The inverse problem in electroencephalography using the bidomain model of electrical activity.

PubMed

Lopez Rincon, Alejandro; Shimoda, Shingo

2016-12-01

Acquiring information about the distribution of electrical sources in the brain from electroencephalography (EEG) data remains a significant challenge. An accurate solution would provide an understanding of the inner mechanisms of the electrical activity in the brain and information about damaged tissue. In this paper, we present a methodology for reconstructing brain electrical activity from EEG data by using the bidomain formulation. The bidomain model considers continuous active neural tissue coupled with a nonlinear cell model. Using this technique, we aim to find the brain sources that give rise to the scalp potential recorded by EEG measurements taking into account a non-static reconstruction. We simulate electrical sources in the brain volume and compare the reconstruction to the minimum norm estimates (MNEs) and low resolution electrical tomography (LORETA) results. Then, with the EEG dataset from the EEG Motor Movement/Imagery Database of the Physiobank, we identify the reaction to visual stimuli by calculating the time between stimulus presentation and the spike in electrical activity. Finally, we compare the activation in the brain with the registered activation using the LinkRbrain platform. Our methodology shows an improved reconstruction of the electrical activity and source localization in comparison with MNE and LORETA. For the Motor Movement/Imagery Database, the reconstruction is consistent with the expected position and time delay generated by the stimuli. Thus, this methodology is a suitable option for continuously reconstructing brain potentials. Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Modeling electrical power absorption and thermally-induced biological tissue damage.

PubMed

Zohdi, T I

2014-01-01

This work develops a model for thermally induced damage from high current flow through biological tissue. Using the first law of thermodynamics, the balance of energy produced by the current and the energy absorbed by the tissue are investigated. The tissue damage is correlated with an evolution law that is activated upon exceeding a temperature threshold. As an example, the Fung material model is used. For certain parameter choices, the Fung material law has the ability to absorb relatively significant amounts of energy, due to its inherent exponential response character, thus, to some extent, mitigating possible tissue damage. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the model's behavior.

Chemical stability and electrical performance of dual-active-layered zinc-tin-oxide/indium-gallium-zinc-oxide thin-film transistors using a solution process.

PubMed

Kim, Chul Ho; Rim, You Seung; Kim, Hyun Jae

2013-07-10

We investigated the chemical stability and electrical properties of dual-active-layered zinc-tin-oxide (ZTO)/indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (IGZO) structures (DALZI) with the durability of the chemical damage. The IGZO film was easily corroded or removed by an etchant, but the DALZI film was effectively protected by the high chemical stability of ZTO. Furthermore, the electrical performance of the DALZI thin-film transistor (TFT) was improved by densification compared to the IGZO TFT owing to the passivation of the pin holes or pore sites and the increase in the carrier concentration due to the effect of Sn(4+) doping.

Brain hemorrhage after electrical burn injury: Case report and probable mechanism.

PubMed

Axayacalt, Gutierrez Aceves Guillermo; Alejandro, Ceja Espinosa; Marcos, Rios Alanis; Inocencio, Ruiz Flores Milton; Alfredo, Herrera Gonzalez Jose

2016-01-01

High-voltage electric injury may induce lesion in different organs. In addition to the local tissue damage, electrical injuries may lead to neurological deficits, musculoskeletal damage, and cardiovascular injury. Severe vascular damage may occur making the blood vessels involved prone to thrombosis and spontaneous rupture. Here, we present the case of a 39-year-old male who suffered an electrical burn with high tension wire causing intracranial bleeding. He presented with an electrical burn in the parietal area (entry zone) and the left forearm (exit zone). The head tomography scan revealed an intraparenchimatous bleeding in the left parietal area. In this case, the electric way was the scalp, cranial bone, blood vessels and brain, upper limb muscle, and skin. The damage was different according to the dielectric property in each tissue. The injury was in the scalp, cerebral blood vessel, skeletal muscle, and upper limb skin. The main damage was in brain's blood vessels because of the dielectric and geometric features that lead to bleeding, high temperature, and gas delivering. This is a report of a patient with an electric brain injury that can be useful to elucidate the behavior of the high voltage electrical current flow into the nervous system.

Method of Fault Detection and Rerouting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gibson, Tracy L. (Inventor); Medelius, Pedro J. (Inventor); Lewis, Mark E. (Inventor)

2013-01-01

A system and method for detecting damage in an electrical wire, including delivering at least one test electrical signal to an outer electrically conductive material in a continuous or non-continuous layer covering an electrically insulative material layer that covers an electrically conductive wire core. Detecting the test electrical signals in the outer conductive material layer to obtain data that is processed to identify damage in the outer electrically conductive material layer.

Stop the World from Spinning | NIH MedlinePlus the Magazine

MedlinePlus

... are using a device based on the same technology found in a cochlear implant to stop a Ménière's attack by restoring a stable pattern of electrical activity in the vestibular nerve of the damaged ...

Inner ear damage following electric current and lightning injury: a literature review.

PubMed

Modayil, P C; Lloyd, G W; Mallik, A; Bowdler, D A

2014-05-01

Audiovestibular sequelae of electrical injury, due to lightning or electric current, are probably much more common than indicated in literature. The aim of the study was to review the impact of electrical injury on the cochleovestibular system. Studies were identified through Medline, Embase, CINAHL and eMedicine databases. Medical Subject Headings used were 'electrical injury', 'lightning', 'deafness' and 'vertigo'. All prospective and retrospective studies, case series and case reports of patients with cochlear or vestibular damage due to lightning or electrical current injury were included. Studies limited to external and middle ear injuries were excluded. Thirty-five articles met the inclusion criteria. Fifteen reported audiovestibular damage following electric current injury (domestic or industrial); a further 15 reported lightning injuries and five concerned pathophysiology and management. There were no histological studies of electrical current injury to the human audiovestibular system. The commonest acoustic insult after lightning injury is conductive hearing loss secondary to tympanic membrane rupture and the most frequent vestibular symptom is transient vertigo. Electrical current injuries predominantly cause pure sensorineural hearing loss and may significantly increase a patient's lifetime risk of vertigo. Theories for cochleovestibular damage in electrical injury include disruption of inner ear anatomy, electrical conductance, hypoxia, vascular effects and stress response hypothesis. The pathophysiology of cochleovestibular damage following electrical injury is unresolved. The mechanism of injury following lightning strike is likely to be quite different from that following domestic or industrial electrical injury. The formulation of an audiovestibular management protocol for patients who have suffered electrical injuries and systematic reporting of all such events is recommended.

Electrical Resistance of Ceramic Matrix Composites for Damage Detection and Life-Prediction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Craig; Morscher, Gregory N.; Xia, Zhenhai

2008-01-01

The electric resistance of woven SiC fiber reinforced SiC matrix composites were measured under tensile loading conditions. The results show that the electrical resistance is closely related to damage and that real-time information about the damage state can be obtained through monitoring of the resistance. Such self-sensing capability provides the possibility of on-board/in-situ damage detection or inspection of a component during "down time". The correlation of damage with appropriate failure mechanism can then be applied to accurate life prediction for high-temperature ceramic matrix composites.

Optical and electrical properties of indium tin oxide films near their laser damage threshold [Electrical and optical properties of indium tin oxide films under multi-pulse laser irradiation at 1064 nm

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

Yoo, Jae -Hyuck; Lange, Andrew; Bude, Jeff

In this paper, we investigated whether the optical and electrical properties of indium tin oxide (ITO) films are degraded under laser irradiation below their laser ablation threshold. While performing multi-pulse laser damage experiments on a single ITO film (4.7 ns, 1064 nm, 10 Hz), we examined the optical and electrical properties in situ. A decrease in reflectance was observed prior to laser damage initiation. However, under sub-damage threshold irradiation, conductivity and reflectance of the film were maintained without measurable degradation. This indicates that ITO films in optoelectronic devices may be operated below their lifetime laser damage threshold without noticeable performancemore » degradation.« less

Optical and electrical properties of indium tin oxide films near their laser damage threshold [Electrical and optical properties of indium tin oxide films under multi-pulse laser irradiation at 1064 nm

DOE PAGES

Yoo, Jae -Hyuck; Lange, Andrew; Bude, Jeff; ...

2017-02-10

In this paper, we investigated whether the optical and electrical properties of indium tin oxide (ITO) films are degraded under laser irradiation below their laser ablation threshold. While performing multi-pulse laser damage experiments on a single ITO film (4.7 ns, 1064 nm, 10 Hz), we examined the optical and electrical properties in situ. A decrease in reflectance was observed prior to laser damage initiation. However, under sub-damage threshold irradiation, conductivity and reflectance of the film were maintained without measurable degradation. This indicates that ITO films in optoelectronic devices may be operated below their lifetime laser damage threshold without noticeable performancemore » degradation.« less

Comparison in muscle damage between maximal voluntary and electrically evoked isometric contractions of the elbow flexors.

PubMed

Jubeau, Marc; Muthalib, Makii; Millet, Guillaume Y; Maffiuletti, Nicola A; Nosaka, Kazunori

2012-02-01

This study compared between maximal voluntary (VOL) and electrically stimulated (ES) isometric contractions of the elbow flexors for changes in indirect markers of muscle damage to investigate whether ES would induce greater muscle damage than VOL. Twelve non-resistance-trained men (23-39 years) performed VOL with one arm and ES with the contralateral arm separated by 2 weeks in a randomised, counterbalanced order. Both VOL and ES (frequency 75 Hz, pulse duration 250 μs, maximally tolerated intensity) exercises consisted of 50 maximal isometric contractions (4-s on, 15-s off) of the elbow flexors at a long muscle length (160°). Changes in maximal voluntary isometric contraction torque (MVC), range of motion, muscle soreness, pressure pain threshold and serum creatine kinase (CK) activity were measured before, immediately after and 1, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h following exercise. The average peak torque over the 50 isometric contractions was greater (P < 0.05) for VOL (32.9 ± 9.8 N m) than ES (16.9 ± 6.3 N m). MVC decreased greater and recovered slower (P < 0.05) after ES (15% lower than baseline at 96 h) than VOL (full recovery). Serum CK activity increased (P < 0.05) only after ES, and the muscles became more sore and tender after ES than VOL (P < 0.05). These results showed that ES induced greater muscle damage than VOL despite the lower torque output during ES. It seems likely that higher mechanical stress imposed on the activated muscle fibres, due to the specificity of motor unit recruitment in ES, resulted in greater muscle damage.

Brain plasticity after implanted peroneal nerve electrical stimulation to improve gait in chronic stroke patients: Two case reports.

PubMed

Thibaut, Aurore; Moissenet, Florent; Di Perri, Carol; Schreiber, Céline; Remacle, Angélique; Kolanowski, Elisabeth; Chantraine, Frédéric; Bernard, Claire; Hustinx, Roland; Tshibanda, Jean-Flory; Filipetti, Paul; Laureys, Steven; Gosseries, Olivia

2017-01-01

Recent studies have shown that stimulation of the peroneal nerve using an implantable 4-channel peroneal nerve stimulator could improve gait in stroke patients. To assess structural cortical and regional cerebral metabolism changes associated with an implanted peroneal nerve electrical stimulator to correct foot drop related to a central nervous system lesion. Two stroke patients presenting a foot drop related to a central nervous system lesion were implanted with an implanted peroneal nerve electrical stimulator. Both patients underwent clinical evaluations before implantation and one year after the activation of the stimulator. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) were acquired before and one year after the activation of the stimulator. Foot drop was corrected for both patients after the implantation of the stimulator. After one year of treatment, patient 1 improved in three major clinical tests, while patient 2 only improved in one test. Prior to treatment, FDG-PET showed a significant hypometabolism in premotor, primary and supplementary motor areas in both patients as compared to controls, with patient 2 presenting more widespread hypometabolism. One year after the activation of the stimulator, both patients showed significantly less hypometabolism in the damaged motor cortex. No difference was observed on the structural MRI. Clinical improvement of gait under peroneal nerve electrical stimulation in chronic stroke patients presenting foot drop was paralleled to metabolic changes in the damaged motor cortex.

GEND planning report

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

None

The Three Mile Island (TMI) Unit 2 accident on March 28, 1979 was and is of great concern to the nuclear industry; electric power generating companies and their customers, regulatory and other government agencies, the entire nuclear community, and to the country as a whole. While the accident resulted in only limited external plant radiation exposure, the plant itself suffered extensive damage with high radiation contamination within the reactor and auxiliary system facilities. The GEND Planning Report for cleanup activities at TMI-2 covers the areas of: instrumentation and electrical equipment survivability; fission product transport; decontamination/radiation dose reduction technology; data bankmore » organization and sample archive facility; characterization of primary system pressure boundary and mechanical components; core damage assessment; and fuel handling, removal, examination and disposal.« less

Lightning Damage of Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Laminates with Interlayers Modified by Nickel-Coated Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Qi; Wan, Guoshun; Xu, Yongzheng; Guo, Yunli; Du, Tianxiang; Yi, Xiaosu; Jia, Yuxi

2017-12-01

The numerical model of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates with electrically modified interlayers subjected to lightning strike is constructed through finite element simulation, in which both intra-laminar and inter-laminar lightning damages are considered by means of coupled electrical-thermal-pyrolytic analysis method. Then the lightning damage extents including the damage volume and maximum damage depth are investigated. The results reveal that the simulated lightning damages could be qualitatively compared to the experimental counterparts of CFRP laminates with interlayers modified by nickel-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Ni-MWCNTs). With higher electrical conductivity of modified interlayer and more amount of modified interlayers, both damage volume and maximum damage depth are reduced. This work provides an effective guidance to the anti-lightning optimization of CFRP laminates.

Cardiac troponin I: A potent biomarker for myocardial damage assessment following high voltage electric burn

PubMed Central

Bose, Arindam; Chhabra, Chandra B.; Chamania, Shobha; Hemvani, Nanda; Chitnis, Dhananjay S.

2016-01-01

Myocardial infarction (MI) following high voltage electric burn is very rare, and its pathogenesis remains controversial. Electrical burns represent only 4% of all burns. Hence, clinical managements have taken a slow pace in developing. The recent guidelines laid down by the cardiology societies include cardiac troponin I (cTnI) as the gold standard marker for the assessment of myocardial damage assessment. Two patients were admitted to our hospital at the different time with the same kind of high voltage electric burn. Both patients had complained with chest discomfort during admission, and cardiac parameter assessment was done for both the patients. cTnI was also measured for both patients, and marked increase in the values was seen within 5 h of onset of myocardial damage and got into normal range within 72 h. Myocardial damage following electric burn needs to be suspected and assessed as early as possible. Hence, cTnI should be the valuable tool to detect the severity of myocardial damage incurred in the electric burn cases. PMID:28216824

Electrical Resistance Based Damage Modeling of Multifunctional Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hart, Robert James

In the current thesis, the 4-probe electrical resistance of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites is utilized as a metric for sensing low-velocity impact damage. A robust method has been developed for recovering the directionally dependent electrical resistivities using an experimental line-type 4-probe resistance method. Next, the concept of effective conducting thickness was uniquely applied in the development of a brand new point-type 4-probe method for applications with electrically anisotropic materials. An extensive experimental study was completed to characterize the 4-probe electrical resistance of CFRP specimens using both the traditional line-type and new point-type methods. Leveraging the concept of effective conducting thickness, a novel method was developed for building 4-probe electrical finite element (FE) models in COMSOL. The electrical models were validated against experimental resistance measurements and the FE models demonstrated predictive capabilities when applied to CFRP specimens with varying thickness and layup. These new models demonstrated a significant improvement in accuracy compared to previous literature and could provide a framework for future advancements in FE modeling of electrically anisotropic materials. FE models were then developed in ABAQUS for evaluating the influence of prescribed localized damage on the 4-probe resistance. Experimental data was compiled on the impact response of various CFRP laminates, and was used in the development of quasi- static FE models for predicting presence of impact-induced delamination. The simulation-based delamination predictions were then integrated into the electrical FE models for the purpose of studying the influence of realistic damage patterns on electrical resistance. When the size of the delamination damage was moderate compared to the electrode spacing, the electrical resistance increased by less than 1% due to the delamination damage. However, for a specimen with large delamination extending beyond the electrode locations, the oblique resistance increased by 30%. This result suggests that for damage sensing applications, the spacing of electrodes relative to the size of the delamination is important. Finally CT image data was used to model 3-D void distributions and the electrical response of such specimens were compared to models with no voids. As the void content increased, the electrical resistance increased non-linearly. The relationship between void content and electrical resistance was attributed to a combination of three factors: (i) size and shape, (ii) orientation, and (iii) distribution of voids. As a whole, the current thesis provides a comprehensive framework for developing predictive, resistance-based damage sensing models for CFRP laminates of various layup and thickness.

14 CFR 25.1707 - System separation: EWIS.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... installed to ensure adequate physical separation and electrical isolation so that damage to circuits... ensure adequate physical separation and electrical isolation so that a fault in any one airplane power... minimize potential for abrasion/chafing, vibration damage, and other types of mechanical damage. ...

14 CFR 25.1707 - System separation: EWIS.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... installed to ensure adequate physical separation and electrical isolation so that damage to circuits... ensure adequate physical separation and electrical isolation so that a fault in any one airplane power... minimize potential for abrasion/chafing, vibration damage, and other types of mechanical damage. ...

14 CFR 25.1707 - System separation: EWIS.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... installed to ensure adequate physical separation and electrical isolation so that damage to circuits... ensure adequate physical separation and electrical isolation so that a fault in any one airplane power... minimize potential for abrasion/chafing, vibration damage, and other types of mechanical damage. ...

14 CFR 25.1707 - System separation: EWIS.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... installed to ensure adequate physical separation and electrical isolation so that damage to circuits... ensure adequate physical separation and electrical isolation so that a fault in any one airplane power... minimize potential for abrasion/chafing, vibration damage, and other types of mechanical damage. ...

14 CFR 25.1707 - System separation: EWIS.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... installed to ensure adequate physical separation and electrical isolation so that damage to circuits... ensure adequate physical separation and electrical isolation so that a fault in any one airplane power... minimize potential for abrasion/chafing, vibration damage, and other types of mechanical damage. ...

Investigation of transient temperature's influence on damage of high-speed sliding electrical contact rail surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yuyan; Sun, Shasha; Guo, Quanli; Yang, Degong; Sun, Dongtao

2016-11-01

In the high speed sliding electrical contact with large current, the temperature of contact area rises quickly under the coupling action of the friction heating, the Joule heating and electric arc heating. The rising temperature seriously affects the conductivity of the components and the yield strength of materials, as well affects the contact state and lead to damage, so as to shorten the service life of the contact elements. Therefore, there is vital significance to measure the temperature accurately and investigate the temperature effect on damage of rail surface. Aiming at the problem of components damage in high speed sliding electrical contact, the transient heat effect on the contact surface was explored and its influence and regularity on the sliding components damage was obtained. A kind of real-time temperature measurement method on rail surface of high speed sliding electrical contact is proposed. Under the condition of 2.5 kA current load, based on the principle of infrared radiation non-contact temperature sensor was used to measure the rail temperature. The dynamic distribution of temperature field was obtained through the simulation analysis, further, the connection between temperature changes and the rail surface damage morphology, the damage volume was analyzed and established. Finally, the method to reduce rail damage and improve the life of components by changing the temperature field was discussed.

[The experimental research of inner ear metabolism and electrical physiology of autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss].

PubMed

Tan, C; Cao, Y; Hu, P

1998-09-01

Inquire into the mechanism of inner ear pathological physiology in autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss (ASHL). With the auditory electric-physiological techniques and enzyme-histochemical method, the change of inner ear hearing function and enzyme activity were observed. These animals, which threshold of auditory nerve compound active potential (CAP) and cochlear microphonic potential(CM) heightening evidently, showed that the amplitude of endolymphatic potential(EP) (include-EP) bring down in various degrees, which was related to the change of the active of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and SDH in vascularis stria and endolymphatic sac. The abnormality of enzymes metabolism in inner ear tissues, which following autoimmune inflammation damage, is the pathological foundation of hearing dysfunction.

SansEC: A New Dimension to Sensing Electrical Sensors with No Electrical Connections

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2008-01-01

This DVD contains an introduction to SansEC, a new electrical sensor technology without electrical connections. This new class of sensors represents a stand-alone 2-dimensional geometric pattern of electrically open circuits without electrical connections. The sensor is powered with an external, harmonic magnetic field and as the property being sensed changes, responds to frequency, amplitude or bandwidth changes. This response is interrogated using an external antenna, a single electrical component having no electrical connections. The sensor can be encased in any nonconductive material to provide protection from its environment. If the container is nonconductive, the sensor can be placed external to the container without contacting it, making installation very simple. An encased sensor can also be placed inside a container for measuring the level of any fluid or material, including acids. Any readout device can be used with the sensor, including standard or digital gauges. SansEC sensors can be used to measure real-time fluid slosh to determine if a fuel tank's internal structural isogrid can be used to replace some of the baffles surface, thus reducing the overall baffle weight and giving a better understanding of the effect that isogrids have on fluid motion. Any SansEC sensor can also be used for damage or tamper detection. When damaged, torn or tampered with, the measured response shift in frequency is commensurate to the detected damage, with the response frequency increasing with rising damage. The unique sensor design allows it to function even if damaged, because unlike other circuits, there is no single point on the sensor that, if damaged, renders it non-functional. The broad metallic coverage of the array allows the array to be one of many thermal insulation layers. Two such arrays were tested to understand the effects of high velocity damage. Each test article was targeted with metal projectiles emulating micrometeorite or orbital debris impact. Even with the damage that the sensors received every sensor was still functional with the new response baseline, and remained capable of detecting even more damage.

Electro-mechanical response of a 3D nerve bundle model to mechanical loads leading to axonal injury.

PubMed

Cinelli, I; Destrade, M; Duffy, M; McHugh, P

2018-03-01

Traumatic brain injuries and damage are major causes of death and disability. We propose a 3D fully coupled electro-mechanical model of a nerve bundle to investigate the electrophysiological impairments due to trauma at the cellular level. The coupling is based on a thermal analogy of the neural electrical activity by using the finite element software Abaqus CAE 6.13-3. The model includes a real-time coupling, modulated threshold for spiking activation, and independent alteration of the electrical properties for each 3-layer fibre within a nerve bundle as a function of strain. Results of the coupled electro-mechanical model are validated with previously published experimental results of damaged axons. Here, the cases of compression and tension are simulated to induce (mild, moderate, and severe) damage at the nerve membrane of a nerve bundle, made of 4 fibres. Changes in strain, stress distribution, and neural activity are investigated for myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibres, by considering the cases of an intact and of a traumatised nerve membrane. A fully coupled electro-mechanical modelling approach is established to provide insights into crucial aspects of neural activity at the cellular level due to traumatic brain injury. One of the key findings is the 3D distribution of residual stresses and strains at the membrane of each fibre due to mechanically induced electrophysiological impairments, and its impact on signal transmission. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Rapid annealing of iron implanted Hg(1-x)Cd(x)Te

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalish, Rafael

1990-03-01

Different Rapid Thermal Annealing techniques were employed to achieve damage removal and electrical activation of dopants in ion implanted Hg(1-x)Cd(x)Te (x = 0.2, 0.3). As seen by Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry combined with channeling and Auger measurements annealings with a CO2 laser or a flash lamp lead to good removal of implantation damage without causing changes in the stoichiometry. These techniques, however, suffer from complexity and lack of reproducibility. The new simple method for RTA of mercury containing crystals Annealing by immersion in a how MErcury BAth (AMEBA) which was developed within the present project was found to be comparable to other more complicate techniques as for improving the electrical properties of HgCdTe as deduced from Hall and differential Hall measurements.

A novel single compartment in vitro model for electrophysiological research using the perfluorocarbon FC-770.

PubMed

Choudhary, M; Clavica, F; van Mastrigt, R; van Asselt, E

2016-06-20

Electrophysiological studies of whole organ systems in vitro often require measurement of nerve activity and/or stimulation of the organ via the associated nerves. Currently two-compartment setups are used for such studies. These setups are complicated and require two fluids in two separate compartments and stretching the nerve across one chamber to the other, which may damage the nerves. We aimed at developing a simple single compartment setup by testing the electrophysiological properties of FC-770 (a perfluorocarbon) for in vitro recording of bladder afferent nerve activity and electrical stimulation of the bladder. Perflurocarbons are especially suitable for such a setup because of their high oxygen carrying capacity and insulating properties. In male Wistar rats, afferent nerve activity was recorded from postganglionic branches of the pelvic nerve in vitro, in situ and in vivo. The bladder was stimulated electrically via the efferent nerves. Organ viability was monitored by recording spontaneous contractions of the bladder. Additionally, histological examinations were done to test the effect of FC-770 on the bladder tissue. Afferent nerve activity was successfully recorded in a total of 11 rats. The bladders were stimulated electrically and high amplitude contractions were evoked. Histological examinations and monitoring of spontaneous contractions showed that FC-770 maintained organ viability and did not cause damage to the tissue. We have shown that FC-770 enables a simple, one compartment in vitro alternative for the generally used two compartment setups for whole organ electrophysiological studies.

Structural health monitoring of inflatable structures for MMOD impacts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anees, Muhammad; Gbaguidi, Audrey; Kim, Daewon; Namilae, Sirish

2017-04-01

Inflatable structures for space habitat are highly prone to damage caused by micrometeoroid and orbital debris impacts. Although the structures are effectively shielded against these impacts through multiple layers of impact resistant materials, there is a necessity for a health monitoring system to monitor the structural integrity and damage state within the structures. Assessment of damage is critical for the safety of personnel in the space habitat, as well as predicting the repair needs and the remaining useful life of the habitat. In this paper, we propose a unique impact detection and health monitoring system based on hybrid nanocomposite sensors. The sensors are composed of two fillers, carbon nanotubes and coarse graphene platelets with an epoxy matrix material. The electrical conductivity of these flexible nanocomposite sensors is highly sensitive to strains as well as presence of any holes and damage in the structure. The sensitivity of the sensors to the presence of 3mm holes due to an event of impact is evaluated using four point probe electrical resistivity measurements. An array of these sensors when sandwiched between soft good layers in a space habitat can act as a damage detection layer for inflatable structures. An algorithm is developed to determine the event of impact, its severity and location on the sensing layer for active health monitoring.

Minimizing radiation damage in nonlinear optical crystals

DOEpatents

Cooke, D.W.; Bennett, B.L.; Cockroft, N.J.

1998-09-08

Methods are disclosed for minimizing laser induced damage to nonlinear crystals, such as KTP crystals, involving various means for electrically grounding the crystals in order to diffuse electrical discharges within the crystals caused by the incident laser beam. In certain embodiments, electrically conductive material is deposited onto or into surfaces of the nonlinear crystals and the electrically conductive surfaces are connected to an electrical ground. To minimize electrical discharges on crystal surfaces that are not covered by the grounded electrically conductive material, a vacuum may be created around the nonlinear crystal. 5 figs.

Ion implantation of indium gallium arsenide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Almonte, Marlene Isabel

The ternary compound In0.53Ga0.47As, lattice-matched to Inp, is a semiconductor alloy of technological importance for numerous electronic and optoelectronic device applications. One of these applications includes photodiodes to be developed for the 1.3--1.55 mum wavelength range where silica fibers have their lowest optical loss. With a rapid increase in its use there is an essential need to understand the effects of ion implantation of this alloy semiconductor for implant isolation purposes in which highly resistive layers are required. Due to the small band gap (0.75 eV at 300K) of In0.53Ga0.47As, the estimated maximum resistivity is of the order of 1000 O-cm. Implant isolation can be achieved by the implantation of either inert noble gas ions or electrically active ions. Ion bombardment with inert species introduces defects which trap charge carriers. In the case of implant isolation by electrically active ions, the implanted impurities form an electronic level located close to the middle of the bandgap. Studies of the effects of implantation in In0.53Ga0.47 As due to damage by implantation of Ne+ ions and to compensation by implantation of Fe+ ions are reported in this thesis. The former only involves lattice damage related effects while the latter leads to damage and dopant induced compensation. From the Ne+ implantation results it appears that the damage related energy levels in In0.53 Ga0.47M produced by ion bombardment of chemically inactive species, are not sufficiently deep to lead to effective isolation. A higher resistivity of the order of 770 O-cm is achieved with Fe+ implantation, indicating that Fe introduces an energy level deep in the bandgap. The changes in the electrical properties of the layers are correlated to the lattice damage (damage induced effects) and/or the diffusion of the compensating dopants (dopant induced compensation). Structural characterization of the layers is performed with channeling Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS). The distribution of the compensating dopants in the as-implanted and annealed layers is examined by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS). SIMS analysis shows Fe out-diffusion which results in the loss of the semi-insulating electrical characteristics. To further our understanding of Fe diffusion in In0.53Ga0.47As, the diffusion coefficient of Fe is measured for the first time. The diffusivity of Fe was measured to be 4 x 10-13 cm2 s-1 at 550°C. The thermal stability of these damage and compensation induced effects producing implant isolation is discussed in detail.

Estimating the Economic Benefits of Regional Ocean Observing Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-04-01

transportation, health and safety, energy, and commercial fishing . Nine more specific activities are examined (Table 2). Table 2 Activities affected... Health and Safety Oil Spill & Hazard Cleanup Property Damage Energy OCS Development Electric Generation Management Commercial Fishing The project...Increased expenditures Mid Atlantic $30.0 South Atlantic $2.0 Fishing Florida $7.6 Willingness to pay G.o.Mexico* $6.7-34.0 Willingness to pay

Japans Defense Program Guidelines

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-03-01

matters worse, the tsunami damaged the nuclear reactors at the Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima 10 Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, causing...response to the nuclear disaster with maximum personnel numbers exceeding 100,000. In order to strengthen those activities, the SDF established the...that prohibits some kinds of military activity.1 After the outbreak of the Korean War, Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida’s government created a heavily

Parametric study of irreversible electroporation with different needle electrodes: electrical and thermal analysis.

PubMed

Nickfarjam, Abolfazl; Firoozabadi, S Mohammad P

2014-08-01

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a new tumour ablation method used in cancer treatment procedures. In a successful IRE treatment it is crucial to impose minimum thermal damage to the tumour and its surrounding healthy tissue, while subjecting the entire tumour to a strong electric field. Here we present a 3D model of a subcutaneous tumour in a four-layer skin using a geometry-based finite element approach. Four common needle electrode configurations were studied in this paper. The study evaluated six essential factors which are important in the electrical and thermal distributions in tumour and normal tissue. The results revealed that a hexagonal 3 × 3 geometry provides the maximum electrical coverage of the tumour, compared to other electrode configurations. However, in some cases the hexagonal 2 × 2 geometry can ablate the entire tumour with less damage to normal tissue. We found that the deeper insertion of 2- and 4-electrode geometries can lead to more damage to healthy tissue. The results also indicate that the insertion of the electrodes into tumour tissue can increase thermal damage dramatically due to existing large electrical conductivity. These findings suggest that needle electrodes should not be placed within the tumour tissue if the goal is to prevent thermal damage. This method can be used as a trade-off between electric field coverage in tumour tissue and thermal damage to both tumour and normal tissue.

Synergistic effect of electrical and chemical factors on endocytosis in micro-discharge plasma gene transfection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jinno, M.; Ikeda, Y.; Motomura, H.; Isozaki, Y.; Kido, Y.; Satoh, S.

2017-06-01

We have developed a new micro-discharge plasma (MDP)-based gene transfection method, which transfers genes into cells with high efficiency and low cytotoxicity; however, the mechanism underlying the method is still unknown. Studies revealed that the N-acetylcysteine-mediated inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity completely abolished gene transfer. In this study, we used laser-produced plasma to demonstrate that gene transfer does not occur in the absence of electrical factors. Our results show that both electrical and chemical factors are necessary for gene transfer inside cells by microplasma irradiation. This indicates that plasma-mediated gene transfection utilizes the synergy between electrical and chemical factors. The electric field threshold required for transfection was approximately 1 kV m-1 in our MDP system. This indicates that MDP irradiation supplies sufficient concentrations of ROS, and the stimulation intensity of the electric field determines the transfection efficiency in our system. Gene transfer by plasma irradiation depends mainly on endocytosis, which accounts for at least 80% of the transfer, and clathrin-mediated endocytosis is a dominant endocytosis. In plasma-mediated gene transfection, alterations in electrical and chemical factors can independently regulate plasmid DNA adhesion and triggering of endocytosis, respectively. This implies that plasma characteristics can be adjusted according to target cell requirements, and the transfection process can be optimized with minimum damage to cells and maximum efficiency. This may explain how MDP simultaneously achieves high transfection efficiency with minimal cell damage.

75 FR 47201 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC 130 B4 Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-05

... each electrical harness for chaffing, tears, holes, or other damage at the location of each attachment... electrical harness for any chaffing, tear, hole, or other damage at the location of each attachment screw and... harness for chaffing, a tear, a hole, or other damage at the location of each attachment screw as depicted...

Low resistivity and permeability in actively deforming shear zones on the San Andreas Fault at SAFOD

USGS Publications Warehouse

Morrow, Carolyn A.; Lockner, David A.; Hickman, Stephen H.

2015-01-01

The San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) scientific drillhole near Parkfield, California crosses the San Andreas Fault at a depth of 2.7 km. Downhole measurements and analysis of core retrieved from Phase 3 drilling reveal two narrow, actively deforming zones of smectite-clay gouge within a roughly 200 m-wide fault damage zone of sandstones, siltstones and mudstones. Here we report electrical resistivity and permeability measurements on core samples from all of these structural units at effective confining pressures up to 120 MPa. Electrical resistivity (~10 ohm-m) and permeability (10-21 to 10-22 m2) in the actively deforming zones were one to two orders of magnitude lower than the surrounding damage zone material, consistent with broader-scale observations from the downhole resistivity and seismic velocity logs. The higher porosity of the clay gouge, 2 to 8 times greater than that in the damage zone rocks, along with surface conduction were the principal factors contributing to the observed low resistivities. The high percentage of fine-grained clay in the deforming zones also greatly reduced permeability to values low enough to create a barrier to fluid flow across the fault. Together, resistivity and permeability data can be used to assess the hydrogeologic characteristics of the fault, key to understanding fault structure and strength. The low resistivities and strength measurements of the SAFOD core are consistent with observations of low resistivity clays that are often found in the principal slip zones of other active faults making resistivity logs a valuable tool for identifying these zones.

Experimental and theoretical investigation of temperature-dependent electrical fatigue studies on 1-3 type piezocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohan, Y.; Arockiarajan, A.

2016-03-01

1-3 type piezocomposites are very attractive materials for transducers and biomedical application, due to its high electromechanical coupling effects. Reliability study on 1-3 piezocomposites subjected to cyclic loading condition in transducer application is one of the primary concern. Hence, this study focuses on 1-3 piezocomposites for various PZT5A1 fiber volume fraction subjected to electrical fatigue loading up-to 106 cycles and at various elevated temperature. Initially experiments are performed on 1-3 piezocomposites, in order to understand the degradation phenomena due to various range in amplitude of electric fields (unipolar & bipolar), frequency of applied electric field and for various ambient temperature. Performing experiments for high cycle fatigue and for different fiber volume fraction of PZT5A1 is a time consuming process. Hence, a simplified macroscopic uni-axial model based on physical mechanisms of domain switching and continuum damage mechanics has been developed to predict the non-linear fatigue behaviour of 1-3 piezocomposites for temperature dependent electrical fatigue loading conditions. In this model, damage effects namely domain pinning, frozen domains and micro cracks, are considered as a damage variable (ω). Remnant variables and material properties are considered as a function of internal damage variable and the growth of the damage is derived empirically based on the experimental observation to predict the macroscopic changes in the properties. The measured material properties and dielectric hysteresis (electric displacement vs. electric field) as well as butterfly curves (longitudinal strain vs. electric field) are compared with the simulated results. It is observed that variation in amplitude of bipolar electric field and temperature has a strong influence on the response of 1-3 piezocomposites.

Protections of bovine serum albumin protein from damage on functionalized graphene-based electrodes by flavonoids.

PubMed

Sun, Bolu; Gou, Yuqiang; Xue, Zhiyuan; Zheng, Xiaoping; Ma, Yuling; Hu, Fangdi; Zhao, Wanghong

2016-05-01

A sensitive electrochemical sensor based on bovine serum albumin (BSA)/poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) functionalized graphene nanosheets (PDDA-G) composite film modified glassy carbon electrode (BSA/PDDA-G/GCE) had been developed to investigate the oxidative protein damage and protections of protein from damage by flavonoids. The performance of this sensor was remarkably improved due to excellent electrical conductivity, strong adsorptive ability, and large effective surface area of PDDA-G. The BSA/PDDA-G/GCE displayed the greatest degree of BSA oxidation damage at 40 min incubation time and in the pH 5.0 Fenton reagent system (12.5 mM FeSO4, 50 mM H2O2). The antioxidant activities of four flavonoids had been compared by fabricated sensor based on the relative peak current ratio of SWV, because flavonoids prevented BSA damage caused by Fenton reagent and affected the BSA signal in a solution containing Co(bpy)3(3+). The sensor was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). UV-vis spectrophotometry and FTIR were also used to investigate the generation of hydroxyl radical and BSA damage, respectively. On the basis of results from electrochemical methods, the order of the antioxidant activities of flavonoids is as follows: (+)-catechin>kaempferol>apigenin>naringenin. A novel, direct SWV analytical method for detection of BSA damage and assessment of the antioxidant activities of four flavonoids was developed and this electrochemical method provided a simple, inexpensive and rapid detection of BSA damage and evaluation of the antioxidant activities of samples. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spectroelectrochemical insights into structural and redox properties of immobilized endonuclease III and its catalytically inactive mutant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moe, Elin; Rollo, Filipe; Silveira, Célia M.; Sezer, Murat; Hildebrandt, Peter; Todorovic, Smilja

2018-01-01

Endonuclease III is a Fe-S containing bifunctional DNA glycosylase which is involved in the repair of oxidation damaged DNA. Here we employ surface enhanced IR spectroelectrochemistry and electrochemistry to study the enzyme from the highly radiation- and desiccation-resistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans (DrEndoIII2). The experiments are designed to shed more light onto specific parameters that are currently proposed to govern damage search and recognition by endonucleases III. We demonstrate that electrostatic interactions required for the redox activation of DrEndoIII2 may result in high electric fields that alter its structural and thermodynamic properties. Analysis of inactive DrEndoIII2 (K132A/D150A double mutant) interacting with undamaged DNA, and the active enzyme interacting with damaged DNA also indicate that the electron transfer is modulated by subtle differences in the protein-DNA complex.

Spectroelectrochemical insights into structural and redox properties of immobilized endonuclease III and its catalytically inactive mutant.

PubMed

Moe, Elin; Rollo, Filipe; Silveira, Célia M; Sezer, Murat; Hildebrandt, Peter; Todorovic, Smilja

2018-01-05

Endonuclease III is a Fe-S containing bifunctional DNA glycosylase which is involved in the repair of oxidation damaged DNA. Here we employ surface enhanced IR spectroelectrochemistry and electrochemistry to study the enzyme from the highly radiation- and desiccation-resistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans (DrEndoIII 2 ). The experiments are designed to shed more light onto specific parameters that are currently proposed to govern damage search and recognition by endonucleases III. We demonstrate that electrostatic interactions required for the redox activation of DrEndoIII 2 may result in high electric fields that alter its structural and thermodynamic properties. Analysis of inactive DrEndoIII 2 (K132A/D150A double mutant) interacting with undamaged DNA, and the active enzyme interacting with damaged DNA also indicate that the electron transfer is modulated by subtle differences in the protein-DNA complex. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electrochemical activity evaluation of chemically damaged carbon nanotube with palladium nanoparticles for ethanol oxidation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmed, Mohammad Shamsuddin; Jeon, Seungwon

2015-05-01

The carbon nanotube (CNT) has unique electrical and structural properties due to it's sp2 π-conjugative structure that leads to the higher electrocatalysis. The π-conjugative structure, that allows the CNT interact with various compounds and metal nanoparticles (NPs) through π-π electronic interaction. However, the damage of π-conjugative sidewall of CNT that can be hinder the electrocatalytic activity has found. For this study, the CNT, as base material, has been prepared through a conventional acid treatment method up to 15 h; the higher degree of sidewall damage has been observed in last 5 h during treatment period. The short and long term acid treated (denoted as CNT and CNT-COOH, respectively) CNTs have been subsequently fabricated with palladium NPs (denoted as CNT/Pd and CNT-Pd, respectively) and employed as ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) catalysts. The CNT-Pd displays a poor electrocatalytic performance towards EOR than that of CNT/Pd due to the damage of π-conjugative sidewall. The kinetic parameters including poisoning tolerance have also been hampered by the surface damage. The CNT/Pd (∼3.3 folds) and CNT-Pd (∼1.5 folds) are express higher electrocatalytic activity and poisoning tolerance than that of Pd/C while Pd mass loading remains in the same amount.

C&RE-SLC: Database for conservation and renewable energy activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cavallo, J. D.; Tompkins, M. M.; Fisher, A. G.

1992-08-01

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) requires all its long-term power customers to implement programs that promote the conservation of electric energy or facilitate the use of renewable energy resources. The hope is that these measures could significantly reduce the amount of environmental damage associated with electricity production. As part of preparing the environmental impact statement for Western's Electric Power Marketing Program, Argonne National Laboratory constructed a database of the conservation and renewable energy activities in which Western's Salt Lake City customers are involved. The database provides information on types of conservation and renewable energy activities and allows for comparisons of activities being conducted at different utilities in the Salt Lake City region. Sorting the database allows Western's Salt Lake City customers to be classified so the various activities offered by different classes of utilities can be identified; for example, comparisons can be made between municipal utilities and cooperatives or between large and small customers. The information included in the database was collected from customer planning documents in the files of Western's Salt Lake City office.

Energy Storage | Transportation Research | NREL

Science.gov Websites

Is Available for License Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery overheating has led to numerous product recalls most challenging thermal management issues faced by electric-drive vehicles (EDVs)a battery internal internal short rather than mechanically damaging the battery exterior to activate the short, as most other

Low damage electrical modification of 4H-SiC via ultrafast laser irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahn, Minhyung; Cahyadi, Rico; Wendorf, Joseph; Bowen, Willie; Torralva, Ben; Yalisove, Steven; Phillips, Jamie

2018-04-01

The electrical properties of 4H-SiC under ultrafast laser irradiation in the low fluence regime (<0.50 J/cm2) are presented. The appearance of high spatial frequency laser induced periodic surface structures is observed at a fluence near 0.25 J/cm2 and above, with variability in environments like in air, nitrogen, and a vacuum. In addition to the formation of periodic surface structures, ultrafast laser irradiation results in possible surface oxidation and amorphization of the material. Lateral conductance exhibits orders of magnitude increase, which is attributed to either surface conduction or modification of electrical contact properties, depending on the initial material conductivity. Schottky barrier formation on ultrafast laser irradiated 4H-SiC shows an increase in the barrier height, an increase in the ideality factor, and sub-bandgap photovoltaic responses, suggesting the formation of photo-active point defects. The results suggest that the ultrafast laser irradiation technique provides a means of engineering spatially localized structural and electronic modification of wide bandgap materials such as 4H-SiC with relatively low surface damage via low temperature processing.

[Injury to fish by turbine plants].

PubMed

Bernoth, E M

1990-04-01

In the Federal Republic of Germany, 7% of the electric power is generated by Hydro-electric plants. A water current is used to drive a turbine, to generate electricity. Fish are passively drawn into the turbines by the water flow, or they migrate actively downstream (eels). Fish then may be injured or even killed. The national Countries' Fishery Acts are not sufficient to compel the prevention of fish gaining access to the turbines. To compensate for losses to the fishery, the owners of Hydro power plants can re-stock their water supplies. Superior to the Fishery Acts of the various Countries is the Federal Animal Protection Law. According to its principle, it is not allowed to cause pain, suffering or damage to an animal without a reasonable cause. It cannot be the intention of either the Fishery Acts or the Animal Protection Law to compensate losses in the fish population by re-stocking. On the contrary, the damage has to be prevented in advance. A suitable means to achieve this is the combination of electrified barriers with a bypass for fish.

Concentrically trained cyclists are not more susceptible to eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage than are stretch-shortening exercise-trained runners.

PubMed

Snieckus, Audrius; Kamandulis, Sigitas; Venckūnas, Tomas; Brazaitis, Marius; Volungevičius, Gintautas; Skurvydas, Albertas

2013-03-01

Here, we test the hypothesis that continuous concentric exercise training renders skeletal muscles more susceptible to damage in response to eccentric exercise. Elite road cyclists (CYC; n = 10, training experience 8.1 ± 2.0 years, age 22.9 ± 3.7 years), long-distance runners (LDR; n = 10, 9.9 ± 2.3 years, 24.4 ± 2.5 years), and healthy untrained (UT) men (n = 10; 22.4 ± 1.7 years) performed 100 submaximal eccentric contractions at constant angular velocity of 60° s(-1). Concentric isokinetic peak torque, isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), and electrically induced knee extension torque were measured at baseline and immediately and 48 h after an eccentric exercise bout. Muscle soreness was assessed and plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity was measured at baseline and 48 h after exercise. Voluntary and electrically stimulated knee extension torque reduction were significantly greater (p < 0.05) in UT than in LDR and CYC. Immediately and 48 h after exercise, MVC decreased by 32 % and 20 % in UT, 20 % and 5 % in LDR, and 25 % and 6 % in CYC. Electrically induced 20 Hz torque decreased at the same times by 61 and 29 % in UT, 40 and 17 % in LDR, and 26 and 14 % in CYC. Muscle soreness and plasma CK activity 48 h after exercise did not differ significantly between athletes and UT subjects. In conclusion, even though elite endurance athletes are more resistant to eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage than are UT people, stretch-shortening exercise-trained LDR have no advantage over concentrically trained CYC.

Coupled electromechanical response of composite beams with embedded piezoelectric sensors and actuators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Saravanos, D. A.; Heyliger, P. R.

1994-01-01

Unified mechanics are developed with the capability to model both sensory and active composite laminates with embedded piezoelectric layers. A discrete-layer formulation enables analysis of both global and local electromechanical response. The mechanics include the contributions from elastic, piezoelectric, and dielectric components. The incorporation of electric potential into the state variables permits representation of general electromechanical boundary conditions. Approximate finite element solutions for the static and free-vibration analysis of beams are presented. Applications on composite beams demonstrate the capability to represent either sensory or active structures and to model the complicated stress-strain fields, the interactions between passive/active layers, interfacial phenomena between sensors and composite plies, and critical damage modes in the material. The capability to predict the dynamic characteristics under various electrical boundary conditions is also demonstrated.

Ionic components of electric current at rat corneal wounds.

PubMed

Vieira, Ana Carolina; Reid, Brian; Cao, Lin; Mannis, Mark J; Schwab, Ivan R; Zhao, Min

2011-02-25

Endogenous electric fields and currents occur naturally at wounds and are a strong signal guiding cell migration into the wound to promote healing. Many cells involved in wound healing respond to small physiological electric fields in vitro. It has long been assumed that wound electric fields are produced by passive ion leakage from damaged tissue. Could these fields be actively maintained and regulated as an active wound response? What are the molecular, ionic and cellular mechanisms underlying the wound electric currents? Using rat cornea wounds as a model, we measured the dynamic timecourses of individual ion fluxes with ion-selective probes. We also examined chloride channel expression before and after wounding. After wounding, Ca(2+) efflux increased steadily whereas K(+) showed an initial large efflux which rapidly decreased. Surprisingly, Na(+) flux at wounds was inward. A most significant observation was a persistent large influx of Cl(-), which had a time course similar to the net wound electric currents we have measured previously. Fixation of the tissues abolished ion fluxes. Pharmacological agents which stimulate ion transport significantly increased flux of Cl(-), Na(+) and K(+). Injury to the cornea caused significant changes in distribution and expression of Cl(-) channel CLC2. These data suggest that the outward electric currents occurring naturally at corneal wounds are carried mainly by a large influx of chloride ions, and in part by effluxes of calcium and potassium ions. Ca(2+) and Cl(-) fluxes appear to be mainly actively regulated, while K(+) flux appears to be largely due to leakage. The dynamic changes of electric currents and specific ion fluxes after wounding suggest that electrical signaling is an active response to injury and offers potential novel approaches to modulate wound healing, for example eye-drops targeting ion transport to aid in the challenging management of non-healing corneal ulcers.

Spatio-temporal mapping of variation potentials in leaves of Helianthus annuus L. seedlings in situ using multi-electrode array

PubMed Central

Zhao, Dong-Jie; Wang, Zhong-Yi; Huang, Lan; Jia, Yong-Peng; Leng, John Q.

2014-01-01

Damaging thermal stimuli trigger long-lasting variation potentials (VPs) in higher plants. Owing to limitations in conventional plant electrophysiological recording techniques, recorded signals are composed of signals originating from all of the cells that are connected to an electrode. This limitation does not enable detailed spatio-temporal distributions of transmission and electrical activities in plants to be visualised. Multi-electrode array (MEA) enables the recording and imaging of dynamic spatio-temporal electrical activities in higher plants. Here, we used an 8 × 8 MEA with a polar distance of 450 μm to measure electrical activities from numerous cells simultaneously. The mapping of the data that were recorded from the MEA revealed the transfer mode of the thermally induced VPs in the leaves of Helianthus annuus L. seedlings in situ. These results suggest that MEA can enable recordings with high spatio-temporal resolution that facilitate the determination of the bioelectrical response mode of higher plants under stress. PMID:24961469

Spatio-temporal mapping of variation potentials in leaves of Helianthus annuus L. seedlings in situ using multi-electrode array.

PubMed

Zhao, Dong-Jie; Wang, Zhong-Yi; Huang, Lan; Jia, Yong-Peng; Leng, John Q

2014-06-25

Damaging thermal stimuli trigger long-lasting variation potentials (VPs) in higher plants. Owing to limitations in conventional plant electrophysiological recording techniques, recorded signals are composed of signals originating from all of the cells that are connected to an electrode. This limitation does not enable detailed spatio-temporal distributions of transmission and electrical activities in plants to be visualised. Multi-electrode array (MEA) enables the recording and imaging of dynamic spatio-temporal electrical activities in higher plants. Here, we used an 8 × 8 MEA with a polar distance of 450 μm to measure electrical activities from numerous cells simultaneously. The mapping of the data that were recorded from the MEA revealed the transfer mode of the thermally induced VPs in the leaves of Helianthus annuus L. seedlings in situ. These results suggest that MEA can enable recordings with high spatio-temporal resolution that facilitate the determination of the bioelectrical response mode of higher plants under stress.

Ablation of the sphenopalatine ganglion does not attenuate the infarct reducing effect of vagus nerve stimulation

PubMed Central

Ay, Ilknur; Ay, Hakan

2013-01-01

Electrical stimulation of the cervical vagus nerve reduces infarct size by approximately 50% after cerebral ischemia in rats. The mechanism of ischemic protection by vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is not known. In this study, we investigated whether the infarct reducing effect of VNS was mediated by activation of the parasympathetic vasodilator fibers that originate from the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) and innervate the anterior cerebral circulation. We examined the effects of electrical stimulation of the cervical vagus nerve in two groups of rats: one with and one without SPG ablation. Electrical stimulation was initiated 30 min after induction of ischemia, and lasted for 1h. Measurement of infarct size 24h later revealed that the volume of ischemic damage was smaller in those animals that received VNS treatment (41.32 ± 2.07% vs. 24.19 ± 2.62% of the contralateral hemispheric volume, n=6 in both; p<0.05). SPG ablation did not abolish this effect; the reduction in infarct volume following VNS was 58% in SPG-damaged animals, 41% in SPG-intact animals (p>0.05). In both SPG-intact and SPG-damaged animals VNS treatment resulted in better motor outcome (p<0.05 vs. corresponding controls for both). Our findings show that VNS can protect the brain against acute ischemic injury, and that this effect is not mediated by SPG projections. PMID:23273773

Etude et simulation de la MADA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Defontaines, Remi

Over the past ten years, the production of electric energy using wind turbines has increased eight times. This production of energy is in full expansion, and different means are now at the dispositions of researchers to finally explore it to the maximum. The DFIG is a type of wind turbine that has been the object of numerous studies over the past several years. This wind turbine functions with the speed of the wind. Its principle particularity is that it is constituted of an asynchronous machine, a wound-rotor and is capable of providing active power to the network by the stator and the rotor. This structure permits a good performance over a wide range of wind speeds, at a reasonable cost. It manages to be cost-effective because it uses weakly dimensioned power converters. Despite its advantages, there is a problem: its connection to the network. The electric network is not always stable; it regularly suffers voltage damage (low voltage, unbalance or overvoltage). This damage can result in fault from poor quality in the machine, and this damages or even destroys the power converters. To avoid this issue, the wind turbine disconnects from the network when it undergoes deterioration. The goal of this research is to find a strategy that allows the wind turbine to function even when the network voltage deteriorates, which in turn results in avoiding disconnection and therefore the loss of electrical power.

Electrotonic potentials in Aloe vera L.: Effects of intercellular and external electrodes arrangement.

PubMed

Volkov, Alexander G; Nyasani, Eunice K; Tuckett, Clayton; Scott, Jessenia M; Jackson, Mariah M Z; Greeman, Esther A; Greenidge, Ariane S; Cohen, Devin O; Volkova, Maia I; Shtessel, Yuri B

2017-02-01

Electrostimulation of plants can induce plant movements, activation of ion channels, ion transport, gene expression, enzymatic systems activation, electrical signaling, plant-cell damage, enhanced wound healing, and influence plant growth. Here we found that electrical networks in plant tissues have electrical differentiators. The amplitude of electrical responses decreases along a leaf and increases by decreasing the distance between polarizing Pt-electrodes. Intercellular Ag/AgCl electrodes inserted in a leaf and extracellular Ag/AgCl electrodes attached to the leaf surface were used to detect the electrotonic potential propagation along a leaf of Aloe vera. There is a difference in duration and amplitude of electrical potentials measured by electrodes inserted in a leaf and those attached to a leaf's surface. If the external reference electrode is located in the soil near the root, it changes the amplitude and duration of electrotonic potentials due to existence of additional resistance, capacitance, ion channels and ion pumps in the root. The information gained from this study can be used to elucidate extracellular and intercellular communication in the form of electrical signals within plants. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Magnetic Field Response Recorder: A New Tool for Measurement Acquisition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Woodard, Stanley E.; Taylor, Bryant D.

2006-01-01

A magnetic field response recorder was developed to facilitate a measurement acquisition method that uses magnetic fields to power and to interrogate all sensors. Sensors are designed as electrically passive inductive-capacitive or passive inductive-capacitive-resistive circuits that produce magnetic field responses when electrically activated by oscillating magnetic fields. When electrically activated, the sensor's magnetic field response attributes (frequency, amplitude and bandwidth) correspond to the one or more physical states that each sensor measures. The response recorder makes it possible to simultaneously measure two unrelated physical properties using this class of sensors. The recorder is programmable allowing it to analyze one or more response attributes simultaneously. A single sensor design will be used to demonstrate that the acquisition method and the sensor example can be used to for all phases of a component's life from manufacturing to damage that can destroy it.

Impedance testing on cochlear implants after electroconvulsive therapy.

PubMed

McRackan, Theodore R; Rivas, Alejandro; Hedley-Williams, Andrea; Raj, Vidya; Dietrich, Mary S; Clark, Nathaniel K; Labadie, Robert F

2014-12-01

Cochlear implants (CI) are neural prostheses that restore hearing to individuals with profound sensorineural hearing loss. The surgically implanted component consists of an electrode array, which is threaded into the cochlea, and an electronic processor, which is buried under the skin behind the ear. The Food and Drug Administration and CI manufacturers contend that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is contraindicated in CI recipients owing to risk of damage to the implant and/or the patient. We hypothesized that ECT does no electrical damage to CIs. Ten functional CIs were implanted in 5 fresh cadaveric human heads. Each head then received a consecutive series of 12 unilateral ECT sessions applying maximum full pulse-width energy settings. Electroconvulsive therapy was delivered contralaterally to 5 CIs and ipsilaterally to 5 CIs. Electrical integrity testing (impedance testing) of the electrode array was performed before and after CI insertion, and after the first, third, fifth, seventh, ninth, and 12th ECT sessions. Electroconvulsive therapy was performed by a staff psychiatrist experienced with the technique. Explanted CIs were sent back to the manufacturer for further integrity testing. No electrical damage was identified during impedance testing. Overall, there were statistically significant decreases in impedances (consistent with no electrical damage) when comparing pre-ECT impedance values to those after 12 sessions. There was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) in impedance values comparing ipsilateral to contralateral ECT. Manufacturer testing revealed no other electrical damage to the CIs. Electroconvulsive therapy does not seem to cause any detectable electrical injury to CIs.

American black bears and bee yard depredation at Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia

USGS Publications Warehouse

Clark, J.D.; Dobey, S.; Masters, D.V.; Scheick, B.K.; Pelton, M.R.; Sunquist, M.E.

2005-01-01

We studied American black bears (Ursus americanus), on the northwest periphery of Okefenokee Swamp in southeast Georgia, to assess landowner attitudes toward bears, estimate the extent of damage to commercial honey bee operations by bears, and evaluate methods to reduce bear depredations to apiaries. We collected 8,351 black bear radiolocations and identified 51 bee yards on our study area. Twenty-seven of 43 home ranges contained ≥1 bee yard, averaging 11.3 and 5.1 bee yards/home range of males (n = 7) and females (n = 20), respectively. From 1996 to 1998, we documented 7 instances of bears raiding bee yards within our study area and 6 instances in adjacent areas. All but 1 of the 13 raided yards were enclosed by electric fencing. In the 12 cases of damage to electrically fenced yards, however, the fences were not active because of depleted batteries. Based on compositional analysis, bear use of areas 800–1,400 m from bee yards was disproportionately greater than use 0–800 m from bee yards. Bears disproportionately used bay (red bay: Persea borbonia, loblolly bay: Gordonia lasianthus, and southern magnolia: Magnolia virginia), gum (water tupelo: Nyssa aquatic and black gum: N. sylvatica), and cypress (Taxodium spp.) and loblolly bay habitats, however, compared with slash pine (Pinus elliottii) or pine–oak (Quercus spp.), where bee yards usually were placed. The distribution of bear radiolocations likely reflected the use of those swamp and riparian areas, rather than avoidance of bee yards. Distances to streams from damaged bee yards (x̄ = 1,750 m) were less than from undamaged yards (x̄ = 4,442 m), and damaged bee yards were closer to unimproved roads (x̄ = 134 m) than were undamaged bee yards (x̄ = 802 m). Our analysis suggests that bee yard placement away from bear travel routes (such as streams and unimproved roads) can reduce bear depredation problems. Our results strongly indicate that working electric fences are effective deterrents to bear damage to bee yards, even in areas frequented by bears. A survey of beekeepers indicated that apiarists often relied on more expensive, less effective, and sometimes illegal methods to protect their bee yards from bears. Beekeepers within bear range should be urged to consider electric fencing, which can almost eliminate bear damage to their yards.

Economic Impacts of Infrastructure Damages on Industrial Sector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kajitani, Yoshio

This paper proposes a basic model for evaluating economic impacts on industrial sectors under the conditions that multiple infrastructures are simultaneously damaged during the earthquake disasters. Especially, focusing on the available economic data developed in the smallest spatial scale in Japan (small area statistics), economic loss estimation model based on the small area statistics and its applicability are investigated on. In the detail, a loss estimation framework, utilizing survey results on firms' activities under electricity, water and gas disruptions, and route choice models in Transportation Engineering, are applied to the case of 2004 Mid-Niigata Earthquake.

Air Emission Reduction Benefits of Biogas Electricity Generation at Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants.

PubMed

Gingerich, Daniel B; Mauter, Meagan S

2018-02-06

Conventional processes for municipal wastewater treatment facilities are energy and materially intensive. This work quantifies the air emission implications of energy consumption, chemical use, and direct pollutant release at municipal wastewater treatment facilities across the U.S. and assesses the potential to avoid these damages by generating electricity and heat from the combustion of biogas produced during anaerobic sludge digestion. We find that embedded and on-site air emissions from municipal wastewater treatment imposed human health, environmental, and climate (HEC) damages on the order of $1.63 billion USD in 2012, with 85% of these damages attributed to the estimated consumption of 19 500 GWh of electricity by treatment processes annually, or 0.53% of the US electricity demand. An additional 11.8 million tons of biogenic CO 2 are directly emitted by wastewater treatment and sludge digestion processes currently installed at plants. Retrofitting existing wastewater treatment facilities with anaerobic sludge digestion for biogas production and biogas-fueled heat and electricity generation has the potential to reduce HEC damages by up to 24.9% relative to baseline emissions. Retrofitting only large plants (>5 MGD), where biogas generation is more likely to be economically viable, would generate HEC benefits of $254 annually. These findings reinforce the importance of accounting for use-phase embedded air emissions and spatially resolved marginal damage estimates when designing sustainable infrastructure systems.

Physiological imaging of electrical trauma and therapeutic responses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Chin-Tu; Matthews, K.; Aarsvold, John N.; Mintzer, Robert A.; Yasillo, Nicholas J.; Hannig, Jurgen; Capelli-Schellpfefer, M.; Cooper, Malcolm; Lee, Raphael C.

2000-04-01

In victims of electrical trauma, electroporation of cell membrane, in which lipid bilayer is permeabilized by thermal and electrical forces, is thought to be a substantial cause of tissue damage. It has been suggested that certain mild surfactant in low concentration could induce sealing of permeabilized lipid bilayers, thus repairing cell membranes that had not been extensively damaged. With an animal model of electrically injured hind limb of rats, we have demonstrated and validated the use of radiotracer imaging technique to assess the physiology of the damaged tissues after electrical shock and of their repairs after applying surfactant as a therapeutic strategy. For example, using Tc-99m labeled pyrophosphate (PYP), which follows calcium in cellular function and is known to accumulate in damaged tissues, we have established a physiological imaging approach for assessment of the extent of tissue injury for diagnosis and surgical planning, as well as for evaluation of responses to therapy. With the use of a small, hand-held, miniature gamma camera, this physiological imaging method can be employed at patient's bedside and even in the field, for example, at accident site or during transfer for emergency care, rapid diagnosis, and prompt treatment in order to maximize the chance for tissue survival.

Multi-physics damage sensing in nano-engineered structural composites.

PubMed

de Villoria, Roberto Guzmán; Yamamoto, Namiko; Miravete, Antonio; Wardle, Brian L

2011-05-06

Non-destructive evaluation techniques can offer viable diagnostic and prognostic routes to mitigating failures in engineered structures such as bridges, buildings and vehicles. However, existing techniques have significant drawbacks, including poor spatial resolution and limited in situ capabilities. We report here a novel approach where structural advanced composites containing electrically conductive aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are ohmically heated via simple electrical contacts, and damage is visualized via thermographic imaging. Damage, in the form of cracks and other discontinuities, usefully increases resistance to both electrical and thermal transport in these materials, which enables tomographic full-field damage assessment in many cases. Characteristics of the technique include the ability for real-time measurement of the damage state during loading, low-power operation (e.g. 15 °C rise at 1 W), and beyond state-of-the-art spatial resolution for sensing damage in composites. The enhanced thermographic technique is a novel and practical approach for in situ monitoring to ascertain structural health and to prevent structural failures in engineered structures such as aerospace and automotive vehicles and wind turbine blades, among others.

Multi-physics damage sensing in nano-engineered structural composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guzmán de Villoria, Roberto; Yamamoto, Namiko; Miravete, Antonio; Wardle, Brian L.

2011-05-01

Non-destructive evaluation techniques can offer viable diagnostic and prognostic routes to mitigating failures in engineered structures such as bridges, buildings and vehicles. However, existing techniques have significant drawbacks, including poor spatial resolution and limited in situ capabilities. We report here a novel approach where structural advanced composites containing electrically conductive aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are ohmically heated via simple electrical contacts, and damage is visualized via thermographic imaging. Damage, in the form of cracks and other discontinuities, usefully increases resistance to both electrical and thermal transport in these materials, which enables tomographic full-field damage assessment in many cases. Characteristics of the technique include the ability for real-time measurement of the damage state during loading, low-power operation (e.g. 15 °C rise at 1 W), and beyond state-of-the-art spatial resolution for sensing damage in composites. The enhanced thermographic technique is a novel and practical approach for in situ monitoring to ascertain structural health and to prevent structural failures in engineered structures such as aerospace and automotive vehicles and wind turbine blades, among others.

Economic costs of electrical system instability and power outages caused by snakes on the Island of Guam

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fritts, T.H.

2002-01-01

The Brown Tree Snake, Boiga irregularis, is an introduced species on Guam where it causes frequent electrical power outages. The snake's high abundance, its propensity for climbing, and use of disturbed habitats all contribute to interruption of Guam's electrical service and the activities that depend on electrical power. Snakes have caused more than 1600 power outages in the 20-yr period of 1978-1997 and most recently nearly 200 outages per year. Single outages spanning the entire island and lasting 8 or more hours are estimated to cost in excess of $3,000,000 in lost productivity, but the costs of outages that involve only parts of the island or those of shorter durations are more difficult to quantify. Costs to the island's economy have exceeded $4.5 M per year over a 7-yr period without considering repair costs, damage to electrical equipment, and lost revenues. Snakes pose the greatest problem on high voltage transmission lines, on transformers, and inside electrical substations.

Inductively Coupled Plasma-Induced Electrical Damage on HgCdTe Etched Surface at Cryogenic Temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, L. F.; Chen, Y. Y.; Ye, Z. H.; Hu, X. N.; Ding, R. J.; He, L.

2018-03-01

Plasma etching is a powerful technique for transferring high-resolution lithographic patterns into HgCdTe material with low etch-induced damage, and it is important for fabricating small-pixel-size HgCdTe infrared focal plane array (IRFPA) detectors. P- to n-type conversion is known to occur during plasma etching of vacancy-doped HgCdTe; however, it is usually unwanted and its removal requires extra steps. Etching at cryogenic temperatures can reduce the etch-induced type conversion depth in HgCdTe via the electrical damage mechanism. Laser beam-induced current (LBIC) is a nondestructive photoelectric characterization technique which can provide information regarding the vertical and lateral electrical field distribution, such as defects and p-n junctions. In this work, inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching of HgCdTe was implemented at cryogenic temperatures. For an Ar/CH4 (30:1 in SCCM) plasma with ICP input power of 1000 W and RF-coupled DC bias of ˜ 25 V, a HgCdTe sample was dry-etched at 123 K for 5 min using ICP. The sample was then processed to remove a thin layer of the plasma-etched region while maintaining a ladder-like damaged layer by continuously controlling the wet chemical etching time. Combining the ladder etching method and LBIC measurement, the ICP etching-induced electrical damage depth was measured and estimated to be about 20 nm. The results indicate that ICP etching at cryogenic temperatures can significantly suppress plasma etching-induced electrical damage, which is beneficial for defining HgCdTe mesa arrays.

Damage Characterization in SiC/SiC Composites using Electrical Resistance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Craig E.; Xia, Zhenhai

2011-01-01

SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) under creep-rupture loading accumulate damage by means of local matrix cracks that typically form near a stress concentration, such as a 90o fiber tow or large matrix pore, and grow over time. Such damage is difficult to detect through conventional techniques. Electrical resistance changes can be correlated with matrix cracking to provide a means of damage detection. Sylramic-iBN fiber-reinforced SiC composites with both melt infiltrated (MI) and chemical vapor infiltrated (CVI) matrix types are compared here. Results for both systems exhibit an increase in resistance prior to fracture, which can be detected either in situ or post-damage.

The assessment of health impacts and external costs of natural gas-fired power plant of Qom.

PubMed

Fouladi Fard, Reza; Naddafi, Kazem; Yunesian, Masud; Nabizadeh Nodehi, Ramin; Dehghani, Mohammad Hadi; Hassanvand, Mohammad Sadegh

2016-10-01

The external health damage costs of the combined cycle natural gas-fired power plant of Qom were investigated via the simplified impact pathway approach. Emitted particulate matter (PM 10 ) and gaseous pollutants (NO x , CO, and SO 2 ) from the power plant stack were measured The health effects and related costs were estimated by QUERI model from AirPacts according to the emissions, source and stack parameters, pollutant depletion velocities, exposure-response functions, local and regional population density, and detailed meteorological data. The results showed that the main health effect was assigned to the nitrate as restricted activity days (RAD) with 25,240 days/year. For all pollutants, the maximum health damage costs were related to the long-term mortality (49 %), restricted activity days (27 %), and chronic bronchitis (21 %). The annual health damage costs were approximately 4.76 million US$, with the cost being 0.096 US per kWh of generating electricity. Although the health damage costs of gas-fired power plant were lower than those of other heavy fuels, it seems essential to consider the health and environmental damages and focus on the emission control strategies, particularly in site selection for the new power plants and expanding the current ones.

Protective system for civil buildings and industrial structures subjected to the seismic risk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghica, D.; Grigore, A.; Ionescu, C.

2009-04-01

Romania is a European country with significant seismicity. The most active seismic zone is represented by the Vrancea area, located within the arch of the Carpathians Mountains. Vrancea seismicity is characterized by intermediate depth earthquakes which occur in a narrow epicentral and hypocentral region. During the last 70 years, Romania experienced four strong Vrancea earthquakes: 10 November 1940 (Mw =7.7, 160 km depth), 4 March 1977 (Mw =7.5, 100 km depth), 30 August 1986 (Mw =7.2, 140 km depth), 30 May 30 1990 (Mw =6.9, 80 km depth). The 1977 event was characterized by catastrophic consequences: 1500 casualties and collapsing of 35 high-risk buildings, mostly occurring in Bucharest. The purpose of this paper is to present a protective system designed to be installed in the civil buildings and industrial structures placed in the high seismic regions, and therefore to contribute to the mitigation of the strong earthquake effects on human society. This system proposes an efficient antiseismic protection, respectively shutting down the installations and equipments mounted in the building's infrastructure, which can become extremely dangerous in case of a major earthquake by appearing the possibility of explosions, deflagration, fires, toxic and polluting fluids leakage. The damages are strongly amplified by the fact that, simultaneously, water and electric energy lines distributions are damaged too, making impossible an efficient firemen intervention, for localizing the fire sources. Moreover, the installations of the individual heating stations which operate with open flame increase the risk of explosions inside the buildings during an earthquake. The protective system consists of a seismic switch used for activating through weak-electric-currents of the building's safety systems in case of strong earthquake, especially designed for building's elevators, as well as for moving parts of installations, which require positioning in safety place areas. The originality of this device is based of a network of minimum three seismic sensors (accelerometers), which, through a coincidence circuit, endorses the presence of a seismic shock, excluding the accidental triggers caused by local noises and mechanical shocks from neighboring area. When is activated, the system allows to automatically place in safe position the most dangerous installations located in buildings, such as elevators, heating systems using natural gas or high pressure liquid, water pipes, thermal stations, electrical power line etc. Presently, in Romania, such protective systems installed in the buildings and structures subjected to seismic risk are not available. The only possibility of protection against the potential disastrous effects of earthquakes (wounded, lost of human lives, important material losses, explosions, fires, damages of the water and electricity lines) is to adopt clear solutions for preventing and reducing as much as it is possible the dimensions of material damages and casualties.

Modeling of skin cooling, blood flow, and optical properties in wounds created by electrical shock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, Thu T. A.; Shupp, Jeffrey W.; Moffatt, Lauren T.; Jordan, Marion H.; Jeng, James C.; Ramella-Roman, Jessica C.

2012-02-01

High voltage electrical injuries may lead to irreversible tissue damage or even death. Research on tissue injury following high voltage shock is needed and may yield stage-appropriate therapy to reduce amputation rate. One of the mechanisms by which electricity damages tissue is through Joule heating, with subsequent protein denaturation. Previous studies have shown that blood flow had a significant effect on the cooling rate of heated subcutaneous tissue. To assess the thermal damage in tissue, this study focused on monitoring changes of temperature and optical properties of skin next to high voltage wounds. The burns were created between left fore limb and right hind limb extremities of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats by a 1000VDC delivery shock system. A thermal camera was utilized to record temperature variation during the exposure. The experimental results were then validated using a thermal-electric finite element model (FEM).

Accounting for climate and air quality damages in future U.S. electricity generation scenarios.

PubMed

Brown, Kristen E; Henze, Daven K; Milford, Jana B

2013-04-02

The EPA-MARKAL model of the U.S. electricity sector is used to examine how imposing emissions fees based on estimated health and environmental damages might change electricity generation. Fees are imposed on life-cycle emissions of SO(2), nitrogen oxides (NO(x)), particulate matter, and greenhouse gases (GHG) from 2015 through 2055. Changes in electricity production, fuel type, emissions controls, and emissions produced under various fees are examined. A shift in fuels used for electricity production results from $30/ton CO(2)-equivalent GHG fees or from criteria pollutant fees set at the higher-end of the range of published damage estimates, but not from criteria pollutant fees based on low or midrange damage estimates. With midrange criteria pollutant fees assessed, SO(2) and NOx emissions are lower than the business as usual case (by 52% and 10%, respectively), with larger differences in the western U.S. than in the eastern U.S. GHG emissions are not significantly impacted by midrange criteria pollutant fees alone; conversely, with only GHG fees, NO(x) emissions are reduced by up to 11%, yet SO(2) emissions are slightly higher than in the business as usual case. Therefore, fees on both GHG and criteria pollutants may be needed to achieve significant reductions in both sets of pollutants.

Prefrontal Engagement during Source Memory Retrieval Depends on the Prior Encoding Task

PubMed Central

Kuo, Trudy Y.; Van Petten, Cyma

2008-01-01

The prefrontal cortex is strongly engaged by some, but not all, episodic memory tests. Prior work has shown that source recognition tests—those that require memory for conjunctions of studied attributes—yield deficient performance in patients with prefrontal damage and greater prefrontal activity in healthy subjects, as compared to simple recognition tests. Here, we tested the hypothesis that there is no intrinsic relationship between the prefrontal cortex and source memory, but that the prefrontal cortex is engaged by the demand to retrieve weakly encoded relationships. Subjects attempted to remember object/color conjunctions after an encoding task that focused on object identity alone, and an integrative encoding task that encouraged attention to object/color relationships. After the integrative encoding task, the late prefrontal brain electrical activity that typically occurs in source memory tests was eliminated. Earlier brain electrical activity related to successful recognition of the objects was unaffected by the nature of prior encoding. PMID:16839287

Ionic Components of Electric Current at Rat Corneal Wounds

PubMed Central

Cao, Lin; Mannis, Mark J.; Schwab, Ivan R.; Zhao, Min

2011-01-01

Background Endogenous electric fields and currents occur naturally at wounds and are a strong signal guiding cell migration into the wound to promote healing. Many cells involved in wound healing respond to small physiological electric fields in vitro. It has long been assumed that wound electric fields are produced by passive ion leakage from damaged tissue. Could these fields be actively maintained and regulated as an active wound response? What are the molecular, ionic and cellular mechanisms underlying the wound electric currents? Methodology/Principal Findings Using rat cornea wounds as a model, we measured the dynamic timecourses of individual ion fluxes with ion-selective probes. We also examined chloride channel expression before and after wounding. After wounding, Ca2+ efflux increased steadily whereas K+ showed an initial large efflux which rapidly decreased. Surprisingly, Na+ flux at wounds was inward. A most significant observation was a persistent large influx of Cl−, which had a time course similar to the net wound electric currents we have measured previously. Fixation of the tissues abolished ion fluxes. Pharmacological agents which stimulate ion transport significantly increased flux of Cl−, Na+ and K+. Injury to the cornea caused significant changes in distribution and expression of Cl− channel CLC2. Conclusions/Significance These data suggest that the outward electric currents occurring naturally at corneal wounds are carried mainly by a large influx of chloride ions, and in part by effluxes of calcium and potassium ions. Ca2+ and Cl− fluxes appear to be mainly actively regulated, while K+ flux appears to be largely due to leakage. The dynamic changes of electric currents and specific ion fluxes after wounding suggest that electrical signaling is an active response to injury and offers potential novel approaches to modulate wound healing, for example eye-drops targeting ion transport to aid in the challenging management of non-healing corneal ulcers. PMID:21364900

Carbon nanotube film interlayer for strain and damage sensing in composites during dynamic compressive loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, A. S.; Na, W.-J.; Yu, W.-R.; Byun, J.-H.; Chou, T.-W.

2012-11-01

A major challenge in the damage assessment of materials under dynamic, high strain rate loading lies in the inability to apply most health monitoring methodologies to the analysis and evaluation of damage incurred on short timescales. Here, we present a resistance-based sensing method utilizing an electrically conductive carbon nanotube film in a fiberglass/vinyl ester composite. This method reveals that applied strain and damage in the form of matrix cracking and delamination give rise to electrical resistance increases across the composite specimen; these can be measured in real-time during high strain rate loading. Damage within the composite specimens is confirmed through pre- and post-mortem x-ray micro computed tomography imaging.

Possible mechanisms for delayed neurological damage in lightning and electrical injury.

PubMed

Reisner, Andrew D

2013-01-01

This article provides and reviews hypotheses to help explain the poorly understood phenomenon of delayed neurological injury following lightning or electrical injury. A review of extant literature provides a starting point to integrate what is already known in an attempt to provide new hypotheses for this phenomenon, as well as to discuss existing hypotheses. The author proposes two theories which stem from the literature on the damaging effects of oxidative stress, and also reviews an existing hypothesis, the electroporation hypothesis. The former two theories can account for delayed damage which is either of vascular or nonvascular origin. The electroporation hypothesis can explain changes both in cases where there is cellular loss as well as cases where there only appears to be change in function after lightning or electrical injury. Although all theories discussed are speculative, the formation of hypotheses is always a starting point in the scientific process. In cases where there is delayed neurological damage with a vascular origin, it is possible that free radicals resulting from oxidative stress may gradually damage spinal vascular endothelial cells, cutting off blood supply, and ending in death of spinal neurons. When the delayed condition is demyelination without vascular damage, it is possible that the free radicals from oxidative stress are formed directly from the lipids found in abundance in myelin cells. The electroporation hypothesis, the formation of additional pores in neurons, may best explain immediate or progressive changes in structure and function after lightning or electrical injury.

Active Reliability Engineering - Technical Concept and Program Plan. A Solid-State Systems Approach to Increased Reliability and Availability in Military Systems.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-10-05

battle damage. Others are local electrical power and cooling disruptions. Again, a highly critical function is lost if its computer site is destroyed. A...formalized design of the test bed to meet the requirements of the functional description and goals of the program. AMTEC --Z3IT TASKS: 610, 710, 810

Ability of Impedance-Based Health Monitoring To Detect Structural Damage of Propulsion System Components Assessed

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, Richard E.; Gyekenyesi, Andrew L.; Sawicki, Jerzy T.; Baaklini, George Y.

2005-01-01

Impedance-based structural-health-monitoring uses piezoelectric (PZT) patches that are bonded onto or embedded in a structure. Each individual patch behaves as both an actuator of the surrounding structural area as well as a sensor of the structural response. The size of the excited area varies with the geometry and material composition of the structure, and an active patch is driven by a sinusoidal voltage sweep. When a PZT patch is subjected to an electric field, it produces a mechanical strain; and when it is stressed, it produces an electric charge. Since the patch is bonded to the structure, driving a patch deforms and vibrates the structure. The structure then produces a localized dynamic response. This structural system response is transferred back to the PZT patch, which in turn produces an electrical response. The electromechanical impedance method is based on the principle of electromechanical coupling between the active sensor and the structure, which allows researchers to assess local structural dynamics directly by interrogating a distributed sensor array. Because of mechanical coupling between the sensor and the host structure, this mechanical effect is picked up by the sensor and, through electromechanical coupling inside the active element, is reflected in electrical impedance measured at the sensor s terminals.

Effect of diet with omega-3 in basal brain electrical activity and during status epilepticus in rats.

PubMed

Pessoa, Daniella Tavares; da Silva, Eva Luana Almeida; Costa, Edbhergue Ventura Lola; Nogueira, Romildo Albuquerque

2017-11-01

Western diets are high in saturated fat and low in omega-3. Certain animals cannot produce omega-3 from their own lipids, making it necessary for it to be acquired from the diet. However, omega-3s are important components of the plasma membrane, and altering their proportions can promote physical and chemical alterations in the membranes, which may modify neuronal excitability. These alterations occur in healthy individuals, as well as in patients with epilepsy who are more sensitive to changes in brain electrical activity. This study evaluated the effect of a diet supplemented with omega-3 on the basal brain electrical activity both before and during status epilepticus in rats. To evaluate the brain electrical activity, we recorded electrocorticograms (ECoG) of animals both with and without omega-3 supplementation before and during status epilepticus induced by pilocarpine. Calculation of the average brain wave power by a power spectrum revealed that omega-3 supplementation reduced the average power of the delta wave by 20% and increased the average power of the beta wave by 45%. These effects were exacerbated when status epilepticus was induced in the animals supplemented with omega-3. The animals with and without omega-3 supplementation exhibited increases in basal brain electrical activities during status epilepticus. The two groups showed hyperactivity, but no significant difference between them was noted. Even though the brain activity levels observed during status epilepticus were similar between the two groups, neuron damage to the animals supplemented with omega-3 was more slight, revealing the neuroprotective effect of the omega-3. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electrical and optical co-stimulation in the deaf white cat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Zhiping; Xu, Yingyue; Tan, Xiaodong; Suematsu, Naofumi; Robinson, Alan; Richter, Claus-Peter

2018-02-01

Spatial selectivity of neural stimulation with photons, such as infrared neural stimulation (INS) is higher than the selectivity obtained with electrical stimulation. To obtain more independent channels for stimulation in neural prostheses, INS may be implemented to better restore the fidelity of the damaged neural system. However, irradiation with infrared light also bares the risk of heat accumulation in the target tissue with subsequent neural damage. Lowering the threshold for stimulation could reduce the amount of heat delivered to the tissue and the risk for subsequent tissue damage. It has been shown in the rat sciatic nerve that simultaneous irradiation with infrared light and the delivery of biphasic sub-threshold electrical pulses can reduce the threshold for INS [1]. In this study, deaf white cats have been used to test whether opto-electrical co-stimulation can reduce the stimulation threshold for INS in the auditory system too. The cochleae of the deaf white cats have largely reduced spiral ganglion neuron counts and significant degeneration of the organ of Corti and do not respond to acoustic stimuli. Combined electrical and optical stimulation was used to demonstrate that simultaneous stimulation with infrared light and biphasic electrical pulses can reduce the threshold for stimulation.

Electrical Resistance as a NDE Technique to Monitor Processing and Damage Accumulation in SiC/SiC Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Craig; Morscher, Gregory N.; Xia, Zhenhai

2008-01-01

Ceramic matrix composites are suitable for high temperature structural applications such as turbine airfoils and hypersonic thermal protection systems. The employment of these materials in such applications is limited by the ability to process components reliable and to accurately monitor and predict damage evolution that leads to failure under stressed-oxidation conditions. Current nondestructive methods such as ultrasound, x-ray, and thermal imaging are limited in their ability to quantify small scale, transverse, in-plane, matrix cracks developed over long-time creep and fatigue conditions. Electrical resistance of SiC/SiC composites is one technique that shows special promise towards this end. Since both the matrix and the fibers are conductive, changes in matrix or fiber properties should relate to changes in electrical conductivity along the length of a specimen or part. Initial efforts to quantify the electrical resistance of different fiber and different matrix SiC/SiC composites will be presented. Also, the effect of matrix cracking on electrical resistivity for several composite systems will be presented. The implications towards electrical resistance as a technique applied to composite processing, damage detection, and life-modeling will be discussed.

Electro-mechanical response of a 3D nerve bundle model to mechanical loads leading to axonal injury.

PubMed

Cinelli, I; Destrade, M; Duffy, M; McHugh, P

2017-07-01

Axonal damage is one of the most common pathological features of traumatic brain injury, leading to abnormalities in signal propagation for nervous systems. We present a 3D fully coupled electro-mechanical model of a nerve bundle, made with the finite element software Abaqus 6.13-3. The model includes a real-time coupling, modulated threshold for spiking activation and independent alteration of the electrical properties for each 3-layer fibre within the bundle. Compression and tension are simulated to induce damage at the nerve membrane. Changes in strain, stress distribution and neural activity are investigated for myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibres, by considering the cases of an intact and of a traumatized nerve membrane. Results show greater changes in transmitting action potential in the myelinated fibre.

Controlling groundwater pumping online.

PubMed

Zekri, Slim

2009-08-01

Groundwater over-pumping is a major problem in several countries around the globe. Since controlling groundwater pumping through water flow meters is hardly feasible, the surrogate is to control electricity usage. This paper presents a framework to restrict groundwater pumping by implementing an annual individual electricity quota without interfering with the electricity pricing policy. The system could be monitored online through prepaid electricity meters. This provides low transaction costs of individual monitoring of users compared to the prohibitive costs of water flow metering and monitoring. The public groundwater managers' intervention is thus required to determine the water and electricity quota and watch the electricity use online. The proposed framework opens the door to the establishment of formal groundwater markets among users at very low transaction costs. A cost-benefit analysis over a 25-year period is used to evaluate the cost of non-action and compare it to the prepaid electricity quota framework in the Batinah coastal area of Oman. Results show that the damage cost to the community, if no active policy is implemented, amounts to (-$288) million. On the other hand, the implementation of a prepaid electricity quota with an online management system would result in a net present benefit of $199 million.

Economic costs of electrical system instability and power outages caused by snakes on the Island of Guam

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fritts, T.H.

2002-01-01

The Brown Tree Snake, Boiga irregularis, is an introduced species on Guam where it causes frequent electrical power outages. The snake's high abundance, its propensity for climbing, and use of disturbed habitats all contribute to interruption of Guam's electrical service and the activities that depend on electrical power. Snakes have caused more than 1600 power outages in the 20-yr period of 1978–1997 and most recently nearly 200 outages per year. Single outages spanning the entire island and lasting 8 or more hours are estimated to cost in excess of $3,000,000 in lost productivity, but the costs of outages that involve only parts of the island or those of shorter durations are more difficult to quantify. Costs to the island's economy have exceeded $4.5 M $4.5M"> per year over a 7-yr period without considering repair costs, damage to electrical equipment, and lost revenues. Snakes pose the greatest problem on high voltage transmission lines, on transformers, and inside electrical substations.

Cardioprotective properties of citicoline against hyperthyroidism-induced reperfusion damage in rat hearts.

PubMed

Hernández-Esquivel, Luz; Pavón, Natalia; Buelna-Chontal, Mabel; González-Pacheco, Héctor; Belmont, Javier; Chávez, Edmundo

2015-06-01

Hyperthyroidism represents an increased risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity, especially when the heart is subjected to an ischemia/reperfusion process. The aim of this study was to explore the possible protective effect of the nucleotide citicoline on the susceptibility of hyperthyroid rat hearts to undergo reperfusion-induced damage, which is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Hence, we analyzed the protective effect of citicoline on the electrical behavior and on the mitochondrial function in rat hearts. Hyperthyroidism was established after a daily i.p. injection of triiodothyronine (at 2 mg/kg of body weight) during 5 days. Thereafter, citicoline was administered i.p. (at 125 mg/kg of body weight) for 5 days. In hyperthyroid rat hearts, citicoline protected against reperfusion-induced ventricular arrhythmias. Moreover, citicoline maintained the accumulation of mitochondrial Ca(2+), allowing mitochondria to reach a high transmembrane electric gradient that protected against the release of cytochrome c. It also preserved the activity of the enzyme aconitase that inhibited the release of cytokines. The protection also included the inhibition of oxidative stress-induced mDNA disruption. We conclude that citicoline protects against the reperfusion damage that is found in the hyperthyroid myocardium. This effect might be due to its inhibitory action on the permeability transition in mitochondria.

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

Elhadj, Selim; Yoo, Jae-hyuck; Negres, Raluca A.

The optical damage performance of electrically conductive gallium nitride (GaN) and indium tin oxide (ITO) films is addressed using large area, high power laser beam exposures at 1064 nm sub-bandgap wavelength. Analysis of the laser damage process assumes that onset of damage (threshold) is determined by the absorption and heating of a nanoscale region of a characteristic size reaching a critical temperature. We use this model to rationalize semi-quantitatively the pulse width scaling of the damage threshold from picosecond to nanosecond timescales, along with the pulse width dependence of the damage threshold probability derived by fitting large beam damage densitymore » data. Multi-shot exposures were used to address lifetime performance degradation described by an empirical expression based on the single exposure damage model. A damage threshold degradation of at least 50% was observed for both materials. Overall, the GaN films tested had 5-10 × higher optical damage thresholds than the ITO films tested for comparable transmission and electrical conductivity. This route to optically robust, large aperture transparent electrodes and power optoelectronics may thus involve use of next generation widegap semiconductors such as GaN.« less

Electrical Resistance of SiC/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites for Damage Detection and Life-Prediction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Craig; Morscher, Gregory; Xia, Zhenhai

2009-01-01

Ceramic matrix composites (CMC) are suitable for high temperature structural applications such as turbine airfoils and hypersonic thermal protection systems due to their low density high thermal conductivity. The employment of these materials in such applications is limited by the ability to accurately monitor and predict damage evolution. Current nondestructive methods such as ultrasound, x-ray, and thermal imaging are limited in their ability to quantify small scale, transverse, in-plane, matrix cracks developed over long-time creep and fatigue conditions. CMC is a multifunctional material in which the damage is coupled with the material s electrical resistance, providing the possibility of real-time information about the damage state through monitoring of resistance. Here, resistance measurement of SiC/SiC composites under mechanical load at both room temperature monotonic and high temperature creep conditions, coupled with a modal acoustic emission technique, can relate the effects of temperature, strain, matrix cracks, fiber breaks, and oxidation to the change in electrical resistance. A multiscale model can in turn be developed for life prediction of in-service composites, based on electrical resistance methods. Results of tensile mechanical testing of SiC/SiC composites at room and high temperatures will be discussed. Data relating electrical resistivity to composite constituent content, fiber architecture, temperature, matrix crack formation, and oxidation will be explained, along with progress in modeling such properties.

Optimization of a low noise detection circuit for probing the structure of damage cascades with IBIC

DOE PAGES

Auden, Elizabeth C.; Doyle, Barney L.; Bielejec, Edward; ...

2015-06-18

Optimal detector / pre-amplifier combinations have been identified for the use of light ion IBIC (ion beam induced charge) to probe the physical structure of electrically active defects in damage cascades caused by heavy ion implantation. The ideal detector must have a sufficiently thin dead layer that incident ions will produce the majority of damage cascades in the depletion region of the detector rather than the dead layer. Detector and circuit noise must be low enough to detect the implantation of a single heavy ion as well as the decrease in the light ion IBIC signal caused by Shockley-Read-Hall recombinationmore » when the beam scans regions of the detector damaged by the heavy ion. The IBIC signals from three detectors irradiated with 750 keV He⁺ ions are measured with commercial and bespoke charge sensitive pre-amplifiers to identify the combination with the lowest noise.« less

Effects of the earthquake of March 27, 1964, on the Eklutna Hydroelectric Project, Anchorage, Alaska, with a section on television examination of earthquake damage to underground communication and electrical systems in Anchorage: Chapter A in The Alaska earthquake, March 27, 1964: effects on transportation, communications, and utilities

USGS Publications Warehouse

Logan, Malcolm H.; Burton, Lynn R.

1967-01-01

The March 27, 1964, Alaska earthquake and its associated aftershocks caused damage requiring several million dollars worth of repair to the Eklwtna Hydroelectric Project, 34 miles northeast of Anchorage. Electric service from the Eklutna powerplant was interrupted during the early phase of the March 27 earthquake, built was restored (intermittently) until May 9,1964, when the plant was closed for inspection and repair. Water for Eklutna project is transported from Eklutna Lake to the powerplant at tidewater on Knik Arm of Cook Inlet by an underwater intake connected to a 4.46-mile tunnel penstock. The primary damage caused by the earthquake was 1at the intake structure in Eklutna Lake. No damage to the power tunnel was observed. The piles-supported powerplant and appurtenant structures, Anchorage and Palmer substations, and the transmission lines suffered minor dammage. Most damage occurred to facilities constructed on un-consolidated sediments and overburden which densified and subsided during the earthquake. Structures built on bedrock experienced little or no damage. Underground communication and electrical systems in Anchorage were examined with a small-diameter television camera to locate damaged areas requiring repair. Most of the damage was concentrated at or near valley slopes. Those parts of the systems within the major slide areas of the city were destroyed.

Carotid rupture following electrical injury: a report of two cases.

PubMed

Toy, Jonathan; Ball, Brandon J; Tredget, Edward E

2012-01-01

Electrical injuries often result in extensive tissue damage where vascular damage may occur and result in thrombosis and spontaneous rupture of blood vessels. Rupture of the brachial, radial, ulnar, internal mammary, and obturator arteries has been reported in the literature. The authors present two cases of carotid artery rupture following high-voltage electrical injuries. The first case is a 21-year-old man who was climbing a fence near a high-voltage power line when a gold chain he was wearing around his neck caught on the power line, resulting in a 10% circumferential electrical injury to his neck. He presented with visible arterial bleeding from the large neck wound and was taken to the operating room, where a 1-cm laceration to the carotid artery was repaired with a vein patch. On the second postoperative day, the patch dislodged, and a spontaneous rupture of the common carotid artery occurred. The damaged artery was subsequently ligated. The patient recovered with no neurological sequelae. The second case is a 43-year-old man who suffered a high-voltage injury while working on an electrical panel, resulting in a 50% TBSA full-thickness burn to the face, scalp, trunk, and extremities. Four weeks after admission, a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap was used for coverage of exposed outer table of the skull. Intraoperatively, the carotid artery spontaneously ruptured proximal to where the dissection was being carried out. The patient recovered with no neurological sequelae. High-voltage electrical injury results in significant damage to blood vessels via a number of mechanisms. Rupture of a major vessel is a rare, life-threatening sequelae of electrical injury.

An autonomously electrically self-healing liquid metal-elastomer composite for robust soft-matter robotics and electronics.

PubMed

Markvicka, Eric J; Bartlett, Michael D; Huang, Xiaonan; Majidi, Carmel

2018-07-01

Large-area stretchable electronics are critical for progress in wearable computing, soft robotics and inflatable structures. Recent efforts have focused on engineering electronics from soft materials-elastomers, polyelectrolyte gels and liquid metal. While these materials enable elastic compliance and deformability, they are vulnerable to tearing, puncture and other mechanical damage modes that cause electrical failure. Here, we introduce a material architecture for soft and highly deformable circuit interconnects that are electromechanically stable under typical loading conditions, while exhibiting uncompromising resilience to mechanical damage. The material is composed of liquid metal droplets suspended in a soft elastomer; when damaged, the droplets rupture to form new connections with neighbours and re-route electrical signals without interruption. Since self-healing occurs spontaneously, these materials do not require manual repair or external heat. We demonstrate this unprecedented electronic robustness in a self-repairing digital counter and self-healing soft robotic quadruped that continue to function after significant damage.

Characterisation of electrical resistance for CMC Materials up to 1200 °C

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stäbler, T.; Böhrk, H.; Voggenreiter, H.

2017-12-01

Damage to thermal protection systems (TPS) during atmospheric re-entry is a severe safety issue, especially when considering re-usability of space transportation systems. There is a need for structural health monitoring systems and non-destructive inspection methods. However, damages are hard to detect. When ceramic matrix composites, in this case carbon fibre reinforced silicon carbide (C/C-SiC), are used as a TPS, the electrical properties of the present semiconductor material can be used for health monitoring, since the resistivity changes with damage, strain and temperature. In this work the electrical resistivity as a function of the material temperature is analysed eliminating effects of thermal electricity and the thermal coefficient of electrical resistance is determined. A sensor network is applied for locally and time resolved monitoring of the 300 mm x 120 mm x 3 mm panel shaped samples. Since the material is used for atmospheric re-entry it needs to be characterised for a wide range of temperatures, in this case as high as 1200 °C. Therefore, experiments in an inductively heated test bench were conducted. Firstly, a reference sample was used with thermocouples for characterising the temperature distribution across the sample surface. Secondly, electrical resistance under heat load was measured, time and spatially resolved. Results will be shown and discussed in terms of resistance dependence on temperature, thermal coefficient of electrical resistance, thermal electricity and electrical path orientation including an analysis on effective conducting cross section. Conversely, the thermal coefficient can also be used to determine the material temperature as a function of electrical resistance.

Systematic Destruction of Electronic Parts for Aid in Electronic Failure Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Decker, S. E.; Rolin, T. D.; McManus, P. D.

2012-01-01

NASA analyzes electrical, electronic, and electromechanical (EEE) parts used in space vehicles to understand failure modes of these components. Operational amplifiers and transistors are two examples of EEE parts critical to NASA missions that can fail due to electrical overstress (EOS). EOS is the result of voltage or current over time conditions that exceeds a component s specification limit. The objective of this study was to provide known voltage pulses over well-defined time intervals to determine the type and extent of damage imparted to the device. The amount of current was not controlled but measured so that pulse energy was determined. The damage was ascertained electrically using curve trace plots and optically using various metallographic techniques. The resulting data can be used to build a database of physical evidence to compare to damaged components removed from flight avionics. The comparison will provide the avionics failure analyst necessary information about voltage and times that caused flight or test failures when no other electrical data is available.

Optical damage performance of conductive widegap semiconductors: spatial, temporal, and lifetime modeling

DOE PAGES

Elhadj, Selim; Yoo, Jae-hyuck; Negres, Raluca A.; ...

2016-12-19

The optical damage performance of electrically conductive gallium nitride (GaN) and indium tin oxide (ITO) films is addressed using large area, high power laser beam exposures at 1064 nm sub-bandgap wavelength. Analysis of the laser damage process assumes that onset of damage (threshold) is determined by the absorption and heating of a nanoscale region of a characteristic size reaching a critical temperature. We use this model to rationalize semi-quantitatively the pulse width scaling of the damage threshold from picosecond to nanosecond timescales, along with the pulse width dependence of the damage threshold probability derived by fitting large beam damage densitymore » data. Multi-shot exposures were used to address lifetime performance degradation described by an empirical expression based on the single exposure damage model. A damage threshold degradation of at least 50% was observed for both materials. Overall, the GaN films tested had 5-10 × higher optical damage thresholds than the ITO films tested for comparable transmission and electrical conductivity. This route to optically robust, large aperture transparent electrodes and power optoelectronics may thus involve use of next generation widegap semiconductors such as GaN.« less

Single cell wound generates electric current circuit and cell membrane potential variations that requires calcium influx.

PubMed

Luxardi, Guillaume; Reid, Brian; Maillard, Pauline; Zhao, Min

2014-07-24

Breaching of the cell membrane is one of the earliest and most common causes of cell injury, tissue damage, and disease. If the compromise in cell membrane is not repaired quickly, irreversible cell damage, cell death and defective organ functions will result. It is therefore fundamentally important to efficiently repair damage to the cell membrane. While the molecular aspects of single cell wound healing are starting to be deciphered, its bio-physical counterpart has been poorly investigated. Using Xenopus laevis oocytes as a model for single cell wound healing, we describe the temporal and spatial dynamics of the wound electric current circuitry and the temporal dynamics of cell membrane potential variation. In addition, we show the role of calcium influx in controlling electric current circuitry and cell membrane potential variations. (i) Upon wounding a single cell: an inward electric current appears at the wound center while an outward electric current is observed at its sides, illustrating the wound electric current circuitry; the cell membrane is depolarized; calcium flows into the cell. (ii) During cell membrane re-sealing: the wound center current density is maintained for a few minutes before decreasing; the cell membrane gradually re-polarizes; calcium flow into the cell drops. (iii) In conclusion, calcium influx is required for the formation and maintenance of the wound electric current circuitry, for cell membrane re-polarization and for wound healing.

Navy Safety Center data on the effects of fire protection systems on electrical equipment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levine, Robert S.

1991-04-01

Records of the Navy Safety Center, Norfolk, VA were reviewed to find data relevant to inadvertant operation of installed fire extinguishing systems in civilian nuclear power plants. Navy data show the incidence of collateral fire or other damage by fresh water on operating electrical equipment in submarines and in shore facilities is about the same as the civilian experience, about 30 percent. Aboard surface ships, however, the collateral damage incidence in much lower, about 15 percent. With sea water, the collateral damage incidence is at least 75 percent. It is concluded that the fire extinguisher water has to be contaminated, as by rust in sprinkler systems or deposited salt spray, for most collateral damage to occur. Reasons for inadvertant operation (or advertant operation) of firex systems at shore facilities, submarines, and surface ships resemble those for nuclear power plants. Mechanical or electrical failures lead the list, followed by mishaps during maintenance. Detector and alarm system failures are significant problems at Navy shore facilities, and significant at nuclear power plants. Fixed halon and CO2 systems in shore facilities cause no collateral damage. Lists of individual Navy incidents with water and with halon and carbon dioxide are included as appendices.

Spontaneous electric current flow during deformation of non-piezoelectric marble samples: an indicator of stress state?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cartwright-Taylor, A. L.; Sammonds, P. R.; Vallianatos, F.

2016-12-01

We recorded spontaneous electric current flow in non-piezoelectric Carrara marble samples during triaxial deformation. Mechanical data, ultrasonic velocities and acoustic emissions were acquired simultaneously with electric current to constrain the relationship between electric current flow, differential stress and damage. Under strain-controlled loading, spontaneous electric current signals (nA) were generated and sustained under all conditions tested. In dry samples, a detectable electric current arises only during dilatancy and is correlated with the damage induced by microcracking. Signal variations with confining pressure correspond to microcrack suppression, while variations with strain rate are associated with time-dependent differences in deformation mechanism across the brittle to semi-brittle transition. In the brittle regime, the signal exhibits a precursory change as damage localises and the stress drop accelerates towards failure. This change is particularly distinct at dynamic strain rates. Similar changes are seen in the semi-brittle regime although the signal is more oscillatory in nature. Current flow in dry samples is proportional to stress within 90% of peak stress. In fluid-saturated samples proportionality holds from 40% peak stress, with a significant increase in the rate of current production from 90% peak stress associated with fluid flow during dilatancy. This direct relationship demonstrates that electric current could be used as a proxy for stress, indicating when the rock is reaching the limit of its strength. The experimental power law relationship between electric current and strain rate, which mirrors the power-law creep equation, supports this observation. High-frequency fluctuations of electric current are not normally distributed - they exhibit `heavy-tails'. We model these distributions with q-Gaussian statistics and evolution of the q-parameter during deformation reveals a two-stage precursory anomaly prior to sample failure, consistent with the acoustic emissions b-value and stress intensity evolution as modelled from fracture mechanics. Our findings support the idea that electric currents in the crust can be generated purely from solid state fracture processes and that these currents may reflect the stress state within the damaged rock.

Antibacterial Effect of Gallic Acid against Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas sobria Through Damaging Membrane Integrity.

PubMed

Lu, Jing; Wang, Zhenning; Ren, Mengrou; Huang, Guoren; Fang, Baochen; Bu, Xiujuan; Liu, Yanhui; Guan, Shuang

In the study, we investigated the antibacterial activity and mechanism of gallic acid against Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas sobria. Gallic acid showed strong antimicrobial activity against the two bacteria. Furthermore, the antibacterial mechanism of gallic acid (0, 3, 6, 12 mM) was performed by membrane integrity assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) assay. The results showed that gallic acid notably increased the released material absorption value at 260, 280 nm and electric conductivity in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the SEM assay showed that gallic acid induced severe shrink of bacterial intima and irregular morphology in a dose-dependent manner. The SDS-PAGE profiles further confirmed that gallic acid could damage bacterial cells. These results indicated gallic acid exhibited antibacterial effect by destroying membrane integrity of A. hydrophila and A. sobria. Hence, gallic acid has great potential as a new natural food preservative in food fresh-keeping and storage.

Pre-Flight Dark Forward Electrical Testing of the Mir Cooperative Solar Array

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kerslake, Thomas W.; Scheiman, David A.; Hoffman, David J.

1997-01-01

The Mir Cooperative Solar Array (MCSA) was developed jointly by the United States (US) and Russia to provide approximately 6 kW of photovoltaic power to the Russian space station Mir. After final assembly in Russia, the MCSA was shipped to the NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in the summer of 1995 and launched to Mir in November 1995. Program managers were concerned of the potential for MCSA damage during the transatlantic shipment and the associated handling operations. To address this concern, NASA Lewis Research Center (LERC) developed an innovative dark-forward electrical test program to assess the gross electrical condition of each generator following shipment from Russia. The use of dark test techniques, which allow the array to remain in the stowed configuration, greatly simplifies the checkout of large area solar arrays. MCSA dark electrical testing was successfully performed at KSC in July 1995 following transatlantic shipment. Data from this testing enabled engineers to quantify the effects of potential MCSA physical damage that would degrade on-orbit electrical performance. In this paper, an overview of the principles and heritage of photovoltaic array dark testing is given. The specific MCSA dark test program is also described including the hardware, software, testing procedures and test results. The current-voltage (4) response of both solar cell circuitry and by-pass diode circuitry was obtained. To guide the development of dark test hardware, software and procedures, a dedicated FORTRAN computer code was developed to predict the dark 4 responses of generators with a variety of feasible damage modes. By comparing the actual test data with the predictions, the physical condition of the generator could be inferred. Based on this data analysis, no electrical short-circuits or open-circuits were detected. This suggested the MCSA did not sustain physical damage that affected electrical performance during handling and shipment from Russia to the US. Good agreement between the test data and computational predictions indicated MCSA electrical performance was amenable to accurate analysis and was well understood.

Biocompatible implants and methods of making and attaching the same

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

Rowley, Adrian P; Laude, Lucien D; Humayun, Mark S

2014-10-07

The invention provides a biocompatible silicone implant that can be securely affixed to living tissue through interaction with integral membrane proteins (integrins). A silicone article containing a laser-activated surface is utilized to make the implant. One example is an implantable prosthesis to treat blindness caused by outer retinal degenerative diseases. The device bypasses damaged photoreceptors and electrically stimulates the undamaged neurons of the retina. Electrical stimulation is achieved using a silicone microelectrode array (MEA). A safe, protein adhesive is used in attaching the MEA to the retinal surface and assist in alleviating focal pressure effects. Methods of making and attachingmore » such implants are also provided.« less

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

Liu, Po-Tsun, E-mail: ptliu@mail.nctu.edu.tw; Chang, Chih-Hsiang; Chang, Chih-Jui

This study investigates the instability induced by bias temperature illumination stress (NBTIS) for an amorphous indium-tungsten-oxide thin film transistor (a-IWO TFT) with SiO{sub 2} backchannel passivation layer (BPL). It is found that this electrical degradation phenomenon can be attributed to the generation of defect states during the BPL process, which deteriorates the photo-bias stability of a-IWO TFTs. A method proposed by adding an oxygen-rich a-IWO thin film upon the a-IWO active channel layer could effectively suppress the plasma damage to channel layer during BPL deposition process. The bi-layer a-IWO TFT structure with an oxygen-rich back channel exhibits superior electrical reliabilitymore » of device under NBTIS.« less

[Sex difference of functional and structural alterations in the myocardium of rats with hypothyroidism].

PubMed

Khara, M R; Pavlovych, S I; Mykhaĭliuk, V M

2013-01-01

In experiments on sexually mature rats we studied specific cholinergic regulations of the heart and the degree of its structural damage in hypothyroidism, depending on gender and hormone-productive activity of the gonads. Hypothyroidism in sexually mature males and females was modelled with mercazolil intragastric administration (75 mg/kg) daily during 15 days. We also studied the intensity of bradycardia, which occurred in response to electrical stimulation of vagus nerve and intravenous acetylcholine administration. The degree of structural heart damage was assessed by the percentage of damaged cardiomyocytes in the ventricles of myocardium. It was found that one of the mechanisms of bradycardia in merkazolil-induced hypothyroidism is an increase of the sensitivity of sinus node cholinergic receptors and release of more quanta of acetylcholine from stimulated nerves vagus endings, what was more intense in females. The intensity of bradycardia in hypothyroidism was more significant in gonadectomized animals than in individuals with preserved gonads. The mechanisms of its occurrence in males consist of release of greater amount of acetylcholine from the endings of the nerves vagus, and in females it was the result of significant increase of the sensitivity of sinus node cholinergic receptors. Regardless of the gonads activity, structural damage of the myocardium in merkazolil-induced hypothyroidism was more intensive in female rats.

Postbuckling Investigations of Piezoelectric Microdevices Considering Damage Effects

PubMed Central

Sun, Zhigang; Wang, Xianqiao

2014-01-01

Piezoelectric material has been emerging as a popular building block in MEMS devices owing to its unique mechanical and electrical material properties. However, the reliability of MEMS devices under buckling deformation environments remains elusive and needs to be further explored. Based on the Talreja's tensor valued internal state damage variables as well as the Helmhotlz free energy of piezoelectric material, a constitutive model of piezoelectric materials with damage is presented. The Kachanvo damage evolution law under in-plane compressive loads is employed. The model is applied to the specific case of the postbuckling analysis of the piezoelectric plate with damage. Then, adopting von Karman's plate theory, the nonlinear governing equations of the piezoelectric plates with initial geometric deflection including damage effects under in-plane compressive loads are established. By using the finite difference method and the Newmark scheme, the damage evolution for damage accumulation is developed and the finite difference procedure for postbuckling equilibrium path is simultaneously employed. Numerical results show the postbuckling behaviors of initial flat and deflected piezoelectric plates with damage or no damage under different sets of electrical loading conditions. The effects of applied voltage, aspect ratio of plate, thick-span ratio of plate, damage as well as initial geometric deflections on the postbuckling behaviors of the piezoelectric plate are discussed. PMID:24618774

Radiation-induced microcrystal shape change as a mechanism of wasteform degradation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ojovan, Michael I.; Burakov, Boris E.; Lee, William E.

2018-04-01

Experiments with actinide-containing insulating wasteforms such as devitrified glasses containing 244Cm, Ti-pyrochlore, single-phase La-monazite, Pu-monazite ceramics, Eu-monazite and zircon single crystals containing 238Pu indicate that mechanical self-irradiation-induced destruction may not reveal itself for many years (even decades). The mechanisms causing these slowly-occurring changes remain unknown therefore in addition to known mechanisms of wasteform degradation such as matrix swelling and loss of solid solution we have modelled the damaging effects of electrical fields induced by the decay of radionuclides in clusters embedded in a non-conducting matrix. Three effects were important: (i) electric breakdown; (ii) cluster shape change due to dipole interaction, and (iii) cluster shape change due to polarisation interaction. We reveal a critical size of radioactive clusters in non-conducting matrices so that the matrix material can be damaged if clusters are larger than this critical size. The most important parameters that control the matrix integrity are the radioactive cluster (inhomogeneity) size, specific radioactivity, and effective matrix electrical conductivity. We conclude that the wasteform should be as homogeneous as possible and even electrically conductive to avoid potential damage caused by electrical charges induced by radioactive decay.

[Effects of electric stimulation at the cerebellar fastigial nucleus on astrocytes in the hippocampus of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage].

PubMed

Li, Xiao-Li; Jia, Tian-Ming; Luan, Bin; Liu, Tao; Yuan, Yan

2011-04-01

To study the effects of electric stimulation at the cerebellar fastigial nucleus on astrocytes in the hippocampus of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) and the possible mechanism. One hundred and eighty 7-day-old neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham-operation (control group) and HIBD with and without electric stimulation (n=60 each). The HIBD model of neonatal rats was prepared by the Rice-Vennucci method. Electric stimulation at the cerebellar fastigial nucleus was given 24 hrs after the operation in the electric stimulation group once daily and lasted for 30 minutes each time. The other two groups were not subjected to electric stimulation but captured to fix in corresponding periods. Rats were sacrificed 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after stimulations to observe the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression by immunohistochemisty and the ultrastructural changes of astrocytes in the hippocampus under an electron microscope. Immunohistochemical analysis showed the expression of GFAP in the HIBD groups with and without electric stimulation increased significantly compared with the control group on day 3, reached the peak on day 7, and the increased expression remained till to day 21. The GFAP expression in the electric stimulation group was significantly lower than that in the untreated HIBD group at all time points. Under the electron microscope, the astrocytes in the untreated HIBD group were swollen and the amount of organelles was reduced, while the swelling of astrocytes was alleviated and the organelles remained in integrity in the electric stimulation group. The electric stimulation at the cerebellar fastigial nucleus can inhibit the excessive proliferation of astrocytes and relieve the structural damage of astrocytes in neonatal rats following HIBD.

Interface Control Document for the EMPACT Module that Estimates Electric Power Transmission System Response to EMP-Caused Damage

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

Werley, Kenneth Alan; Mccown, Andrew William

The EPREP code is designed to evaluate the effects of an Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP) on the electric power transmission system. The EPREP code embodies an umbrella framework that allows a user to set up analysis conditions and to examine analysis results. The code links to three major physics/engineering modules. The first module describes the EM wave in space and time. The second module evaluates the damage caused by the wave on specific electric power (EP) transmission system components. The third module evaluates the consequence of the damaged network on its (reduced) ability to provide electric power to meet demand. Thismore » third module is the focus of the present paper. The EMPACT code serves as the third module. The EMPACT name denotes EMP effects on Alternating Current Transmission systems. The EMPACT algorithms compute electric power transmission network flow solutions under severely damaged network conditions. Initial solutions are often characterized by unacceptible network conditions including line overloads and bad voltages. The EMPACT code contains algorithms to adjust optimally network parameters to eliminate network problems while minimizing outages. System adjustments include automatically adjusting control equipment (generator V control, variable transformers, and variable shunts), as well as non-automatic control of generator power settings and minimal load shedding. The goal is to evaluate the minimal loss of customer load under equilibrium (steady-state) conditions during peak demand.« less

Simulation of fatigue damage in ferroelectric polycrystals under mechanical/electrical loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kozinov, S.; Kuna, M.

2018-07-01

The reliability of smart-structures made of ferroelectric ceramics is essentially reduced by the formation of cracks under the action of external electrical and/or mechanical loading. In the current research a numerical model for low-cycle fatigue in ferroelectric mesostructures is proposed. In the finite element simulations a combination of two user element routines is utilized. The first one is used to model a micromechanical ferroelectric domain switching behavior inside the grains. The second one is used to simulate fatigue damage of grain boundaries by a cohesive zone model (EMCCZM) based on an electromechanical cyclic traction-separation law (TSL). For numerical simulations a scanning electron microscope image of the ceramic's grain structure was digitalized and meshed. The response of this mesostructure to cyclic electrical or mechanical loading is systematically analyzed. As a result of the simulations, the distribution of electric potential, field, displacement and polarization as well as mechanical stresses and deformations inside the grains are obtained. At the grain boundaries, the formation and evolution of damage are analyzed until final failure and induced degradation of electric permittivity. It is found that the proposed model correctly mimics polycrystalline behavior during poling processes and progressive damage under cyclic electromechanical loading. To the authors' knowledge, it is the first model and numerical analysis of ferroelectric polycrystals taking into account both domain reorientation and cohesive modeling of intergranular fracture. It can help to understand failure mechanisms taking place in ferroelectrics during fatigue processes.

Optical gain in colloidal quantum dots achieved with direct-current electrical pumping

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

Lim, Jaehoon; Park, Young-Shin; Klimov, Victor Ivanovich

Chemically synthesized semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) can potentially enable solution-processable laser diodes with a wide range of operational wavelengths, yet demonstrations of lasing from the QDs are still at the laboratory stage. An important challenge—realization of lasing with electrical injection—remains unresolved, largely due to fast nonradiative Auger recombination of multicarrier states that represent gain-active species in the QDs. Here in this paper, we present population inversion and optical gain in colloidal nanocrystals realized with direct-current electrical pumping. Using continuously graded QDs, we achieve a considerable suppression of Auger decay such that it can be outpaced by electrical injection. Further, wemore » apply a special current-focusing device architecture, which allows us to produce high current densities (j) up to ~18 A cm -2 without damaging either the QDs or the injection layers. The quantitative analysis of electroluminescence and current-modulated transmission spectra indicates that with j = 3-4 A cm -2 we achieve the population inversion of the band-edge states.« less

Charge and energy minimization in electrical/magnetic stimulation of nervous tissue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jezernik, Sašo; Sinkjaer, Thomas; Morari, Manfred

2010-08-01

In this work we address the problem of stimulating nervous tissue with the minimal necessary energy at reduced/minimal charge. Charge minimization is related to a valid safety concern (avoidance and reduction of stimulation-induced tissue and electrode damage). Energy minimization plays a role in battery-driven electrical or magnetic stimulation systems (increased lifetime, repetition rates, reduction of power requirements, thermal management). Extensive new theoretical results are derived by employing an optimal control theory framework. These results include derivation of the optimal electrical stimulation waveform for a mixed energy/charge minimization problem, derivation of the charge-balanced energy-minimal electrical stimulation waveform, solutions of a pure charge minimization problem with and without a constraint on the stimulation amplitude, and derivation of the energy-minimal magnetic stimulation waveform. Depending on the set stimulus pulse duration, energy and charge reductions of up to 80% are deemed possible. Results are verified in simulations with an active, mammalian-like nerve fiber model.

Charge and energy minimization in electrical/magnetic stimulation of nervous tissue.

PubMed

Jezernik, Saso; Sinkjaer, Thomas; Morari, Manfred

2010-08-01

In this work we address the problem of stimulating nervous tissue with the minimal necessary energy at reduced/minimal charge. Charge minimization is related to a valid safety concern (avoidance and reduction of stimulation-induced tissue and electrode damage). Energy minimization plays a role in battery-driven electrical or magnetic stimulation systems (increased lifetime, repetition rates, reduction of power requirements, thermal management). Extensive new theoretical results are derived by employing an optimal control theory framework. These results include derivation of the optimal electrical stimulation waveform for a mixed energy/charge minimization problem, derivation of the charge-balanced energy-minimal electrical stimulation waveform, solutions of a pure charge minimization problem with and without a constraint on the stimulation amplitude, and derivation of the energy-minimal magnetic stimulation waveform. Depending on the set stimulus pulse duration, energy and charge reductions of up to 80% are deemed possible. Results are verified in simulations with an active, mammalian-like nerve fiber model.

Optical gain in colloidal quantum dots achieved with direct-current electrical pumping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lim, Jaehoon; Park, Young-Shin; Klimov, Victor I.

2018-01-01

Chemically synthesized semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) can potentially enable solution-processable laser diodes with a wide range of operational wavelengths, yet demonstrations of lasing from the QDs are still at the laboratory stage. An important challenge--realization of lasing with electrical injection--remains unresolved, largely due to fast nonradiative Auger recombination of multicarrier states that represent gain-active species in the QDs. Here we present population inversion and optical gain in colloidal nanocrystals realized with direct-current electrical pumping. Using continuously graded QDs, we achieve a considerable suppression of Auger decay such that it can be outpaced by electrical injection. Further, we apply a special current-focusing device architecture, which allows us to produce high current densities (j) up to ~18 A cm-2 without damaging either the QDs or the injection layers. The quantitative analysis of electroluminescence and current-modulated transmission spectra indicates that with j = 3-4 A cm-2 we achieve the population inversion of the band-edge states.

Optical gain in colloidal quantum dots achieved with direct-current electrical pumping

DOE PAGES

Lim, Jaehoon; Park, Young-Shin; Klimov, Victor Ivanovich

2017-11-20

Chemically synthesized semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) can potentially enable solution-processable laser diodes with a wide range of operational wavelengths, yet demonstrations of lasing from the QDs are still at the laboratory stage. An important challenge—realization of lasing with electrical injection—remains unresolved, largely due to fast nonradiative Auger recombination of multicarrier states that represent gain-active species in the QDs. Here in this paper, we present population inversion and optical gain in colloidal nanocrystals realized with direct-current electrical pumping. Using continuously graded QDs, we achieve a considerable suppression of Auger decay such that it can be outpaced by electrical injection. Further, wemore » apply a special current-focusing device architecture, which allows us to produce high current densities (j) up to ~18 A cm -2 without damaging either the QDs or the injection layers. The quantitative analysis of electroluminescence and current-modulated transmission spectra indicates that with j = 3-4 A cm -2 we achieve the population inversion of the band-edge states.« less

Effect of the state of internal boundaries on granite fracture nature under quasi-static compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Damaskinskaya, E. E.; Panteleev, I. A.; Kadomtsev, A. G.; Naimark, O. B.

2017-05-01

Based on an analysis of the spatial distribution of hypocenters of acoustic emission signal sources and an analysis of the energy distributions of acoustic emission signals, the effect of the liquid phase and a weak electric field on the spatiotemporal nature of granite sample fracture is studied. Experiments on uniaxial compression of granite samples of natural moisture showed that the damage accumulation process is twostage: disperse accumulation of damages is followed by localized accumulation of damages in the formed macrofracture nucleus region. In energy distributions of acoustic emission signals, this transition is accompanied by a change in the distribution shape from exponential to power-law. Granite water saturation qualitatively changes the damage accumulation nature: the process is delocalized until macrofracture with the exponential energy distribution of acoustic emission signals. An exposure to a weak electric field results in a selective change in the damage accumulation nature in the sample volume.

Optical and electrical characterization methods of plasma-induced damage in silicon nitride films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuyama, Tomohiro; Eriguchi, Koji

2018-06-01

We proposed evaluation methods of plasma-induced damage (PID) in silicon nitride (SiN) films. The formation of an oxide layer by air exposure was identified for damaged SiN films by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Bruggeman’s effective medium approximation was employed for an optical model consisting of damaged and undamaged layers, which is applicable to an in-line monitoring by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). The optical thickness of the damaged layer — an oxidized layer — extended after plasma exposure, which was consistent with the results obtained by a diluted hydrofluoric acid (DHF) wet etching. The change in the conduction band edge of the damaged SiN films was presumed from two electrical techniques, i.e., current–voltage (I–V) measurement and time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) test with a constant voltage stress. The proposed techniques can be used for assigning the plasma-induced structural change in an SiN film widely used as an etch-protecting layer.

Neutral beam and ICP etching of HKMG MOS capacitors: Observations and a plasma-induced damage model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuo, Tai-Chen; Shih, Tzu-Lang; Su, Yin-Hsien; Lee, Wen-Hsi; Current, Michael Ira; Samukawa, Seiji

2018-04-01

In this study, TiN/HfO2/Si metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitors were etched by a neutral beam etching technique under two contrasting conditions. The configurations of neutral beam etching technique were specially designed to demonstrate a "damage-free" condition or to approximate "reactive-ion-etching-like" conditions to verify the effect of plasma-induced damage on electrical characteristics of MOS capacitors. The results show that by neutral beam etching (NBE), the interface state density (Dit) and the oxide trapped charge (Qot) were lower than routine plasma etching. Furthermore, the decrease in capacitor size does not lead to an increase in leakage current density, indicating less plasma induced side-wall damage. We present a plasma-induced gate stack damage model which we demonstrate by using these two different etching configurations. These results show that NBE is effective in preventing plasma-induced damage at the high-k/Si interface and on the high-k oxide sidewall and thus improve the electrical performance of the gate structure.

Electrotaxis of cardiac progenitor cells, cardiac fibroblasts, and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac progenitor cells requires serum and is directed via PI3'K pathways.

PubMed

Frederich, Bert J; Timofeyev, Valeriy; Thai, Phung N; Haddad, Michael J; Poe, Adam J; Lau, Victor C; Moshref, Maryam; Knowlton, Anne A; Sirish, Padmini; Chiamvimonvat, Nipavan

2017-11-01

The limited regenerative capacity of cardiac tissue has long been an obstacle to treating damaged myocardium. Cell-based therapy offers an enormous potential to the current treatment paradigms. However, the efficacy of regenerative therapies remains limited by inefficient delivery and engraftment. Electrotaxis (electrically guided cell movement) has been clinically used to improve recovery in a number of tissues but has not been investigated for treating myocardial damage. The purpose of this study was to test the electrotactic behaviors of several types of cardiac cells. Cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs), cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac progenitor cells (hiPSC-CPCs) were used. CPCs and CFs electrotax toward the anode of a direct current electric field, whereas hiPSC-CPCs electrotax toward the cathode. The voltage-dependent electrotaxis of CPCs and CFs requires the presence of serum in the media. Addition of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule to serum-free media restores directed migration. We provide evidence that CPC and CF electrotaxis is mediated through phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase signaling. In addition, very late antigen-4, an integrin and growth factor receptor, is required for electrotaxis and localizes to the anodal edge of CPCs in response to direct current electric field. The hiPSC-derived CPCs do not express very late antigen-4, migrate toward the cathode in a voltage-dependent manner, and, similar to CPCs and CFs, require media serum and phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase activity for electrotaxis. The electrotactic behaviors of these therapeutic cardiac cells may be used to improve cell-based therapy for recovering function in damaged myocardium. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Effect of Electrostatic Discharge on Electrical Characteristics of Discrete Electronic Components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wysocki, Phil; Vashchenko, Vladislav; Celaya, Jose; Saha, Sankalita; Goebel, Kai

2009-01-01

This article reports on preliminary results of a study conducted to examine how temporary electrical overstress seed fault conditions in discrete power electronic components that cannot be detected with reliability tests but impact longevity of the device. These defects do not result in formal parametric failures per datasheet specifications, but result in substantial change in the electrical characteristics when compared with pristine device parameters. Tests were carried out on commercially available 600V IGBT devices using transmission line pulse (TLP) and system level ESD stress. It was hypothesized that the ESD causes local damage during the ESD discharge which may greatly accelerate degradation mechanisms and thus reduce the life of the components. This hypothesis was explored in simulation studies where different types of damage were imposed to different parts of the device. Experimental results agree qualitatively with the simulation for a number of tests which will motivate more in-depth modeling of the damage.

Measurement of changes in impedance of DNA nanowires due to radiation induced structural damage. A novel approach for a DNA-based radiosensitive device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heimbach, Florian; Arndt, Alexander; Nettelbeck, Heidi; Langner, Frank; Giesen, Ulrich; Rabus, Hans; Sellner, Stefan; Toppari, Jussi; Shen, Boxuan; Baek, Woon Yong

2017-08-01

The ability of DNA to conduct electric current has been the topic of numerous investigations over the past few decades. Those investigations indicate that this ability is dependent on the molecular structure of the DNA. Radiation-induced damages, which lead to an alteration of the molecular structure, should therefore change the electrical impedance of a DNA molecule. In this paper, the damage due to ionising radiation is shown to have a direct effect on the electrical transport properties of DNA. Impedance measurements of DNA samples were carried out by an AC impedance spectrometer before, during and after irradiation. The samples comprised of DNA segments, which were immobilized between gold electrodes with a gap of 12 μm. The impedance of all DNA samples exhibited rising capacitive behaviour with increasing absorbed dose.

Influence of patterned electrical neuromuscular stimulation on quadriceps activation in individuals with knee joint injury.

PubMed

Glaviano, Neal R; Langston, William T; Hart, Joseph M; Saliba, Susan

2014-12-01

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation is a common intervention to address muscle weakness, however presents with many limitations such as fatigue, muscle damage, and patient discomfort that may influence its effectiveness. One novel form of electrical stimulation purported to improve neuromuscular re-education is Patterned Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation (PENS), which is proposed to mimic muscle-firing patterns of healthy individuals. PENS provides patterned stimulating to the agonist muscle, antagonist muscle and then agonist muscle again in an effort to replicate firing patterns. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a single PENS treatment on knee extension torque and quadriceps activation in individuals with quadriceps inhibition. 18 subjects (10 males and 8 females: 24.2±3.4 years, 175.3±11.8cm, 81.8±12.4kg) with a history of knee injury/pain participated in this double-blinded randomized controlled laboratory trial. Participants demonstrated quadriceps inhibition with a central activation ratio of ≤90%. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the quadriceps and central activation ratio were measured before and after treatment. The treatment intervention was a 15-minute patterned electrical stimulation applied to the quadriceps and hamstring muscles with a strong motor contraction or a sham group, who received an identical set up as the PENS group, but received a 1mA subsensory stimulation. A 2×2 (group × time) ANCOVA was used to determine differences in maximal voluntary isometric contraction and central activation ratio between groups. The maximal voluntary isometric contraction was selected as a covariate due to baseline differences. There were no differences in change scores between pre- and post-intervention for maximal voluntary isometric contraction: (PENS: 0.09±0.32Nm/kg and Sham 0.15±0.18Nm/kg, p=0.713), or central activation ratio:(PENS: -1.22±6.06 and Sham: 1.48±3.7, p=0.270). A single Patterned Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation treatment did not alter quadriceps central activation ratio or maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Unlike other types of muscle stimulation, PENS did not result in a reduction of quadriceps torque. Level III.

Identification of Surface and Near Surface Defects and Damage Evaluation by Laser Speckle Techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gowda, Chandrakanth H.

2001-01-01

As a part of the grant activity, a laboratory was established within the Department of Electrical Engineering for the study for measurements of surface defects and damage evaluation. This facility has been utilized for implementing several algorithms for accurate measurements of defects. Experiments were conducted using simulated images and multiple images were fused to achieve accurate measurements. During the nine months of the grants when the principal investigator was transferred in my name, experiments were conducted using simulated synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. This proved useful when several algorithms were used on images of smooth objects with minor deformalities. Given the time constraint, the derived algorithms could not be applied to actual images of smooth objects with minor abnormalities.

Impact of aldosterone antagonists on the substrate for atrial fibrillation: Aldosterone promotes oxidative stress and atrial structural/electrical remodeling

PubMed Central

Mayyas, Fadia; Alzoubi, Karem H.; Van Wagoner, David R.

2014-01-01

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia, is an electrocardiographic description of a condition with multiple and complex underlying mechanisms. Oxidative stress is an important driver of structural remodeling that creates a substrate for AF. Oxidant radicals may promote increase of atrial oxidative damage, electrical and structural remodeling, and atrial inflammation. AF and other cardiovascular morbidities activate angiotensin (Ang-II)-dependent and independent cascades. A key component of the renin–angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is the mineralocorticoid aldosterone. Recent studies provide evidence of myocardial aldosterone synthesis. Aldosterone promotes cardiac oxidative stress, inflammation and structural/electrical remodeling via multiple mechanisms. In HF patients, aldosterone production is enhanced. In patients and in experimental HF and AF models, aldosterone receptor antagonists have favorable influences on cardiac remodeling and oxidative stress. Therapeutic approaches that seek to reduce AF burden by modulating the aldosterone system are likely beneficial but underutilized. PMID:23993726

Effects of electrolysis by low-amperage electric current on the chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of Microcystis aeruginosa.

PubMed

Lin, Li; Feng, Cong; Li, Qingyun; Wu, Min; Zhao, Liangyuan

2015-10-01

Effects of electrolysis by low-amperage electric current on the chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of Microcystis aeruginosa were investigated in order to reveal the mechanisms of electrolytic inhibition of algae. Threshold of current density was found under a certain initial no. of algae cell. When current density was equal to or higher than the threshold (fixed electrolysis time), growth of algae was inhibited completely and the algae lost the ability to survive. Effect of algal solution volume on algal inhibition was insignificant. Thresholds of current density were 8, 10, 14, 20, and 22 mA cm(-2) at 2.5 × 10(7), 5 × 10(7), 1 × 10(8), 2.5 × 10(8), and 5 × 10(8) cells mL(-1) initial no. of algae cell, respectively. Correlativity between threshold of current and initial no. of algae cells was established for scale-up and determining operating conditions. Changes of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters demonstrated that photosystem (PS) II of algae was damaged by electrolysis but still maintained relatively high activity when algal solution was treated by current densities lower than the threshold. The activity of algae recovered completely after 6 days of cultivation. On the contrary, when current density was higher than the threshold, connection of phycobilisome (PBS) and PS II core complexes was destroyed, PS II system of algae was damaged irreversibly, and algae could not survive thoroughly. The inactivation of M. aeruginosa by electrolysis can be attributed to irreversible separation of PBS from PS II core complexes and the damage of PS II of M. aeruginosa.

Integrated Electrical Wire Insulation Repair System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, Martha; Jolley, Scott; Gibson, Tracy; Parks, Steven

2013-01-01

An integrated system tool will allow a technician to easily and quickly repair damaged high-performance electrical wire insulation in the field. Low-melt polyimides have been developed that can be processed into thin films that work well in the repair of damaged polyimide or fluoropolymer insulated electrical wiring. Such thin films can be used in wire insulation repairs by affixing a film of this low-melt polyimide to the damaged wire, and heating the film to effect melting, flow, and cure of the film. The resulting repair is robust, lightweight, and small in volume. The heating of this repair film is accomplished with the use of a common electrical soldering tool that has been modified with a special head or tip that can accommodate the size of wire being repaired. This repair method can furthermore be simplified for the repair technician by providing replaceable or disposable soldering tool heads that have repair film already "loaded" and ready for use. The soldering tool heating device can also be equipped with a battery power supply that will allow its use in areas where plug-in current is not available

Lifetime laser damage performance of β -Ga2O3 for high power applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoo, Jae-Hyuck; Rafique, Subrina; Lange, Andrew; Zhao, Hongping; Elhadj, Selim

2018-03-01

Gallium oxide (Ga2O3) is an emerging wide bandgap semiconductor with potential applications in power electronics and high power optical systems where gallium nitride and silicon carbide have already demonstrated unique advantages compared to gallium arsenide and silicon-based devices. Establishing the stability and breakdown conditions of these next-generation materials is critical to assessing their potential performance in devices subjected to large electric fields. Here, using systematic laser damage performance tests, we establish that β-Ga2O3 has the highest lifetime optical damage performance of any conductive material measured to date, above 10 J/cm2 (1.4 GW/cm2). This has direct implications for its use as an active component in high power laser systems and may give insight into its utility for high-power switching applications. Both heteroepitaxial and bulk β-Ga2O3 samples were benchmarked against a heteroepitaxial gallium nitride sample, revealing an order of magnitude higher optical lifetime damage threshold for β-Ga2O3. Photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy results suggest that the exceptional damage performance of β-Ga2O3 is due to lower absorptive defect concentrations and reduced epitaxial stress.

Efficiency degradation behaviors of current/thermal co-stressed GaN-based blue light emitting diodes with vertical-structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Lilin; Ling, Minjie; Yang, Jianfu; Xiong, Wang; Jia, Weiqing; Wang, Gang

2012-05-01

With this work, we demonstrate a three-stage degradation behavior of GaN based LED chips under current/thermal co-stressing. The three stages in sequence are the initial improvement stage, the platform stage, and the rapid degradation stage, indicating that current/thermal co-stressing activates positive effects and negative ones simultaneously, and the dominant degradation mechanisms evolve with aging time. Degradation mechanisms are discussed. Electric current stress has dual characters: damaging the active layers by generating defects and at the same time improving the p-type conductivity by activating the Mg-dopant. High temperature stresses will promote the effects from electric current stresses. The activation of the Mg-dopant will saturate, whereas the generation of defects is carried on in a progressive way. Other mechanisms, such as deterioration of ohmic contacts, also operate. These mechanisms compete/cooperate with each other and evolve with aging time, resulting in the observed three-stage degradation behavior. There exist risks to predict the lifetime of LEDs by a model with a constant accelerated factor.

Optimal Ozone Control with Inclusion of Spatiotemporal Marginal Damages and Electricity Demand.

PubMed

Mesbah, S Morteza; Hakami, Amir; Schott, Stephan

2015-07-07

Marginal damage (MD), or damage per ton of emission, is a policy metric used for effective pollution control and reducing the corresponding adverse health impacts. However, for a pollutant such as NOx, the MD varies by the time and location of the emissions, a complication that is not adequately accounted for in the currently implemented economic instruments. Policies accounting for MD information would aim to encourage emitters with large MDs to reduce their emissions. An optimization framework is implemented to account for NOx spatiotemporal MDs calculated through adjoint sensitivity analysis and to simulate power plants' behavior under emission and simplified electricity constraints. The results from a case study of U.S. power plants indicate that time-specific MDs are high around noon and low in the evening. Furthermore, an emissions reduction of about 40% and a net benefit of about $1200 million can be gained for this subset of power plants if a larger fraction of the electricity demand is supplied by power plants at low-damage times and in low-damage locations. The results also indicate that the consideration of temporal effects in NOx control policies results in a comparable net benefit to the consideration of spatial or spatiotemporal effects, thus providing a promising option for policy development.

An addressable conducting network for autonomic structural health management of composite structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takahashi, Kosuke; Park, Jong Se; Hahn, H. Thomas

2010-10-01

The electrical resistance change method (ERCM) has long been an area of interest as an in-service health monitoring system. To apply the ERCM to existing structures, a new concept, the addressable conducting network (ACN), is proposed for autonomic structural health management of graphite/polymer composites. The ACN consists of two sets of conducting lines normal to each other, where one set resides on the top surface of the laminate and the other on the bottom surface. Damage can be detected by monitoring the resistance change 'through the laminate thickness' between two lines. By using a thermally mendable polymer as the matrix, the same conducting lines can be used to supply the electric current needed for resistive heating, thereby allowing the detected damage to be healed. As shown experimentally, the electrical resistance change method using an ACN distinguishes between laminates made of properly and improperly cured prepreg as well as revealing damage generated during three-point bending tests. Finite element analysis was performed to examine the feasibility of the ACN and indicated that the damage can be easily located from the spatial distribution of resistance changes and that the damaged area can be locally heated by supplying a large amount of current to selected conducting lines.

Vision restoration after brain and retina damage: the "residual vision activation theory".

PubMed

Sabel, Bernhard A; Henrich-Noack, Petra; Fedorov, Anton; Gall, Carolin

2011-01-01

Vision loss after retinal or cerebral visual injury (CVI) was long considered to be irreversible. However, there is considerable potential for vision restoration and recovery even in adulthood. Here, we propose the "residual vision activation theory" of how visual functions can be reactivated and restored. CVI is usually not complete, but some structures are typically spared by the damage. They include (i) areas of partial damage at the visual field border, (ii) "islands" of surviving tissue inside the blind field, (iii) extrastriate pathways unaffected by the damage, and (iv) downstream, higher-level neuronal networks. However, residual structures have a triple handicap to be fully functional: (i) fewer neurons, (ii) lack of sufficient attentional resources because of the dominant intact hemisphere caused by excitation/inhibition dysbalance, and (iii) disturbance in their temporal processing. Because of this resulting activation loss, residual structures are unable to contribute much to everyday vision, and their "non-use" further impairs synaptic strength. However, residual structures can be reactivated by engaging them in repetitive stimulation by different means: (i) visual experience, (ii) visual training, or (iii) noninvasive electrical brain current stimulation. These methods lead to strengthening of synaptic transmission and synchronization of partially damaged structures (within-systems plasticity) and downstream neuronal networks (network plasticity). Just as in normal perceptual learning, synaptic plasticity can improve vision and lead to vision restoration. This can be induced at any time after the lesion, at all ages and in all types of visual field impairments after retinal or brain damage (stroke, neurotrauma, glaucoma, amblyopia, age-related macular degeneration). If and to what extent vision restoration can be achieved is a function of the amount of residual tissue and its activation state. However, sustained improvements require repetitive stimulation which, depending on the method, may take days (noninvasive brain stimulation) or months (behavioral training). By becoming again engaged in everyday vision, (re)activation of areas of residual vision outlasts the stimulation period, thus contributing to lasting vision restoration and improvements in quality of life. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Thermocouple shield

DOEpatents

Ripley, Edward B [Knoxville, TN

2009-11-24

A thermocouple shield for use in radio frequency fields. In some embodiments the shield includes an electrically conductive tube that houses a standard thermocouple having a thermocouple junction. The electrically conductive tube protects the thermocouple from damage by an RF (including microwave) field and mitigates erroneous temperature readings due to the microwave or RF field. The thermocouple may be surrounded by a ceramic sheath to further protect the thermocouple. The ceramic sheath is generally formed from a material that is transparent to the wavelength of the microwave or RF energy. The microwave transparency property precludes heating of the ceramic sheath due to microwave coupling, which could affect the accuracy of temperature measurements. The ceramic sheath material is typically an electrically insulating material. The electrically insulative properties of the ceramic sheath help avert electrical arcing, which could damage the thermocouple junction. The electrically conductive tube is generally disposed around the thermocouple junction and disposed around at least a portion of the ceramic sheath. The concepts of the thermocouple shield may be incorporated into an integrated shielded thermocouple assembly.

Exploration of COTS Ultrasonic NDE Methods for ISS MMOD Impact Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Violette, Daniel P.; Koshti, Ajay; Stanley, David

2012-01-01

The high orbital speed of the International Space Station (ISS) has created a concern about Micro-Meteorite and Orbital Debris (MMOD). The possibility exists that such an impact could cause significant damage to the ISS pressure wall, and possibly lead to a pressure leak. This paper explores the potential of using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) techniques in order to inspect and analyze MMOD impact damage if such an event would happen to occur. Different types of intra vehicular activity (IVA) Ultrasonic NDE equipment were evaluated, including the Olympus Omniscan MX and the General Electric Phasor XS. The equipment was tested by inspecting various aluminum standards and impact damage test plates in order to determine technological limitations of the equipment as well as the ease of use and availability of features. This study allowed for the design of scanning procedures in order to evaluate the extent of damage caused by an MMOD impact. Lastly, comparisons were drawn between the different pieces of COTS software and a recommendation is made based on each device s capability.

Electrical effects of plasma damage in p-GaN

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

Cao, X.A.; Pearton, S.J.; Zhang, A.P.

1999-10-01

The reverse breakdown voltage of p-GaN Schottky diodes was used to measure the electrical effects of high density Ar or H{sub 2} plasma exposure. The near surface of the p-GaN became more compensated through introduction of shallow donor states whose concentration depended on ion flux, ion energy, and ion mass. At high fluxes or energies, the donor concentration exceeded 10{sup 19}&hthinsp;cm{sup {minus}3} and produced {ital p}-to-{ital n} surface conversion. The damage depth was established as {approximately}400 {Angstrom} based on electrical and wet etch rate measurements. Rapid thermal annealing at 900&hthinsp;{degree}C under a N{sub 2} ambient restored the initial electrical propertiesmore » of the p-GaN. {copyright} {ital 1999 American Institute of Physics.}« less

Airway epithelial wounds in rhesus monkey generate ionic currents that guide cell migration to promote healing

PubMed Central

Sun, Yao-Hui; Reid, Brian; Fontaine, Justin H.; Miller, Lisa A.; Hyde, Dallas M.; Mogilner, Alex

2011-01-01

Damage to the respiratory epithelium is one of the most critical steps to many life-threatening diseases, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The mechanisms underlying repair of the damaged epithelium have not yet been fully elucidated. Here we provide experimental evidence suggesting a novel mechanism for wound repair: endogenous electric currents. It is known that the airway epithelium maintains a voltage difference referred to as the transepithelial potential. Using a noninvasive vibrating probe, we demonstrate that wounds in the epithelium of trachea from rhesus monkeys generate significant outward electric currents. A small slit wound produced an outward current (1.59 μA/cm2), which could be enhanced (nearly doubled) by the ion transport stimulator aminophylline. In addition, inhibiting cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) with CFTR(Inh)-172 significantly reduced wound currents (0.17 μA/cm2), implicating an important role of ion transporters in wound induced electric potentials. Time-lapse video microscopy showed that applied electric fields (EFs) induced robust directional migration of primary tracheobronchial epithelial cells from rhesus monkeys, towards the cathode, with a threshold of <23 mV/mm. Reversal of the field polarity induced cell migration towards the new cathode. We further demonstrate that application of an EF promoted wound healing in a monolayer wound healing assay. Our results suggest that endogenous electric currents at sites of tracheal epithelial injury may direct cell migration, which could benefit restitution of damaged airway mucosa. Manipulation of ion transport may lead to novel therapeutic approaches to repair damaged respiratory epithelium. PMID:21719726

Valuation of plug-in vehicle life-cycle air emissions and oil displacement benefits

PubMed Central

Michalek, Jeremy J.; Chester, Mikhail; Jaramillo, Paulina; Samaras, Constantine; Shiau, Ching-Shin Norman; Lave, Lester B.

2011-01-01

We assess the economic value of life-cycle air emissions and oil consumption from conventional vehicles, hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles (PHEVs), and battery electric vehicles in the US. We find that plug-in vehicles may reduce or increase externality costs relative to grid-independent HEVs, depending largely on greenhouse gas and SO2 emissions produced during vehicle charging and battery manufacturing. However, even if future marginal damages from emissions of battery and electricity production drop dramatically, the damage reduction potential of plug-in vehicles remains small compared to ownership cost. As such, to offer a socially efficient approach to emissions and oil consumption reduction, lifetime cost of plug-in vehicles must be competitive with HEVs. Current subsidies intended to encourage sales of plug-in vehicles with large capacity battery packs exceed our externality estimates considerably, and taxes that optimally correct for externality damages would not close the gap in ownership cost. In contrast, HEVs and PHEVs with small battery packs reduce externality damages at low (or no) additional cost over their lifetime. Although large battery packs allow vehicles to travel longer distances using electricity instead of gasoline, large packs are more expensive, heavier, and more emissions intensive to produce, with lower utilization factors, greater charging infrastructure requirements, and life-cycle implications that are more sensitive to uncertain, time-sensitive, and location-specific factors. To reduce air emission and oil dependency impacts from passenger vehicles, strategies to promote adoption of HEVs and PHEVs with small battery packs offer more social benefits per dollar spent. PMID:21949359

Valuation of plug-in vehicle life-cycle air emissions and oil displacement benefits.

PubMed

Michalek, Jeremy J; Chester, Mikhail; Jaramillo, Paulina; Samaras, Constantine; Shiau, Ching-Shin Norman; Lave, Lester B

2011-10-04

We assess the economic value of life-cycle air emissions and oil consumption from conventional vehicles, hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles (PHEVs), and battery electric vehicles in the US. We find that plug-in vehicles may reduce or increase externality costs relative to grid-independent HEVs, depending largely on greenhouse gas and SO(2) emissions produced during vehicle charging and battery manufacturing. However, even if future marginal damages from emissions of battery and electricity production drop dramatically, the damage reduction potential of plug-in vehicles remains small compared to ownership cost. As such, to offer a socially efficient approach to emissions and oil consumption reduction, lifetime cost of plug-in vehicles must be competitive with HEVs. Current subsidies intended to encourage sales of plug-in vehicles with large capacity battery packs exceed our externality estimates considerably, and taxes that optimally correct for externality damages would not close the gap in ownership cost. In contrast, HEVs and PHEVs with small battery packs reduce externality damages at low (or no) additional cost over their lifetime. Although large battery packs allow vehicles to travel longer distances using electricity instead of gasoline, large packs are more expensive, heavier, and more emissions intensive to produce, with lower utilization factors, greater charging infrastructure requirements, and life-cycle implications that are more sensitive to uncertain, time-sensitive, and location-specific factors. To reduce air emission and oil dependency impacts from passenger vehicles, strategies to promote adoption of HEVs and PHEVs with small battery packs offer more social benefits per dollar spent.

Temperature Modulation of Electric Fields in Biological Matter

PubMed Central

Daniels, Charlotte S.; Rubinsky, Boris

2011-01-01

Pulsed electric fields (PEF) have become an important minimally invasive surgical technology for various applications including genetic engineering, electrochemotherapy and tissue ablation. This study explores the hypothesis that temperature dependent electrical parameters of tissue can be used to modulate the outcome of PEF protocols, providing a new means for controlling and optimizing this minimally invasive surgical procedure. This study investigates two different applications of cooling temperatures applied during PEF. The first case utilizes an electrode which simultaneously delivers pulsed electric fields and cooling temperatures. The subsequent results demonstrate that changes in electrical properties due to temperature produced by this configuration can substantially magnify and confine the electric fields in the cooled regions while almost eliminating electric fields in surrounding regions. This method can be used to increase precision in the PEF procedure, and eliminate muscle contractions and damage to adjacent tissues. The second configuration considered introduces a third probe that is not electrically active and only applies cooling boundary conditions. This second study demonstrates that in this probe configuration the temperature induced changes in electrical properties of tissue substantially reduce the electric fields in the cooled regions. This novel treatment can potentially be used to protect sensitive tissues from the effect of the PEF. Perhaps the most important conclusion of this investigation is that temperature is a powerful and accessible mechanism to modulate and control electric fields in biological tissues and can therefore be used to optimize and control PEF treatments. PMID:21695144

7 CFR 1794.21 - Categorically excluded proposals without an ER.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... an emergency situation to return to service damaged facilities of an applicant's system. (b) Electric... electric generating or fuel processing facilities and related support structures where there is negligible... boundaries of an existing electric generating facility site. A description of the facilities to be...

Development of High Level Electrical Stress Failure Threshold and Prediction Model for Small Scale Junction Integrated Circuits

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-09-01

AWACS EMP Guidelines presents two different models to predict the damage pcwer of the dev-ce and the circuit damage EMP voltage ( VEMP ). Neither of...calculated as K P~ I V BD 6. The damage EMP voltage ( VEMP ) is calculated KZ EMP +IZ =D +BD VBD1F 7. The damage EMP voltage is calculated for collector

Detecting Damage in Ceramic Matrix Composites Using Electrical Resistance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Craig E.; Gyekenyesi, Andrew

2011-01-01

The majority of damage in SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites subjected to monotonic tensile loads is in the form of distributed matrix cracks. These cracks initiate near stress concentrations, such as 90 deg fiber tows or large matrix pores and continue to accumulate with additional stress until matrix crack saturation is achieved. Such damage is difficult to detect with conventional nondestructive evaluation techniques (immersion ultrasonics, x-ray, etc.). Monitoring a specimen.s electrical resistance change provides an indirect approach for monitoring matrix crack density. Sylramic-iBN fiber- reinforced SiC composites with a melt infiltrated (MI) matrix were tensile tested at room temperature. Results showed an increase in resistance of more than 500% prior to fracture, which can be detected either in situ or post-damage. A relationship between resistance change and matrix crack density was also determined.

Bleedout efficiency, carcass damage, and rigor mortis development following electrical stunning or carbon dioxide stunning on a shackle line.

PubMed

Kang, I S; Sams, A R

1999-01-01

In Experiment 1, 400 male broilers were stunned using a gradient of 40 to 60% CO2 over a period of 25 s or a 1% brine solution that was electrically charged (35 mA) for 7 s. Blood loss during bleeding was measured in 30-s intervals for a total of 120 s. After conventional processing and chilling, carcass damage was subjectively evaluated. Results indicated that the birds stunned with electricity bled faster than the CO2-stunned birds until 60 s. However, the cumulative blood loss was not different after 90 s. Carcass damage evaluation indicated that birds stunned with CO2 had a significantly lower percentage of broken clavicles, and had fewer hemorrhages on the surface of the Pectoralis. However, there was no difference between the two stunning methods in the frequency of damage at the shoulder. In Experiment 2, 256 broilers were stunned using the same conditions as in Experiment 1. Measurements of pH, R-value, sarcomere length (SL), and fragmentation index (FI) were evaluated from the left breast fillets harvested at 0, 1, 2, and 6 h postmortem. Shear values (SV) were determined using the right fillets harvested at the same four postmortem times and aged on ice until 24 h. No significant difference in breast muscle pH value was observed at 0, 2, and 6 h postmortem. However, CO2-stunned fillets had significantly higher pH values than the ES fillets at 1 h postmortem. Carbon dioxide produced greater R values than electricity at 2 and 6 h. Sarcomere length, FI, and SV were not significantly different at any time tested. These data suggest that CO2 stunning reduced carcass damage but did not reduce the need for aging before deboning when compared to the electrical stunning method used.

Critical and subcritical damage monitoring of bonded composite repairs using innovative non-destructive techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grammatikos, S. A.; Kordatos, E. Z.; Aggelis, D. G.; Matikas, T. E.; Paipetis, A. S.

2012-04-01

Infrared Thermography (IrT) has been shown to be capable of detecting and monitoring service induced damage of repair composite structures. Full-field imaging, along with portability are the primary benefits of the thermographic technique. On-line lock-in thermography has been reported to successfully monitor damage propagation or/and stress concentration in composite coupons, as mechanical stresses in structures induce heat concentration phenomena around flaws. During mechanical fatigue, cyclic loading plays the role of the heating source and this allows for critical and subcritical damage identification and monitoring using thermography. The Electrical Potential Change Technique (EPCT) is a new method for damage identification and monitoring during loading. The measurement of electrical potential changes at specific points of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs) under load are reported to enable the monitoring of strain or/and damage accumulation. Along with the aforementioned techniques Finally, Acoustic Emission (AE) method is well known to provide information about the location and type of damage. Damage accumulation due to cyclic loading imposes differentiation of certain parameters of AE like duration and energy. Within the scope of this study, infrared thermography is employed along with AE and EPCT methods in order to assess the integrity of bonded repair patches on composite substrates and to monitor critical and subcritical damage induced by the mechanical loading. The combined methodologies were effective in identifying damage initiation and propagation of bonded composite repairs.

Experimental research on femto-second laser damaging array CCD cameras

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, Junfeng; Guo, Jin; Wang, Ting-feng; Wang, Ming

2013-05-01

Charged Coupled Devices (CCD) are widely used in military and security applications, such as airborne and ship based surveillance, satellite reconnaissance and so on. Homeland security requires effective means to negate these advanced overseeing systems. Researches show that CCD based EO systems can be significantly dazzled or even damaged by high-repetition rate pulsed lasers. Here, we report femto - second laser interaction with CCD camera, which is probable of great importance in future. Femto - second laser is quite fresh new lasers, which has unique characteristics, such as extremely short pulse width (1 fs = 10-15 s), extremely high peak power (1 TW = 1012W), and especially its unique features when interacting with matters. Researches in femto second laser interaction with materials (metals, dielectrics) clearly indicate non-thermal effect dominates the process, which is of vast difference from that of long pulses interaction with matters. Firstly, the damage threshold test are performed with femto second laser acting on the CCD camera. An 800nm, 500μJ, 100fs laser pulse is used to irradiate interline CCD solid-state image sensor in the experiment. In order to focus laser energy onto tiny CCD active cells, an optical system of F/5.6 is used. A Sony production CCDs are chose as typical targets. The damage threshold is evaluated with multiple test data. Point damage, line damage and full array damage were observed when the irradiated pulse energy continuously increase during the experiment. The point damage threshold is found 151.2 mJ/cm2.The line damage threshold is found 508.2 mJ/cm2.The full-array damage threshold is found to be 5.91 J/cm2. Although the phenomenon is almost the same as that of nano laser interaction with CCD, these damage thresholds are substantially lower than that of data obtained from nano second laser interaction with CCD. Then at the same time, the electric features after different degrees of damage are tested with electronic multi meter. The resistance values between clock signal lines are measured. Contrasting the resistance values of the CCD before and after damage, it is found that the resistances decrease significantly between the vertical transfer clock signal lines values. The same results are found between the vertical transfer clock signal line and the earth electrode (ground).At last, the damage position and the damage mechanism were analyzed with above results and SEM morphological experiments. The point damage results in the laser destroying material, which shows no macro electro influence. The line damage is quite different from that of point damage, which shows deeper material corroding effect. More importantly, short circuits are found between vertical clock lines. The full array damage is even more severe than that of line damage starring with SEM, while no obvious different electrical features than that of line damage are found. Further researches are anticipated in femto second laser caused CCD damage mechanism with more advanced tools. This research is valuable in EO countermeasure and/or laser shielding applications.

Blunted Myoglobin and Quadriceps Soreness after Electrical Stimulation during the Luteal Phase or Oral Contraception

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anderson, Lindsey J.; Baker, Lucinda L.; Schroeder, E. Todd

2017-01-01

Purpose: Acute muscle damage after exercise triggers subsequent regeneration, leading to hypertrophy and increased strength after repeated exercise. It has been debated whether acute exercise-induced muscle damage is altered under various premenopausal estrogen conditions. Acute contraction-induced muscle damage was compared during exogenous (oral…

Monitoring the excavation damaged zone by three-dimensional reconstruction of electrical resistivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lesparre, Nolwenn; Gibert, Dominique; Nicollin, Florence; Nussbaum, Christophe; Adler, Andy

2013-11-01

A damaged zone is formed during the excavation of underground galleries, altering the rock properties. From a perspective of nuclear waste storage in deep geological sites, there is a clear interest to monitor the rock properties in such zones. We constructed electrical resistivity tomograms as a function of time to monitor the damaged area in gallery 04 of the Mont Terri underground rock laboratory (Switzerland). Measurements were performed using electrode rings surrounding the gallery. The experience showed a heterogeneous distribution of damages around the gallery and their fast formation after the excavation. Two main areas were concerned by damage formation, located in regions where the bedding was tangential to the excavated gallery. Such regions represented an extension of about 2 m along the gallery walls and reached a depth of 1.5 m. Main damages were created during the next months following the excavation process. Slight variations were still observed 3 yr after the excavation that may be related to the gallery environmental condition fluctuation. The method applied here demonstrates the interest to monitor the whole region surrounding excavated galleries dedicated to host nuclear wastes.

Prophylactic treatment with levetiracetam after status epilepticus: lack of effect on epileptogenesis, neuronal damage, and behavioral alterations in rats.

PubMed

Brandt, Claudia; Glien, Maike; Gastens, Alexandra M; Fedrowitz, Maren; Bethmann, Kerstin; Volk, Holger A; Potschka, Heidrun; Löscher, Wolfgang

2007-08-01

Levetiracetam (LEV) is a structurally novel antiepileptic drug (AED) which has demonstrated a broad spectrum of anticonvulsant activities both in experimental and clinical studies. Previous experiments in the kindling model suggested that LEV, in addition to its seizure-suppressing activity, may possess antiepileptogenic or disease-modifying activity. In the present study, we evaluated this possibility by using a rat model in which epilepsy with spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS), behavioral alterations, and hippocampal damages develop after a status epilepticus (SE) induced by sustained electrical stimulation of the basal amygdala. Two experimental protocols were used. In the first protocol, LEV treatment was started 24h after onset of electrical amygdala stimulation without prior termination of the SE. In the second protocol, the SE was interrupted after 4h by diazepam, immediately followed by onset of treatment with LEV. Treatment with LEV was continued for 8 weeks (experiment #1) or 5 weeks (experiment #2) after SE, using continuous drug administration via osmotic minipumps. The occurrence of SRS was recorded during and after treatment. In addition, the rats were tested in a battery of behavioral tests, including the elevated-plus maze and the Morris water maze. Finally, the brains of the animals were analyzed for histological lesions in the hippocampal formation. With the experimental protocols chosen for these experiments, LEV did not exert antiepileptogenic or neuroprotective activity. Furthermore, the behavioral alterations, e.g., behavioral hyperexcitability and learning deficits, in epileptic rats were not affected by treatment with LEV after SE. These data do not support the idea that administration of LEV after SE prevents or reduces the long-term alterations developing after such brain insult in rats.

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

Zhou, T.Q.; Buczkowski, A.; Radzimski, Z.J.

The electrical activity of as-grown and intentionally decorated misfit dislocations in an epitaxial Si/Si(Ge) heterostructure was examined using the electron beam induced current (EBIC) technique in a scanning electron microscope. Misfit dislocations, which were not visible initially, were subsequently activated either by an unknown processing contaminant or a backside metallic impurity. Passivation of these contaminated dislocations was then studied using low energy deuterium ion implantation in a Kaufman ion source. EBIC results show that the recombination activity of the decorated misfit dislocations was dramatically reduced by the deuterium treatment. Although a front side passivation treatment was more effective than amore » backside treatment, a surface ion bombardment damage problem is still evident. 5 refs., 3 figs.« less

Seismic Retrofit for Electric Power Systems

DOE PAGES

Romero, Natalia; Nozick, Linda K.; Dobson, Ian; ...

2015-05-01

Our paper develops a two-stage stochastic program and solution procedure to optimize the selection of seismic retrofit strategies to increase the resilience of electric power systems against earthquake hazards. The model explicitly considers the range of earthquake events that are possible and, for each, an approximation of the distribution of damage experienced. Furthermore, this is important because electric power systems are spatially distributed and so their performance is driven by the distribution of component damage. We also test this solution procedure against the nonlinear integer solver in LINGO 13 and apply the formulation and solution strategy to the Eastern Interconnection,more » where seismic hazard stems from the New Madrid seismic zone.« less

Whitson during EVA 13

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-12-18

ISS016-E-017370 (18 Dec. 2007) --- Astronaut Peggy A. Whitson, Expedition 16 commander, participates in a session of extravehicular activity (EVA). During the 6-hour, 56-minute spacewalk, Whitson and astronaut Daniel Tani (out of frame), flight engineer, looked for the cause of partial loss of electrical power to one of the International Space Station's two Beta Gimbal Assemblies (BGA) for starboard solar wings and examined damage to the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ). The spacewalk was the 100th for the construction and maintenance of the station.

Geometry and surface damage in micro electrical discharge machining of micro-holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ekmekci, Bülent; Sayar, Atakan; Tecelli Öpöz, Tahsin; Erden, Abdulkadir

2009-10-01

Geometry and subsurface damage of blind micro-holes produced by micro electrical discharge machining (micro-EDM) is investigated experimentally to explore the relational dependence with respect to pulse energy. For this purpose, micro-holes are machined with various pulse energies on plastic mold steel samples using a tungsten carbide tool electrode and a hydrocarbon-based dielectric liquid. Variations in the micro-hole geometry, micro-hole depth and over-cut in micro-hole diameter are measured. Then, unconventional etching agents are applied on the cross sections to examine micro structural alterations within the substrate. It is observed that the heat-damaged segment is composed of three distinctive layers, which have relatively high thicknesses and vary noticeably with respect to the drilling depth. Crack formation is identified on some sections of the micro-holes even by utilizing low pulse energies during machining. It is concluded that the cracking mechanism is different from cracks encountered on the surfaces when machining is performed by using the conventional EDM process. Moreover, an electrically conductive bridge between work material and debris particles is possible at the end tip during machining which leads to electric discharges between the piled segments of debris particles and the tool electrode during discharging.

Monitoring Damage Propagation in Glass Fiber Composites Using Carbon Nanofibers.

PubMed

Al-Sabagh, Ahmed; Taha, Eman; Kandil, Usama; Nasr, Gamal-Abdelnaser; Reda Taha, Mahmoud

2016-09-10

In this work, we report the potential use of novel carbon nanofibers (CNFs), dispersed during fabrication of glass fiber composites to monitor damage propagation under static loading. The use of CNFs enables a transformation of the typically non-conductive glass fiber composites into new fiber composites with appreciable electrical conductivity. The percolation limit of CNFs/epoxy nanocomposites was first quantified. The electromechanical responses of glass fiber composites fabricated using CNFs/epoxy nanocomposite were examined under static tension loads. The experimental observations showed a nonlinear change of electrical conductivity of glass fiber composites incorporating CNFs versus the stress level under static load. Microstructural investigations proved the ability of CNFs to alter the polymer matrix and to produce a new polymer nanocomposite with a connected nanofiber network with improved electrical properties and different mechanical properties compared with the neat epoxy. It is concluded that incorporating CNFs during fabrication of glass fiber composites can provide an innovative means of self-sensing that will allow damage propagation to be monitored in glass fiber composites.

Accuracy testing of steel and electric groundwater-level measuring tapes: Test method and in-service tape accuracy

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fulford, Janice M.; Clayton, Christopher S.

2015-10-09

The calibration device and proposed method were used to calibrate a sample of in-service USGS steel and electric groundwater tapes. The sample of in-service groundwater steel tapes were in relatively good condition. All steel tapes, except one, were accurate to ±0.01 ft per 100 ft over their entire length. One steel tape, which had obvious damage in the first hundred feet, was marginally outside the accuracy of ±0.01 ft per 100 ft by 0.001 ft. The sample of in-service groundwater-level electric tapes were in a range of conditions—from like new, with cosmetic damage, to nonfunctional. The in-service electric tapes did not meet the USGS accuracy recommendation of ±0.01 ft. In-service electric tapes, except for the nonfunctional tape, were accurate to about ±0.03 ft per 100 ft. A comparison of new with in-service electric tapes found that steel-core electric tapes maintained their length and accuracy better than electric tapes without a steel core. The in-service steel tapes could be used as is and achieve USGS accuracy recommendations for groundwater-level measurements. The in-service electric tapes require tape corrections to achieve USGS accuracy recommendations for groundwater-level measurement.

Recovery after high-intensity intermittent exercise in elite soccer players using VEINOPLUS sport technology for blood-flow stimulation.

PubMed

Bieuzen, François; Pournot, Hervé; Roulland, Rémy; Hausswirth, Christophe

2012-01-01

Electric muscle stimulation has been suggested to enhance recovery after exhaustive exercise by inducing an increase in blood flow to the stimulated area. Previous studies have failed to support this hypothesis. We hypothesized that the lack of effect shown in previous studies could be attributed to the technique or device used. To investigate the effectiveness of a recovery intervention using an electric blood-flow stimulator on anaerobic performance and muscle damage in professional soccer players after intermittent, exhaustive exercise. Randomized controlled clinical trial. National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance (INSEP). Twenty-six healthy professional male soccer players. The athletes performed an intermittent fatiguing exercise followed by a 1-hour recovery period, either passive or using an electric blood-flow stimulator (VEINOPLUS). Participants were randomly assigned to a group before the experiment started. Performances during a 30-second all-out exercise test, maximal vertical countermovement jump, and maximal voluntary contraction of the knee extensor muscles were measured at rest, immediately after the exercise, and 1 hour and 24 hours later. Muscle enzymes indicating muscle damage (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase) and hematologic profiles were analyzed before and 1 hour and 24 hours after the intermittent fatigue exercise. The electric-stimulation group had better 30-second all-out performances at 1 hour after exercise (P = .03) in comparison with the passive-recovery group. However, no differences were observed in muscle damage markers, maximal vertical countermovement jump, or maximal voluntary contraction between groups (P > .05). Compared with passive recovery, electric stimulation using this blood-flow stimulator improved anaerobic performance at 1 hour postintervention. No changes in muscle damage markers or maximal voluntary contraction were detected. These responses may be considered beneficial for athletes engaged in sports with successive rounds interspersed with short, passive recovery periods.

Upset susceptibility study employing circuit analysis and digital simulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carreno, V. A.

1984-01-01

This paper describes an approach to predicting the susceptibility of digital systems to signal disturbances. Electrical disturbances on a digital system's input and output lines can be induced by activities and conditions including static electricity, lightning discharge, Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Electromagnetic Pulsation (EMP). The electrical signal disturbances employed for the susceptibility study were limited to nondestructive levels, i.e., the system does not sustain partial or total physical damage and reset and/or reload will bring the system to an operational status. The front-end transition from the electrical disturbances to the equivalent digital signals was accomplished by computer-aided circuit analysis. The Super-Sceptre (system for circuit evaluation of transient radiation effects) Program was used. Gate models were developed according to manufacturers' performance specifications and parameters resulting from construction processes characteristic of the technology. Digital simulation at the gate and functional level was employed to determine the impact of the abnormal signals on system performance and to study the propagation characteristics of these signals through the system architecture. Example results are included for an Intel 8080 processor configuration.

Upset susceptibility study employing circuit analysis and digital simulation. [digital systems and electromagnetic interference

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carreno, V. A.

1984-01-01

An approach to predict the susceptibility of digital systems to signal disturbances is described. Electrical disturbances on a digital system's input and output lines can be induced by activities and conditions including static electricity, lightning discharge, electromagnetic interference (EMI), and electromagnetic pulsation (EMP). The electrical signal disturbances employed for the susceptibility study were limited to nondestructive levels, i.e., the system does not sustain partial or total physical damage and reset and/or reload brings the system to an operational status. The front-end transition from the electrical disturbances to the equivalent digital signals was accomplished by computer-aided circuit analysis. The super-sceptre (system for circuit evaluation of transient radiation effects) programs was used. Gate models were developed according to manufacturers' performance specifications and parameters resulting from construction processes characteristic of the technology. Digital simulation at the gate and functional level was employed to determine the impact of the abnormal signals on system performance and to study the propagation characteristics of these signals through the system architecture. Example results are included for an Intel 8080 processor configuration.

Relationship between tissue tension and thermal diffusion to peripheral tissue using an energy device.

PubMed

Kondo, Akihiro; Nishizawa, Yuji; Ito, Masaaki; Saito, Norio; Fujii, Satoshi; Akamoto, Shintaro; Fujiwara, Masao; Okano, Keiichi; Suzuki, Yasuyuki

2016-08-01

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between tissue tension and thermal diffusion to peripheral tissues using an electric scalpel, ultrasonically activated device, or a bipolar sealing system. The mesentery of pigs was excised with each energy device (ED) at three tissue tensions (0, 300, 600 g). The excision time and thermal diffusion area were monitored with thermography, measured for each ED, and then histologically examined. Correlations between tissue tension and thermal diffusion area were examined. The excision time was inversely correlated with tissue tension for all ED (electric scalpel, r = 0.718; ultrasonically activated device, r = 0.949; bipolar sealing system, r = 0.843), and tissue tension was inversely correlated with the thermal diffusion area with the electric scalpel (r = 0.718) and bipolar sealing system (r = 0.869). Histopathologically, limited deep thermal denaturation occurred at a tension of 600 g with all ED. We conclude that thermal damage can be avoided with adequate tissue tension when any ED is used. © 2016 Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery, Asia Endosurgery Task Force and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Frequency-dependent failure mechanisms of nanocrystalline gold interconnect lines under general alternating current

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, X. M.; Zhang, B.; Zhang, G. P.

2014-09-01

Thermal fatigue failure of metallization interconnect lines subjected to alternating currents (AC) is becoming a severe threat to the long-term reliability of micro/nanodevices with increasing electrical current density/power. Here, thermal fatigue failure behaviors and damage mechanisms of nanocrystalline Au interconnect lines on the silicon glass substrate have been investigated by applying general alternating currents (the pure alternating current coupled with a direct current (DC) component) with different frequencies ranging from 0.05 Hz to 5 kHz. We observed both thermal fatigue damages caused by Joule heating-induced cyclic strain/stress and electromigration (EM) damages caused by the DC component. Besides, the damage formation showed a strong electrically-thermally-mechanically coupled effect and frequency dependence. At lower frequencies, thermal fatigue damages were dominant and the main damage forms were grain coarsening with grain boundary (GB) cracking/voiding and grain thinning. At higher frequencies, EM damages took over and the main damage forms were GB cracking/voiding of smaller grains and hillocks. Furthermore, the healing effect of the reversing current was considered to elucidate damage mechanisms of the nanocrystalline Au lines generated by the general AC. Lastly, a modified model was proposed to predict the lifetime of the nanocrystalline metal interconnect lines, i.e., that was a competing drift velocity-based approach based on the threshold time required for reverse diffusion/healing to occur.

Burns

MedlinePlus

... putting a child in the bathtub. Cover unused electric outlets with safety caps, and replace damaged, frayed or brittle electrical cords. Keep fire extinguishers on every floor of your house, especially in the kitchen, and know how to use them. Do not ...

Electrically-Conductive Polyaramid Cable And Fabric

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Orban, Ralph F.

1988-01-01

Tows coated with metal provide strength and conductance. Cable suitable for use underwater made of electrically conductive tows of metal-coated polyaramid filaments surrounded by electrically insulating jacket. Conductive tows used to make conductive fabrics. Tension borne by metal-coated filaments, so upon release, entire cable springs back to nearly original length without damage.

B 12P 2: Improved Epitaxial Growth and Evaluation of Alpha Irradiation on its Electrical Transport Properties

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

Frye, Clint D.

The wide bandgap (3.35 eV) semiconductor icosahedral boron phosphide (B 12P 2) has been reported to self-heal from radiation damage from β particles (electrons) with energies up to 400 keV by demonstrating no lattice damage using transmission electron microscopy. This property could be exploited to create radioisotope batteries–semiconductor devices that directly convert the decay energy from a radioisotope to electricity. Such devices potentially have enormous power densities and decades-long lifetimes. To date, the radiation hardness of B 12P 2 has not been characterized by electrical measurements nor have B 12P 2 radioisotope batteries been realized. Therefore, this study was undertakenmore » to evaluate the radiation hardness of B 12P 2 after improving its epitaxial growth, developing ohmic electrical contacts, and reducing the residual impurities. Subsequently, the effects of radiation from a radioisotope on the electrical transport properties of B 12P 2 were tested.« less

Hall-effect arc protector

DOEpatents

Rankin, R.A.; Kotter, D.K.

1997-05-13

The Hall-Effect Arc Protector is used to protect sensitive electronics from high energy arcs. The apparatus detects arcs by monitoring an electrical conductor, of the instrument, for changes in the electromagnetic field surrounding the conductor which would be indicative of a possible arcing condition. When the magnitude of the monitored electromagnetic field exceeds a predetermined threshold, the potential for an instrument damaging are exists and the control system logic activates a high speed circuit breaker. The activation of the breaker shunts the energy imparted to the input signal through a dummy load to the ground. After the arc condition is terminated, the normal signal path is restored. 2 figs.

Hall-effect arc protector

DOEpatents

Rankin, Richard A.; Kotter, Dale K.

1997-01-01

The Hall-Effect Arc Protector is used to protect sensitive electronics from high energy arcs. The apparatus detects arcs by monitoring an electrical conductor, of the instrument, for changes in the electromagnetic field surrounding the conductor which would be indicative of a possible arcing condition. When the magnitude of the monitored electromagnetic field exceeds a predetermined threshold, the potential for an instrument damaging are exists and the control system logic activates a high speed circuit breaker. The activation of the breaker shunts the energy imparted to the input signal through a dummy load to the ground. After the arc condition is terminated, the normal signal path is restored.

Electrical Characterizations of Lightning Strike Protection Techniques for Composite Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Szatkowski, George N.; Nguyen, Truong X.; Koppen, Sandra V.; Ely, Jay J.; Mielnik, John J.

2009-01-01

The growing application of composite materials in commercial aircraft manufacturing has significantly increased the risk of aircraft damage from lightning strikes. Composite aircraft designs require new mitigation strategies and engineering practices to maintain the same level of safety and protection as achieved by conductive aluminum skinned aircraft. Researchers working under the NASA Aviation Safety Program s Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) Project are investigating lightning damage on composite materials to support the development of new mitigation, diagnosis & prognosis techniques to overcome the increased challenges associated with lightning protection on composite aircraft. This paper provides an overview of the electrical characterizations being performed to support IVHM lightning damage diagnosis research on composite materials at the NASA Langley Research Center.

The Value of Clean Air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shindell, D. T.

2014-12-01

How can society place a value on clean air? I present a multi-impact economic valuation framework called the Social Cost of Atmospheric Release (SCAR) that extends the Social Cost of Carbon (SCC) used previously for carbon dioxide (CO2) to a broader range of pollutants and impacts. Values consistently incorporate health impacts of air quality along with climate damages. The latter include damages associated with aerosol-induced hydrologic cycle changes that lead to net climate benefits when reducing cooling aerosols. Evaluating a 1% reduction in current global emissions, benefits with a high discount rate are greatest for reductions of co-emitted products of incomplete combustion (PIC), followed by sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and then CO2, ammonia and methane. With a low discount rate, benefits are greatest for CO2 reductions, though the sum of SO2, PIC and methane is substantially larger. These results suggest that efforts to mitigate atmosphere-related environmental damages should target a broad set of emissions including CO2, methane and aerosol/ozone precursors. Illustrative calculations indicate environmental damages are 410-1100 billion yr-1 for current US electricity generation ( 19-46¢ per kWh for coal, 4-24¢ for gas) and 3.80 (-1.80/+2.10) per gallon of gasoline ($4.80 (-3.10/+3.50) per gallon for diesel). These results suggest that total atmosphere-related environmental damages plus generation costs are much greater for coal-fired power than other types of electricity generation, and that damages associated with gasoline vehicles substantially exceed those for electric vehicles.

Electrostatic risk to reticles in the nanolithography era

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rider, Gavin C.

2016-04-01

Reticles can be damaged by electric field as well as by the conductive transfer of charge. As device feature sizes have moved from the micro- into the nano-regime, reticle sensitivity to electric field has been increasing owing to the physics of field induction. Hence, the predominant risk to production reticles today is from exposure to electric field. Measurements of electric field that illustrate the extreme risk faced by today's production reticles are presented. It is shown that some of the standard methods used for prevention of electrostatic discharge in semiconductor manufacturing, being based on controlling static charge and voltage, do not offer reticles adequate protection against electric field. In some cases, they actually increase the risk of reticle damage. Methodology developed specifically to protect reticles against electric field is required, which is described in SEMI Standard E163. Measurements are also presented showing that static dissipative plastic is not an ideal material to use for the construction of reticle pods as it both generates and transmits transient electric field. An appropriate combination of insulating material and metallic shielding is shown to provide the best electrostatic protection for reticles, with fail-safe protection only being possible if the reticle is fully shielded within a metal Faraday cage.

Open Circuit Resonant (SansEC) Sensor Technology for Lightning Mitigation and Damage Detection and Diagnosis for Composite Aircraft Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Szatkowski, George N.; Dudley, Kenneth L.; Smith, Laura J.; Wang, Chuantong; Ticatch, Larry A.

2014-01-01

Traditional methods to protect composite aircraft from lightning strike damage rely on a conductive layer embedded on or within the surface of the aircraft composite skin. This method is effective at preventing major direct effect damage and minimizes indirect effects to aircraft systems from lightning strike attachment, but provides no additional benefit for the added parasitic weight from the conductive layer. When a known lightning strike occurs, the points of attachment and detachment on the aircraft surface are visually inspected and checked for damage by maintenance personnel to ensure continued safe flight operations. A new multi-functional lightning strike protection (LSP) method has been developed to provide aircraft lightning strike protection, damage detection and diagnosis for composite aircraft surfaces. The method incorporates a SansEC sensor array on the aircraft exterior surfaces forming a "Smart skin" surface for aircraft lightning zones certified to withstand strikes up to 100 kiloamperes peak current. SansEC sensors are open-circuit devices comprised of conductive trace spiral patterns sans (without) electrical connections. The SansEC sensor is an electromagnetic resonator having specific resonant parameters (frequency, amplitude, bandwidth & phase) which when electromagnetically coupled with a composite substrate will indicate the electrical impedance of the composite through a change in its resonant response. Any measureable shift in the resonant characteristics can be an indication of damage to the composite caused by a lightning strike or from other means. The SansEC sensor method is intended to diagnose damage for both in-situ health monitoring or ground inspections. In this paper, the theoretical mathematical framework is established for the use of open circuit sensors to perform damage detection and diagnosis on carbon fiber composites. Both computational and experimental analyses were conducted to validate this new method and system for aircraft composite damage detection and diagnosis. Experimental test results on seeded fault damage coupons and computational modeling simulation results are presented. This paper also presents the shielding effectiveness along with the lightning direct effect test results from several different SansEC LSP and baseline protected and unprotected carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) test panels struck at 40 and 100 kiloamperes following a universal common practice test procedure to enable damage comparisons between SansEC LSP configurations and common practice copper mesh LSP approaches. The SansEC test panels were mounted in a LSP test bed during the lightning test. Electrical, mechanical and thermal parameters were measured during lightning attachment and are presented with post test nondestructive inspection comparisons. The paper provides correlational results between the SansEC sensors computed electric field distribution and the location of the lightning attachment on the sensor trace and visual observations showing the SansEC sensor's affinity for dispersing the lightning attachment.

Laser-based surface preparation of composite laminates leads to improved electrodes for electrical measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Almuhammadi, Khaled; Selvakumaran, Lakshmi; Alfano, Marco; Yang, Yang; Bera, Tushar Kanti; Lubineau, Gilles

2015-12-01

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a low-cost, fast and effective structural health monitoring technique that can be used on carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP). Electrodes are a key component of any EIT system and as such they should feature low resistivity as well as high robustness and reproducibility. Surface preparation is required prior to bonding of electrodes. Currently this task is mostly carried out by traditional sanding. However this is a time consuming procedure which can also induce damage to surface fibers and lead to spurious electrode properties. Here we propose an alternative processing technique based on the use of pulsed laser irradiation. The processing parameters that result in selective removal of the electrically insulating resin with minimum surface fiber damage are identified. A quantitative analysis of the electrical contact resistance is presented and the results are compared with those obtained using sanding.

Biosynthetic requirements for the repair of sublethally injured Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells after pulsed electric fields.

PubMed

Somolinos, M; García, D; Condón, S; Mañas, P; Pagán, R

2008-07-01

The aim was to evaluate the biosynthetic requirements for the repair of sublethal membrane damages in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells after exposure to pulsed electric fields (PEF). The partial loss of the integrity and functionality of the cytoplasmic membrane was assessed by adding sodium chloride to the recovery medium. More than 2 log(10) cycles of survivors were sublethally injured after PEF. Repair of sublethal membrane damages occurred when survivors to PEF were incubated in Sabouraud Broth for 4 h at room temperature. The addition of inhibitors, such as chloramphenicol, rifampicin, 5-fluorocytosine, nalidixic acid, cycloheximide, cerulenin, miconazol and sodium azide to the liquid repair medium showed that the repair of PEF-injured cells required energy and protein synthesis. The extent of the sublethal damages was greater in PEF-treated cells at pH 4.0 than at pH 7.0. This work confirms that membrane damage is an important event in the PEF-inactivation of yeast. The mechanism of yeast inactivation by PEF seems to differ from that of bacteria, as the repair of sublethal damages requires protein synthesis. Knowledge about the damages inflicted by PEF leads to a better description of the mechanism of yeast inactivation.

Synthesis and testing of a conducting polymeric composite material for lightning strike protection applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Katunin, A.; Krukiewicz, K.; Turczyn, R.; Sul, P.; Łasica, A.; Catalanotti, G.; Bilewicz, M.

2017-02-01

Lightning strike protection is one of the important issues in the modern maintenance problems of aircraft. This is due to a fact that the most of exterior elements of modern aircraft is manufactured from polymeric composites which are characterized by isolating electrical properties, and thus cannot carry the giant electrical charge when the lightning strikes. This causes serious damage of an aircraft structure and necessity of repairs and tests before returning a vehicle to operation. In order to overcome this problem, usually metallic meshes are immersed in the polymeric elements. This approach is quite effective, but increases a mass of an aircraft and significantly complicates the manufacturing process. The approach proposed by the authors is based on a mixture of conducting and dielectric polymers. Numerous modeling studies which are based on percolation clustering using kinetic Monte Carlo methods, finite element modeling of electrical and mechanical properties, and preliminary experimental studies, allow achieving an optimal content of conducting particles in a dielectric matrix in order to achieve possibly the best electrical conductivity and mechanical properties, simultaneously. After manufacturing the samples with optimal content of a conducting polymer, mechanical and electrical characterization as well as high-voltage testing was performed. The application of such a material simplifies manufacturing process and ensures unique properties of aircraft structures, which allows for minimizing damage after lightning strike, as well as provide electrical bounding and grounding, interference shielding, etc. The proposed solution can minimize costs of repair, testing and certification of aircraft structures damaged by lightning strikes.

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fire in 1999 damaged the storage system and it was not replaced. Status Date: April 14, 2017 Photo with : 3 hour(s) Thermal Storage Description: Storage system was damaged by fire in 1999 and was not

Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields can impair spermatogenesis recovery after reversible testicular damage induced by heat.

PubMed

Tenorio, Bruno Mendes; Ferreira Filho, Moisés Bonifacio Alves; Jimenez, George Chaves; de Morais, Rosana Nogueira; Peixoto, Christina Alves; Nogueira, Romildo de Albuquerque; da Silva Junior, Valdemiro Amaro

2014-06-01

Male infertility is often related to reproductive age couples experiencing fertility-related issues. Men may have fertility problems associated with reversible testicular damage. Considering that men have been increasingly exposed to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields generated by the production, distribution and use of electricity, this study analyzed whether 60 Hz and 1 mT magnetic field exposure may impair spermatogenesis recovery after reversible testicular damage induced by heat shock using rats as an experimental model. Adult male rats were subjected to a single testicular heat shock (HS, 43 °C for 12 min) and then exposed to the magnetic field for 15, 30 and 60 d after HS. Magnetic field exposure during the spermatogenesis recovery induced changes in testis components volume, cell ultrastructure and histomorphometrical parameters. Control animals had a reestablished and active spermatogenesis at 60 d after heat shock, while animals exposed to magnetic field still showed extensive testicular degeneration. Magnetic field exposure did not change the plasma testosterone. In conclusion, extremely low-frequency magnetic field may be harmful to fertility recovery in males affected by reversible testicular damage.

76 FR 59745 - Virginia Electric and Power Company; North Anna Power Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2; Exemption

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-27

... hours. After the high wind conditions pass, wind damage to the plant and surrounding area might preclude... NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. 50-338 and 50-339] Virginia Electric and Power Company; North Anna Power Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2; Exemption 1.0 Background Virginia Electric Power Company...

Electricity's Future: The Shift to Efficiency and Small-Scale Power. Worldwatch Paper 61.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Flavin, Christopher

Electricity, which has largely supplanted oil as the most controversial energy issue of the 1980s, is at the center of some of the world's bitterest economic and environmental controversies. Soaring costs, high interest rates, and environmental damage caused by large power plants have wreaked havoc on the once booming electricity industry.…

Automated crack detection in conductive smart-concrete structures using a resistor mesh model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Downey, Austin; D'Alessandro, Antonella; Ubertini, Filippo; Laflamme, Simon

2018-03-01

Various nondestructive evaluation techniques are currently used to automatically detect and monitor cracks in concrete infrastructure. However, these methods often lack the scalability and cost-effectiveness over large geometries. A solution is the use of self-sensing carbon-doped cementitious materials. These self-sensing materials are capable of providing a measurable change in electrical output that can be related to their damage state. Previous work by the authors showed that a resistor mesh model could be used to track damage in structural components fabricated from electrically conductive concrete, where damage was located through the identification of high resistance value resistors in a resistor mesh model. In this work, an automated damage detection strategy that works through placing high value resistors into the previously developed resistor mesh model using a sequential Monte Carlo method is introduced. Here, high value resistors are used to mimic the internal condition of damaged cementitious specimens. The proposed automated damage detection method is experimentally validated using a 500 × 500 × 50 mm3 reinforced cement paste plate doped with multi-walled carbon nanotubes exposed to 100 identical impact tests. Results demonstrate that the proposed Monte Carlo method is capable of detecting and localizing the most prominent damage in a structure, demonstrating that automated damage detection in smart-concrete structures is a promising strategy for real-time structural health monitoring of civil infrastructure.

Assessing the Economic Cost of Landslide Damage in Low-Relief Regions: Case Study Evidence from the Flemish Ardennes (Belgium)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vranken, L.; Van Turnhout, P.; Van Den Eeckhaut, M.; Vandekerckhove, L.; Vantilt, G.; Poesen, J.

2012-04-01

Several regions around the globe are at risk to incur damage from landslides. These landslides cause significant structural and functional damage to public and private buildings and infrastructure. Numerous studies investigated how natural factors and human activities control the (re-)activation of landslides. However, few studies have concentrated on a quantitative estimate of the overall damage caused by landslides at a regional scale. This study therefore starts with a quantitative economic assessment of the direct and indirect damage caused by landslides in the Flemish Ardennes (Belgium), a low-relief region (area=ca. 700 km2) susceptible to landslides. Based on focus interviews as well as on semi-structured interviews with homeowners, civil servants (e.g. from the technical services from the various towns), or with the owners and providers of lifelines such as electricity and sewage, we have quantitatively estimated the direct and indirect damage induced by landsliding and this for a 10 to 30 year period (depending on the type of infrastructure or buildings). Economic damage to public infrastructure and buildings was estimated for the entire region, while for private damage 10 cases with severe to small damage were quantified. For example, in the last 10 year, costs of road repair augmented to 814 560 €. Costs to repair damaged roads that have not yet been repaired, were estimated at 669 318 €. In the past 30 years, costs of measures to prevent road damage augmented to at least 14 872 380 €. More than 90% of this budget for preventive measures was spent 30 years ago, when an important freeway was damaged and had to be repaired. These preventive measures (building a grout wall and improving the drainage system) were effective as no further damage has been reported until present. To repair and prevent damage to waterworks and sewage systems, expenditures amounted to 551 044 € and this for the last 30 years. In the past 10 years, a new railway line connecting two important Belgian cities has been built and within that one project, the cost to prevent damage to railroads augmented already to at least 4 567 822 €. The value of real estate located in regions affected by landslides decreased with 15% to 35%. All these damage costs were then used to made potential damage maps. Based on the inventory of landslides, frequency of landslides' re-activation and land use, we categorized regions that are affected by landslides according to their temporal probability of landslide re-activation. This allowed us to produce a (semi-) qualitative risk map for regions that were affected by landslides in the past. This paper shows that, though generally not spectacular, landsliding in low-relief regions susceptible to landslides is a slow but continuously operating process with considerable damage allowing one to identify several medium to high landslide risk zones. As such this study provides important information for government officials, especially those in charge of spatial planning and of town and environmental planning, as it clearly informs about the costs associated with certain land use types in landslide prone areas. This information can be particularly useful for regions in which increasing demand for building land pressures government officials and (local) political leaders to expand the built environment.

The estimation of electrical cable fire-induced damage limits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nowlen, S. P.; Jacobus, M. J.

Sandia National Laboratories has, for several years, been engaged in the performance of both fire safety and electrical equipment qualification research under independent programs sponsored by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Recent comparisons between electrical cable thermal damageability data gathered independently in these two efforts indicate that a direct correlation exists between certain of the recent cable thermal vulnerability information gathered under equipment qualification conditions and thermal damageability in a fire environment. This direct correlation allows for a significant expansion of the data base on estimated cable thermal vulnerability limits in a fire environment because of the wide range of cable types and products that have been evaluated as a part of the equipment qualification research. This paper provides a discussion of the basis for the derived correlation, and presents estimated cable thermal damage limits for a wide range of generic cable types and specific cable products. The supposition that a direct correlation exists is supported through direct comparisons of the test results for certain specific cable products. The proposed supplemental cable fire vulnerability data gained from examination of the equipment qualification results is presented. These results should be of particular interest to those engaged in the evaluation of fire risk for industrial facilities, including nuclear power plants.

Polymer damage mitigation---predictive lifetime models of polymer insulation degradation and biorenewable thermosets through cationic polymerization for self-healing applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hondred, Peter Raymond

Over the past 50 years, the industrial development and applications for polymers and polymer composites has become expansive. However, as with any young technology, the techniques for predicting material damage and resolving material failure are in need of continued development and refinement. This thesis work takes two approaches to polymer damage mitigation---material lifetime prediction and spontaneous damage repair through self-healing while incorporating bio-renewable feedstock. First, material lifetime prediction offers the benefit of identifying and isolating material failures before the effects of damage results in catastrophic failure. Second, self-healing provides a systematic approach to repairing damaged polymer composites, specifically in applications where a hands-on approach or removing the part from service are not feasible. With regard to lifetime prediction, we investigated three specific polymeric materials---polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), poly(ethylene-alt-tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE), and Kapton. All three have been utilized extensively in the aerospace field as a wire insulation coating. Because of the vast amount of electrical wiring used in aerospace constructions and the potential for electrical and thermal failure, this work develops mathematical models for both the thermal degradation kinetics as well as a lifetime prediction model for electrothermal breakdown. Isoconversional kinetic methods, which plot activation energy as a function of the extent of degradation, present insight into the development each kinetic model. The models for PTFE, ETFE, and Kapton are one step, consecutive three-step, and competitive and consecutive five-step respectively. Statistical analysis shows that an nth order autocatalytic reaction best defined the reaction kinetics for each polymer's degradation. Self-healing polymers arrest crack propagation through the use of an imbedded adhesive that reacts when cracks form. This form of damage mitigation focuses on repairing damage before the damage causes a failure in the polymer's function. In this work, the healing agent (adhesive) is developed using bio-renewable oils instead of solely relying on petroleum based feedstocks. Several bio-renewable thermosetting polymers were successfully prepared from tung oil through cationic polymerization for the use as the healing agent in self-healing microencapsulated applications. Modifications to both the monomers in the resin and the catalyst for polymerization were made and the subsequent changes to mechanical, thermal, and structural properties were identified. Furthermore, compressive lap shear testing was used to confirm that the adhesive properties would be beneficial for self-healing applications. Finally, scanning electron microscopy of the crack plane was used to study the fracture mechanism of the crack.

Electric ants: A cross-disciplinary approach to understanding insect behavior

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

Slowik, T.J.; Thorvilson, H.G.; Green, B.L.

1996-12-31

The response and attraction of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, to electrical equipment was examined using an interdisciplinary approach. Entomologists specializing in fire ant behavior combined expertise with electrical engineers to investigate the economically damaging interaction of fire ants with electrical circuitry. Knowledge from the realms of physics, engineering, and biology were integrated in experimentation to test for a fire ant response to electric fields and magnetic fields associated with electrical equipment. It was determined that fire ants react to electrified conductive material and the alternating-current magnetic fields associated with electricity.

SansEC Sensing Technology - A New Tool for Designing Space Systems and Components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Woodard, Stanley E.

2011-01-01

This paper presents concepts for using the NASA developed SansEC sensing technology for reconfiguring/modifying many space subsystems to add to their original function the ability to be sensors/sensor arrays without the addition of the electrical circuitry typically used for sensors. Each sensor is a self-resonating planar pattern of electrically conductive material that is an open-circuit single component without electrical connections. The sensors are wirelessly powered using external oscillating magnetic fields and when electrically excited respond with their own magnetic fields whose frequency, amplitude and bandwidth can be correlated with the magnitude of multiple unrelated physical quantities. These sensors have been demonstrated for numerous measurements required for spacecraft and inflatable/expandable structures. SansEC sensors are damage resilient and simple to fabricate. Thin films of conductive material can be used to create sensor arrays that function as sensing skins. Each sensor on the skin can be tailored for a science or engineering measurement. Additionally, each sensor has an inherent damage detection capability. These sensing skins can be used to redesign inflatable habitat multi-layer insulation to provide additional functions of environmental measurement and micrometeorite/orbital debris damage detections. The sensing skins can be deposited on planetary exploratory vehicles to increase the number of measurements with negligible weight increase.

Dry and wet arc track propagation resistance testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beach, Rex

1995-01-01

The wet arc-propagation resistance test for wire insulation provides an assessment of the ability of an insulation to prevent damage in an electrical environment. Results of an arc-propagation test may vary slightly due to the method of arc initiation; therefore a standard test method must be selected to evaluate the general arc-propagation resistance characteristics of an insulation. This test method initiates an arc by dripping salt water over pre-damaged wires which creates a conductive path between the wires. The power supply, test current, circuit resistances, and other variables are optimized for testing 20 guage wires. The use of other wire sizes may require modifications to the test variables. The dry arc-propagation resistance test for wire insulation also provides an assessment of the ability of an insulation to prevent damage in an electrical arc environment. In service, electrical arcs may originate form a variety of factors including insulation deterioration, faulty installation, and chafing. Here too, a standard test method must be selected to evaluate the general arc-propagation resistance characteristics of an insulation. This test method initiates an arc with a vibrating blade. The test also evaluates the ability of the insulation to prevent further arc-propagation when the electrical arc is re-energized.

Electric injury, Part II: Specific injuries.

PubMed

Fish, R M

2000-01-01

Electric injury can cause disruption of cardiac rhythm and breathing, burns, fractures, dislocations, rhabdomyolysis, eye and ear injury, oral and gastrointestinal injury, vascular damage, disseminated intravascular coagulation, peripheral and spinal cord injury, and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. Secondary trauma from falls, fires, flying debris, and inhalation injury can complicate the clinical picture. Diagnostic and treatment considerations for electric injuries are described in this article, which is the second part of a three-part series on electric injuries.

The use of plastic optical fibres and shape memory alloys for damage assessment and damping control in composite materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuang, K. S. C.; Cantwell, W. J.

2003-08-01

This paper reports the use of a plastic fibre sensor for detecting impact damage in carbon fibre epoxy cantilever beams by monitoring their damping response under free vibration loading conditions. The composite beams were impacted at impact energies up to 8 J. The residual strengths and stiffnesses of the damaged laminates were measured in order to relate reductions in their mechanical properties to changes in their damping characteristics. Here, optical fibre sensors were surface bonded to carbon fibre composite beams which were subjected to free vibration tests to monitor their dynamic response. In the second part of this study, Ni-Ti shape memory alloy (SMA) wires were employed to control and modify the damping response of a composite beam. The SMA wires were initially trained to obtain the desired shape when activated. Here, the trained SMA wires were heated locally using a nickel/chromium wire that was wrapped around the trained region of the SMA. By using this method to activate the SMA wire (as opposed to direct electrical heating), it is possible to obtain localized actuation without heating the entire length of the wire. This procedure minimizes any damage to the host material that may result from local heat transfer between the SMA wire and the composite structure. In addition, the reduction in power requirements to achieve SMA activation permits the use of small-size power packs which can in turn lead to a potential weight reduction in weight-critical applications. The findings of this study demonstrate that a trained SMA offers a superior damping capability to that exhibited by an 'as-supplied' flat-annealed wire.

Free Radicals Mediate Peroxidative Damage in Guinea Pig Hippocampus in vitro

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-01-01

Peroxidative Damage in Guinea Pig Hippocampus In Vitro T.C. Pellmar, K.L. Neel, and K.H. Lee Physiology Department. Armed Forces Radiobiology Research...removed from brains of euthanized evaluate the free radical involvement in peroxidative guinea pigs . Electrical stimulation of an orthodromic damage to...Hartley guinea pigs as previously described (Pellmar, 1986, 1987). Animals were anesthetized with halothane and euthanized by cervical dislocation

Integrated wireless fast-scan cyclic voltammetry recording and electrical stimulation for reward-predictive learning in awake, freely moving rats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yu-Ting; Wickens, Jeffery R.; Huang, Yi-Ling; Pan, Wynn H. T.; Chen, Fu-Yu Beverly; Chen, Jia-Jin Jason

2013-08-01

Objective. Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) is commonly used to monitor phasic dopamine release, which is usually performed using tethered recording and for limited types of animal behavior. It is necessary to design a wireless dopamine sensing system for animal behavior experiments. Approach. This study integrates a wireless FSCV system for monitoring the dopamine signal in the ventral striatum with an electrical stimulator that induces biphasic current to excite dopaminergic neurons in awake freely moving rats. The measured dopamine signals are unidirectionally transmitted from the wireless FSCV module to the host unit. To reduce electrical artifacts, an optocoupler and a separate power are applied to isolate the FSCV system and electrical stimulator, which can be activated by an infrared controller. Main results. In the validation test, the wireless backpack system has similar performance in comparison with a conventional wired system and it does not significantly affect the locomotor activity of the rat. In the cocaine administration test, the maximum electrically elicited dopamine signals increased to around 230% of the initial value 20 min after the injection of 10 mg kg-1 cocaine. In a classical conditioning test, the dopamine signal in response to a cue increased to around 60 nM over 50 successive trials while the electrically evoked dopamine concentration decreased from about 90 to 50 nM in the maintenance phase. In contrast, the cue-evoked dopamine concentration progressively decreased and the electrically evoked dopamine was eliminated during the extinction phase. In the histological evaluation, there was little damage to brain tissue after five months chronic implantation of the stimulating electrode. Significance. We have developed an integrated wireless voltammetry system for measuring dopamine concentration and providing electrical stimulation. The developed wireless FSCV system is proven to be a useful experimental tool for the continuous monitoring of dopamine levels during animal learning behavior studies of freely moving rats.

Integrated wireless fast-scan cyclic voltammetry recording and electrical stimulation for reward-predictive learning in awake, freely moving rats.

PubMed

Li, Yu-Ting; Wickens, Jeffery R; Huang, Yi-Ling; Pan, Wynn H T; Chen, Fu-Yu Beverly; Chen, Jia-Jin Jason

2013-08-01

Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) is commonly used to monitor phasic dopamine release, which is usually performed using tethered recording and for limited types of animal behavior. It is necessary to design a wireless dopamine sensing system for animal behavior experiments. This study integrates a wireless FSCV system for monitoring the dopamine signal in the ventral striatum with an electrical stimulator that induces biphasic current to excite dopaminergic neurons in awake freely moving rats. The measured dopamine signals are unidirectionally transmitted from the wireless FSCV module to the host unit. To reduce electrical artifacts, an optocoupler and a separate power are applied to isolate the FSCV system and electrical stimulator, which can be activated by an infrared controller. In the validation test, the wireless backpack system has similar performance in comparison with a conventional wired system and it does not significantly affect the locomotor activity of the rat. In the cocaine administration test, the maximum electrically elicited dopamine signals increased to around 230% of the initial value 20 min after the injection of 10 mg kg(-1) cocaine. In a classical conditioning test, the dopamine signal in response to a cue increased to around 60 nM over 50 successive trials while the electrically evoked dopamine concentration decreased from about 90 to 50 nM in the maintenance phase. In contrast, the cue-evoked dopamine concentration progressively decreased and the electrically evoked dopamine was eliminated during the extinction phase. In the histological evaluation, there was little damage to brain tissue after five months chronic implantation of the stimulating electrode. We have developed an integrated wireless voltammetry system for measuring dopamine concentration and providing electrical stimulation. The developed wireless FSCV system is proven to be a useful experimental tool for the continuous monitoring of dopamine levels during animal learning behavior studies of freely moving rats.

Changes in Indirect Markers of Muscle Damage and Tendons After Daily Drop Jumping Exercise with Rapid Load Increase

PubMed Central

Paleckis, Vidas; Mickevičius, Mantas; Snieckus, Audrius; Streckis, Vytautas; Pääsuke, Mati; Rutkauskas, Saulius; Steponavičiūtė, Rasa; Skurvydas, Albertas; Kamandulis, Sigitas

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to assess changes in indirect markers of muscle damage and type I collagen degradation, as well as, patellar and Achilles tendon morphological differences during nine daily drop-jumps sessions with constant load alternated with rapid increases in load to test the hypothesis that frequent drop-jump training results in negative muscular and tendon adaptation. Young men (n = 9) performed daily drop jump workouts with progression every 3 days in terms of number of jumps, platform height and squat amplitude. Voluntary and electrically evoked knee extensor torque, muscle soreness, blood plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity and carboxyterminal cross-linked telopeptide (ICTP), patellar and Achilles tendon thickness and cross-sectional area (CSA) were assessed at different time points during the training period and again on days 1, 3, 10 and 17 after the training. The findings were as follows: (1) steady decline in maximal muscle strength with major recovery within 24 hours after the first six daily training sessions; (2) larger decline in electrically induced muscle torque and prolonged recovery during last three training sessions; (3) increase in patellar and Achilles tendons CSA without change in thickness towards the end of training period; (4) increase in jump height but not in muscle strength after whole training period. Our findings suggest that frequent drop-jump sessions with constant load alternated with rapid increases in load do not induce severe muscle damage or major changes in tendons, nonetheless, this type of loading is not advisable for muscle strength improvement. Key points Frequent drop jump training induces activation mode dependent muscle torque depression late in the training period. No significant changes in the thickness of patellar and Achilles tendons are observed during frequent training, while CSA increases towards the end of training period. Longitudinal effect for jump height but not for muscle strength is evident after the whole training period. PMID:26664280

Preliminary low temperature electron irradiation of triple junction solar cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stella, Paul M.; Mueller, Robert L.; Scrivner, Roy L.; Helizon, Roger S.

2005-01-01

JPL has routinely performed radiation testing on commercial solar cells and has also performed LILT testing to characterize cell performance under far sun operating conditions. This research activity was intended to combine the features of both capabilities to investigate the possibility of any room temperature annealing that might influence the measured radiation damage. Although it was not possible to maintain the test cells at a constant low temperature between irradiation and electrical measurements, it was possible to obtain measurements with the cell temperature kept well below room temperature.

In Brief: Hidden environment and health costs of energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Showstack, Randy

2009-10-01

The hidden costs of energy production and use in the United States amounted to an estimated $120 billion in 2005, according to a 19 October report by the U.S. National Research Council. The report, “Hidden Costs of Energy: Unpriced Consequences of Energy Production and Use,” examines hidden costs, including the cost of air pollution damage to human health, which are not reflected in market prices of energy sources, electricity, or gasoline. The report found that in 2005, the total annual external damages from sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter created by coal-burning power plants that produced 95% of the nation's coal-generated electricity were about $62 billion, with nonclimate damages averaging about 3.2 cents for every kilowatt-hour of energy produced. It is estimated that by 2030, nonclimate damages will fall to 1.7 cents per kilowatt-hour. The 2030 figure assumes that new policies already slated for implementation are put in place.

Electrical Resistance Technique to Monitor SiC Composite Detection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Craig; Morscher, Gregory; Xia, Zhenhai

2008-01-01

Ceramic matrix composites are suitable for high temperature structural applications such as turbine airfoils and hypersonic thermal protection systems. The employment of these materials in such applications is limited by the ability to process components reliable and to accurately monitor and predict damage evolution that leads to failure under stressed-oxidation conditions. Current nondestructive methods such as ultrasound, x-ray, and thermal imaging are limited in their ability to quantify small scale, transverse, in-plane, matrix cracks developed over long-time creep and fatigue conditions. Electrical resistance of SiC/SiC composites is one technique that shows special promise towards this end. Since both the matrix and the fibers are conductive, changes in matrix or fiber properties should relate to changes in electrical conductivity along the length of a specimen or part. The effect of matrix cracking on electrical resistivity for several composite systems will be presented and some initial measurements performed at elevated temperatures under stress-rupture conditions. The implications towards electrical resistance as a technique applied to composite processing, damage detection (health monitoring), and life-modeling will be discussed.

14 CFR 27.1351 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... generator; and (4) Each generator must have an overvoltage control designed and installed to prevent damage...) Electric power sources, their transmission cables, and their associated control and protective devices must... operation. (4) Each electric power source control must allow the independent operation of each source. (c...

14 CFR 27.1351 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... generator; and (4) Each generator must have an overvoltage control designed and installed to prevent damage...) Electric power sources, their transmission cables, and their associated control and protective devices must... operation. (4) Each electric power source control must allow the independent operation of each source. (c...

14 CFR 27.1351 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... generator; and (4) Each generator must have an overvoltage control designed and installed to prevent damage...) Electric power sources, their transmission cables, and their associated control and protective devices must... operation. (4) Each electric power source control must allow the independent operation of each source. (c...

14 CFR 27.1351 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... generator; and (4) Each generator must have an overvoltage control designed and installed to prevent damage...) Electric power sources, their transmission cables, and their associated control and protective devices must... operation. (4) Each electric power source control must allow the independent operation of each source. (c...

14 CFR 27.1351 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... generator; and (4) Each generator must have an overvoltage control designed and installed to prevent damage...) Electric power sources, their transmission cables, and their associated control and protective devices must... operation. (4) Each electric power source control must allow the independent operation of each source. (c...

Summary of Apollo; A D- sup 3 He tokamak reactor design

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

Kulcinski, G.L.; Blanchard, T.P.; El-Guebaly, L.A.

1992-07-01

In this paper, the key features of Apollo, a conceptual D-{sup 3}He tokamak reactor for commercial electricity production, are summarized. The 1000-MW (electric) design utilizes direct conversion of transport, neutron, and bremsstrahlung radiation power. The direct conversion method uses reactants, and the thermal conversion cycle uses an organic coolant. Apollo operates in the first-stability regime, with a major radius of 7.89 m, a peak magnetic field on the toroidal field coils of 19.3 T, a 53-MA plasma current, and a 6.7% beta value. The low neutron production of the D-{sup 3}He fuel cycle greatly reduces the radiation damage rate andmore » allows a full-lifetime first wall and structure made of standard steels with only slight modifications to reduce activation levels.« less

Self-diagnosis of damage in fibrous composites using electrical resistance measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, Ji Ho; Paty, Spandana; Kim, Ran Y.; Tandon, G. P.

2006-03-01

The objective of this research was to develop a practical integrated approach using extracted features from electrical resistance measurements and coupled electromechanical models of damage, for in situ damage detection and sensing in carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite structures. To achieve this objective, we introduced specific known damage (in terms of type, size, and location) into CFRP laminates and established quantitative relationships with the electrical resistance measurements. For processing of numerous measurement data, an autonomous data acquisition system was devised. We also established a specimen preparation procedure and a method for electrode setup. Coupon and panel CFRP laminate specimens with several known damage were tested and post-processed with the measurement data. Coupon specimens with various sizes of artificial delaminations obtained by inserting Teflon film were manufactured and the resistance was measured. The measurement results showed that increase of delamination size led to increase of resistance implying that it is possible to sense the existence and size of delamination. Encouraged by the results of coupon specimens, we implemented the measurement system on panel specimens. Three different quasi-isotropic panels were designed and manufactured: a panel with artificial delamination by inserting Teflon film at the midplane, a panel with artificial delamination by inserting Teflon film between the second and third plies from the surface, and an undamaged panel. The first two panels were designed to determine the feasibility of detecting delamination using the developed measurement system. The third panel had no damage at first, and then three different sizes of holes were drilled at a chosen location. Panels were prepared using the established procedures with six electrode connections on each side making a total of twenty-four electrode connections for a panel. All possible pairs of electrodes were scanned and the resistance was measured for each pair. The measurement results showed the possibility of the established measurement system for an in-situ damage detection method for CFRP composite structures.

Mini Solar and Sea Current Power Generation System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Almenhali, Abdulrahman; Alshamsi, Hatem; Aljunaibi, Yaser; Almussabi, Dheyab; Alshehhi, Ahmed; Hilal, Hassan Bu

2017-07-01

The power demand in United Arab Emirates is increased so that there is a consistent power cut in our region. This is because of high power consumption by factories and also due to less availability of conventional energy resources. Electricity is most needed facility for the human being. All the conventional energy resources are depleting day by day. So we have to shift from conventional to non-conventional energy resources. In this the combination of two energy resources is takes place i.e. wind and solar energy. This process reviles the sustainable energy resources without damaging the nature. We can give uninterrupted power by using hybrid energy system. Basically this system involves the integration of two energy system that will give continuous power. Solar panels are used for converting solar energy and wind turbines are used for converting wind energy into electricity. This electrical power can utilize for various purpose. Generation of electricity will be takes place at affordable cost. This paper deals with the generation of electricity by using two sources combine which leads to generate electricity with affordable cost without damaging the nature balance. The purpose of this project was to design a portable and low cost power system that combines both sea current electric turbine and solar electric technologies. This system will be designed in efforts to develop a power solution for remote locations or use it as another source of green power.

Effect of tendon vibration during wide-pulse neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the decline and recovery of muscle force.

PubMed

Bochkezanian, Vanesa; Newton, Robert U; Trajano, Gabriel S; Vieira, Amilton; Pulverenti, Timothy S; Blazevich, Anthony J

2017-05-02

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is commonly used to activate skeletal muscles and reverse muscle atrophy in clinical populations. Clinical recommendations for NMES suggest the use of short pulse widths (100-200 μs) and low-to-moderate pulse frequencies (30-50 Hz). However, this type of NMES causes rapid muscle fatigue due to the (non-physiological) high stimulation intensities and non-orderly recruitment of motor units. The use of both wide pulse widths (1000 μs) and tendon vibration might optimize motor unit activation through spinal reflex pathways and thus delay the onset of muscle fatigue, increasing muscle force and mass. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine the acute effects of patellar tendon vibration superimposed onto wide-pulse width (1000 μs) knee extensor electrical stimulation (NMES, 30 Hz) on peak muscle force, total impulse before "muscle fatigue", and the post-exercise recovery of muscle function. Tendon vibration (Vib), NMES (STIM) or NMES superimposed onto vibration (STIM + Vib) were applied in separate sessions to 16 healthy adults. Total torque-time integral (TTI), maximal voluntary contraction torque (MVIC) and indirect measures of muscle damage were tested before, immediately after, 1 h and 48 h after each stimulus. TTI increased (145.0 ± 127.7%) in STIM only for "positive responders" to the tendon vibration (8/16 subjects), but decreased in "negative responders" (-43.5 ± 25.7%). MVIC (-8.7%) and rectus femoris electromyography (RF EMG) (-16.7%) decreased after STIM (group effect) for at least 1 h, but not after STIM + Vib. No changes were detected in indirect markers of muscle damage in any condition. Tendon vibration superimposed onto wide-pulse width NMES increased TTI only in 8 of 16 subjects, but reduced voluntary force loss (fatigue) ubiquitously. Negative responders to tendon vibration may derive greater benefit from wide-pulse width NMES alone.

Experimental Analysis of Proton-Induced Displacement and Ionization Damage Using Gate-Controlled Lateral PNP Bipolar Transistors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ball, D. R.; Schrimpf, R. D.; Barnaby, H. J.

2006-01-01

The electrical characteristics of proton-irradiated bipolar transistors are affected by ionization damage to the insulating oxide and displacement damage to the semiconductor bulk. While both types of damage degrade the transistor, it is important to understand the mechanisms individually and to be able to analyze them separately. In this paper, a method for analyzing the effects of ionization and displacement damage using gate-controlled lateral PNP bipolar junction transistors is described. This technique allows the effects of oxide charge, surface recombination velocity, and bulk traps to be measured independently.

A Numerical Investigation of the Electric and Thermal Cell Kill Distributions in Electroporation-Based Therapies in Tissue

PubMed Central

Garcia, Paulo A.; Davalos, Rafael V.; Miklavcic, Damijan

2014-01-01

Electroporation-based therapies are powerful biotechnological tools for enhancing the delivery of exogeneous agents or killing tissue with pulsed electric fields (PEFs). Electrochemotherapy (ECT) and gene therapy based on gene electrotransfer (EGT) both use reversible electroporation to deliver chemotherapeutics or plasmid DNA into cells, respectively. In both ECT and EGT, the goal is to permeabilize the cell membrane while maintaining high cell viability in order to facilitate drug or gene transport into the cell cytoplasm and induce a therapeutic response. Irreversible electroporation (IRE) results in cell kill due to exposure to PEFs without drugs and is under clinical evaluation for treating otherwise unresectable tumors. These PEF therapies rely mainly on the electric field distributions and do not require changes in tissue temperature for their effectiveness. However, in immediate vicinity of the electrodes the treatment may results in cell kill due to thermal damage because of the inhomogeneous electric field distribution and high current density during the electroporation-based therapies. Therefore, the main objective of this numerical study is to evaluate the influence of pulse number and electrical conductivity in the predicted cell kill zone due to irreversible electroporation and thermal damage. Specifically, we simulated a typical IRE protocol that employs ninety 100-µs PEFs. Our results confirm that it is possible to achieve predominant cell kill due to electroporation if the PEF parameters are chosen carefully. However, if either the pulse number and/or the tissue conductivity are too high, there is also potential to achieve cell kill due to thermal damage in the immediate vicinity of the electrodes. Therefore, it is critical for physicians to be mindful of placement of electrodes with respect to critical tissue structures and treatment parameters in order to maintain the non-thermal benefits of electroporation and prevent unnecessary damage to surrounding healthy tissue, critical vascular structures, and/or adjacent organs. PMID:25115970

Recovery After High-Intensity Intermittent Exercise in Elite Soccer Players Using VEINOPLUS Sport Technology for Blood-Flow Stimulation

PubMed Central

Bieuzen, François; Pournot, Hervé; Roulland, Rémy; Hausswirth, Christophe

2012-01-01

Context Electric muscle stimulation has been suggested to enhance recovery after exhaustive exercise by inducing an increase in blood flow to the stimulated area. Previous studies have failed to support this hypothesis. We hypothesized that the lack of effect shown in previous studies could be attributed to the technique or device used. Objective To investigate the effectiveness of a recovery intervention using an electric blood-flow stimulator on anaerobic performance and muscle damage in professional soccer players after intermittent, exhaustive exercise. Design Randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance (INSEP). Patients or Other Participants Twenty-six healthy professional male soccer players. Intervention(s) The athletes performed an intermittent fatiguing exercise followed by a 1-hour recovery period, either passive or using an electric blood-flow stimulator (VEINOPLUS). Participants were randomly assigned to a group before the experiment started. Main Outcome Measures(s) Performances during a 30-second all-out exercise test, maximal vertical countermovement jump, and maximal voluntary contraction of the knee extensor muscles were measured at rest, immediately after the exercise, and 1 hour and 24 hours later. Muscle enzymes indicating muscle damage (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase) and hematologic profiles were analyzed before and 1 hour and 24 hours after the intermittent fatigue exercise. Results The electric-stimulation group had better 30-second all-out performances at 1 hour after exercise (P = .03) in comparison with the passive-recovery group. However, no differences were observed in muscle damage markers, maximal vertical countermovement jump, or maximal voluntary contraction between groups (P > .05). Conclusions Compared with passive recovery, electric stimulation using this blood-flow stimulator improved anaerobic performance at 1 hour postintervention. No changes in muscle damage markers or maximal voluntary contraction were detected. These responses may be considered beneficial for athletes engaged in sports with successive rounds interspersed with short, passive recovery periods. PMID:23068586

Infrared neural stimulation of human spinal nerve roots in vivo.

PubMed

Cayce, Jonathan M; Wells, Jonathon D; Malphrus, Jonathan D; Kao, Chris; Thomsen, Sharon; Tulipan, Noel B; Konrad, Peter E; Jansen, E Duco; Mahadevan-Jansen, Anita

2015-01-01

Infrared neural stimulation (INS) is a neurostimulation modality that uses pulsed infrared light to evoke artifact-free, spatially precise neural activity with a noncontact interface; however, the technique has not been demonstrated in humans. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of INS in humans in vivo. The feasibility of INS in humans was assessed in patients ([Formula: see text]) undergoing selective dorsal root rhizotomy, where hyperactive dorsal roots, identified for transection, were stimulated in vivo with INS on two to three sites per nerve with electromyogram recordings acquired throughout the stimulation. The stimulated dorsal root was removed and histology was performed to determine thermal damage thresholds of INS. Threshold activation of human dorsal rootlets occurred in 63% of nerves for radiant exposures between 0.53 and [Formula: see text]. In all cases, only one or two monitored muscle groups were activated from INS stimulation of a hyperactive spinal root identified by electrical stimulation. Thermal damage was first noted at [Formula: see text] and a [Formula: see text] safety ratio was identified. These findings demonstrate the success of INS as a fresh approach for activating human nerves in vivo and providing the necessary safety data needed to pursue clinically driven therapeutic and diagnostic applications of INS in humans.

Open Circuit Resonant (SansEC) Sensor for Composite Damage Detection and Diagnosis in Aircraft Lightning Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, Chuantong; Dudley, Kenneth L.; Szatkowski, George N.

2012-01-01

Composite materials are increasingly used in modern aircraft for reducing weight, improving fuel efficiency, and enhancing the overall design, performance, and manufacturability of airborne vehicles. Materials such as fiberglass reinforced composites (FRC) and carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) are being used to great advantage in airframes, wings, engine nacelles, turbine blades, fairings, fuselage and empennage structures, control surfaces and coverings. However, the potential damage from the direct and indirect effects of lightning strikes is of increased concern to aircraft designers and operators. When a lightning strike occurs, the points of attachment and detachment on the aircraft surface must be found by visual inspection, and then assessed for damage by maintenance personnel to ensure continued safe flight operations. In this paper, a new method and system for aircraft in-situ damage detection and diagnosis are presented. The method and system are based on open circuit (SansEC) sensor technology developed at NASA Langley Research Center. SansEC (Sans Electric Connection) sensor technology is a new technical framework for designing, powering, and interrogating sensors to detect damage in composite materials. Damage in composite material is generally associated with a localized change in material permittivity and/or conductivity. These changes are sensed using SansEC. Unique electrical signatures are used for damage detection and diagnosis. NASA LaRC has both experimentally and theoretically demonstrated that SansEC sensors can be effectively used for in-situ composite damage detection.

Predicting the location of missing outer hair cells using the electrical signal recorded at the round window

PubMed Central

Chertoff, Mark E.; Earl, Brian R.; Diaz, Francisco J.; Sorensen, Janna L.; Thomas, Megan L. A.; Kamerer, Aryn M.; Peppi, Marcello

2014-01-01

The electrical signal recorded at the round window was used to estimate the location of missing outer hair cells. The cochlear response was recorded to a low frequency tone embedded in high-pass filtered noise conditions. Cochlear damage was created by either overexposure to frequency-specific tones or laser light. In animals with continuous damage along the partition, the amplitude of the cochlear response increased as the high-pass cutoff frequency increased, eventually reaching a plateau. The cochlear distance at the onset of the plateau correlated with the anatomical onset of outer hair cell loss. A mathematical model replicated the physiologic data but was limited to cases with continuous hair cell loss in the middle and basal turns. The neural contribution to the cochlear response was determined by recording the response before and after application of Ouabain. Application of Ouabain eliminated or reduced auditory neural activity from approximately two turns of the cochlea. The amplitude of the cochlear response was reduced for moderate signal levels with a limited effect at higher levels, indicating that the cochlear response was dominated by outer hair cell currents at high signal levels and neural potentials at low to moderate signal levels. PMID:25190395

Self-Sensing TDR with Micro-Strip Line

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-06-11

detect impact damage of a CFRP plate in the second year (Todoroki A, et al., Impact damage detection of a carbon- fibre -reinforced-polymer plate...inspection methods is self-sensing technology that uses carbon fibres as sensors [1]-[11]. The self-sensing technology applies electric current to the...Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) for damage detection [15]-[17]. Authors have developed a self-sensing TDR for detection of fibre breakages using a

Automatic voltage imbalance detector

DOEpatents

Bobbett, Ronald E.; McCormick, J. Byron; Kerwin, William J.

1984-01-01

A device for indicating and preventing damage to voltage cells such as galvanic cells and fuel cells connected in series by detecting sequential voltages and comparing these voltages to adjacent voltage cells. The device is implemented by using operational amplifiers and switching circuitry is provided by transistors. The device can be utilized in battery powered electric vehicles to prevent galvanic cell damage and also in series connected fuel cells to prevent fuel cell damage.

Multi-physics modeling of multifunctional composite materials for damage detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sujidkul, Thanyawalai

This study presents a modeling of multifunction composite materials for damage detection with its verification and validation to mechanical behavior predictions of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer composites (CFRPs), CFRPs laminated composites, and woven SiC/SiC matrix composites that are subjected to fracture damage. Advantages of those materials are low cost, low density, high strength-to-weight ratio, and comparable specific tensile properties, the special of SiC/SiC is good environmental stability at high temperature. Resulting in, the composite has been used for many important structures such as helicopter rotors, aerojet engines, gas turbines, hot control surfaces, sporting goods, and windmill blades. Damage or material defect detection in a mechanical component can provide vital information for the prediction of remaining useful life, which will result in the prevention of catastrophic failures. Thus the understanding of the mechanical behavior have been challenge to the prevent damage and failure of composites in different scales. The damage detection methods in composites have been investigated widely in recent years. Non-destructive techniques are the traditional methods to detect the damage such as X-ray, acoustic emission and thermography. However, due to the invisible damage in composite can be occurred, to prevent the failure in composites. The developments of damage detection methods have been considered. Due to carbon fibers are conductive materials, in resulting CFRPs can be self-sensing to detect damage. As is well known, the electrical resistance has been shown to be a sensitive measure of internal damage, and also this work study in thermal resistance can detect damage in composites. However, there is a few number of different micromechanical modeling schemes has been proposed in the published literature for various types of composites. This works will provide with a numerical, analytical, and theoretical failure models in different damages to predict the mechanical damage behavior with electrical properties and thermal properties.

Particulate and aerosol detector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wortman, J. J.; Donovan, R. P.; Brooks, A. D.; Monteith, L. K.; Kinard, W. H.; Oneil, R. L. (Inventor)

1976-01-01

A device is described for counting aerosols and sorting them according to either size, mass or energy. The component parts are an accelerator, a capacitor sensor and a readout. The accelerator is a means for accelerating the aerosols toward the face of the capacitor sensor with such force that they partially penetrate the capacitor sensor, momentarily discharging it. The readout device is a means for counting the number of discharges of the capacitor sensor and measuring the amplitudes of these different discharges. The aerosols are accelerated by the accelerator in the direction of the metal layer with such force that they penetrate the metal and damage the oxide layers, thereby allowing the electrical charge on the capacitor to discharge through the damaged region. Each incident aerosol initiates a discharge path through the capacitor in such a fashion as to vaporize the conducting path. Once the discharge action is complete, the low resistance path no longer exists between the two capacitor plates and the capacitor is again able to accept a charge. The active area of the capacitor is reduced in size by the damaged area each time a discharge occurs.

Detecting Cracks in Ceramic Matrix Composites by Electrical Resistance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Craig; Gyekenyesi, Andrew

2011-01-01

The majority of damage in SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites subjected to monotonic tensile loads is in the form of distributed matrix cracks. These cracks initiate near stress concentrations, such as 90o fiber tows or large matrix pores and continue to accumulate with additional stress until matrix crack saturation is achieved. Such damage is difficult to detect with conventional nondestructive evaluation techniques (immersion ultrasonics, x-ray, etc.). Monitoring a specimen.s electrical resistance change provides an indirect approach for monitoring matrix crack density. Sylramic-iBN fiber- reinforced SiC composites with a melt infiltrated (MI) matrix were tensile tested at room temperature. Results showed an increase in resistance of more than 500% prior to fracture, which can be detected either in situ or post-damage. A relationship between resistance change and matrix crack density was also determined.

Distensibility and Strength of the Pelvic Floor Muscles of Women in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

PubMed Central

Petricelli, Carla Dellabarba; Resende, Ana Paula Magalhães; Elito Júnior, Julio; Araujo Júnior, Edward; Alexandre, Sandra Maria; Zanetti, Miriam Raquel Diniz; Nakamura, Mary Uchiyama

2014-01-01

Objective. The objective of this study was to compare the role of the pelvic floor muscles between nulliparous and multiparous women in the third trimester of pregnancy, by analyzing the relationship between electrical activity (surface electromyography—EMG), vaginal palpation (modified Oxford scale), and perineal distensibility (Epi-no). Methods. This was an observational cross-sectional study on a sample of 60 healthy pregnant women with no cervical dilation, single fetus, gestational age between 35 and 40 weeks, and maternal age ranging from 15 to 40 years. The methods used were bidigital palpation (modified Oxford scale, graded 0–5), surface EMG (electrical activity during maximal voluntary contraction), and perineal distensibility (Epi-no device). The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was used to analyze the Epi-no values and the surface EMG findings. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the median values from surface EMG and Epi-no, using the modified Oxford scale scores. Results. Among the 60 patients included in this study, 30 were nulliparous and 30 multiparous. The average maternal age and gestational age were 26.06 (±5.58) and 36.56 (±1.23), respectively. It was observed that nulliparous women had both higher perineal muscle strength (2.53 ± 0.57 versus 2.06 ± 0.64; P = 0.005) and higher electrical activity (45.35 ± 12.24 μV versus 35.79 ± 11.66 μV; P = 0.003), while among the multiparous women, distensibility was higher (19.39 ± 1.92 versus 18.05 ± 2.14; P = 0.013). We observed that there was no correlation between perineal distensibility and electrical activity during maximal voluntary contraction (r = − 0.193; P = 0.140). However, we found a positive relationship between vaginal palpation and surface electromyography (P = 0.008), but none between Epi-no values (P = 0.785). Conclusion. The electrical activity and muscle strength of the pelvic floor muscles of the multiparous women were damaged, in relation to the nulliparous women, while the perineal distensibility was lower in the latter group. There was a positive relationship between surface EMG and the modified Oxford scale. PMID:24877094

Hybrid self-healing matrix using core-shell nanofibers and capsuleless microdroplets.

PubMed

Lee, Min Wook; An, Seongpil; Lee, Changmin; Liou, Minho; Yarin, Alexander L; Yoon, Sam S

2014-07-09

In this work, we developed novel self-healing anticorrosive hierarchical coatings that consist of several components. Namely, as a skeleton we prepared a core-shell nanofiber mat electrospun from emulsions of cure material (dimethyl methylhydrogen siloxane) in a poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) solution in dimethylformamide. In these nanofibers, cure is in the core, while PAN is in the shell. The skeleton deposited on a protected surface is encased in an epoxy-based matrix, which contains emulsified liquid droplets of dimethylvinyl-terminated dimethylsiloxane resin monomer. When such hierarchical coatings are damaged, cure is released from the nanofiber cores and the resin monomer, released from the damaged matrix, is polymerized in the presence of cure. This polymerization and solidification process takes about 1-2 days and eventually heals the damaged material when solid poly(dimethylsiloxane) resin is formed. The self-healing effect was demonstrated using an electrochemical analogue of the scanning vibrating electrode technique. Damaged samples were left for 2 days. After that, the electric current through a damaged coating was found to be negligibly small for the samples with self-healing properties. On the other hand, for the samples without self-healing properties, the electric current was significant.

Optical and Interface-Based Methods of Defect Engineering in Silicon

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kondratenko, Yevgeniy Vladimirovich

2009-01-01

Ion implantation is widely used in the microelectronics industry for fabrication of source and drain transistor regions. Unfortunately, implantation causes considerable damage to the substrate lattice rendering most of the implanted dopant electrically inactive. Rapid thermal annealing (RTA) heals the damage by rapidly heating the substrate with a…

Growth Inhibition of Tumour Implants by Associated Surface Active Agents

PubMed Central

Altman, R. F. A.; Spoladore, L. G.; Esch, E. L.

1970-01-01

Whereas dilute solutions of surface active agents modify the properties of cell membranes, particularly in relation to their electrical behaviour, moderate and strong solutions provoke more serious structural damage of the membrane, leading to an increase of its permeability and, finally, to cytolysis. These phenomena have inspired some authors to apply detergents as possible cancer chemotherapeuticals so far, however, with only poor results. The disintegrating effect of tumour emboli into single cells by certain detergents, and the ingenious discovery that the mutual adhesiveness between cancer cells is much less than between normal cells, have led the present authors to investigate the action of some biological surface active agents, alone as well as in some of their associations on the “take” of Yoshida sarcoma implants. Certain associations showed, in contradistinction to the separately applied components, surprisingly favourable activity. It could be established that a correlation actually exists between inhibitory effect and surface activity. PMID:4394469

Nanopore formation in neuroblastoma cells following ultrashort electric pulse exposure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roth, Caleb C.; Payne, Jason A.; Wilmink, Gerald J.; Ibey, Bennett L.

2011-03-01

Ultrashort or nanosecond electrical pulses (USEP) cause repairable damage to the plasma membranes of cells through formation of nanopores. These nanopores are able to pass small ions such as sodium, calcium, and potassium, but remain impermeable to larger molecules like trypan blue and propidium iodide. What remains uncertain is whether generation of nanopores by ultrashort electrical pulses can inhibit action potentials in excitable cells. In this paper, we explored the sensitivity of excitable cells to USEP using Calcium Green AM 1 ester fluorescence to measure calcium uptake indicative of nanopore formation in the plasma membrane. We determined the threshold for nanopore formation in neuroblastoma cells for three pulse parameters (amplitude, pulse width, and pulse number). Measurement of such thresholds will guide future studies to determine if USEP can inhibit action potentials without causing irreversible membrane damage.

Anti-Le-Chatelet behavior driven by strong natural light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antonyuk, B. P.

2007-01-01

We show that strong incoherent broad band light causes positive feedback in response to a static electric field in random media: electric current flows in opposite to a voltage drop direction; static polarization is induced in opposition to an applied electric field. This type of the electron motion amplifies the external action revealing anti-Le-Chatelet behavior. The applied static electric field is amplified up to the domain of optical damage of a silica glass ≈10 7 V/cm.

Optimal Electrode Selection for Electrical Resistance Tomography in Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

PubMed Central

Escalona Galvis, Luis Waldo; Diaz-Montiel, Paulina; Venkataraman, Satchi

2017-01-01

Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT) offers a non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technique that takes advantage of the inherent electrical properties in carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites for internal damage characterization. This paper investigates a method of optimum selection of sensing configurations for delamination detection in thick cross-ply laminates using ERT. Reduction in the number of sensing locations and measurements is necessary to minimize hardware and computational effort. The present work explores the use of an effective independence (EI) measure originally proposed for sensor location optimization in experimental vibration modal analysis. The EI measure is used for selecting the minimum set of resistance measurements among all possible combinations resulting from selecting sensing electrode pairs. Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) is applied to obtain a spectral representation of the resistance measurements in the laminate for subsequent EI based reduction to take place. The electrical potential field in a CFRP laminate is calculated using finite element analysis (FEA) applied on models for two different laminate layouts considering a set of specified delamination sizes and locations with two different sensing arrangements. The effectiveness of the EI measure in eliminating redundant electrode pairs is demonstrated by performing inverse identification of damage using the full set and the reduced set of resistance measurements. This investigation shows that the EI measure is effective for optimally selecting the electrode pairs needed for resistance measurements in ERT based damage detection. PMID:28772485

Optimal Electrode Selection for Electrical Resistance Tomography in Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites.

PubMed

Escalona Galvis, Luis Waldo; Diaz-Montiel, Paulina; Venkataraman, Satchi

2017-02-04

Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT) offers a non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technique that takes advantage of the inherent electrical properties in carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites for internal damage characterization. This paper investigates a method of optimum selection of sensing configurations for delamination detection in thick cross-ply laminates using ERT. Reduction in the number of sensing locations and measurements is necessary to minimize hardware and computational effort. The present work explores the use of an effective independence (EI) measure originally proposed for sensor location optimization in experimental vibration modal analysis. The EI measure is used for selecting the minimum set of resistance measurements among all possible combinations resulting from selecting sensing electrode pairs. Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) is applied to obtain a spectral representation of the resistance measurements in the laminate for subsequent EI based reduction to take place. The electrical potential field in a CFRP laminate is calculated using finite element analysis (FEA) applied on models for two different laminate layouts considering a set of specified delamination sizes and locations with two different sensing arrangements. The effectiveness of the EI measure in eliminating redundant electrode pairs is demonstrated by performing inverse identification of damage using the full set and the reduced set of resistance measurements. This investigation shows that the EI measure is effective for optimally selecting the electrode pairs needed for resistance measurements in ERT based damage detection.

Evaluation of electrical propagation delay with cardiomyocytes by photosensitization reaction in vitro

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doi, Marika; Ogawa, Emiyu; Arai, Tsunenori

2017-02-01

In order to study cardiomyocyte electrical conduction damage by a photosensitization reaction (PR) mostly comes from outside of the cells in a few minutes after the PR, we studied propagation delay of contact action potential with cardiomyocyte by the PR. To determine appropriate PR condition for tachyarrhythmia ablation, a precise electrophysiological experiment in vitro has been preferable. We measured the contact action potential using a microelectrode array system of which information may be correct than conventional Ca2+ measurement. We investigated the propagation delays of an evoked potential to evaluate the electrical conduction damage by the PR. Rat cardiomyocytes were cultivated for 5-7 days on a dish with which 64 electrodes were patterned, in an incubator controlled to 37°C, 5% CO2. The following conditions were used for the PR: 40 μg/ml talapordfin sodium and 290 mW/cm2, 40-78 J/cm2 for an irradiation. A 2D map was obtained to visualize the propagation delays of the evoked potential. The propagation speed, which was calculated based on the measured propagation delays, was decreased by about 30-50% on average of all electrodes after the PR. Therefore, we think 2D propagation delays measurement of the evoked potential with contact action potential measuring system might be available to evaluate the acute electrical conduction damage of cardiomyocyte by the PR.

29 CFR 1910.334 - Use of equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

.... (a) Portable electric equipment. This paragraph applies to the use of cord- and plug-connected... in a manner which will not cause damage. Flexible electric cords connected to equipment may not be...) Portable cord- and plug-connected equipment and flexible cord sets (extension cords) shall be visually...

Forecasting of the performance of MOS device for space applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fang, P. H.

1971-01-01

Analysis of radiation damage of MOSFET data from Explorer 34 (IMP-F), and radiation damage characteristics of MOSFET with boron diffused between a silicon semiconductor and silicon oxide are considered. The first subject is an interpretation of the discrepancy between the space data and the laboratory data. The second subject is an attempt to analyze the radiation damage characteristic of MOSFET when there is modification of electrical properties in the gate oxide region.

Predictive modeling of composite material degradation using piezoelectric wafer sensors electromechanical impedance spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gresil, Matthieu; Yu, Lingyu; Sutton, Mike; Guo, Siming; Pollock, Patrick

2012-04-01

The advancement of composite materials in aircraft structures has led to on increased need for effective structural health monitoring (SHM) technologies that are able to detect and assess damage present in composites structures. The work presented in this paper is interested in understanding using self-sensing piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWAS) to conduct electromechanical impedance spectroscopy (EMIS) in glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) to perform structures health monitoring. PWAS are bonded to the composite material and the EMIS method is used to analyze the changes in the structural resonance and anti-resonance. As the damage progresses in the specimen, the impedance spectrum will change. In addition, multi-physics based finite element method (MP-FEM) is used to model the electromechanical behavior of a free PWAS and its interaction with the host structure on which it is bonded. The MPFEM permits the input and the output variables to be expressed directly in electric terms while the two way electromechanical conversion is done internally in the MP_FEM formulation. To reach the goal of using the EMIS approach to detect damage, several damages models are generated on laminated GFRP structures. The effects of the modeling are carefully studied through experimental validation. A good match has been observed for low and very high frequencies.

Development of testing and training simulator for CEDMCS in KSNP

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

Nam, C. H.; Park, C. Y.; Nam, J. I.

2006-07-01

This paper presents a newly developed testing and training simulator (TTS) for automatically diagnosing and tuning the Control Element Drive Mechanism Control System (CEDMCS). TTS includes a new automatic, diagnostic, method for logic control cards and a new tuning method for phase synchronous pulse cards. In Korea Standard Nuclear Power Plants (KSNP). reactor trips occasionally occur due to a damaged logic control card in CEDMCS. However, there is no pre-diagnostic tester available to detect a damaged card in CEDMCS before it causes a reactor trip. Even after the reactor trip occurs, it is difficult to find the damaged card. Tomore » find the damaged card. ICT is usually used. ICT is an automated, computer-controlled testing system with measurement capabilities for testing active and passive components, or clusters of components, on printed circuit boards (PCB) and/or assemblies. However, ICT cannot detect a time dependent fault correctly and requires removal of the waterproof mating to perform the test. Therefore, the additional procedure of re-coating the PCB card is required after the test. TTS for CEDMCS is designed based on real plant conditions, both electrically and mechanically. Therefore, the operator can operate the Control Element Drive Mechanism (CEDM), which is mounted on the closure head of the reactor vessel (RV) using the soft control panel in ITS, which duplicates the Main Control Board (MCB) in the Main Control Room (MCR). However, during the generation of electric power in a nuclear power plant, it is difficult to operate the CEDM so a CEDM and Control Element Assembly (CEA) mock-up facility was developed to simulate a real plant CEDM. ITS was used for diagnosing and tuning control logic cards in CEDMCS in the Ulchin Nuclear Power Plant No. 4 during the plant overhaul period. It exhibited good performance in detecting the damaged cards and tuning the phase synchronous pulse cards. In addition, TTS was useful in training the CEDMCS operator by supplying detail signal information from the logic cards. (authors)« less

Effect of PdZn film on the performance of green light-emitting diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Ja-Yeon; Kwon, Min-Ki; Cho, Chu Young; Lee, Sang-Jun; Park, Seong-Ju; Kim, Sunwoon; Kim, Je Won; Kim, Yong Chun

2008-08-01

PdZn was used to improve the electrical properties of p-GaN annealed at low activation temperature for high efficiency green light-emitting diodes (LEDs). A hole concentration of p-GaN annealed at 600 °C with PdZn was almost 28 times higher than that of p-GaN annealed at 800 °C without PdZn. SIMS analysis showed that hydrogen concentration in p-GaN annealed with PdZn is decreased compared to that without using PdZn because the PdZn enhances hydrogen desorption from the Mg-doped p-GaN film at low temperature. The green MQW LED annealed at 600 °C using PdZn showed improved electrical characteristic and optical output power compared to that annealed at 800 °C without using PdZn. These results are attributed to the increase of hole concentration of p-GaN due to removal of hydrogen in p-GaN by PdZn and the decrease in thermal damage of MQW at low activation temperature.

The Discovery of a Potential Antimicrobial Agent: the Novel Compound Natural Medicinal Plant Fermentation Extracts against Candida albicans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Mingzhu; Wang, Xirui; Mao, Canquan; Yao, Wei

2018-01-01

Natural medicinal plants and their extracts are important sources of antimicrobial drug development. In this study, we reported an ancient formula of Chinese folk medicine, the compound natural medicinal plant fermentation extracts (CNMPFE) for its antimicrobial effects. The effects and mechanisms of CNMPFE on C. albicans were studied by cell damage experiments including antimicrobial kinetics, fungal growth curve, alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity, ultraviolet absorption, electric conductivity and the evaluation of cellular ultra microstructure. The results showed that the minimal inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration of CNMPFE against C. albicans were 75% (vol/vol) and 80% (vol/vol) respectively. The inhibition of CNMPFE for C. albicans was dose and time dependent, based on increasing of the AKP activities and the ultraviolet absorptions and the electric conductivities of the fungal solutions, it may exert its antifungal properties by disrupting the structure of cell wall and the cell membrane integrity and their permeability, subsequently resulting in cell death. Taken together, these findings suggest that CNMPFE may be a promising drug candidate for the treatment of fungal infections skin diseases.

Low thermal budget n-type doping into Ge(001) surface using ultraviolet laser irradiation in phosphoric acid solution

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

Takahashi, Kouta, E-mail: ktakahas@alice.xtal.nagoya-u.ac.jp, E-mail: kurosawa@alice.xtal.nagoya-u.ac.jp; Sakashita, Mitsuo; Takeuchi, Wakana

2016-02-01

We have investigated phosphorus (P) doping into Ge(001) surfaces by using ultraviolet laser irradiation in phosphoric acid solution at room temperature. We demonstrated that the diffusion depth of P in Ge and the concentration of electrically activated P can be controlled by the number of laser shots. Indeed, a high concentration of electrically activated P of 2.4 × 10{sup 19} cm{sup −3} was realized by 1000-times laser shots at a laser energy of 1.0 J/cm{sup 2}, which is comparable or better than the counterparts of conventional n-type doping using a high thermal budget over 600 °C. The generation current is dominant in the reverse biasmore » condition for the laser-doped pn-junction diodes independent on the number of laser shots, thus indicating low-damage during the pn-junction formation. These results open up the possibility for applicable low thermal budget doping process for Ge-based devices fabricated on flexible substrates as well as Si electronics.« less

Robust optimization of the laser induced damage threshold of dielectric mirrors for high power lasers.

PubMed

Chorel, Marine; Lanternier, Thomas; Lavastre, Éric; Bonod, Nicolas; Bousquet, Bruno; Néauport, Jérôme

2018-04-30

We report on a numerical optimization of the laser induced damage threshold of multi-dielectric high reflection mirrors in the sub-picosecond regime. We highlight the interplay between the electric field distribution, refractive index and intrinsic laser induced damage threshold of the materials on the overall laser induced damage threshold (LIDT) of the multilayer. We describe an optimization method of the multilayer that minimizes the field enhancement in high refractive index materials while preserving a near perfect reflectivity. This method yields a significant improvement of the damage resistance since a maximum increase of 40% can be achieved on the overall LIDT of the multilayer.

77 FR 60653 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-04

... compartments, as applicable. Since we issued that AD, we have received reports that the installation has been..., electrical wiring, or other equipment located in the forward and aft cargo compartments. This damage could..., hydraulic system, electrical wiring, etc.), and therefore could have an impact on the safety of the flight...

77 FR 37775 - Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-25

... squib electrical connectors can be cross- connected. This AD requires a general visual inspection of... extinguishing agent being discharged into a wrong compartment and consequent damage to the airplane. DATES: This... bottles of certain BAe 146 and AVRO 146-RJ aeroplanes can be misassembled such that two squib electrical...

Protection of MOS capacitors during anodic bonding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schjølberg-Henriksen, K.; Plaza, J. A.; Rafí, J. M.; Esteve, J.; Campabadal, F.; Santander, J.; Jensen, G. U.; Hanneborg, A.

2002-07-01

We have investigated the electrical damage by anodic bonding on CMOS-quality gate oxide and methods to prevent this damage. n-type and p-type MOS capacitors were characterized by quasi-static and high-frequency CV-curves before and after anodic bonding. Capacitors that were bonded to a Pyrex wafer with 10 μm deep cavities enclosing the capacitors exhibited increased leakage current and interface trap density after bonding. Two different methods were successful in protecting the capacitors from such damage. Our first approach was to increase the cavity depth from 10 μm to 50 μm, thus reducing the electric field across the gate oxide during bonding from approximately 2 × 105 V cm-1 to 4 × 104 V cm-1. The second protection method was to coat the inside of a 10 μm deep Pyrex glass cavity with aluminium, forming a Faraday cage that removed the electric field across the cavity during anodic bonding. Both methods resulted in capacitors with decreased interface trap density and unchanged leakage current after bonding. No change in effective oxide charge or mobile ion contamination was observed on any of the capacitors in the study.

Wildlife and electric power transmission

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ellis, D.H.; Goodwin, J.G.; Hunt, J.R.; Fletcher, John L.; Busnel, R.G.

1978-01-01

Hundreds of thousands of miles of transmission lines have been introduced into our natural environment. These lines and their corridors can be damaging or beneficial to wildlife communities depending on how they are designed, where they are placed, and when they are constructed and maintained. With the current trend toward UHV systems, new problems (associated with additional increments in audible noise, electric and magnetic force fields, etc.) must be addressed. We recommend the following areas for careful study: (1) the response of wilderness species to transmission lines and line construction and maintenance activities (2) the magnitude of bird collision and electrocution mortality, (3) the response of power corridor and power tower in habiting wildlife to laboratory and field doses of electro-chemical oxidants, corona noise, electric and magnetic fields, etc., (4) the productivity of tower inhabiting birds compared with nearby non-tower nesters, and (5) the influence of powerline corridors on mammalian and avian migration patterns. It is our hope that the questions identified in this study will help stimulate further research so that we can maximize wildlife benefits and minimize wildlife detriments.

Freeze-thaw durability of concrete: Ice formation process in pores

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

Cai, H.; Liu, X.

1998-09-01

Freeze-thaw durability of concrete is of great importance to hydraulic structures in cold areas. Study of ice formation process in concrete pores is necessary to evaluate the damages in concrete caused by freezing. In this paper, freezing of pore solution in concrete exposed to a freeze-thaw cycle is studied by following the change of concrete electrical conductivity with freezing temperatures. Concretes were subjected to freeze-thaw cycles with temperature varying between {minus}0 C and {minus}20 C. In the freezing process, the changing rate of concrete electrical conductivity obviously decreases at about {minus}10 C, indicating that more pore solution in concrete freezesmore » above {minus}10 C than below {minus}10C. According to Powers` static hydraulic pressure hypothesis, it is thought that frost damage mainly occurs between 0 C and {minus}100 C. To ordinary concrete, frost damages below {minus}10 C are negligible.« less

Unpredictable interference of new transcranial motor-evoked potential monitor against the implanted pacemaker.

PubMed

Hayashi, Kazuko

2016-12-01

Recently, NuVasive NV-M5 nerve monitoring system, a new transcranial motor-evoked potential (TcMEP) monitor, has been introduced with the spread of flank-approach spinal operations such as extreme lateral interbody fusion, to prevent nerve damage. Conventional TcMEP monitors use changes in MEP wave patterns, such as amplitude and/or latency, whereas the NV-M5 nerve monitor system first measures the MEP baseline waveform from the transcranial-evoked potential then measures the electric current necessary to obtain the standard of the previous baseline wave pattern at subsequent monitoring times. The NV-M5 monitor determines nerve damage according to the increase in necessary electric current threshold. The NV-M5 monitor also uses a local electrical stimulation mode to monitor the safety of setting screws into the lumbar vertebrae. In this way, various electrical stimulations with various durations and frequencies are used, and electrical noise may result in unpredictable interference with cardiac pacemakers. We performed anesthetic management of extreme lateral interbody fusion surgery using the NV-M5 in a patient with an implanted pacemaker, during which TcMEP stimulation caused interference with the implanted pacemaker. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Teflon/SiO₂ Bilayer Passivation for Improving the Electrical Reliability of Oxide TFTs Fabricated Using a New Two-Photomask Self-Alignment Process.

PubMed

Fan, Ching-Lin; Shang, Ming-Chi; Li, Bo-Jyun; Lin, Yu-Zuo; Wang, Shea-Jue; Lee, Win-Der; Hung, Bohr-Ran

2015-04-13

This study proposes a two-photomask process for fabricating amorphous indium-gallium-zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) that exhibit a self-aligned structure. The fabricated TFTs, which lack etching-stop (ES) layers, have undamaged a-IGZO active layers that facilitate superior performance. In addition, we demonstrate a bilayer passivation method that uses a polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) and SiO₂ combination layer for improving the electrical reliability of the fabricated TFTs. Teflon was deposited as a buffer layer through thermal evaporation. The Teflon layer exhibited favorable compatibility with the underlying IGZO channel layer and effectively protected the a-IGZO TFTs from plasma damage during SiO₂ deposition, resulting in a negligible initial performance drop in the a-IGZO TFTs. Compared with passivation-free a-IGZO TFTs, passivated TFTs exhibited superior stability even after 168 h of aging under ambient air at 95% relative humidity.

Correlation of Electrical Resistance to CMC Stress-Strain and Fracture Behavior Under High Heat-Flux Thermal and Stress Gradients

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Appleby, Matthew; Morscher, Gregory; Zhu, Dongming

2015-01-01

Because SiCSiC ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are under consideration for use as turbine engine hot-section components in extreme environments, it becomes necessary to investigate their performance and damage morphologies under complex loading and environmental conditions. Monitoring of electrical resistance (ER) has been shown as an effective tool for detecting damage accumulation of woven melt-infiltrated SiCSiC CMCs. However, ER change under complicated thermo-mechanical loading is not well understood. In this study a systematic approach is taken to determine the capabilities of ER as a relevant non-destructive evaluation technique for high heat-flux testing, including thermal gradients and localized stress concentrations. Room temperature and high temperature, laser-based tensile tests were conducted in which stress-dependent damage locations were determined using modal acoustic emission (AE) monitoring and compared to full-field strain mapping using digital image correlation (DIC). This information is then compared with the results of in-situ ER monitoring, post-test ER inspection and fractography in order to correlate ER response to convoluted loading conditions and damage evolution.

Prognostic monitoring of aircraft wiring using electrical capacitive tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKenzie, G.; Record, P.

2011-12-01

Electrical capacitive tomography (ECT) has been used to monitor sections of aircraft wiring, as a tool for prognostic analysis. To apply the principles of ECT across a cross section of only 4 mm, modification of the basic circuit was required. Additionally, a more novel method of placing the necessary electrodes was needed, this being accomplished by etching them from flexible copper sheeting and wrapping them inside the perimeter of an enclosure. Results showed that at this small scale, it was possible to determine the position of a wire-under-test inside the 4 mm diameter enclosure to about 0.1 mm, and that by measuring capacitance between pairs, it was also possible to determine whether or not the insulation of wire passed between the electrodes was damaged. With more than one wire-under-test present, it was possible to determine whether or not damage was present, and if so, which wire was damaged. By detecting insulation damage in this way, ECT has proven to be a useful tool in prognostic monitoring, helping faults to be found before they become safety-critical onboard an aircraft.

Prognostic monitoring of aircraft wiring using electrical capacitive tomography.

PubMed

McKenzie, G; Record, P

2011-12-01

Electrical capacitive tomography (ECT) has been used to monitor sections of aircraft wiring, as a tool for prognostic analysis. To apply the principles of ECT across a cross section of only 4 mm, modification of the basic circuit was required. Additionally, a more novel method of placing the necessary electrodes was needed, this being accomplished by etching them from flexible copper sheeting and wrapping them inside the perimeter of an enclosure. Results showed that at this small scale, it was possible to determine the position of a wire-under-test inside the 4 mm diameter enclosure to about 0.1 mm, and that by measuring capacitance between pairs, it was also possible to determine whether or not the insulation of wire passed between the electrodes was damaged. With more than one wire-under-test present, it was possible to determine whether or not damage was present, and if so, which wire was damaged. By detecting insulation damage in this way, ECT has proven to be a useful tool in prognostic monitoring, helping faults to be found before they become safety-critical onboard an aircraft.

Swift heavy ion-induced radiation damage in isotropic graphite studied by micro-indentation and in-situ electrical resistivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hubert, Christian; Voss, Kay Obbe; Bender, Markus; Kupka, Katharina; Romanenko, Anton; Severin, Daniel; Trautmann, Christina; Tomut, Marilena

2015-12-01

Due to its excellent thermo-physical properties and radiation hardness, isotropic graphite is presently the most promising material candidate for new high-power ion accelerators which will provide highest beam intensities and energies. Under these extreme conditions, specific accelerator components including production targets and beam protection modules are facing the risk of degradation due to radiation damage. Ion-beam induced damage effects were tested by irradiating polycrystalline, isotropic graphite samples at the UNILAC (GSI, Darmstadt) with 4.8 MeV per nucleon 132Xe, 150Sm, 197Au, and 238U ions applying fluences between 1 × 1011 and 1 × 1014 ions/cm2. The overall damage accumulation and its dependence on energy loss of the ions were studied by in situ 4-point resistivity measurements. With increasing fluence, the electric resistivity increases due to disordering of the graphitic structure. Irradiated samples were also analyzed off-line by means of micro-indentation in order to characterize mesoscale effects such as beam-induced hardening and stress fields within the specimen. With increasing fluence and energy loss, hardening becomes more pronounced.

Prognostic health monitoring in switch-mode power supplies with voltage regulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hofmeister, James P (Inventor); Judkins, Justin B (Inventor)

2009-01-01

The system includes a current injection device in electrical communication with the switch mode power supply. The current injection device is positioned to alter the initial, non-zero load current when activated. A prognostic control is in communication with the current injection device, controlling activation of the current injection device. A frequency detector is positioned to receive an output signal from the switch mode power supply and is able to count cycles in a sinusoidal wave within the output signal. An output device is in communication with the frequency detector. The output device outputs a result of the counted cycles, which are indicative of damage to an a remaining useful life of the switch mode power supply.

Spatially resolved air-water emissions tradeoffs improve regulatory impact analyses for electricity generation.

PubMed

Gingerich, Daniel B; Sun, Xiaodi; Behrer, A Patrick; Azevedo, Inês L; Mauter, Meagan S

2017-02-21

Coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) generate air, water, and solids emissions that impose substantial human health, environmental, and climate change (HEC) damages. This work demonstrates the importance of accounting for cross-media emissions tradeoffs, plant and regional emissions factors, and spatially variation in the marginal damages of air emissions when performing regulatory impact analyses for electric power generation. As a case study, we assess the benefits and costs of treating wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater at US CFPPs using the two best available treatment technology options specified in the 2015 Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs). We perform a life-cycle inventory of electricity and chemical inputs to FGD wastewater treatment processes and quantify the marginal HEC damages of associated air emissions. We combine these spatially resolved damage estimates with Environmental Protection Agency estimates of water quality benefits, fuel-switching benefits, and regulatory compliance costs. We estimate that the ELGs will impose average net costs of $3.01 per cubic meter for chemical precipitation and biological wastewater treatment and $11.26 per cubic meter for zero-liquid discharge wastewater treatment (expected cost-benefit ratios of 1.8 and 1.7, respectively), with damages concentrated in regions containing a high fraction of coal generation or a large chemical manufacturing industry. Findings of net cost for FGD wastewater treatment are robust to uncertainty in auxiliary power source, location of chemical manufacturing, and binding air emissions limits in noncompliant regions, among other variables. Future regulatory design will minimize compliance costs and HEC tradeoffs by regulating air, water, and solids emissions simultaneously and performing regulatory assessments that account for spatial variation in emissions impacts.

Spatially resolved air-water emissions tradeoffs improve regulatory impact analyses for electricity generation

PubMed Central

Gingerich, Daniel B.; Behrer, A. Patrick; Azevedo, Inês L.

2017-01-01

Coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) generate air, water, and solids emissions that impose substantial human health, environmental, and climate change (HEC) damages. This work demonstrates the importance of accounting for cross-media emissions tradeoffs, plant and regional emissions factors, and spatially variation in the marginal damages of air emissions when performing regulatory impact analyses for electric power generation. As a case study, we assess the benefits and costs of treating wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater at US CFPPs using the two best available treatment technology options specified in the 2015 Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs). We perform a life-cycle inventory of electricity and chemical inputs to FGD wastewater treatment processes and quantify the marginal HEC damages of associated air emissions. We combine these spatially resolved damage estimates with Environmental Protection Agency estimates of water quality benefits, fuel-switching benefits, and regulatory compliance costs. We estimate that the ELGs will impose average net costs of $3.01 per cubic meter for chemical precipitation and biological wastewater treatment and $11.26 per cubic meter for zero-liquid discharge wastewater treatment (expected cost-benefit ratios of 1.8 and 1.7, respectively), with damages concentrated in regions containing a high fraction of coal generation or a large chemical manufacturing industry. Findings of net cost for FGD wastewater treatment are robust to uncertainty in auxiliary power source, location of chemical manufacturing, and binding air emissions limits in noncompliant regions, among other variables. Future regulatory design will minimize compliance costs and HEC tradeoffs by regulating air, water, and solids emissions simultaneously and performing regulatory assessments that account for spatial variation in emissions impacts. PMID:28167772

An insurance perspective on U.S. electric grid disruption costs

DOE PAGES

Mills, Evan; Jones, Richard B.

2016-10-12

Large yet infrequent disruptions of electrical power can impact tens of millions of people in a single event, triggering significant economic damages, portions of which are insured. Small and frequent events are also significant in the aggregate. This article explores the role that insurance claims data can play in better defining the broader economic impacts of grid disruptions in the U.S. context. We developed four case studies, using previously unpublished data for specific actual grid disruptions. The cases include the 1977 New York City blackout, the 2003 Northeast blackout, multi-year national annual lightning-related electrical damage and multi-year national line-disturbance events.more » Insured losses represent between 3 and 64 per cent of total loss costs across the case studies. Here, the household sector emerges as a larger locus of costs than indicated in previous studies, and short-lived events emerge as important sources of loss costs.« less

Whitson during EVA 13

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-12-18

ISS016-E-017499 (18 Dec. 2007) --- Astronaut Peggy A. Whitson, Expedition 16 commander, participates in a session of extravehicular activity (EVA). During the 6-hour, 56-minute spacewalk, Whitson and astronaut Daniel Tani (out of frame), flight engineer, looked for the cause of partial loss of electrical power to one of the International Space Station's two Beta Gimbal Assemblies (BGA) for starboard solar wings and examined damage to the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ). The spacewalk was the 100th for the construction and maintenance of the station. A blue and white Earth provides the background for the scene.

Whitson during EVA 13

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-12-18

ISS016-E-017501 (18 Dec. 2007) --- Astronaut Peggy A. Whitson, Expedition 16 commander, participates in a session of extravehicular activity (EVA). During the 6-hour, 56-minute spacewalk, Whitson and astronaut Daniel Tani (out of frame), flight engineer, looked for the cause of partial loss of electrical power to one of the International Space Station's two Beta Gimbal Assemblies (BGA) for starboard solar wings and examined damage to the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ). The spacewalk was the 100th for the construction and maintenance of the station. A blue and white Earth provides the background for the scene.

Encapsulants for protecting MEMS devices during post-packaging release etch

DOEpatents

Peterson, Kenneth A.

2005-10-18

The present invention relates to methods to protect a MEMS or microsensor device through one or more release or activation steps in a "package first, release later" manufacturing scheme: This method of fabrication permits wirebonds, other interconnects, packaging materials, lines, bond pads, and other structures on the die to be protected from physical, chemical, or electrical damage during the release etch(es) or other packaging steps. Metallic structures (e.g., gold, aluminum, copper) on the device are also protected from galvanic attack because they are protected from contact with HF or HCL-bearing solutions.

Optimum electrode configuration selection for electrical resistance change based damage detection in composites using an effective independence measure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Escalona, Luis; Díaz-Montiel, Paulina; Venkataraman, Satchi

2016-04-01

Laminated carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite materials are increasingly used in aerospace structures due to their superior mechanical properties and reduced weight. Assessing the health and integrity of these structures requires non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques to detect and measure interlaminar delamination and intralaminar matrix cracking damage. The electrical resistance change (ERC) based NDE technique uses the inherent changes in conductive properties of the composite to characterize internal damage. Several works that have explored the ERC technique have been limited to thin cross-ply laminates with simple linear or circular electrode arrangements. This paper investigates a method of optimum selection of electrode configurations for delamination detection in thick cross-ply laminates using ERC. Inverse identification of damage requires numerical optimization of the measured response with a model predicted response. Here, the electrical voltage field in the CFRP composite laminate is calculated using finite element analysis (FEA) models for different specified delamination size and locations, and location of ground and current electrodes. Reducing the number of sensor locations and measurements is needed to reduce hardware requirements, and computational effort needed for inverse identification. This paper explores the use of effective independence (EI) measure originally proposed for sensor location optimization in experimental vibration modal analysis. The EI measure is used for selecting the minimum set of resistance measurements among all possible combinations of selecting a pair of electrodes among the n electrodes. To enable use of EI to ERC required, it is proposed in this research a singular value decomposition SVD to obtain a spectral representation of the resistance measurements in the laminate. The effectiveness of EI measure in eliminating redundant electrode pairs is demonstrated by performing inverse identification of damage using the full set of resistance measurements and the reduced set of measurements. The investigation shows that the EI measure is effective for optimally selecting the electrode pairs needed for resistance measurements in ERC based damage detection.

Imaging local electric fields produced upon synchrotron X-ray exposure

DOE PAGES

Dettmar, Christopher M.; Newman, Justin A.; Toth, Scott J.; ...

2014-12-31

Electron–hole separation following hard X-ray absorption during diffraction analysis of soft materials under cryogenic conditions produces substantial local electric fields visualizable by second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy. Monte Carlo simulations of X-ray photoelectron trajectories suggest the formation of substantial local electric fields in the regions adjacent to those exposed to X-rays, indicating a possible electric-field–induced SHG (EFISH) mechanism for generating the observed signal. In studies of amorphous vitreous solvents, analysis of the SHG spatial profiles following X-ray microbeam exposure was consistent with an EFISH mechanism. Within protein crystals, exposure to 12-keV (1.033-Å) X-rays resulted in increased SHG in the regionmore » extending ~3 μm beyond the borders of the X-ray beam. Moderate X-ray exposures typical of those used for crystal centering by raster scanning through an X-ray beam were sufficient to produce static electric fields easily detectable by SHG. The X-ray–induced SHG activity was observed with no measurable loss for longer than 2 wk while maintained under cryogenic conditions, but disappeared if annealed to room temperature for a few seconds. In conclusion, these results provide direct experimental observables capable of validating simulations of X-ray–induced damage within soft materials. Additionally, X-ray–induced local fields may potentially impact diffraction resolution through localized piezoelectric distortions of the lattice.« less

Precise measurement of electric potential, field, and charge density profiles across a biased GaAs p-n tunnel junction by in situ phase-shifting electron holography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anada, Satoshi; Yamamoto, Kazuo; Sasaki, Hirokazu; Shibata, Naoya; Hori, Yujin; Kinugawa, Kouhei; Imamura, Akihiro; Hirayama, Tsukasa

2017-12-01

We combined an in situ biasing technique with phase-shifting electron holography, which can simultaneously achieve a high precision and high spatial resolution, to measure the electric potential, field, and charge density profiles across a GaAs p-n tunnel junction. A thin-film specimen was prepared by thinning one part of a bulk specimen using a cryo focused ion beam (FIB) system. We obtained precise electric potential profiles and successfully converted them into smooth electric field and charge density profiles without any fitting simulations. From the relationship between the applied voltage and measured height of the potential step across the p-n junction, the built-in potential of the p-n junction was determined to be 1.55 ± 0.02 V. The electric field profiles showed that the unbiased p-n junction had a depletion layer with a width of 24 ± 1 nm; the width increased to 26 ± 1 nm under a reverse bias of -0.3 V and decreased to 22 ± 1 nm under a forward bias of 0.5 V. Moreover, the charge density profiles indicated the presence of passivated dopants and/or trapped carriers even in the internal active layer of the specimen, with little damage introduced by FIB milling.

Impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami on health, medical care and public health systems in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, 2011.

PubMed

Nohara, Masaru

2011-10-01

The Great East Japan Earthquake was one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded in global history. The damage was spread over a wide area, with the worst-hit areas being Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures. In this paper we report on the damage and the impact of the damage to describe the health consequences among disaster victims in Iwate Prefecture. In Iwate Prefecture the tsunami claimed 4659 lives, with 1633 people missing. In addition to electricity, water and gas being cut off following the disaster, communication functions were paralysed and there was a lack of gasoline. Medical and public health teams from Iwate Prefecture and around the country, including many different specialists, engaged in a variety of public health activities mainly at evacuation centres, including medical and mental health care and activities to prevent infectious diseases. Given the many fatalities, there were relatively few patients who required medical treatment for major injuries. However, there were significant medical needs in the subacute and chronic phases of care in evacuation centres, with great demand for medical treatment and public health assistance, measures to counteract infection and mental health care. By referring to past experiences of national and international large-scale disasters, it was possible to respond effectively to the health-related challenges. However, there are still challenges concerning how to share information and coordinate overall activities among multiple public health response teams. Further examination will be required to ensure better preparedness in response to future disasters.

Piezoelectric materials as stimulatory biomedical materials and scaffolds for bone repair.

PubMed

Tandon, Biranche; Blaker, Jonny J; Cartmell, Sarah H

2018-04-16

The process of bone repair and regeneration requires multiple physiological cues including biochemical, electrical and mechanical - that act together to ensure functional recovery. Myriad materials have been explored as bioactive scaffolds to deliver these cues locally to the damage site, amongst these piezoelectric materials have demonstrated significant potential for tissue engineering and regeneration, especially for bone repair. Piezoelectric materials have been widely explored for power generation and harvesting, structural health monitoring, and use in biomedical devices. They have the ability to deform with physiological movements and consequently deliver electrical stimulation to cells or damaged tissue without the need of an external power source. Bone itself is piezoelectric and the charges/potentials it generates in response to mechanical activity are capable of enhancing bone growth. Piezoelectric materials are capable of stimulating the physiological electrical microenvironment, and can play a vital role to stimulate regeneration and repair. This review gives an overview of the association of piezoelectric effect with bone repair, and focuses on state-of-the-art piezoelectric materials (polymers, ceramics and their composites), the fabrication routes to produce piezoelectric scaffolds, and their application in bone repair. Important characteristics of these materials from the perspective of bone tissue engineering are highlighted. Promising upcoming strategies and new piezoelectric materials for this application are presented. Electrical stimulation/electrical microenvironment are known effect the process of bone regeneration by altering the cellular response and are crucial in maintaining tissue functionality. Piezoelectric materials, owing to their capability of generating charges/potentials in response to mechanical deformations, have displayed great potential for fabricating smart stimulatory scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. The growing interest of the scientific community and compelling results of the published research articles has been the motivation of this review article. This article summarizes the significant progress in the field with a focus on the fabrication aspects of piezoelectric materials. The review of both material and cellular aspects on this topic ensures that this paper appeals to both material scientists and tissue engineers. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Target depth dependence of damage rate in metals by 150 MeV proton irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshiie, T.; Ishi, Y.; Kuriyama, Y.; Mori, Y.; Sato, K.; Uesugi, T.; Xu, Q.

2015-01-01

A series of irradiation experiments with 150 MeV protons was performed. The relationship between target depth (or shield thickness) and displacement damage during proton irradiation was obtained by in situ electrical resistance measurements at 20 K. Positron annihilation lifetime measurements were also performed at room temperature after irradiation, as a function of the target thickness. The displacement damage was found to be high close to the beam incident surface area, and decreased with increasing target depth. The experimental results were compared with damage production calculated with an advanced Monte Carlo particle transport code system (PHITS).

77 FR 41041 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-12

... terminal ``A'' of the electrically heated flight deck window 1. This AD requires repetitive inspections for damage of the electrical connections at terminal ``A'' of the left and right flight deck window 1, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also allows for replacing a flight deck window 1 with a new improved...

Anisotropy of electrical conductivity of the excavation damaged zone in the Mont Terri Underground Rock Laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nicollin, Florence; Gibert, Dominique; Lesparre, Nolwenn; Nussbaum, Christophe

2010-04-01

Electrical resistivity measurements were performed to characterize the anisotropy of electrical resistivity of the excavation damaged zone (EDZ) at the end-face of a gallery in the Opalinus clay of the Mont Terri Underground Rock Laboratory (URL). The data were acquired with a combination of square arrays in 18 zones on the gallery's face and in two series of four boreholes perpendicular to the face. Each data set is independently inverted using simulated annealing to recover the resistivity tensor. Both the stability and the non-uniqueness of the inverse problem are discussed with synthetic examples. The inversion of the data shows that the face is split in two domains separated by a tectonic fracture, with different resistivity values but with a common orientation. The direction of the maximum resistivity is found perpendicular to the bedding plane, and the direction of minimum resistivity is contained in the face's plane. These results show that the geo-electrical structure of the EDZ is controlled by a combination of effects due to tectonics, stratigraphy, and recent fracturing produced by the excavation of the gallery.

Carbon nanotube-based structural health monitoring for fiber reinforced composite materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Hao; Liu, Kan; Mardirossian, Aris; Heider, Dirk; Thostenson, Erik

2017-04-01

In fiber reinforced composite materials, the modes of damage accumulation, ranging from microlevel to macro-level (matrix cracks development, fiber breakage, fiber-matrix de-bonding, delamination, etc.), are complex and hard to be detected through conventional non-destructive evaluation methods. Therefore, in order to assure the outstanding structural performance and high durability of the composites, there has been an urgent need for the design and fabrication smart composites with self-damage sensing capabilities. In recent years, the macroscopic forms of carbon nanotube materials have been maturely investigated, which provides the opportunity for structural health monitoring based on the carbon nanotubes that are integrated in the inter-laminar areas of advanced fiber composites. Here in this research, advanced fiber composites embedded with laminated carbon nanotube layers are manufactured for damage detection due to the relevant spatial electrical property changes once damage occurs. The mechanical-electrical coupling response is recorded and analyzed during impact test. The design and manufacturing of integrating the carbon nanotubes intensely affect the detecting sensitivity and repeatability of the integrated multifunctional sensors. The ultimate goal of the reported work is to develop a novel structural health monitoring method with the capability of reporting information on the damage state in a real-time way.

Probabilistic models to estimate fire-induced cable damage at nuclear power plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valbuena, Genebelin R.

Even though numerous PRAs have shown that fire can be a major contributor to nuclear power plant risk, there are some specific areas of knowledge related to this issue, such as the prediction of fire-induced damage to electrical cables and circuits, and their potential effects in the safety of the nuclear power plant, that still constitute a practical enigma, particularly for the lack of approaches/models to perform consistent and objective assessments. This report contains a discussion of three different models to estimate fire-induced cable damage likelihood given a specified fire profile: the kinetic, the heat transfer and the IR "K Factor" model. These models not only are based on statistical analysis of data available in the open literature, but to the greatest extent possible they use physics based principles to describe the underlying mechanism of failures that take place among the electrical cables upon heating due to external fires. The characterization of cable damage, and consequently the loss of functionality of electrical cables in fire is a complex phenomenon that depends on a variety of intrinsic factors such as cable materials and dimensions, and extrinsic factors such as electrical and mechanical loads on the cables, heat flux severity, and exposure time. Some of these factors are difficult to estimate even in a well-characterized fire, not only for the variability related to the unknown material composition and physical arrangements, but also for the lack of objective frameworks and theoretical models to study the behavior of polymeric wire cable insulation under dynamic external thermal insults. The results of this research will (1) help to develop a consistent framework to predict fire-induced cable failure modes likelihood, and (2) develop some guidance to evaluate and/or reduce the risk associated with these failure modes in existing and new power plant facilities. Among the models evaluated, the physics-based heat transfer model takes into account the properties and characteristics of the cables and cable materials, and the characteristics of the thermal insult. This model can be used to estimate the probability of cable damage under different thermal conditions.

Infrared neural stimulation of human spinal nerve roots in vivo

PubMed Central

Cayce, Jonathan M.; Wells, Jonathon D.; Malphrus, Jonathan D.; Kao, Chris; Thomsen, Sharon; Tulipan, Noel B.; Konrad, Peter E.; Jansen, E. Duco; Mahadevan-Jansen, Anita

2015-01-01

Abstract. Infrared neural stimulation (INS) is a neurostimulation modality that uses pulsed infrared light to evoke artifact-free, spatially precise neural activity with a noncontact interface; however, the technique has not been demonstrated in humans. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of INS in humans in vivo. The feasibility of INS in humans was assessed in patients (n=7) undergoing selective dorsal root rhizotomy, where hyperactive dorsal roots, identified for transection, were stimulated in vivo with INS on two to three sites per nerve with electromyogram recordings acquired throughout the stimulation. The stimulated dorsal root was removed and histology was performed to determine thermal damage thresholds of INS. Threshold activation of human dorsal rootlets occurred in 63% of nerves for radiant exposures between 0.53 and 1.23  J/cm2. In all cases, only one or two monitored muscle groups were activated from INS stimulation of a hyperactive spinal root identified by electrical stimulation. Thermal damage was first noted at 1.09  J/cm2 and a 2∶1 safety ratio was identified. These findings demonstrate the success of INS as a fresh approach for activating human nerves in vivo and providing the necessary safety data needed to pursue clinically driven therapeutic and diagnostic applications of INS in humans. PMID:26157986

Predicting threshold and location of laser damage on optical surfaces

DOEpatents

Siekhaus, Wigbert

1987-01-01

An apparatus useful in the prediction of the damage threshold of various optical devices, the location of weak spots on such devices and the location, identification, and elimination of optical surface impurities comprising, a focused and pulsed laser, an photo electric detector/imaging means, and a timer. The weak spots emit photoelectrons when subjected to laser intensities that are less than the intensity actually required to produce the damage. The weak spots may be eliminated by sustained exposure to the laser beam.

Cost Effective Repair Techniques for Turbine Airfoils. Volume I

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-11-01

Turbine blades and vanes in current engines are subjected to the most hostile environment...payoff potential in turbine vanes / blades . The criteria used included: • Incidence of damage - Scrapped or damaged turbine airfoils at the ALC centers...Corporate Author: GENERAL ELECTRIC CO CINCINNATI OHIO AIRCRAFT ENGINE GROUP Unclassified Title: (U) Cost Effective Repair Techniques for Turbine

Utilizing management zones for Rotylenchulus reniformis in cotton: Effects on nematode levels, crop damage, and Pasteuria sp

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Nematode management zones (MZs) based on soil electrical conductivity (EC, a proxy for soil texture) have not been published for R. reniformis. We tested 1) whether R. reniformis levels and the amount of damage caused to cotton differed among MZs, 2) if the relative effectiveness of nematicides dif...

The potential for damage from the accidental release of conductive carbon fibers from burning composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bell, V. L.

1980-01-01

The potential damage to electrical equipment caused by the release of carbon fibers from burning commercial airliners is assessed in terms of annual expected costs and maximum losses at low probabilities of occurrence. A materials research program to provide alternate or modified composite materials for aircraft structures is reviewed.

Potential oxidative stress in the bodies of electric arc welding operators: effect of photochemical smog.

PubMed

Zhu, You-Gen; Zhou, Jun-Fu; Shan, Wei-Ying; Zhou, Pei-Su; Tong, Gui-Zhong

2004-12-01

To investigate whether photochemical smog emitted during the process of electric arc welding might cause oxidative stress and potential oxidative damage in the bodies of welding operators. Seventy electric arc welding operators (WOs) and 70 healthy volunteers (HVs) were enrolled in a randomized controlled study design, in which the levels of vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE) in plasma as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and the level of lipoperoxide (LPO) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometry. Compared with the average values of the above experimental parameters in the HVs group, the average values of VC and VE in plasma as well as those of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the WOs group were significantly decreased (P < 0.005-0.0001), while the average value of LPO in erythrocytes in the WOs group was significantly increased (P < 0.0001). The findings from the partial correlation analysis on the controlling of age suggested that with a prolonged duration of exposure to photochemical smog the values of VC, VE, SOD, and GPX, except for CAT, in the WOs were decreased gradually (P < 0.05-0.005), the value of LPO in the WOs was increased gradually (P < 0.001), and that with the ozone dose increased in the air in each worksite VC, VE, SOD, CAT and GPX decreased (P < 0.005-0.001), but LPO increased (P < 0.001). The findings from the reliability analysis for the VC, VE, SOD, CAT, GPX, and LPO values which were used to reflect oxidative stress and potential oxidative damage in the WOs showed that the reliability coefficients' alpha (6 items) was 0.8021, P < 0.0001, and that the standardized item alpha was 0.9577, P < 0.0001. Findings in the present study suggest that there exists an oxidative stress induced by long-term exposure to photochemical smog in the bodies of WOs, thereby causing potential oxidative and lipoperoxidative damages in their bodies.

Air pollution and health implications of regional electricity transfer at generational centre and design of compensation mechanism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Relhan, Nemika

India's electricity generation is primarily from coal. As a result of interconnection of grid and establishment of pithead power plants, there has been increased electricity transfer from one region to the other. This results in imbalance of pollution loads between the communities located in generation vis-a-vis consumption region. There may be some states, which are major power generation centres and hence are facing excessive environmental degradation. On the other hand, electricity importing regions are reaping the benefits without paying proper charges for it because present tariff structure does not include the full externalities in it. The present study investigates the distributional implications in terms of air pollution loads between the electricity generation and consumption regions at the state level. It identifies the major electricity importing and exporting states in India. Next, as a case study, it estimates the health damage as a result of air pollution from thermal power plants (TPPs) located in a critically polluted region that is one of the major generator and exporter of electricity. The methodology used to estimate the health damage is based on impact pathway approach. In this method, air pollution modelling has been performed in order to estimate the gridded Particulate Matter (PM) concentration at various receptor locations in the study domain. The air quality modeling exercise helps to quantify the air pollution concentration in each grid and also apportion the contribution of power plants to the total concentration. The health impacts as a result of PM have been estimated in terms of number of mortality and morbidity cases using Concentration Response Function (CRF's) available in the literature. Mortality has been converted into Years of Life Lost (YOLL) using life expectancy table and age wise death distribution. Morbidity has been estimated in terms of number of cases with respect to various health end points. To convert this health damage into economic loss, the YOLL has been multiplied with Value of Life Year Lost (VOLY). VOLY has been derived from two approaches namely, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita i.e. using human capital approach and Value of Statistical Life (VOSL) i.e. using Willingness to Pay (WTP) approach derived from Indian revealed preference study. The morbidity damage has been estimated using cost of illness values available in the literature. A range of result has been presented depending on the CRF's used to estimates YOLL and morbidity and the values used to convert these health damages into monetary estimates. The study further suggests a broad framework of compensatory mechanism that includes 1) amount of compensation to be paid 2) mechanism to collect the compensation fund and 3) mechanism to compensate the affected communities. Both, curative and mitigative measures to protect the communities from the pollution generated in the power exporting region have been suggested.

Peripheral Nerve Regeneration Strategies: Electrically Stimulating Polymer Based Nerve Growth Conduits

PubMed Central

Anderson, Matthew; Shelke, Namdev B.; Manoukian, Ohan S.; Yu, Xiaojun; McCullough, Louise D.; Kumbar, Sangamesh G.

2017-01-01

Treatment of large peripheral nerve damages ranges from the use of an autologous nerve graft to a synthetic nerve growth conduit. Biological grafts, in spite of many merits, show several limitations in terms of availability and donor site morbidity, and outcomes are suboptimal due to fascicle mismatch, scarring, and fibrosis. Tissue engineered nerve graft substitutes utilize polymeric conduits in conjunction with cues both chemical and physical, cells alone and or in combination. The chemical and physical cues delivered through polymeric conduits play an important role and drive tissue regeneration. Electrical stimulation (ES) has been applied toward the repair and regeneration of various tissues such as muscle, tendon, nerve, and articular tissue both in laboratory and clinical settings. The underlying mechanisms that regulate cellular activities such as cell adhesion, proliferation, cell migration, protein production, and tissue regeneration following ES is not fully understood. Polymeric constructs that can carry the electrical stimulation along the length of the scaffold have been developed and characterized for possible nerve regeneration applications. We discuss the use of electrically conductive polymers and associated cell interaction, biocompatibility, tissue regeneration, and recent basic research for nerve regeneration. In conclusion, a multifunctional combinatorial device comprised of biomaterial, structural, functional, cellular, and molecular aspects may be the best way forward for effective peripheral nerve regeneration. PMID:27278739

Modulating endogenous electric currents in human corneal wounds--a novel approach of bioelectric stimulation without electrodes.

PubMed

Reid, Brian; Graue-Hernandez, Enrique O; Mannis, Mark J; Zhao, Min

2011-03-01

To measure electric current in human corneal wounds and test the feasibility of pharmacologically enhancing the current to promote corneal wound healing. Using a noninvasive vibrating probe, corneal electric current was measured before and after wounding of the epithelium of donated postmortem human corneas. The effects of drug aminophylline and chloride-free solution on wound current were also tested. Unwounded cornea had small outward currents (0.07 μA/cm²). Wounding increased the current more than 5 fold (0.41 μA/cm²). Monitoring the wound current over time showed that it seemed to be actively regulated and maintained above normal unwounded levels for at least 6 hours. The time course was similar to that previously measured in rat cornea. Drug treatment or chloride-free solution more than doubled the size of wound currents. Electric current at human corneal wounds can be significantly increased with aminophylline or chloride-free solution. Because corneal wound current directly correlates with wound healing rate, our results suggest a role for chloride-free and/or aminophylline eyedrops to enhance healing of damaged cornea in patients with reduced wound healing such as the elderly or diabetic patient. This novel approach offers bioelectric stimulation without electrodes and can be readily tested in patients.

Changing gears from chemical adhesion of cells to flat substrata toward engulfment of micro-protrusions by active mechanisms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hai, Aviad; Kamber, Dotan; Malkinson, Guy; Erez, Hadas; Mazurski, Noa; Shappir, Joseph; Spira, Micha E.

2009-12-01

Microelectrode arrays increasingly serve to extracellularly record in parallel electrical activity from many excitable cells without inflicting damage to the cells by insertion of microelectrodes. Nevertheless, apart from rare cases they suffer from a low signal to noise ratio. The limiting factor for effective electrical coupling is the low seal resistance formed between the plasma membrane and the electronic device. Using transmission electron microscope analysis we recently reported that cultured Aplysia neurons engulf protruding micron size gold spines forming tight apposition which significantly improves the electrical coupling in comparison with flat electrodes (Hai et al 2009 Spine-shaped gold protrusions improve the adherence and electrical coupling of neurons with the surface of micro-electronic devices J. R. Soc. Interface 6 1153-65). However, the use of a transmission electron microscope to measure the extracellular cleft formed between the plasma membrane and the gold-spine surface may be inaccurate as chemical fixation may generate structural artifacts. Using live confocal microscope imaging we report here that cultured Aplysia neurons engulf protruding spine-shaped gold structures functionalized by an RGD-based peptide and to a significantly lesser extent by poly-l-lysine. The cytoskeletal elements actin and associated protein cortactin are shown to organize around the stalks of the engulfed gold spines in the form of rings. Neurons grown on the gold-spine matrix display varying growth patterns but maintain normal electrophysiological properties and form functioning synapses. It is concluded that the matrices of functionalized gold spines provide an improved substrate for the assembly of neuro-electronic hybrids.

Behavior of yeast cells in aqueous suspension affected by pulsed electric field.

PubMed

El Zakhem, H; Lanoisellé, J-L; Lebovka, N I; Nonus, M; Vorobiev, E

2006-08-15

This work discusses pulsed electric fields (PEF) induced effects in treatment of aqueous suspensions of concentrated yeast cells (S. cerevisiae). The PEF treatment was done using pulses of near-rectangular shape, electric field strength was within E=2-5 kV/cm and the total time of treatment was t(PEF)=10(-4)-0.1 s. The concentration of aqueous yeast suspensions was in the interval of C(Y)=0-22 (wt%), where 1% concentration corresponds to the cellular density of 2x10(8) cells/mL. Triton X-100 was used for studying non-ionic surfactant additive effects. The electric current peak value I was measured during each pulse application, and from these data the electrical conductivity sigma was estimated. The PEF-induced damage results in increase of sigma with t(PEF) increasing and attains its saturation level sigma approximately sigma(max) at long time of PEF treatment. The value of sigma(max) reflects the efficiency of damage. The reduced efficiency of damage at suspension volume concentration higher than phi(Y) approximately 32 vol% is explained by the percolation phenomenon in the randomly packed suspension of near-spherical cells. The higher cytoplasmic ions leakage was observed in presence of surfactant. Experiments were carried out in the static and continuous flow treatment chambers in order to reveal the effects of mixing in PEF-treatment efficiency. A noticeable aggregation of the yeast cells was observed in the static flow chamber during the PEF treatment, while aggregation was not so pronounced in the continuous flow chamber. The nature of the enhanced aggregation under the PEF treatment was revealed by the zeta-potential measurements: these data demonstrate different zeta-potential signs for alive and dead cells. The effect of the electric field strength on the PEF-induced extraction of the intracellular components of S. cerevisiae is discussed.

Highly porous activated carbons from resource-recovered Leucaena leucocephala wood as capacitive deionization electrodes.

PubMed

Hou, Chia-Hung; Liu, Nei-Ling; Hsi, Hsing-Cheng

2015-12-01

Highly porous activated carbons were resource-recovered from Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit. wood through combined chemical and physical activation (i.e., KOH etching followed by CO2 activation). This invasive species, which has severely damaged the ecological economics of Taiwan, was used as the precursor for producing high-quality carbonaceous electrodes for capacitive deionization (CDI). Carbonization and activation conditions strongly influenced the structure of chars and activated carbons. The total surface area and pore volume of activated carbons increased with increasing KOH/char ratio and activation time. Overgasification induced a substantial amount of mesopores in the activated carbons. In addition, the electrochemical properties and CDI electrosorptive performance of the activated carbons were evaluated; cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements revealed a typical capacitive behavior and electrical double layer formation, confirming ion electrosorption in the porous structure. The activated-carbon electrode, which possessed high surface area and both mesopores and micropores, exhibited improved capacitor characteristics and high electrosorptive performance. Highly porous activated carbons derived from waste L. leucocephala were demonstrated to be suitable CDI electrode materials. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Optimization design and laser damage threshold analysis of pulse compression multilayer dielectric gratings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Shuwei; Bai, Liang; Chen, Nana

2016-08-01

As one of the key elements of high-power laser systems, the pulse compression multilayer dielectric grating is required for broader band, higher diffraction efficiency and higher damage threshold. In this paper, the multilayer dielectric film and the multilayer dielectric gratings(MDG) were designed by eigen matrix and optimized with the help of generic algorithm and rigorous coupled wave method. The reflectivity was close to 100% and the bandwith were over 250nm, twice compared to the unoptimized film structure. The simulation software of standing wave field distribution within MDG was developed and the electric field of the MDG was calculated. And the key parameters which affected the electric field distribution were also studied.

Electric arc discharge damage to ion thruster grids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beebe, D. D.; Nakanishi, S.; Finke, R. C.

1974-01-01

Arcs representative of those occurring between the grids of a mercury ion thruster were simulated. Parameters affecting an arc and the resulting damage were studied. The parameters investigated were arc energy, arc duration, and grid geometry. Arc attenuation techniques were also investigated. Potentially serious damage occurred at all energy levels representative of actual thruster operating conditions. Of the grids tested, the lowest open-area configuration sustained the least damage for given conditions. At a fixed energy level a long duration discharge caused greater damage than a short discharge. Attenuation of arc current using various impedances proved to be effective in reducing arc damage. Faults were also deliberately caused using chips of sputtered materials formed during the operation of an actual thruster. These faults were cleared with no serious grid damage resulting using the principles and methods developed in this study.

Flexible Al-doped ZnO films grown on PET substrates using linear facing target sputtering for flexible OLEDs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeong, Jin-A.; Shin, Hyun-Su; Choi, Kwang-Hyuk; Kim, Han-Ki

2010-11-01

We report the characteristics of flexible Al-doped zinc oxide (AZO) films prepared by a plasma damage-free linear facing target sputtering (LFTS) system on PET substrates for use as a flexible transparent conducting electrode in flexible organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The electrical, optical and structural properties of LFTS-grown flexible AZO electrodes were investigated as a function of dc power. We obtained a flexible AZO film with a sheet resistance of 39 Ω/squ and an average transmittance of 84.86% in the visible range although it was sputtered at room temperature without activation of the Al dopant. Due to the effective confinement of the high-density plasma between the facing AZO targets, the AZO film was deposited on the PET substrate without plasma damage and substrate heating caused by bombardment of energy particles. Moreover, the flexible OLED fabricated on the AZO/PET substrate showed performance similar to the OLED fabricated on a ITO/PET substrate in spite of a lower work function. This indicates that LFTS is a promising plasma damage-free and low-temperature sputtering technique for deposition of flexible and indium-free AZO electrodes for use in cost-efficient flexible OLEDs.

Beneficial effects of dexpanthenol on mesenteric ischemia and reperfusion injury in experimental rat model.

PubMed

Cagin, Yasir Furkan; Atayan, Yahya; Sahin, Nurhan; Parlakpinar, Hakan; Polat, Alaadin; Vardi, Nigar; Tagluk, Mehmet Emin; Tanbek, Kevser; Yildiz, Azibe

2016-01-01

It has been reported that intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury results from oxidative stress caused by increased reactive oxygen species. Dexpanthenol (Dxp) is an alcohol analogue with epitelization, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and increasing peristalsis activities. In the present study, the aim was to investigate protective and therapeutic effects of Dxp against intestinal I/R injury. Overall, 40 rats were assigned into five groups including one control, one alone Dxp, and three I/R groups (40-min ischemia; followed by 2-h reperfusion). In two I/R groups, Dxp (500 mg/kg, i.m.) was given before or during ischemia. The histopathological findings including apoptotic changes, and also tissue and serum biochemical parameters levels, were determined. Oxidative stress and ileum damage were assessed by biochemical and histological examination. In the control (n = 8) and alone Dxp (n = 8; 500 mg/kg, i.m. of Dxp was given at least 30 min before recording), groups were incised via laparotomy, and electrical activity was recorded from their intestines. In this experiment, the effect of Dxp on the motility of the intestine was examined by analyzing electrical activity. In ileum, oxidant levels were found to be higher, while antioxidant levels were found to be lower in I/R groups when compared with controls. Dxp approximated high levels of oxidants than those in the control group, while it increased antioxidant values compared with I/R groups. Histopathological changes caused by intestinal I/R injury and histological improvements were observed in both groups given Dxp. In the Dxp group, electrical signal activity markedly increased compared with the control group. Here, it was seen that Dxp had protective and therapeutic effects on intestinal I/R injury and gastrointestinal system peristaltism.

Finite Element Modelling and Analysis of Damage Detection Methodology in Piezo Electric Sensor and Actuator Integrated Sandwich Cantilever Beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pradeep, K. R.; Thomas, A. M.; Basker, V. T.

2018-03-01

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is an essential component of futuristic civil, mechanical and aerospace structures. It detects the damages in system or give warning about the degradation of structure by evaluating performance parameters. This is achieved by the integration of sensors and actuators into the structure. Study of damage detection process in piezoelectric sensor and actuator integrated sandwich cantilever beam is carried out in this paper. Possible skin-core debond at the root of the cantilever beam is simulated and compared with undamaged case. The beam is actuated using piezoelectric actuators and performance differences are evaluated using Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) sensors. The methodology utilized is the voltage/strain response of the damaged versus undamaged beam against transient actuation. Finite element model of piezo-beam is simulated in ANSYSTM using 8 noded coupled field element, with nodal degrees of freedoms are translations in the x, y directions and voltage. An aluminium sandwich beam with a length of 800mm, thickness of core 22.86mm and thickness of skin 0.3mm is considered. Skin-core debond is simulated in the model as unmerged nodes. Reduction in the fundamental frequency of the damaged beam is found to be negligible. But the voltage response of the PVDF sensor under transient excitation shows significantly visible change indicating the debond. Piezo electric based damage detection system is an effective tool for the damage detection of aerospace and civil structural system having inaccessible/critical locations and enables online monitoring possibilities as the power requirement is minimal.

Anti-proliferative effect of rhein, an anthraquinone isolated from Cassia species, on Caco-2 human adenocarcinoma cells

PubMed Central

Aviello, Gabriella; Rowland, Ian; Gill, Christopher I; Acquaviva, Angela Maria; Capasso, Francesco; McCann, Mark; Capasso, Raffaele; Izzo, Angelo A; Borrelli, Francesca

2010-01-01

Abstract In recent years, the use of anthraquinone laxatives, in particular senna, has been associated with damage to the intestinal epithelial layer and an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. In this study, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of rhein, the active metabolite of senna, on human colon adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2) and its effect on cell proliferation. Cytotoxicity studies were performed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), neutral red (NR) and trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) assays whereas 3H-thymidine incorporation and Western blot analysis were used to evaluate the effect of rhein on cell proliferation. Moreover, for genoprotection studies Comet assay and oxidative biomarkers measurement (malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species) were used. Rhein (0.1–10 μg/ml) had no significant cytotoxic effect on proliferating and differentiated Caco-2 cells. Rhein (0.1 and 1 μg/ml) significantly reduced cell proliferation as well as mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation; by contrast, at high concentration (10 μg/ml) rhein significantly increased cell proliferation and extracellular-signal-related kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Moreover, rhein (0.1–10 μg/ml): (i) did not adversely affect the integrity of tight junctions and hence epithelial barrier function; (ii) did not induce DNA damage, rather it was able to reduce H2O2-induced DNA damage and (iii) significantly inhibited the increase in malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels induced by H2O2/Fe2+. Rhein was devoid of cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in colon adenocarcinoma cells. Moreover, at concentrations present in the colon after a human therapeutic dosage of senna, rhein inhibited cell proliferation via a mechanism that seems to involve directly the MAP kinase pathway. Finally, rhein prevents the DNA damage probably via an anti-oxidant mechanism. PMID:19538468

Lichen deterioration about a coal-fired steam electric generating plant

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

Schmidt, E.L.; Zeyen, R.J.

1979-01-01

A survey of three common epiphytic species of foliose lichens was conducted about a coal-fired steam electric station in North-Central Minnesota during the summer of 1977 to assess general lichen health on a gradient basis from a point-source of air pollution. Health, as judged by abnormal form and color, of nearly 3500 lichen specimens was recorded in 35 vegetation survey plots from a total of 291 trees. Lichen discoloration and degeneration decreased with increased distance from the power plant, and little deterioration was observed beyond 3 miles. Within the plant vicinity, lichen damage was noted on tree boles facing themore » plant which were impacted with fly ash. Maximum damage of lichens followed the pattern of prevailing winds (NW-SE). Sulfur analysis of lichen thalli was not correleated with visible damage distribution tended to decrease at the most distant plots (30 mi. from source). Considering the sensitivity of foliose lichens to declining air quality (especially SO/sub 2/ pollution), pollution sources in the rural environment are bound to affect lichen communities, as this study indicates. More sophisticated lichen surveys coupled with future monitoring of pollution would be a valuable contribution to the general environmental impact assessment of coal-fired electrical energy production. 19 references, 3 figures, 1 table.« less

Effects of St John's wort and its active constituents, hypericin and hyperforin, on isolated rat urinary bladder.

PubMed

Valeri, Aurora; Capasso, Raffaele; Valoti, Massimo; Pessina, Federica

2012-12-01

To investigate the effect of St John's wort (SJW) and its active constituents hypericin and hyperforin on detrusor smooth muscle contractility and their possible neuroprotective role against ischaemic-like conditions, which could arise during overactive bladder disease. In whole bladders, intrinsic nerves underwent electrical field stimulation (EFS). The effect of drugs on the contractile response and its recovery in reperfusion phase (R) was monitored at different concentrations during 1 or 2 h of anoxia-glucopenia (A-G) and the first 30 min of R. The effects of the drugs were also investigated on rat detrusor muscle strips contracted with carbachol, KCl and electrically. SJW has spasmolytic activity, which increases with increasing concentration and it worsens the damage induced by A-G/R on rat urinary bladder. Hypericin and hyperforin had no effect during ischemic-like conditions but they both exert a dual modulation of rat detrusor strips contraction. At high micromolar concentrations they showed a relaxing effect, but at submicromolar range hypericin increased the plasma membrane depolarisation and hyperforin showed a stimulatory effect on the cholinergic system. The results of our study showed that SJW and its constituents could modulate urinary bladder contractility and even worsen A-G/R injury. © 2012 The Authors. JPP © 2012 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

30 CFR 75.1107-6 - Capacity of fire suppression devices; location and direction of nozzles.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... withstand rough usage and vibration when installed on mining equipment. (b) The extinguishant-discharge... electrical cables on the equipment which are subject to flexing or to external damage; and (2) All hydraulic components on the equipment which are exposed directly to or located in the immediate vicinity of electrical...

In vitro antioxidation activity and genoprotective effect of selected Chinese medicinal herbs.

PubMed

Szeto, Yim Tong; Wong, Shirley Ching Yee; Wong, Julia Wai Ming; Kalle, Wouter; Pak, Sok Cheon

2011-01-01

Some traditional Chinese medicinal seeds and fruits are well known for their antioxidant properties. This research aims to investigate whether Fructus Lycii, Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi and Semen Cuscutae protect DNA from oxidant challenge by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). The standard comet assay was used to assess the genoprotective effect of these medicinal herbs. Blood was taken from three healthy adults, aged from 36 to 42. Lymphocytes were isolated and treated with different concentrations of aqueous herbal extracts, while controls were treated with phosphate buffered saline. The lymphocytes were stressed with 50 μM H(2)O(2). Treated cells were embedded in agarose and layered on slides. These sandwiched lymphocytes were lysed and afterwards subjected to an electric field in an alkaline environment. Damaged DNA was pulled out from the nucleus towards the positive electrode as a comet tail; its density was related to the degree of DNA damage. Finally, the slides were stained with fluorescence dye and tails were visually scored for 100 cells. The experiment was repeated three times and DNA damage in treated cells was compared to the controls. There was no statistical difference in DNA damage among the herb treated cells and untreated cells in the comet assay. Our data demonstrated that the selected medicinal herbs did not show in vitro DNA protection in the comet assay against oxidant challenge.

Noninvasive diode laser activation of transient receptor potential proteins and nociceptors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Nan; Cooper, Brian Y.; Nemenov, Michael I.

2007-02-01

We investigated diode laser (980 nm) evoked activation of transient receptor potential proteins (TRPV1 and TRPV2). C and A-delta (Aδ) nociceptor families are primarily responsible for pain mediation in the peripheral nervous system. TRPV1 proteins have been associated with heat evoked pain in C fibers while Aδ fibers have been associated with TRPV2. Diode laser stimulation allows a margin of safety between non-invasive activation and damage 19, 22, 34. Laser pulses (20-50 ms, 0.1-10 W, 980 nm) were used to stimulate: A) in vitro: excised patches from HEK293 cells expressing TRPV1; B) in vitro: rat DRG nociceptors expressing either TRPV1 or TRPV2; and C) in vivo: C-fibers of the rat saphenous nerve (SN) trunk. Cell currents were recorded using standard patch clamp methods. The SN was also stimulated electrically with bipolar electrodes. Stimulation (20-50 ms) of HEK and DRG cells expressing TRPV1 was highly reproducible. Activation and peak currents were achieved at estimated peak temperatures of 55°C and 70°C. Threshold activation was also observed in DRG neurons expressing TRPV2. The conduction velocity for laser-activated saphenous nerve afferents was in the C fiber range (0.5-1 m/s). Electrically stimulated nerve contained stimulation artifacts and complex neural components with conduction velocities ranging from 0.3-30 m/s. Diode laser activation of TRPV1 protein is a reproducible and effective means to probe TRP activity in both in vivo and in vitro preparations

Proton Effects and Test Issues for Satellite Designers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marshall, Cheryl J.; Marshall, Paul W.

1999-01-01

Microelectronic and photonic systems in the natural space environment are bombarded by a variety of charged particles including electrons, trapped protons, cosmic rays, and solar particles (protons and other heavy ions). These incident particles cause both ionizing and non-ionizing effects when traversing a device, and the effects can be either transient or permanent. The vast majority of the kinetic energy of an incident proton is lost to ionization, creating the single event effects (SEES) and total ionizing dose (TID) effects. However, the small portion of energy lost in non-ionizing processes causes atoms to be removed from their lattice sites and form permanent electrically active defects in semiconductor materials. These defects, i.e., "displacement damage," can significantly degrade device performance. In general, most of the displacement damage effects in the natural space environment can be attributed to protons since they are plentiful and extremely energetic (and therefore not readily shielded against). For this reason, we consider only proton induced displacement damage in this course. (Nevertheless, we identify solar cells as an important example of a case where both electron and proton damage can be important since only very light shielding is feasible.) The interested reader is encouraged to explore the three previous NSREC and RADECS short courses which also treat displacement damage issues for satellite applications. Part A of this segment of the short course introduces the space environment, proton shielding issues, and requirements specifications for proton-rich environments. In order to exercise the displacement damage analysis tools for on-orbit performance predictions, the requirements document must provide the relevant proton spectra in addition to the usual total ionizing dose-depth curves. Ion-solid interactions and the nature of the displacement damage they generate have been studied extensively for over half a century, yet they still remain a subject of investigation. In this section, a description of the mechanisms by which displacement damage is produced will be followed by a summary of the major consequences for device performance in a space environment. Often the degradation of a device parameter can be characterized by a damage factor (measured in a laboratory using monoenergetic protons) that is simply the change in a particular electrical or optical parameter per unit proton fluence. In addition, we will describe the concept of a non-ionizing energy loss rate (NIEL) which quantifies that portion of the energy lost by an incident ion that goes into displacements. It has been calculated as a function of proton energy, and is analogous to (and has the same units as) the linear energy transfer (LET) for ionizing energy. We will discover that, to first order, the calculated NIEL describes the energy dependence of the measured device damage factors. This observation provides the basis for predicting proton induced device degradation in a space environment based on both the calculated NIEL and relatively few laboratory test measurements. The methodology of such on-orbit device performance predictions will be described, as well as the limitations. Several classes of devices for which displacement damage is a significant (if not the dominant) mode of radiation induced degradation will be presented.

Mitigating the health impacts of a natural disaster--the June 2007 long-weekend storm in the Hunter region of New South Wales.

PubMed

Cretikos, Michelle A; Merritt, Tony D; Main, Kelly; Eastwood, Keith; Winn, Linda; Moran, Lucille; Durrheim, David N

A severe storm that began on Thursday, 7 June 2007 brought heavy rains and gale-force winds to Newcastle, Gosford, Wyong, Sydney, and the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. The storm caused widespread flooding and damage to houses, businesses, schools and health care facilities, and damaged critical infrastructure. Ten people died as a result of the storm, and approximately 6000 residents were evacuated. A natural disaster was declared in 19 local government areas, with damage expected to reach $1.5 billion. Additional demands were made on clinical health services, and interruption of the electricity supply to over 200,000 homes and businesses, interruption of water and gas supplies, and sewerage system pump failures presented substantial public health threats. A public health emergency operations centre was established by the Hunter New England Area Health Service to coordinate surveillance activities, respond to acute public health issues and prevent disease outbreaks. Public health activities focused on providing advice, cooperating with emergency service agencies, monitoring water quality and availability, preventing illness from sewage-contaminated flood water, assessing environmental health risks, coordinating the local government public health response, and surveillance for storm-related illness and disease outbreaks, including gastroenteritis. The local ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) radio station played a key role in disseminating public health advice. A household survey conducted within a fortnight of the storm established that household preparedness and storm warning systems could be improved.

The life cycle assessment of alternative fuel chains for urban buses and trolleybuses.

PubMed

Kliucininkas, L; Matulevicius, J; Martuzevicius, D

2012-05-30

This paper describes a comparative analysis of public transport alternatives in the city of Kaunas, Lithuania. An LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) inventory analysis of fuel chains was undertaken using the midi urban bus and a similar type of trolleybus. The inventory analysis of fuel chains followed the guidelines provided by the ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards. The ReCiPe Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) methodology was used to quantify weighted damage originating from five alternative fuel chains. The compressed biogas fuel chain had the lowest weighted damage value, namely 45.7 mPt/km, whereas weighted damage values of the fuel chains based on electricity generation for trolleybuses were 60.6 mPt/km (for natural gas) and 78.9 mPt/km (for heavy fuel oil). The diesel and compressed natural gas fuel chains exhibited considerably higher damage values of 114.2 mPt/km and 132.6 mPt/km, respectively. The comparative life cycle assessment of fuel chains suggested that biogas-powered buses and electric trolleybuses can be considered as the best alternatives to use when modernizing the public transport fleet in Kaunas. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Investigation of severe lightning strike incidents to two USAF F-106A aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Plumer, J. A.

1981-01-01

The results of the inspection and analysis of two F-106A aircraft that were struck by separate lightning strikes within a few minutes of each other are presented. Each aircraft sustained severe lightning strikes to the pitot booms, resulting in extensive damage to the pitot heater power harness, number 8 ground wire, and lightning suppressors, but there was no damage to either aircraft's electrical or avionic systems. A simulated lightning current of 226 kA and 3.8 million A(2)*S was required to reproduce the damage to the ground wires in the radomes. Photographs and detailed assessments of the damage are included.

Changes in the structure of the surface layer of metal materials upon friction and electric current loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fadin, V. V.

2013-09-01

Dependences of the electric conductivity of a contact and wear intensity of metal materials on the electric current density in sliding friction are obtained. It is established that alloying of the material basis leads to faster damage of the friction surface. The presence of about 40 аt.% oxygen in the surface layer is detected by the Auger spectrometry method. It is demonstrated by the x-ray diffraction method that FeO formed in the surface layer leads to an increase in the electric conductivity of the contact.

[Mechanism of ablation with nanosecond pulsed electric field].

PubMed

Cen, Chao; Chen, Xin-hua; Zheng, Shu-sen

2015-11-01

Nanosecond pulsed electric field ablation has been widely applied in clinical cancer treatment, while its molecular mechanism is still unclear. Researchers have revealed that nanosecond pulsed electric field generates nanopores in plasma membrane, leading to a rapid influx of Ca²⁺; it has specific effect on intracellular organelle membranes, resulting in endoplasmic reticulum injuries and mitochondrial membrane potential changes. In addition, it may also change cellular morphology through damage of cytoskeleton. This article reviews the recent research advances on the molecular mechanism of cell membrane and organelle changes induced by nanosecond pulsed electric field ablation.

Bilateral lower limb amputations in a nigerian child following high-voltage electrical burns injury: a case report.

PubMed

Dim, Em; Amanari, Oc; Nottidge, Te; Inyang, Uc; Nwashindi, A

2013-07-01

The human body conducts electricity very well. Direct contact with electric current can be lethal. The passage of electric current through the body is capable of producing a wide spectrum of injuries, including serious damage to the heart, brain, skin and muscles. Naked high-voltage electric cables negligently abandoned in residential, commercial and industrial areas are a recipe for disaster. This is a case report of a 5-year girl child who had bilateral lower limb gangrene following electrical burns injury. She presented with a fourday history of electrical burns injuries of both lower limbs including both gluteal regions, associated with a three-day history of fever, with full thickness burns and sepsis, ultimately leading to bilateral above knee guillotine amputations. High-voltage electric current, bilateral lower limb gangrene, bilateral above knee amputation.

Characterization of laser induced damage of HR coatings with picosecond pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Cheng; Zhao, Yuan'an; Cui, Yun; Wang, Yueliang; Peng, Xiaocong; Shan, Chong; Zhu, Meiping; Wang, Jianguo; Shao, Jianda

2017-11-01

The effect of protective layer on the picosecond laser-induced damage behaviors of HfO2/SiO2 high-reflective (HR) coatings are explored. Two kinds of 1064nm HR coatings with and without protective layer are deposited by electron beam evaporation. Laser-induced damage tests are conducted with 1064nm, 30ps S-polarized and P-polarized pulses with different angle of incidence (AOI) to make the electric fields intensity in the HR coatings discrepantly. Damage morphology and cross section of damage sites were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and focused ion beam (FIB), respectively. It is found that SiO2 protective layer have a certain degree of improvement on laser induced damage threshold (LIDT) for every AOIs. The onset damage initiated very near to the Max peak of e-field, after which forms ripple-like pits. The damage morphology presents as layer delamination at high fluence. The Laser damage resistance is correspond with the maximum E-intensity in the coating stacks.

Low damage dry etch for III-nitride light emitters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nedy, Joseph G.; Young, Nathan G.; Kelchner, Kathryn M.; Hu, Yanling; Farrell, Robert M.; Nakamura, Shuji; DenBaars, Steven P.; Weisbuch, Claude; Speck, James S.

2015-08-01

We have developed a dry etch process for the fabrication of lithographically defined features close to light emitting layers in the III-nitride material system. The dry etch was tested for its effect on the internal quantum efficiency of c-plane InGaN quantum wells using the photoluminescence of a test structure with two active regions. No change was observed in the internal quantum efficiency of the test active region when the etched surface was greater than 71 nm away. To demonstrate the application of the developed dry etch process, surface-etched air gaps were fabricated 275 nm away from the active region of an m-plane InGaN/GaN laser diode and served as the waveguide upper cladding. Electrically injected lasing was observed without the need for regrowth or recovery anneals. This dry etch opens up a new design tool that can be utilized in the next generation of GaN light emitters.

Experimental and Numerical Simulation Analysis of Typical Carbon Woven Fabric/Epoxy Laminates Subjected to Lightning Strike

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, J. J.; Chang, F.; Li, S. L.; Yao, X. L.; Sun, J. R.; Xiao, Y.

2017-12-01

To clarify the evolution of damage for typical carbon woven fabric/epoxy laminates exposed to lightning strike, artificial lightning testing on carbon woven fabric/epoxy laminates were conducted, damage was assessed using visual inspection and damage peeling approaches. Relationships between damage size and action integral were also elucidated. Results showed that damage appearance of carbon woven fabric/epoxy laminate presents circular distribution, and center of the circle located at the lightning attachment point approximately, there exist no damage projected area dislocations for different layers, visual damage territory represents maximum damage scope; visible damage can be categorized into five modes: resin ablation, fiber fracture and sublimation, delamination, ablation scallops and block-shaped ply-lift; delamination damage due to resin pyrolysis and internal pressure exist obvious distinguish; project area of total damage is linear with action integral for the same type specimens, that of resin ablation damage is linear with action integral, but no correlation with specimen type, for all specimens, damage depth is linear with logarithm of action integral. The coupled thermal-electrical model constructed is capable to simulate the ablation damage for carbon woven fabric/epoxy laminates exposed to simulated lightning current through experimental verification.

Lightning protection of distribution systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Darveniza, M.; Uman, M. A.

1982-09-01

Research work on the lightning protection of distribution systems is described. The rationale behind the planning of the first major phase of the work - the field experiments conducted in the Tampa Bay area during August 1978 and July to September 1979 is explained. The aims of the field work were to characterize lightning in the Tampa Bay area, and to identify the lightning parameters associated with the occurrence of line outages and equipment damage on the distribution systems of the participating utilities. The equipment developed for these studies is fully described. The field work provided: general data on lightning - e.g., electric and magnetic fields of cloud and ground flashes; data from automated monitoring of lightning activity; stroke current waveshapes and peak currents measured at distribution arresters; and line outage and equipment damage on 13 kV networks in the Tampa Bay area. Computer aided analyses were required to collate and to process the accumulated data. The computer programs developed for this work are described.

Production of 35S for a Liquid Semiconductor Betavoltaic

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

Meier, David E.; Garnov, A. Y.; Robertson, J. D.

2009-10-01

The specific energy density from radioactive decay is five to six orders of magnitude greater than the specific energy density in conventional chemical battery and fuel cell technologies. We are currently investigating the use of liquid semiconductor based betavoltaics as a way to directly convert the energy of radioactive decay into electrical power and potentially avoid the radiation damage that occurs in solid state semiconductor devices due to non-ionizing energy loss. Sulfur-35 was selected as the isotope for the liquid semiconductor demonstrations because it can be produced in high specific activity and it is chemically compatible with known liquid semiconductormore » media.« less

High-resolution simultaneous voltage and Ca2+ imaging

PubMed Central

Vogt, Kaspar E; Gerharz, Stephan; Graham, Jeremy; Canepari, Marco

2011-01-01

Combining voltage and Ca2+ imaging allows the correlation of electrical and chemical activity at sub-cellular level. Here we describe a novel apparatus designed to obtain simultaneous voltage and Ca2+ measurements with single-trial resolution from sites as small as a few microns. These measurements can be obtained with negligible optical cross-talk between the two signals and negligible photo-damage of the preparation. The capability of the technique was assessed recording either from individual neurons in brain slices or from networks of cultured neurons. The present achievements open the gate to many novel physiological investigations requiring simultaneous measurement of voltage and Ca2+ signals. PMID:21115640

Structural Health Monitoring and Impact Detection Using Neural Networks for Damage Characterization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ross, Richard W.

2006-01-01

Detection of damage due to foreign object impact is an important factor in the development of new aerospace vehicles. Acoustic waves generated on impact can be detected using a set of piezoelectric transducers, and the location of impact can be determined by triangulation based on the differences in the arrival time of the waves at each of the sensors. These sensors generate electrical signals in response to mechanical motion resulting from the impact as well as from natural vibrations. Due to electrical noise and mechanical vibration, accurately determining these time differentials can be challenging, and even small measurement inaccuracies can lead to significant errors in the computed damage location. Wavelet transforms are used to analyze the signals at multiple levels of detail, allowing the signals resulting from the impact to be isolated from ambient electromechanical noise. Data extracted from these transformed signals are input to an artificial neural network to aid in identifying the moment of impact from the transformed signals. By distinguishing which of the signal components are resultant from the impact and which are characteristic of noise and normal aerodynamic loads, the time differentials as well as the location of damage can be accurately assessed. The combination of wavelet transformations and neural network processing results in an efficient and accurate approach for passive in-flight detection of foreign object damage.

Effects of microscale damage evolution on piezoresistive sensing in nanocomposite bonded explosives under dynamic loading via electromechanical peridynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prakash, Naveen; Seidel, Gary D.

2018-01-01

Polymer bonded explosives can sustain microstructural damage due to accidental impact, which may reduce their operational reliability or even cause unwanted ignition leading to detonation of the explosive. Therefore a nanocomposite piezoresistivity based sensing solution is discussed here that employs a carbon nanotube based nanocomposite binder in the explosive material by which in situ real-time sensing can be obtained. A coupled electromechanical peridynamics code is used to numerically obtain the piezoresistive response of such a material under dynamic conditions, which allows one to capture damage initiation and propagation mechanisms due to stress waves. The relative change in resistance at three locations along the length of the microstructure is monitored, and found to correlate well with deformation and damage mechanisms within the material. This response can depend on many factors, such as carbon nanotube content, electrical conductivity of the grain, impact velocity and fracture properties, which are explored through numerical simulations. For example, it is found that the piezoresistive response is highly dependent on preferential pathways of electrical current , i.e. the phase through which the current flows, which is in turn affected by the conductivity of the grain and the specific pattern of damage. It is found that the results qualitatively agree with experimental data on the dynamic piezoresistive response of nanocomposites and look promising as a sensing mechanism for explosive materials.

Nanostructuring of conduction channels in (In,Ga)As-InP heterostructures: Overcoming carrier generation caused by Ar ion milling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hortelano, V.; Weidlich, H.; Semtsiv, M. P.; Masselink, W. T.; Ramsteiner, M.; Jahn, U.; Biermann, K.; Takagaki, Y.

2018-04-01

Nanometer-sized channels are fabricated in (In,Ga)As-InP heterostructures using Ar ion milling. The ion milling causes spontaneous creation of nanowires, and moreover, electrical conduction of the surface as carriers is generated by sputtering-induced defects. We demonstrate a method to restore electrical isolation in the etched area that is compatible with the presence of the nanochannels. We remove the heavily damaged surface layer using a diluted HCl solution and subsequently recover the crystalline order in the moderately damaged part by annealing. We optimize the HCl concentration to make the removal stop on its own before reaching the conduction channel part. The lateral depletion in the channels is shown to be almost absent.

Electromagnetic Fields for the Regulation of Neural Stem Cells

PubMed Central

Cui, Mengchu; Ge, Hongfei; Zhao, Hengli; Zou, Yongjie

2017-01-01

Localized magnetic fields (MFs) could easily penetrate the scalp, skull, and meninges, thus inducing an electrical current in both the central and peripheral nervous systems, which is primarily used in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for inducing specific effects on different regions or cells that play roles in various brain activities. Studies of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) have led to novel attractive therapeutic approaches. Neural stem cells (NSCs) in adult human brain are able to self-renew and possess multidifferential ability to maintain homeostasis and repair damage after acute central nervous system. In the present review, we summarized the electrical activity of NSCs and the fundamental mechanism of electromagnetic fields and their effects on regulating NSC proliferation, differentiation, migration, and maturation. Although it was authorized for the rTMS use in resistant depression patients by US FDA, there are still unveiling mechanism and limitations for rTMS in clinical applications of acute central nervous system injury, especially on NSC regulation as a rehabilitation strategy. More in-depth studies should be performed to provide detailed parameters and mechanisms of rTMS in further studies, making it a powerful tool to treat people who are surviving with acute central nervous system injuries. PMID:28932245

Analysis and Modeling of Boundary Layer Separation Method (BLSM).

PubMed

Pethő, Dóra; Horváth, Géza; Liszi, János; Tóth, Imre; Paor, Dávid

2010-09-01

Nowadays rules of environmental protection strictly regulate pollution material emission into environment. To keep the environmental protection laws recycling is one of the useful methods of waste material treatment. We have developed a new method for the treatment of industrial waste water and named it boundary layer separation method (BLSM). We apply the phenomena that ions can be enriched in the boundary layer of the electrically charged electrode surface compared to the bulk liquid phase. The main point of the method is that the boundary layer at correctly chosen movement velocity can be taken out of the waste water without being damaged, and the ion-enriched boundary layer can be recycled. Electrosorption is a surface phenomenon. It can be used with high efficiency in case of large electrochemically active surface of electrodes. During our research work two high surface area nickel electrodes have been prepared. The value of electrochemically active surface area of electrodes has been estimated. The existence of diffusion part of the double layer has been experimentally approved. The electrical double layer capacity has been determined. Ion transport by boundary layer separation has been introduced. Finally we have tried to estimate the relative significance of physical adsorption and electrosorption.

The Scientific Foundations of Forecasting Magnetospheric Space Weather

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eastwood, J. P.; Nakamura, R.; Turc, L.; Mejnertsen, L.; Hesse, M.

2017-11-01

The magnetosphere is the lens through which solar space weather phenomena are focused and directed towards the Earth. In particular, the non-linear interaction of the solar wind with the Earth's magnetic field leads to the formation of highly inhomogenous electrical currents in the ionosphere which can ultimately result in damage to and problems with the operation of power distribution networks. Since electric power is the fundamental cornerstone of modern life, the interruption of power is the primary pathway by which space weather has impact on human activity and technology. Consequently, in the context of space weather, it is the ability to predict geomagnetic activity that is of key importance. This is usually stated in terms of geomagnetic storms, but we argue that in fact it is the substorm phenomenon which contains the crucial physics, and therefore prediction of substorm occurrence, severity and duration, either within the context of a longer-lasting geomagnetic storm, but potentially also as an isolated event, is of critical importance. Here we review the physics of the magnetosphere in the frame of space weather forecasting, focusing on recent results, current understanding, and an assessment of probable future developments.

Predicting threshold and location of laser damage on optical surfaces

DOEpatents

Siekhaus, W.

1985-02-04

Disclosed is an apparatus useful in the prediction of the damage threshold of various optical devices, the location of weak spots on such devices and the location, identification, and elimination of optical surface impurities. The apparatus comprises a focused and pulsed laser, a photo electric detector/imaging means, and a timer. The weak spots emit photoelectrons when subjected to laser intensities that are less than the intensity actually required to produce the damage. The weak spots may be eliminated by sustained exposure to the laser beam.

RSRM top hat cover simulator lightning test, volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

The test sequence was to measure electric and magnetic fields induced inside a redesigned solid rocket motor case when a simulated lightning discharge strikes an exposed top hat cover simulator. The test sequence was conducted between 21 June and 17 July 1990. Thirty-six high rate-of-rise Marx generator discharges and eight high current bank discharges were injected onto three different test article configurations. Attach points included three locations on the top hat cover simulator and two locations on the mounting bolts. Top hat cover simulator and mounting bolt damage and grain cover damage was observed. Overall electric field levels were well below 30 kilowatts/meter. Electric field levels ranged from 184.7 to 345.9 volts/meter and magnetic field levels were calculated from 6.921 to 39.73 amperes/meter. It is recommended that the redesigned solid rocket motor top hat cover be used in Configuration 1 or Configuration 2 as an interim lightning protection device until a lightweight cover can be designed.

Cardiac pacemaker battery discharge after external electrical cardioversion for broad QRS Complex Tachycardia.

PubMed

Annamaria, Martino; Andrea, Scapigliati; Michela, Casella; Tommaso, Sanna; Gemma, Pelargonio; Antonio, Dello Russo; Roberto, Zamparelli; Stefano, De Paulis; Fulvio, Bellocci; Rocco, Schiavello

2008-08-01

External electrical cardioversion or defibrillation may be necessary in patients with implanted cardiac pacemaker (PM) or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Sudden discharge of high electrical energy employed in direct current (DC) transthoracic countershock may damage the PM/ICD system resulting in a series of possible device malfunctions. For this reason, when defibrillation or cardioversion must be attempted in a patient with a PM or ICD, some precautions should be taken, particularly in PM dependent patients, in order to prevent damage to the device. We report the case of a 76-year-old woman with a dual chamber PM implanted in the right subclavicular region, who received two consecutive transthoracic DC shocks to treat haemodynamically unstable broad QRS complex tachycardia after cardiac surgery performed with a standard sternotomic approach. Because of the sternal wound and thoracic drainage tubes together with the severe clinical compromise, the anterior paddle was positioned near the pulse generator. At the following PM test, a complete battery discharge was detected.

First-principles simulation for strong and ultra-short laser pulse propagation in dielectrics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yabana, K.

2016-05-01

We develop a computational approach for interaction between strong laser pulse and dielectrics based on time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). In this approach, a key ingredient is a solver to simulate electron dynamics in a unit cell of solids under a time-varying electric field that is a time-dependent extension of the static band calculation. This calculation can be regarded as a constitutive relation, providing macroscopic electric current for a given electric field applied to the medium. Combining the solver with Maxwell equations for electromagnetic fields of the laser pulse, we describe propagation of laser pulses in dielectrics without any empirical parameters. An important output from the coupled Maxwell+TDDFT simulation is the energy transfer from the laser pulse to electrons in the medium. We have found an abrupt increase of the energy transfer at certain laser intensity close to damage threshold. We also estimate damage threshold by comparing the transferred energy with melting and cohesive energies. It shows reasonable agreement with measurements.

Physicochemical basis for dilated intercellular spaces in non-erosive acid-damaged rabbit esophageal epithelium.

PubMed

Tobey, N A; Gambling, T M; Vanegas, X C; Carson, J L; Orlando, R C

2008-01-01

Dilated intercellular spaces (DIS) within esophageal epithelium (EE) is a histopathologic feature of non-erosive reflux disease and early lesion in acid-damaged rabbit EE associated with increased paracellular permeability. Its cause remains unknown, but the lesion's morphology suggests a significant fluid shift into the intercellular spaces (ICS). Since water follows osmotic forces and consequently ion movements, we explored the role of active (ion) transport and ion gradients in its pathogenesis. This was done by quantifying the effect of inhibited active transport and altered ion gradients on electrical resistance (R(T)) and ICS diameter in acid-exposed Ussing-chambered rabbit EE. Compared with normal Ringer, pH 7.5, 30 minutes of luminal HCl (100 mmol/L), pH 1.1, increased permeability (R(T): +5 +/- 4% vs-52 +/- 4%) and ICS diameter (0.25 +/- 0.01 microm vs 0.42 +/- 0.02 microm), but had no effect on cell morphology or diameter. Ouabain pretreatment significantly reduced active transport but had no effect on the acid-induced changes. However, negating the chloride gradient created by luminal HCl either by adding choline chloride, 100 mmol/L, serosally or by replacing luminal HCl, pH 1.1, with luminal H(2)SO(4), pH 1.1, prevented the development of DIS while maintaining the increase in permeability. DIS was also prevented in the presence of a 100 mmol/L (choline) chloride gradient by luminal exposure at neutral pH. DIS in HCl-damaged EE is caused by an H(+)-induced increase in epithelial permeability; this enables Cl(-) to diffuse along its gradient into the ICS, creating an osmotic force for water movement into and (hydrostatic) dilation of the ICS.

Nondestructive evaluation of composite materials by electrical resistance measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mei, Zhen

This dissertation investigates electrical resistance measurement for nondestructive evaluation of carbon fiber (CF) reinforced polymer matrix composites. The method involves measuring the DC electrical resistance in either the longitudinal or through thickness direction. The thermal history and thermal properties of thermoplastic/CF composites were studied by longitudinal and through-thickness resistance measurements. The resistance results were consistent with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermomechanical analysis (TMA) results. The resistance measurements gave more information on the melting of the polymer matrix than TMA. They were more sensitive to the glass transition of the polymer matrix than DSC. The through-thickness resistance decreased as autohesion progressed. The activation energy of autohesion was 21.2 kJ/mol for both nylon-6 and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)/CF composites. Adhesive bonding and debonding were monitored in real-time by measurement of the through-thickness resistance between the adherends in an adhesive joint during heating and subsequent cooling. Debonding occurred during cooling when the pressure or temperature during prior bonding was not sufficiently high. A long heating time below the melting temperature (T m) was found to be detrimental to subsequent PPS adhesive joint development above Tm, due to curing reactions below Tm and consequent reduced mass flow response above Tm. A high heating rate (small heating time) enhanced the bonding more than a high pressure. The longitudinal resistance measurement was used to investigate the effects of temperature and stress on the interface between a concrete substrate and its epoxy/CF composite retrofit. The resistance of the retrofit was increased by bond degradation, whether the degradation was due to heat or stress. The degradation was reversible. Irreversible disturbance in the fiber arrangement occurred slightly as thermal or load cycling occurred, as indicated by the resistance decreasing cycle by cycle. This dissertation also addresses the use of the electrical resistance method to observe thermal and mechanical damage in real time. A temperature increase caused the interlaminar contact resistance to decrease reversibly within each thermal cycle, while thermal damage caused the resistance to decrease abruptly and irreversibly, due to matrix molecular movement and the consequent increase in the chance of fibers of one lamina touching those of an adjacent lamina. The through-thickness volume resistivity irreversibly and gradually decreased upon mechanical damage, which was probably fiber-matrix debonding. Moreover, it reversibly and abruptly increased upon matrix micro-structural change, which occurred reversibly near the peak stress of a stress cycle.

At the interface: convergence of neural regeneration and neural prostheses for restoration of function.

PubMed

Grill, W M; McDonald, J W; Peckham, P H; Heetderks, W; Kocsis, J; Weinrich, M

2001-01-01

The rapid pace of recent advances in development and application of electrical stimulation of the nervous system and in neural regeneration has created opportunities to combine these two approaches to restoration of function. This paper relates the discussion on this topic from a workshop at the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society. The goals of this workshop were to discuss the current state of interaction between the fields of neural regeneration and neural prostheses and to identify potential areas of future research that would have the greatest impact on achieving the common goal of restoring function after neurological damage. Identified areas include enhancement of axonal regeneration with applied electric fields, development of hybrid neural interfaces combining synthetic silicon and biologically derived elements, and investigation of the role of patterned neural activity in regulating various neuronal processes and neurorehabilitation. Increased communication and cooperation between the two communities and recognition by each field that the other has something to contribute to their efforts are needed to take advantage of these opportunities. In addition, creative grants combining the two approaches and more flexible funding mechanisms to support the convergence of their perspectives are necessary to achieve common objectives.

Deposition and Characterization of Hermetic, Biocompatible Thin Film Coatings for Implantable, Electrically Active Devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sweitzer, Robyn K.

Retinal prostheses may be used to support patients suffering from Age-related macular degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa. A hermetic encapsulation of the poly(imide )-based prosthesis is important in order to prevent the leakage of water and ions into the electric circuitry embedded in the poly(imide) matrix. The deposition of amorphous aluminum oxide (by sputtering) and diamond like carbon (by pulsed laser ablation and vacuum arc vapor deposition) were studied for the application in retinal prostheses. The resulting thin films were characterized for composition, thickness, adhesion and smoothness by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, profilometry and light microscopy. Electrical stability was evaluated and found to be good. The as-deposited films prevented incursion of salinated fluids into the implant over two (2) three month trials soaking in normal saline at body temperature, Biocompatibility was tested in vivo by implanting coated specimen subretinally in the eye of Yucatan pigs. While amorphous aluminum oxide is more readily deposited with sufficient adhesion quality, biocompatibility studies showed a superior behavior of diamond-like carbon. Amorphous aluminum oxide had more adverse effects and caused more severe damage to the retinal tissue.

MD simulation study of direct permeation of a nanoparticle across the cell membrane under an external electric field.

PubMed

Shimizu, Kenta; Nakamura, Hideya; Watano, Satoru

2016-06-09

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been attracting much attention for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. In most of the applications, NPs are required to translocate across the cell membrane and to reach the cell cytosol. Experimental studies have reported that by applying an electric field NPs can directly permeate across the cell membrane without the confinement of NPs by endocytic vesicles. However, damage to the cell can often be a concern. Understanding of the mechanism underlying the direct permeation of NPs under an external electric field can greatly contribute to the realization of a technology for the direct delivery of NPs. Here we investigated the permeation of a cationic gold NP across a phospholipid bilayer under an external electric field using a coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation. When an external electric field that is equal to the membrane breakdown intensity was applied, a typical NP delivery by electroporation was shown: the cationic gold NP directly permeated across a lipid bilayer without membrane wrapping of the NP, while a persistent transmembrane pore was formed. However, when a specific range of the electric field that is lower than the membrane breakdown intensity was applied, a unique permeation pathway was exhibited: the generated transmembrane pore immediately resealed after the direct permeation of NP. Furthermore, we found that the affinity of the NP for the membrane surface is a key for the self-resealing of the pore. Our finding suggests that by applying an electric field in a suitable range NPs can be directly delivered into the cell with less cellular damage.

Effect of heat and radio frequency electric field treatments on membrane damage and intracellular leakage of UV-substances of Escherichia coli K-12 in apple juice

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The need for a nonthermal intervention technology that can achieve microbial safety without altering nutritional quality of liquid foods led to the development of the radio frequency electric fields (RFEF) process. Previously, we documented formation of surface blebs on Escherichia coli cells treate...

26 CFR 1.162-22 - Treble damage payments under the antitrust laws.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... maintain prices of electrical transformers from 1965 to 1970. All defendants entered pleas of nolo... and maintain prices in the electrical transformer market. Thereafter, Z Co. sued X Co. and Y Co. for... transformers. X Co. and Y Co. each paid Z Co. $85,000 in full settlement of Z Co.'s action. Of each $85,000...

26 CFR 1.162-22 - Treble damage payments under the antitrust laws.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... maintain prices of electrical transformers from 1965 to 1970. All defendants entered pleas of nolo... and maintain prices in the electrical transformer market. Thereafter, Z Co. sued X Co. and Y Co. for... transformers. X Co. and Y Co. each paid Z Co. $85,000 in full settlement of Z Co.'s action. Of each $85,000...

26 CFR 1.162-22 - Treble damage payments under the antitrust laws.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... maintain prices of electrical transformers from 1965 to 1970. All defendants entered pleas of nolo... and maintain prices in the electrical transformer market. Thereafter, Z Co. sued X Co. and Y Co. for... transformers. X Co. and Y Co. each paid Z Co. $85,000 in full settlement of Z Co.'s action. Of each $85,000...

26 CFR 1.162-22 - Treble damage payments under the antitrust laws.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... maintain prices of electrical transformers from 1965 to 1970. All defendants entered pleas of nolo... and maintain prices in the electrical transformer market. Thereafter, Z Co. sued X Co. and Y Co. for... transformers. X Co. and Y Co. each paid Z Co. $85,000 in full settlement of Z Co.'s action. Of each $85,000...

26 CFR 1.162-22 - Treble damage payments under the antitrust laws.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... maintain prices of electrical transformers from 1965 to 1970. All defendants entered pleas of nolo... and maintain prices in the electrical transformer market. Thereafter, Z Co. sued X Co. and Y Co. for... transformers. X Co. and Y Co. each paid Z Co. $85,000 in full settlement of Z Co.'s action. Of each $85,000...

Cell wall domain and moisture content influence southern pine electrical conductivity

Treesearch

Samuel L. Zelinka; Leandro Passarini; José L. Colon Quintana; Samuel V. Glass; Joseph E. Jakes; Alex C. Wiedenhoeft

2016-01-01

Recent work has highlighted the importance of movement of chemicals and ions through the wood cell wall. This movement depends strongly on moisture content and is necessary for structural damage mechanisms such as fastener corrosion and wood decay. Here, we present the first measurements of electrical resistance of southern pine at the subcellular level as a function...

76 FR 58844 - Virginia Electric and Power Company, Surry Power Station, Units 1 and 2; Exemption

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-22

... hours. After the high wind conditions pass, wind damage to the plant and surrounding area might preclude... Power Company, Surry Power Station, Units 1 and 2; Exemption 1.0 Background Virginia Electric and Power... authorize operation of the Surry Power Station, Units 1 and 2 (Surry 1 and 2) respectively. The license...

High-voltage electrical injury complicated by compartment syndrome and acute kidney injury with successful limb salvage: A case report and review of the literature.

PubMed

Ho, Christopher Wei Guang; Yang, Shi-Hui; Wong, Chu Hui; Chong, Si Jack

2018-05-16

Although an uncommon form of admission to a burns centre, the deep, penetrating nature of noxious currents mean that electrical burns have the most catastrophic consequences of all burn injuries. Understanding the physics of electricity is crucial to explaining the mechanisms of tissue damage and organ failure in electrical injuries which necessitate special management above and beyond that of regular thermal burns. We present a young man who suffered significant occupation-related electrical burns that was complicated by compartment syndrome, rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury. He required multiple surgeries (including fasciotomy as well as soft tissue reconstruction), critical care and lengthy rehabilitation. Rhabdomyolysis is common sequela of electrical burns and may result in severe and permanent metabolic and renal impairment. High cut-off dialysis membranes have shown great promise in myoglobin removal but further studies are required to determine whether this improves clinical outcomes. Debridement and decompression are the cornerstones of initial surgical intervention and are crucial to minimising infectious complications and preserving vital structures. Free tissue transfer has become increasingly popular, but the ideal timing of microsurgery is still uncertain. Nonetheless, pedicled flaps remain widely used and still have an important role in reconstruction of electrical burns. Patients with electrical injuries have several unique acute manifestations that differ from other burns. Prognosticating outcomes is difficult, as the full scale of damage is seldom immediately evident. Multiple organ systems are often affected, which makes the treatment of such patients exceptionally challenging, multi-disciplinary and resource-intensive. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Myelin

MedlinePlus

... and fatty substances. This myelin sheath allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along the nerve cells. If myelin is damaged, these impulses slow down. This can cause diseases such as ...

Genotoxic and oxidative effects induced on A549 cells by extract of PM10 collected in an electric steel plant.

PubMed

Cavallo, Delia; Ursini, Cinzia L; Maiello, Raffaele; Apostoli, Pietro; Catalani, Simona; Ciervo, Aureliano; Iavicoli, Sergio

2008-01-01

The present study was aimed at assessing the carcinogenic risk of occupational exposure to PM10 in electric steel plants. PM10 was collected on cellulose filter respectively outside (site 1) and inside (site 2) the furnace area, was measured, extracted and its metal content was analysed by ICP-MS. Cells were exposed for 30 min, 2 and 4 hours to extract of filter from each site diluted at 0.004, 0.008 and 0.02%. The direct/oxidative DNA damage caused by PM10 was evaluated on A549 cells by Fpg-modified comet assay, analysing Tail moment (TM) and comet percentage. Air samples contained 1.08 mg/m3 of PM10 in site 1 and 5.54 mg/m3in site 2 and different amounts of metals with higher levels of Zn, Al, Ni, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ba in site 2 and of Fe, Mn, Sb in site 1. In cells exposed for 2h to PM10 from both sites, an oxidative DNA damage was found concentrations of 0.008% and 0.02%. For site 2, a direct DNA damage at 0.02% was also found. After 4h a direct/oxidative DNA damage was detected at 0.02% for site 2 and an oxidative DNA damage for site 1. The results indicate a moderate DNA damage induction by used diluitions of PM10 extracts with higher extent for more polluted site 2. These findings show the suitability of this experimental model to evaluate early DNA damage induced by complex mixtures containing metals on target organ, suggesting its use to study biological effects of occupational exposure to such substances.

Investigation of a Novel NDE Method for Monitoring Thermomechanical Damage and Microstructure Evolution in Ferritic-Martensitic Steels for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems

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

Nagy, Peter

2013-09-30

The main goal of the proposed project is the development of validated nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques for in situ monitoring of ferritic-martensitic steels like Grade 91 9Cr-1Mo, which are candidate materials for Generation IV nuclear energy structural components operating at temperatures up to ~650{degree}C and for steam-generator tubing for sodium-cooled fast reactors. Full assessment of thermomechanical damage requires a clear separation between thermally activated microstructural evolution and creep damage caused by simultaneous mechanical stress. Creep damage can be classified as "negligible" creep without significant plastic strain and "ordinary" creep of the primary, secondary, and tertiary kind that is accompanied bymore » significant plastic deformation and/or cavity nucleation and growth. Under negligible creep conditions of interest in this project, minimal or no plastic strain occurs, and the accumulation of creep damage does not significantly reduce the fatigue life of a structural component so that low-temperature design rules, such as the ASME Section III, Subsection NB, can be applied with confidence. The proposed research project will utilize a multifaceted approach in which the feasibility of electrical conductivity and thermo-electric monitoring methods is researched and coupled with detailed post-thermal/creep exposure characterization of microstructural changes and damage processes using state-of-the-art electron microscopy techniques, with the aim of establishing the most effective nondestructive materials evaluation technique for particular degradation modes in high-temperature alloys that are candidates for use in the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) as well as providing the necessary mechanism-based underpinnings for relating the two. Only techniques suitable for practical application in situ will be considered. As the project evolves and results accumulate, we will also study the use of this technique for monitoring other GEN IV materials. Through the results obtained from this integrated materials behavior and NDE study, new insight will be gained into the best nondestructive creep and microstructure monitoring methods for the particular mechanisms identified in these materials. The proposed project includes collaboration with a national laboratory partner and the results will also serve as a foundation to guide the efforts of scientists in the DOE laboratory, university, and industrial communities concerned with the technological challenges of monitoring creep and microstructural evolution in materials planned to be used in Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems.« less

Firefighter safety and photovoltaic installations research project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Backstrom, Robert; Dini, Dave

2012-10-01

Under the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistance to Fire Fighters grant, UL LLC examined fire service concerns of photovoltaic (PV) systems. These concerns included firefighter vulnerability to electrical and casualty hazards when mitigating a fire involving photovoltaic (PV) modules systems. Findings include: 1. The electric shock hazard due to application of water is dependent on voltage, water conductivity, distance and spray pattern of the suppression stream. 2. Outdoor weather exposure rated electrical enclosures are not resistant to water penetration by fire hose streams. 3. Firefighter's gloves and boots afford limited protection against electrical shock provided the insulating surface is intact and dry. 4. "Turning off" an array is not a simple matter of opening a disconnect switch. 5. Tarps offer varying degrees of effectiveness. 6. Fire equipment scene lighting and exposure fires may illuminate PV systems sufficiently to cause a lock-on hazard. 7. Severely damaged PV arrays are capable of producing hazardous conditions. 8. Damage to modules from tools may result in both electrical and fire hazards. 9. Severing of conductors in both metal and plastic conduit results in electrical and fire hazards. 10. Responding personnel must stay away from the roofline in the event of modules or sections of an array sliding off the roof. 11. Fires under an array but above the roof may breach roofing materials and decking allowing fire to propagate into the attic space. Several tactical considerations were developed utilizing the data from the experiments.

Multiscale Modeling and Characterization of the Effects of Damage Evolution on the Multifunctional Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-07-27

the mechanical and electrical properties of carbon nanotube -polymer nanocomposites. Focus was placed on understanding and capturing the key... nanotube nanocomposite piezoresistive sensing in performing structural health monitoring in epoxy-based energetic materials. The focus was to...Carbon Nanotube , Nanocomposite, Structural Health Monitoring, Strain Sensing, Damage Sensing 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT UU

Missile’s Guidance Head Anti-Nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse Reinforcement,

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-11-18

electromagnetic pulse bomb is one of them. This kind of nuclear bomb is mainly used to interfere or damage un-reinforced electric and electronic... electromagnetic pulse , the damaging mechanism of the nuclear electromagnetic pulse to the guidance head, and the response of electronic devices to...the nuclear electromagnetic pulse , at last introduces the guidance heads defense method to the nuclear electromagnetic pulse .

Structural Health Monitoring 2007: Quantification, Validation, and Implementation

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-11-30

11:20 ~ 11:40 A Novel MEMS Strain Sensor for Structural Health Monitoring Applications under Harsh Environmental Conditions p. 121 Matthew Malkin...Session: Wave Propagation Models in Damage Assesment Chair: Wieslaw Ostachowicz, Polish Academy of Sciences Room: 030 W. Ostachowicz and P. Kudela...University Dayton Research Institute 11:00 ~ 11:20 Low Impact Damage Detection and Analysis with Thin Film Piezo-electric Sensors p. 1064 Samuel

Evaluation of an operating MOD-OA 200 kW wind turbine blade

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Donham, R. E.

1979-01-01

Operating loads and structural damage were monitored during operation of the MOD-OA electric generating system. The turbine was damaged locally between stations 48 and 125 after 2.8 million rotations. Loads due to degraded yaw stiffness and fretting at rib station 48 were identified as primary to this distress. The repaired blades operated an additional 4.8 million rotations without problems.

Smart accelerometer. [vibration damage detection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bozeman, Richard J., Jr. (Inventor)

1994-01-01

The invention discloses methods and apparatus for detecting vibrations from machines which indicate an impending malfunction for the purpose of preventing additional damage and allowing for an orderly shutdown or a change in mode of operation. The method and apparatus is especially suited for reliable operation in providing thruster control data concerning unstable vibration in an electrical environment which is typically noisy and in which unrecognized ground loops may exist.

Teflon/SiO2 Bilayer Passivation for Improving the Electrical Reliability of Oxide TFTs Fabricated Using a New Two-Photomask Self-Alignment Process

PubMed Central

Fan, Ching-Lin; Shang, Ming-Chi; Li, Bo-Jyun; Lin, Yu-Zuo; Wang, Shea-Jue; Lee, Win-Der; Hung, Bohr-Ran

2015-01-01

This study proposes a two-photomask process for fabricating amorphous indium–gallium–zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) that exhibit a self-aligned structure. The fabricated TFTs, which lack etching-stop (ES) layers, have undamaged a-IGZO active layers that facilitate superior performance. In addition, we demonstrate a bilayer passivation method that uses a polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) and SiO2 combination layer for improving the electrical reliability of the fabricated TFTs. Teflon was deposited as a buffer layer through thermal evaporation. The Teflon layer exhibited favorable compatibility with the underlying IGZO channel layer and effectively protected the a-IGZO TFTs from plasma damage during SiO2 deposition, resulting in a negligible initial performance drop in the a-IGZO TFTs. Compared with passivation-free a-IGZO TFTs, passivated TFTs exhibited superior stability even after 168 h of aging under ambient air at 95% relative humidity. PMID:28788026

A comparative study of commercial lithium ion battery cycle life in electrical vehicle: Aging mechanism identification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Xuebing; Ouyang, Minggao; Lu, Languang; Li, Jianqiu; Zheng, Yuejiu; Li, Zhe

2014-04-01

When lithium-ion batteries age with cycling, the battery capacity decreases and the resistance increases. The aging mechanism of different types of lithium-ion batteries differs. The loss of lithium inventory, loss of active material, and the increase in resistance may result in battery aging. Generally, analysis of the battery aging mechanism requires dismantling of batteries and using methods such as X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. These methods may permanently damage the battery. Therefore, the methods are inappropriate for the battery management system (BMS) in an electric vehicle. The constant current charging curves while charging the battery could be used to get the incremental capacity and differential voltage curves for identifying the aging mechanism; the battery state-of-health can then be estimated. This method can be potentially used in the BMS for online diagnostic and prognostic services. The genetic algorithm could be used to quantitatively analyze the battery aging offline. And the membership function could be used for onboard aging mechanism identification.

Terrestrial applications of FEP-encapsulated solar cell modules. [power systems using Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene encapsulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Forestieri, A. F.; Ratajczak, A. F.

1974-01-01

The NASA-Lewis Research Center program of transferring the FEP-encapsulated solar cell technology developed for the space program to terrestrial applications is presented. The electrical power system design and the array mechanical design are described, and power systems being tested are discussed. The latter are located at NOAA-RAMOS weather stations at Sterling, Va., and Mammoth Mountain, Calif.; on the roof of the Lewis Research Center; on a NOAA-Coast Guard buoy in the Gulf of Mexico; in a U.S. Forest Service mountaintop voice repeater station in the Inyo National Forest, Calif., and in a backpack charger for portable transmitter/receivers being used in the same place. Preliminary results of testing are still incomplete, but show that rime ice can cause cracks in modular cells without damaging the FEP though, which keeps the grid lines intact, and that electrically active elements of the module must be completely sealed from salt water to prevent FEP delamination.

The Role of Direct Current Electric Field-Guided Stem Cell Migration in Neural Regeneration.

PubMed

Yao, Li; Li, Yongchao

2016-06-01

Effective directional axonal growth and neural cell migration are crucial in the neural regeneration of the central nervous system (CNS). Endogenous currents have been detected in many developing nervous systems. Experiments have demonstrated that applied direct current (DC) electric fields (EFs) can guide axonal growth in vitro, and attempts have been made to enhance the regrowth of damaged spinal cord axons using DC EFs in in vivo experiments. Recent work has revealed that the migration of stem cells and stem cell-derived neural cells can be guided by DC EFs. These studies have raised the possibility that endogenous and applied DC EFs can be used to direct neural tissue regeneration. Although the mechanism of EF-directed axonal growth and cell migration has not been fully understood, studies have shown that the polarization of cell membrane proteins and the activation of intracellular signaling molecules are involved in the process. The application of EFs is a promising biotechnology for regeneration of the CNS.

Gallium arsenide solar cell radiation damage study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maurer, R. H.; Herbert, G. A.; Kinnison, J. D.; Meulenberg, A.

1989-01-01

A thorough analysis has been made of electron- and proton- damaged GaAs solar cells suitable for use in space. It is found that, although some electrical parametric data and spectral response data are quite similar, the type of damage due to the two types of radiation is different. An I-V analysis model shows that electrons damage the bulk of the cell and its currents relatively more, while protons damage the junction of the cell and its voltages more. It is suggested that multiple defects due to protons in a strong field region such as a p/n junction cause the greater degradation in cell voltage, whereas the individual point defects in the quasi-neutral minority-carrier-diffusion regions due to electrons cause the greater degradation in cell current and spectral response.

Designing and Implementation a Lab Testing Method for Power Cables Insulation Resistance According with STAS 10411-89, SR EN ISO/CEI/17025/2005

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dobra, R.; Pasculescu, D.; Marc, G.; Risteiu, M.; Antonov, A.

2017-06-01

Insulation resistance measurement is one of the most important tests required by standards and regulations in terms of electrical safety. Why these tests are is to prevent possible accidents caused by electric shock, damage to equipment or outbreak of fire in normal operating conditions of electrical cables. The insulation resistance experiment refers to the testing of electrical cable insulation, which has a measured resistance that must be below the imposed regulations. Using a microcontroller system data regarding the insulation resistance of the power cables is acquired and with SCADA software the test results are displayed.

Non-invasive red light optogenetic pacing and optical coherence microscopy (OCM) imaging for drosophila melanogaster (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Men, Jing; Li, Airong; Jerwick, Jason; Tanzi, Rudolph E.; Zhou, Chao

2017-02-01

Cardiac pacing could be a powerful tool for investigating mammalian cardiac electrical conduction systems as well as for treatment of certain cardiac pathologies. However, traditional electrical pacing using pacemaker requires an invasive surgical procedure. Electrical currents from the implanted electrodes can also cause damage to heart tissue, further restricting its utility. Optogenetic pacing has been developed as a promising, non-invasive alternative to electrical stimulation for controlling animal heart rhythms. It induces heart contractions by shining pulsed light on transgene-generated microbial opsins, which in turn activate the light gated ion channels in animal hearts. However, commonly used opsins in optogenetic pacing, such as channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2), require short light wavelength stimulation (475 nm), which is strongly absorbed and scattered by tissue. Here, we performed optogenetic pacing by expression of recently engineered red-shifted microbial opsins, ReaChR and CsChrimson, in a well-established animal model, Drosophila melanogaster, using the 617 nm stimulation light pulses. The OCM technique enables non-invasive optical imaging of animal hearts with high speed and ultrahigh axial and transverse resolutions. We integrated a customized OCM system with the optical stimulation system to monitor the optogenetic pacing noninvasively. The use of red-sifted opsins enabled deeper penetration of simulating light at lower power, which is promising for applications of optogenetic pacing in mammalian cardiac pathology studies or clinical treatments in the future.

Silicon Nitride Deposition for Flexible Organic Electronic Devices by VHF (162 MHz)-PECVD Using a Multi-Tile Push-Pull Plasma Source.

PubMed

Kim, Ki Seok; Kim, Ki Hyun; Ji, You Jin; Park, Jin Woo; Shin, Jae Hee; Ellingboe, Albert Rogers; Yeom, Geun Young

2017-10-19

Depositing a barrier film for moisture protection without damage at a low temperature is one of the most important steps for organic-based electronic devices. In this study, the authors investigated depositing thin, high-quality SiN x film on organic-based electronic devices, specifically, very high-frequency (162 MHz) plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (VHF-PECVD) using a multi-tile push-pull plasma source with a gas mixture of NH 3 /SiH 4 at a low temperature of 80 °C. The thin deposited SiN x film exhibited excellent properties in the stoichiometry, chemical bonding, stress, and step coverage. Thin film quality and plasma damage were investigated by the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and by electrical characteristics of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) devices deposited with SiN x , respectively. The thin deposited SiN x film exhibited a low WVTR of 4.39 × 10 -4  g (m 2 · day) -1 for a single thin (430 nm thick) film SiN x and the electrical characteristics of OLED devices before and after the thin SiN x film deposition on the devices did not change, which indicated no electrical damage during the deposition of SiN x on the OLED device.

Assessment of Carbon Fiber Electrical Effects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1980-01-01

The risks associated with the use of carbon fiber composites in civil aircraft are discussed along with the need for protection of civil aircraft equipment from fire-released carbon fibers. The size and number of carbon fibers released in civil aircraft crash fires, the downwind dissemination of the fibers, their penetration into buildings and equipment, and the vulnerability of electrical/electronic equipment to damage by the fibers are assessed.

Effects Of Moisture On Zinc Orthotitanate Paint

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mon, Gordon R.; Gonzalez, Charles C.; Ross, JR., Ronald g.; Wen, Liang C.; O'Donnell, Timothy

1991-01-01

Report presents results of tests of electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion of zinc orthotitanate (ZOT) paint. Measured effects of temperature, humidity, and vacuum on ceramic paint. Used as temperature-control coating designed to have low and stable ratio of absorptance to emittance for heat radiation. Helps to prevent buildup of static electric charge and helps to protect electronic circuitry from potentially damaging static discharges.

Mediation of rapid electrical, metabolic, transpirational, and photosynthetic changes by factors released from wounds. I. variation potentials and putative action potentials in intact plants

Treesearch

S.J. Barres; T.J.Sambeek Perry; Barbara G. Pickard

1976-01-01

Damaging representative plants from five angiosperm families by heating or crushing a small portion of a single leaf results in an electrical change which may spread throughout the shoot. In Mimosa similar changes have previously been identified as variation potentials.Except in one of the five plants, a variation...

Electric Eel-Skin-Inspired Mechanically Durable and Super-Stretchable Nanogenerator for Deformable Power Source and Fully Autonomous Conformable Electronic-Skin Applications.

PubMed

Lai, Ying-Chih; Deng, Jianan; Niu, Simiao; Peng, Wenbo; Wu, Changsheng; Liu, Ruiyuan; Wen, Zhen; Wang, Zhong Lin

2016-12-01

Electric eel-skin-inspired mechanically durable and super-stretchable nanogenerator is demonstrated for the first time by using triboelectric effect. This newly designed nanogenerator can produce electricity by touch or tapping despite under various extreme mechanical deformations or even after experiencing damage. This device can be used not only as deformable and wearable power source but also as fully autonomous and self-sufficient adaptive electronic skin system. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Test and evaluation of 23 electric vehicles for state-of-the-art assessment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dustin, M. O.; Denington, R. J.

1978-01-01

Data developed by ERDA used to evaluate the performance parameters of modern electric vehicles is presented with reference to range, acceleration, coast-down, and braking. Eight of the tested vehicles had some type of regenerative braking system, which provided range increases from 1 to 31 percent. In comparison with conventional vehicles, performance was found to be lower, and reliability poorer. Energy consumption was the same, but electric power is less damaging to the environment than hydrocarbon fuels, and does not use up an increasingly scarce resource.

The Application of Voltage Transformer Simulator in Electrical Test Training

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Nan; Zhang, Jun; Chai, Ziqi; Wang, Jingpeng; Yang, Baowei

2018-02-01

The voltage transformer test is an important means to monitor its operating state. The accuracy and reliability of the test data is directly related to the test skill level of the operator. However, the risk of test instruments damage, equipment being tested damage and electric shock in operator is caused by improper operation when training the transformer test. In this paper, a simulation device of voltage transformer is set up, and a simulation model is built for the most common 500kV capacitor voltage transformer (CVT), the simulation model can realize several test items of CVT by combing with teaching guidance platform, simulation instrument, complete set of system software and auxiliary equipment in Changchun. Many successful applications show that the simulation device has good practical value and wide application prospect.

PubMed

Madeira, João; Parreira, Leonor; Amador, Pedro; Soares, Luís

2013-10-14

Riata and Riata ST silicone defibrillation leads are prone to externalization of conductors due to inside-out abrasion in the high-voltage system, causing structural damage which may be accompanied by electrical failure. These situations are easily detected by fluoroscopy or radiology and by inspection of intracardiac electrograms and/or measurement of impedance. However, older pulse generators do not automatically perform all the measurements needed to assess the integrity of the high-voltage electrical system, nor do they have patient notifier alerts in case of dysfunction. The authors describe the case of a patient in whom structural damage was detected on fluoroscopy during pulse generator replacement. They discuss the best strategy in these patients, considering current knowledge of this dysfunction. Copyright © 2012 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

Lightning Protection System for Space Shuttle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1977-01-01

The suitability and cost effectiveness of using a lightning mast for the shuttle service and access tower (SSAT) similar to the type used for the Apollo Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) mobile launcher (ML) was evaluated. Topics covered include: (1) ASTP launch damage to mast, mast supports, grounded overhead wires, and the instrumentation system; (2) modifications required to permit reusing the ASTP mast on the SSAT; (3) comparative costing factors per launch over a 10 year period in repetitive maintenance and refurbishment of the existing and modified masts, mast supports, grounded overhead wires, and ground instrumentation required to sustain mechanical and electrical integrity of the masts; (4) effects of blast testing samples of the ASTP ML type mast (corrosion and electrical flashover); (5) comparison of damages from ASTP launch and from blast testing.

The Effect of Localized Damage on the Electrical Conductivity of Bare Carbon Fiber Tow and its Use as a Non-Destructive Evaluation Tool for Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wentzel, Daniel

2015-01-01

Composite materials are beneficial because of their high specific strength and low weight. Safety, Destructive testing and destructive testing, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE). Problem: Neither NDT nor NDE can provide sufficient data to determine life expectancy or quantify the damage state of a composite material.

A Submarine Electric Propulsion System with Large Hub Propeller

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-05-01

16- U spacing between stator conductors, in. UMAT [U] matrix Vi line-to-neutral voltage, rms volts V2 airgap voltage, rms volts V0 maximum line...and is made impervious to seawater damage by a special insulation system. Protection of the motor from accidental seawater grounding or seawater...to repair and/or isolate damaged sections. Consider the following winding arrangement: --- PRESSURE HULL INTERFACE ’ -. CONNECTIONS MADE INSIDE SI

Brain plasticity and functionality explored by nonlinear optical microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sacconi, L.; Allegra, L.; Buffelli, M.; Cesare, P.; D'Angelo, E.; Gandolfi, D.; Grasselli, G.; Lotti, J.; Mapelli, J.; Strata, P.; Pavone, F. S.

2010-02-01

In combination with fluorescent protein (XFP) expression techniques, two-photon microscopy has become an indispensable tool to image cortical plasticity in living mice. In parallel to its application in imaging, multi-photon absorption has also been used as a tool for the dissection of single neurites with submicrometric precision without causing any visible collateral damage to the surrounding neuronal structures. In this work, multi-photon nanosurgery is applied to dissect single climbing fibers expressing GFP in the cerebellar cortex. The morphological consequences are then characterized with time lapse 3-dimensional two-photon imaging over a period of minutes to days after the procedure. Preliminary investigations show that the laser induced fiber dissection recalls a regenerative process in the fiber itself over a period of days. These results show the possibility of this innovative technique to investigate regenerative processes in adult brain. In parallel with imaging and manipulation technique, non-linear microscopy offers the opportunity to optically record electrical activity in intact neuronal networks. In this work, we combined the advantages of second-harmonic generation (SHG) with a random access (RA) excitation scheme to realize a new microscope (RASH) capable of optically recording fast membrane potential events occurring in a wide-field of view. The RASH microscope, in combination with bulk loading of tissue with FM4-64 dye, was used to simultaneously record electrical activity from clusters of Purkinje cells in acute cerebellar slices. Complex spikes, both synchronous and asynchronous, were optically recorded simultaneously across a given population of neurons. Spontaneous electrical activity was also monitored simultaneously in pairs of neurons, where action potentials were recorded without averaging across trials. These results show the strength of this technique in describing the temporal dynamics of neuronal assemblies, opening promising perspectives in understanding the computations of neuronal networks.

Electric Ablation with Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) in Vital Hepatic Structures and Follow-up Investigation

PubMed Central

Chen, Xinhua; Ren, Zhigang; Zhu, Tongyin; Zhang, Xiongxin; Peng, Zhiyi; Xie, Haiyang; Zhou, Lin; Yin, Shengyong; Sun, Junhui; Zheng, Shusen

2015-01-01

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) with microsecond-pulsed electric fields (μsPEFs) can effectively ablate hepatocellular carcinomas in animal models. This preclinical study evaluates the feasibility and safety of IRE on porcine livers. Altogether, 10 pigs were included. Computed tomography (CT) was used to guide two-needle electrodes that were inserted near the hilus hepatis and gall bladder. Animals were followed-up at 2 hours and at 2, 7 and 14 days post-treatment. During and after μsPEF ablation, electrocardiographs found no cardiovascular events, and contrast CT found no portal vein thrombosis. There was necrosis in the ablation zone. Mild cystic oedema around the gall bladder was found 2 hours post-treatment. Pathological studies showed extensive cell death. There was no large vessel damage, but there was mild endothelial damage in some small vessels. Follow-up liver function tests and routine blood tests showed immediate liver function damage and recovery from the damage, which correlated to the pathological changes. These results indicate that μsPEF ablation affects liver tissue and is less effective in vessels, which enable μsPEFs to ablate central tumour lesions close to the hilus hepatis and near large vessels and bile ducts, removing some of the limitations and contraindications of conventional thermal ablation. PMID:26549662

Direct evaluation of influence of electron damage on the subcell performance in triple-junction solar cells using photoluminescence decays.

PubMed

Tex, David M; Nakamura, Tetsuya; Imaizumi, Mitsuru; Ohshima, Takeshi; Kanemitsu, Yoshihiko

2017-05-16

Tandem solar cells are suited for space applications due to their high performance, but also have to be designed in such a way to minimize influence of degradation by the high energy particle flux in space. The analysis of the subcell performance is crucial to understand the device physics and achieve optimized designs of tandem solar cells. Here, the radiation-induced damage of inverted grown InGaP/GaAs/InGaAs triple-junction solar cells for various electron fluences are characterized using conventional current-voltage (I-V) measurements and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL). The conversion efficiencies of the entire device before and after damage are measured with I-V curves and compared with the efficiencies predicted from the time-resolved method. Using the time-resolved data the change in the carrier dynamics in the subcells can be discussed. Our optical method allows to predict the absolute electrical conversion efficiency of the device with an accuracy of better than 5%. While both InGaP and GaAs subcells suffered from significant material degradation, the performance loss of the total device can be completely ascribed to the damage in the GaAs subcell. This points out the importance of high internal electric fields at the operating point.

Electric Ablation with Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) in Vital Hepatic Structures and Follow-up Investigation.

PubMed

Chen, Xinhua; Ren, Zhigang; Zhu, Tongyin; Zhang, Xiongxin; Peng, Zhiyi; Xie, Haiyang; Zhou, Lin; Yin, Shengyong; Sun, Junhui; Zheng, Shusen

2015-11-09

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) with microsecond-pulsed electric fields (μsPEFs) can effectively ablate hepatocellular carcinomas in animal models. This preclinical study evaluates the feasibility and safety of IRE on porcine livers. Altogether, 10 pigs were included. Computed tomography (CT) was used to guide two-needle electrodes that were inserted near the hilus hepatis and gall bladder. Animals were followed-up at 2 hours and at 2, 7 and 14 days post-treatment. During and after μsPEF ablation, electrocardiographs found no cardiovascular events, and contrast CT found no portal vein thrombosis. There was necrosis in the ablation zone. Mild cystic oedema around the gall bladder was found 2 hours post-treatment. Pathological studies showed extensive cell death. There was no large vessel damage, but there was mild endothelial damage in some small vessels. Follow-up liver function tests and routine blood tests showed immediate liver function damage and recovery from the damage, which correlated to the pathological changes. These results indicate that μsPEF ablation affects liver tissue and is less effective in vessels, which enable μsPEFs to ablate central tumour lesions close to the hilus hepatis and near large vessels and bile ducts, removing some of the limitations and contraindications of conventional thermal ablation.

Study of RF breakdown and multipacting in accelerator components

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

Pande, Manjiri; Singh, P., E-mail: manjiri@barc.gov.in, E-mail: psingh@barc.gov.in

2014-07-01

Radio frequency (RF) structures that are part of accelerators and energy sources, operate with sinusoidally varying electromagnetic fields under high RF energy. Here, RF breakdown and multipacting take place in RF structures and limit their performance. Electron field emission processes in a RF structure are precursors for breakdown processes. RF breakdown is a major phenomena affecting and causing the irreversible damage to RF structures. Breakdown rate and the damage induced by the breakdowns are its important properties. The damage is related to power absorbed during breakdown, while the breakdown rate is determined by the amplitudes of surface electric and magneticmore » fields, geometry, metal surface preparation and conditioning history. It limits working power and produces irreversible surface damage. The breakdown limit depends on the RF circuit, structure geometry, RF frequency, input RF power, pulse width, materials used, surface processing technique and surface electric and magnetic fields. Multipactor (MP) is a low power, electron multiplication based resonance breakdown phenomenon in vacuum and is often observed in RF structures. A multipactor discharge is undesirable, as it can create a reactive component that detunes the resonant cavities and components, generates noise in communication system and induces gas desorption from the conductor surfaces. In RF structures, certain conditions are required to generate multipacting. (author)« less

The antibiotic activity and mechanisms of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) bagasse extract against food-borne pathogens.

PubMed

Zhao, Yi; Chen, Mingshun; Zhao, Zhengang; Yu, Shujuan

2015-10-15

Sugarcane bagasse contains natural compositions that can significantly inhibit food-borne pathogens growth. In the present study, the phenolic content in sugarcane bagasse was detected as higher than 4 mg/g dry bagasse, with 470 mg quercetin/g polyphenol. The sugarcane bagasse extract showed bacteriostatic activity against the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli and Salomonella typhimurium. Additionally, the sugarcane bagasse extract can increase the electric conductivity of bacterial cell suspensions causing cellular leaking of electrolytes. Results of sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis suggested the antibacterial mechanism was probably due to the damaged cellular proteins by sugarcane bagasse extract. The results of scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed that the sugarcane bagasse extract might change cell morphology and internal structure. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Detailed characterisation of focused ion beam induced lateral damage on silicon carbide samples by electrical scanning probe microscopy and transmission electron microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stumpf, F.; Abu Quba, A. A.; Singer, P.; Rumler, M.; Cherkashin, N.; Schamm-Chardon, S.; Cours, R.; Rommel, M.

2018-03-01

The lateral damage induced by focused ion beam on silicon carbide was characterized using electrical scanning probe microscopy (SPM), namely, scanning spreading resistance microscopy and conductive atomic force microscopy (c-AFM). It is shown that the damage exceeds the purposely irradiated circles with a radius of 0.5 μm by several micrometres, up to 8 μm for the maximum applied ion dose of 1018 cm-2. Obtained SPM results are critically compared with earlier findings on silicon. For doses above the amorphization threshold, in both cases, three different areas can be distinguished. The purposely irradiated area exhibits resistances smaller than the non-affected substrate. A second region with strongly increasing resistance and a maximum saturation value surrounds it. The third region shows the transition from maximum resistance to the base resistance of the unaffected substrate. It correlates to the transition from amorphized to defect-rich to pristine crystalline substrate. Additionally, conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and annular dark-field STEM were used to complement and explain the SPM results and get a further understanding of the defect spreading underneath the surface. Those measurements also show three different regions that correlate well with the regions observed from electrical SPM. TEM results further allow to explain observed differences in the electrical results for silicon and silicon carbide which are most prominent for ion doses above 3 × 1016 cm-2. Furthermore, the conventional approach to perform current-voltage measurements by c-AFM was critically reviewed and several improvements for measurement and analysis process were suggested that result in more reliable and impactful c-AFM data.

Testing a generalized domain model of photodegradation and self-healing using novel optical characterization techniques and the effects of an applied electric field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, Benjamin R.

Reversible photodegradation is a relatively new phenomenon which is not well understood. Previous research into the phenomenon has focused primarily on non-linear measurements such as amplified spontaneous emission(ASE) and two-photon fluorescence(TPF). We expand on this research by considering linear optical mea- surements, such as transmittance imaging and absorption spectroscopy, of disperse orange 11(DO11) dye-doped (poly)methyl-methacralate(PMMA) thin films and find photodegradation to contain both a reversible component and irreversible component, with the irreversible component having a small nonlinear susceptibility. From absorption measurements, and the small nonlinear susceptibility of the irreversible component, we hypothesize that the reversible component corresponds to damage to the dye, and the irreversible component is due to damage to the polymer host. Also, we develop models of depth dependent photodegradation taking pump beam absorption and propagation into account. We find that pump absorption must be taken into account, and that ignoring the effect leads to an underestimation of the true decay rate and degree of damage. In addition, we find pump propagation effects occur on large length scales, such that they are negligible when compared to absorption and typical sample thicknesses. Finally, we perform electric field dependent reversible photodegradation measurements and find that the underlying mechanism of reversible photodegradation is sensitive to the dye-doped polymer's electrical properties. We develop an extension to the correlated chromophore domain model to include the effect of an applied field, and find the model to fit experimental data for varying intensity, temperature, and applied electric field with only one set of model parameters.

Early Damage Detection in Composites during Fabrication and Mechanical Testing.

PubMed

Chandarana, Neha; Sanchez, Daniel Martinez; Soutis, Constantinos; Gresil, Matthieu

2017-06-22

Fully integrated monitoring systems have shown promise in improving confidence in composite materials while reducing lifecycle costs. A distributed optical fibre sensor is embedded in a fibre reinforced composite laminate, to give three sensing regions at different levels through-the-thickness of the plate. This study follows the resin infusion process during fabrication of the composite, monitoring the development of strain in-situ and in real time, and to gain better understanding of the resin rheology during curing. Piezoelectric wafer active sensors and electrical strain gauges are bonded to the plate after fabrication. This is followed by progressive loading/unloading cycles of mechanical four point bending. The strain values obtained from the optical fibre are in good agreement with strain data collected by surface mounted strain gauges, while the sensing regions clearly indicate the development of compressive, neutral, and tensile strain. Acoustic emission event detection suggests the formation of matrix (resin) cracks, with measured damage event amplitudes in agreement with values reported in published literature on the subject. The Felicity ratio for each subsequent loading cycle is calculated to track the progression of damage in the material. The methodology developed here can be used to follow the full life cycle of a composite structure, from manufacture to end-of-life.

Early Damage Detection in Composites during Fabrication and Mechanical Testing

PubMed Central

Chandarana, Neha; Sanchez, Daniel Martinez; Soutis, Constantinos; Gresil, Matthieu

2017-01-01

Fully integrated monitoring systems have shown promise in improving confidence in composite materials while reducing lifecycle costs. A distributed optical fibre sensor is embedded in a fibre reinforced composite laminate, to give three sensing regions at different levels through-the-thickness of the plate. This study follows the resin infusion process during fabrication of the composite, monitoring the development of strain in-situ and in real time, and to gain better understanding of the resin rheology during curing. Piezoelectric wafer active sensors and electrical strain gauges are bonded to the plate after fabrication. This is followed by progressive loading/unloading cycles of mechanical four point bending. The strain values obtained from the optical fibre are in good agreement with strain data collected by surface mounted strain gauges, while the sensing regions clearly indicate the development of compressive, neutral, and tensile strain. Acoustic emission event detection suggests the formation of matrix (resin) cracks, with measured damage event amplitudes in agreement with values reported in published literature on the subject. The Felicity ratio for each subsequent loading cycle is calculated to track the progression of damage in the material. The methodology developed here can be used to follow the full life cycle of a composite structure, from manufacture to end-of-life. PMID:28773048

Lightning Strike Induced Damage Mechanisms of Carbon Fiber Composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawakami, Hirohide

Composite materials have a wide application in aerospace, automotive, and other transportation industries, because of the superior structural and weight performances. Since carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites possess a much lower electrical conductivity as compared to traditional metallic materials utilized for aircraft structures, serious concern about damage resistance/tolerance against lightning has been rising. Main task of this study is to clarify the lightning damage mechanism of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy polymer composites to help further development of lightning strike protection. The research on lightning damage to carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites is quite challenging, and there has been little study available until now. In order to tackle this issue, building block approach was employed. The research was started with the development of supporting technologies such as a current impulse generator to simulate a lightning strike in a laboratory. Then, fundamental electrical properties and fracture behavior of CFRPs exposed to high and low level current impulse were investigated using simple coupon specimens, followed by extensive parametric investigations in terms of different prepreg materials frequently used in aerospace industry, various stacking sequences, different lightning intensity, and lightning current waveforms. It revealed that the thermal resistance capability of polymer matrix was one of the most influential parameters on lightning damage resistance of CFRPs. Based on the experimental findings, the semi-empirical analysis model for predicting the extent of lightning damage was established. The model was fitted through experimental data to determine empirical parameters and, then, showed a good capability to provide reliable predictions for other test conditions and materials. Finally, structural element level lightning tests were performed to explore more practical situations. Specifically, filled-hole CFRP plates and patch-repaired CFRP plates were selected as structural elements likely to be susceptible to lightning event. This study forms a solid foundation for the understanding of lightning damage mechanism of CFRPs, and become an important first step toward building a practical damage prediction tool of lighting event.

Electrical fatigue behaviour in lead zirconate titanate: an experimental and theoretical study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhattacharyya, Mainak; Arockiarajan, A.

2013-08-01

A systematic investigation on electrical fatigue in lead zirconate titanate (PZT) is carried out for different loading frequencies. Experiments are conducted up to 106 cycles to measure the electrical displacement and longitudinal strain on bulk ceramics in the bipolar mode with large electrical loading conditions. A simplified macroscopic model based on physical mechanisms of domain switching is developed to predict the non-linear behaviour. In this model, the volume fraction of a domain is used as the internal variable by considering the mechanisms of domain nucleation and propagation (domain wall movement). The measured material properties at different fatigue cycles are incorporated into the switching model as damage parameters and the classical strain versus electric field and electric displacement versus electric field curves are simulated. Comparison between the experiments and simulations shows that the proposed model can reproduce the characteristics of non-linear as well as fatigue responses.

KERENA safety concept in the context of the Fukushima accident

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

Zacharias, T.; Novotny, C.; Bielor, E.

Within the last three years AREVA NP and E.On KK finalized the basic design of KERENA which is a medium sized innovative boiling water reactor, based on the operational experience of German BWR nuclear power plants (NPPs). It is a generation III reactor design with a net electrical output of about 1250 MW. It combines active safety equipment of service-proven designs with new passive safety components, both safety classified. The passive systems utilize basic laws of physics, such as gravity and natural convection, enabling them to function without electric power. Even actuation of these systems is performed thanks to basicmore » physic laws. The degree of diversity in component and system design, achieved by combining active and passive equipment, results in a very low core damage frequency. The Fukushima accident enhanced the world wide discussion about the safety of operating nuclear power plants. World wide stress tests for operating nuclear power plants are being performed embracing both natural and man made hazards. Beside the assessment of existing power plants, also new designs are analyzed regarding the system response to beyond design base accidents. KERENA's optimal combination of diversified cooling systems (active and passive) allows passing efficiently such tests, with a high level of confidence. This paper describes the passive safety components and the KERENA reactor behavior after a Fukushima like accident. (authors)« less

Combined treatment with electrical stimulation and insulin-like growth factor-1 promotes bone regeneration in vitro.

PubMed

Qi, Zhiping; Xia, Peng; Pan, Su; Zheng, Shuang; Fu, Chuan; Chang, Yuxin; Ma, Yue; Wang, Jincheng; Yang, Xiaoyu

2018-01-01

Electrical stimulation (ES) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are widely used in bone regeneration because of their osteogenic activity. However, the combined effects of ES and supplemental IGF-1 on the whole bone formation process remain unclear. In this study, fluorescence staining and an MTT assay were first utilized to observe the influence of ES and IGF-1 on MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and adhesion in vitro. Subsequently, osteogenic differentiation was evaluated by the alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and the expression of osteogenic marker genes. In addition, cell mineralization was determined by alizarin red staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We demonstrated that the MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation was significantly higher for treatments combining IGF-1 and ES than for treatments with IGF-1 alone. The combination of IGF-1 and ES increased the MC3T3-E1 cell ALP activity, the expression of osteogenesis-related genes and the calcium deposition with a clear dose-dependent effect. Our data show the synergistic effect of IGF-1 and ES in promoting the proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells, which suggests that it would be more effective to combine the proper dose of IGF-1 with ES to promote local bone damage repair and regeneration.

Study on Earthquake Response of High Voltage Electrical Equipment Coupling System with Flexible Busbar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Chuncheng; Qu, Da; Wang, Chongyang; Lv, Chunlei; Li, Guoqiang

2017-12-01

With the rapid development of technology and society, all walks of life in China are becoming more and more dependent on power systems. When earthquake occurs, the electrical equipment of substation is prone to damage because of its own structural features, top-heavy, and brittleness of main body. At the same time, due to the complex coupling of the soft electrical connection of substation electrical equipment, the negative impact can not be estimated. In this paper, the finite element model of the coupling system of the single unit of high voltage electrical equipment with the connecting soft bus is established and the seismic response is analysed. The results showed that there is a significant difference between the simple analysis for the seismic response of electrical equipment monomer and the analytical results of electrical equipment systems, and the impact on different electrical equipment is different. It lays a foundation for the future development of seismic performance analysis of extra high voltage electrical equipment.

Biological effects of electric shock and heat denaturation and oxidation of molecules, membranes, and cellular functions.

PubMed

Tsong, T Y; Su, Z D

1999-10-30

Direct exposure of cells in suspension to intense electric pulses is known to produce damages to cell membranes and supramolecular organizations of cells, and denaturation of macromolecules, much like injuries and tears seen in electric trauma patients. Thus, the system has been used as a laboratory model for investigating the biochemical basis of electric injury. An intense electric pulse can produce two major effects on cells--one caused by the field, or the electric potential, and the other by current, or the electric energy. The field-induced transmembrane potential can produce electro-conformational changes of ion channels and ion pumps and, when the potential exceeds the dielectric strength of the cell membrane (approximately 500 mV for a pulse width of a few ms), electro-conformational damages and electroporations of membrane proteins and lipid bilayers. These events lead to passage of electric current through the membrane-porated cells and to heating of cell membranes and cytoplasmic contents. The subsequent denaturation of cell membranes and cytoplasmic macromolecules brings about many complex biochemical reactions, including oxidation of proteins and lipids. The combined effects may cripple the cells beyond repair. This communication will focus on the thermal effects of electric shock. After a brief review of the current state of knowledge on thermal denaturation of soluble enzymes and muscle proteins, this paper will describe experiments on the thermal denaturation of cellular components and functions, such as nucleosomes, and the electron transport chain and ATP synthetic enzymes of the mitochondrial inner membranes. Data will show that lipid peroxidation and the subsequent loss of the energy-transducing ability of the cells may occur even at moderate temperatures between 40 degrees C and 45 degrees C. However, lipid peroxidation may be prevented with reducing reagents such as mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol, and ascorbic acid. Reactivation of denatured cellular proteins and functions may also be possible and a strategy for doing so is discussed.

Burns

MedlinePlus

A burn is damage to your body's tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight, or radiation. Scalds from hot ... and gases are the most common causes of burns. Another kind is an inhalation injury, caused by ...

Ion Plume Damage in Formation Flight Regimes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, Jarred Alexander

This effort examines the potential for damage from plume impingement from an electric propulsion system within spacecraft missions that utilize a formation flight architecture. Specifically, the potential erosion of a structural material (Aluminum) and anti-reflective coatings for solar cell coverglass are explored. Sputter yields for the materials of Aluminum, Magnesium Fluoride, and Indium Tin Oxide are experimentally validated using an electrostatic ion source at energies varying from 500-1500 eV. Erosion depths are analyzed using white-light optical profilometry to measure potential depths up to 1 microm. This erosion data was then utilized to create (or augment) Bohdansky and Yamamura theoretical curve fits for multiple incidence angles to look at theoretical sputter effects within formation flight regimes at multiple formation distances from 50-1000 m. The damage from these electric propulsion plumes is explored throughout multiple orbital conditions from LEO, Sun-Synchronous, and GEO. Factors affecting erosion are: plume density, local geomagnetic field environment and incidence angles of target surfaces. Results from this simulated study show significant erosion with GEO with minor erosion in some LEO and all Sun-Synchronous cases.

The second phase of bipolar, nanosecond-range electric pulses determines the electroporation efficiency.

PubMed

Pakhomov, Andrei G; Grigoryev, Sergey; Semenov, Iurii; Casciola, Maura; Jiang, Chunqi; Xiao, Shu

2018-03-29

Bipolar cancellation refers to a phenomenon when applying a second electric pulse reduces ("cancels") cell membrane damage by a preceding electric pulse of the opposite polarity. Bipolar cancellation is a reason why bipolar nanosecond electric pulses (nsEP) cause weaker electroporation than just a single unipolar phase of the same pulse. This study was undertaken to explore the dependence of bipolar cancellation on nsEP parameters, with emphasis on the amplitude ratio of two opposite polarity phases of a bipolar pulse. Individual cells (CHO, U937, or adult mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes (VCM)) were exposed to either uni- or bipolar trapezoidal nsEP, or to nanosecond electric field oscillations (NEFO). The membrane injury was evaluated by time-lapse confocal imaging of the uptake of propidium (Pr) or YO-PRO-1 (YP) dyes and by phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization. Within studied limits, bipolar cancellation showed little or no dependence on the electric field intensity, pulse repetition rate, chosen endpoint, or cell type. However, cancellation could increase for larger pulse numbers and/or for longer pulses. The sole most critical parameter which determines bipolar cancellation was the phase ratio: maximum cancellation was observed with the 2nd phase of about 50% of the first one, whereas a larger 2nd phase could add a damaging effect of its own. "Swapping" the two phases, i.e., delivering the smaller phase before the larger one, reduced or eliminated cancellation. These findings are discussed in the context of hypothetical mechanisms of bipolar cancellation and electroporation by nsEP. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spin-transfer-torque efficiency enhanced by edge-damage of perpendicular magnetic random access memories

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

Song, Kyungmi; Lee, Kyung-Jin, E-mail: kj-lee@korea.ac.kr; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 136-713

2015-08-07

We numerically investigate the effect of magnetic and electrical damages at the edge of a perpendicular magnetic random access memory (MRAM) cell on the spin-transfer-torque (STT) efficiency that is defined by the ratio of thermal stability factor to switching current. We find that the switching mode of an edge-damaged cell is different from that of an undamaged cell, which results in a sizable reduction in the switching current. Together with a marginal reduction of the thermal stability factor of an edge-damaged cell, this feature makes the STT efficiency large. Our results suggest that a precise edge control is viable formore » the optimization of STT-MRAM.« less

Behavior of radio frequency electric fields injured Escherichia coli in nutrient and non nutrient media during storage

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Information on conditions required for resuscitation of Radio Frequency Electric Fields (RFEF) damaged E. coli cells is limited. Apple juice inoculated with Escherichia coli K-12 at 7.8 log CFU/ml was treated with RFEF at 20 kHz, 15 kV/cm for 170 micro second at 55C with a flow rate of 540 ml/min. A...

Generalizing the correlated chromophore domain model of reversible photodegradation to include the effects of an applied electric field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, Benjamin; Kuzyk, Mark G.

2014-03-01

All observations of photodegradation and self-healing follow the predictions of the correlated chromophore domain model [Ramini et al., Polym. Chem. 4, 4948 (2013), 10.1039/c3py00263b]. In the present work, we generalize the domain model to describe the effects of an electric field by including induced dipole interactions between molecules in a domain by means of a self-consistent field approach. This electric field correction is added to the statistical mechanical model to calculate the distribution of domains that are central to healing. Also included in the model are the dynamics due to the formation of an irreversibly damaged species, which we propose involves damage to the polymer mediated through energy transfer from a dopant molecule after absorbing a photon. As in previous studies, the model with one-dimensional domains best explains all experimental data of the population as a function of time, temperature, intensity, concentration, and now applied electric field. Though the precise nature of a domain is yet to be determined, the fact that only one-dimensional domain models are consistent with observations suggests that they might be made of correlated dye molecules along polymer chains. Furthermore, the voltage-dependent measurements suggest that the largest polarizability axis of the molecules are oriented perpendicular to the chain.

Synthesis, physical and chemical properties, and potential applications of graphite fluoride fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hung, Ching-Cheh; Long, Martin; Stahl, Mark

1987-01-01

Graphite fluoride fibers can be produced by fluorinating pristine or intercalated graphite fibers. The higher the degree of graphitization of the fibers, the higher the temperature needed to reach the same degree of fluorination. Pitched based fibers were fluorinated to flourine-to-carbon atom rations between 0 and 1. The graphite fluoride fibers with a fluorine-to-carbon atom ration near 1 have extensive visible structural damage. On the other hand, fluorination of fibers pretreated with bromine or fluorine and bromine result in fibers with a fluorine-to-carbon atom ratio nearly equal to 0.5 with no visible structural damage. The electrical resistivity of the fibers is dependent upon the fluorine to carbon atom ratio and ranged from .01 to 10 to the 11th ohm/cm. The thermal conductivity of these fibers ranged from 5 to 73 W/m-k, which is much larger than the thermal conductivity of glass, which is the regular filler in epoxy composites. If graphite fluoride fibers are used as a filler in epoxy or PTFE, the resulting composite may be a high thermal conductivity material with an electrical resistivity in either the insulator or semiconductor range. The electrically insulating product may provide heat transfer with lower temperature gradients than many current electrical insulators. Potential applications are presented.

[Physiological responses of five plants in northwest China arid area under drought stress].

PubMed

Ding, Long; Zhao, Hui Min; Zeng, Wen Jing; Li, Qing; Wang, Yang; Wang, Si Qing

2017-05-18

Effects of drought stress on photosynthetic characteristics, water status, physiological and biochemical indexes were studied in five arid area plants in northwest China, including Potentilla fruticosa, Lycium ruthenicum, Caryopteris mongholica, Caragana korshinskii and Hedysarum scoparium, using pot experiments. The results showed that with the prolongation of drought stress, the water conservation capacity of leaves totally increased in above five plants, the leaf relative water content rose first and then fell, and the relative chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters decreased to some extent. Overall, the photosynthetic system of H. scoparium and L. ruthenicum least affected by the stress, and P. fruticosa suffered with the most serious damage. The electric conductivity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of P. fruticosa firstly decreased and then sharply increased, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities firstly increased and then dramatically decreased. With the decrease of soil water content, the electric conductivity rose firstly and then fell in the other four plants,the change of MDA content rose first and then fell, or fell first and then rose, and the activities of SOD and POD almost displayed upward trend. Especially, SOD activity of C. mongholica and POD activity of H. scoparium had the biggest increment among the five plants after 28 days of drought stress, increasing by 1.1 and 13.1 times respectively, compared with before processing. Additionally, there was significant variance in the accumulation of organic solutes among the five plants during the drought stress treatment. The accumulation of soluble sugar and free proline was the most in P. fruticosa, increasing by 1.1 and 22.4 times respectively, after 28 days of drought treatment. H. sco-parium accumulated the most soluble protein, increasing by 1.0 times after 28 days of drought treatment. The result of membership function method showed that the drought tolerance decreased in order of H. scoparium ＞ L. ruthenicum ＞ C. korshinskii ＞ C. mongholica ＞ P. fruticosa. The research revealed that all five plants could make positive response to drought stress through improving the activity of antioxidant enzymes and accumulating organic solutes, which could help to reduce cell damage. P. fruticos was most sensitive to water deficit in the five plants, and the degree of drought had exceeded its own regulated capacity threshold during the experiment.

Programmable Hydrogel Ionic Circuits for Biologically Matched Electronic Interfaces.

PubMed

Zhao, Siwei; Tseng, Peter; Grasman, Jonathan; Wang, Yu; Li, Wenyi; Napier, Bradley; Yavuz, Burcin; Chen, Ying; Howell, Laurel; Rincon, Javier; Omenetto, Fiorenzo G; Kaplan, David L

2018-06-01

The increased need for wearable and implantable medical devices has driven the demand for electronics that interface with living systems. Current bioelectronic systems have not fully resolved mismatches between engineered circuits and biological systems, including the resulting pain and damage to biological tissues. Here, salt/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) aqueous two-phase systems are utilized to generate programmable hydrogel ionic circuits. High-conductivity salt-solution patterns are stably encapsulated within PEG hydrogel matrices using salt/PEG phase separation, which route ionic current with high resolution and enable localized delivery of electrical stimulation. This strategy allows designer electronics that match biological systems, including transparency, stretchability, complete aqueous-based connective interface, distribution of ionic electrical signals between engineered and biological systems, and avoidance of tissue damage from electrical stimulation. The potential of such systems is demonstrated by generating light-emitting diode (LED)-based displays, skin-mounted electronics, and stimulators that deliver localized current to in vitro neuron cultures and muscles in vivo with reduced adverse effects. Such electronic platforms may form the basis of future biointegrated electronic systems. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Water-Enabled Healing of Conducting Polymer Films.

PubMed

Zhang, Shiming; Cicoira, Fabio

2017-10-01

The conducting polymer polyethylenedioxythiophene doped with polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) has become one of the most successful organic conductive materials due to its high air stability, high electrical conductivity, and biocompatibility. In recent years, a great deal of attention has been paid to its fundamental physicochemical properties, but its healability has not been explored in depth. This communication reports the first observation of mechanical and electrical healability of PEDOT:PSS thin films. Upon reaching a certain thickness (about 1 µm), PEDOT:PSS thin films damaged with a sharp blade can be electrically healed by simply wetting the damaged area with water. The process is rapid, with a response time on the order of 150 ms. Significantly, after being wetted the films are transformed into autonomic self-healing materials without the need of external stimulation. This work reveals a new property of PEDOT:PSS and enables its immediate use in flexible and biocompatible electronics, such as electronic skin and bioimplanted electronics, placing conducting polymers on the front line for healing applications in electronics. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A Comprehensive Structural Study of Offshore Wind Turbine Foundation and Non-Model Based Damage Detection using Effective Mass with Application to Small Components/ Cables and a Truss Wind Turbine Tower

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

Smith, Scott A.

This research has two areas of focus. The first area is to investigate offshore wind turbine (OWT) designs, for use in the Maryland offshore wind area (MOWA), using intensive modeling techniques. The second focus area is to investigate a way to detect damage in wind turbine towers and small electrical components.

HIPK2 restricts SIRT1 activity upon severe DNA damage by a phosphorylation-controlled mechanism

PubMed Central

Conrad, E; Polonio-Vallon, T; Meister, M; Matt, S; Bitomsky, N; Herbel, C; Liebl, M; Greiner, V; Kriznik, B; Schumacher, S; Krieghoff-Henning, E; Hofmann, T G

2016-01-01

Upon severe DNA damage a cellular signalling network initiates a cell death response through activating tumour suppressor p53 in association with promyelocytic leukaemia (PML) nuclear bodies. The deacetylase Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) suppresses cell death after DNA damage by antagonizing p53 acetylation. To facilitate efficient p53 acetylation, SIRT1 function needs to be restricted. How SIRT1 activity is regulated under these conditions remains largely unclear. Here we provide evidence that SIRT1 activity is limited upon severe DNA damage through phosphorylation by the DNA damage-responsive kinase HIPK2. We found that DNA damage provokes interaction of SIRT1 and HIPK2, which phosphorylates SIRT1 at Serine 682 upon lethal damage. Furthermore, upon DNA damage SIRT1 and HIPK2 colocalize at PML nuclear bodies, and PML depletion abrogates DNA damage-induced SIRT1 Ser682 phosphorylation. We show that Ser682 phosphorylation inhibits SIRT1 activity and impacts on p53 acetylation, apoptotic p53 target gene expression and cell death. Mechanistically, we found that DNA damage-induced SIRT1 Ser682 phosphorylation provokes disruption of the complex between SIRT1 and its activator AROS. Our findings indicate that phosphorylation-dependent restriction of SIRT1 activity by HIPK2 shapes the p53 response. PMID:26113041

Critical Infrastructure Protection: EMP Impacts on the U.S. Electric Grid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boston, Edwin J., Jr.

The purpose of this research is to identify the United States electric grid infrastructure systems vulnerabilities to electromagnetic pulse attacks and the cyber-based impacts of those vulnerabilities to the electric grid. Additionally, the research identifies multiple defensive strategies designed to harden the electric grid against electromagnetic pulse attack that include prevention, mitigation and recovery postures. Research results confirm the importance of the electric grid to the United States critical infrastructures system and that an electromagnetic pulse attack against the electric grid could result in electric grid degradation, critical infrastructure(s) damage and the potential for societal collapse. The conclusions of this research indicate that while an electromagnetic pulse attack against the United States electric grid could have catastrophic impacts on American society, there are currently many defensive strategies under consideration designed to prevent, mitigate and or recover from an electromagnetic pulse attack. However, additional research is essential to further identify future target hardening opportunities, efficient implementation strategies and funding resources.

Silicone Molding and Lifetime Testing of Peripheral Nerve Interfaces for Neuroprostheses

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

Gupte, Kimaya; Tolosa, Vanessa

Implantable peripheral nerve cuffs have a large application in neuroprostheses as they can be used to restore sensation to those with upper limb amputations. Modern day prosthetics, while lessening the pain associated with phantom limb syndrome, have limited fine motor control and do not provide sensory feedback to patients. Sensory feedback with prosthetics requires communication between the nervous system and limbs, and is still a challenge to accomplish with amputees. Establishing this communication between the peripheral nerves in the arm and artificial limbs is vital as prosthetics research aims to provide sensory feedback to amputees. Peripheral nerve cuffs restore sensationmore » by electrically stimulating certain parts of the nerve in order to create feeling in the hand. Cuff electrodes have an advantage over standard electrodes as they have high selective stimulation by bringing the electrical interface close to the neural tissue in order to selectively activate targeted regions of a peripheral nerve. In order to further improve the selective stimulation of these nerve cuffs, there is need for finer spatial resolution among electrodes. One method to achieve a higher spatial resolution is to increase the electrode density on the cuff itself. Microfabrication techniques can be used to achieve this higher electrode density. Using L-Edit, a layout editor, microfabricated peripheral nerve cuffs were designed with a higher electrode density than the current model. This increase in electrode density translates to an increase in spatial resolution by at least one order of magnitude. Microfabricated devices also have two separate components that are necessary to understand before implantation: lifetime of the device and assembly to prevent nerve damage. Silicone molding procedures were optimized so that devices do not damage nerves in vivo, and lifetime testing was performed on test microfabricated devices to determine their lifetime in vivo. Future work of this project would include fabricating some of the designed devices and seeing how they compare to the current cuffs in terms of their electrical performance, lifetime, shape, and mechanical properties.« less

Neurite, a Finite Difference Large Scale Parallel Program for the Simulation of Electrical Signal Propagation in Neurites under Mechanical Loading

PubMed Central

García-Grajales, Julián A.; Rucabado, Gabriel; García-Dopico, Antonio; Peña, José-María; Jérusalem, Antoine

2015-01-01

With the growing body of research on traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, computational neuroscience has recently focused its modeling efforts on neuronal functional deficits following mechanical loading. However, in most of these efforts, cell damage is generally only characterized by purely mechanistic criteria, functions of quantities such as stress, strain or their corresponding rates. The modeling of functional deficits in neurites as a consequence of macroscopic mechanical insults has been rarely explored. In particular, a quantitative mechanically based model of electrophysiological impairment in neuronal cells, Neurite, has only very recently been proposed. In this paper, we present the implementation details of this model: a finite difference parallel program for simulating electrical signal propagation along neurites under mechanical loading. Following the application of a macroscopic strain at a given strain rate produced by a mechanical insult, Neurite is able to simulate the resulting neuronal electrical signal propagation, and thus the corresponding functional deficits. The simulation of the coupled mechanical and electrophysiological behaviors requires computational expensive calculations that increase in complexity as the network of the simulated cells grows. The solvers implemented in Neurite—explicit and implicit—were therefore parallelized using graphics processing units in order to reduce the burden of the simulation costs of large scale scenarios. Cable Theory and Hodgkin-Huxley models were implemented to account for the electrophysiological passive and active regions of a neurite, respectively, whereas a coupled mechanical model accounting for the neurite mechanical behavior within its surrounding medium was adopted as a link between electrophysiology and mechanics. This paper provides the details of the parallel implementation of Neurite, along with three different application examples: a long myelinated axon, a segmented dendritic tree, and a damaged axon. The capabilities of the program to deal with large scale scenarios, segmented neuronal structures, and functional deficits under mechanical loading are specifically highlighted. PMID:25680098

Analysis of a Memory Device Failure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nicolas, David P.; Devaney, John; Gores, Mark; Dicken, Howard

1998-01-01

The recent failure of a vintage memory device presented a unique challenge to failure analysts. Normally device layouts, fabrication parameters and other technical information were available to assist the analyst in the analysis. However, this device was out of production for many years and the manufacturer was no longer in business, so the information was not available. To further complicate this analysis, the package leads were all but removed making additional electrical testing difficult. Under these conditions, new and innovative methods were used to analyze the failure. The external visual exam, radiography, PIND, and leak testing were performed with nominal results. Since electrical testing was precluded by the short lead lengths, the device was delidded to expose the internal structures for microscopic examination. No failure mechanism was identified. The available electrical data suggested an ESD or low level EOS type mechanism which left no visible surface damage. Due to parallel electrical paths, electrical probing on the chip failed to locate the failure site. Two non-destructive Scanning Electron Microscopy techniques, CIVA (Charge Induced Voltage Alteration) and EBIC (Electron Beam Induced Current), and a liquid crystal decoration technique which detects localized heating were employed to aid in the analysis. CIVA and EBIC isolated two faults in the input circuitry, and the liquid crystal technique further localized two hot spots in regions on two input gates. Removal of the glassivation and metallization revealed multiple failure sites located in the gate oxide of two input transistors suggesting machine (testing) induced damage.

Electrical bioimpedance enabling prompt intervention in traumatic brain injury

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seoane, Fernando; Atefi, S. Reza

2017-05-01

Electrical Bioimpedance (EBI) is a well spread technology used in clinical practice across the world. Advancements in Textile material technology with conductive textile fabrics and textile-electronics integration have allowed exploring potential applications for Wearable Measurement Sensors and Systems exploiting. The sensing principle of electrical bioimpedance is based on the intrinsic passive dielectric properties of biological tissue. Using a pair of electrodes, tissue is electrically stimulated and the electrical response can be sensed with another pair of surface electrodes. EBI spectroscopy application for cerebral monitoring of neurological conditions such as stroke and perinatal asphyxia in newborns have been justified using animal studies and computational simulations. Such studies have shown proof of principle that neurological pathologies indeed modify the dielectric composition of the brain that is detectable via EBI. Similar to stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) also affects the dielectric properties of brain tissue that can be detected via EBI measurements. Considering the portable and noninvasive characteristics of EBI it is potentially useful for prehospital triage of TBI patients where. In the battlefield blast induced Traumatic Brain Injuries are very common. Brain damage must be assessed promptly to have a chance to prevent severe damage or eventually death. The relatively low-complexity of the sensing hardware required for EBI sensing and the already proven compatibility with textile electrodes suggest the EBI technology is indeed a candidate for developing a handheld device equipped with a sensorized textile cap to produce an examination in minutes for enabling medically-guided prompt intervention.

78 FR 66852 - Housing Assistance Due to Structural Damage

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-07

... have the maximum IHP award for housing assistance, there would be no additional money available to... a mobile home, and reconnecting or resetting mobile home sewer, water, electrical and fuel lines and...

Heat-transfer thermal switch

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Friedell, M. V.; Anderson, A. J.

1974-01-01

Thermal switch maintains temperature of planetary lander, within definite range, by transferring heat. Switch produces relatively large stroke and force, uses minimum electrical power, is lightweight, is vapor pressure actuated, and withstands sterilization temperatures without damage.

40 CFR 264.192 - Design and installation of new tank systems or components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... (e.g., impressed current or sacrificial anodes); and (C) Electrical isolation devices such as... physical damage and excessive stress due to settlement, vibration, expansion, or contraction. [Note: The...

40 CFR 264.192 - Design and installation of new tank systems or components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... (e.g., impressed current or sacrificial anodes); and (C) Electrical isolation devices such as... physical damage and excessive stress due to settlement, vibration, expansion, or contraction. [Note: The...

40 CFR 264.192 - Design and installation of new tank systems or components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... (e.g., impressed current or sacrificial anodes); and (C) Electrical isolation devices such as... physical damage and excessive stress due to settlement, vibration, expansion, or contraction. [Note: The...

40 CFR 264.192 - Design and installation of new tank systems or components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... (e.g., impressed current or sacrificial anodes); and (C) Electrical isolation devices such as... physical damage and excessive stress due to settlement, vibration, expansion, or contraction. [Note: The...

44 CFR 206.117 - Housing assistance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... owned bridge, wells and/or septic systems) damaged by a major disaster. (ii) The type of repair FEMA... home, and reconnecting or resetting mobile home sewer, water, electrical and fuel lines and tanks; and...

Ideology of a multiparametric system for estimating the insulation system of electric machines on the basis of absorption testing methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kislyakov, M. A.; Chernov, V. A.; Maksimkin, V. L.; Bozhin, Yu. M.

2017-12-01

The article deals with modern methods of monitoring the state and predicting the life of electric machines. In 50% of the cases of failure in the performance of electric machines is associated with insulation damage. As promising, nondestructive methods of control, methods based on the investigation of the processes of polarization occurring in insulating materials are proposed. To improve the accuracy of determining the state of insulation, a multiparametric approach is considered, which is a basis for the development of an expert system for estimating the state of health.

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

Marrakchi, G.; Barbier, D.; Guillot, G.

Electrical and deep level transient spectroscopy measurements on Schottky barriers were performed in order to characterize electrically active defects in n-type GaAs (Bridgman substrates or liquid-phase epitaxial layers) after pulsed electron beam annealing. Both surface damage and bulk defects were observed in the Bridgman substrates depending on the pulse energy density. No electron traps were detected in the liquid-phase epitaxial layers before and after annealing for an energy density of 0.4 J/cm/sup 2/. The existence of an interfacial insulating layer at the metal-semiconductor interface, associated with As out-diffusion during the pulsed electron irradiation, was revealed by the abnormally high valuesmore » of the Schottky barrier diffusion potential. Moreover, two new electron traps with activation energy of 0.35 and 0.43 eV, called EP1 and EP2, were introduced in the Bridgman substrates after pulsed electron beam annealing. The presence of these traps, related to the As evaporation, was tentatively attributed to the decrease of the EL2 electron trap signal after 0.4-J/cm/sup 2/ annealing. It is proposed that these new defects states are due to the decomposition of the As/sub Ga/-As/sub i/ complex recently considered as the most probable defect configuration for the dominant EL2 electron trap usually detected in as-grown GaAs substrates.« less

Wind speed time series reconstruction using a hybrid neural genetic approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodriguez, H.; Flores, J. J.; Puig, V.; Morales, L.; Guerra, A.; Calderon, F.

2017-11-01

Currently, electric energy is used in practically all modern human activities. Most of the energy produced came from fossil fuels, making irreversible damage to the environment. Lately, there has been an effort by nations to produce energy using clean methods, such as solar and wind energy, among others. Wind energy is one of the cleanest alternatives. However, the wind speed is not constant, making the planning and operation at electric power systems a difficult activity. Knowing in advance the amount of raw material (wind speed) used for energy production allows us to estimate the energy to be generated by the power plant, helping the maintenance planning, the operational management, optimal operational cost. For these reasons, the forecast of wind speed becomes a necessary task. The forecast process involves the use of past observations from the variable to forecast (wind speed). To measure wind speed, weather stations use devices called anemometers, but due to poor maintenance, connection error, or natural wear, they may present false or missing data. In this work, a hybrid methodology is proposed, and it uses a compact genetic algorithm with an artificial neural network to reconstruct wind speed time series. The proposed methodology reconstructs the time series using a ANN defined by a Compact Genetic Algorithm.

Electrical and contractile activities of the human rectosigmoid.

PubMed Central

Sarna, S; Latimer, P; Campbell, D; Waterfall, W E

1982-01-01

Electrical and mechanical activities were recorded from the rectosigmoid of normal subjects using an intraluminal recording tube with two sets of bipolar electrodes and strain gauges. Four distinct types of electrical activities were recorded. (1) Electrical control activity (ECA). This activity varied in amplitude and frequency over time and the control waves were not phase-locked. The means of dominant frequency components in the lower and higher frequency ranges were 3.86 +/- 0.18 SD and 10.41 +/- 0.46 SD c/min, respectively. The overall dominant frequency component was mostly in the lower frequency range of 2.0-9.0 c/min. (2) Discrete electrical response activity (DERA). This activity appeared as short duration bursts (less than 10 s) of response potentials whose repetition rate was in the total colonic electrical control activity frequency range of 2.0-13.0 c/min. The mean duration of this activity was 2.24 +/- 1.30 SD s. (3) Continuous electrical response activity (CERA). This activity appeared as long duration bursts (greater than 10 s) of response potentials which were not related to electrical control activity. Its mean duration was 14.78 +/- 3.68 SD s. This activity generally did not propagate. (4) Contractile electrical complex (CEC). This activity appeared as oscillations in the frequency range of 25-40 c/min and was also not related to electrical control activity. This activity propagated, sometimes proximally and sometimes distally. Its mean duration was 18.87 +/- 9.22 SD s. The latter three types of electrical activities were all associated with different types of contractions. These contractions, however, did not always occlude the lumen. Colonic electrical control activity controls the appearance of discrete electrical response activity in time and space. The mechanism of generation of continuous electrical response activity and contractile electrical complex is not yet known. PMID:7095566

Damage Detection Response Characteristics of Open Circuit Resonant (SansEC) Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dudley, Kenneth L.; Szatkowski, George N.; Smith, Laura J.; Koppen, Sandra V.; Ely, Jay J.; Nguyen, Truong X.; Wang, Chuantong; Ticatch, Larry A.; Mielnik, John J.

2013-01-01

The capability to assess the current or future state of the health of an aircraft to improve safety, availability, and reliability while reducing maintenance costs has been a continuous goal for decades. Many companies, commercial entities, and academic institutions have become interested in Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) and a growing effort of research into "smart" vehicle sensing systems has emerged. Methods to detect damage to aircraft materials and structures have historically relied on visual inspection during pre-flight or post-flight operations by flight and ground crews. More quantitative non-destructive investigations with various instruments and sensors have traditionally been performed when the aircraft is out of operational service during major scheduled maintenance. Through the use of reliable sensors coupled with data monitoring, data mining, and data analysis techniques, the health state of a vehicle can be detected in-situ. NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) is developing a composite aircraft skin damage detection method and system based on open circuit SansEC (Sans Electric Connection) sensor technology. Composite materials are increasingly used in modern aircraft for reducing weight, improving fuel efficiency, and enhancing the overall design, performance, and manufacturability of airborne vehicles. Materials such as fiberglass reinforced composites (FRC) and carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) are being used to great advantage in airframes, wings, engine nacelles, turbine blades, fairings, fuselage structures, empennage structures, control surfaces and aircraft skins. SansEC sensor technology is a new technical framework for designing, powering, and interrogating sensors to detect various types of damage in composite materials. The source cause of the in-service damage (lightning strike, impact damage, material fatigue, etc.) to the aircraft composite is not relevant. The sensor will detect damage independent of the cause. Damage in composite material is generally associated with a localized change in material permittivity and/or conductivity. These changes are sensed using SansEC. The unique electrical signatures (amplitude, frequency, bandwidth, and phase) are used for damage detection and diagnosis. An operational system and method would incorporate a SansEC sensor array on select areas of the aircraft exterior surfaces to form a "Smart skin" sensing surface. In this paper a new method and system for aircraft in-situ damage detection and diagnosis is presented. Experimental test results on seeded fault damage coupons and computational modeling simulation results are presented. NASA LaRC has demonstrated with individual sensors that SansEC sensors can be effectively used for in-situ composite damage detection of delamination, voids, fractures, and rips. Keywords: Damage Detection, Composites, Integrated Vehicle Health Monitoring (IVHM), Aviation Safety, SansEC Sensors

High-resolution electrical resistivity and aeromagnetic imaging reveal the causative fault of the 2009 Mw 6.0 Karonga, Malawi earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolawole, F.; Atekwana, E. A.; Laó-Dávila, D. A.; Abdelsalam, M. G.; Chindandali, P. R.; Salima, J.; Kalindekafe, L.

2018-05-01

Seismic events of varying magnitudes have been associated with ruptures along unknown or incompletely mapped buried faults. The 2009 Mw 6.0 Karonga, Malawi earthquake caused a surface rupture length of 14-18 km along a single W-dipping fault [St. Mary Fault (SMF)] on the hanging wall of the North Basin of the Malawi Rift. Prior to this earthquake, there was no known surface expression or knowledge of the presence of this fault. Although the earthquake damage zone is characterized by surface ruptures and coseismic liquefaction-induced sand blows, the origin of the causative fault and the near-surface structure of the rupture zone are not known. We used high-resolution aeromagnetic and electrical resistivity data to elucidate the relationship between surface rupture locations and buried basement structures. We also acquired electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) profiles along and across the surface rupture zone to image the near-surface structure of the damaged zone. We applied mathematical derivative filters to the aeromagnetic data to enhance basement structures underlying the rupture zone and surrounding areas. Although several magnetic lineaments are visible in the basement, mapped surface ruptures align with a single 37 km long, 148°-162°—striking magnetic lineament, and is interpreted as the ruptured normal fault. Inverted ERT profiles reveal three regional geoelectric layers which consist of 15 m thick layer of discontinuous zones of high and low resistivity values, underlain by a 27 m thick zone of high electrical resistivity (up to 100 Ω m) and a basal layer of lower resistivity (1.0-6.0 Ω m) extending from 42 m depth downwards (the maximum achieved depth of investigation). The geoelectric layers are truncated by a zone of electrical disturbance (electrical mélange) coinciding with areas of coseismic surface rupturing and sediment liquefaction along the ruptured. Our study shows that the 2009 Karonga earthquake was associated with the partial rupture of the buried SMF, and illuminates other potential seismogenic buried faults within the Karonga area of the North Basin. Although our electrical surveys were conducted 6 yr after the 2009 Karonga earthquake, we observe that near-surface lenses of electrically conductive sediments imaged by our ERT profiles, coincide with zones of coseismic surface rupture and liquefaction sand blows. We suggest that the presence of these preserved near-surface lenses of potentially water-saturated sand pose potential hazard in the event of a future earthquake in the area. In addition, our ERT profiles reveal structures that could represent relics of previous earthquake events along the SMF. In addition, our study demonstrates that the integration of ERT and aeromagnetic data can be very useful in illuminating seismogenic buried faults, thereby significantly improving seismic hazard analysis in tectonically active areas.

Flow diagram analysis of electrical fatalities in construction industry.

PubMed

Chi, Chia-Fen; Lin, Yuan-Yuan; Ikhwan, Mohamad

2012-01-01

The current study reanalyzed 250 electrical fatalities in the construction industry from 1996 to 2002 into seven patterns based on source of electricity (power line, energized equipment, improperly installed or damaged equipment), direct contact or indirect contact through some source of injury (boom vehicle, metal bar or pipe, and other conductive material). Each fatality was coded in terms of age, company size, experience, performing tasks, source of injury, accident cause and hazard pattern. The Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) was applied to the coded data of the fatal electrocution to find a subset of predictors that might derive meaningful classifications or accidents scenarios. A series of Flow Diagrams was constructed based on CHAID result to illustrate the flow of electricity travelling from electrical source to human body. Each of the flow diagrams can be directly linked with feasible prevention strategies by cutting the flow of electricity.

Quantitative evaluation for small surface damage based on iterative difference and triangulation of 3D point cloud

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yuyan; Guo, Quanli; Wang, Zhenchun; Yang, Degong

2018-03-01

This paper proposes a non-contact, non-destructive evaluation method for the surface damage of high-speed sliding electrical contact rails. The proposed method establishes a model of damage identification and calculation. A laser scanning system is built to obtain the 3D point cloud data of the rail surface. In order to extract the damage region of the rail surface, the 3D point cloud data are processed using iterative difference, nearest neighbours search and a data registration algorithm. The curvature of the point cloud data in the damage region is mapped to RGB color information, which can directly reflect the change trend of the curvature of the point cloud data in the damage region. The extracted damage region is divided into three prism elements by a method of triangulation. The volume and mass of a single element are calculated by the method of geometric segmentation. Finally, the total volume and mass of the damage region are obtained by the principle of superposition. The proposed method is applied to several typical injuries and the results are discussed. The experimental results show that the algorithm can identify damage shapes and calculate damage mass with milligram precision, which are useful for evaluating the damage in a further research stage.

Effects of substrate on the femtosecond laser-induced damage properties of gold films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Haopeng; Wang, Leilei; Kong, Fanyu; Xia, Zhilin; Jin, Yunxia; Xu, Jiao; Chen, Junming; Cui, Yun; Shao, Jianda

2018-07-01

In this work, gold films on two different types of substrates were fabricated by electron beam (e-beam) evaporation, and the femtosecond laser-induced damage properties were evaluated. The first sample was gold film deposited on fused silica, whereas the second was gold deposited on photoresist. 1-on-1 damage tests were implemented by an 800 ± 30 nm laser with pulse duration of 30 fs. Different damage thresholds and morphologies were obtained for the two samples. The damage threshold of the gold film on fused silica was 0.64 J/cm2, with the typical damage morphology of thermal ablation and melting; the damage threshold of the gold film on photoresist was 0.30 J/cm2, with the typical damage morphology of blisters or peeling off. In order to better understand the impact of the substrate on the properties of the whole sample, the normalized electric field intensity, temperature, and thermal stress distributions were calculated. The adhesion between the gold film and substrate were measured and the experimental results well agreed with the theoretical analysis. The results indicate that gold films deposited onto grating-structured fused silica will have more powerful laser damage resistance performance.

[Effect of exhaustive weightlifting exercise on EMG, biochemical markers of muscle damage and performance capacity in young male subjects].

PubMed

Minigalin, A D; Shumakov, A R; Novozhilov, A V; Samsonova, A V; Kos'mina, E A; Kalinskiĭ, M I; Baranova, T I; Kubasov, I V; Morozov, V I

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of exhaustive weightlifting exercise on electrical and biochemical variables and performance capacity in young male subjects. The onset of exercise (80-50% 1RM) was associated with a decrease in the amount of work performed, which was followed by a steady performance capacity at 40-10% 1RM. There were no significant changes of m. rectus femoris EMG maximal amplitude though it tended to be increased during the first half of exercise. A significant blood lactate concentration increase indicated that an anaerobic metabolism was a predominant mechanism of muscle contraction energy-supply. CK level in blood plasma did not change but plasma myoglobin concentration doubled immediately post-exercise. The data presented here suggest that decrease in performance capacity was likely due to progressive "refusal of work" of the fast motor units and work prolongation of weaker, intermediate and slow motor units. Unchangeable CK activity and relatively small increase in myoglobin concentration in plasma suggest that used weightlifting exercise did not induced substantial damage in myocytes' membranes in our subjects.

An overheight vehicle bridge collision monitoring system using piezoelectric transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, G.; Olmi, C.; Gu, H.

2007-04-01

With increasing traffic volume follows an increase in the number of overheight truck collisions with highway bridges. The detection of collision impact and evaluation of the impact level is a critical issue in the maintenance of a concrete bridge. In this paper, an overheight collision detection and evaluation system is developed for concrete bridge girders using piezoelectric transducers. An electric circuit is designed to detect the impact and to activate a digital camera to take photos of the offending truck. Impact tests and a health monitoring test were conducted on a model concrete bridge girder by using three piezoelectric transducers embedded before casting. From the experimental data of the impact test, it can be seen that there is a linear relation between the output of sensor energy and the impact energy. The health monitoring results show that the proposed damage index indicates the level of damage inside the model concrete bridge girder. The proposed overheight truck-bridge collision detection and evaluation system has the potential to be applied to the safety monitoring of highway bridges.

Biofield Physiology: A Framework for an Emerging Discipline

PubMed Central

Levin, Michael; McCraty, Rollin; Bat, Namuun; Ives, John A.; Lutgendorf, Susan K.; Oschman, James L.

2015-01-01

Biofield physiology is proposed as an overarching descriptor for the electromagnetic, biophotonic, and other types of spatially-distributed fields that living systems generate and respond to as integral aspects of cellular, tissue, and whole organism self-regulation and organization. Medical physiology, cell biology, and biophysics provide the framework within which evidence for biofields, their proposed receptors, and functions is presented. As such, biofields can be viewed as affecting physiological regulatory systems in a manner that complements the more familiar molecular-based mechanisms. Examples of clinically relevant biofields are the electrical and magnetic fields generated by arrays of heart cells and neurons that are detected, respectively, as electrocardiograms (ECGs) or magnetocardiograms (MCGs) and electroencephalograms (EEGs) or magnetoencephalograms (MEGs). At a basic physiology level, electromagnetic activity of neural assemblies appears to modulate neuronal synchronization and circadian rhythmicity. Numerous nonneural electrical fields have been detected and analyzed, including those arising from patterns of resting membrane potentials that guide development and regeneration, and from slowly-varying transepithelial direct current fields that initiate cellular responses to tissue damage. Another biofield phenomenon is the coherent, ultraweak photon emissions (UPE), detected from cell cultures and from the body surface. A physiological role for biophotons is consistent with observations that fluctuations in UPE correlate with cerebral blood flow, cerebral energy metabolism, and EEG activity. Biofield receptors are reviewed in 3 categories: molecular-level receptors, charge flux sites, and endogenously generated electric or electromagnetic fields. In summary, sufficient evidence has accrued to consider biofield physiology as a viable scientific discipline. Directions for future research are proposed. PMID:26665040

Biofield Physiology: A Framework for an Emerging Discipline.

PubMed

Hammerschlag, Richard; Levin, Michael; McCraty, Rollin; Bat, Namuun; Ives, John A; Lutgendorf, Susan K; Oschman, James L

2015-11-01

Biofield physiology is proposed as an overarching descriptor for the electromagnetic, biophotonic, and other types of spatially-distributed fields that living systems generate and respond to as integral aspects of cellular, tissue, and whole organism self-regulation and organization. Medical physiology, cell biology, and biophysics provide the framework within which evidence for biofields, their proposed receptors, and functions is presented. As such, biofields can be viewed as affecting physiological regulatory systems in a manner that complements the more familiar molecular-based mechanisms. Examples of clinically relevant biofields are the electrical and magnetic fields generated by arrays of heart cells and neurons that are detected, respectively, as electrocardiograms (ECGs) or magnetocardiograms (MCGs) and electroencephalograms (EEGs) or magnetoencephalograms (MEGs). At a basic physiology level, electromagnetic activity of neural assemblies appears to modulate neuronal synchronization and circadian rhythmicity. Numerous nonneural electrical fields have been detected and analyzed, including those arising from patterns of resting membrane potentials that guide development and regeneration, and from slowly-varying transepithelial direct current fields that initiate cellular responses to tissue damage. Another biofield phenomenon is the coherent, ultraweak photon emissions (UPE), detected from cell cultures and from the body surface. A physiological role for biophotons is consistent with observations that fluctuations in UPE correlate with cerebral blood flow, cerebral energy metabolism, and EEG activity. Biofield receptors are reviewed in 3 categories: molecular-level receptors, charge flux sites, and endogenously generated electric or electromagnetic fields. In summary, sufficient evidence has accrued to consider biofield physiology as a viable scientific discipline. Directions for future research are proposed.

The great East Japan earthquake disaster: distribution of hospital damage in Miyagi Prefecture.

PubMed

Ochi, Sae; Nakagawa, Atsuhiro; Lewis, James; Hodgson, Susan; Murray, Virginia

2014-06-01

In catastrophic events, a key to reducing health risks is to maintain functioning of local health facilities. However, little research has been conducted on what types and levels of care are the most likely to be affected by catastrophic events. Problem The Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster (GEJED) was one of a few "mega disasters" that have occurred in an industrialized society. This research aimed to develop an analytical framework for the holistic understanding of hospital damage due to the disaster. Hospital damage data in Miyagi Prefecture at the time of the GEJED were collected retrospectively. Due to the low response rate of questionnaire-based surveillance (7.7%), publications of the national and local governments, medical associations, other nonprofit organizations, and home web pages of hospitals were used, as well as literature and news sources. The data included information on building damage, electricity and water supply, and functional status after the earthquake. Geographical data for hospitals, coastline, local boundaries, and the in undated areas, as well as population size and seismic intensity were collected from public databases. Logistic regression was conducted to identify the risk factors for hospitals ceasing inpatient and outpatient services. The impact was displayed on maps to show the geographical distribution of damage. Data for 143 out of 147 hospitals in Miyagi Prefecture (97%) were obtained. Building damage was significantly associated with closure of both inpatient and outpatient wards. Hospitals offering tertiary care were more resistant to damage than those offering primary care, while those with a higher proportion of psychiatric care beds were more likely to cease functioning, even after controlling for hospital size, seismic intensity, and distance from the coastline. Implementation of building regulations is vital for all health care facilities, irrespective of function. Additionally, securing electricity and water supplies is vital for hospitals at risk for similar events in the future. Improved data sharing on hospital viability in a future event is essential for disaster preparedness.

Cryptococcus neoformans-induced macrophage lysosome damage crucially contributes to fungal virulence1

PubMed Central

Davis, Michael J.; Eastman, Alison J.; Qiu, Yafeng; Gregorka, Brian; Kozel, Thomas R.; Osterholzer, John J.; Curtis, Jeffrey L.; Swanson, Joel A.; Olszewski, Michal A.

2015-01-01

Upon ingestion by macrophages, Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) can survive and replicate intracellularly unless the macrophages become classically activated. The mechanism enabling intracellular replication is not fully understood; neither are the mechanisms which allow classical activation to counteract replication. Cn-induced lysosome damage was observed in infected murine bone marrow-derived macrophages, increased with time and required yeast viability. To demonstrate lysosome damage in the infected host, we developed a novel flow-cytometric method for measuring lysosome damage. Increased lysosome damage was found in Cn-containing lung cells compared to Cn–free cells. Among Cn-containing myeloid cells, recently recruited cells displayed lower damage than resident cells, consistent with the protective role of recruited macrophages. The magnitude of lysosome damage correlated with increased Cn replication. Experimental induction of lysosome damage increased Cn replication. Activation of macrophages with IFN-γ abolished macrophage lysosome damage and enabled increased killing of Cn. We conclude that induction of lysosome damage is an important Cn survival strategy and that classical activation of host macrophages counters replication by preventing damage. Thus, therapeutic strategies which decrease lysosomal damage, or increase resistance to such damage, could be valuable in treating cryptococcal infections. PMID:25637026

[Botulinum toxin type A does not affect spontaneous discharge but blocks sympathetic-sensory coupling in chronically compressed rat dorsal root ganglion neurons].

PubMed

Yang, Hong-jun; Peng, Kai-run; Hu, San-jue; Duan, Jian-hong

2007-11-01

To study the effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) on spontaneous discharge and sympathetic- sensory coupling in chronically compressed dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in rats. In chronically compressed rat DRG, spontaneous activities of the single fibers from DRG neurons were recorded and their changes observed after BTAX application on the damaged DGR. Sympathetic modulation of the spontaneous discharge from the compressed DRG neurons was observed by electric stimulation of the lumbar sympathetic trunk, and the changes in this effect were evaluated after intravenous BTXA injection in the rats. Active spontaneous discharges were recorded in the injured DRG neurons, and 47 injured DRG neurons responded to Ca2+-free artificial cerebrospinal fluid but not to BTXA treatment. Sixty-four percent of the neurons in the injured DRG responded to sympathetic stimulation, and this response was blocked by intravenously injection of BTXA. BTXA does not affect spontaneous activities of injured DRG neurons, but blocks sympathetic-sensory coupling in these neurons.

Cold Atmospheric-Pressure Plasmas Applied to Active Packaging of Fruits and Vegetables

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pedrow, Patrick; Fernandez, Sulmer; Pitts, Marvin

2008-10-01

Active packaging of fruits and vegetables uses films that absorb molecules from or contribute molecules to the produce. Applying uniform film to specific parts of a plant will enhance safe and economic adoption of expensive biofilms and biochemicals which would damage the plant or surrounding environment if misapplied. The pilot application will be to apply wax film to apples, replacing hot wax which is expensive and lowers the textural quality of the apple. The plasma zone will be obtained by increasing the voltage on an electrode structure until the electric field in the feed material (Argon + monomer) is sufficiently high to yield electron avalanches. The ``corona onset criterion'' is used to design the cold plasma reactor. The apple will be placed in a treatment chamber downstream from the activation zone. Key physical properties of the film will be measured. The deposition rate will be optimized in terms of economics and fruit surface quality for the purpose of determining if the technique is competitive in food processing plants.

Preparation and antibacterial properties of titanium-doped ZnO from different zinc salts

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

To research the relationship of micro-structures and antibacterial properties of the titanium-doped ZnO powders and probe their antibacterial mechanism, titanium-doped ZnO powders with different shapes and sizes were prepared from different zinc salts by alcohothermal method. The ZnO powders were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and the antibacterial activities of titanium-doped ZnO powders on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated. Furthermore, the tested strains were characterized by SEM, and the electrical conductance variation trend of the bacterial suspension was characterized. The results indicate that the morphologies of the powders are different due to preparation from different zinc salts. The XRD results manifest that the samples synthesized from zinc acetate, zinc nitrate, and zinc chloride are zincite ZnO, and the sample synthesized from zinc sulfate is the mixture of ZnO, ZnTiO3, and ZnSO4 · 3Zn (OH)2 crystal. UV-vis spectra show that the absorption edges of the titanium-doped ZnO powders are red shifted to more than 400 nm which are prepared from zinc acetate, zinc nitrate, and zinc chloride. The antibacterial activity of titanium-doped ZnO powders synthesized from zinc chloride is optimal, and its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) are lower than 0.25 g L−1. Likewise, when the bacteria are treated by ZnO powders synthesized from zinc chloride, the bacterial cells are damaged most seriously, and the electrical conductance increment of bacterial suspension is slightly high. It can be inferred that the antibacterial properties of the titanium-doped ZnO powders are relevant to the microstructure, particle size, and the crystal. The powders can damage the cell walls; thus, the electrolyte is leaked from cells. PMID:24572014

Counter Electrical Generation and Distribution: An Assessment for Global Strike in 2035

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-02-15

magnetic field . Satellites in low earth orbit (LEO) or high earth orbit (HEO) orbits would be disabled from effects of the ionizing electrons on...of delivery.34 High power microwaves may also offer an ability to “dial down” the electro- magnetic fields being used to fine tune the effects on the...target system and reduce collateral damage. At high levels of electro- magnetic fields , permanent and catastrophic damage to circuitry, power lines

Oxidative Damage in the Guinea Pig Hippocampal Slice

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-01-01

Original Contribution OXIDATIVE DAMAGE IN THE GUINEA PIG HIPPOCAMPAL SLICE TIRRY C. Pnt.N1.iAR’ and KATIlRNN L. Nt-t-t- Physiology Department. Armed Forces...responses in the hippocampal slice isolated from the brains of guinea pigs . Electrical stim- ulation of afferents to neurons of the CA I region of...from the brains be secreted by the microglia invading a region of in- of euthanized male Hartley guinea pigs as previously Jury. ’ Another possible

Rugged and breathable forms of stretchable electronics with adherent composite substrates for transcutaneous monitoring.

PubMed

Jang, Kyung-In; Han, Sang Youn; Xu, Sheng; Mathewson, Kyle E; Zhang, Yihui; Jeong, Jae-Woong; Kim, Gwang-Tae; Webb, R Chad; Lee, Jung Woo; Dawidczyk, Thomas J; Kim, Rak Hwan; Song, Young Min; Yeo, Woon-Hong; Kim, Stanley; Cheng, Huanyu; Rhee, Sang Il; Chung, Jeahoon; Kim, Byunggik; Chung, Ha Uk; Lee, Dongjun; Yang, Yiyuan; Cho, Moongee; Gaspar, John G; Carbonari, Ronald; Fabiani, Monica; Gratton, Gabriele; Huang, Yonggang; Rogers, John A

2014-09-03

Research in stretchable electronics involves fundamental scientific topics relevant to applications with importance in human healthcare. Despite significant progress in active components, routes to mechanically robust construction are lacking. Here, we introduce materials and composite designs for thin, breathable, soft electronics that can adhere strongly to the skin, with the ability to be applied and removed hundreds of times without damaging the devices or the skin, even in regions with substantial topography and coverage of hair. The approach combines thin, ultralow modulus, cellular silicone materials with elastic, strain-limiting fabrics, to yield a compliant but rugged platform for stretchable electronics. Theoretical and experimental studies highlight the mechanics of adhesion and elastic deformation. Demonstrations include cutaneous optical, electrical and radio frequency sensors for measuring hydration state, electrophysiological activity, pulse and cerebral oximetry. Multipoint monitoring of a subject in an advanced driving simulator provides a practical example.

Rugged and breathable forms of stretchable electronics with adherent composite substrates for transcutaneous monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jang, Kyung-In; Han, Sang Youn; Xu, Sheng; Mathewson, Kyle E.; Zhang, Yihui; Jeong, Jae-Woong; Kim, Gwang-Tae; Webb, R. Chad; Lee, Jung Woo; Dawidczyk, Thomas J.; Kim, Rak Hwan; Song, Young Min; Yeo, Woon-Hong; Kim, Stanley; Cheng, Huanyu; Rhee, Sang Il; Chung, Jeahoon; Kim, Byunggik; Chung, Ha Uk; Lee, Dongjun; Yang, Yiyuan; Cho, Moongee; Gaspar, John G.; Carbonari, Ronald; Fabiani, Monica; Gratton, Gabriele; Huang, Yonggang; Rogers, John A.

2014-09-01

Research in stretchable electronics involves fundamental scientific topics relevant to applications with importance in human healthcare. Despite significant progress in active components, routes to mechanically robust construction are lacking. Here, we introduce materials and composite designs for thin, breathable, soft electronics that can adhere strongly to the skin, with the ability to be applied and removed hundreds of times without damaging the devices or the skin, even in regions with substantial topography and coverage of hair. The approach combines thin, ultralow modulus, cellular silicone materials with elastic, strain-limiting fabrics, to yield a compliant but rugged platform for stretchable electronics. Theoretical and experimental studies highlight the mechanics of adhesion and elastic deformation. Demonstrations include cutaneous optical, electrical and radio frequency sensors for measuring hydration state, electrophysiological activity, pulse and cerebral oximetry. Multipoint monitoring of a subject in an advanced driving simulator provides a practical example.

Neuroprotective role of ATP-sensitive potassium channels in cerebral ischemia

PubMed Central

Sun, Hong-shuo; Feng, Zhong-ping

2013-01-01

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels are weak, inward rectifiers that couple metabolic status to cell membrane electrical activity, thus modulating many cellular functions. An increase in the ADP/ATP ratio opens KATP channels, leading to membrane hyperpolarization. KATP channels are ubiquitously expressed in neurons located in different regions of the brain, including the hippocampus and cortex. Brief hypoxia triggers membrane hyperpolarization in these central neurons. In vivo animal studies confirmed that knocking out the Kir6.2 subunit of the KATP channels increases ischemic infarction, and overexpression of the Kir6.2 subunit reduces neuronal injury from ischemic insults. These findings provide the basis for a practical strategy whereby activation of endogenous KATP channels reduces cellular damage resulting from cerebral ischemic stroke. KATP channel modulators may prove to be clinically useful as part of a combination therapy for stroke management in the future. PMID:23123646

Improved Signal Processing Technique Leads to More Robust Self Diagnostic Accelerometer System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tokars, Roger; Lekki, John; Jaros, Dave; Riggs, Terrence; Evans, Kenneth P.

2010-01-01

The self diagnostic accelerometer (SDA) is a sensor system designed to actively monitor the health of an accelerometer. In this case an accelerometer is considered healthy if it can be determined that it is operating correctly and its measurements may be relied upon. The SDA system accomplishes this by actively monitoring the accelerometer for a variety of failure conditions including accelerometer structural damage, an electrical open circuit, and most importantly accelerometer detachment. In recent testing of the SDA system in emulated engine operating conditions it has been found that a more robust signal processing technique was necessary. An improved accelerometer diagnostic technique and test results of the SDA system utilizing this technique are presented here. Furthermore, the real time, autonomous capability of the SDA system to concurrently compensate for effects from real operating conditions such as temperature changes and mechanical noise, while monitoring the condition of the accelerometer health and attachment, will be demonstrated.

Actively Q-switched, thulium-holmium-codoped fiber laser incorporating a silicon-based, variable-optical-attenuator-based Q switch.

PubMed

Jung, Minwan; Han Lee, Ju

2013-04-20

An actively Q-switched thulium-holmium-codoped fiber laser incorporating an Si-based variable optical attenuator (VOA) is experimentally demonstrated. It has been shown that an Si-based VOA with a response time of hundreds of nanoseconds can be used as a cost-effective 2 μm Q switch due to its extremely wide operating bandwidth from 1.5 to 2 μm, and low electrical power consumption. In our study, the laser's slope efficiency was measured to be ~17% at an operating wavelength of 1.89 μm. The repetition rate tuning range was from 20 to 80 kHz, which was limited by the optical damage threshold and the response time. The minimum temporal pulsewidth was measured to be ~184 ns at a modulation frequency of 20 kHz, and the corresponding maximum peak power was ~10 W.

Research on influence of parasitic resistance of InGaAs solar cells under continuous wave laser irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Guangji; Zhang, Hongchao; Zhou, Guanglong; Lu, Jian; Zhou, Dayong

2017-06-01

InGaAs solar cells were irradiated by 1060-1080nm continuous wave (CW) laser, and studied the laser-electrical conversion and damage experiment with the power density as 97mW/cm2 and 507W/cm2 respectively. The result indicated that there is no obvious damage phenomenon but air layer appeared in the damaged region, and there is no direct relationship between the area and the extent of damage. Moreover, the p-n junction in the damage zone was destroyed, lost the ability of photoelectric conversion. The region acts as a resistance between the two electrodes, resulting in an increase in the leakage current of the solar cells and a decrease in the parallel resistance, which is the main reason leading to the decline of open circuit voltage, short circuit current and conversion efficiency. This paper would provide a reference for wireless energy transmission and the subsequent laser damage of solar cells.

The importance of regulation of blood glucose levels through activation of peripheral 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase on ischemic neuronal damage.

PubMed

Harada, Shinichi; Fujita-Hamabe, Wakako; Tokuyama, Shogo

2010-09-10

5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a serine/threonine kinase that plays a key role in energy homeostasis. Recently, it was reported that centrally activated AMPK is involved in the development of ischemic neuronal damage, while the effect of peripherally activated AMPK on ischemic neuronal damage is not known. In addition, we have previously reported that the development of post-ischemic glucose intolerance could be one of the triggers for the aggravation of neuronal damage. In this study, we focused on effect of activation of peripheral or central AMPK on the development of ischemic neuronal damage. Male ddY mice were subjected to 2 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Neuronal damage was estimated by histological and behavioral analysis after MCAO. In the liver and skeletal muscle, AMPK activity was not affected by MCAO. But, application of intraperitoneal metformin (250 mg/kg), an AMPK activator, significantly suppressed the development of post-ischemic glucose intolerance and ischemic neuronal damage without alteration of central AMPK activity. On the other hand, application of intracerebroventricular metformin (25, 100 microg/mouse) significantly exacerbated the development of neuronal damage observed on day 1 after MCAO, in a dose-dependent manner. These effects were significantly blocked by compound C, a specific AMPK inhibitor. These results suggest that central AMPK was activated by ischemic stress per se, however, peripheral AMPK was not altered. Furthermore, the regulation of post-ischemic glucose intolerance by activation of peripheral AMPK is of assistance for the suppression of cerebral ischemic neuronal damage. 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Similar simulation study on the characteristics of the electric potential response to coal mining

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niu, Yue; Li, Zhonghui; Kong, Biao; Wang, Enyuan; Lou, Quan; Qiu, Liming; Kong, Xiangguo; Wang, Jiali; Dong, Mingfu; Li, Baolin

2018-02-01

An electric potential (EP) can be generated during the failure process of coal and rock. In this article, a similar physical model of coal rock was built and the characteristics of the EP responding to the process of coal mining were studied. The results showed that, at the early mining stage, the structure of coal rock strata were stable in the simulation model, the support stress of overlying coal rock strata was low and the maximum subsidence was little, while the EP change was less. With the advancement of the working face, the support stress of the overlying coal rock strata in the mined-out area changed dramatically, the maximum subsidence increased constantly, the deformation and destruction were aggravated, and cracks expanded continuously. Meanwhile, the EP response was significant with fluctuation. When significant macro damage appeared in coal rock strata, the EP signal fluctuation was violent. The overlying coal rock strata were influenced by gravity and mining activity. During the mining process, the crack growth and the friction, together with slip between coal and rock particles, resulted in the response of EP. The change in EP was closely related to the damage state and stress distribution of the coal rock strata. EP monitoring has the advantages of accurate reflection and strong anti-interference in the field. Therefore, with further study, an EP monitoring method could be applied for monitoring and early warning of coal and rock dynamic disaster, and risk evaluation in the future. The strength of the EP and its fluctuation degree could serve as the key discrimination indexes.

Comparison among ultrasonic, electrical apparatus, and toxic chemicals for vestibular lesion in mice.

PubMed

Yamaoka, Yusuke; Abe, Chikara; Morita, Hironobu

2018-02-01

The vestibular lesion (VL) is required to examine the physiological function of the vestibular system in animals. Toxic chemicals or electrical apparatus have been used for the VL, however, they are not ideal as they have low specificity, and can result in unintended damage, and systemic toxic effect. Localized vibration-induced VL, using an ultrasonicator, is expected to overcome the problems associated with chemical and electrical lesions. Thus, we examined the effect of the ultrasonication on the VL from the aspects of both the physiological function and histology in the present study. and Comparison with Existing Method(s) Complete VL, which was evaluated by deterioration of swimming skills, righting reflex, and body stability, was induced using an ultrasonicator or electrical apparatus. Histological evaluation shows that hair cell layers in the saccule and utricle were completely destroyed in both methods Furthermore, significant drop in body mass was observed in VL. However, abscess at the cranial base was observed in VL induced by the electrical apparatus in ICR mice. Complete chemically-induced VL was observed in C57BL/6J but not ICR mice, and systemic leakage of the toxic chemicals (arsenic) was not detectable even 1day after surgery. Compared to the electrical apparatus, the ultrasonicator is useful for inducing VL in ICR and C57BL/6J mice, as it results in less non-specific damage. Toxic chemicals can be used for inducing VL in C57BL/6J mice; however, this method does not ensure complete disruption of the hair cells in the saccule and utricle. Copyright © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Leisure noise exposure: participation trends, symptoms of hearing damage, and perception of risk.

PubMed

Beach, Elizabeth Francis; Gilliver, Megan; Williams, Warwick

2013-02-01

Leisure activities that emit high noise levels have the potential to expose participants to excessive noise exposure, which can result in hearing damage. This study investigated young people's participation in high-noise leisure activities and the relationship between their leisure noise exposure, symptoms of hearing damage, and perception of risk. Participants completed an online survey relating to participation in selected high-noise leisure activities, symptoms of hearing damage, and beliefs about the risk posed by these activities. One thousand 18- to 35-year-old Australian adults completed the survey. Annual noise exposure from the five leisure activities ranged from 0-6.77 times the acceptable noise exposure, with nightclubs posing the greatest risk. Those who attended one noisy activity were more likely to attend others, in particular nightclubs, pubs, and live music events. Noise exposure was correlated with early warning signs of hearing damage and perceived risk of damage. Active young adults who engage in noisy activities are showing early signs of hearing damage. Furthermore, they perceive the risk associated with their activities. The challenge for researchers and hearing health practitioners is to convert self-perceived risk into positive hearing health behaviours for long-term hearing health.

Irreversible entropy model for damage diagnosis in resistors

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

Cuadras, Angel, E-mail: angel.cuadras@upc.edu; Crisóstomo, Javier; Ovejas, Victoria J.

2015-10-28

We propose a method to characterize electrical resistor damage based on entropy measurements. Irreversible entropy and the rate at which it is generated are more convenient parameters than resistance for describing damage because they are essentially positive in virtue of the second law of thermodynamics, whereas resistance may increase or decrease depending on the degradation mechanism. Commercial resistors were tested in order to characterize the damage induced by power surges. Resistors were biased with constant and pulsed voltage signals, leading to power dissipation in the range of 4–8 W, which is well above the 0.25 W nominal power to initiate failure. Entropymore » was inferred from the added power and temperature evolution. A model is proposed to understand the relationship among resistance, entropy, and damage. The power surge dissipates into heat (Joule effect) and damages the resistor. The results show a correlation between entropy generation rate and resistor failure. We conclude that damage can be conveniently assessed from irreversible entropy generation. Our results for resistors can be easily extrapolated to other systems or machines that can be modeled based on their resistance.« less

Charge-Dissipative Electrical Cables

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kolasinski, John R.; Wollack, Edward J.

2004-01-01

Electrical cables that dissipate spurious static electric charges, in addition to performing their main functions of conducting signals, have been developed. These cables are intended for use in trapped-ion or ionizing-radiation environments, in which electric charges tend to accumulate within, and on the surfaces of, dielectric layers of cables. If the charging rate exceeds the dissipation rate, charges can accumulate in excessive amounts, giving rise to high-current discharges that can damage electronic circuitry and/or systems connected to it. The basic idea of design and operation of charge-dissipative electrical cables is to drain spurious charges to ground by use of lossy (slightly electrically conductive) dielectric layers, possibly in conjunction with drain wires and/or drain shields (see figure). In typical cases, the drain wires and/or drain shields could be electrically grounded via the connector assemblies at the ends of the cables, in any of the conventional techniques for grounding signal conductors and signal shields. In some cases, signal shields could double as drain shields.

Primum Non Nocere: Organ Donation After Electrocution and Transplantation of Electricity-Damaged Livers: Report of 2 Cases.

PubMed

Giorgakis, E; Tedeschi, M; Bonaccorsi-Riani, E; Khorsandi, S E; Vilca-Melendez, H; Heaton, N

2016-10-01

Liver transplantation remains the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage liver disease. However, allograft availability continues to be a problem, and extending the criteria for organ acceptance is key. Deceased donors after electrical accidents, as well as electricity-traumatized allografts, are not common but should be considered suitable. This study describes 2 cases of heart-beating organ donors with electrical injury to the liver. In 1 case, the electric shock was the cause of death; in the second case, the injury was caused by defibrillation at organ procurement. Both allografts had sustained sizeable electrical injury, and both resulted in excellent early posttransplant outcomes. These cases demonstrate that electrocution is not a contraindication to donation and that electricity-traumatized allografts may remain transplantable after careful assessment. Education of all staff in the management of such donors can optimize utility of such allografts. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Analysis of a nuclear accident: fission and activation product releases from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility as remote indicators of source identification, extent of release, and state of damaged spent nuclear fuel.

PubMed

Schwantes, Jon M; Orton, Christopher R; Clark, Richard A

2012-08-21

Researchers evaluated radionuclide measurements of environmental samples taken from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility and reported on the Tokyo Electric Power Co. Website following the 2011 tsunami-initiated catastrophe. This effort identified Units 1 and 3 as the major source of radioactive contamination to the surface soil near the facility. Radionuclide trends identified in the soils suggested that: (1) chemical volatility driven by temperature and reduction potential within the vented reactors' primary containment vessels dictated the extent of release of radiation; (2) all coolant had likely evaporated by the time of venting; and (3) physical migration through the fuel matrix and across the cladding wall were minimally effective at containing volatile species, suggesting damage to fuel bundles was extensive. Plutonium isotopic ratios and their distance from the source indicated that the damaged reactors were the major contributor of plutonium to surface soil at the source, decreasing rapidly with distance from the facility. Two independent evaluations estimated the fraction of the total plutonium inventory released to the environment relative to cesium from venting Units 1 and 3 to be ∼0.002-0.004%. This study suggests significant volatile radionuclides within the spent fuel at the time of venting, but not as yet observed and reported within environmental samples, as potential analytes of concern for future environmental surveys around the site. The majority of the reactor inventories of isotopes of less volatile elements like Pu, Nb, and Sr were likely contained within the damaged reactors during venting.

Characterization of C-PDMS electrodes for electrokinetic applications in microfluidic systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deman, A.-L.; Brun, M.; Quatresous, M.; Chateaux, J.-F.; Frenea-Robin, M.; Haddour, N.; Semet, V.; Ferrigno, R.

2011-09-01

This paper reports on the integration of thick carbon-polydimethylsiloxane (C-PDMS) electrodes in microfluidic systems for electrokinetic operations. The C-PDMS material, obtained by mixing carbon nanopowder and PDMS, preserves PDMS processing properties such as O2 plasma activation and soft-lithography patternability in thick or 3D electrodes. Conductivity in the order of 10 S m-1 was reached for a carbon concentration of 25 wt%. To evaluate the adhesion between PDMS and C-PDMS, we prepared bi-material strips and carried out a manual pull test. The cohesion and robustness of C-PDMS were also evaluated by applying a large range of electric field conditions from dc to ac (300 kHz). No damage to the electrodes or release of carbon was noticed. The use of such a material for electrokinetic manipulation was validated on polystyrene particles and cells. Here, we demonstrate that C-PDMS seems to be a valuable technological solution for electrokinetic in microfluidic and particularly for biological applications such as cell electrofusion, lysis and trapping, which are favored by uniform lateral electric fields across the microchannel section.

Metal stub and ceramic body electrode assembly

DOEpatents

Rolf, Richard L.

1984-01-01

An electrically conductive ceramic electrode body having an opening therein is threadably engaged with a metal stub having at least a slot therein to provide space for expansion of the stub without damage to the electrode body.

Thoracic Duct Chylous Fistula Following Severe Electric Injury Combined with Sulfuric Acid Burns: A Case Report.

PubMed

Chang, Fei; Cheng, Dasheng; Qian, Mingyuan; Lu, Wei; Li, Huatao; Tang, Hongtai; Xia, Zhaofan

2016-10-11

BACKGROUND As patients with thoracic duct injuries often suffer from severe local soft tissue defects, integrated surgical treatment is needed to achieve damage repair and wound closure. However, thoracic duct chylous fistula is rare in burn patients, although it typically involves severe soft tissue damage in the neck or chest. CASE REPORT A 32-year-old male patient fell after accidentally contacting an electric current (380 V) and knocked over a barrel of sulfuric acid. The sulfuric acid continuously poured onto his left neck and chest, causing combined electrical and sulfuric acid burn injuries to his anterior and posterior torso, and various parts of his limbs (25% of his total body surface area). During treatment, chylous fistula developed in the left clavicular region, which we diagnosed as thoracic duct chylous fistula. We used diet control, intravenous nutritional support, and continuous somatostatin to reduce the chylous fistula output, and hydrophilic silver ion-containing dressings for wound coverage. A boneless muscle flap was used to seal the left clavicular cavity, and, integrated, these led to resolution of the chylous fistula. CONCLUSIONS Patients with severe electric or chemical burns in the neck or chest may be complicated with thoracic duct injuries. Although conservative treatment can control chylous fistula, wound cavity filling using a muscle flap is an effective approach for wound healing.

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

Mills, Evan; Jones, Richard B.

Large yet infrequent disruptions of electrical power can impact tens of millions of people in a single event, triggering significant economic damages, portions of which are insured. Small and frequent events are also significant in the aggregate. This article explores the role that insurance claims data can play in better defining the broader economic impacts of grid disruptions in the U.S. context. We developed four case studies, using previously unpublished data for specific actual grid disruptions. The cases include the 1977 New York City blackout, the 2003 Northeast blackout, multi-year national annual lightning-related electrical damage and multi-year national line-disturbance events.more » Insured losses represent between 3 and 64 per cent of total loss costs across the case studies. Here, the household sector emerges as a larger locus of costs than indicated in previous studies, and short-lived events emerge as important sources of loss costs.« less

Cavitation damage prediction for spallation target vessels by assessment of acoustic vibration

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

Futakawa, Masatoshi; Kogawa, Hiroyuki; Hasegawa, Shoichi

2008-01-01

Liquid-mercury target systems for MW-class spallation neutron sources are being developed around the world. Proton beams are used to induce the spallation reaction. At the moment the proton beam hits the target, pressure waves are generated in the mercury because of the abrupt heat deposition. The pressure waves interact with the target vessel leading to negative pressure that may cause cavitation along the vessel wall. In order to estimate the cavitation erosion, i.e. the pitting damage formed by the collapse of cavitation bubbles, off-beam tests were performed by using an electric magnetic impact testing machine (MIMTM), which can impose equivalentmore » pressure pulses in mercury. The damage potential was defined based on the relationship between the pitting damage and the time-integrated acoustic vibration induced by impact due to the bubble collapses. Additionally, the damage potential was measured in on-beam tests carried out by using the proton beam at WNR (Weapons Neutron Research) facility in Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). In this paper, the concept of the damage potential, the relationship between the pitting damage formation and the damage potential both in off-beam and on-beam tests is shown.« less

Developing an active artificial hair cell using nonlinear feedback control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joyce, Bryan S.; Tarazaga, Pablo A.

2015-09-01

The hair cells in the mammalian cochlea convert sound-induced vibrations into electrical signals. These cells have inspired a variety of artificial hair cells (AHCs) to serve as biologically inspired sound, fluid flow, and acceleration sensors and could one day replace damaged hair cells in humans. Most of these AHCs rely on passive transduction of stimulus while it is known that the biological cochlea employs active processes to amplify sound-induced vibrations and improve sound detection. In this work, an active AHC mimics the active, nonlinear behavior of the cochlea. The AHC consists of a piezoelectric bimorph beam subjected to a base excitation. A feedback control law is used to reduce the linear damping of the beam and introduce a cubic damping term which gives the AHC the desired nonlinear behavior. Model and experimental results show the AHC amplifies the response due to small base accelerations, has a higher frequency sensitivity than the passive system, and exhibits a compressive nonlinearity like that of the mammalian cochlea. This bio-inspired accelerometer could lead to new sensors with lower thresholds of detection, improved frequency sensitivities, and wider dynamic ranges.

Dust Tolerant Connectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mueller, Robert P. (Inventor); Lewis, Mark E. (Inventor); Bastin, Gary L. (Inventor); Branch, Matthew C. (Inventor); Carlson, Jeffrey W. (Inventor); Dokos, Adam G. (Inventor); Murtland, Kevin A. (Inventor); Nugent, Matthew W. (Inventor); Tamasy, Gabor J. (Inventor); Townsend, III, Ivan I. (Inventor)

2016-01-01

Methods and systems may provide for debris exclusion and removal apparatuses for connectors which have inverting end caps with a multi-axis lever configuration, inverting end caps with enlarged handle and/or side rail configurations, rotating end cap configurations, poppet valve configurations, O-ring configurations, filament barrier configurations, retractable cover configurations, clamshell end cap configurations, or any combination thereof. Apparatuses may also provide for an intelligent electrical connector system capable of detecting damage to or faults within a plurality of conductors and then rerouting the energy through a non-damaged spare conductor.

Bipolar Transistor and Diode Failure to Electrical Transients-Predictive Failure Modeling versus Experimental Damage Testing. 1 Junction Capacitance Damage Model

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-06-01

into the Wunsch-Bell equation) are P = A R , 1t-0 5 1.2 PD) = A26B2t-.5 (3) JAJ where A,*, A, B1, and B2 are experimentally determined constants and TJ...ATTN CODE 7240, S. N. LICHT’NAN PATRICK AID, FL 32J25 DIV COIMAND SAN DIEGO, CA 92152 ATTN D]PN-ATC AF WEAPONS LABORATORY, AFSC ATTN DRCFN- TDS -DSI

Atmospheric electrical modeling in support of the NASA F106 Storm Hazards Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Helsdon, J. H.

1986-01-01

With the use of composite (non-metallic) and microelectronics becoming more prevalent in the construction of both military and commercial aircraft, the control systems have become more susceptible to damage or failure from electromagnetic transients. One source of such transients is the lightning discharge. In order to study the effects of the lightning discharge on the vital components of an aircraft, NASA Langley Research Center has undertaken a Storm Hazards Program in which a specially instrumented F106B jet aircraft is flown into active thunderstorms with the intention of being struck by lightning. One of the specific purposes of the program is to quantify the environmental conditions which are conductive to aircraft lightning strikes.

Mini Review: Biomaterials for Enhancing Neuronal Repair

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cangellaris, Olivia V.; Gillette, Martha U.

2018-04-01

As they differentiate from neuroblasts, nascent neurons become highly polarized and elongate. Neurons extend and elaborate fine and fragile cellular extensions that form circuits enabling long-distance communication and signal integration within the body. While other organ systems are developing, projections of differentiating neurons find paths to distant targets. Subsequent post-developmental neuronal damage is catastrophic because the cues for reinnervation are no longer active. Advances in biomaterials are enabling fabrication of micro-environments that encourage neuronal regrowth and restoration of function by recreating these developmental cues. This mini-review considers new materials that employ topographical, chemical, electrical, and/or mechanical cues for use in neuronal repair. Manipulating and integrating these elements in different combinations will generate new technologies to enhance neural repair.

Material Damage System and Method for Determining Same

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Okojie, Robert (Inventor)

2017-01-01

A system and method for determining a change in a thickness and temperature of a surface of a material are disclosed herein. The system and the method are usable in a thermal protection system of a space vehicle, such as an aeroshell of a space vehicle. The system and method may incorporate micro electric sensors arranged in a ladder network and capacitor strip sensors. Corrosion or ablation causes a change in an electrical property of the sensors. An amount of or rate of the corrosion or the ablation and a temperature of the material is determined based on the change of the electrical property of the sensors.

Nuclear radiation problems, unmanned thermionic reactor ion propulsion spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mondt, J. F.; Sawyer, C. D.; Nakashima, A.

1972-01-01

A nuclear thermionic reactor as the electric power source for an electric propulsion spacecraft introduces a nuclear radiation environment that affects the spacecraft configuration, the use and location of electrical insulators and the science experiments. The spacecraft is conceptually configured to minimize the nuclear shield weight by: (1) a large length to diameter spacecraft; (2) eliminating piping penetrations through the shield; and (3) using the mercury propellant as gamma shield. Since the alumina material is damaged by the high nuclear radiation environment in the reactor it is desirable to locate the alumina insulator outside the reflector or develop a more radiation resistant insulator.

Response of antioxidant system to drought stress and re-watering in Alfalfa during branching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tina, R. R.; Shan, X. R.; Wang, Y.; Guo, S. Y.; Mao, B.; Wang, W.; Wu, H. Y.; Zhao, T. H.

2017-11-01

This paper aimed to reveal the response mechanism of active oxygen metabolism and antioxidant enzyme activities in Alfalfa under drought stress and re-watering, and the pot experiment was used, to explore the changes of H2O2, O2·-, electrolyte leakage conductivity and MDA, SOD, POD, CAT activity in Golden Empress (tolerant cultivar) and Sanditi (non-tolerant cultivar) under drought stress and re-watering during branching stage. Three water gradients were set up: CK (Maximum field capacity of 75%±5%), T1 (Maximum field capacity of 45%±5%), T2 (Maximum field capacity of 35%±5%) to compare, and the drought rehydration was also studied. Results: the results indicated that H2O2 content, O2·-production rate, relative conductivity and MDA content were higher than the control, and the increase extent of Golden Empress was higher than the Sanditi under drought stress and after re-watering the recovery capability of Golden Empress was also higher than the Sanditi. After 7 days of re-watering, all indexes were restored to the control level, indicating that the re-watering have compensation effect after drought. After drought stress, to weaken the damage of active oxygen Golden Empress was mainly by increasing the activity of POD and SOD, but Sanditi was mainly through the POD and CAT activity increased to effectively remove ROS. Under drought stress, active oxygen in leaves of Alfalfa increased, and thus the membrane system was damaged which lead to the increase of MDA content and relative electric conductivity. Plants play a defensive role by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and scavenging reactive oxygen species. After re-watering, the stress effect was reduced, and the physiological indexes of plants were restored to the control level. In general, tolerant cultivar has stronger antioxidant properties under drought and re-watering.

Detection of Fatigue Crack in Basalt FRP Laminate Composite Pipe using Electrical Potential Change Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Altabey, Wael A.; Noori, Mohammed

2017-05-01

Novel modulation electrical potential change (EPC) method for fatigue crack detection in a basalt fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) laminate composite pipe is carried out in this paper. The technique is applied to a laminate pipe with an embedded crack in three layers [0º/90º/0º]s. EPC is applied for evaluating the dielectric properties of basalt FRP pipe by using an electrical capacitance sensor (ECS) to discern damages in the pipe. Twelve electrodes are mounted on the outer surface of the pipe and the changes in the modulation dielectric properties of the piping system are analyzed to detect damages in the pipe. An embedded crack is created by a fatigue internal pressure test. The capacitance values, capacitance change and node potential distribution of ECS electrodes are calculated before and after crack initiates using a finite element method (FEM) by ANSYS and MATLAB, which are combined to simulate sensor characteristics and fatigue behaviour. The crack lengths of the basalt FRP are investigated for various number of cycles to failure for determining crack growth rate. Response surfaces are adopted as a tool for solving inverse problems to estimate crack lengths from the measured electric potential differences of all segments between electrodes to validate the FEM results. The results show that, the good convergence between the FEM and estimated results. Also the results of this study show that the electrical potential difference of the basalt FRP laminate increases during cyclic loading, caused by matrix cracking. The results indicate that the proposed method successfully provides fatigue crack detection for basalt FRP laminate composite pipes.

A scanning probe mounted on a field-effect transistor: Characterization of ion damage in Si.

PubMed

Shin, Kumjae; Lee, Hoontaek; Sung, Min; Lee, Sang Hoon; Shin, Hyunjung; Moon, Wonkyu

2017-10-01

We have examined the capabilities of a Tip-On-Gate of Field-Effect Transistor (ToGoFET) probe for characterization of FIB-induced damage in Si surface. A ToGoFET probe is the SPM probe which the Field Effect Transistor(FET) is embedded at the end of a cantilever and a Pt tip was mounted at the gate of FET. The ToGoFET probe can detect the surface electrical properties by measuring source-drain current directly modulated by the charge on the tip. In this study, a Si specimen whose surface was processed with Ga+ ion beam was prepared. Irradiation and implantation with Ga+ ions induce highly localized modifications to the contact potential. The FET embedded on ToGoFET probe detected the surface electric field profile generated by schottky contact between the Pt tip and the sample surface. Experimentally, it was shown that significant differences of electric field due to the contact potential barrier in differently processed specimens were observed using ToGOFET probe. This result shows the potential that the local contact potential difference can be measured by simple working principle with high sensitivity. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Effect of Curcumin on Liver Cirrhosis Using a Combination of Biochemical Analysis and Magnetic Resonance-Based Electrical Conductivity Imaging

PubMed Central

Kyung, Eun Jung; Kim, Hyun Bum; Hwang, Eun Sang; Lee, Seok; Choi, Bup Kyung; Lim, Sang Moo; Kwon, Oh In

2018-01-01

In oriental medicine, curcumin is used to treat inflammatory diseases, and its anti-inflammatory effect has been reported in recent research. In this feasibility study, the hepatoprotective effect of curcumin was investigated using a rat liver cirrhosis model, which was induced with dimethylnitrosamine (DMN). Together with biochemical analysis, we used a magnetic resonance-based electrical conductivity imaging method to evaluate tissue conditions associated with a protective effect. The effects of curcumin treatment and lactulose treatment on liver cirrhosis were compared. Electrical conductivity images indicated that liver tissues damaged by DMN showed decreased conductivity compared with normal liver tissues. In contrast, cirrhotic liver tissues treated with curcumin or lactulose showed increased conductivity than tissues in the DMN-only group. Specifically, conductivity of cirrhotic liver after curcumin treatment was similar to that of normal liver tissues. Histological staining and immunohistochemical examination showed significant levels of attenuated fibrosis and decreased inflammatory response after both curcumin and lactulose treatments compared with damaged liver tissues by DMN. The conductivity imaging and biochemical examination results indicate that curcumin's anti-inflammatory effect can prevent the progression of irreversible liver dysfunction. PMID:29887757

Effect of atmospheric electricity on dry deposition of airborne particles from atmosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tammet, H.; Kimmel, V.; Israelsson, S.

The electric mechanism of dry deposition is well known in the case of unattached radon daughter clusters that are unipolar charged and of high mobility. The problematic role of the electric forces in deposition of aerosol particles is theoretically examined by comparing the fluxes of particles carried by different deposition mechanisms in a model situation. The electric mechanism of deposition appears essential for particles of diameter 10-200 nm in conditions of low wind speed. The electric flux of fine particles can be dominant on the tips of leaves and needles even in a moderate atmospheric electric field of a few hundred V m -1 measured over the plane ground surface. The electric deposition is enhanced under thunderclouds and high voltage power lines. Strong wind suppresses the relative role of the electric deposition when compared with aerodynamic deposition. When compared with diffusion deposition the electric deposition appears less uniform: the precipitation particulate matter on the tips of leaves and especially on needles of top branches of conifer trees is much more intensive than on the ground surface and electrically shielded surfaces of plants. The knowledge of deposition geometry could improve our understanding of air pollution damage to plants.

Effect of CFRC layers on the electrical properties and failure mode of RC beams strengthened with CFRC composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Sigang; Dai, Hongzhe; Wang, Wei

2007-12-01

This paper designs an innovative reinforced concrete (RC) beam strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced concrete (CFRC) composites. Six groups of test beams, five with different degrees of strengthening, achieved by changing the location and the thickness of the CFRC layer, and one virgin RC beam, were tested in four-point bending over a span of 3000 mm. We investigate the effect of the CFRC layer on the flexural performance and the electrical properties of the designed beams. The test results indicate that the CFRC strengthened RC beam exhibits improved electrical properties as well as better mechanical performance. Also, the location and the thickness of the CFRC layer affect the initial electrical resistance and other electrical properties of the beam. Relationships between electrical resistance, loading, deflection and cracks show that the increase in the electrical resistance can be used to monitor the extent of damage to the designed beam. Based on this discovery, a new health monitoring technique for RC structures is produced by means of electrical resistance measurements.

Computer modeling of electrical and thermal performance during bipolar pulsed radiofrequency for pain relief.

PubMed

Pérez, Juan J; Pérez-Cajaraville, Juan J; Muñoz, Víctor; Berjano, Enrique

2014-07-01

Pulsed RF (PRF) is a nonablative technique for treating neuropathic pain. Bipolar PRF application is currently aimed at creating a "strip lesion" to connect the electrode tips; however, the electrical and thermal performance during bipolar PRF is currently unknown. The objective of this paper was to study the temperature and electric field distributions during bipolar PRF. The authors developed computer models to study temperature and electric field distributions during bipolar PRF and to assess the possible ablative thermal effect caused by the accumulated temperature spikes, along with any possible electroporation effects caused by the electrical field. The authors also modeled the bipolar ablative mode, known as bipolar Continuous Radiofrequency (CRF), in order to compare both techniques. There were important differences between CRF and PRF in terms of electrical and thermal performance. In bipolar CRF: (1) the initial temperature of the tissue impacts on temperature progress and hence on the thermal lesion dimension; and (2) at 37 °C, 6-min of bipolar CRF creates a strip thermal lesion between the electrodes when these are separated by a distance of up to 20 mm. In bipolar PRF: (1) an interelectrode distance shorter than 5 mm produces thermal damage (i.e., ablative effect) in the intervening tissue after 6 min of bipolar RF; and (2) the possible electroporation effect (electric fields higher than 150 kV m(-1)) would be exclusively circumscribed to a very small zone of tissue around the electrode tip. The results suggest that (1) the clinical parameters considered to be suitable for bipolar CRF should not necessarily be considered valid for bipolar PRF, and vice versa; and (2) the ablative effect of the CRF mode is mainly due to its much greater level of delivered energy than is the case in PRF, and therefore at same applied energy levels, CRF, and PRF are expected to result in same outcomes in terms of thermal damage zone dimension.

Metal stub and ceramic body electrode assembly

DOEpatents

Rolf, R.L.

1984-05-22

An electrically conductive ceramic electrode body having an opening therein is threadably engaged with a metal stub having at least a slot therein to provide space for expansion of the stub without damage to the electrode body. 3 figs.

Study of seismic response and vibration control of High voltage electrical equipment damper based on TMD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Chuncheng; Wang, Chongyang; Mao, Long; Zha, Chuanming

2016-11-01

Substation high voltage electrical equipment such as mutual inductor, circuit interrupter, disconnecting switch, etc., has played a key role in maintaining the normal operation of the power system. When the earthquake disaster, the electrical equipment of the porcelain in the transformer substation is the most easily to damage, causing great economic losses. In this paper, using the method of numerical analysis, the establishment of a typical high voltage electrical equipment of three dimensional finite element model, to study the seismic response of a typical SF6 circuit breaker, at the same time, analysis and contrast the installation ring tuned mass damper (TMD damper for short), by changing the damper damping coefficient and the mass block, install annular TMD vibration control effect is studied. The results of the study for guiding the seismic design of high voltage electrical equipment to provide valuable reference.

Complete p-type activation in vertical-gradient freeze GaAs co-implanted with gallium and carbon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horng, S. T.; Goorsky, M. S.

1996-03-01

High-resolution triple-axis x-ray diffractometry and Hall-effect measurements were used to characterize damage evolution and electrical activation in gallium arsenide co-implanted with gallium and carbon ions. Complete p-type activation of GaAs co-implanted with 5×1014 Ga cm-2 and 5×1014 C cm-2 was achieved after rapid thermal annealing at 1100 °C for 10 s. X-ray diffuse scattering was found to increase after rapid thermal annealing at 600-900 °C due to the aggregation of implantation-induced point defects. In this annealing range, there was ˜10%-72% activation. After annealing at higher annealing temperatures, the diffuse scattered intensity decreased drastically; samples that had been annealed at 1000 °C (80% activated) and 1100 °C (˜100% activated) exhibited reciprocal space maps that were indicative of high crystallinity. The hole mobility was about 60 cm2/V s for all samples annealed at 800 °C and above, indicating that the crystal perfection influences dopant activation more strongly than it influences mobility. Since the high-temperature annealing simultaneously increases dopant activation and reduces x-ray diffuse scattering, we conclude that point defect complexes which form at lower annealing temperatures are responsible for both the diffuse scatter and the reduced activation.

Compliance with Electrical and Fire Protection Standards of U.S. Controlled and Occupied Facilities in Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-07-18

are subject to damage and abrasion (figure 5). The use of an extension cord instead of fixed wiring creates the possibility of fire , electrical shock...Medical Clinic has an adjacent warehouse that is of a higher hazard and is not separated by 1-hour fire resistance rated construction. KMC 17-May...higher hazard and is not separated by 1-hour fire resistance rated construction. DynCorp NO Awaiting USG Decision DI has not received governmental

Optical stimulation of the facial nerve: a surgical tool?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richter, Claus-Peter; Teudt, Ingo Ulrik; Nevel, Adam E.; Izzo, Agnella D.; Walsh, Joseph T., Jr.

2008-02-01

One sequela of skull base surgery is the iatrogenic damage to cranial nerves. Devices that stimulate nerves with electric current can assist in the nerve identification. Contemporary devices have two main limitations: (1) the physical contact of the stimulating electrode and (2) the spread of the current through the tissue. In contrast to electrical stimulation, pulsed infrared optical radiation can be used to safely and selectively stimulate neural tissue. Stimulation and screening of the nerve is possible without making physical contact. The gerbil facial nerve was irradiated with 250-μs-long pulses of 2.12 μm radiation delivered via a 600-μm-diameter optical fiber at a repetition rate of 2 Hz. Muscle action potentials were recorded with intradermal electrodes. Nerve samples were examined for possible tissue damage. Eight facial nerves were stimulated with radiant exposures between 0.71-1.77 J/cm2, resulting in compound muscle action potentials (CmAPs) that were simultaneously measured at the m. orbicularis oculi, m. levator nasolabialis, and m. orbicularis oris. Resulting CmAP amplitudes were 0.3-0.4 mV, 0.15-1.4 mV and 0.3-2.3 mV, respectively, depending on the radial location of the optical fiber and the radiant exposure. Individual nerve branches were also stimulated, resulting in CmAP amplitudes between 0.2 and 1.6 mV. Histology revealed tissue damage at radiant exposures of 2.2 J/cm2, but no apparent damage at radiant exposures of 2.0 J/cm2.

Enamel Insulated Copper Wire in Electric Motors: Sliding Behavior and Possible Damage Mechanisms During Die Bending

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demiri, Albion

This study investigates the sliding friction and the forming behaviour of enamel insulated copper wire during the die-forming process. It also aims to determine potential damage mechanisms to the wire during bending process for electric motor coils. In this investigation a wire-bending machine was designed and built in order to simulate the wire forming process in a laboratory scale. Bending angle of the wire and the bending radii were used to control the strain on the wire surface. The effect of speed on COF was investigated for different speeds of of 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20mm/s. A positive correlation was observed between the COF and the testing speed. Additionally, the effect of strain on COF was studied for 2% and 23% to determine its influence on the COF. A general trend was observed of decreased COF with increased strain in wires. Finally, the ability of the enamel coating to resist external damage and wire strain was investigated by tensile testing of pre-scratched magnet wire. The results showed that wire enamel can withstand significant surface damage prior to breach and failure. The insulating polymer coating failed under the scratch tests at 20N load using a Rockwell indenter and at 5N load using a 90° conical steel indenter. Additional tests, such as tensile testing, scratch testing and reciprocating friction testing, were used to characterize the mechanical and tribological properties of the enamel insulated copper wire.

A case study of liquefaction risk analysis based on the thickness and depth of the liquefaction layer using CPT and electric resistivity data in the Hinode area, Itako City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jinguuji, Motoharu; Toprak, Selcuk

2017-12-01

The Hinode area of Itako City in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, suffered some of the most severe liquefaction damage of any areas in the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake in 2011. This liquefaction damage has been investigated by Itako City, as well as by universities and research institutes in Japan. The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) has carried out numerous investigations along the Tone River, and in particular, intensive surveys were done in the Hinode area. We have conducted a risk analysis based on the thickness and depth of the liquefaction layer measured using cone penetration testing (CPT) data and electric resistivity data obtained in the Hinode area. The distribution of the risk estimated from CPT at 143 points, and that obtained from analysis of the resistivity survey data, agreed with the distribution of actual damage. We also carried out conventional risk analyses method using the liquefaction resistance factor (FL) and liquefaction potential index (PL) methods with CPT data. The results show high PL values over the entire area, but their distribution did not agree well with actual damage in some parts of the study area. Because the analysis of the thickness and depth of the liquefaction layer, using geophysical prospecting methods, can cover a widespread area, this method will be very useful in investigating liquefaction risk, especially for gas and water pipelines.

Semiconductor bridge (SCB) igniter

DOEpatents

Bickes, Jr., Robert W.; Schwarz, Alfred C.

1987-01-01

In an explosive device comprising an explosive material which can be made to explode upon activation by activation means in contact therewith; electrical activation means adaptable for activating said explosive material such that it explodes; and electrical circuitry in operation association with said activation means; there is an improvement wherein said activation means is an electrical material which, at an elevated temperature, has a negative temperature coefficient of electrical resistivity and which has a shape and size and an area of contact with said explosive material sufficient that it has an electrical resistance which will match the resistance requirements of said associated electrical circuitry when said electrical material is operationally associated with said circuitry, and wherein said electrical material is polycrystalline; or said electrical material is crystalline and (a) is mounted on a lattice matched substrate or (b) is partially covered with an intimately contacting metallization area which defines its area of contact with said explosive material.

Chk1 Promotes DNA Damage Response Bypass following Oxidative Stress in a Model of Hydrogen Peroxide-Associated Ulcerative Colitis through JNK Inactivation and Chromatin Binding.

PubMed

Reissig, Kathrin; Silver, Andrew; Hartig, Roland; Schinlauer, Antje; Walluscheck, Diana; Guenther, Thomas; Siedentopf, Sandra; Ross, Jochen; Vo, Diep-Khanh; Roessner, Albert; Poehlmann-Nitsche, Angela

2017-01-01

Dysregulation of c-Jun N -terminal kinase (JNK) activation promoted DNA damage response bypass and tumorigenesis in our model of hydrogen peroxide-associated ulcerative colitis (UC) and in patients with quiescent UC (QUC), UC-related dysplasia, and UC-related carcinoma (UC-CRC), thereby adapting to oxidative stress. In the UC model, we have observed features of oncogenic transformation: increased proliferation, undetected DNA damage, and apoptosis resistance. Here, we show that Chk1 was downregulated but activated in the acute and quiescent chronic phases. In both phases, Chk1 was linked to DNA damage response bypass by suppressing JNK activation following oxidative stress, promoting cell cycle progression despite DNA damage. Simultaneously, activated Chk1 was bound to chromatin. This triggered histone acetylation and the binding of histone acetyltransferases and transcription factors to chromatin. Thus, chromatin-immobilized activated Chk1 executed a dual function by suppressing DNA damage response and simultaneously inducing chromatin modulation. This caused undetected DNA damage and increased cellular proliferation through failure to transmit the appropriate DNA damage signal. Findings in vitro were corroborated by chromatin accumulation of activated Chk1, Ac-H3, Ac-H4, and c-Jun in active UC (AUC) in vivo. Targeting chromatin-bound Chk1, GCN5, PCAF, and p300/CBP could be a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent UC-related tumor progression.

NF-κB inhibition delays DNA damage–induced senescence and aging in mice

PubMed Central

Tilstra, Jeremy S.; Robinson, Andria R.; Wang, Jin; Gregg, Siobhán Q.; Clauson, Cheryl L.; Reay, Daniel P.; Nasto, Luigi A.; St Croix, Claudette M.; Usas, Arvydas; Vo, Nam; Huard, Johnny; Clemens, Paula R.; Stolz, Donna B.; Guttridge, Denis C.; Watkins, Simon C.; Garinis, George A.; Wang, Yinsheng; Niedernhofer, Laura J.; Robbins, Paul D.

2012-01-01

The accumulation of cellular damage, including DNA damage, is thought to contribute to aging-related degenerative changes, but how damage drives aging is unknown. XFE progeroid syndrome is a disease of accelerated aging caused by a defect in DNA repair. NF-κB, a transcription factor activated by cellular damage and stress, has increased activity with aging and aging-related chronic diseases. To determine whether NF-κB drives aging in response to the accumulation of spontaneous, endogenous DNA damage, we measured the activation of NF-κB in WT and progeroid model mice. As both WT and progeroid mice aged, NF-κB was activated stochastically in a variety of cell types. Genetic depletion of one allele of the p65 subunit of NF-κB or treatment with a pharmacological inhibitor of the NF-κB–activating kinase, IKK, delayed the age-related symptoms and pathologies of progeroid mice. Additionally, inhibition of NF-κB reduced oxidative DNA damage and stress and delayed cellular senescence. These results indicate that the mechanism by which DNA damage drives aging is due in part to NF-κB activation. IKK/NF-κB inhibitors are sufficient to attenuate this damage and could provide clinical benefit for degenerative changes associated with accelerated aging disorders and normal aging. PMID:22706308

Durability assessments of concrete using electrical properties and acoustic emission testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Todak, Heather N.

Premature damage deterioration has been observed in pavement joints throughout the Midwestern region of the United States. Over time, severe joint damage creates a transportation safety concern and the necessary repairs can be an extreme economic burden. The deterioration is due in part to freeze-thaw damage associated with fluid accumulation at the pavement joints. This very preventable problem is an indication that current specifications and construction practices for freeze-thaw durability of concrete are inadequate. This thesis serves to create a better understanding of moisture ingress, freeze-thaw damage mechanisms, and the effect of variations in mixture properties on freeze-thaw behavior of concrete. The concepts of the nick point degree of saturation, sorptivity rates, and critical degree of saturation are discussed. These factors contribute to service life, defined in this study as the duration of time a concrete element remains below levels of critical saturation which are required for damage development to initiate. A theoretical model and a simple experimental procedure are introduced which help determine the nick point for a series of 32 concrete mixtures with unique mixture proportions and air entrainment properties. This simple experimental procedure is also presented as a method to measure important electrical properties in order to establish the formation factor, a valuable measure of concrete transport properties. The results of freeze-thaw testing with acoustic emission monitoring are presented to help understand and quantify damage development in concrete specimens when conditioned to various degrees of saturation. This procedure was used to study the relationship between air entrainment properties and the critical degree of saturation. Applying the concepts of degree of saturation and sorptivity, a performance-based model is proposed as a new approach to specifications for freeze-thaw durability. Finally, a conceptual model is presented to illustrate the effect of various changes in mixture proportions and air void properties on service life.

Capacitive charge generation apparatus and method for testing circuits

DOEpatents

Cole, E.I. Jr.; Peterson, K.A.; Barton, D.L.

1998-07-14

An electron beam apparatus and method for testing a circuit are disclosed. The electron beam apparatus comprises an electron beam incident on an outer surface of an insulating layer overlying one or more electrical conductors of the circuit for generating a time varying or alternating current electrical potential on the surface; and a measurement unit connected to the circuit for measuring an electrical signal capacitively coupled to the electrical conductors to identify and map a conduction state of each of the electrical conductors, with or without an electrical bias signal being applied to the circuit. The electron beam apparatus can further include a secondary electron detector for forming a secondary electron image for registration with a map of the conduction state of the electrical conductors. The apparatus and method are useful for failure analysis or qualification testing to determine the presence of any open-circuits or short-circuits, and to verify the continuity or integrity of electrical conductors buried below an insulating layer thickness of 1-100 {micro}m or more without damaging or breaking down the insulating layer. The types of electrical circuits that can be tested include integrated circuits, multi-chip modules, printed circuit boards and flexible printed circuits. 7 figs.

Capacitive charge generation apparatus and method for testing circuits

DOEpatents

Cole, Jr., Edward I.; Peterson, Kenneth A.; Barton, Daniel L.

1998-01-01

An electron beam apparatus and method for testing a circuit. The electron beam apparatus comprises an electron beam incident on an outer surface of an insulating layer overlying one or more electrical conductors of the circuit for generating a time varying or alternating current electrical potential on the surface; and a measurement unit connected to the circuit for measuring an electrical signal capacitively coupled to the electrical conductors to identify and map a conduction state of each of the electrical conductors, with or without an electrical bias signal being applied to the circuit. The electron beam apparatus can further include a secondary electron detector for forming a secondary electron image for registration with a map of the conduction state of the electrical conductors. The apparatus and method are useful for failure analysis or qualification testing to determine the presence of any open-circuits or short-circuits, and to verify the continuity or integrity of electrical conductors buried below an insulating layer thickness of 1-100 .mu.m or more without damaging or breaking down the insulating layer. The types of electrical circuits that can be tested include integrated circuits, multi-chip modules, printed circuit boards and flexible printed circuits.

76 FR 24975 - National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-03

.../oar/docket.html . Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the EPA Air and Radiation Docket... nervous system, and damage to the kidneys), and acute health disorders (e.g., lung irritation and...

Multifunctional Cement Composites Strain and Damage Sensors Applied on Reinforced Concrete (RC) Structural Elements

PubMed Central

Baeza, Francisco Javier; Galao, Oscar; Zornoza, Emilio; Garcés, Pedro

2013-01-01

In this research, strain-sensing and damage-sensing functional properties of cement composites have been studied on a conventional reinforced concrete (RC) beam. Carbon nanofiber (CNFCC) and fiber (CFCC) cement composites were used as sensors on a 4 m long RC beam. Different casting conditions (in situ or attached), service location (under tension or compression) and electrical contacts (embedded or superficial) were compared. Both CNFCC and CFCC were suitable as strain sensors in reversible (elastic) sensing condition testing. CNFCC showed higher sensitivities (gage factor up to 191.8), while CFCC only reached gage factors values of 178.9 (tension) or 49.5 (compression). Furthermore, damage-sensing tests were run, increasing the applied load progressively up to the RC beam failure. In these conditions, CNFCC sensors were also strain sensitive, but no damage sensing mechanism was detected for the strain levels achieved during the tests. Hence, these cement composites could act as strain sensors, even for severe damaged structures near to their collapse. PMID:28809343

Multifunctional Cement Composites Strain and Damage Sensors Applied on Reinforced Concrete (RC) Structural Elements.

PubMed

Baeza, Francisco Javier; Galao, Oscar; Zornoza, Emilio; Garcés, Pedro

2013-03-06

In this research, strain-sensing and damage-sensing functional properties of cement composites have been studied on a conventional reinforced concrete (RC) beam. Carbon nanofiber (CNFCC) and fiber (CFCC) cement composites were used as sensors on a 4 m long RC beam. Different casting conditions ( in situ or attached), service location (under tension or compression) and electrical contacts (embedded or superficial) were compared. Both CNFCC and CFCC were suitable as strain sensors in reversible (elastic) sensing condition testing. CNFCC showed higher sensitivities (gage factor up to 191.8), while CFCC only reached gage factors values of 178.9 (tension) or 49.5 (compression). Furthermore, damage-sensing tests were run, increasing the applied load progressively up to the RC beam failure. In these conditions, CNFCC sensors were also strain sensitive, but no damage sensing mechanism was detected for the strain levels achieved during the tests. Hence, these cement composites could act as strain sensors, even for severe damaged structures near to their collapse.

Electronic-carrier-controlled photochemical etching process in semiconductor device fabrication

DOEpatents

Ashby, C.I.H.; Myers, D.R.; Vook, F.L.

1988-06-16

An electronic-carrier-controlled photochemical etching process for carrying out patterning and selective removing of material in semiconductor device fabrication includes the steps of selective ion implanting, photochemical dry etching, and thermal annealing, in that order. In the selective ion implanting step, regions of the semiconductor material in a desired pattern are damaged and the remainder of the regions of the material not implanted are left undamaged. The rate of recombination of electrons and holes is increased in the damaged regions of the pattern compared to undamaged regions. In the photochemical dry etching step which follows ion implanting step, the material in the undamaged regions of the semiconductor are removed substantially faster than in the damaged regions representing the pattern, leaving the ion-implanted, damaged regions as raised surface structures on the semiconductor material. After completion of photochemical dry etching step, the thermal annealing step is used to restore the electrical conductivity of the damaged regions of the semiconductor material.

Electronic-carrier-controlled photochemical etching process in semiconductor device fabrication

DOEpatents

Ashby, Carol I. H.; Myers, David R.; Vook, Frederick L.

1989-01-01

An electronic-carrier-controlled photochemical etching process for carrying out patterning and selective removing of material in semiconductor device fabrication includes the steps of selective ion implanting, photochemical dry etching, and thermal annealing, in that order. In the selective ion implanting step, regions of the semiconductor material in a desired pattern are damaged and the remainder of the regions of the material not implanted are left undamaged. The rate of recombination of electrons and holes is increased in the damaged regions of the pattern compared to undamaged regions. In the photochemical dry etching step which follows ion implanting step, the material in the undamaged regions of the semiconductor are removed substantially faster than in the damaged regions representing the pattern, leaving the ion-implanted, damaged regions as raised surface structures on the semiconductor material. After completion of photochemical dry etching step, the thermal annealing step is used to restore the electrical conductivity of the damaged regions of the semiconductor material.

Neuronal and BBB damage induced by sera from patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Proia, Patrizia; Schiera, Gabriella; Salemi, Giuseppe; Ragonese, Paolo; Savettieri, Giovanni; Di Liegro, Italia

2009-12-01

An important component of the pathogenic process of multiple sclerosis (MS) is the blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage. We recently set an in vitro model of BBB, based on a three-cell-type co-culture system, in which rat neurons and astrocytes synergistically induce brain capillary endothelial cells to form a monolayer with permeability properties resembling those of the physiological BBB. Herein we report that the serum from patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) has a damaging effect on isolated neurons. This finding suggests that neuronal damaging in MS could be a primary event and not only secondary to myelin damage, as generally assumed. SPMS serum affects the permeability of the BBB model, as indicated by the decrease of the transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER). Moreover, as shown by both immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses, BBB breaking is accompanied by a decrease of the synthesis as well as the peripheral localization of occludin, a structural protein of the tight junctions that are responsible for BBB properties.

In vitro toxicity evaluation of silver soldering, electrical resistance, and laser welding of orthodontic wires.

PubMed

Sestini, Silvia; Notarantonio, Laura; Cerboni, Barbara; Alessandrini, Carlo; Fimiani, Michele; Nannelli, Pietro; Pelagalli, Antonio; Giorgetti, Roberto

2006-12-01

The long-term effects of orthodontic appliances in the oral environment and the subsequent leaching of metals are relatively unknown. A method for determining the effects of various types of soldering and welding, both of which in turn could lead to leaching of metal ions, on the growth of osteoblasts, fibroblasts, and oral keratinocytes in vitro, is proposed. The effects of cell behaviour of metal wires on osteoblast differentiation, expressed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity; on fibroblast proliferation, assayed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulphophenil)-2H-tetrazolium-phenazine ethosulphate method; and on keratinocyte viability and migration on the wires, observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were tested. Two types of commercially available wires normally used for orthodontic appliances, with a similar chemical composition (iron, carbon, silicon, chromium, molybdenum, phosphorus, sulphur, vanadium, and nitrogen) but differing in nickel and manganese content, were examined, as well as the joints obtained by electrical resistance welding, traditional soldering, and laser welding. Nickel and chromium, known as possible toxic metals, were also examined using pure nickel- and chromium-plated titanium wires. Segments of each wire, cut into different lengths, were added to each well in which the cells were grown to confluence. The high nickel and chromium content of orthodontic wires damaged both osteoblasts and fibroblasts, but did not affect keratinocytes. Chromium strongly affected fibroblast growth. The joint produced by electrical resistance welding was well tolerated by both osteoblasts and fibroblasts, whereas traditional soldering caused a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in both osteoblast ALP activity and fibroblast viability, and prevented the growth of keratinocytes in vitro. Laser welding was the only joining process well tolerated by all tested cells.

Monitoring Damage Accumulation in Ceramic Matrix Composites Using Electrical Resistivity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Craig E.; Morscher, Gregory N.; Xia, Zhenhai H.

2008-01-01

The electric resistance of woven SiC fiber reinforced SiC matrix composites were measured under tensile loading conditions. The results show that the electrical resistance is closely related to damage and that real-time information about the damage state can be obtained through monitoring of the resistance. Such self-sensing capability provides the possibility of on-board/in-situ damage detection and accurate life prediction for high-temperature ceramic matrix composites. Woven silicon carbide fiber-reinforced silicon carbide (SiC/SiC) ceramic matrix composites (CMC) possess unique properties such as high thermal conductivity, excellent creep resistance, improved toughness, and good environmental stability (oxidation resistance), making them particularly suitable for hot structure applications. In specific, CMCs could be applied to hot section components of gas turbines [1], aerojet engines [2], thermal protection systems [3], and hot control surfaces [4]. The benefits of implementing these materials include reduced cooling air requirements, lower weight, simpler component design, longer service life, and higher thrust [5]. It has been identified in NASA High Speed Research (HSR) program that the SiC/SiC CMC has the most promise for high temperature, high oxidation applications [6]. One of the critical issues in the successful application of CMCs is on-board or insitu assessment of the damage state and an accurate prediction of the remaining service life of a particular component. This is of great concern, since most CMC components envisioned for aerospace applications will be exposed to harsh environments and play a key role in the vehicle s safety. On-line health monitoring can enable prediction of remaining life; thus resulting in improved safety and reliability of structural components. Monitoring can also allow for appropriate corrections to be made in real time, therefore leading to the prevention of catastrophic failures. Most conventional nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques such as ultrasonic C-scan, x-ray, thermography, and eddy current are limited since they require structural components of complex geometry to be taken out of service for a substantial length of time for post-damage inspection and assessment. Furthermore, the typical NDE techniques are useful for identifying large interlaminar flaws, but insensitive to CMC materials flaws developed perpendicular to the surface under tensile creep conditions. There are techniques such as piezoelectric sensor [7,8], and optical fiber [9,10] that could be used for on-line health monitoring of CMC structures. However, these systems involve attaching an external sensor or putting special fibers in CMC composites, which would be problematic at high temperature applications.

Plasma Nitriding of AISI 304 Stainless Steel in Cathodic and Floating Electric Potential: Influence on Morphology, Chemical Characteristics and Tribological Behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yang; He, Yongyong; Wang, Wei; Mao, Junyuan; Zhang, Lei; Zhu, Yijie; Ye, Qianwen

2018-03-01

In direct current plasma nitriding (DCPN), the treated components are subjected to a high cathodic potential, which brings several inherent shortcomings, e.g., damage by arcing and the edging effect. In active screen plasma nitriding (ASPN) processes, the cathodic potential is applied to a metal screen that surrounds the workload, and the component to be treated is placed in a floating potential. Such an electrical configuration allows plasma to be formed on the metal screen surface rather than on the component surface; thus, the shortcomings of the DCPN are eliminated. In this work, the nitrided experiments were performed using a plasma nitriding unit. Two groups of samples were placed on the table in the cathodic and the floating potential, corresponding to the DCPN and ASPN, respectively. The floating samples and table were surrounded by a steel screen. The DCPN and ASPN of the AISI 304 stainless steels are investigated as a function of the electric potential. The samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscope. Dry sliding ball-on-disk wear tests were conducted on the untreated substrate, DCPN and ASPN samples. The results reveal that all nitrided samples successfully produced similar nitrogen-supersaturated S phase layers on their surfaces. This finding also shows the strong impact of the electric potential of the nitriding process on the morphology, chemical characteristics, hardness and tribological behavior of the DCPN and ASPN samples.

Data and Geocomputation: Time Critical Mission Support for the 2017 Hurricane Season

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhaduri, B. L.; Tuttle, M.; Rose, A.; Sanyal, J.; Thakur, G.; White, D.; Yang, H. H.; Laverdiere, M.; Whitehead, M.; Taylor, H.; Jacob, M.

2017-12-01

A strong spatial data infrastructure and geospatial analysis capabilities are nucleus to the decision-making process during emergency preparedness, response, and recovery operations. For over a decade, the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has been developing critical data and analytical capabilities that provide the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the rest of the federal response community assess and evaluate impacts of natural hazards on population and critical infrastructures including the status of the national electricity and oil and natural gas networks. These capabilities range from identifying structures or buildings from very high-resolution satellite imagery, utilizing machine learning and high-performance computing, to daily assessment of electricity restoration highlighting changes in nighttime lights for the impacted region based on the analysis of NOAA JPSS VIIRS Day/Night Band (DNB) imagery. This presentation will highlight our time critical mission support efforts for the 2017 hurricane season that witnessed unprecedented devastation from hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. ORNL provided 90m resolution LandScan USA population distribution data for identifying vulnerable population as well as structure (buildings) data extracted from 1m imagery for damage assessment. Spatially accurate data for solid waste facilities were developed and delivered to the response community. Human activity signatures were assessed from large scale collection of open source social media data around points of interests (POI) to ascertain level of destruction. The electricity transmission system was monitored in real time from data integration from hundreds of utilities and electricity outage information were provided back to the response community via standardized web-services.

ATM directs DNA damage responses and proteostasis via genetically separable pathways

PubMed Central

Lee, Ji-Hoon; Mand, Michael R.; Kao, Chung-Hsuan; Zhou, Yi; Ryu, Seung W.; Richards, Alicia L.; Coon, Joshua J.; Paull, Tanya T.

2018-01-01

The protein kinase ATM is a master regulator of the DNA damage response but also responds directly to oxidative stress. Loss of ATM causes Ataxia telangiectasia, a neurodegenerative disorder with pleiotropic symptoms that include cerebellar dysfunction, cancer, diabetes, and premature aging. Here, we genetically separated DNA damage activation of ATM from oxidative activation using separation-of-function mutations. We found that deficiency in ATM activation by Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 and DNA double-strand breaks resulted in loss of cell viability, checkpoint activation, and DNA end resection in response to DNA damage. In contrast, loss of oxidative activation of ATM had minimal effects on DNA damage-related outcomes but blocked ATM-mediated initiation of checkpoint responses after oxidative stress and resulted in deficiencies in mitochondrial function and autophagy. In addition, expression of ATM lacking oxidative activation generates widespread protein aggregation. These results indicate a direct relationship between the mechanism of ATM activation and its effects on cellular metabolism and DNA damage responses in human cells and implicates ATM in the control of protein homeostasis. PMID:29317520

Method for detecting damage in carbon-fibre reinforced plastic-steel structures based on eddy current pulsed thermography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xuan; Liu, Zhiping; Jiang, Xiaoli; Lodewijks, Gabrol

2018-01-01

Eddy current pulsed thermography (ECPT) is well established for non-destructive testing of electrical conductive materials, featuring the advantages of contactless, intuitive detecting and efficient heating. The concept of divergence characterization of the damage rate of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP)-steel structures can be extended to ECPT thermal pattern characterization. It was found in this study that the use of ECPT technology on CFRP-steel structures generated a sizeable amount of valuable information for comprehensive material diagnostics. The relationship between divergence and transient thermal patterns can be identified and analysed by deploying mathematical models to analyse the information about fibre texture-like orientations, gaps and undulations in these multi-layered materials. The developed algorithm enabled the removal of information about fibre texture and the extraction of damage features. The model of the CFRP-glue-steel structures with damage was established using COMSOL Multiphysics® software, and quantitative non-destructive damage evaluation from the ECPT image areas was derived. The results of this proposed method illustrate that damaged areas are highly affected by available information about fibre texture. This proposed work can be applied for detection of impact induced damage and quantitative evaluation of CFRP structures.

Characterization of damaged skin by impedance spectroscopy: chemical damage by dimethyl sulfoxide.

PubMed

White, Erick A; Orazem, Mark E; Bunge, Annette L

2013-10-01

To relate changes in the electrochemical impedance spectra to the progression and mechanism of skin damage arising from exposure to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Electrochemical impedance spectra measured before and after human cadaver skin was treated with neat DMSO or phosphate buffered saline (control) for 1 h or less were compared with electrical circuit models representing two contrasting theories describing the progression of DMSO damage. Flux of a model lipophilic compound (p-chloronitrobenzene) was also measured. The impedance spectra collected before and after 1 h treatment with DMSO were consistent with a single circuit model; whereas, the spectra collected after DMSO exposure for 0.25 h were consistent with the model circuits observed before and after DMSO treatment for 1 h combined in series. DMSO treatments did not significantly change the flux of p-chloronitrobenzene compared to control. Impedance measurements of human skin exposed to DMSO for less than about 0.5 h were consistent with the presence of two layers: one damaged irreversibly and one unchanged. The thickness of the damaged layer increased proportional to the square-root of treatment time until about 0.5 h, when DMSO affected the entire stratum corneum. Irreversible DMSO damage altered the lipophilic permeation pathway minimally.

Spread of cochlear excitation during stimulation with pulsed infrared radiation: inferior colliculus measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richter, C.-P.; Rajguru, S. M.; Matic, A. I.; Moreno, E. L.; Fishman, A. J.; Robinson, A. M.; Suh, E.; Walsh, J. T., Jr.

2011-10-01

Infrared neural stimulation (INS) has received considerable attention over the last few years. It provides an alternative method to artificially stimulate neurons without electrical current or the introduction of exogenous chromophores. One of the primary benefits of INS could be the improved spatial selectivity when compared with electrical stimulation. In the present study, we have evaluated the spatial selectivity of INS in the acutely damaged cochlea of guinea pigs and compared it to stimulation with acoustic tone pips in normal-hearing animals. The radiation was delivered via a 200 µm diameter optical fiber, which was inserted through a cochleostomy into the scala tympani of the basal cochlear turn. The stimulated section along the cochlear spiral ganglion was estimated from the neural responses recorded from the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (ICC). ICC responses were recorded in response to cochlear INS using a multichannel penetrating electrode array. Spatial tuning curves (STCs) were constructed from the responses. For INS, approximately 55% of the activation profiles showed a single maximum, ~22% had two maxima and ~13% had multiple maxima. The remaining 10% of the profiles occurred at the limits of the electrode array and could not be classified. The majority of ICC STCs indicated that the spread of activation evoked by optical stimuli is comparable to that produced by acoustic tone pips.

Active sensing of target location encoded by cortical microstimulation.

PubMed

Venkatraman, Subramaniam; Carmena, Jose M

2011-06-01

Cortical microstimulation has been proposed as a method to deliver sensory percepts to circumvent damaged sensory receptors or pathways. However, much of perception involves the active movement of sensory organs and the integration of information across sensory and motor modalities. The efficacy of cortical microstimulation in such an active sensing paradigm has not been demonstrated. We report a novel behavioral paradigm which delivers microstimulation in real-time based on a rat's movements and show that rats can perform sensorimotor integration with electrically delivered stimuli. Using a real-time whisker tracking system, we delivered microstimulation in barrel cortex of actively whisking rats when their whisker crossed a particular spatial location which defined the target. Rats learned to integrate microstimulation cues with their knowledge of whisker position to infer target location along the rostro-caudal axis in less than 200 ms. In a separate experiment, we found that rats trained to respond to cortical microstimulation responded similarly to whisker deflections while ignoring auditory distracters, suggesting that barrel cortex stimulation may be perceptually similar to somatosensory stimuli. This ability to deliver sensory percepts using cortical microstimulation in an active sensing system might have significant implications for the development of sensorimotor neuroprostheses.

A study of trap-limited conduction influenced by plasma damage on the source/drain regions of amorphous InGaZnO TFTs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsu, Chih-Chieh; Sun, Jhen-Kai; Wu, Chien-Hsun

2015-11-01

This study investigated electrical characteristics and stability variations of amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide thin film transistors (a-IGZO TFTs) with plasma damage on their source/drain (S/D) regions. The influence of the plasma damage on the TFT performance is absent as the channel length is 36-100 μm. When the channel length is decreased to 3-5 μm, the mobility (μ ) of the bottom gate TFT (BG TFT) with plasma damage is significantly degraded to 0.6 cm2 (V s)-1, which is much lower than 4.3 cm2 (V s)-1 of a damage-free BG TFT. We utilized the TFT passivation layer and the indium tin oxide (ITO), which was used as the pixel electrode material in the TFT backplane, to be the top gate insulator and top gate electrode of the defective BG TFT to obtain the defective dual-gate TFT. The mobility can be restored to 5.1 cm2 (V s)-1. Additional process steps are not required. Besides, this method is easily implemented and is fully compatible with TFT backplane fabrication process. The transfer curves, hysteresis characteristics, stabilities under constant voltage stress and constant current stress tests were measured to give evidences that the traps created by the plasma damage on the S/D regions indeed can affect electron transport. This trap-limited conduction can be improved by using the top gate. It was proven that the top gate was not for contributing an observably additional current. It was for inducing electrons to electrically passivate the plasma-induced defects near the back channel. Thus, the trapping/detrapping of the electrons transporting in the front channel can be reduced. The trap density near the Fermi level, hopping distance and hopping energy are 1.1  ×  1018 cm-3 eV-1, 162 Å, and 52 meV for the BG TFT with plasma damage on the S/D regions.

Plasma-mediated transfection of RPE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palanker, D.; Chalberg, T.; Vankov, A.; Huie, P.; Molnar, F. E.; Butterwick, A.; Calos, M.; Marmor, M.; Blumenkranz, M. S.

2006-02-01

A major obstacle in applying gene therapy to clinical practice is the lack of efficient and safe gene delivery techniques. Viral delivery has encountered a number of serious problems including immunological reactions and malignancy. Non-viral delivery methods (liposomes, sonoporation and electroporation) have either low efficiency in-vivo or produce severe collateral damage to ocular tissues. We discovered that tensile stress greatly increases the susceptibility of cellular membranes to electroporation. For synchronous application of electric field and mechanical stress, both are generated by the electric discharge itself. A pressure wave is produced by rapid vaporization of the medium. To prevent termination of electric current by the vapor cavity it is ionized thus restoring its electric conductivity. For in-vivo experiments with rabbits a plasmid DNA was injected into the subretinal space, and RPE was treated trans-sclerally with an array of microelectodes placed outside the eye. Application of 250-300V and 100-200 μs biphasic pulses via a microelectrode array resulted in efficient transfection of RPE without visible damage to the retina. Gene expression was quantified and monitored using bioluminescence (luciferase) and fluorescence (GFP) imaging. Transfection efficiency of RPE with this new technique exceeded that of standard electroporation by a factor 10,000. Safe and effective non-viral DNA delivery to the mammalian retina may help to materialize the enormous potential of the ocular gene therapy. Future experiments will focus on continued characterization of the safety and efficacy of this method and evaluation of long-term transgene expression in the presence of phiC31 integrase.

Altered ion channel conductance and ionic selectivity induced by large imposed membrane potential pulse.

PubMed Central

Chen, W; Lee, R C

1994-01-01

The effects of large magnitude transmembrane potential pulses on voltage-gated Na and K channel behavior in frog skeletal muscle membrane were studied using a modified double vaseline-gap voltage clamp. The effects of electroconformational damage to ionic channels were separated from damage to lipid bilayer (electroporation). A 4 ms transmembrane potential pulse of -600 mV resulted in a reduction of both Na and K channel conductivities. The supraphysiologic pulses also reduced ionic selectivity of the K channels against Na+ ions, resulting in a depolarization of the membrane resting potential. However, TTX and TEA binding effects were unaltered. The kinetics of spontaneous reversal of the electroconformational damage of channel proteins was found to be dependent on the magnitude of imposed membrane potential pulse. These results suggest that muscle and nerve dysfunction after electrical shock may be in part caused by electroconformational damage to voltage-gated ion channels. PMID:7948676

Physiotherapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis

PubMed Central

Kavuncu, Vural; Evcik, Deniz

2004-01-01

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and painful clinical condition that leads to progressive joint damage, disability, deterioration in quality of life, and shortened life expectancy. Even mild inflammation may result in irreversible damage and permanent disability. The clinical course according to symptoms may be either intermittent or progressive in patients with RA. In most patients, the clinical course is progressive, and structural damage develops in the first 2 years. The aim of RA management is to achieve pain relief and prevent joint damage and functional loss. Physiotherapy and rehabilitation applications significantly augment medical therapy by improving the management of RA and reducing handicaps in daily living for patients with RA. In this review, the application of physiotherapy modalities is examined, including the use of cold/heat applications, electrical stimulation, and hydrotherapy. Rehabilitation treatment techniques for patients with RA such as joint protection strategies, massage, exercise, and patient education are also presented. PMID:15266230

Total Dose Effects on Bipolar Integrated Circuits at Low Temperature

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnston, A. H.; Swimm, R. T.; Thorbourn, D. O.

2012-01-01

Total dose damage in bipolar integrated circuits is investigated at low temperature, along with the temperature dependence of the electrical parameters of internal transistors. Bandgap narrowing causes the gain of npn transistors to decrease far more at low temperature compared to pnp transistors, due to the large difference in emitter doping concentration. When irradiations are done at temperatures of -140 deg C, no damage occurs until devices are warmed to temperatures above -50 deg C. After warm-up, subsequent cooling shows that damage is then present at low temperature. This can be explained by the very strong temperature dependence of dispersive transport in the continuous-time-random-walk model for hole transport. For linear integrated circuits, low temperature operation is affected by the strong temperature dependence of npn transistors along with the higher sensitivity of lateral and substrate pnp transistors to radiation damage.

Crack initiation modeling of a directionally-solidified nickel-base superalloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gordon, Ali Page

Combustion gas turbine components designed for application in electric power generation equipment are subject to periodic replacement as a result of cracking, damage, and mechanical property degeneration that render them unsafe for continued operation. In view of the significant costs associated with inspecting, servicing, and replacing damaged components, there has been much interest in developing models that not only predict service life, but also estimate the evolved microstructural state of the material. This thesis explains manifestations of microstructural damage mechanisms that facilitate fatigue crack nucleation in a newly-developed directionally-solidified (DS) Ni-base superalloy components exposed to elevated temperatures and high stresses. In this study, models were developed and validated for damage and life prediction using DS GTD-111 as the subject material. This material, proprietary to General Electric Energy, has a chemical composition and grain structure designed to withstand creep damage occurring in the first and second stage blades of gas-powered turbines. The service conditions in these components, which generally exceed 600°C, facilitate the onset of one or more damage mechanisms related to fatigue, creep, or environment. The study was divided into an empirical phase, which consisted of experimentally simulating service conditions in fatigue specimens, and a modeling phase, which entailed numerically simulating the stress-strain response of the material. Experiments have been carried out to simulate a variety of thermal, mechanical, and environmental operating conditions endured by longitudinally (L) and transversely (T) oriented DS GTD-111. Both in-phase and out-of-phase thermo-mechanical fatigue tests were conducted. In some cases, tests in extreme environments/temperatures were needed to isolate one or at most two of the mechanisms causing damage. Microstructural examinations were carried out via SEM and optical microscopy. A continuum crystal plasticity model was used to simulate the material behavior in the L and T orientations. The constitutive model was implemented in ABAQUS and a parameter estimation scheme was developed to obtain the material constants. A physically-based model was developed for correlating crack initiation life based on the experimental life data and predictions are made using the crack initiation model. Assuming a unique relationship between the damage fraction and cycle fraction with respect to cycles to crack initiation for each damage mode, the total crack initiation life has been represented in terms of the individual damage components (fatigue, creep-fatigue, creep, and oxidation-fatigue) observed at the end state of crack initiation.

The KnowRISK project: Tools and strategies to reduce non-structural damage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sousa Oliveira, Carlos; Lopes, Mário; Mota de Sá, Francisco; Amaral Ferreia, Mónica; Candeias, Paulo; Campos Costa, Alfredo; Rupakhety, Rajesh; Meroni, Fabrizio; Azzaro, Raffaele; D'Amico, Salvatore; Langer, Horst; Musacchio, Gemma; Sousa Silva, Delta; Falsaperla, Susanna; Scarfì, Luciano; Tusa, Giuseppina; Tuvé, Tiziana

2016-04-01

The project KnowRISK (Know your city, Reduce seISmic risK through non-structural elements) is financed by the European Commission to develop prevention measures that may reduce non-structural damage in urban areas. Pilot areas of the project are within the three European participating countries, namely Portugal, Iceland and Italy. Non-structural components of a building include all those components that are not part of the structural system, more specifically the architectural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as furniture, fixtures, equipment, and contents. Windows, partitions, granite veneer, piping, ceilings, air conditioning ducts and equipment, elevators, computer and hospital equipment, file cabinets, and retail merchandise are all examples of non-structural components that are vulnerable to earthquake damage. We will use the experience gained during past earthquakes, which struck in particular Iceland, Italy and Portugal (Azores). Securing the non-structural elements improves the safety during an earthquake and saves lives. This paper aims at identifying non-structural seismic protection measures in the pilot areas and to develop a portfolio of good practices for the most common and serious non-structural vulnerabilities. This systematic identification and the portfolio will be achieved through a "cross-knowledge" strategy based on previous researches, evidence of non-structural damage in past earthquakes. Shake table tests of a group of non-structural elements will be performed. These tests will be filmed and, jointly with portfolio, will serve as didactic supporting tools to be used in workshops with building construction stakeholders and in risk communication activities. A Practical Guide for non-structural risk reduction will be specifically prepared for citizens on the basis of the outputs of the project, taking into account the local culture and needs of each participating country.

Gastric damage and granulocyte infiltration induced by indomethacin in tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNF-R1) or inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) deficient mice

PubMed Central

Souza, M H L P; Lemos, H. Paula; Oliveira, R B; Cunha, F Q

2004-01-01

Background: Tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is involved in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug induced gastropathy. Nitric oxide (NO) is a mediator of gastrointestinal mucosal defence but, paradoxically, it also contributes to mucosal damage. Aims: We optimised the C57BL/6 mouse model of indomethacin induced gastropathy to evaluate the role of TNF-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) generated NO in gastric damage and granulocyte infiltration using tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNF-R1−/−) or iNOS (iNOS−/−) deficient mice. Methods: Different doses of indomethacin (2.5, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg) were administered and animals were assessed 6, 12, or 24 hours later. Gastric damage was measured by the sum of all erosions in the gastric mucosa, and gastric granulocyte infiltration was determined by myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Other groups of wild-type mice received thalidomide, dexamethasone, fucoidin, l-NAME, or 1400W, and then indomethacin was administered. Additionally, indomethacin was administered to TNF-R1−/− or iNOS−/−. Gastric damage and MPO activity were evaluated 12 hours later. Results: Indomethacin induced dose and time dependent gastric damage and increase in MPO activity in wild-type mice, with the greatest effect at a dose of 10 mg/kg and after 12 hours. Treatment with thalidomide, dexamethasone, or fucoidin reduced gastric damage and MPO activity induced by indomethacin. After indomethacin administration, TNF-R1−/− had less gastric damage and MPO activity than controls. Genetic (knockout mice) or pharmacological (1400W and l-NAME) inhibition of iNOS activity reduced indomethacin induced gastric damage, despite no reduction in MPO activity. Conclusion: TNF-α, acting via TNF-R1, is involved in indomethacin induced gastric damage and granulocyte infiltration. Furthermore, iNOS generated NO is involved in gastric damage induced by indomethacin. PMID:15138204

Rotor damage detection by using piezoelectric impedance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, Y.; Tao, Y.; Mao, Y. F.

2016-04-01

Rotor is a core component of rotary machinery. Once the rotor has the damage, it may lead to a major accident. Thus the quantitative rotor damage detection method based on piezoelectric impedance is studied in this paper. With the governing equation of piezoelectric transducer (PZT) in a cylindrical coordinate, the displacement along the radius direction is derived. The charge of PZT is calculated by the electric displacement. Then, by the use of the obtained displacement and charge, an analytic piezoelectric impedance model of the rotor is built. Given the circular boundary condition of a rotor, annular elements are used as the analyzed objects and spectral element method is used to set up the damage detection model. The Electro-Mechanical (E/M) coupled impedance expression of an undamaged rotor is deduced with the application of a low-cost impedance test circuit. A Taylor expansion method is used to obtain the approximate E/M coupled impedance expression for the damaged rotor. After obtaining the difference between the undamaged and damaged rotor impedance, a rotor damage detection method is proposed. This method can directly calculate the change of bending stiffness of the structural elements, it follows that the rotor damage can be effectively detected. Finally, a preset damage configuration is used for the numerical simulation. The result shows that the quantitative damage detection algorithm based on spectral element method and piezoelectric impedance proposed in this paper can identify the location and the severity of the damaged rotor accurately.

Amorphization and recrystallization of epitaxial ReSi2 films grown on Si(100)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Kun HO; Bai, G.; Nicolet, MARC-A.; Mahan, John E.; Geib, Kent M.

1991-01-01

The effects of implantation damage and the chemical species of the implant on structural and electrical properties of epitaxial ReSi2 films on Si(100) implanted with Si-28 or Ar-40 ions, at doses ranging from 10 to the 13th/sq cm to 10 to the 15th/sq cm, were investigated using the backscattering spectrometry, XRD, and the van der Pauw techniques. Results showed that ion implantation produces damage in the film, which increases monotonically with dose; the resistivity of the film decreases monotonically with dose.

Removal of Chronic Intravascular Blood Clots using Liquid Plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, Jae-Chul; Choi, Myeong; Koo, Il; Yu, Zengqi; Collins, George

2011-10-01

An electrical embolectomy device for removing chronic intravascular blood clots using liquid plasma under saline environment was demonstrated. We employed a proxy experimental blood clot model of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and actual equine blood clot. Thermal damage to contiguous tissue and the collagen denaturing via the plasma irradiation were investigated by histological analysis using birefringence of the tissue and verified by FT-IR spectroscopic study, respectively, which showed the high removal rate up to 2 mm per minute at room temperature and small thermal damage less than 200 μm.

Characteristics of n-GaN after ICP etching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Yanjun; Xue, Song; Guo, Wenping; Hao, Zhi-Biao; Sun, Changzheng; Luo, Yi

2002-09-01

In this work, a systematic study on the plasma-induced damage on n-type GaN by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching is presented. After n-contact metal formation and annealing, electrical property is evaluated by the I-V characteristics. Room temperature photoluminescence (PL) measurement of etched GaN surfaces is performed to investigate the etching damage on the optical properties of n-type GaN. Investigation of the effect of additive gas RF chuck power on these characteristics has also been carried out. The better etching conditions have been obtained based on these results.

Logistical and Analytical Approach to a Failure Aboard the International Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McDanels, Seve; Wright, M. Clara; Salazar, Victoria; Lubas, David; Tucker, Bryan

2009-01-01

The starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) from the International Space Station (ISS) began exhibiting off-nominal electrical demands and vibration. Examination by spacewalking astronauts revealed metallic debris contaminating the system and damage to the outboard race of the SARJ. Samples of the contamination were returned to Earth and analyzed. Excessive friction caused the nitride region of the 15-5 PH stainless steel race to spall, generating the debris and damaging the race surface. Excessive vibration and excess power was required to operate the system as a result.

10 CFR 50.48 - Fire protection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... suppression systems; and (iii) The means to limit fire damage to structures, systems, or components important...) Standard 805, “Performance-Based Standard for Fire Protection for Light Water Reactor Electric Generating... pressurized-water reactors (PWRs) is not permitted. (iv) Uncertainty analysis. An uncertainty analysis...

10 CFR 50.48 - Fire protection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... suppression systems; and (iii) The means to limit fire damage to structures, systems, or components important...) Standard 805, “Performance-Based Standard for Fire Protection for Light Water Reactor Electric Generating... pressurized-water reactors (PWRs) is not permitted. (iv) Uncertainty analysis. An uncertainty analysis...

Mapping the electrical properties of large-area graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bøggild, Peter; Mackenzie, David M. A.; Whelan, Patrick R.; Petersen, Dirch H.; Due Buron, Jonas; Zurutuza, Amaia; Gallop, John; Hao, Ling; Jepsen, Peter U.

2017-12-01

The significant progress in terms of fabricating large-area graphene films for transparent electrodes, barriers, electronics, telecommunication and other applications has not yet been accompanied by efficient methods for characterizing the electrical properties of large-area graphene. While in the early prototyping as well as research and development phases, electrical test devices created by conventional lithography have provided adequate insights, this approach is becoming increasingly problematic due to complications such as irreversible damage to the original graphene film, contamination, and a high measurement effort per device. In this topical review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the issues that need to be addressed by any large-area characterisation method for electrical key performance indicators, with emphasis on electrical uniformity and on how this can be used to provide a more accurate analysis of the graphene film. We review and compare three different, but complementary approaches that rely either on fixed contacts (dry laser lithography), movable contacts (micro four point probes) and non-contact (terahertz time-domain spectroscopy) between the probe and the graphene film, all of which have been optimized for maximal throughput and accuracy, and minimal damage to the graphene film. Of these three, the main emphasis is on THz time-domain spectroscopy, which is non-destructive, highly accurate and allows both conductivity, carrier density and carrier mobility to be mapped across arbitrarily large areas at rates that by far exceed any other known method. We also detail how the THz conductivity spectra give insights on the scattering mechanisms, and through that, the microstructure of graphene films subject to different growth and transfer processes. The perspectives for upscaling to realistic production environments are discussed.

Effect of high fluence neutron irradiation on transport properties of thermoelectrics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, H.; Leonard, K. J.

2017-07-01

Thermoelectric materials were subjected to high fluence neutron irradiation in order to understand the effect of radiation damage on transport properties. This study is relevant to the NASA Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) program in which thermoelectric elements are exposed to radiation over a long period of time in space missions. Selected n-type and p-type bismuth telluride materials were irradiated at the High Flux Isotope Reactor with a neutron fluence of 1.3 × 1018 n/cm2 (E > 0.1 MeV). The increase in the Seebeck coefficient in the n-type material was partially off-set by an increase in electrical resistivity, making the power factor higher at lower temperatures. For the p-type materials, although the Seebeck coefficient was not affected by irradiation, electrical resistivity decreased slightly. The figure of merit, zT, showed a clear drop in the 300-400 K range for the p-type material and an increase for the n-type material. Considering that the p-type and n-type materials are connected in series in a module, the overall irradiation damages at the device level were limited. These results, at neutron fluences exceeding a typical space mission, are significant to ensure that the radiation damage to thermoelectrics does not affect the performance of RTGs.

Hypervelocity Impact Testing of Space Station Freedom Solar Cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Christie, Robert J.; Best, Steve R.; Myhre, Craig A.

1994-01-01

Solar array coupons designed for the Space Station Freedom electrical power system were subjected to hypervelocity impacts using the HYPER facility in the Space Power Institute at Auburn University and the Meteoroid/Orbital Debris Simulation Facility in the Materials and Processes Laboratory at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. At Auburn, the solar cells and array blanket materials received several hundred impacts from particles in the micron to 100 micron range with velocities typically ranging from 4.5 to 10.5 km/s. This fluence of particles greatly exceeds what the actual components will experience in low earth orbit. These impacts damaged less than one percent of total area of the solar cells and most of the damage was limited to the cover glass. There was no measurable loss of electrical performance. Impacts on the array blanket materials produced even less damage and the blanket materials proved to be an effective shield for the back surface of the solar cells. Using the light gas gun at MSFC, one cell of a four cell coupon was impacted by a 1/4 inch spherical aluminum projectile with a velocity of about 7 km/s. The impact created a neat hole about 3/8 inch in diameter. The cell and coupon were still functional after impact.

Development of nanoparticle embedded sizing for enhanced structural health monitoring of carbon fiber composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bowland, Christopher C.; Wang, Yangyang; Naskar, Amit K.

2017-04-01

Carbon fiber composites experience sudden, catastrophic failure when exposed to sufficient stress levels and provide no obvious visual indication of damage before they fail. With the commercial adoption of these high-performance composites in structural applications, a need for in-situ monitoring of their structural integrity is paramount. Therefore, ways in which to monitor these systems has gathered research interest. A common method for accomplishing this is measuring through-thickness resistance changes of the composite due to the fact that carbon fiber composites are electrically conductive. This provides information on whole-body stress levels imparted on the composite and can help identify the presence of damage. However, this technique relies on the carbon fiber and polymer matrix to reveal a resistance change. Here, an approach is developed that increases damage detection sensitivity. This is achieved by developing a facile synthesis method of integrating semiconducting nanomaterials, such as silicon carbide, into carbon fiber sizing. The piezoresistive effect exhibited by these nanomaterials provides more pronounced resistance changes in response to mechanical stress as compared to carbon fiber alone. This is investigated through fabricating a unidirectional composite and subsequently monitoring the electrical resistance during mechanical testing. By establishing this route for integrating nanomaterials into carbon fiber composites, various nanomaterials can see future composite integration to realize novel properties.

Chk1 Promotes DNA Damage Response Bypass following Oxidative Stress in a Model of Hydrogen Peroxide-Associated Ulcerative Colitis through JNK Inactivation and Chromatin Binding

PubMed Central

Silver, Andrew; Guenther, Thomas; Siedentopf, Sandra; Ross, Jochen; Vo, Diep-Khanh; Roessner, Albert

2017-01-01

Dysregulation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation promoted DNA damage response bypass and tumorigenesis in our model of hydrogen peroxide-associated ulcerative colitis (UC) and in patients with quiescent UC (QUC), UC-related dysplasia, and UC-related carcinoma (UC-CRC), thereby adapting to oxidative stress. In the UC model, we have observed features of oncogenic transformation: increased proliferation, undetected DNA damage, and apoptosis resistance. Here, we show that Chk1 was downregulated but activated in the acute and quiescent chronic phases. In both phases, Chk1 was linked to DNA damage response bypass by suppressing JNK activation following oxidative stress, promoting cell cycle progression despite DNA damage. Simultaneously, activated Chk1 was bound to chromatin. This triggered histone acetylation and the binding of histone acetyltransferases and transcription factors to chromatin. Thus, chromatin-immobilized activated Chk1 executed a dual function by suppressing DNA damage response and simultaneously inducing chromatin modulation. This caused undetected DNA damage and increased cellular proliferation through failure to transmit the appropriate DNA damage signal. Findings in vitro were corroborated by chromatin accumulation of activated Chk1, Ac-H3, Ac-H4, and c-Jun in active UC (AUC) in vivo. Targeting chromatin-bound Chk1, GCN5, PCAF, and p300/CBP could be a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent UC-related tumor progression. PMID:28751935

Effect of strong electric field on the conformational integrity of insulin.

PubMed

Wang, Xianwei; Li, Yongxiu; He, Xiao; Chen, Shude; Zhang, John Z H

2014-10-02

A series of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations up to 1 μs for bovine insulin monomer in different external electric fields were carried out to study the effect of external electric field on conformational integrity of insulin. Our results show that the secondary structure of insulin is kept intact under the external electric field strength below 0.15 V/nm, but disruption of secondary structure is observed at 0.25 V/nm or higher electric field strength. Although the starting time of secondary structure disruption of insulin is not clearly correlated with the strength of the external electric field ranging between 0.15 and 0.60 V/nm, long time MD simulations demonstrate that the cumulative effect of exposure time under the electric field is a major cause for the damage of insulin's secondary structure. In addition, the strength of the external electric field has a significant impact on the lifetime of hydrogen bonds when it is higher than 0.60 V/nm. The fast evolution of some hydrogen bonds of bovine insulin in the presence of the 1.0 V/nm electric field shows that different microwaves could either speed up protein folding or destroy the secondary structure of globular proteins deponding on the intensity of the external electric field.

Growth and physicochemical properties of organometallic (DL)-trithioureatartrato-O1,O2,O3-cadmium(II) single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sathyamoorthy, K.; Vinothkumar, P.; Irshad Ahamed, J.; Murali Manohar, P.; Priya, M.; Liu, Jinghe

2018-04-01

Single crystals of organometallic (DL)-trithioureatartrato-O1,O2,O3-cadmium(II) (TUDLC) have been grown from methanol solution by using the slow evaporation of solvent growth technique. The lattice structure and crystalline perfection have been determined by carrying out single crystal X-ray diffraction and high resolution X-ray diffraction measurements. The grown crystal was characterized thermally and mechanically by carrying out thermo-gravimetric and micro hardness measurements. The linear and nonlinear optical characterizations were made by carrying out optical transmittance, surface laser damage threshold, particle size-dependent second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency and photo conductivity measurements. The grown crystal was electrically characterized by carrying out frequency-dependent dielectric measurements. Chemical etching study was also carried out and the dislocation density was estimated. Results obtained in the present study indicate that the grown TUDLC crystal is optically transparent with lower cut-off wavelength 304 nm, mechanically soft, thermally stable up to 101 °C and NLO active with SHG efficiency 2.13 (in KDP unit). The grown crystal is found to have considerably large size, good crystalline perfection, large specific heat capacity, higher surface laser damage threshold and negative photoconductivity.

Electrical stimulation treatment for facial palsy after revision pleomorphic adenoma surgery

PubMed Central

Goldie, Simon; Sandeman, Jack; Cole, Richard; Dennis, Simon; Swain, Ian

2016-01-01

Surgery for pleomorphic adenoma recurrence presents a significant risk of facial nerve damage that can result in facial weakness effecting patients’ ability to communicate, mental health and self-image. We report two case studies that had marked facial weakness after resection of recurrent pleomorphic adenoma and their progress with electrical stimulation. Subjects received electrical stimulation twice daily for 24 weeks during which photographs of expressions, facial measurements and Sunnybrook scores were recorded. Both subjects recovered good facial function demonstrating Sunnybrook scores of 54 and 64 that improved to 88 and 96, respectively. Neither subjects demonstrated adverse effects of treatment. We conclude that electrical stimulation is a safe treatment and may improve facial palsy in patients after resection of recurrent pleomorphic adenoma. Larger studies would be difficult to pursue due to the low incidence of cases. PMID:27106613

Biophysical Stimuli: A Review of Electrical and Mechanical Stimulation in Hyaline Cartilage.

PubMed

Vaca-González, Juan J; Guevara, Johana M; Moncayo, Miguel A; Castro-Abril, Hector; Hata, Yoshie; Garzón-Alvarado, Diego A

2017-09-01

Objective Hyaline cartilage degenerative pathologies induce morphologic and biomechanical changes resulting in cartilage tissue damage. In pursuit of therapeutic options, electrical and mechanical stimulation have been proposed for improving tissue engineering approaches for cartilage repair. The purpose of this review was to highlight the effect of electrical stimulation and mechanical stimuli in chondrocyte behavior. Design Different information sources and the MEDLINE database were systematically revised to summarize the different contributions for the past 40 years. Results It has been shown that electric stimulation may increase cell proliferation and stimulate the synthesis of molecules associated with the extracellular matrix of the articular cartilage, such as collagen type II, aggrecan and glycosaminoglycans, while mechanical loads trigger anabolic and catabolic responses in chondrocytes. Conclusion The biophysical stimuli can increase cell proliferation and stimulate molecules associated with hyaline cartilage extracellular matrix maintenance.