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The effect of carbon nanotube (CNT) alignment on the strain sensing capabilities of multi-walled carbon nanotube/polycarbonate (MWCNT/PC) composites was investigated. Injection and compression molding techniques were used to fabricate 5 wt% MWCNT/PC composites. The effects of these molding techniques on the alignment of the MWCNTs were observed through micrographs obtained from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and investigated quantitatively using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique. A one-dimensional piezoresistive model was developed to predict the changes in the resistance of the MWCNT/PC composites with respect to the applied strain. The strain sensing capabilities of the composites were examined along the lengths and widths of the samples through tensile testing, and gauge factors were calculated to compare the strain sensitivities. A linear correlation was observed between the resistance change and the applied strain when subjected to tension, and the composite samples fully recovered to their unstressed states upon unloading. A sensitivity factor defined by relating the analytical model and experimental data provided an indirect measure of the degree of MWCNT alignment in the composite. From the results obtained, it was evident that the injection molded samples, which exhibited high alignment, showed higher gauge factors than the compression molded samples. The highest gauge factor was found in the injection molded samples perpendicular to the MWCNT alignment.

The low solubility of the plant-extracted agent like D-limonene in cancer therapy is a critical problem. In this study, we prepared D-limonene-loaded niosomes (D-limonene/Nio) for cancer therapy through in vitro cytotoxicity assay of HepG2, MCF-7, and A549 cell lines. The niosomal formulation was prepared by film hydration technique with Span® 40: Tween® 40: cholesterol (35:35:30 molar ratio) and characterized for vesicle distribution size, morphology, entrapment efficiency (EE%), and in vitro release behaviour. The obtained niosomes showed a nanometric size and spherical morphology with EE% about 87 ± 1.8%. Remarkably prolonged release of D-limonene from niosomes compared to free D-limonene observed. The loaded formulation showed significantly enhanced cytotoxic activity with all three cancer cell lines (HepG2, Macf-7 and A549) at the concentration of 20 μM. These results indicated that niosome loaded with phytochemicals can be a promising nano-carrier for cancer therapy applications

A smart stretchable material is developed from a composite of carbon nanotube (CNT) and fluoroelastomer (FKM), which is fabricated via an internal melt‐mixer method. A unique, double‐percolated, electrically conductive network is observed with ultralow percolation thresholds of 0.45 phr and 1.40 phr CNT. This provides the CNT/FKM nanocomposites with a wide range of strain sensitivity. Thin‐film nanocomposites at the first plateau of conductivity show an ultrahigh sensitivity with a gauge factor (GF) of 1010 at 23% strain for 0.6 phr and of 6750 at 34% strain for 1 phr. At the second plateau of conductivity, 1.5 phr nanocomposite corresponds to higher levels of strain of 78% strain with ultrahigh GF of more than 4 × 104 and 2 phr nanocomposite to almost 100% strain with GF of 1.3 × 105. The CNT/FKM nanocomposites possess a high elongation at break of 430% and up to 232% strain sensitivity. The unique distribution of CNTs in the polar fluoroelastomer FKM facilitates simultaneous high sensitivity and high stretchability, and improved mechanical strength over reported polymer‐based nanocomposite stretchable sensors. The novel, stretchable CNT‐based FKM conductors have great potential for wearable electronics such as stretchable sensors, stretchable light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), and human motion monitoring.

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This article presents a visualization study on nonisothermal bubble growth and collapse in the foam injection molding process (FIM). Observation study can give more insight to the bubble growth in foaming process, especially in the challenging injection foaming process. In this study, besides the growth of bubbles, collapse of the bubbles was also observed which could provide knowledge to the final foam morphology. Cell growth vs. time was recorded and analyzed using a software-equipped high speed camera. To investigate the cell collapse, various holding pressure was exerted on the gas-charged molten polymer. The amount of holding pressure had noticeable effect on the rate of bubble collapse.