ABSTRACT
Carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers are promising reinforcements in ceramic matrix composites where the service environments involve extremely high temperatures that are generally beyond 1000 °C. This work focuses on the thermal stability of a direct spun CNT fiber in vacuum and in a wide temperature (25-2000 °C). The microstructure, mechanical and electrical properties of the fibers as a function of the heat-treatment temperature were investigated. The results show that high temperature exposure could increase the defect density and loosen the packing state of the fiber, but enhance the graphitization degree of the CNTs. Accordingly, there was a ductile-to-brittle transition in the uniaxial tensile response as the heat-treatment temperature increased, and this was mainly a consequence of the failure mode transitions from localized shear to defect dominant fracture. The tensile modulus was enhanced, but the tensile strength was decreased after the heat-treatment. The former can be explained by the enhanced graphitization degree of CNT and the latter should be a result of the increased defect density. Finally, the electrical property of the fiber was degraded, due to the increased contact resistance of mutual CNTs.
ABSTRACT
A stretchable fiber supercapacitor (SC) based on buckled MnO2 /oxidized carbon nanotube (CNT) fiber electrode is fabricated by a simple prestraining-then-buckling method. The prepared stretchable fiber SC has a specific volumetric capacitance up to 409.4 F cm-3 , which is 33 times that of the pristine CNT fiber based SC, and shows the outstanding stability and repeatability in performance as a stretchable SC.
ABSTRACT
Tunable microwave absorbers have gained significant interest due to their capability to actively control microwaves. However, the existing architecture-change-based approach lacks flexibility, and the active-element-based approach is constrained by a narrowband operation or small dynamic modulation range. Here, a novel electrically tunable microwave absorbing device (TMAD) is demonstrated that can achieve dynamic tuning of the average reflection amplitude between -13.0 and -1.2 dB over a broadband range of 8-18 GHz enabled by reversible metal electrodeposition. This reversible tunability is achieved by electrodepositing silver (Ag) layers with controlled morphology on nanoscopic platinum (Pt) films in a device structure similar to a tunable Salisbury screen, employing Ag electrodeposited on Pt films as the modifiable resistive layer. Furthermore, this TMAD possesses a simple device architecture, excellent bistability, and multispectral compatibility. Our approach offers a new strategy for dynamically manipulating microwaves, which has potential utility in intelligent camouflage and communication systems.
ABSTRACT
Cell bionic culture requires the construction of cell growth microenvironments. In this paper, mechanical force and electrical stimulations are applied to the cells cultured on the surface of the piezoelectric laminated micro-beam driven by an excitation voltage. Based on the extended dielectric theory, the electromechanical microenvironment regulating model of the current piezoelectric laminated micro-beam is established. The variational principle is used to obtain the governing equations and boundary conditions. The differential quadrature method and the iterative method are used to solve two boundary value problems for cantilever beams and simply supported beams. In two cases, the mechanical force and electrical stimulations applied to the cells are analyzed in detail and the microscale effect is investigated. This study is meaningful for improving the quality of cell culture and promoting the cross-integration of mechanics and biomedicine.
Subject(s)
Bionics , Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems , Cell Culture TechniquesABSTRACT
Dynamic manipulation of an object's infrared radiation characteristics is a burgeoning technology with significant implications for energy and information fields. However, exploring efficient stimulus-spectral response mechanism and realizing simple device structures remains a formidable challenge. Here, a novel dynamic infrared emissivity regulation mechanism is proposed by controlling the localized surface plasmon resonance absorption of aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) nanocrystals through ultraviolet photocharging/oxidative discharging. A straightforward device architecture that integrates an AZO nanocrystal film with an infrared reflective layer and a substrate, functioning as a photo-induced dynamic infrared emissivity modulator, which can be triggered by weak ultraviolet light in sunlight, is engineered. The modulator exhibits emissivity regulation amount of 0.72 and 0.61 in the 3-5 and 8-13 µm ranges, respectively. Furthermore, the modulator demonstrates efficient light triggering characteristic, broad spectral range, angular-independent emissivity, and long cyclic lifespan. The modulator allows for self-adaptive daytime radiative cooling and nighttime heating depending on the ultraviolet light in sunlight and O2 in air, thereby achieving smart thermal management for buildings with zero-energy expenditure. Moreover, the potential applications of this modulator can extend to rewritable infrared displays and deceptive infrared camouflage.
ABSTRACT
The unmet spectral mimicry of foliar green in camouflage materials is hampered by the lack of colorants with similar spectral properties to chlorophyll, resulting in substantial risks of exposure from hyperspectral target detection. By drawing inspiration from leaf chromogenesis, a microcapsule colorant with a chloroplast-like structure and chlorophyll-like absorption is developed, and a generic bilayer coating is designed to provide high spectral similarity to leaves with different growth stages, seasons, and species. Specifically, the microcapsule colorant preserves the monomeric absorption of the internal phthalocyanine and features the manufacturability of conventional pigments, such as amenability to painting and patterning, and compatibility to different substrates. The pigmented artificial leaves successfully deceive the hyperspectral classification algorithm in a foliar background, and outperforming the state-of-art spectral simulation materials. This coloration strategy expands the knowledge base of the spectral fine tuning of composite colorants, which are essential for their application in spectral-resolved optical materials.
Subject(s)
Algorithms , Chlorophyll , Capsules/analysis , Chlorophyll/chemistry , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Computer SimulationABSTRACT
The sustainable development of mycorrhizal industry is the key to solve the problem of "mycorrhizal forestry contradiction". As a major province of edible mushroom production and forestry resources in China, Fujian Province is also an important origin of mycorrhizal technology research and development, so it is more typical and practical to establish an index system to evaluate the sustainability of mycorrhizal industry development in Fujian Province. Through research interviews and data collection, a sustainable capacity evaluation system of mycorrhizal industry was established with 21 indicators in six dimensions: economic, ecological, social, cultural, political, and technological. A combination of CRITIC empowerment method and cloud model was used to evaluate the sustainability of mycorrhizal industry development in Fujian Province. The results show that although the economic sustainability of the mycorrhizal industry in Fujian Province is average, the overall development trend is good and there are not too many problems. The sustainability of ecological, social and technological levels all have large differences in the development of indicators and the overall development status is average, but overall, the ecological, social and technological levels show a steady forward development from 2017 to 2020. The cultural and political dimensions of sustainability not only have large differences in the development of indicators and an average overall development status, but also have a small development span from 2017 to 2020 and a slow overall development.
Subject(s)
Industrial Development , Sustainable Development , Industry , Technology , China , Conservation of Natural ResourcesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) overexpression in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) on behavioral changes in epilepsy-migraine comorbid rats. METHOD: We used an adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated vector to supplement BDNF in the vlPAG area prior to the establishment of a pilocarpine-nitroglycerin (Pilo-NTG) combination-induced comorbid model of epilepsy and migraine. Seizure- and migraine-related behaviors were analyzed. Cell loss and apoptosis in vlPAG were detected through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and TUNEL staining. Immunofluorescence staining analyses were employed to detect expressions of BDNF and its receptor, tyrosine kinase B (TrkB), in vlPAG. Immunohistochemical staining was conducted to detect expressions of c-Fos and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC) and trigeminal ganglion (TG). RESULTS: Comparing to control group, AAV-BDNF injected comorbid group showed lower pain sensitivity, scratching head, and spontaneous seizures accompanied by the downregulation of c-Fos labeling neurons and CGRP immunoreactivity in the TNC and TG. However, these changes were still significantly higher in the comorbid group than those in both epilepsy and migraine groups under the same intervention. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrated that supplying BDNF to vlPAG may protect structural and functional abnormalities in vlPAG and provide an antiepileptic and analgesic therapy.
Subject(s)
Epilepsy , Migraine Disorders , Animals , Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism , Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide/metabolism , Periaqueductal Gray , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , SeizuresABSTRACT
The emulation of the reflectance of green leaf in the solar spectral band (300-2500 nm) has garnered increasing attention from researchers. Currently, various materials have been proposed and investigated as potential bionic leaves. However, the problems such as poor weather durability, heavy metal pollution, and complex preparation technology still persist. Herein, a bionic leaf is prepared from an ultramarine green pigment as the functional material, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as the film-forming material, and LiCl as the humidizer. To prepare the ultramarine green pigment, the sulfur anion is added into the ß cage of the 4A zeolite. The mechanisms and properties were discussed based on X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and spectroscopic methods. The results show that the as-fabricated bionic leaf based on the 4A zeolite-derived ultramarine green pigment was able to demonstrate a high spectral similarity coefficient of 0.91 with the green leaf. Furthermore, the spectral similarity coefficient was increased to 0.94 after being subjected to a simulated rainforest environment for 48 h, which indicated its high weather durability.
ABSTRACT
Inkjet printing of functional materials has shown a wide range of applications in advertising, OLED display, printed electronics and other specialized utilities that require high-precision, mask-free, direct-writing deposition techniques. Nevertheless, the sedimentation risk of the refractory functional materials dispensed in inks hinders their further implementation. Herein, we present a bottom-up ink preparation strategy based on Cr2O3 by a one-step solvothermal method. The obtained ink remained stable under an equivalent natural sediment test for 2.5 years. The chemical composition of the solvothermal product was characterized, and the mechanism of the superior dispersion stability of Cr2O3 particles was analysed. These amorphous Cr2O3 particles were capped by ligands generated via low-temperature solvothermal reactions. Ethanol and acetylacetone covering the particle surfaces play an essential role in enhancing the solubility of Cr2O3 particles in the solvent forming the ultrastable colloidal ink. Moreover, this ink was successfully printed using a direct-write inkjet system JetLab®II on nylon fabrics, and the printed area of the fabrics shows a spectral correlation coefficient of 0.9043 to green leaves. Finally, we believe that the one-step bottom-up fabrication method of Cr2O3-based pigment inks may provide a general approach for preparing metal oxide-based pigment inks with long-term dispersion stability.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) are at high risk for having a comorbid condition of migraine, and these two common diseases are proposed to have some shared pathophysiological mechanisms. Our recent study indicated the dysfunction of periaqueductal gray (PAG), a key pain-modulating structure, contributes to the development of pain hypersensitivity and epileptogenesis in epilepsy. This study is to investigate the functional connectivity of PAG network in epilepsy comorbid with migraine. Methods: Thirty-two patients with TLE, including 16 epilepsy patients without migraine (EwoM) and 16 epilepsy patients with comorbid migraine (EwM), and 14 matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited and underwent resting functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans to measure the resting-state functional connectivity (RsFC) of PAG network. The frequency and severity of migraine attacks were assessed using the Migraine Disability Assessment Questionnaire (MIDAS) and Visual Analog Scale/Score (VAS). In animal experiments, FluoroGold (FG), a retrograde tracing agent, was injected into PPN and its fluorescence detected in vlPAG to trace the neuronal projection from vlPAG to PPN. FG traced neuron number was used to evaluate the neural transmission activity of vlPAG-PPN pathway. The data were processed and analyzed using DPARSF and SPSS17.0 software. Based on the RsFC finding, the excitatory transmission of PAG and the associated brain structure was studied via retrograde tracing in combination with immunohistochemical labeling of excitatory neurons. Results: Compared to HCs group, the RsFC between PAG and the left pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN), between PAG and the corpus callosum (CC), was decreased both in EwoM and EwM group, while the RsFC between PAG and the right PPN was increased only in EwoM group but not in EwM group. Compared to EwoM group, the RsFC between PAG and the right PPN was decreased in EwM group. Furthermore, the RsFC between PAG and PPN was negatively correlated with the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. In animal study, a seizure stimulation induced excitatory transmission from PAG to PPN was decreased in rats with chronic epilepsy as compared to that in normal control rats. Conclusion: The comorbidity of epilepsy and migraine is associated with the decreased RsFC between PAG and PPN.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have shown a pathophysiologic link between headache and multiple sclerosis (MS), but the prevalence of primary headaches among patients with MS differs substantially across studies. This meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively gather available evidence to estimate the prevalence of primary headaches among patients with MS. METHOD: We systematically searched the electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, and Scopus for cohort, case-control, cross-sectional studies that measured the prevalence of headache among patients with MS. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts to identify the eligible studies and the full texts of the included studies were reviewed. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the risk of bias of the included literatures. We then conducted a meta-analysis using Stata Software 15.0 to calculate the pooled prevalence of headaches among patients with MS and assess the source of heterogeneity. RESULTS: We identified 16 eligible studies covering a total of 3,560 patients with MS. The pooled estimated prevalence of primary headaches among patients with MS was 56%. The statistical heterogeneity was moderate with I2 of 82.1% (p < .001). Both a visual inspection of the funnel plot and Egger' regression tests revealed no significant publication bias (p = .44). The pooled estimated prevalence of migraine (55%) was higher in comparison with that of tension-type headache (20%). The prevalence of migraine subtype was 16% and 10% for migraine without aura and migraine with aura, respectively. The pooled prevalence of primary headache in case-control group (57%) was approximately in line with the cross-sectional group (56%). CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of primary headaches among patients with MS was considerably high. Clinical screening of headache among patients with MS will be helpful to formulate an individualized treatment plans and alleviate the physical and mental impact of the disease.
Subject(s)
Epilepsy , Migraine Disorders , Multiple Sclerosis , Cross-Sectional Studies , Headache , Humans , Multiple Sclerosis/complications , Multiple Sclerosis/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The clinical significance of the family with sequence similarity 189 member B (FAM189B) gene remains largely unknown in gastric cancer (GC). A comprehensive investigation combining multiple detection methods was carried out in the current study to unveil the clinical implications and prospective molecular characterization of FAM189B protein and mRNA in GC. The protein level of FAM189B was clearly upregulated in the tumor tissues of GC as compared to noncancerous gastric tissues with 179 GC cases and 147 noncancerous gastric controls assessed by immunohistochemistry. The upregulation of the FAM189B protein was also found in the more deteriorating period of the tumor, as there were increasing trends in the groups of larger tumors, with lymph node metastasis, a further advanced clinical stage, and a higher histological grade. Next, we focused on the mRNA level of FAM189B in GC tissues using various high-throughput data. After the screening of GEO, ArrayExpress, and SRA, we finally achieved 18 datasets, including an RNA sequencing dataset of TCGA. Altogether, 1095 cases of GC tissue samples were collected, with 305 unique examples of noncancerous controls. Concerning the mRNA level of FAM189B in GC, the final standard mean difference (SMD) was 0.46 and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.79 for the upregulation of FAM189B mRNA, which confirmed that the FAM189B mRNA level was also markedly upregulated in GC tissues and comparable to its protein level. The survival analysis showed that the higher expression of FAM189B was a risk factor for the overall survival, first progression, and postprogression survival of GC. For the Affymetrix ID 1555515_a_at of FAM189B, the higher expression level of FAM189B predicted a lower overall survival, first progression survival, and postprogression survival with the hazard ratio (HR) being 1.56 (1.24, 1.95), 1.69 (1.32, 2.17), and 1.97 (1.5, 2.6), respectively. For the Affymetrix ID 203550_s_at of FAM189B, a similar result could be found with corresponding HR being 1.49 (1.24, 1.8), 1.49 (1.21, 1.83), and 1.66 (1.32, 2.08), respectively. The interaction of MEM, COXPRESdb coexpressed genes, and DEGs of GC finally generated 368 genes, and the pathway of the cell cycle was the top pathway enriched by KEGG. In conclusion, the overexpression of the FAM189B protein and mRNA might enhance the incidence of GC.
Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Membrane Proteins , Neoplasm Proteins , Stomach Neoplasms , Disease-Free Survival , Female , Humans , Male , Membrane Proteins/biosynthesis , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Neoplasm Proteins/biosynthesis , Neoplasm Proteins/genetics , Predictive Value of Tests , Stomach Neoplasms/genetics , Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism , Stomach Neoplasms/mortality , Survival RateABSTRACT
Cardiac c-kit(+) cells are generally believed to be the major population of stem/progenitor cells in the heart and can be used as a cell source for cardiomyoplasty; however, the cellular electrophysiological properties are not understood in this type of cells. The present study was designed to investigate functional ion channels in undifferentiated mouse cardiac c-kit(+) cells using approaches of whole cell patch voltage clamp, RT-PCR, and cell proliferation assay. It was found that three types of ionic currents were present in mouse cardiac c-kit(+) cells, including a delayed rectifier K(+) current (IK(DR)) inhibited by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), an inward rectifier K(+) current (I(Kir)) decreased by Ba(2+), and a volume-sensitive chloride current (I(Cl.vol)) inhibited by 5-nitro-1-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid (NPPB). RT-PCR revealed that the corresponding ion channel genes, Kv1.1, Kv1.2, and Kv1.6 (for IK(DR)), Kir.1.1, Kir2.1, and Kir2.2 (likely responsible for I(Kir)), and Clcn3 (for I(Cl.vol)), were significant in mouse cardiac c-kit(+) cells. The inhibition of I(Cl.vol) with NPPB and niflumic acid, but not IK(DR) with 4-AP and tetraethylammonium, reduced cell proliferation and accumulated the cell progression at G(0)/G(1) phase in mouse cardiac c-kit(+) cells. Our results demonstrate that three types of functional ion channel currents (i.e., IK(DR), I(Kir), and I(Cl.vol)) are present in mouse cardiac c-kit(+) cells, and I(Cl.vol) participates in regulating cell proliferation.
Subject(s)
Ion Channels/metabolism , Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit/metabolism , Action Potentials , Animals , Cell Proliferation , Chlorides/metabolism , Ion Channel Gating , Mice , Potassium/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit/geneticsABSTRACT
Many species in nature have evolved remarkable strategies to visually adapt to the surroundings for the purpose of protection and predation. Similarly, acquiring the capabilities of adaptively camouflaging in the infrared (IR) spectrum has emerged as an intriguing but highly challenging technology in recent years. Here, we report adaptive thermal camouflage devices by bridging the optical and radiative properties of nanoscopic platinum (Pt) films and silver (Ag) electrodeposited Pt films. Specifically, these metal-based devices have large, uniform, and consistent IR tunabilities in mid-wave IR (MWIR) and long-wave IR (LWIR) atmospheric transmission windows (ATWs). Furthermore, these devices can be easily multiplexed, enlarged, applied to rough and flexible substrates, or colored, demonstrating their multiple adaptive camouflaging capabilities. We believe that this technology will be advantageous not only in various adaptive camouflage platforms but also in many thermal radiation management-related technologies.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Recent studies have indicated a pathophysiologic link between migraine and asthma. This meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively estimate the risk ratio for migraine in asthma as well as that of asthma in migraine based on available evidence. Method: We systematically searched the electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS for population-based studies that measured either the odds or the risk of asthma in subjects with migraine as well as that of migraine in subjects with asthma. The titles and abstracts were screened by two independent reviewers to identify eligible studies, and this was followed by full-text review of the included studies. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the risk of bias of included literature. A meta-analysis was conducted with Review Manager 5.3 Software to calculate the odds ratio (OR) for case-control and cross-sectional studies and either relative ratio (RR) or hazard ratio (HR) for cohort studies, and the source of heterogeneity was assessed. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted, and the I2 test were used to assess the source of heterogeneity. The funnel plot, Galbraith plot, and Egger's test were used to evaluate publication bias. Results: Fifteen published studies covering a total of 1,188,780 individuals were identified. Pooled analysis indicated that migraine was associated with increased odds (OR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.34~1.77) and risk for asthma (HR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.26~1.60), and asthma associated with increased odds (OR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.22~1.72) and risk for migraine (HR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.41~1.52). Conclusion: Migraine is a potential risk indicator for asthma, and vice versa, asthma is a potential risk indicator for migraine. However, future prospective cohort studies are warranted to provide more evidence concerning the detailed association between migraine and asthma.
ABSTRACT
The Indian pepper 'Guijiangwang' (Capsicum frutescens L.), one of the world's hottest chili peppers, is rich in capsaicinoids. The accumulation of the alkaloid capsaicin and its analogs in the epidermal cells of the placenta contribute to the pungency of Capsicum fruits. To identify putative genes involved in capsaicin biosynthesis, RNA-Seq was used to analyze the pepper's expression profiles over five developmental stages. Five cDNA libraries were constructed from the total RNA of placental tissue and sequenced using an Illumina HiSeq 2000. More than 19 million clean reads were obtained from each library, and greater than 50% of the reads were assignable to reference genes. Digital gene expression (DGE) profile analysis using Solexa sequencing was performed at five fruit developmental stages and resulted in the identification of 135 genes of known function; their expression patterns were compared to the capsaicin accumulation pattern. Ten genes of known function were identified as most likely to be involved in regulating capsaicin synthesis. Additionally, 20 new candidate genes were identified related to capsaicin synthesis. We use a combination of RNA-Seq and DGE analyses to contribute to the understanding of the biosynthetic regulatory mechanism(s) of secondary metabolites in a nonmodel plant and to identify candidate enzyme-encoding genes.
Subject(s)
Capsaicin/metabolism , Capsicum , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/physiology , Sequence Analysis, RNA , Capsicum/genetics , Capsicum/metabolism , RNA, Plant/biosynthesis , RNA, Plant/geneticsABSTRACT
Surfactant-modified zeolites (SMZs) with different coverage types were prepared by loading of different amounts of cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB) onto natural zeolites and were used as adsorbents to remove phenanthrene from aqueous solution. The adsorption of phenanthrene from aqueous solution on monolayer and bilayer SMZs as a function of adsorbent dosage, initial phenanthrene concentration, contact time, and temperature was investigated using batch experiments. Results showed monolayer and bilayer SMZs were effective for the removal of phenanthrene from aqueous solution. The phenanthrene removal efficiency of SMZs increased with increasing adsorbent dosage, but the amount of phenanthrene adsorbed on SMZs decreased with increasing adsorbent dosage. The adsorption kinetics of phenanthrene on SMZs well followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The equilibrium adsorption data of phenanthrene on SMZs at a low concentration of phenanthrene in solution could be described by the Linear equation and Freundlich equation. The main mechanism for phenanthrene adsorption onto monolayer SMZ is hydrophobic interaction, and the main mechanism for phenanthrene adsorption onto bilayer SMZ is organic partitioning. The calculated thermodynamic parameters such as Gibbs free energy change (deltaG(theta)), enthalpy changes (deltaH(theta)), and entropy change (deltaS(theta)) showed that the adsorption process of phenanthrene on SMZs is spontaneous and exothermic in nature. When the CPB loading amount of bilayer SMZ was twice as much as that of monolayer SMZ, the phenanthrene adsorption capacity for bilayer SMZ was slightly higher than that for monolayer SMZ. In a conclusion, both monolayer and bilayer SMZs are promising adsorbents for the removal of phenanthrene from water and wastewater, and monolayer SMZ is a more cost-effective adsorbent for phenanthrene removal than bilayer SMZ.
Subject(s)
Bromides/chemistry , Cetylpyridinium/chemistry , Phenanthrenes/chemistry , Water Pollutants, Chemical/chemistry , Water Purification/methods , Zeolites/chemistry , Adsorption , Kinetics , Surface-Active Agents/chemistry , Temperature , ThermodynamicsABSTRACT
The superb mechanical and physical properties of individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have provided the impetus for researchers in developing high-performance continuous fibers based upon CNTs. The reported high specific strength, specific stiffness and electrical conductivity of CNT fibers demonstrate the potential of their wide application in many fields. In this review paper, we assess the state of the art advances in CNT-based continuous fibers in terms of their fabrication methods, characterization and modeling of mechanical and physical properties, and applications. The opportunities and challenges in CNT fiber research are also discussed.
Subject(s)
Nanotubes, Carbon/chemistry , Electric Conductivity , Nanofibers/chemistry , Nanotubes, Carbon/ultrastructure , Polymers/chemistry , Surface-Active Agents/chemistry , Tensile StrengthABSTRACT
The tensile properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers have been widely studied. However, the knowledge of their compressive properties is still lacking. In this work, the compressive properties of both pure CNT fibers and epoxy infiltrated CNT fibers were studied using the tensile recoil measurement. The compressive strengths were obtained as 416 and 573 MPa for pure CNT fibers and CNT-epoxy composite fibers, respectively. In addition, microscopic analysis of the fiber surface morphologies revealed that the principal recoil compressive failure mode of pure CNT fiber was kinking, while the CNT-epoxy composite fibers exhibited a failure mode in bending with combined tensile and compressive failure morphologies. The effect of resin infiltration on CNT fiber compressive properties, including the compressive strength and the deformation mode, is discussed. This work expands the knowledge base of the overall mechanical properties of CNT fibers, which are essential for their application in multifunctional composites.