Piezoresistive Free-standing Microfiber Strain Sensor for High-resolution Battery Thickness Monitoring.

Highly sensitive microfiber strain sensors are promising for the detection of mechanical deformations in applications where limited space is available. In particular for in situ battery thickness monitoring where high resolution and low detection limit are key requirements. Herein, the realization of a highly sensitive strain sensor for in situ lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery thickness monitoring is presented. The compliant fiber-shaped sensor is fabricated by an upscalable wet-spinning method employing a composite of microspherical core-shell conductive particles embedded in an elastomer. The electrical resistance of the sensor changes under applied strain, exhibiting a high strain sensitivity and extremely low strain detection limit of 0.00005 with high durability of 10 000 cycles. To demonstrate the accuracy and ease of applicability of this sensor, the real-time thickness change of a Li-ion battery pouch cell is monitored during the charge and discharge cycles. This work introduces a promising approach with the least material complexity for soft microfiber strain gauges.

Characterization of exposure to low levels of viable Penicillium chrysogenum conidia and allergic sensitization induced by a protease allergen extract from viable P. Chrysogenum conidia in mice.

BACKGROUND: Previous evidence by our laboratory has shown that mice inoculated with viable Penicillium Chrysogenum conidia or spores at levels comparable to those found in contaminated buildings induced spore antigen-specific allergic responses. We proposed that mice exposed to low levels of viable P. Chrysogenum conidia would not develop allergic symptoms. We also hypothesized that the symptoms induced by high numbers of conidia were the result of sensitization to allergens released by the conidia. METHODS: C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice were exposed to 1 x 10(2) viable P. Chrysogenum conidia by intranasal instillation weekly for a period of 11 weeks. C57BL/6 mice were also sensitized to a viable P. Chrysogenum conidia protease extract by intraperitoneal injections for a period of 6 weeks followed by intranasal challenge with protease extract, viable, or nonviable P. Chrysogenum conidia for 2 weeks. RESULTS: C57BL/6 mice inoculated with low numbers of conidia developed no significant lung inflammation or increased serum immunoglobulins. Mice sensitized to the protease extract and challenged with both protease extract and viable conidia produced significant increases in serum IgE and IgG1. Mice sensitized to and challenged with the protease extract developed significant eosinophilia and mucus hyperproduction as determined by bronchoalveolar lavage and histopathological examination of lung tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Mice did not develop allergic symptoms in response to challenge with low levels of P. Chrysogenum conidia. Protease allergens from viable conidia induced specific allergic responses in mice, indicating the importance of P. Chrysogenum conidia in allergic sensitization to the organism.