The complex inhomogeneous architecture of the human meniscal tissue at the micro and nano scale in the absence of artefacts introduced by sample treatments has not yet been fully revealed. The knowledge of the internal structure organization is essential to understand the mechanical functionality of the meniscus and its relationship with the tissue’s complex structure. In this work, we investigated human meniscal tissue structure using up-to-date non-invasive imaging techniques, based on multiphoton fluorescence and quantitative second harmonic generation microscopy complemented with Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy measurements. Observations on 50 meniscal samples extracted from 6 human menisci (3 lateral and 3 medial) revealed fundamental features of structural morphology and allowed us to quantitatively describe the 3D organisation of elastin and collagen fibres bundles. 3D regular waves of collagen bundles are arranged in “honeycomb-like” cells that are comprised of pores surrounded by the collagen and elastin network at the micro-scale. This type of arrangement propagates from macro to the nanoscale.
Thin coatings, obtained by the sol-gel method, could find potential applications in medical, chemical and food industry. To achieve this, coatings need to have proper physicochemical, mechanical and protective properties. Titanium dioxide (TiO 2) and silicon dioxide (SiO 2) coatings have been applied onto the surface of a stainless steel (316L) by the solgel method using two techniques: dip-coating and painting. To determine the physicochemical composition of triple SiO 2 and TiO 2 coatings, samples were examined by Raman spectroscopy. Surface images obtained with the use of a scanning electron microscopy allow us to determine the surface morphology and continuity of the coatings. The surface morphology was examined before and after tensile tests. The static tensile tests and fatigue strength tests were conducted on a hydraulic testing machine MTS 810 with a measuring range of up to 100 kN. A preliminary research has confirmed that the coatings obtained by the sol-gel method have physicochemical, mechanical and protective properties that make it possible to use them as protective coatings.
This report demonstrates the facile fabrication of conductive, high-strength, all-carbon “buckyfilms”, which spontaneously delaminate from their depositing substrates. Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is a scalable technique that has been underutilized in the fabrication of freestanding, bulk carbon nanotube (CNT) materials. Here, Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) theory is applied to understand and optimize the deposition process of oxidized multiwall carbon nanotubes. As a result, unprecedented deposition rates of 0.3 mg/(cm2 min) and film thicknesses of >40 μm were achieved. The deposited films are electrochemically reduced to achieve enhanced electrical conductivities (55 S/cm), demonstrating a freestanding carbon nanotube analogue to reduced graphene oxide. Examination of the films using electron microscopy revealed a densely packed structure (1.61 g/cm3) and cross-linking effects, which produce tensile strengths (>60 MPa) comparable to CNT–epoxy composites and many common structural polymers. These lightweight, flexible films and the versatile, scalable method used to produce them represent promising new technologies for flexible electronics.
A ‘simple ’ methodology, combining the use of Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM) and the recently introduced DEBEN Enhanced Coolstage was successfully developed and not only used to study dynamic processes, e.g. different stages of latex film formation, but also for high resolution imaging of ‘freeze‐dried’ structures. By using the extended temperature capability of the DEBEN Enhanced Coolstage (−50 to +160 ° C) it is possible to easily convert any (E)SEM chamber into what essentially can be described as a freeze‐drying facility. By using this method it is also possible to preserve the structure and features of the studied system with minimum shrinkage and distortion and in the case of polymer latices at a desired stage of film formation. Moreover, specimens can then be readily imaged, without the need of conductive coatings and at much lower chamber gas pressures, thus minimising the beam skirting effects and allowing higher resolutions to be achieved. In this study this is clearly demonstrated ( Figure 1 & 2 ) using a model poly‐methyl methacrylate based latex dispersion; under ‘wet’ (partially dehydrating) conditions, whilst the individual particles can be seen it is difficult to distinguish them and any associated boundaries and/or arrangements, whether cubic or hexagonal; better images, as shown can be obtained from air‐dried specimens, but this limits the time‐frame of possible observations. However, subsequent freeze drying, as expected, resulted in the observation of a well‐defined and more stable (in imaging terms) structure; it was also possible to image individual particles and their interactions at much higher resolutions. It is strongly believed that the methodology can be applied to other material systems, including biologicals and pharmaceuticals.
The influence of alloying additions on the microstructure, mechanical, and magnetic properties of bulk Fe79B20Cu1, Fe79B16Ti4Cu1, Fe79B16Mo4Cu1 and Fe79B16Mn4Cu1 (at. pct) alloys was investigated. Nanocrystalline samples in the form of 3 mm rods were prepared directly by suction casting without additional heat treatment. Mössbauer spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy studies confirmed that the investigated alloys consist α-Fe and Fe2B nanograins embedded in an amorphous matrix. The addition of alloying elements, such as Ti, Mo and Mn to Fe79B20Cu1 alloy increases the amount of amorphous phase and decreases the presence of Fe2B phase in all examined alloys. The mechanical properties of the samples, such as hardness, elastic modulus, and elastic energy ratio, were analysed by an instrumented indentation technique performed on a 12 × 12 nanoindentation grid. These tests allowed to characterise the mechanical properties of the regions observed in the same material. For the Fe79B20Cu1 alloy, the hardness of 1508 and 1999 HV, as well as Young’s modulus of 287 and 308 GPa, were estimated for the amorphous- and nanocrystalline-rich phase, respectively. The addition of Ti, Mo, and Mn atoms leads to a decrease in both hardness and elastic modulus for all regions in the investigated samples. Investigations of thermomagnetic characteristics show the soft magnetic properties of the studied materials. More detailed studies of magnetisation versus magnetic field curves for the Fe79B20−xMxCu1 (where x = 0 or 4; M = Ti, Mo, Mn) alloy, recorded in a wide range of temperatures, followed by the law of approach to magnetic saturation revealed the relationship between microstructure and magneto-mechanical properties.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.