. Previous efforts to apply electric spraying to printing or similar selective coating tasks have taken an experimental approach based on steady or periodic spraying phenomena, without attempting cycle -by-cycle drop control. The centerpiece of this thesis is a simulation tool developed to explore such possibilities. A simplified analytic model is developed as a preliminary step, yielding formulas for force and time scales that provide an appropriate basis for nondimensionalization of the governing differential equations; important dimensionless parameters are identified. The complete self-consistent model permits simulation of meniscus behavior under time -varying applied voltage or pressure, with the electric field solution continually updated as the surface changes shape. The model uses a quasi-one-dimensional hydrodynamic formulation and a two-dimensional axisymmetric boundary element solution for the electric field. The simulation is checked against experimental results for meniscus stability, resonant modes, and drop emission under electric field. The simulation faithfully captures important qualitative aspects of meniscus behavior and gives reasonable quantitative agreement within the limitations of the model. Insights gained in simulation point the way to a successful laboratory demonstration of drop extraction using a shaped voltage pulse. Drop size control is pursued in simulation using pressure and voltage pulses both alone and in combination, for both light and viscous liquids. Combining pressure and field pulses is shown to be synergistic; drop volumes over a range of 175 to 1 were obtained, while maintaining good drop velocity. The differing strategies for obtaining large and small drops are described. Drop extraction using only the electric field is more difficult, but promising approaches remain open.

Voltage Drop Compensation Method for Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode Displays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Sang-moo; Ryu, Do-hyung; Kim, Keum-nam; Choi, Jae-beom; Kim, Byung-hee; Berkeley, Brian

2011-03-01

In this paper, the conventional voltage drop compensation methods are reviewed and the novel design and driving scheme, the advanced power de-coupled (aPDC) driving method, is proposed to effectively compensate the voltage IR drop of active matrix light emitting diode (AMOLED) displays. The advanced PDC driving scheme can be applied to general AMOLED pixel circuits that have been developed with only minor modification or without requiring modification in pixel circuit. A 14-in. AMOLED panel with the aPDC driving scheme was fabricated. Long range uniformity (LRU) of the 14-in. AMOLED panel was improved from 43% without the aPDC driving scheme, to over 87% at the same brightness by using the scheme and the layout complexity of the panel with new design scheme is less than that of the panel with the conventional design scheme.

Culturing muscle fibres in hanging drop: a novel approach to solve an old problem.

PubMed

Archacka, Karolina; Pozzobon, Michela; Repele, Andrea; Rossi, Carlo Alberto; Campanella, Michelangelo; De Coppi, Paolo

2014-02-01

The satellite cells (SCs) associated with muscle fibres play a key role in postnatal growth and regeneration of skeletal muscle. Commonly used methods of isolation and in vitro culture of SCs lead to the mixture of their subpopulations that exist within muscle. To solve this problem, we used the well established technique, the hanging drop system, to culture SCs in a three-dimensional environment and thus, to monitor them in their original niche. Using hanging drop technique, we were able to culture SCs associated with the fibre at least for 9 days with one transfer of fibres to the fresh drops. In comparison, in the classical method of myofibres culture, that is, on the dishes coated with Matrigel, SCs leave the fibres within 3 days after the isolation. Cells cultured in both systems differed in expression of Pax7 and MyoD. While almost all cells cultured in adhesion system expressed MyoD before the fifth day of the culture, the majority of SCs cultured in hanging drop still maintained expression of Pax7 and were not characterised by the presence of MyoD. Among the cells cultured with single myofibre for up to 9 days, we identified two different subclones of SCs: low proliferative clone and high proliferative clone, which differed in proliferation rate and membrane potential. The hanging drop enables the myofibres to be kept in suspension for at least 9 days, and thus, allows SCs and their niche to interact each other for prolonged time. In a consequence, SCs cultured in hanging drop maintain expression of Pax7 while those cultured in a traditional adhesion culture, that is, devoid of signals from the original niche, activate and preferentially undergo differentiation as manifested by expression of MyoD. Thus, the innovative method of SCs culturing in the hanging drop system may serve as a useful tool to study the fate of different subpopulations of these cells in their anatomical location and to determine reciprocal interactions between them and their niche. © 2013 Société Française des Microscopies and Société de Biologie Cellulaire de France. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The critical pressure drop for the purge process in the anode of a fuel cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Xiao; Pingwen, Ming; Ming, Hou; Baolian, Yi; Shao, Zhi-Gang

Purge operation is an effective way to remove the accumulated liquid water in the anode of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). This paper studies the phenomenon of the two-phase flow as well as the pressure drop fluctuation inside the flow field of a single cell during the purge process. The flow patterns are identified as intermittent purge and annular purge, and the two purge processes are contrastively analyzed and discussed. The intermittent purge greatly affects the fuel cell performance and thus it is not suitable for the in situ application. The annular purge process requires a higher pressure drop, and the critical pressure drop is calculated from the annular purge model. Furthermore, this value is quantitatively analyzed and validated by experiments. The results show that the annular purge is appropriate for removing liquid water out of the anode in the fuel cell.

Expanding the 2011 Prague, OK Event Catalog: Detections, Relocations, and Stress Drop Estimates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clerc, F.; Cochran, E. S.; Dougherty, S. L.; Keranen, K. M.; Harrington, R. M.

2016-12-01

The Mw 5.6 earthquake occurring on 6 Nov. 2011, near Prague, OK, is thought to have been triggered by a Mw 4.8 foreshock, which was likely induced by fluid injection into local wastewater disposal wells [Keranen et al., 2013; Sumy et al., 2014]. Previous stress drop estimates for the sequence have suggested values lower than those for most Central and Eastern U.S. tectonic events of similar magnitudes [Hough, 2014; Sun & Hartzell, 2014; Sumy & Neighbors et al., 2016]. Better stress drop estimates allow more realistic assessment of seismic hazard and more effective regulation of wastewater injection. More reliable estimates of source properties may help to differentiate induced events from natural ones. Using data from local and regional networks, we perform event detections, relocations, and stress drop calculations of the Prague aftershock sequence. We use the Match & Locate method, a variation on the matched-filter method which detects events of lower magnitudes by stacking cross-correlograms from different stations [Zhang & Wen, 2013; 2015], in order to create a more complete catalog from 6 Nov to 31 Dec 2011. We then relocate the detected events using the HypoDD double-difference algorithm. Using our enhanced catalog and relocations, we examine the seismicity distribution for evidence of migration and investigate implications for triggering mechanisms. To account for path and site effects, we calculate stress drops using the Empirical Green's Function (EGF) spectral ratio method, beginning with 2730 previously relocated events. We determine whether there is a correlation between the stress drop magnitudes and the spatial and temporal distribution of events, including depth, position relative to existing faults, and proximity to injection wells. Finally, we consider the range of stress drop values and scaling with respect to event magnitudes within the context of previously published work for the Prague sequence as well as other induced and natural sequences.

Perfusion pressure of a new cannulating fenestrated pedicle screw during cement augmentation.

PubMed

Wang, Zhirong; Zhang, Wen; Xu, Hao; Lu, Aiqing; Yang, Huilin; Luo, Zong-Ping

2018-06-18

Cannulating fenestrated pedicle screws are effective for fixating osteoporotic vertebrae. However, a major limitation is the excessive pressure required to inject a sufficient amount of cement into the vertebral body through the narrow hole of a pedicle screw. We have recently proposed a new cannulating fenestrated pedicle screw with a large hole diameter and a matched inner pin for screw-strength maintenance. Our purpose was to determine whether the new screw can significantly reduce bone-cement perfusion pressure during cement augmentation, METHODS: Two different methods were used to examine perfusion pressure. Hagen-Poisseuille's flow model in a tube was used to calculate pressure drop in the bone-cement channel. Experimentally, both Newtonian silicone oil and bone-cement (polymethyl methacrylate) were tested using a cement pusher through the cannulating screw at a constant rate of 2 ml/min. The internal hollow portion of the screw was the bottleneck of the perfusion, and the new design significantly reduced the perfusion pressure. Specifically, perfusion pressure dropped by 59% (P < 0.05) when diameter size was doubled. The new design effectively improved the application of bone-cement augmentation with the ease of bone-cement perfusion, thereby enhancing operational safety. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Optimization of a Circular Microchannel With Entropy Generation Minimization Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jafari, Arash; Ghazali, Normah Mohd

2010-06-01

New advances in micro and nano scales are being realized and the contributions of micro and nano heat dissipation devices are of high importance in this novel technology development. Past studies showed that microchannel design depends on its thermal resistance and pressure drop. However, entropy generation minimization (EGM) as a new optimization theory stated that the rate of entropy generation should be also optimized. Application of EGM in microchannel heat sink design is reviewed and discussed in this paper. Latest principles for deriving the entropy generation relations are discussed to present how this approach can be achieved. An optimization procedure using EGM method with the entropy generation rate is derived for a circular microchannel heat sink based upon thermal resistance and pressure drop. The equations are solved using MATLAB and the obtained results are compared to similar past studies. The effects of channel diameter, number of channels, heat flux, and pumping power on the entropy generation rate and Reynolds number are investigated. Analytical correlations are utilized for heat transfer and friction coefficients. A minimum entropy generation has been observed for N = 40 and channel diameter of 90μm. It is concluded that for N = 40 and channel hydraulic diameter of 90μm, the circular microchannel heat sink is on its optimum operating point based on second law of thermodynamics.

Motion of deformable drops through granular media and other confined geometries.

PubMed

Davis, Robert H; Zinchenko, Alexander Z

2009-06-15

This article features recent simulation studies of the flow of emulsions containing deformable drops through pores, constrictions, and granular media. The flow is assumed to be at low Reynolds number, so that viscous forces dominate, and boundary-integral methods are used to determine interfacial velocities and, hence, track the drop motion and shapes. A single drop in a flat channel migrates to the channel centerplane due to deformation-induced drift, which increases its steady-state velocity along the channel. A drop moving towards a smaller interparticle constriction squeezes through the constriction if the capillary number (ratio of viscous deforming forces and interfacial tension forces) is large enough, but it becomes trapped when the capillary number is below a critical value. These concepts then influence the flow of an emulsion through a granular medium, for which the drop phase moves faster than the suspending liquid at large capillary numbers but slower than the suspending liquid at smaller capillary numbers. The permeabilities of the granular medium to both phases increase with increasing capillary number, due to the reduced resistance to squeezing of easily deformed drops, though drop breakup must also be considered at large capillary numbers.

An intercomparison of methods for solving the stochastic collection equation with a focus on cloud radar Doppler spectra in drizzling stratocumulus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, H.; Fridlind, A. M.; Ackerman, A. S.; Kollias, P.

2017-12-01

Cloud radar Doppler spectra provide rich information for evaluating the fidelity of particle size distributions from cloud models. The intrinsic simplifications of bulk microphysics schemes generally preclude the generation of plausible Doppler spectra, unlike bin microphysics schemes, which develop particle size distributions more organically at substantial computational expense. However, bin microphysics schemes face the difficulty of numerical diffusion leading to overly rapid large drop formation, particularly while solving the stochastic collection equation (SCE). Because such numerical diffusion can cause an even greater overestimation of radar reflectivity, an accurate method for solving the SCE is essential for bin microphysics schemes to accurately simulate Doppler spectra. While several methods have been proposed to solve the SCE, here we examine those of Berry and Reinhardt (1974, BR74), Jacobson et al. (1994, J94), and Bott (2000, B00). Using a simple box model to simulate drop size distribution evolution during precipitation formation with a realistic kernel, it is shown that each method yields a converged solution as the resolution of the drop size grid increases. However, the BR74 and B00 methods yield nearly identical size distributions in time, whereas the J94 method produces consistently larger drops throughout the simulation. In contrast to an earlier study, the performance of the B00 method is found to be satisfactory; it converges at relatively low resolution and long time steps, and its computational efficiency is the best among the three methods considered here. Finally, a series of idealized stratocumulus large-eddy simulations are performed using the J94 and B00 methods. The reflectivity size distributions and Doppler spectra obtained from the different SCE solution methods are presented and compared with observations.

A Procedure for the Design of Air-Heated Ice-Prevention Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neel, C. B.

1954-01-01

A procedure proposed for use in the design of air-heated systems for the continuous prevention of ice formation on airplane components is set forth. Required heat-transfer and air-pressure-loss equations are presented, and methods of selecting appropriate meteorological conditions for flight over specified geographical areas and for the calculation of water-drop-impingement characteristics are suggested. In order to facilitate the design, a simple electrical analogue was devised which solves the complex heat-transfer relationships existing in the thermal-system analysis. The analogue is described and an illustration of its application to design is given.

Direct immersion single drop micro-extraction method for multi-class pesticides analysis in mango using GC-MS.

PubMed

Pano-Farias, Norma S; Ceballos-Magaña, Silvia G; Muñiz-Valencia, Roberto; Jurado, Jose M; Alcázar, Ángela; Aguayo-Villarreal, Ismael A

2017-12-15

Due the negative effects of pesticides on environment and human health, more efficient and environmentally friendly methods are needed. In this sense, a simple, fast, free from memory effects and economical direct-immersion single drop micro-extraction (SDME) method and GC-MS for multi-class pesticides determination in mango samples was developed. Sample pre-treatment using ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction and factors affecting the SDME procedure (extractant solvent, drop volume, stirring rate, ionic strength, time, pH and temperature) were optimized using factorial experimental design. This method presented high sensitive (LOD: 0.14-169.20μgkg -1 ), acceptable precision (RSD: 0.7-19.1%), satisfactory recovery (69-119%) and high enrichment factors (20-722). Several obtained LOQs are below the MRLs established by the European Commission; therefore, the method could be applied for pesticides determination in routing analysis and custom laboratories. Moreover, this method has shown to be suitable for determination of some of the studied pesticides in lime, melon, papaya, banana, tomato, and lettuce. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Response of an Impact Test Apparatus for Fall Protective Headgear Testing Using a Hybrid-III Head/Neck Assembly

PubMed Central

Caccese, V.; Ferguson, J.; Lloyd, J.; Edgecomb, M.; Seidi, M.; Hajiaghamemar, M.

2017-01-01

A test method based upon a Hybrid-III head and neck assembly that includes measurement of both linear and angular acceleration is investigated for potential use in impact testing of protective headgear. The test apparatus is based upon a twin wire drop test system modified with the head/neck assembly and associated flyarm components. This study represents a preliminary assessment of the test apparatus for use in the development of protective headgear designed to prevent injury due to falls. By including angular acceleration in the test protocol it becomes possible to assess and intentionally reduce this component of acceleration. Comparisons of standard and reduced durometer necks, various anvils, front, rear, and side drop orientations, and response data on performance of the apparatus are provided. Injury measures summarized for an unprotected drop include maximum linear and angular acceleration, head injury criteria (HIC), rotational injury criteria (RIC), and power rotational head injury criteria (PRHIC). Coefficient of variation for multiple drops ranged from 0.4 to 6.7% for linear acceleration. Angular acceleration recorded in a side drop orientation resulted in highest coefficient of variation of 16.3%. The drop test apparatus results in a reasonably repeatable test method that has potential to be used in studies of headgear designed to reduce head impact injury. PMID:28216804

Correlation mass method for analysis of neutrinos from supernova 1987A

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chiu, Hong-Yee; Chan, Kwing L.; Kondo, Yoji

1988-01-01

Application of a time-energy correlation method to the Kamiokande II (KII) observations of neutrinos apparently emitted from supernova 1987A has yielded a neutrino rest mass of 3.6 eV. A Monte Carlo analysis shows a reconfirming probabilty distribution for the neutrino rest mass peaked at 2.8, and dropping to 50 percent of the peak at 1.4 and 4.8 eV. Although the KII data indicate a very short time scale of emission, over an extended period on the order of 10 sec, both data from the Irvine-Michigan-Brookhaven experiment and the KII data show a tendency for the more energetic neutrinos to be emitted earlier at the source, suggesting the possibility of cooling.

Wavelength division multiplexed and double-port pumped time-bin entangled photon pair generation using Si ring resonator.

PubMed

Fujiwara, Mikio; Wakabayashi, Ryota; Sasaki, Masahide; Takeoka, Masahiro

2017-02-20

We report a wavelength division multiplexed time-bin entangled photon pair source in telecom wavelength using a 10 μm radius Si ring resonator. This compact resonator has two add ports and two drop ports. By pumping one add port by a continuous laser, we demonstrate an efficient generation of two-wavelength division multiplexed time-bin entangled photon pairs in the telecom C-band, which come out of one drop port, and are then split into the signal and idler photons via a wavelength filter. The resonator structure enhances four-wave mixing for pair generation. Moreover, we demonstrate the double-port pumping where two counter propagating pump lights are injected to generate entanglement from the two drop ports simultaneously. We successfully observe the highly entangled outputs from both two drop ports. Surprisingly, the count rate at each drop port is even increased by twice that of the single-port pumping. Possible mechanisms of this observation are discussed. Our technique allows for the efficient use of the Si ring resonator and widens its functionality for variety of applications.

Fate of sulfur mustard on soil: Evaporation, degradation, and vapor emission.

PubMed

Jung, Hyunsook; Kah, Dongha; Chan Lim, Kyoung; Lee, Jin Young

2017-01-01

After application of sulfur mustard to the soil surface, its possible fate via evaporation, degradation following absorption, and vapor emission after decontamination was studied. We used a laboratory-sized wind tunnel, thermal desorber, gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance ( 13 C NMR) for systematic analysis. When a drop of neat HD was deposited on the soil surface, it evaporated slowly while being absorbed immediately into the matrix. The initial evaporation or drying rates of the HD drop were found to be power-dependent on temperature and initial drop volume. Moreover, drops of neat HD, ranging in size from 1 to 6 μL, applied to soil, evaporated at different rates, with the smaller drops evaporating relatively quicker. HD absorbed into soil remained for a month, degrading eventually to nontoxic thiodiglycol via hydrolysis through the formation of sulfonium ions. Finally, a vapor emission test was performed for HD contaminant after a decontamination process, the results of which suggest potential risk from the release of trace chemical quantities of HD into the environment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Combined application of autologous serum eye drops and silicone hydrogel lenses for the treatment of persistent epithelial defects.

PubMed

Choi, Jin A; Chung, So-Hyang

2011-11-01

We investigated the utility of a combination of autologous serum eye drops and a silicone-hydrogel (SH) lens in the treatment of persistent epithelial defects (PEDs). Eight patients who had distinct PED conditions were treated with 50% (v/v) autologous serum eye drops in combination with silicone hydrogel contact lenses and prospectively observed. The pathogenesis of PEDs included Sjogren-type dry eye syndrome, graft-versus-host disease, toxic keratitis, limbal cell deficiency, superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis, and neurotrophic keratitis. The patients had PEDs for 90±81.76 days (range: 30-240 days). Before the initiation of the combined treatment, three patients had already been unsuccessfully treated with SH lenses, and five patients had received serum eye drops alone. The PEDs of the eight eyes healed after a treatment period of 11.8±4.9 days. No visible deposits were noted on the surface of any contact lens. These findings demonstrate that the combination of an SH lens and serum eye drops may be effective in the treatment of intractable PEDs.

Raindrop intervalometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van de Giesen, Nicolaas; Hut, Rolf; ten Veldhuis, Marie-claire

2017-04-01

If one can assume that drop size distributions can be effectively described by a generalized gamma function [1], one can estimate this function on the basis of the distribution of time intervals between drops hitting a certain area. The arrival of a single drop is relatively easy to measure with simple consumer devices such as cameras or piezoelectric elements. Here we present an open-hardware design for the electronics and statistical processing of an intervalometer that measures time intervals between drop arrivals. The specific hardware in this case is a piezoelectric element in an appropriate housing, combined with an instrumentation op-amp and an Arduino processor. Although it would not be too difficult to simply register the arrival times of all drops, it is more practical to only report the main statistics. For this purpose, all intervals below a certain threshold during a reporting interval are summed and counted. We also sum the scaled squares, cubes, and fourth powers of the intervals. On the basis of the first four moments, one can estimate the corresponding generalized gamma function and obtain some sense of the accuracy of the underlying assumptions. Special attention is needed to determine the lower threshold of the drop sizes that can be measured. This minimum size often varies over the area being monitored, such as is the case for piezoelectric elements. We describe a simple method to determine these (distributed) minimal drop sizes and present a bootstrap method to make the necessary corrections. Reference [1] Uijlenhoet, R., and J. N. M. Stricker. "A consistent rainfall parameterization based on the exponential raindrop size distribution." Journal of Hydrology 218, no. 3 (1999): 101-127.

An ABC estimate of pedigree error rate: application in dog, sheep and cattle breeds.

PubMed

Leroy, G; Danchin-Burge, C; Palhiere, I; Baumung, R; Fritz, S; Mériaux, J C; Gautier, M

2012-06-01

On the basis of correlations between pairwise individual genealogical kinship coefficients and allele sharing distances computed from genotyping data, we propose an approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) approach to assess pedigree file reliability through gene-dropping simulations. We explore the features of the method using simulated data sets and show precision increases with the number of markers. An application is further made with five dog breeds, four sheep breeds and one cattle breed raised in France and displaying various characteristics and population sizes, using microsatellite or SNP markers. Depending on the breeds, pedigree error estimations range between 1% and 9% in dog breeds, 1% and 10% in sheep breeds and 4% in cattle breeds. © 2011 The Authors, Animal Genetics © 2011 Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.

Applications of Quantum Theory of Atomic and Molecular Scattering to Problems in Hypersonic Flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Malik, F. Bary

1995-01-01

The general status of a grant to investigate the applications of quantum theory in atomic and molecular scattering problems in hypersonic flow is summarized. Abstracts of five articles and eleven full-length articles published or submitted for publication are included as attachments. The following topics are addressed in these articles: fragmentation of heavy ions (HZE particles); parameterization of absorption cross sections; light ion transport; emission of light fragments as an indicator of equilibrated populations; quantum mechanical, optical model methods for calculating cross sections for particle fragmentation by hydrogen; evaluation of NUCFRG2, the semi-empirical nuclear fragmentation database; investigation of the single- and double-ionization of He by proton and anti-proton collisions; Bose-Einstein condensation of nuclei; and a liquid drop model in HZE particle fragmentation by hydrogen.

Control of stain geometry by drop evaporation of surfactant containing dispersions.

PubMed

Erbil, H Yildirim

2015-08-01

Control of stain geometry by drop evaporation of surfactant containing dispersions is an important topic of interest because it plays a crucial role in many applications such as forming templates on solid surfaces, in ink-jet printing, spraying of pesticides, micro/nano material fabrication, thin film coatings, biochemical assays, deposition of DNA/RNA micro-arrays, and manufacture of novel optical and electronic materials. This paper presents a review of the published articles on the diffusive drop evaporation of pure liquids (water), the surfactant stains obtained from evaporating drops that do not contain dispersed particles and deposits obtained from drops containing polymer colloids and carbon based particles such as carbon nanotubes, graphite and fullerenes. Experimental results of specific systems and modeling attempts are discussed. This review also has some special subtopics such as suppression of coffee-rings by surfactant addition and "stick-slip" behavior of evaporating nanosuspension drops. In general, the drop evaporation process of a surfactant/particle/substrate system is very complex since dissolved surfactants adsorb on both the insoluble organic/inorganic micro/nanoparticles in the drop, on the air/solution interface and on the substrate surface in different extends. Meanwhile, surfactant adsorbed particles interact with the substrate giving a specific contact angle, and free surfactants create a solutal Marangoni flow in the drop which controls the location of the particle deposition together with the rate of evaporation. In some cases, the presence of a surfactant monolayer at the air/solution interface alters the rate of evaporation. At present, the magnitude of each effect cannot be predicted adequately in advance and consequently they should be carefully studied for any system in order to control the shape and size of the final deposit. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Axisymmetric oscillation modes of a double droplet system

DOE PAGES

Ramalingam, Santhosh K.; Basaran, Osman A.

2010-11-15

A double droplet system (DDS) consists of a sessile and a pendant drop that are coupled through a liquid filled cylindrical hole in a plate of thickness d. For a small hole radius R, equilibrium shapes of both drops are sections of spheres. While DDSs have a number of applications in microfluidics, a DDS oscillating about its equilibrium state can be used as a fast focusing liquid lens. Here, a DDS consisting of an isothermal, incompressible Newtonian fluid of constant density p and constant viscosity u that is surrounded by a gas is excited by oscillating in time (a) themore » pressure in the gas surrounding either drop (pressure excitation), (b) the plate perpendicular to its plane (axial excitation), and (c) the hole radius (radial excitation). In contrast to previous works that assumed transient drop shapes are spherical, they are determined here by simulation and used to identify the natural modes of axisymmetric oscillations from resonances observed during frequency sweeps with DDSs for which the combined volume V of the two drops is less than (4/3)πR 3. Pressure and axial excitations are found to have identical responses but axial and radial excitations are shown to excite different modes. These modes are compared to those exhibited by single pendant (sessile) drop systems. Specifically, while a single pendant (sessile) drop has one additional oscillation mode compared to a free drop, a DDS is found to exhibit roughly twice as many oscillation modes as a pendant (sessile) drop. The effects of dimensionless volume V/R 3, dimensionless plate thickness d/R, and Ohnesorge number Oh =μ/√ρRσ , where σ is the surface tension of the DDS-gas interface, on the resonance frequencies are also investigated.« less

Validation of a quantitative Eimeria spp. PCR for fresh droppings of broiler chickens.

PubMed

Peek, H W; Ter Veen, C; Dijkman, R; Landman, W J M

2017-12-01

A quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) for the seven chicken Eimeria spp. was modified and validated for direct use on fresh droppings. The analytical specificity of the qPCR on droppings was 100%. Its analytical sensitivity (non-sporulated oocysts/g droppings) was 41 for E. acervulina, ≤2900 for E. brunetti, 710 for E. praecox, 1500 for E. necatrix, 190 for E. tenella, 640 for E. maxima, and 1100 for E. mitis. Field validation of the qPCR was done using droppings with non-sporulated oocysts from 19 broiler flocks. To reduce the number of qPCR tests five grams of each pooled sample (consisting of ten fresh droppings) per time point were blended into one mixed sample. Comparison of the oocysts per gram (OPG)-counting method with the qPCR using pooled samples (n = 1180) yielded a Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.78 (95% CI: 0.76-0.80) and a Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.70-0.81) using mixed samples (n = 236). Comparison of the average of the OPG-counts of the five pooled samples with the mixed sample per time point (n = 236) showed a Pearson's correlation coefficient (R) of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.92-0.95) for the OPG-counting method and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.84-0.90) for the qPCR. This indicates that mixed samples are practically equivalent to the mean of five pooled samples. The good correlation between the OPG-counting method and the qPCR was further confirmed by the visual agreement between the total oocyst/g shedding patterns measured with both techniques in the 19 broiler flocks using the mixed samples.

Earthquake stress drops and inferred fault strength on the Hayward Fault, east San Francisco Bay, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hardebeck, J.L.; Aron, A.

2009-01-01

We study variations in earthquake stress drop with respect to depth, faulting regime, creeping versus locked fault behavior, and wall-rock geology. We use the P-wave displacement spectra from borehole seismic recordings of M 1.0-4.2 earthquakes in the east San Francisco Bay to estimate stress drop using a stack-and-invert empirical Green's function method. The median stress drop is 8.7 MPa, and most stress drops are in the range between 0.4 and 130 MPa. An apparent correlation between stress drop and magnitude is entirely an artifact of the limited frequency band of 4-55 Hz. There is a trend of increasing stress drop with depth, with a median stress drop of ~5 MPa for 1-7 km depth, ~10 MPa for 7-13 km depth, and ~50 MPa deeper than 13 km. We use S=P amplitude ratios measured from the borehole records to better constrain the first-motion focal mechanisms. High stress drops are observed for a deep cluster of thrust-faulting earthquakes. The correlation of stress drops with depth and faulting regime implies that stress drop is related to the applied shear stress. We compare the spatial distribution of stress drops on the Hayward fault to a model of creeping versus locked behavior of the fault and find that high stress drops are concentrated around the major locked patch near Oakland. This also suggests a connection between stress drop and applied shear stress, as the locked patch may experience higher applied shear stress as a result of the difference in cumulative slip or the presence of higher-strength material. The stress drops do not directly correlate with the strength of the proposed wall-rock geology at depth, suggesting that the relationship between fault strength and the strength of the wall rock is complex.

Hydrodynamic interaction of two deformable drops in confined shear flow.

PubMed

Chen, Yongping; Wang, Chengyao

2014-09-01

We investigate hydrodynamic interaction between two neutrally buoyant circular drops in a confined shear flow based on a computational fluid dynamics simulation using the volume-of-fluid method. The rheological behaviors of interactive drops and the flow regimes are explored with a focus on elucidation of underlying physical mechanisms. We find that two types of drop behaviors during interaction occur, including passing-over motion and reversing motion, which are governed by the competition between the drag of passing flow and the entrainment of reversing flow in matrix fluid. With the increasing confinement, the drop behavior transits from the passing-over motion to reversing motion, because the entrainment of the reversing-flow matrix fluid turns to play the dominant role. The drag of the ambient passing flow is increased by enlarging the initial lateral separation due to the departure of the drop from the reversing flow in matrix fluid, resulting in the emergence of passing-over motion. In particular, a corresponding phase diagram is plotted to quantitatively illustrate the dependence of drop morphologies during interaction on confinement and initial lateral separation.

Durability tests of a fiber optic corrosion sensor.

PubMed

Wan, Kai Tai; Leung, Christopher K Y

2012-01-01

Steel corrosion is a major cause of degradation in reinforced concrete structures, and there is a need to develop cost-effective methods to detect the initiation of corrosion in such structures. This paper presents a low cost, easy to use fiber optic corrosion sensor for practical application. Thin iron film is deposited on the end surface of a cleaved optical fiber by sputtering. When light is sent into the fiber, most of it is reflected by the coating. If the surrounding environment is corrosive, the film is corroded and the intensity of the reflected signal drops significantly. In previous work, the sensing principle was verified by various experiments in laboratory and a packaging method was introduced. In this paper, the method of multiplexing several sensors by optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) and optical splitter is introduced, together with the interpretation of OTDR results. The practical applicability of the proposed sensors is demonstrated in a three-year field trial with the sensors installed in an aggressive marine environment. The durability of the sensor against chemical degradation and physical degradation is also verified by accelerated life test and freeze-thaw cycling test, respectively.

Induced wettability and surface-volume correlation of composition for bovine bone derived hydroxyapatite particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maidaniuc, Andreea; Miculescu, Florin; Voicu, Stefan Ioan; Andronescu, Corina; Miculescu, Marian; Matei, Ecaterina; Mocanu, Aura Catalina; Pencea, Ion; Csaki, Ioana; Machedon-Pisu, Teodor; Ciocan, Lucian Toma

2018-04-01

Hydroxyapatite powders characteristics need to be determined both for quality control purposes and for a proper control of microstructural features of bone reconstruction products. This study combines bulk morphological and compositional analysis methods (XRF, SEM-EDS, FT-IR) with surface-related methods (XPS, contact angle measurements) in order to correlate the characteristics of hydroxyapatite powders derived from bovine bone for its use in medical applications. An experimental approach for correlating the surface and volume composition was designed based on the analysis depth of each spectral method involved in the study. Next, the influences of powder particle size and forming method on the contact angle between water drops and ceramic surface were evaluated for identifying suitable strategies of tuning hydroxyapatite's wettability. The results revealed a preferential arrangement of chemical elements at the surface of hydroxyapatite particles which could induce a favourable material behaviour in terms of sinterability and biological performance.

A Meta-heuristic Approach for Variants of VRP in Terms of Generalized Saving Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimizu, Yoshiaki

Global logistic design is becoming a keen interest to provide an essential infrastructure associated with modern societal provision. For examples, we can designate green and/or robust logistics in transportation systems, smart grids in electricity utilization systems, and qualified service in delivery systems, and so on. As a key technology for such deployments, we engaged in practical vehicle routing problem on a basis of the conventional saving method. This paper extends such idea and gives a general framework available for various real-world applications. It can cover not only delivery problems but also two kind of pick-up problems, i.e., straight and drop-by routings. Moreover, multi-depot problem is considered by a hybrid approach with graph algorithm and its solution method is realized in a hierarchical manner. Numerical experiments have been taken place to validate effectiveness of the proposed method.

Flows of Newtonian and Power-Law Fluids in Symmetrically Corrugated Cappilary Fissures and Tubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walicka, A.

2018-02-01

In this paper, an analytical method for deriving the relationships between the pressure drop and the volumetric flow rate in laminar flow regimes of Newtonian and power-law fluids through symmetrically corrugated capillary fissures and tubes is presented. This method, which is general with regard to fluid and capillary shape, can also be used as a foundation for different fluids, fissures and tubes. It can also be a good base for numerical integration when analytical expressions are hard to obtain due to mathematical complexities. Five converging-diverging or diverging-converging geometrics, viz. wedge and cone, parabolic, hyperbolic, hyperbolic cosine and cosine curve, are used as examples to illustrate the application of this method. For the wedge and cone geometry the present results for the power-law fluid were compared with the results obtained by another method; this comparison indicates a good compatibility between both the results.

On the value of nonremovable reminders for behavior modification: an application to nail-biting (onychophagia).

PubMed

Koritzky, Gilly; Yechiam, Eldad

2011-11-01

The authors examined the effectiveness of a novel behavior modification method for dysfunctional and impulsive habits, based on nonremovable reminders (NrRs). NrRs were implemented by having participants wear nonremovable wristbands designated to constantly remind them of their resolution to quit the targeted habit (nail-biting). Participants were 80 nail-biters who resolved to quit. The NrR approach was contrasted with an aversion-based behavioral modification technique. Recovery was assessed after 3 and 6 weeks of treatment and in a 5-month follow-up. The NrR method was associated with lower drop-out rate and was as successful as the aversion-based method altogether. When considering only non-dropouts, the aversion-based method was more effective. This suggests that the use of constantly present reminders broadens the target population that can benefit from reminders in the course of behavior modification.

The Astro-Blaster.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mancuso, Richard V.; Long, Kevin R.

1995-01-01

Presents the Astro-Blaster as a method of the laws of conservation of momentum and energy during the creation of a supernova. Several elastic balls are aligned for a drop, followed by multiple collisions which result in the top ball reaching tremendous heights relative to the drop height. (JRH)

Development of Alternating Current Potential Drop (ACPD) Procedures for Crack Detection in Aluminum Aircraft Panels.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1993-12-01

The Alternating Current Potential Drop (ACPD) method is investigated as a means of making measurements in laboratory experiments on the initiation and growth of multiple site damage (MSD) cracks in a common aluminum alloy used for aircraft constructi...

Liquid and gelled sprays for mixing hypergolic propellants using an impinging jet injection system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

James, Mark D.

The characteristics of sprays produced by liquid rocket injectors are important in understanding rocket engine ignition and performance. The includes, but is not limited to, drop size distribution, spray density, drop velocity, oscillations in the spray, uniformity of mixing between propellants, and the spatial distribution of drops. Hypergolic ignition and the associated ignition delay times are also important features in rocket engines, providing high reliability and simplicity of the ignition event. The ignition delay time is closely related to the level and speed of mixing between a hypergolic fuel and oxidizer, which makes the injection method and conditions crucial in determining the ignition performance. Although mixing and ignition of liquid hypergolic propellants has been studied for many years, the processes for injection, mixing, and ignition of gelled hypergolic propellants are less understood. Gelled propellants are currently under investigation for use in rocket injectors to combine the advantages of solid and liquid propellants, although not without their own difficulties. A review of hypergolic ignition has been conducted for selected propellants, and methods for achieving ignition have been established. This research is focused on ignition using the liquid drop-on-drop method, as well as the doublet impinging jet injector. The events leading up to ignition, known as pre-ignition stage are discussed. An understanding of desirable ignition and combustion performance requires a study of the effects of injection, temperature, and ambient pressure conditions. A review of unlike-doublet impinging jet injection mixing has also been conducted. This includes mixing factors in reactive and non-reactive sprays. Important mixing factors include jet momentum, jet diameter and length, impingement angle, mass distribution, and injector configuration. An impinging jet injection system is presented using an electro-mechanically driven piston for injecting liquid and gelled hypergolic propellants. A calibration of the system is done with water in preparation for hypergolic injection, and characteristics of individual water and gelled JP-8 jets are studied at velocities in the range of 3 ft/s to 61 ft/s. The piston response is also analyzed to characterize the startup and steady state liquid jet velocities using orifices of 0.02" in diameter. Using this injection system, water and gelled JP-8 sprays are formed and compared across injection velocities of 30 ft/s to 121 ft/s. The comparison includes sheet shape and disintegration, total number of drops, drop size distributions, drop eccentricity, most populated drop bin size, and mean drop sizes. A test matrix for investigating the effects of mixing on ignition of MMH and IRFNA through different injection conditions are presented. First, water and IRFNA are injected to create a spray in the combustion chamber in order to verify effectiveness of test procedures and the test hardware. Next, injection of the hypergolic propellants MMH and IRFNA are done in accordance to the test matrix, although ignition was not observed as expected. These injections are followed by simple drop-on-drop tests to investigate propellant quality and ignition delay. Drop tests are performed with propellants IRFNA/MMH, and again with H2O2/Block 0 as possible propellant replacements for the proposed test plan.

Method for controlling protein crystallization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Noever, David A. (Inventor)

1993-01-01

A method and apparatus for controlling the crystallization of protein by solvent evaporation including placing a drop of protein solution between and in contact with a pair of parallel plates and driving one of the plates toward and away from the other plate in a controlled manner to adjust the spacing between the plates is presented. The drop of solution forms a liquid cylinder having a height dependent upon the plate spacing thereby effecting the surface area available for solvent evaporation. When the spacing is close, evaporation is slow. Evaporation is increased by increasing the spacing between the plates until the breaking point of the liquid cylinder. One plate is mounted upon a fixed post while the other plate is carried by a receptacle movable relative to the post and driven by a belt driven screw drive. The temperature and humidity of the drop of protein solution are controlled by sealing the drop within the receptacle and mounting a heater and dessicant within the receptacle.

Semi-automatic image analysis methodology for the segmentation of bubbles and drops in complex dispersions occurring in bioreactors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taboada, B.; Vega-Alvarado, L.; Córdova-Aguilar, M. S.; Galindo, E.; Corkidi, G.

2006-09-01

Characterization of multiphase systems occurring in fermentation processes is a time-consuming and tedious process when manual methods are used. This work describes a new semi-automatic methodology for the on-line assessment of diameters of oil drops and air bubbles occurring in a complex simulated fermentation broth. High-quality digital images were obtained from the interior of a mechanically stirred tank. These images were pre-processed to find segments of edges belonging to the objects of interest. The contours of air bubbles and oil drops were then reconstructed using an improved Hough transform algorithm which was tested in two, three and four-phase simulated fermentation model systems. The results were compared against those obtained manually by a trained observer, showing no significant statistical differences. The method was able to reduce the total processing time for the measurements of bubbles and drops in different systems by 21-50% and the manual intervention time for the segmentation procedure by 80-100%.

Predicting the Drop Performance of Solder Joints by Evaluating the Elastic Strain Energy from High-Speed Ball Pull Tests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

You, Taehoon; Kim, Yunsung; Kim, Jina; Lee, Jaehong; Jung, Byungwook; Moon, Jungtak; Choe, Heeman

2009-03-01

Despite being expensive and time consuming, board-level drop testing has been widely used to assess the drop or impact resistance of the solder joints in handheld microelectronic devices, such as cellphones and personal digital assistants (PDAs). In this study, a new test method, which is much simpler and quicker, is proposed. The method involves evaluating the elastic strain energy and relating it to the impact resistance of the solder joint by considering the Young’s modulus of the bulk solder and the fracture stress of the solder joint during a ball pull test at high strain rates. The results show that solder joints can be ranked in order of descending elastic strain energy as follows: Sn-37Pb, Sn-1Ag-0.5Cu, Sn-3Ag-0.5Cu, and Sn-4Ag-0.5Cu. This order is consistent with the actual drop performances of the samples.

Current Trends on the Applicability of Ground Aerospace Materials Test Data to Space System Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hirsch, David B.

2010-01-01

This slide presentation discusses the application of testing aerospace materials to the environment of space for flammability. Test environments include use of drop towers, and the parabolic flight to simulate the low gravity environment of space.

Comment on 'Power loss in open cavity diodes and a modified Child-Langmuir law' [Phys. Plasmas 12, 093102 (2005)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Swanekamp, S. B.; Ottinger, P. F.

In this Comment, it is shown that no modification of the Child-Langmuir law [Phys. Rev.32, 492 (1911); Phys. Rev. 2, 450 (1913)] is necessary to treat the space-charge-limited flow from a diode with an open boundary as reported in Phys. Plasmas 12, 093102 (2005). The open boundary condition in their simulations can be represented by a voltage source and a resistor whose value is the vacuum-wave impedance of the opening. The diode can be represented as a variable resistor whose value depends on the voltage drop across the diode (as measured by the line integral of E across the diodemore » gap). This is a simple voltage-divider circuit whose analysis shows that the real diode voltage drops as the vacuum-wave impedance increases. Furthermore, it is shown that in equilibrium, the voltage drop between the anode and cathode is independent of the path chosen for the line integral of the electric field so that E=-{nabla}{phi} is valid. In this case, the equations of electrostatics are applicable. This clearly demonstrates that the electric field is electrostatic and static fields DO NOT RADIATE. It is shown that the diode voltage drops as the vacuum wave impedance increases and the current drops according to the Child-Langmuir law. Therefore, the observed drop in circuit current can be explained by a real drop in voltage across the diode and not an effective drop as claimed by the authors.« less

Synthesis and characterization of magnetic of Ni/ABS nanocomposites by electrical explosion of wire in liquid and solution blending methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thuyet-Nguyen, Minh; Hai-Nguyen, Hong; Kim, Won Joo; Kim, Ho Yoon; Kim, Jin-Chun

2017-03-01

Nanomaterials have attracted great attention from chemists, physicists and materials scientists because of their application benefits and special properties. Thermoplastics have been used in many applications such as molding of non-electrical components, conducting, magnetic field and 3D printing. Nanocomposites are known as a material which blends the best properties of components, a high performance material exhibits unusual property combinations and unique design possibilities. In this research, we focused to investigate and report primary results in the synthesis of magnetic nanocomposites based on acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), which are useful and important thermoplastics. Nickel nanopowder was prepared by electrical explosion of wire in a liquid were used as magnetic component. The composites were prepared by following steps, first the obtained Ni nanopowders were incorporated into the ABS matrix via a solution blending method (drop-casting), and then the solvent was evaporated. The characterizations of obtaining composites were analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-Ray Diffraction analysis and vibrating sample magnetometer.

The pristine graphene produced by liquid exfoliation of graphite in mixed solvent and its application to determination of dopamine.

PubMed

Zhang, Juan; Xu, Liao; Zhou, Bo; Zhu, Yinyan; Jiang, Xiaoqing

2018-03-01

The pristine graphene can be easily prepared in isopropanol-water mixture with salts as assistant via liquid-phase exfoliation method. The concentration of graphene dispersion reaches as high as 0.565 mg/mL. The graphene film prepared by drop-casting method shows an excellent electrical conductivity (7.095 × 10 4  S/m). Furthermore, an electrochemical biosensor based on the pristine graphene shows high selectivity and sensitivity for the determination of dopamine. The linear detection range for dopamine is 2.5-1500 μM with detection limit of 1.5 μM. This method provides a potential process for preparing high-quality graphene ready-to-use in low-boiling point solvent. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Measuring Rock-Fluid Adhesion Directly

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tadmor, R.

2017-12-01

We show how to measure directly solid-liquid adhesion. We consider the normal adhesion, the work adhesion, and the lateral adhesion. The technique at the center of the method is Centrifugal Adhesion Balance (CAB) which allows coordinated manipulation of normal and lateral forces. For example: 1. It allows to induce an increase in the normal force which pulls on a liquid drop while keeping zero lateral force. This method mimics a drop that is subjected to a gravitational force that is gradually increasing. 2. It allows to increase the lateral force at zero normal force, mimicking zero gravity. From this one can obtain additional solid-liquid interaction parameters. When performing work of adhesion measurements, the values obtained are independent of drop size and are in agreement with theoretical predictions.

The development of "fab-chips" as low-cost, sensitive surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates for analytical applications.

PubMed

Robinson, Ashley M; Zhao, Lili; Shah Alam, Marwa Y; Bhandari, Paridhi; Harroun, Scott G; Dendukuri, Dhananjaya; Blackburn, Jonathan; Brosseau, Christa L

2015-02-07

The demand for methods and technologies capable of rapid, inexpensive and continuous monitoring of health status or exposure to environmental pollutants persists. In this work, the development of novel surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates from metal-coated silk fabric, known as zari, presents the potential for SERS substrates to be incorporated into clothing and other textiles for the routine monitoring of important analytes, such as disease biomarkers or environmental pollutants. Characterization of the zari fabric was completed using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and Raman spectroscopy. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared, characterized by transmission electron microscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy, and used to treat fabric samples by incubation, drop-coating and in situ synthesis. The quality of the treated fabric was evaluated by collecting the SERS signal of 4,4'-bipyridine on these substrates. When AgNPs were drop-coated on the fabric, sensitive and reproducible substrates were obtained. Adenine was selected as a second probe molecule, because it dominates the SERS signal of DNA, which is an important class of disease biomarker, particularly for pathogens such as Plasmodium spp. and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Excellent signal enhancement could be achieved on these affordable substrates, suggesting that the developed fabric chips have the potential for expanding the use of SERS as a diagnostic and environmental monitoring tool for application in wearable sensor technologies.

Innovative application of Cox Flexion Distraction Decompression to the knee: a retrospective case series

PubMed Central

Albano, Luigi

2017-01-01

Objective The purpose of this study is to introduce the application of Cox flexion distraction decompression as an innovative approach to treating knee pain and osteoarthritis. Methods Six months of clinical files from one chiropractic practice were retrospectively screened for patients who had been treated for knee pain. Twenty-five patients met the criteria for inclusion. The treatment provided was Cox flexion distraction decompression. Pre-treatment and post-treatment visual analog pain scales (VAS) were used to measure the results. In total, eight patients presented with acute knee pain (less than three months’ duration) and 18 patients presented with chronic knee pain (greater than three months) including two patients with continued knee pain after prosthetic replacement surgery. Results For all 25 patients, a change was observed in the mean VAS scores from 7.7 to 1.8. The mean number of treatments was 5.3 over an average of 3.0 weeks. Acute patient mean VAS scores dropped from 8.1 to 1.1 within 4.8 treatments over 2.4 weeks. Chronic patient mean VAS scores dropped from 7.5 to 2.2 within 5.4 treatments over 3.3 weeks. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion This study showed clinical improvement in patients with knee pain who were managed with Cox flexion distraction decompression applied to the knee. PMID:28928498

Reaction time norms as measured by ruler drop method in school-going South Asian children: A cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Aranha, V P; Saxena, S; Moitra, M; Narkeesh, K; Arumugam, N; Samuel, A J

2017-01-01

This study aimed to estimate normative range for reaction time using ruler drop method for school-going South Asian children between 6 and 12 years of age. A cross-sectional study was used to evaluate the reaction time for 204 children. Normal values for each age group were obtained. The results of multiple linear regressions showed a decrease in the reaction time values with age, and a significant change occurring between six and eight years of age. No difference in reaction time was obtained between boys and girls. Ruler drop method is an easy to use test and the results of this study provide a normative data for age groups 6-12 years ranging from 214.2ms to 248.8ms. These values can serve as a reference to screen children with delayed reaction time. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Method and apparatus for producing drops using a drop-on-demand dispenser

DOEpatents

Chen, Alvin U.; Basaran, Osman A.

2003-01-01

A method and apparatus for dispensing fluid from a drop-on-demand (DOD) fluid dispenser. The method involves withdrawing fluid in the dispenser for a first duration of time, followed by a second duration of time during which the fluid is propelled toward the orifice of the dispenser. Following the period during which the fluid is propelled, there is a second withdrawing of the fluid into the dispenser. The duration of the propelling period is shorter than the duration of either the first withdrawing or the second withdrawing. The propelling of the fluid results in the extension of a small tongue of fluid from the meniscus of the fluid. The second withdrawing of the fluid results in a retraction of the meniscus into the passageway such that only the small tongue of fluid separates and is ejected from the dispenser.

The effects of 3% diquafosol sodium eye drop application on meibomian gland and ocular surface alterations in the Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase-1 (Sod1) knockout mice.

PubMed

Ikeda, Keisuke; Simsek, Cem; Kojima, Takashi; Higa, Kazunari; Kawashima, Motoko; Dogru, Murat; Shimizu, Takahiko; Tsubota, Kazuo; Shimazaki, Jun

2018-04-01

The purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of 3% diquafosol sodium eye drops on meibomian gland and ocular surface alterations in the superoxide dismutase-1 (Sod1 -/- ) mice in comparison to the wild-type mouse. Three percent diquafosol sodium eye drop was instilled to 20 eyes of 10 50-week-old male Sod1 -/- mice and 22 eyes of 11 C57BL/6 strain 50-week-old wild-type (WT) male mice six times a day for 2 weeks. Aqueous tear secretion quantity was measured with phenol red-impregnated cotton threads without anesthesia. Tear film stability and corneal epithelial damage were assessed by fluorescein and lissamine green staining. We also performed oil red O (ORO) lipid staining to evaluate the lipid changes in the meibomian glands. Meibomian gland specimens underwent hematoxylin and eosin staining to examine histopathological changes and meibomian gland acinar unit density after sacrifice. Immunohistochemistry staining was performed using cytokeratin 4, cytokeratin 13, and transglutaminase-1 antibodies. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for cytokeratin 4, cytokeratin 13, and transglutaminase-1 mRNA expression was also performed. The aqueous tear quantity, the mean tear film breakup time, and the number of lipid droplets significantly improved in the Sod1 -/- mice with treatment. The mean meibomian acinar unit density did not change in the Sod1 -/- mice and WT mice after treatment. Application of 3% diquafosol sodium eye drop significantly decreased the corneal fluorescein and lissamine green staining scores in the Sod1 -/- mice after 2 weeks. We showed a notable increase in cytokeratin 4, cytokeratin 13 immunohistochemistry staining, and cytokeratin 4, cytokeratin 13 mRNA expressions with a marked decrease in immunohistochemistry staining and significant decline in mRNA expression of transglutaminase-1 after 3% diquafosol sodium treatment. Topical application of 3% diquafosol sodium eye drop improved the number of lipid droplets, tear stability, and tear production which in turn appeared to have a favorable effect on the ocular surface epithelium. Three percent diquafosol sodium eye drop may be a potential treatment for age-related meibomian gland and dry eye disease based on the observations of the current study.

Drop deployment system for crystal growth apparatus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rhodes, Percy (Inventor); Snyder, Robert S. (Inventor); Pusey, Marc L. (Inventor)

1990-01-01

A crystal growth apparatus is presented. It utilizes a vapor diffusion method for growing protein crystals, and particularly such an apparatus wherein a ball mixer is used to mix the fluids that form a drop within which crystals are grown. Particular novelty of this invention lies in utilizing a ball mixer to completely mix the precipitate and protein solutions prior to forming the drop. Additional novelty lies in details of construction of the vials, the fluid deployment system, and the fluid storage system of the preferred embodiment.

The effect of shear and extensional viscosity on atomization in medical inhaler.

PubMed

Broniarz-Press, L; Ochowiak, M; Matuszak, M; Włodarczak, S

2014-07-01

The paper contains the results of experimental studies of water, aqueous solutions of glycerol and aqueous solutions of glycerol-polyethylene oxide (PEO) atomization process in a medical inhaler obtained by the use of the digital microphotography method. The effect of the shear and extensional viscosity on the drop size, drop size histogram and mean drop diameter has been analyzed. The obtained results have shown that the drop size increases with the increase in shear and extensional viscosity of liquid atomized. Extensional viscosity has a greater impact on the spraying process. It has been shown that the change in liquid viscosity leads to significant changes in drop size distribution. The correlation for Sauter mean diameter as function of the shear and extensional viscosity was proposed. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electrohydrodynamics of drops in strong electric fields: Simulations and theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saintillan, David; Das, Debasish

2016-11-01

Weakly conducting dielectric liquid drops suspended in another dielectric liquid exhibit a wide range of dynamical behaviors when subject to an applied uniform electric field contingent on field strength and material properties. These phenomena are best described by the much celebrated Maylor-Taylor leaky dielectric model that hypothesizes charge accumulation on the drop-fluid interface and prescribes a balance between charge relaxation, the jump in Ohmic currents and charge convection by the interfacial fluid flow. Most previous numerical simulations based on this model have either neglected interfacial charge convection or restricted themselves to axisymmetric drops. In this work, we develop a three-dimensional boundary element method for the complete leaky dielectric model to systematically study the deformation and dynamics of liquid drops in electric fields. The inclusion of charge convection in our simulation permits us to investigate drops in the Quincke regime, in which experiments have demonstrated symmetry-breaking bifurcations leading to steady electrorotation. Our simulation results show excellent agreement with existing experimental data and small deformation theories. ACSPRF Grant 53240-ND9.

Computational analysis of drop formation before and after the first singularity: the fate of free and satellite drops during simple dripping and DOD drop formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Alvin U.; Basaran, Osman A.

2000-11-01

Drop formation from a capillary --- dripping mode --- or an ink jet nozzle --- drop-on-demand (DOD) mode --- falls into a class of scientifically challenging yet practically useful free surface flows that exhibit a finite time singularity, i.e. the breakup of an initially single liquid mass into two or more fragments. While computational tools to model such problems have been developed recently, they lack the accuracy needed to quantitatively predict all the dynamics observed in experiments. Here we present a new finite element method (FEM) based on a robust algorithm for elliptic mesh generation and remeshing to handle extremely large interface deformations. The new algorithm allows continuation of computations beyond the first singularity to track fates of both primary and any satellite drops. The accuracy of the computations is demonstrated by comparison of simulations with experimental measurements made possible with an ultra high-speed digital imager capable of recording 100 million frames per second.

Capillary forces exerted by liquid drops caught between crossed cylinders. A 3-D meniscus problem with free contact line

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patzek, T. W.; Scriven, L. E.

1982-01-01

The Young-Laplace equation is solved for three-dimensional menisci between crossed cylinders, with either the contact line fixed or the contact angle prescribed, by means of the Galerkin/finite element method. Shapes are computed, and with them the practically important quantities: drop volume, wetted area, capillary pressure force, surface tension force, and the total force exerted by the drop on each cylinder. The results show that total capillary force between cylinders increases with decreasing contact angle, i.e. with better wetting. Capillary force is also increases with decreasing drop volume, approaching an asymptotic limit. However, the wetted area on each cylinder decreases with decreasing drop volume, which raises the question of the optimum drop volume to strive for, when permanent bonding is sought from solidified liquid. For then the strength of the bond is likely to depend upon the area of contact, which is the wetted area when the bonding agent was introduced in liquid form.

Process for fabricating PBI hollow fiber asymmetric membranes for gas separation and liquid separation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jayaweera, Indira; Krishnan, Gopala N.; Sanjurjo, Angel

2016-04-26

The invention provides methods for preparing an asymmetric hollow fiber, the asymmetric hollow fibers prepared by such methods, and uses of the asymmetric hollow fibers. One method involves passing a polymeric solution through an outer annular orifice of a tube-in-orifice spinneret, passing a bore fluid though an inner tube of the spinneret, dropping the polymeric solution and bore fluid through an atmosphere over a dropping distance, and quenching the polymeric solution and bore fluid in a bath to form an asymmetric hollow fiber.

Pulse Wave Amplitude Drops during Sleep are Reliable Surrogate Markers of Changes in Cortical Activity

PubMed Central

Delessert, Alexandre; Espa, Fabrice; Rossetti, Andrea; Lavigne, Gilles; Tafti, Mehdi; Heinzer, Raphael

2010-01-01

Background: During sleep, sudden drops in pulse wave amplitude (PWA) measured by pulse oximetry are commonly associated with simultaneous arousals and are thought to result from autonomic vasoconstriction. In the present study, we determine whether PWA drops were associated with changes in cortical activity as determined by EEG spectral analysis. Methods: A 20% decrease in PWA was chosen as a minimum for a drop. A total of 1085 PWA drops from 10 consecutive sleep recordings were analyzed. EEG spectral analysis was performed over 5 consecutive epochs of 5 seconds: 2 before, 1 during, and 2 after the PWA drop. EEG spectral analysis was performed over delta, theta, alpha, sigma, and beta frequency bands. Within each frequency band, power density was compared across the five 5-sec epochs. Presence or absence of visually scored EEG arousals were adjudicated by an investigator blinded to the PWA signal and considered associated with PWA drop if concomitant. Results: A significant increase in EEG power density in all EEG frequency bands was found during PWA drops (P < 0.001) compared to before and after drop. Even in the absence of visually scored arousals, PWA drops were associated with a significant increase in EEG power density (P < 0.001) in most frequency bands. Conclusions: Drops in PWA are associated with a significant increase in EEG power density, suggesting that these events can be used as a surrogate for changes in cortical activity during sleep. This approach may prove of value in scoring respiratory events on limited-channel (type III) portable monitors. Citation: Delessert A; Espa F; Rossetti A; Lavigne G; Tafti M; Heinzer R. Pulse wave amplitude drops during sleep are reliable surrogate markers of changes in cortical activity. SLEEP 2010;33(12):1687-1692. PMID:21120131

Insights from the pollination drop proteome and the ovule transcriptome of Cephalotaxus at the time of pollination drop production

PubMed Central

Pirone-Davies, Cary; Prior, Natalie; von Aderkas, Patrick; Smith, Derek; Hardie, Darryl; Friedman, William E.; Mathews, Sarah

2016-01-01

Background and Aims Many gymnosperms produce an ovular secretion, the pollination drop, during reproduction. The drops serve as a landing site for pollen, but also contain a suite of ions and organic compounds, including proteins, that suggests diverse roles for the drop during pollination. Proteins in the drops of species of Chamaecyparis, Juniperus, Taxus, Pseudotsuga, Ephedra and Welwitschia are thought to function in the conversion of sugars, defence against pathogens, and pollen growth and development. To better understand gymnosperm pollination biology, the pollination drop proteomes of pollination drops from two species of Cephalotaxus have been characterized and an ovular transcriptome for C. sinensis has been assembled. Methods Mass spectrometry was used to identify proteins in the pollination drops of Cephalotaxus sinensis and C. koreana. RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) was employed to assemble a transcriptome and identify transcripts present in the ovules of C. sinensis at the time of pollination drop production. Key Results About 30 proteins were detected in the pollination drops of both species. Many of these have been detected in the drops of other gymnosperms and probably function in defence, polysaccharide metabolism and pollen tube growth. Other proteins appear to be unique to Cephalotaxus, and their putative functions include starch and callose degradation, among others. Together, the proteins appear either to have been secreted into the drop or to occur there due to breakdown of ovular cells during drop production. Ovular transcripts represent a wide range of gene ontology categories, and some may be involved in drop formation, ovule development and pollen–ovule interactions. Conclusions The proteome of Cephalotaxus pollination drops shares a number of components with those of other conifers and gnetophytes, including proteins for defence such as chitinases and for carbohydrate modification such as β-galactosidase. Proteins likely to be of intracellular origin, however, form a larger component of drops from Cephalotaxus than expected from studies of other conifers. This is consistent with the observation of nucellar breakdown during drop formation in Cephalotaxus. The transcriptome data provide a framework for understanding multiple metabolic processes that occur within the ovule and the pollination drop just before fertilization. They reveal the deep conservation of WUSCHEL expression in ovules and raise questions about whether any of the S-locus transcripts in Cephalotaxus ovules might be involved in pollen–ovule recognition. PMID:27045089

New spectrophotometric assay for pilocarpine.

PubMed

El-Masry, S; Soliman, R

1980-07-01

A quick method for the determination of pilocarpine in eye drops in the presence of decomposition products is described. The method involves complexation of the alkaloid with bromocresol purple at pH 6. After treatment with 0.1N NaOH, the liberated dye is measured at 580 nm. The method has a relative standard deviation of 1.99%, and has been successfully applied to the analysis of 2 batches of pilocarpine eye drops. The recommended method was also used to monitor the stability of a pilocarpine nitrate solution in 0.05N NaOH at 65 degrees C. The BPC method failed to detect any significant decomposition after 2 h incubation, but the recommended method revealed 87.5% decomposition.

Nanoscale plasmonic waveguides for filtering and demultiplexing devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akjouj, A.; Noual, A.; Pennec, Y.; Bjafari-Rouhani, B.

2010-05-01

Numerical simulations, based on a FDTD (finite-difference-time-domain) method, of infrared light propagation for add/drop filtering in two-dimensional (2D) Ag-SiO2-Ag resonators are reported to design 2D Y-bent plasmonic waveguides with possible applications in telecommunication WDM (wavelength demultiplexing). First, we study optical transmission and reflection of a nanoscale SiO2 waveguide coupled to a nanocavity of the same insulator located either inside or on the side of a linear waveguide sandwiched between Ag. According to the inside or outside positioning of the nanocavity with respect to the waveguide, the transmission spectrum displays peaks or dips, respectively, which occur at the same central frequency. A fundamental study of the possible cavity modes in the near-infrared frequency band is also given. These filtering properties are then exploited to propose a nanoscale demultiplexer based on a Y-shaped plasmonic waveguide for separation of two different wavelengths, in selection or rejection, from an input broadband signal around 1550 nm. We detail coupling of the 2D add/drop Y connector to two cavities inserted on each of its branches.

Preparation of anti-inflammatory mesenchymal stem/precursor cells (MSCs) through sphere formation using hanging-drop culture technique.

PubMed

Bartosh, Thomas J; Ylostalo, Joni H

2014-02-06

Herein, we describe a protocol for preparation of pre-activated anti-inflammatory human mesenchymal stem/precursor cells (MSCs) in 3-D culture without addition of exogenous chemicals or gene-transfer approaches. MSCs are an easily procurable source of multipotent adult stem cells with therapeutic potential largely attributed to their paracrine regulation of inflammation and immunity. However, the culture conditions to prepare the ideal MSCs for cell therapy remain elusive. Furthermore, the reported lag time for activation in experimental models has prompted investigations on pre-activating the cells prior to their administration. In this protocol, standard 2-D culture-expanded MSCs are activated by aggregation into 3-D spheres using hanging-drop cultures. MSC activation is evaluated by real-time PCR and/or ELISA for anti-inflammatory factors (TSG-6, STC-1, PGE2), and by a functional assay using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophage cultures. Further, we elucidate methods to prepare MSC-sphere conditioned medium, intact spheres, and suspension of single cells from spheres for experimental and clinical applications. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Preparation of anti-inflammatory mesenchymal stem/precursor cells (MSCs) through sphere formation using hanging drop culture technique

PubMed Central

Bartosh, Thomas J.

2014-01-01

Herein, we describe a protocol for preparation of pre-activated anti-inflammatory human mesenchymal stem/precursor cells (MSCs) in 3D culture without addition of exogenous chemicals or gene transfer approaches. MSCs are an easily procurable source of multipotent adult stem cells with therapeutic potential largely attributed to their paracrine regulation of inflammation and immunity. However, the culture conditions to prepare the ideal MSCs for cell therapy remain elusive. Furthermore, reported lag time for activation in experimental models have prompted investigations to pre-activate the cells prior to their administration. In this protocol, standard 2D culture expanded MSCs are activated by aggregation into 3D spheres using hanging drop cultures. MSC activation is evaluated by real-time PCR and/or ELISA for anti-inflammatory factors (TSG-6, STC-1, PGE2), and by a functional assay using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophage cultures. Furthermore, we elucidate methods to prepare MSC sphere conditioned medium, intact spheres, and suspension of single cells from spheres for experimental and clinical applications. PMID:24510769

Effects of processing parameters on immersion vacuum cooling time and physico-chemical properties of pork hams.

PubMed

Feng, Chao-Hui; Drummond, Liana; Zhang, Zhi-Hang; Sun, Da-Wen

2013-10-01

The effects of agitation (1002 rpm), different pressure reduction rates (60 and 100 mbar/min), as well as employing cold water with different initial temperatures (IWT: 7 and 20°C) on immersion vacuum cooling (IVC) of cooked pork hams were experimentally investigated. Final pork ham core temperature, cooling time, cooling loss, texture properties, colour and chemical composition were evaluated. The application for the first time of agitation during IVC substantially reduced the cooling time (47.39%) to 4.6°C, compared to IVC without agitation. For the different pressure drop rates, there was a trend that shorter IVC cooling times were achieved with lower cooling rate, although results were not statistically significant (P>0.05). For both IWTs tested, the same trend was observed: shorter cooling time and lower cooling loss were obtained under lower linear pressure drop rate of 60 mbar/min (not statistically significant, P>0.05). Compared to the reference cooling method (air blast cooling), IVC achieved higher cooling rates and better meat quality. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dynamics and Breakup of a Contracting Viscous Filament

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilkes, Edward; Notz, Patrick; Ambravaneswaran, Bala; Basaran, Osman

1999-11-01

Free viscous filaments are formed during the breakup of liquid drops and jets. Such filaments are typically precursors of satellite droplets that are often undesirable in applications such as ink-jet printing. In this paper, the contraction of an axisymmetric liquid filament due to action of surface tension is studied theoretically. The analysis is based on solving (a) the full Navier-Stokes system in two-dimensions (2-d) and (b) a one-dimensional (1-d) approximation of the exact equations based on slender-jet theory. The rigorous, 2-d calculations are carried out with finite element algorithms using either algebraic or elliptic mesh generation. As the filament contracts, bulbous regions form at its two ends. When the initial aspect ratio a/b and/or the Reynolds number Re are sufficiently low, the ends coalesce into an oscillating free drop. Filament breakup occurs when a/b and/or Re are sufficiently high. The 2-d algorithms reveal for the first time that liquid filaments of finite viscosity can overturn prior to interface rupture. The power of elliptic mesh generation over algebraic methods in analyzing such situations is highlighted.

Spray Drift Reduction Evaluations of Spray Nozzles Using a Standardized Testing Protocol

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-07-01

Drop Size Characteristics in a Spray Using Optical Nonimaging Light-Scattering Instruments,” Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 14-02, ASTM...Test Method for Determining Liquid Drop Size Characteristics in a Spray Using Optical Non- imaging Light-Scattering Instruments 22. AGDISP Model

Mode-routed fiber-optic add-drop filter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moslehi, Behzad (Inventor); Black, Richard James (Inventor); Shaw, Herbert John (Inventor)

2000-01-01

New elements mode-converting two-mode grating and mode-filtering two-mode coupler are disclosed and used as elements in a system for communications, add-drop filtering, and strain sensing. Methods of fabrication for these new two-mode gratings and mode-filtering two-mode couplers are also disclosed.

Cooling Rate Study of Nickel-Rich Material During Thermal Treatment and Quench

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomas, Fransua; Murguia, Silvia Briseno (Editor)

2016-01-01

To investigate quench cracking that results from water quenching after heat treatment of binary and Ni-rich material, cooling rates of specimens were measured during quenching and hardness post-thermal treatment. For specific applications binary Ni-Ti is customarily thermally treated and quenched to attain desired mechanical properties and hardness. However, one problem emerging from this method is thermal cracking, either during the heat treatment process or during the specimen's application. This can result in material and equipment failure as well as financial losses. The objective of the study is to investigate the internal cooling rate of 60-NiTi during quenching and determine possible factors causing thermal cracking. Cubic (1 in.3) samples of both material were heat treated in air at 1000 deg C for 2 hrs and quenched in room temperature water using two methods: (1) dropped in the water and (2) agitated in the water. Hardness of the two fore-mentioned methods was measured post heat treatment. Results indicate that the quenching method had an effect on cooling rate during quenching but hardness was observed to be essentially the same through the thickness of the samples.

Design of dual ring wavelength filters for WDM applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sathyadevaki, R.; Shanmuga sundar, D.; Sivanantha Raja, A.

2016-12-01

Wavelength division multiplexing plays a prime role in an optical communication due to its advantages such as easy network expansion, longer span lengths etc. In this work, photonic crystal based filters with the dual rings are proposed which act as band pass filters (BPF) and channel drop filter (CDF) that has found a massive applications in C and L-bands used for wavelength selection and noise filtering at erbium doped fiber amplifiers and dense wavelength division multiplexing operation. These filters are formulated on the square lattice with crystal rods of silicon material of refractive index 3.4 which are perforated on an air of refractive index 1. Dual ring double filters (band pass filter and channel drop filter) on single layout possess passing and dropping band of wavelengths in two distinct arrangements with entire band quality factors of 92.09523 & 505.263 and 124.85019 & 456.8633 for the pass and drop filters of initial setup and amended setup respectively. These filters have the high-quality factor with broad and narrow bandwidths of 16.8 nm & 3.04 nm and 12.85 nm & 3.3927 nm. Transmission spectra and band gap of the desired filters is analyzed using Optiwave software suite. Two dual ring filters incorporated on a single layout comprises the size of 15×11 μm which can also be used in the integrated photonic chips for the ultra-compact unification of devices.

Analysis of Drop Shapes during Electrowetting on a Dielectric

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daneshbod, Yousef

2005-03-01

Electrowetting refers to the electrostatic control of the interfacial energy of a liquid on a solid, primarily used for the transport of micro-liter volumes of drops on surfaces with embedded electrode arrays. In the present work, the drop is modeled as a two-dimensional lens-like conductor immersed in an infinite dielectric medium slightly above a planar conductor. A matched asymptotic expansion is used to approximate the electrostatic field surrounding the drop. The outer problem models the drop as a conducting circular segment resting on the conducting plane, each maintained at a separate constant potential. The inner problem corrects the region near the edge of the drop by modeling it as an infinite planar conducting wedge lying slightly above the conducting plane. By matching the inner and outer solutions, the charge density along the entire surface of the drop can be approximated, enabling the calculation of the total capacitance of the system. An energy minimization method similar to that of Shapiro et al. [J. Appl. Phys., 93, 5794 (2003)] is applied to the total energy consisting of the liquid/gas, liquid/solid and solid/gas surface energies, together with the electrostatic contribution, subject to the constraint that the drop volume remains constant. A modified form of the Young-Lippmann equation is thus derived that includes the contribution from the extra capacitance of the drop obtained via matched asymptotics.

Satellite observations of surface temperature during the March 2015 total solar eclipse.

PubMed

Good, Elizabeth

2016-09-28

The behaviour of remotely sensed land surface temperatures (LSTs) from the spinning-enhanced visible and infrared imager (SEVIRI) during the total solar eclipse of 20 March 2015 is analysed over Europe. LST is found to drop by up to several degrees Celcius during the eclipse, with the minimum LST occurring just after the eclipse mid-point (median=+1.5 min). The drop in LST is typically larger than the drop in near-surface air temperatures reported elsewhere, and correlates with solar obscuration (r=-0.47; larger obscuration = larger LST drop), eclipse duration (r=-0.62; longer duration = larger LST drop) and time (r=+0.37; earlier eclipse = larger LST drop). Locally, the LST drop is also correlated with vegetation (up to r=+0.6), with smaller LST drops occurring over more vegetated surfaces. The LSTs at locations near the coast and at higher elevation are also less affected by the eclipse. This study covers the largest area and uses the most observations of eclipse-induced surface temperature drops to date, and is the first full characterization of satellite LST during an eclipse (known to the author). The methods described could be applied to Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) LST data over North America during the August 2017 total solar eclipse.This article is part of the themed issue 'Atmospheric effects of solar eclipses stimulated by the 2015 UK eclipse'. © 2016 The Author(s).

Satellite observations of surface temperature during the March 2015 total solar eclipse

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

The behaviour of remotely sensed land surface temperatures (LSTs) from the spinning-enhanced visible and infrared imager (SEVIRI) during the total solar eclipse of 20 March 2015 is analysed over Europe. LST is found to drop by up to several degrees Celcius during the eclipse, with the minimum LST occurring just after the eclipse mid-point (median=+1.5 min). The drop in LST is typically larger than the drop in near-surface air temperatures reported elsewhere, and correlates with solar obscuration (r=−0.47; larger obscuration = larger LST drop), eclipse duration (r=−0.62; longer duration = larger LST drop) and time (r=+0.37; earlier eclipse = larger LST drop). Locally, the LST drop is also correlated with vegetation (up to r=+0.6), with smaller LST drops occurring over more vegetated surfaces. The LSTs at locations near the coast and at higher elevation are also less affected by the eclipse. This study covers the largest area and uses the most observations of eclipse-induced surface temperature drops to date, and is the first full characterization of satellite LST during an eclipse (known to the author). The methods described could be applied to Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) LST data over North America during the August 2017 total solar eclipse. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Atmospheric effects of solar eclipses stimulated by the 2015 UK eclipse’. PMID:27550764

Heat and mass transfer in flames

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Faeth, G. M.

1986-01-01

Heat- and mass-transfer processes in turbulent diffusion flames are discussed, considering turbulent mixing and the structure of single-phase flames, drop processes in spray flames, and nonluminous and luminous flame radiation. Interactions between turbulence and other phenomena are emphasized, concentrating on past work of the author and his associates. The conserved-scalar formalism, along with the laminar-flamelet approximation, is shown to provide reasonable estimates of the structure of gas flames, with modest levels of empiricism. Extending this approach to spray flames has highlighted the importance of drop/turbulence interactions; e.g., turbulent dispersion of drops, modification of turbulence by drops, etc. Stochastic methods being developed to treat these phenomena are yielding encouraging results.

Profiles of electrified drops and bubbles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Basaran, O. A.; Scriven, L. E.

1982-01-01

Axisymmetric equilibrium shapes of conducting drops and bubbles, (1) pendant or sessile on one face of a circular parallel-plate capacitor or (2) free and surface-charged, are found by solving simultaneously the free boundary problem consisting of the augmented Young-Laplace equation for surface shape and the Laplace equation for electrostatic field, given the surface potential. The problem is nonlinear and the method is a finite element algorithm employing Newton iteration, a modified frontal solver, and triangular as well as quadrilateral tessellations of the domain exterior to the drop in order to facilitate refined analysis of sharply curved drop tips seen in experiments. The stability limit predicted by this computer-aided theoretical analysis agrees well with experiments.

New Method of Filling of High-Temperature Fixed-Point Cells Based on Metal-Carbon Eutectics/Peritectics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khlevnoy, B. B.; Grigoryeva, I. A.; Ibragimov, N. A.

2011-08-01

A new method of filling of high-temperature fixed-point cells based on metal-carbon eutectics and peritectics is suggested and tested. In this method a metal and carbon powder mixture is introduced not directly into the crucible, but into an additional container located just above the crucible. The mixture melts inside the container, and the already molten eutectic drops through a small hole in the bottom of the container and fills the crucible drop by drop. The method can be used to obtain a uniform ingot without porous or foundry cavities, to minimize the risk of contamination, and to avoid some other disadvantages. The method was applied to fabricate Re-C and WC-C cells using 5N purity materials. The cells demonstrated a good plateau shape with melting ranges of 0.2 K and 80 mK for Re-C and WC-C, respectively. The Re-C cell was compared with a cell built at NMIJ and showed good agreement with a difference of melting temperatures of only 45 mK.

Comparison of nonwoven fiberglass and stainless steel microfiber media in aerosol coalescence filtration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manzo, Gabriel

Coalescing filters are used to remove small liquid droplets from air streams. They have numerous industrial applications including dehumidification, cabin air filtration, compressed air filtration, metal working, CCV, and agriculture. In compressed air systems, oils used for lubrication of compressor parts can aerosolize into the main air stream causing potential contamination concerns for downstream applications. In many systems, humid air can present problems to sensitive equipment and sensors. As the humid air cools, small water drops condense and can disrupt components that need to be kept dry. Fibrous nonwoven filter media are commonly used to coalesce small drops into larger drops for easier removal. The coalescing performance of a medium is dependent upon several parameters including permeability, porosity, and wettability. In many coalescing filters, glass fibers are used. In this work, the properties of steel fiber media are measured to see how these properties compare to glass fiber media. Steel fiber media has different permeability, porosity and wettability to oil and water than fiber glass media. These differences can impact coalescence performance. The impact of these differences in properties on coalescence filtration performance was evaluated in a coalescence test apparatus. The overall coalescence performance of the steel and glass nonwoven fiber media are compared using a filtration efficiency and filtration index. In many cases, the stainless steel media performed comparably to fiber glass media with efficiencies near 90%. Since stainless steel media had lower pressure drops than fiber glass media, its filtration index values were significantly higher. Broader impact of this work is the use of stainless steel fiber media as an alternative to fiber glass media in applications where aerosol filtration is needed to protect the environment or sensitive equipment and sensors.

The quaternary structure of the amidase from Geobacillus pallidus RAPc8 is revealed by its crystal packing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Agarkar, Vinod B.; Kimani, Serah W.; Cowan, Donald A.

2006-12-01

The amidase from G. pallidus RAPc8, a moderate thermophile, converts amides to the corresponding acids and ammonia and has application as an industrial catalyst. RAPc8 amidase has been cloned, expressed and purified, and then crystallized using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. The amidase from Geobacillus pallidus RAPc8, a moderate thermophile, is a member of the nitrilase enzyme superfamily. It converts amides to the corresponding acids and ammonia and has application as an industrial catalyst. RAPc8 amidase has been cloned and functionally expressed in Escherichia coli and has been purified by heat treatment and a number of chromatographic steps. The enzyme wasmore » crystallized using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. Crystals produced in the presence of 1.2 M sodium citrate, 400 mM NaCl, 100 mM sodium acetate pH 5.6 were selected for X-ray diffraction studies. A data set having acceptable statistics to 1.96 Å resolution was collected under cryoconditions using an in-house X-ray source. The space group was determined to be primitive cubic P4{sub 2}32, with unit-cell parameter a = 130.49 (±0.05) Å. The structure was solved by molecular replacement using the backbone of the hypothetical protein PH0642 from Pyrococcus horikoshii (PDB code 1j31) with all non-identical side chains substituted with alanine as a probe. There is one subunit per asymmetric unit. The subunits are packed as trimers of dimers with D3 point-group symmetry around the threefold axis in such a way that the dimer interface seen in the homologues is preserved.« less

40 CFR 60.2110 - What operating limits must I meet and by when?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... during the most recent performance test demonstrating compliance with all applicable emission limitations... most recent performance test demonstrating compliance with all applicable emission limitations. (2... drop across the wet scrubber measured during the most recent performance test demonstrating compliance...

40 CFR 60.2110 - What operating limits must I meet and by when?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... during the most recent performance test demonstrating compliance with all applicable emission limitations... most recent performance test demonstrating compliance with all applicable emission limitations. (2... drop across the wet scrubber measured during the most recent performance test demonstrating compliance...

40 CFR 60.2110 - What operating limits must I meet and by when?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... during the most recent performance test demonstrating compliance with all applicable emission limitations... most recent performance test demonstrating compliance with all applicable emission limitations. (2... drop across the wet scrubber measured during the most recent performance test demonstrating compliance...

78 FR 44105 - Monroe Hydro, LLC; Notice of Intent to File License Application, Filing of Pre-Application...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-23

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 14430-000] Monroe Hydro... Application and Request to Use the Traditional Licensing Process. b. Project No.: 14430-000 c. Date Filed: April 2, 2013 d. Submitted By: Monroe Hydro, LLC e. Name of Project: Monroe Drop Hydroelectric Project f...

Prevalence of ocular symptoms and signs with preserved and preservative free glaucoma medication

PubMed Central

Pisella, P J; Pouliquen, P; Baudouin, C

2002-01-01

Aim: To determine the incidence of ocular toxicity of preservatives with glaucoma medications. Methods: A prospective epidemiological survey was carried out in 1999 by 249 ophthalmologists on 4107 patients. Ocular symptoms, conjunctiva, cornea, and eyelids were assessed. A χ2 test was used for differences between preserved eye drops (P) and preservative free eye drops (PF). Results: 84% patients used P, 13% received PF, and 3% a combination of P and PF eye drops. All symptoms were more prevalent with P than with PF drops (p<0.001): discomfort upon instillation (43% versus 17%), and symptoms between instillations such as burning-stinging (40% versus 22%), foreign body sensation (31% versus 14%), dry eye sensation (23% versus 14%), tearing (21% versus 14%), and eyelid itching (18% versus 10%). An increased incidence (>2 times) of ocular signs was seen with P eye drops. The prevalence of signs and symptoms was dose dependent, increasing with the number of P drops. A reduction in the symptoms and signs was observed when patients changed from P to PF eye drops (p<0.001). Conclusions: Symptoms and signs are less prevalent when PF drops are used. Moreover, most of the adverse reactions induced by P glaucoma medication are reversible after removing preservatives. PMID:11914211

Conditions for Destabilizing Pickering emulsions using external electric fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hwang, Kyuho; Singh, Pushpendra; Aubry, Nadine

2009-11-01

Fine particles are readily adsorbed at fluid-fluid interfaces, and can be used as stabilizers in emulsion technology by preventing adjacent drops from coalescing with each other. We investigate a new technique to destabilize such emulsions, or Pickering emulsions, by applying an external electric field. Experiments show that the latter has two effects: (i) the drops elongate in the direction of the electric field, (ii) the local particle density varies on the drop surface due to the dielectrophoretic (DEP) force acting on the particles. It is shown that the latter is the dominant factor in the destabilization process. Particularly, the success of the method depends on the values of certain dimensionless parameters; specifically, the ratio of the work done by the dielectrophoretic force must be larger than the work done by the buoyant force. Moreover, drops do not coalesce through the regions where the particles locally cluster, whether those are gathered at the poles or at the equator of the drops. As particles move, particle-free openings form on the drop's surface, which allow for adjacent drops to merge. This process takes place even if the particles are fully packed on the drops' surfaces as particles get ejected from the clustering areas due to a buckling phenomenon.

Effect of dropped plies on the strength of graphite-epoxy laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Curry, James M.; Johnson, Eric R.; Starnes, James H., Jr.

1987-01-01

The reduction in the compressive and tensile strengths of graphite-epoxy laminates with thickness discontinuities due to dropped plies was studied by experiment and analysis. The specimens were fabricated with all the dropped plies lumped together in the center of a sixteen-ply quasi-isotropic layup, such that one surface was flat and the slope of the opposite surface changed abruptly at the dropped ply location to accommodate the thickness change. Even though the thick and thin sections are symmetrically laminated, there exists bending-extension coupling due to the geometric eccentricity of the middle planes of the thick and thin sections. Experiments were conducted on fifty-four specimens that differed in the configuration of the dropped plies only. The strength of a laminate with dropped plies is less than the strength of its thin section, and the compressive strength of a laminate with dropped plies is less than its tensile strength. The reduction in strength is directly related to the axial stiffness change between the thick and thin sections. To examine the mechanism of failure, the three-dimensional state of stress in the dropped ply region was evaluated by the finite element method. A tensile interlaminar criterion predicted the correct location of failure, but underestimated the failure load.

Low-level determination of silicon in steels by anodic stripping voltammetry on a hanging mercury drop electrode.

PubMed

Rahier, A H; Lunardi, S; Nicolle, F; George, S M

2010-10-15

The sensitive differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) proposed originally by Ishiyama et al. (2001) has been revised and improved to allow the accurate measurement of silicon on a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) instead of a glassy carbon electrode. We assessed the rate of formation of the partially reduced β-silicododecamolybdate and found that metallic mercury promotes the reaction in the presence of a large concentration of Fe(3+). The scope of the method has been broadened by carrying out the measurements in the presence of a constant amount of Fe(3+). The limit of detection (LOD) of the method described in the present paper is 100 μg Sig(-1) of steel, with a relative precision ranging from 5% to 12%. It can be further enhanced to 700 ng Sig(-1) of steel provided the weight of the sample, the dilution factors, the duration of the electrolysis and the ballast of iron are adequately revised. The tolerance to several interfering species has been examined, especially regarding Al(3+), Cr(3+) and Cr VI species. The method was validated using four low-alloy ferritic steels certified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Its application to nickel base alloys as well as to less complicated matrixes is straightforward. It has also been successfully applied to the determination of free silicon into silicon carbide nano-powder. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Considerations on the moving contact-line singularity, with application to frictional drag on a slender drop

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Durbin, P. A.

1988-01-01

It has previously been shown that the no-slip boundary conditions leads to a singularity at a moving contact line and that this presumes some form of slip. Present considerations on the energetics of slip due to shear stress lead to a yield stress boundary condition. A model for the distortion of the liquid state near solid boundaries gives a physical basis for this boundary condition. The yield stress condition is illustrated by an analysis of a slender drop rolling down an incline. That analysis provides a formula for the frictional drag resisting the drop movement. With the present boundary condition, the length of the slip region becomes a property of the fluid flow.

Rotational microfluidic motor for on-chip microcentrifugation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shilton, Richie J.; Glass, Nick R.; Chan, Peggy; Yeo, Leslie Y.; Friend, James R.

2011-06-01

We report on the design of a surface acoustic wave (SAW) driven fluid-coupled micromotor which runs at high rotational velocities. A pair of opposing SAWs generated on a lithium niobate substrate are each obliquely passed into either side of a fluid drop to drive rotation of the fluid, and the thin circular disk set on the drop. Using water for the drop, a 5 mm diameter disk was driven with rotation speeds and start-up torques up to 2250 rpm and 60 nN m, respectively. Most importantly for lab-on-a-chip applications, radial accelerations of 172 m/s2 was obtained, presenting possibilities for microcentrifugation, flow sequencing, assays, and cell culturing in truly microscale lab-on-a-chip devices.

Reply to Discussion by Zekai Șen on "Modeling karst spring hydrograph recession based on head drop at sinkholes"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Field, Malcolm S.; Goldscheider, Nico; Li, Guangquan

2018-02-01

We are pleased to learn that the model presented in our paper dealing with the "modeling karst spring hydrograph recession based on head drop at sinkholes," published in the Journal of Hydrology in 2016 (Li et al., 2016), is of interest to readers of this journal. Our study presented a new non-exponential model for assessing spring hydrographs in terms of head drop at flooded sinkholes, as an extension of an earlier model proposed by Li and Field (2014). In both papers, we used two spring hydrographs measured in the St. Marks Karst Watershed in northwest Florida to test the applicability and to verify the validity of our models.

Study of the production of some superconducting and magnetic materials by solidification in the drop tube and drop tower

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, M. K.

1987-01-01

A systematic study on the relationship between the microstructure and physical properties of several superconducting materials prepared by solidification in low gravity was conducted. Further study of the materials, such as the applications of hydrostatic pressure which is known to be an effective mean to vary the electronic structure of materials, in conjunction with the detailed microstructure analysis of the samples was also performed to better understand the low gravity effects on the enhancement of the electronic properties. Results of the studies on the directionally solidified AlInSn alloys processed in the KC-135 aircraft and immiscible GaBi alloy prepared during free fall in the Marshall Space Flight Center Drop Tower are presented.

Experimental investigation of ice slurry flow pressure drop in horizontal tubes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grozdek, Marino; Khodabandeh, Rahmatollah; Lundqvist, Per

2009-01-15

Pressure drop behaviour of ice slurry based on ethanol-water mixture in circular horizontal tubes has been experimentally investigated. The secondary fluid was prepared by mixing ethyl alcohol and water to obtain initial alcohol concentration of 10.3% (initial freezing temperature -4.4 C). The pressure drop tests were conducted to cover laminar and slightly turbulent flow with ice mass fraction varying from 0% to 30% depending on test conditions. Results from flow tests reveal much higher pressure drop for higher ice concentrations and higher velocities in comparison to the single phase flow. However for ice concentrations of 15% and higher, certain velocitymore » exists at which ice slurry pressure drop is same or even lower than for single phase flow. It seems that higher ice concentration delay flow pattern transition moment (from laminar to turbulent) toward higher velocities. In addition experimental results for pressure drop were compared to the analytical results, based on Poiseulle and Buckingham-Reiner models for laminar flow, Blasius, Darby and Melson, Dodge and Metzner, Steffe and Tomita for turbulent region and general correlation of Kitanovski which is valid for both flow regimes. For laminar flow and low buoyancy numbers Buckingham-Reiner method gives good agreement with experimental results while for turbulent flow best fit is provided with Dodge-Metzner and Tomita methods. Furthermore, for transport purposes it has been shown that ice mass fraction of 20% offers best ratio of ice slurry transport capability and required pumping power. (author)« less

Predictions of Helmet Pad Suspension System Performance using Isolated Pad Impact Results

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-13

Equation 2 and Equation 3, respectively. 3. METHOD The primary method of data collection for this report is detailed in the 2008 Joint Live Fire ...tests and the helmet system tests (see Figure 3). All testing was performed with a monorail drop tower (see Figure 4) at three conditioning...right) and system test setup (right and center left) Figure 5. MEP monorail drop test setup with a hemispherical impactor (left and center left

Colony, hanging drop, and methylcellulose three dimensional hypoxic growth optimization of renal cell carcinoma cell lines.

PubMed

Matak, Damian; Brodaczewska, Klaudia K; Lipiec, Monika; Szymanski, Łukasz; Szczylik, Cezary; Czarnecka, Anna M

2017-08-01

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most lethal of the common urologic malignancies, comprising 3% of all human neoplasms, and the incidence of kidney cancer is rising annually. We need new approaches to target tumor cells that are resistant to current therapies and that give rise to recurrence and treatment failure. In this study, we focused on low oxygen tension and three-dimensional (3D) cell culture incorporation to develop a new RCC growth model. We used the hanging drop and colony formation methods, which are common in 3D culture, as well as a unique methylcellulose (MC) method. For the experiments, we used human primary RCC cell lines, metastatic RCC cell lines, human kidney cancer stem cells, and human healthy epithelial cells. In the hanging drop assay, we verified the potential of various cell lines to create solid aggregates in hypoxic and normoxic conditions. With the semi-soft agar method, we also determined the ability of various cell lines to create colonies under different oxygen conditions. Different cell behavior observed in the MC method versus the hanging drop and colony formation assays suggests that these three assays may be useful to test various cell properties. However, MC seems to be a particularly valuable alternative for 3D cell culture, as its higher efficiency of aggregate formation and serum independency are of interest in different areas of cancer biology.

Microdrop preparation factors influence culture-media osmolality, which can impair mouse embryo preimplantation development.

PubMed

Swain, J E; Cabrera, L; Xu, X; Smith, G D

2012-02-01

Because media osmolality can impact embryo development, the effect of conditions during microdrop preparation on osmolality was examined. Various sizes of microdrops were prepared under different laboratory conditions. Drops were pipetted directly onto a dish and covered by oil (standard method) or pipetted on the dish, overlaid with oil before removing the underlying media and replaced with fresh media (wash-drop method). Drops were made at 23°C or on a heated stage (37°C) and with or without airflow. Osmolality was assessed at 5 min and 24h. The biological impact of osmolality change was demonstrated by culturing 1-cell mouse embryos in media with varying osmolality. Reduced drop volume, increased temperature and standard method were associated with a significant increase in osmolality at both 5 min and 24h (P-values <0.001, <0.0001 and <0.0001, respectively). There was a significant interaction between airflow, decreased volume, increased temperature and standard method that caused a significant increase in osmolality (40mOsm/kg) compared with controls (P<0.04). There was no significant change in osmolality over time. Mouse embryo development was significantly reduced in media with elevated osmolality (>310mOsm/kg; P<0.05). Procedures in the IVF laboratory can alter osmolality and impact embryo development. Copyright © 2011 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Simple Preparation of Timolol 0.5% Gel from Eye Drop Solution for Superficial Infantile Hemangiomas.

PubMed

Choo, Winnie

2017-01-01

The discovery of beta-adrenergic blocker effects on infantile hemangiomas has affected the choice of treatment in recent years. Oral propranolol is effective in treating infantile hemangiomas, but the risk of systemic side effects remains a concern. Data from literature review reported positive clinical outcomes with no major adverse effects observed in children using topical beta-blocker such as timolol maleate. Topical application of timolol eye drop has been mentioned in few studies, most of which reported that the solution cannot stay on the site of application due to its fluidity. Adding hydroxyethyl cellulose into a timolol solution increased its viscosity by forming a hydrogel and thus changed the rheology property. The compounded timolol gel exhibited thixotropy property allowing better and longer contact at sites of application. Experimental data from literature review showed desirable characteristics and measurable flux of timolol across human stratum corneum. Gel dosage form allows easy and precise application and maximizes timolol's therapeutic efficacy at the sites of application. Copyright© by International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, Inc.

Stress drop estimates and hypocenter relocations of induced earthquakes near Fox Creek, Alberta

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clerc, F.; Harrington, R. M.; Liu, Y.; Gu, Y. J.

2016-12-01

This study investigates the physical differences between induced and naturally occurring earthquakes using a sequence of events potentially induced by hydraulic fracturing near Fox Creek, Alberta. We perform precise estimations of static stress drop to determine if the range of values is low compared to values estimated for naturally occurring events, as has been suggested by previous studies. Starting with the Natural Resources Canada earthquake catalog and using waveform data from regional networks, we use a spectral ratio method to calculate the static stress drop values of a group of relocated earthquakes occurring in close proximity to hydraulic fracturing wells from December 2013 to June 2015. The spectral ratio method allows us to precisely constrain the corner frequencies of the amplitude spectra by eliminating the path and site effects of co-located event pairs. Our estimated stress drop values range from 0.1 - 149 MPa over the full range of observed magnitudes, Mw 1.5-4, which are on the high side of the typical reported range of tectonic events, but consistent with other regional studies [Zhang et al., 2016; Wang et al., 2016]. , Stress drops values range from 11 to 93 MPa and appear to be scale invariant over the magnitude range Mw 3 - 4, and are less well constrained at lower magnitudes due to noise and bandwidth limitations. We observe no correlation between event stress drop and hypocenter depth or distance from the wells. Relocated hypocenters cluster around corresponding injection wells and form fine-scale lineations, suggesting the presence and orientation of fault planes. We conclude that neither the range of stress drops nor their scaling with respect to magnitude can be used to conclusively discriminate induced and tectonic earthquakes, as stress drop values may be greatly affected by the regional setting. Instead, the double-difference relocations may be a more reliable indicator of induced seismicity.

Electric field effects on current–voltage relationships in microfluidic channels presenting multiple working electrodes in the weak-coupling limit

DOE PAGES

Contento, Nicholas M.; Bohn, Paul W.

2014-05-23

While electrochemical methods are well suited for lab-on-a-chip applications, reliably coupling multiple, electrode-controlled processes in a single microfluidic channel remains a considerable challenge, because the electric fields driving electrokinetic flow make it difficult to establish a precisely known potential at the working electrode(s). The challenge of coupling electrochemical detection with microchip electrophoresis is well known; however, the problem is general, arising in other multielectrode arrangements with applications in enhanced detection and chemical processing. Here, we study the effects of induced electric fields on voltammetric behavior in a microchannel containing multiple in-channel electrodes, using a Fe(CN) 6 3/4- model system. Whenmore » an electric field is induced by applying a cathodic potential at one inchannel electrode, the half-wave potential (E 1/2) for the oxidation of ferrocyanide at an adjacent electrode shifts to more negative potentials. The E 1/2 value depends linearly on the electric field current at a separate in-channel electrode. The observed shift in E 1/2 is quantitatively described by a model, which accounts for the change in solution potential caused by the iR drop along the length of the microchannel. The model, which reliably captures changes in electrode location and solution conductivity, apportions the electric field potential between iR drop and electrochemical potential components, enabling the study of microchannel electric field magnitudes at low applied potentials. In the system studied, the iR component of the electric field potential increases exponentially with applied current before reaching an asymptotic value near 80 % of the total applied potential. The methods described will aid in the development and interpretation of future microchip electrochemistry methods, particularly those that benefit from the coupling of electrokinetic and electrochemical phenomena at low voltages.« less

Microfluidic approach for encapsulation via double emulsions.

PubMed

Wang, Wei; Zhang, Mao-Jie; Chu, Liang-Yin

2014-10-01

Double emulsions, with inner drops well protected by the outer shells, show great potential as compartmentalized systems to encapsulate multiple components for protecting actives, masking flavor, and targetedly delivering and controllably releasing drugs. Precise control of the encapsulation characteristics of each component is critical to achieve an optimal therapeutic efficacy for pharmaceutical applications. Such controllable encapsulation can be realized by using microfluidic approaches for producing monodisperse double emulsions with versatile and controllable structures as the encapsulation system. The size, number and composition of the emulsion drops can be accurately manipulated for optimizing the encapsulation of each component for pharmaceutical applications. In this review, we highlight the outstanding advantages of controllable microfluidic double emulsions for highly efficient and precisely controllable encapsulation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The effect of mining data k-means clustering toward students profile model drop out potential

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Purba, Windania; Tamba, Saut; Saragih, Jepronel

2018-04-01

The high of student success and the low of student failure can reflect the quality of a college. One of the factors of fail students was drop out. To solve the problem, so mining data with K-means Clustering was applied. K-Means Clustering method would be implemented to clustering the drop out students potentially. Firstly the the result data would be clustering to get the information of all students condition. Based on the model taken was found that students who potentially drop out because of the unexciting students in learning, unsupported parents, diffident students and less of students behavior time. The result of process of K-Means Clustering could known that students who more potentially drop out were in Cluster 1 caused Credit Total System, Quality Total, and the lowest Grade Point Average (GPA) compared between cluster 2 and 3.

Origin and dynamics of vortex rings in drop splashing

DOE PAGES

Lee, Ji San; Park, Su Ji; Lee, Jun Ho; ...

2015-09-04

A vortex is a flow phenomenon that is very commonly observed in nature. More than a century, a vortex ring that forms during drop splashing has caught the attention of many scientists due to its importance in understanding fluid mixing and mass transport processes. However, the origin of the vortices and their dynamics remain unclear, mostly due to the lack of appropriate visualization methods. Here, with ultrafast X-ray phase-contrast imaging, we show that the formation of vortex rings originates from the energy transfer by capillary waves generated at the moment of the drop impact. Interestingly, we find a row ofmore » vortex rings along the drop wall, as demonstrated by a phase diagram established here, with different power-law dependencies of the angular velocities on the Reynolds number. These results provide important insight that allows understanding and modelling any type of vortex rings in nature, beyond just vortex rings during drop splashing.« less

Origin and dynamics of vortex rings in drop splashing.

PubMed

Lee, Ji San; Park, Su Ji; Lee, Jun Ho; Weon, Byung Mook; Fezzaa, Kamel; Je, Jung Ho

2015-09-04

A vortex is a flow phenomenon that is very commonly observed in nature. More than a century, a vortex ring that forms during drop splashing has caught the attention of many scientists due to its importance in understanding fluid mixing and mass transport processes. However, the origin of the vortices and their dynamics remain unclear, mostly due to the lack of appropriate visualization methods. Here, with ultrafast X-ray phase-contrast imaging, we show that the formation of vortex rings originates from the energy transfer by capillary waves generated at the moment of the drop impact. Interestingly, we find a row of vortex rings along the drop wall, as demonstrated by a phase diagram established here, with different power-law dependencies of the angular velocities on the Reynolds number. These results provide important insight that allows understanding and modelling any type of vortex rings in nature, beyond just vortex rings during drop splashing.

Origin and dynamics of vortex rings in drop splashing

PubMed Central

Lee, Ji San; Park, Su Ji; Lee, Jun Ho; Weon, Byung Mook; Fezzaa, Kamel; Je, Jung Ho

2015-01-01

A vortex is a flow phenomenon that is very commonly observed in nature. More than a century, a vortex ring that forms during drop splashing has caught the attention of many scientists due to its importance in understanding fluid mixing and mass transport processes. However, the origin of the vortices and their dynamics remain unclear, mostly due to the lack of appropriate visualization methods. Here, with ultrafast X-ray phase-contrast imaging, we show that the formation of vortex rings originates from the energy transfer by capillary waves generated at the moment of the drop impact. Interestingly, we find a row of vortex rings along the drop wall, as demonstrated by a phase diagram established here, with different power-law dependencies of the angular velocities on the Reynolds number. These results provide important insight that allows understanding and modelling any type of vortex rings in nature, beyond just vortex rings during drop splashing. PMID:26337704

Numerical simulations of sessile droplet evaporating on heated substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xue; Chen, Paul G.; Ouazzani, Jalil; Liu, Qiusheng

2017-04-01

Motivated by the space project EFILE, a 2D axisymmetric numerical model in the framework of ALE method is developed to investigate the coupled physical mechanism during the evaporation of a pinned drop that partially wets on a heated substrate. The model accounts for mass transport in surrounding air, Marangoni convection inside the drop and heat conduction in the substrate as well as moving interface. Numerical results predict simple scaling laws for the evaporation rate which scales linearly with drop radius but follows a power-law with substrate temperature. It is highlighted that thermal effect of the substrate has a great impact on the temperature profile at the drop surface, which leads to a multicellular thermocapillary flow pattern. In particular, the structure of the multicellular flow behavior induced within a heated drop is mainly controlled by a geometric parameter (aspect ratio). A relationship between the number of thermal cells and the aspect ratio is proposed.

A Cost-effective and Reliable Method to Predict Mechanical Stress in Single-use and Standard Pumps

PubMed Central

Dittler, Ina; Dornfeld, Wolfgang; Schöb, Reto; Cocke, Jared; Rojahn, Jürgen; Kraume, Matthias; Eibl, Dieter

2015-01-01

Pumps are mainly used when transferring sterile culture broths in biopharmaceutical and biotechnological production processes. However, during the pumping process shear forces occur which can lead to qualitative and/or quantitative product loss. To calculate the mechanical stress with limited experimental expense, an oil-water emulsion system was used, whose suitability was demonstrated for drop size detections in bioreactors1. As drop breakup of the oil-water emulsion system is a function of mechanical stress, drop sizes need to be counted over the experimental time of shear stress investigations. In previous studies, the inline endoscopy has been shown to be an accurate and reliable measurement technique for drop size detections in liquid/liquid dispersions. The aim of this protocol is to show the suitability of the inline endoscopy technique for drop size measurements in pumping processes. In order to express the drop size, the Sauter mean diameter d32 was used as the representative diameter of drops in the oil-water emulsion. The results showed low variation in the Sauter mean diameters, which were quantified by standard deviations of below 15%, indicating the reliability of the measurement technique. PMID:26274765

Comparison of oral versus intravenous application of tranexamic acid in total knee and hip arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Zhang, Lu-Kai; Ma, Jian-Xiong; Kuang, Ming-Jie; Zhao, Jie; Wang, Ying; Lu, Bin; Sun, Lei; Ma, Xin-Long

2017-09-01

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is regarded as one of the most important drugs in reducing blood loss and hemoglobin (Hb) drop after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA). Treatment with tranexamic acid (TXA) by intravenous application has been discussed extensively. Recently, several studies have reported that oral administration has an effect on blood sparing. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and safety between oral TXA and intravenous TXA (IV-TXA) for blood sparing in total knee and hip arthroplasty. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or retrospective cohort studies (RCSs) about relevant research were searched for by using PubMed (1996-April 2017), Embase (1980-April 2017), and the Cochrane Library (CENTRAL, April 2017). Five studies that compared oral with IV administration of TXA were included in our meta-analysis. Meta-analysis results were collected and analyzed by the software Review Manager 5.3 (Copenhagen: The Nordic Cochrane Center, The Collaboration, 2014). Five studies containing 3474 patients met the inclusion criteria. Our pooled data analysis indicated that oral TXA was as effective as the IV-TXA in terms of the average Hb drop (P = 0.88), total Hb loss (P = 0.57), total blood loss (P = 0.42), transfusion rate (P = 0.16), complications (P = 0.61), and length of hospital stay (P = 1.00). Compared with the IV-TXA method, oral TXA shows similar blood-sparing efficacy for preventing hemoglobin drop, total hemoglobin loss, and total blood loss following TKA or THA. In addition, no significant differences of transfusion rate, complications, or length of hospital stay were found between the 2 groups. However, because of the limited number of included studies, more studies of high quality are needed to further identify the optimal administration time for oral TXA. Copyright © 2017 IJS Publishing Group Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A hollow sphere soft lithography approach for long-term hanging drop methods.

PubMed

Lee, Won Gu; Ortmann, Daniel; Hancock, Matthew J; Bae, Hojae; Khademhosseini, Ali

2010-04-01

In conventional hanging drop (HD) methods, embryonic stem cell aggregates or embryoid bodies (EBs) are often maintained in small inverted droplets. Gravity limits the volumes of these droplets to less than 50 microL, and hence such cell cultures can only be sustained for a few days without frequent media changes. Here we present a new approach to performing long-term HD methods (10-15 days) that can provide larger media reservoirs in a HD format to maintain more consistent culture media conditions. To implement this approach, we fabricated hollow sphere (HS) structures by injecting liquid drops into noncured poly(dimethylsiloxane) mixtures. These structures served as cell culture chambers with large media volumes (500 microL in each sphere) where EBs could grow without media depletion. The results showed that the sizes of the EBs cultured in the HS structures in a long-term HD format were approximately twice those of conventional HD methods after 10 days in culture. Further, HS cultures showed multilineage differentiation, similar to EBs cultured in the HD method. Due to its ease of fabrication and enhanced features, this approach may be of potential benefit as a stem cell culture method for regenerative medicine.

A Hollow Sphere Soft Lithography Approach for Long-Term Hanging Drop Methods

PubMed Central

Lee, Won Gu; Ortmann, Daniel; Hancock, Matthew J.; Bae, Hojae

2010-01-01

In conventional hanging drop (HD) methods, embryonic stem cell aggregates or embryoid bodies (EBs) are often maintained in small inverted droplets. Gravity limits the volumes of these droplets to less than 50 μL, and hence such cell cultures can only be sustained for a few days without frequent media changes. Here we present a new approach to performing long-term HD methods (10–15 days) that can provide larger media reservoirs in a HD format to maintain more consistent culture media conditions. To implement this approach, we fabricated hollow sphere (HS) structures by injecting liquid drops into noncured poly(dimethylsiloxane) mixtures. These structures served as cell culture chambers with large media volumes (500 μL in each sphere) where EBs could grow without media depletion. The results showed that the sizes of the EBs cultured in the HS structures in a long-term HD format were approximately twice those of conventional HD methods after 10 days in culture. Further, HS cultures showed multilineage differentiation, similar to EBs cultured in the HD method. Due to its ease of fabrication and enhanced features, this approach may be of potential benefit as a stem cell culture method for regenerative medicine. PMID:19505251

75 FR 16093 - Turnbull Hydro, LLC; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Comments, Motions To...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-31

... Turnbull Drop Project, the applicant proposes to (1) change the hydraulic capacity from 600 cfs to 750 cfs... hydraulic capacity from 600 cfs to 750 cfs; (2) change the authorized installed capacity from 4,100 kW to 5...

A microcontroller platform for the rapid prototyping of functional electrical stimulation-based gait neuroprostheses.

PubMed

Luzio de Melo, Paulo; da Silva, Miguel Tavares; Martins, Jorge; Newman, Dava

2015-05-01

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) has been used over the last decades as a method to rehabilitate lost motor functions of individuals with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and post-stroke hemiparesis. Within this field, researchers in need of developing FES-based control solutions for specific disabilities often have to choose between either the acquisition and integration of high-performance industry-level systems, which are rather expensive and hardly portable, or develop custom-made portable solutions, which despite their lower cost, usually require expert-level electronic skills. Here, a flexible low-cost microcontroller-based platform for rapid prototyping of FES neuroprostheses is presented, designed for reduced execution complexity, development time, and production cost. For this reason, the Arduino open-source microcontroller platform was used, together with off-the-shelf components whenever possible. The developed system enables the rapid deployment of portable FES-based gait neuroprostheses, being flexible enough to allow simple open-loop strategies but also more complex closed-loop solutions. The system is based on a modular architecture that allows the development of optimized solutions depending on the desired FES applications, even though the design and testing of the platform were focused toward drop foot correction. The flexibility of the system was demonstrated using two algorithms targeting drop foot condition within different experimental setups. Successful bench testing of the device in healthy subjects demonstrated these neuroprosthesis platform capabilities to correct drop foot. Copyright © 2015 International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Reactor for making uniform capsules

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, Taylor G. (Inventor); Anikumar, Amrutur V. (Inventor); Lacik, Igor (Inventor)

1999-01-01

The present invention provides a novel reactor for making capsules with uniform membrane. The reactor includes a source for providing a continuous flow of a first liquid through the reactor; a source for delivering a steady stream of drops of a second liquid to the entrance of the reactor; a main tube portion having at least one loop, and an exit opening, where the exit opening is at a height substantially equal to the entrance. In addition, a method for using the novel reactor is provided. This method involves providing a continuous stream of a first liquid; introducing uniformly-sized drops of the second liquid into the stream of the first liquid; allowing the drops to react in the stream for a pre-determined period of time; and collecting the capsules.

Forced Oscillations of Supported Drops

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilkes, Edward D.; Basaran, Osman A.

1996-01-01

Oscillations of supported liquid drops are the subject of wide scientific interest, with applications in areas as diverse as liquid-liquid extraction, synthesis of ceramic powders, growing of pure crystals in low gravity, and measurement of dynamic surface tension. In this research, axisymmetric forced oscillations of arbitrary amplitude of viscous liquid drops of fixed volume which are pendant from or sessile on a rod with a fixed or moving contact line and surrounded by an inviscid ambient gas are induced by moving the rod in the vertical direction sinusiodally in time. In this paper, a preliminary report is made on the computational analysis of the oscillations of supported drops that have 'clean' interfaces and whose contact lines remain fixed throughout their motions. The relative importance of forcing to damping can be increased by either increasing the amplitude of rod motion A or Reynolds number Re. It is shown that as the ratio of forcing to damping rises, for drops starting from an initial rest state a sharp increase in deformation can occur when they are forced to oscillate in the vicinity of their resonance frequencies, indicating the incipience of hysteresis. However, it is also shown that the existence of a second stable limit cycle and the occurrence of hysteresis can be observed if the drop is subjected to a so-called frequency sweep, where the forcing frequency is first increased and then decreased over a suitable range. Because the change in drop deformation response is abrupt in the vicinity of the forcing frequencies where hysteresis occurs, it should be possible to exploit the phenomenon to accurately measure the viscosity and surface tension of the drop liquid.

Statistics of acoustic emissions and stress drops during granular shearing using a stick-slip fiber bundle mode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cohen, D.; Michlmayr, G.; Or, D.

2012-04-01

Shearing of dense granular materials appears in many engineering and Earth sciences applications. Under a constant strain rate, the shearing stress at steady state oscillates with slow rises followed by rapid drops that are linked to the build up and failure of force chains. Experiments indicate that these drops display exponential statistics. Measurements of acoustic emissions during shearing indicates that the energy liberated by failure of these force chains has power-law statistics. Representing force chains as fibers, we use a stick-slip fiber bundle model to obtain analytical solutions of the statistical distribution of stress drops and failure energy. In the model, fibers stretch, fail, and regain strength during deformation. Fibers have Weibull-distributed threshold strengths with either quenched and annealed disorder. The shape of the distribution for drops and energy obtained from the model are similar to those measured during shearing experiments. This simple model may be useful to identify failure events linked to force chain failures. Future generalizations of the model that include different types of fiber failure may also allow identification of different types of granular failures that have distinct statistical acoustic emission signatures.

Integrated microfluidic system with simultaneous emulsion generation and concentration.

PubMed

Koppula, Karuna S; Fan, Rong; Veerapalli, Kartik R; Wan, Jiandi

2016-03-15

Because the size, size distribution, and concentration of emulsions play an important role in most of the applications, controlled emulsion generation and effective concentration are of great interest in fundamental and applied studies. While microfluidics has been demonstrated to be able to produce emulsion drops with controlled size, size distribution, and hierarchical structures, progress of controlled generation of concentrated emulsions is limited. Here, we present an effective microfluidic emulsion generation system integrated with an orifice structure to separate aqueous droplets from the continuous oil phase, resulting in concentrated emulsion drops in situ. Both experimental and simulation results show that the efficiency of separation is determined by a balance between pressure drop and droplet accumulation near the orifice. By manipulating this balance via changing flow rates and microfluidic geometry, we can achieve monodisperse droplets on chip that have a concentration as high as 80,000 drops per microliter (volume fraction of 66%). The present approach thus provides insights to the design of microfluidic device that can be used to concentrate emulsions (drops and bubbles), colloidal particles (drug delivery polymer particles), and biological particles (cells and bacteria) when volume fractions as high as 66% are necessary. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nonlinear Dynamics of Formation of Drops of Non-Newtonian Liquids from Capillaries: Satellite Formation and Flow Transitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yildirim, Ozgur E.; Basaran, Osman A.

1999-11-01

Drop formation from capillaries, and the often undesired phenomenon of satellite generation, play a central role in diverse applications including ink-jet printing, biochip processors, and spray coating, where the working fluid is usually non-Newtonian. Although some work has been done in related areas, the phenomenon of formation of drops of non--Newtonian fluids from capillaries has remained largely unexplored. Here a theoretical approach is adopted to study the dripping of axisymmetric drops of non--Newtonian liquids from capillaries. The constitutive equation used accounts for both shear thinning and strain hardening. First, regular perturbation theory is utilized to reduce the spatial dimension of the governing equations to one. The computations rely on Galerkin/finite element analysis with adaptive finite differencing for time integration. The dynamics are followed beyond the first breakup to investigate conditions for occurrence of satellites. Effect of increasing flow rate is also studied to uncover transitions that occur as one moves from a regime of periodic drop formation to one of jetting.

Is drop impact the same for both moving and inclined surfaces?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buksh, Salman; Marengo, Marco; Amirfazli, Alidad; -Team

2017-11-01

Drop impact is an important phenomenon in a wide variety of applications. Researchers have largely examined drop impact onto a moving surface, and an inclined surface separately. Given that in both systems the impact phenomenon is influenced by tangential and normal velocity components, the question remains, if these two systems are essentially equivalent or gravity and boundary layer effects are such that the outcomes will be different. Experiments have been performed by varying liquid surface tension, viscosity and both normal and tangential velocities (0.3 to 2.9 m/s). The desired velocity components were achieved by changing the height where drop is released, the surface inclination angle for inclined system, and the horizontal velocity for the moving surface. To compare the systems, spreading was analyzed by measuring the width and length of the lamella at various time intervals; for splashing, top view images were compared to see the extent of splashing at initial stage. The data suggests that, for the given velocity, neither the boundary layer differences between the two systems nor the gravity play a role on spreading and splashing of the drop, as such one system can replace the other for future studies.

Drops spreading on flexible fibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Somszor, Katarzyna; Boulogne, François; Sauret, Alban; Dressaire, Emilie; Stone, Howard

2015-11-01

Fibrous media are encountered in many engineered systems such as textile, paper and insulating materials. In most of these materials, fibers are randomly oriented and form a complex network in which drops of wetting liquid tend to accumulate at the nodes of the network. Here we investigate the role of the fiber flexibility on the spreading of a small volume of liquid on a pair of crossed flexible fibers. A drop of silicone oil is dispensed at the point of contact of the fibers and we characterize the liquid morphologies as we vary the volume of liquid, the angle between the fibers, and the length and bending modulus of the fibers. Drop morphologies previously reported for rigid fibers, i.e. a drop, a column and a mixed morphology, are also observed on flexible fibers with modified domains of existence. Moreover, at small inclination angles of the fibers, a new behavior is observed: the fibers bend and collapse. Depending on the volume, the liquid can adopt a column or a mixed morphology on the collapsed fibers. We rationalize our observations with a model based on energetic considerations. Our study suggests that the fiber flexibility adds a rich variety of behaviors that can be crucial for industrial applications.

Desiccation of a Sessile Drop of Blood: Cracks Formation and Delamination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sobac, Benjamin; Brutin, David

2011-11-01

The evaporation of drops of biological fluids has been studied since few years du to several applications in medical fields such as medical tests, drug screening, biostabilization... The evaporation of a drop of whole blood leads to the formation of final typical pattern of cracks. Flow motion, adhesion, gelation and fracturation all occur during the evaporation of this complex matter. During the drying, a sol-gel transition develops. The drying kinetics is explained by a simple model of evaporation taking account of the evolution of the gelation front. The system solidifies and when stresses are too important, cracks nucleate. The cracks formation and the structure of the crack pattern are investigated. The initial crack spacing is found in good agreement with the implementation in open geometry of the model of cracks formation induced by evaporation proposed by Allain and Limat. Finally, the drop is still drying after the end of the formation of cracks which leads, like in the situation of colloid suspensions, to the observation of a delamination phenomenon.

Jumping and trampolining of drops on hydrophobic surfaces, controlling energy transfer by timed electric actuation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhantao; Ende, Dirk Van Den; Pit, Arjen; Lagraauw, Rudy; Wijnperle, Daniel; Mugele, Frieder

2017-11-01

Electrowetting as a fast and efficient approach of manipulating droplet has found wide applications in microfluidics, and recently the potential of using electrowetting for 3-dimensional microfluidics was also demonstrated. Here the electrowetting-induced jumping of a single droplet on a superhydrophobic surface was studied in both air and ambient decane. The jumping height of the droplet was found to be not only voltage-dependent but also oscillating with the AC-pulse duration. We identify the electrowetting number as a crucial parameter in defining the resonant frequency of the droplet under actuation. Representing the drop by a simple oscillator, we establish a relation between the Eigen frequency of the drop and the optimum actuation time required for most efficient energy conversion. From a general perspective, our experiments illustrate a generic concept how timed actuation in combination with inertia can enhance the flexibility and efficiency of drop manipulation operations. Dutch Technology Foundation (STW) is acknowledged.

Bouncing dynamics of liquid drops impact on ridge structure: an effective approach to reduce the contact time.

PubMed

Li, Tao; Zhang, Lishu; Wang, Zhichao; Duan, Yunrui; Li, Jie; Wang, Junjun; Li, Hui

2018-06-20

Surfaces designed so that liquid metals do not stick to them but instead rebound as soon as possible have received considerable attention due to their significant importance in many practical technologies. We herein design a ridge structure that can induce the drop to rapidly rebound through the combination effect of centre-drawing recoil and the resulting faster retraction velocity. The suitable sharp-angle of the ridge for minimizing the contact time is determined as 20-30°. Further analysis reveals that multi-ridge structure or two-ridge structure with gaps can reduce more contact time. We also highlight the role the impact velocity played in minimizing the contact time, which has been a neglected parameter previously. Our studies would open up a new way to reduce the contact time and control the bouncing dynamics of metal drops, which provides guidance for some potential applications, such as preventing splashing molten drops from depositing on clean surface.