Spatially resolved capacitance-based stress self-sensing in concrete.

Spatially resolved capacitance-based stress self-sensing in unmodified concrete has been demonstrated. The spatial resolution is 45 mm in one dimension, which is in the direction of the capacitance measurement. Parallel coplanar component electrodes (aluminum, 5-mm wide), attached to the concrete using double-sided adhesive tape) separated by 45 mm are used to measure the in-plane capacitance in the direction perpendicular to the length of the electrodes. Combinations of component electrodes are electrically connected to form an electrode. The capacitance ranges from ∼200 pF to ∼750 pF. The greater is the number of component electrodes in an electrode, the higher is the capacitance. The compressive loading is applied at selected areas located between adjacent component electrodes. The stress (defined as load divided by the 300 ×300-mm2 concrete area) is up to 3000 Pa. The load decreases the capacitance monotonically and reversibly. The fractional decrease in capacitance ranges from ∼0.1 % to ∼0.5 %. More spatially concentrated loading, as for loading near the edges of the specimen, gives greater fractional decrease in capacitance. The capacitance decreases with increasing inter-electrode distance. Embedded steel rebars with a 20.0-mm concrete cover do not affect the capacitance or capacitance-based sensing.

Clinical and technical factors in endoscopic skull base surgery associated with reconstructive success.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we identified key discrete clinical and technical factors that may correlate with primary reconstructive success in endoscopic skull base surgery (ESBS). METHODS: ESBS cases with intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks at four tertiary academic rhinology programs were retrospectively reviewed. Logistic regression identified factors associated with surgical outcomes by defect subsite (anterior cranial fossa [ACF], suprasellar [SS], purely sellar, posterior cranial fossa [PCF]). RESULTS: Of 706 patients (50.4% female), 61.9% had pituitary adenomas, 73.4% had sellar or SS defects, and 20.5% had high-flow intraoperative CSF leaks. The postoperative CSF leak rate was 7.8%. Larger defect size predicted ACF postoperative leaks; use of rigid reconstruction and older age protected against sellar postoperative leaks; and use of dural sealants compared to fibrin glue protected against PCF postoperative leaks. SS postoperative leaks occurred less frequently with the use of dural onlay. Body-mass index, intraoperative CSF leak flow rate, and the use of lumbar drain were not significantly associated with postoperative CSF leak. Meningitis was associated with larger tumors in ACF defects, nondissolvable nasal packing in SS defects, and high-flow intraoperative leaks in PCF defects. Sinus infections were more common in sellar defects with synthetic grafts and nondissolvable nasal packing. CONCLUSIONS: Depending on defect subsite, reconstructive success following ESBS may be influenced by factors, such as age, defect size, and the use of rigid reconstruction, dural onlay, and tissue sealants.

Performance of Thermal Interface Materials.

The thermal interface materials (TIMs) used for improving thermal contacts are considered in terms of the performance, performance consideration criteria, performance evaluation methods, and material development approaches. The performance is described mainly by the thermal contact conductance, which refers to the conductance across the thermal contact surfaces that sandwiches the TIM. This conductance depends on the conformability, thermal conductivity, and small-thickness feasibility. However, the vast majority of published work does not consider this conductance, but only the thermal conductivity within the TIM. The highest TIM performance is exhibited by the thermal pastes and low-melting alloys.

Smart concretes for civil infrastructure systems

Smart concretes for civil infrastructure systems are reviewed, with emphasis on carbon fiber reinforced concrete for strain/stress sensing as well as improved mechanical properties. The sensing by electrical resistance measurement had been demonstrated during compressive, tensile and flexural deformation.(AU)