Search results for "FLE"

Pickering Emulsions Based on Wax and Halloysite Nanotubes: An Ecofriendly Protocol for the Treatment of Archeological Woods

2020

A novel green protocol for the consolidation and protection of waterlogged archeological woods with wax microparticles has been designed. First, we focused on the development of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) based Pickering emulsions using wax as the inner phase of the oil-in-water droplets. The optimization of the preparation strategy was supported by both optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, which allowed us to show the morphological features of the prepared hybrid systems and their structural properties, i.e., the distribution of the clay at the interface. Also, the dependence of the overall dimensions of the prepared systems on the halloysite content was demonstrated. Micr…

Aging resistance of bio-epoxy jute-basalt hybrid composites as novel multilayer structures for cladding

2017

Abstract Aging resistance of jute reinforced laminates is compared with two jute/basalt hybrid laminates prepared with different stacking sequences (i.e., sandwich and intercalated configuration). To this aim, composites are exposed to cyclic conditions comprising hygrothermal stress and UV radiation to promote an accelerated aging, for a period of 84 days. Specimens of each laminate are tested after 14, 28, 56 and 84 days, respectively. Quasi-static flexural tests, Charpy impact tests and dynamic mechanical tests are performed according to international ASTM and ISO standards. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry are used to evaluate the morpholog…

Thermosetting composites based on bronze particles for archaeological and artistic metal heritage cloning

2018

peer-reviewed Artificial Metals are polymeric semi-metallic composites obtained by combining thermosetting resins with atomized metal powders in order to achieve composite materials capable of reproducing metals, even in a rusty or corroded condition. These composites provide a solution for the reproduction of archaeological artefacts, sculptures, and ornaments for the purpose of conservation. This work explores mechanical properties of three different resins bronze composites loaded with two different proportions of metal filler. The degree of conversion of the samples was measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and flexural tests were carried out to determine their mechanical …

Robustness and electrical reliability of AZO/Ag/AZO thin film after bending stress

2017

Abstract The increasing interest in thin flexible and bendable devices has led to a strong demand for mechanically robust and electrically reliable transparent electrodes. Indium doped Tin Oxide (ITO) and Aluminium doped Zinc Oxide (AZO) are among the most employed transparent conductive oxides (TCO) and their reliability on flexible substrates have thus received a great attention. However, a high flexibility is usually achieved at very low thickness, which, unfortunately, compromises the electrical conductivity. Here we report the effects of mechanical bending cycles on the electrical and optical properties of ultra thin AZO/Ag/AZO multilayers (45 nm/10 nm/45 nm) and, for comparison, of AZ…

Atomic Force Microscopy and Spectroscopy

2021

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is probably the most celebrated technique falling into the family of experimental methods known as scanning probe microscopy. AFM is primarily designed to obtain the morphology of the surface of a solid material by using the force of interaction between an inert probe and the sample. The AFM microscope can generally be operated in many ways for morphology investigations, but they can be roughly classified into two main groups: static- and dynamic-deflection modes. Since atomic force microscopy makes use of tip-surface interaction to reconstruct the surface morphology of materials, it is of fundamental importance to fully understand the nature and properties of …

Investigation on Application of Basalt Materials as Reinforcement for Flexural Elements of Concrete Bridges

2015

Basalt polymers are rather new materials for civil engineering; therefore, identification of peculiarities and limitations of application of such polymers in concrete structures (particularly bridges) is of vital importance. This paper experimentally investigates deformation behaviour and cracking of flexural elements, which are predominant parameters governing serviceability of the bridges. Unlike a common practice, the present study is not limited by the analysis of concrete beams reinforced with the polymer bars; it also considers effectiveness of basalt fibre reinforced polymer sheets for repairing the beams. The analysis has revealed that a combination of the high strength and elastici…

PPG embedded system for blood pressure monitoring

2014

In this work, we have designed and implemented a microcontroller-based embedded system for blood pressure monitoring through a PhotoPlethysmoGraphic (PPG) technique. In our system, it is possible to perform PPG measurements via reflectance mode. Hardware novelty of our system consists in the adoption of Silicon PhotoMultiplier detectors. The signal received from the photodetector is used to calculate the instantaneous heart rate and therefore the heart rate variability. The obtained results show that, by using our system, it is possible to easily extract both the PPG and the breath signal. These signals can be used to monitor the patients during the convalescence both in hospital and at hom…

Numerical simulations of the dependency of flow pattern on impeller clearance in stirred vessels

2001

The flow and turbulence fields in a fully baffled vessel stirred by a Rushton turbine have been simulated by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques. The simulation techniques adopted (the "Sliding-grid" and "Inner-outer" methods) are fully predictive and require no experimental data as boundary or initial conditions. The effect of clearance (C) on the flow patterns in stirred vessels was simulated as the flow field transition observed can be considered a particularly stringent benchmark for the testing of CFD techniques. The results are compared with previously obtained LDA data and show that the double- to single-loop transition experimentally observed when impeller clearan…

BCD-01 JOINT INFLUENCE OF TRANSVERSE COMPRESSION AND SHEAR-FLEXURAL STIFFNESS ON RUBBER V-BELT MECHANICS(BELT AND CHAIN DRIVES)

2009

Engineering failure analysis of corroded R.C. beams in flexure and shear

2018

Abstract In the present paper, a simple model to reproduce the load-deflection response of corroded beams failing in flexure and shear is presented and discussed. Effects of diffused and pitting corrosion on steel bars, compressive concrete strength degradation and concrete bond strength degradation due to rust formation are included in the model. Engineering approach based on limit state theory was here adopted to predict the peak and the residual flexural and shear strength of corroded beams with corresponding deflections and ductility estimation. Calculation of deflection at cracking taking into account of rust formation and deflection at yielding and the ultimate state taking into accou…