A wearable conductive hydrogel with triple network reinforcement inspired by bio-fibrous scaffolds for real-time quantitatively sensing compression force exerted on fruit surface.

INTRODUCTION: Mechanical stresses incurred during post-harvest fruit storage and transportation profoundly impact decay and losses. Currently, the monitoring of mechanical forces is primarily focused on vibrational forces experienced by containers and vehicles and impact forces affecting containers. However, the detection of compressive forces both among interior fruit and between fruit and packaging surfaces remains deficient. Hence, conformable materials capable of sensing compressive stresses are necessary. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, a triple-network-reinforced PSA/LiCl/CCN@AgNP conductive hydrogel was synthesized for compression force detection on fruit surfaces based on changes in intrinsic impedance under mechanical loading. METHODS: The conductive hydrogel was characterized in terms of its adhesion, mechanics, frost resistance, water retention, conductivity, mechanical force-sensing properties, and feasibility for monitoring mechanical forces. Then, a portable complex impedance recorder was developed to interface with the conductive hydrogel and its mechanical force sensing ability was evaluated. RESULTS: Beyond its inherent conductivity, the hydrogel exhibited notable pressure sensitivity within the strain range of 1 % to 80 %. The conductive hydrogel also demonstrated a commendable adhesion property, favorable tensile property (580 % elongation at break), substantial compressive strength and durability, and a long-term water retention capability. After exposure to -20 °C for 96 h, the hydrogel maintained its mechanical strength, affirming its anti-freezing property. In addition, a portable complex impedance recorder with sustained signal measurement stability was developed to quantitatively acquire the hydrogel resistance changes in response to compression forces. Finally, the effectiveness of the conductive hydrogel for sensing compression force on the surface of apple fruits was validated. CONCLUSION: The conductive hydrogel holds promise for applications in smart packaging, wherein it can detect crucial mechanical stress on fruit, convert it into electrical signals, and further transmit these signals to the cloud, thereby enabling the real-time sensing of mechanical forces experienced by fruits and enhancing post-harvest fruit loss management.

Multi-functional pH-sensing/antioxidant/antibacterial bioaerogels with long-term activity of loaded anthocyanin for the smart packaging of food.

Anthocyanins (ATH), which are plant pigments with potential health benefits, possess antioxidant and natural indicator properties. However, their inherent instability poses a hurdle for practical applications in the food industry. In the present study, we addressed this challenge by encapsulating ATHs in nisin/gelatin (GA)/pullulan (PUL) bioaerogels through freeze-drying. The results showed that the ATH + nisin@GA/PUL bioaerogels exhibited antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli, and pH-responsiveness to the increase in biogenic amines during the spoilage of shrimp, indicating their potential as a freshness indicator. The bioaerogels also displayed sustained antioxidant effects after two months of storage at room temperature. In summary, the ATH + nisin@GA/PUL bioaerogel serves as a stable matrix for preserving the antioxidant activity of ATHs, and facilitates the indication of freshness in perishable foods. This innovative encapsulation technique represents an advancement in the utilization of ATHs in food packaging.

Effect of CO2 on the Desulfurization of Sintering Flue Gas with Hydrated Lime.

The effect of carbon dioxide (CO2) on the desulfurization of sintering flue gas with hydrate (Ca(OH)2) as an absorbent was investigated, and the formation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and its effect on the desulfurization was discussed. The competitive relationship between carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) with the deacidification agent in sintering flue gas is discussed thermodynamically, showing that sulfates are more likely to be generated under high oxygen potential conditions and that SO2 reacts more preferentially than CO2 under a thermodynamic standard state. The amount of produced CaCO3 increases under the condition that the CO2 concentration is absolutely dominant to SO2 in the sintering flue gas atmosphere. The effect of temperature, humidity and CO2 concentration on the desulfurization of Ca(OH)2 are discussed experimentally. The increasing temperature is not conducive to desulfurization, and the humidity can promote desulfurization, while excessive humidity could inhibit desulfurization. The suitable relative humidity is 20%. In situ generated calcium carbonate has a certain desulfurization effect, but the desulfurization effect is not as good as Ca(OH)2. However, a large proportion of CaCO3 was produced in the desulfurization ash under the condition that CO2 concentration was absolutely dominant to SO2 in the sintering flue gas atmosphere.

Sub-nanometer scale investigation of in situ wettability using environmental transmission electron microscopy.

HYPOTHESIS: Contact angle measurements alongside Young's equation have been frequently used to quantitatively characterize the wettabilities of solid surfaces. In the literature, the Wenzel and Cassie-Baxter models have been proposed to account for surface roughness and chemical heterogeneity, while precursor film models have been developed to account for stress singularity. However, the majority of these models were derived based on theoretical analysis or indirect experimental measurements. We hypothesize that sub-nanometer-scale in situ investigations will elucidate additional complexities that impact wettability characterization. EXPERIMENTS: To develop further insights into in situ wettability, we provide the first direct experimental observation of fluid-solid occupancies at three-phase contacts at sub-nanometer resolution, using environmental transmission electron microscopy. FINDINGS: Considering the partially spreading phenomenon and capillarity, we provide an improved physics-based interpretation of measuring the sub-nanometer-scale contact angle at the inflection point of the fluid-fluid interface. The difference between this angle and the commonly-used apparent one measured at a lower resolution is also discussed. Furthermore, we provide direct experimental evidence for the density differences between the adsorbed wetting film and the bulk wetting phase. For the effect of surface roughness, the applicability of the Wenzel model is discussed based on the observed in situ solid-fluid occupancies.

Author Correction: Three-dimensional quantitative fracture analysis of tight gas sandstones using industrial computed tomography.

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Three-dimensional quantitative fracture analysis of tight gas sandstones using industrial computed tomography.

Tight gas sandstone samples are imaged at high resolution industrial X-ray computed tomography (ICT) systems to provide a three-dimensional quantitative characterization of the fracture geometries. Fracture networks are quantitatively analyzed using a combination of 2-D slice analysis and 3-D visualization and counting. The core samples are firstly scanned to produce grayscale slices, and the corresponding fracture area, length, aperture and fracture porosity as well as fracture density were measured. Then the 2-D slices were stacked to create a complete 3-D image using volume-rendering software. The open fractures (vug) are colored cyan whereas the calcite-filled fractures (high density objects) are colored magenta. The surface area and volume of both open fractures and high density fractures are calculated by 3-D counting. Then the fracture porosity and fracture aperture are estimated by 3-D counting. The fracture porosity and aperture from ICT analysis performed at atmospheric pressure are higher than those calculated from image logs at reservoir conditions. At last, the fracture connectivity is determined through comparison of fracture parameters with permeability. Distribution of fracture density and fracture aperture determines the permeability and producibility of tight gas sandstones. ICT has the advantage of performing three dimensional fracture imaging in a non-destructive way.

Study of amyloid ß-peptide (Aß12-28-Cys) interactions with Congo red and ß-sheet breaker peptides using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

A surface-based approach is presented to study the interactions of Aß12-28-Cys assembled on gold surfaces with Congo red (CR) and a ß-sheet breaker (BSB) peptide. The various aspects of the peptide film have been examined using different electrochemical and surface analytical techniques. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results using redox probes [Fe(CN)(6)](3-/4-) show that Aß12-28-Cys on gold forms a stable and reproducible blocking film. EIS analysis shows that CR and BSB have different effects on the electrochemical properties of Aß12-28-Cys films, presumably due to changes in the interactions between the film and CR and BSB. EIS results indicate that in the case of CR film resistance decreases significantly presumably due to better penetration of the solution-based redox probe into the film, whereas in the case of BSB, the film resistance increases. We interpret this difference to BSB being able to interact with the Aß12-28-Cys on the surface and presumably forming a film that presents a higher resistance for electron transfer from the redox probe to the solution.

Analyzing the influence of alloying elements and impurities on the localized reactivity of titanium grade-7 by scanning electrochemical microscopy.

Scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM/EDX) was applied to investigate the grain boundaries on ASTM grade-7 titanium (Ti-7) with a freshly polished surface, and the results showed that the alloying element, Pd, and the impurity, Fe, cosegregated to grain boundaries. Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was used to study the variations in reactivity on Ti-7 exposed to an aerated neutral solution of 0.1 M NaCl. Locations that possessed an enhanced reactivity compared to the oxide-covered (TiO(2)) surface of the grains on SECM images were proposed to be the boundaries. These areas were further activated by the application of a cathodic bias, and interconnection of the active locations allowed the construction of "grain boundary maps". Variations in surface reactivity were quantitatively analyzed by fitting probe approach curves (PACs) to curves simulated with a model based on finite element analyses using the platform of COMSOL multiphysics software. The difference in reactivity between active grain boundaries and oxide-covered grains was up to a factor of 100 on freshly polished surfaces. This difference decreased to a factor of 10-15 after longer-term exposure of the Ti-7 to the aerated solution, indicating partial passivation of the Pd/Fe-stabilized beta-phase in the grain boundaries. PAC analyses of oxide-covered grains showed that the reactivity increased logarithmically as the bias potential to the Ti-7 was decreased, consistent with reduction of the insulating TiO(2) layer to a more conductive TiOOH layer.