Spontaneous Fabrication of Three Dimensional Multi-Scale Fractal Structures Using Hele Shaw Cell

Author(s):  
Tanveer ul Islam ◽  
Prasanna S. Gandhi

Several bio-systems such as leaf veins, respiratory system, blood circulation, some plant xylem etc., involving multi-scale fractal topologies are being mimic for their inherent natural optimization. 3D fractal structures spanning multiple scales are difficult to fabricate. In this paper we demonstrate a new method to fabricate structures spanning meso and micro-scale in a relatively easy and inexpensive manner. A well known Saffman-Taylor instability is exploited for the same in a lifted Hele-Shaw cell. In this cell a thin layer of liquid is squeezed between two plates being lifted angularly leaving behind the fractal rearrangement of fluid which is proposed to be solidified later. We demonstrate and characterize fractal structures fabricated using two different fluids and corresponding methods of solidification. The first one is ceramic suspension in a photo-polymer and another is polystyrene solution with photo-polymerization and solvent vaporization as methods of solidification respectively. The fabrication process is completed in period of a few seconds.

Author(s):  
Tanveer ul Islam ◽  
Prasanna S. Gandhi

Several biosystems such as leaf veins, respiratory system, blood circulation, and some plant xylem involving multiscale fractal topologies are being mimic for their inherent natural optimization. Three-dimensional fractal structures spanning multiple scales are difficult to fabricate. In this paper, we demonstrate a new method to fabricate structures spanning meso- and microscale in a relatively easy and inexpensive manner. A well-known Saffman–Taylor instability is exploited for the same in a lifted Hele-Shaw cell. In this cell, a thin layer of liquid is squeezed between two plates being lifted angularly leaving behind the fractal rearrangement of fluid which is proposed to be solidified later. We demonstrate and characterize fractal structures fabricated using two different fluids and corresponding methods of solidification. The first one is ceramic suspension in a photopolymer and another is polystyrene solution with photopolymerization and solvent vaporization as methods of solidification, respectively. The fabrication process is completed in period of a few seconds.


Author(s):  
Huachao Mao ◽  
Yuen-Shan Leung ◽  
Yuanrui Li ◽  
Pan Hu ◽  
Wei Wu ◽  
...  

Current Stereolithography (SL) can fabricate three-dimensional (3D) objects in a single scale level, e.g. printing macro-scale or micro-scale objects. However, it is difficult for the SL printers to fabricate a 3D macro-scale object with micro-scale features. In the paper a novel SL-based multi-scale fabrication method is presented to address such a problem. The developed SL process can fabricate multi-scale features by dynamically changing the shape and size of a laser beam. Different shaped beams are realized by switching apertures with different micro-patterns. The laser beam without using any micro-patterns is used to fabricate the macro-scale features, while the shaped laser beams with smaller sizes are used to fabricate micro-patterned features. Accordingly, the tool path planning method for the multi-scale fabrication process are developed so that macro-scale and micro-scale features can be built by using different layer thicknesses, laser exposure time, and scanning paths. Compared with the conventional SL process based on a fixed laser beam size, our process can fabricate multi-scale features in a 3D object. It also has fast fabrication speed and good surface quality.


eLife ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hernán Morales-Navarrete ◽  
Fabián Segovia-Miranda ◽  
Piotr Klukowski ◽  
Kirstin Meyer ◽  
Hidenori Nonaka ◽  
...  

A prerequisite for the systems biology analysis of tissues is an accurate digital three-dimensional reconstruction of tissue structure based on images of markers covering multiple scales. Here, we designed a flexible pipeline for the multi-scale reconstruction and quantitative morphological analysis of tissue architecture from microscopy images. Our pipeline includes newly developed algorithms that address specific challenges of thick dense tissue reconstruction. Our implementation allows for a flexible workflow, scalable to high-throughput analysis and applicable to various mammalian tissues. We applied it to the analysis of liver tissue and extracted quantitative parameters of sinusoids, bile canaliculi and cell shapes, recognizing different liver cell types with high accuracy. Using our platform, we uncovered an unexpected zonation pattern of hepatocytes with different size, nuclei and DNA content, thus revealing new features of liver tissue organization. The pipeline also proved effective to analyse lung and kidney tissue, demonstrating its generality and robustness.


2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 20506-1-20506-7
Author(s):  
Min Zhu ◽  
Rongfu Zhang ◽  
Pei Ma ◽  
Xuedian Zhang ◽  
Qi Guo

Abstract Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction is extensively used in microscopic applications. Reducing excessive error points and achieving accurate matching of weak texture regions have been the classical challenges for 3D microscopic vision. A Multi-ST algorithm was proposed to improve matching accuracy. The process is performed in two main stages: scaled microscopic images and regularized cost aggregation. First, microscopic image pairs with different scales were extracted according to the Gaussian pyramid criterion. Second, a novel cost aggregation approach based on the regularized multi-scale model was implemented into all scales to obtain the final cost. To evaluate the performances of the proposed Multi-ST algorithm and compare different algorithms, seven groups of images from the Middlebury dataset and four groups of experimental images obtained by a binocular microscopic system were analyzed. Disparity maps and reconstruction maps generated by the proposed approach contained more information and fewer outliers or artifacts. Furthermore, 3D reconstruction of the plug gauges using the Multi-ST algorithm showed that the error was less than 0.025 mm.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisuke Sato ◽  
Taizo Masuda ◽  
Kenji Araki ◽  
Masafumi Yamaguchi ◽  
Kenichi Okumura ◽  
...  

AbstractStretchable photovoltaics are emerging power sources for collapsible electronics, biomedical devices, and buildings and vehicles with curved surfaces. Development of stretchable photovoltaics are crucial to achieve rapid growth of the future photovoltaic market. However, owing to their rigidity, existing thin-film solar cells based predominantly on silicon, compound semiconductors, and perovskites are difficult to apply to 3D curved surfaces, which are potential real-world candidates. Herein, we present a stretchable micro-scale concentrator photovoltaic module with a geometrical concentration ratio of 3.5×. When perfectly fitted on a 3D curved surface with a sharp curvature, the prototype module achieves an outdoor power conversion efficiency of 15.4% and the daily generated electricity yield improves to a maximum of 190% relative to a non-concentration stretchable photovoltaic module. Thus, this module design enables high areal coverage on 3D curved surfaces, while generating a higher electricity yield in a limited installation area.


Vibration ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-63
Author(s):  
Waad Subber ◽  
Sayan Ghosh ◽  
Piyush Pandita ◽  
Yiming Zhang ◽  
Liping Wang

Industrial dynamical systems often exhibit multi-scale responses due to material heterogeneity and complex operation conditions. The smallest length-scale of the systems dynamics controls the numerical resolution required to resolve the embedded physics. In practice however, high numerical resolution is only required in a confined region of the domain where fast dynamics or localized material variability is exhibited, whereas a coarser discretization can be sufficient in the rest majority of the domain. Partitioning the complex dynamical system into smaller easier-to-solve problems based on the localized dynamics and material variability can reduce the overall computational cost. The region of interest can be specified based on the localized features of the solution, user interest, and correlation length of the material properties. For problems where a region of interest is not evident, Bayesian inference can provide a feasible solution. In this work, we employ a Bayesian framework to update the prior knowledge of the localized region of interest using measurements of the system response. Once, the region of interest is identified, the localized uncertainty is propagate forward through the computational domain. We demonstrate our framework using numerical experiments on a three-dimensional elastodynamic problem.


Entropy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 1095
Author(s):  
Andrew J. E. Seely

Understanding how nature drives entropy production offers novel insights regarding patient care. Whilst energy is always preserved and energy gradients irreversibly dissipate (thus producing entropy), increasing evidence suggests that they do so in the most optimal means possible. For living complex non-equilibrium systems to create a healthy internal emergent order, they must continuously produce entropy over time. The Maximum Entropy Production Principle (MEPP) highlights nature’s drive for non-equilibrium systems to augment their entropy production if possible. This physical drive is hypothesized to be responsible for the spontaneous formation of fractal structures in space (e.g., multi-scale self-similar tree-like vascular structures that optimize delivery to and clearance from an organ system) and time (e.g., complex heart and respiratory rate variability); both are ubiquitous and essential for physiology and health. Second, human entropy production, measured by heat production divided by temperature, is hypothesized to relate to both metabolism and consciousness, dissipating oxidative energy gradients and reducing information into meaning and memory, respectively. Third, both MEPP and natural selection are hypothesized to drive enhanced functioning and adaptability, selecting states with robust basilar entropy production, as well as the capacity to enhance entropy production in response to exercise, heat stress, and illness. Finally, a targeted focus on optimizing our patients’ entropy production has the potential to improve health and clinical outcomes. With the implications of developing a novel understanding of health, illness, and treatment strategies, further exploration of this uncharted ground will offer value.


2006 ◽  
Vol 532-533 ◽  
pp. 568-571
Author(s):  
Ming Zhou ◽  
Hai Feng Yang ◽  
Li Peng Liu ◽  
Lan Cai

The photo-polymerization induced by Two-Photon Absorption (TPA) is tightly confined in the focus because the efficiency of TPA is proportional to the square of intensity. Three-dimensional (3D) micro-fabrication can be achieved by controlling the movement of the focus. Based on this theory, a system for 3D-micro-fabrication with femtosecond laser is proposed. The system consists of a laser system, a microscope system, a real-time detection system and a 3D-movement system, etc. The precision of micro-machining reaches a level down to 700nm linewidth. The line width was inversely proportional to the fabrication speed, but proportional to laser power and NA. The experiment results were simulated, beam waist of 0.413μm and TPA cross section of 2×10-54cm4s was obtained. While we tried to optimize parameters, we also did some research about its applications. With TPA photo-polymerization by means of our experimental system, 3D photonic crystal of wood-pile structure twelve layers and photonic crystal fiber are manufactured. These results proved that the micro-fabrication system of TPA can not only obtain the resolution down to sub-micron level, but also realize real 3D micro-fabrication.


2010 ◽  
Vol 431-432 ◽  
pp. 523-526
Author(s):  
Han Lian Liu ◽  
Chuan Zhen Huang ◽  
Shou Rong Xiao ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
Ming Hong

Under the liquid-phase hot-pressing technique, the multi-scale titanium diboride matrix nanocomposite ceramic tool materials were fabricated by adding both micro-scale and nano-scale TiN particles into TiB2 with Ni and Mo as sintering aids. The effect of content of nano-scale TiN and sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties was studied. The result showed that flexural strength and fracture toughness of the composites increased first, and then decreased with an increase of the content of nano-scale TiN, while the Vickers hardness decreased with an increase of the content of nano-scale TiN. The optimal mechanical properties were flexural strength 742 MPa, fracture toughness 6.5 MPa•m1/2 and Vickers hardness 17GPa respectively. The intergranular and transgranular fracture mode were observed in the composites. The metal phase can cause ductility toughening and crack bridging, while crack deflection and transgranular fracture mode could be brought by micro-scale TiN and nano-scale TiN respectively.


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