scholarly journals A Biomimetic Approach to Increasing Soft Actuator Performance by Friction Reduction

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1120
Author(s):  
Nguyen Quang Khuyen ◽  
Rudolf Kiefer ◽  
Fred Elhi ◽  
Gholamreza Anbarjafari ◽  
Jose G. Martinez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Tension ◽  
Liquid Medium ◽  
Friction Reduction ◽  
Forward Solution ◽  
Soft Actuator ◽  
Power Increase ◽  
Tetramethylammonium Chloride ◽  
Actuator System ◽  
Biomimetic Approach ◽  
System Operating

While increasing power output is the most straight-forward solution for faster and stronger motion in technology, sports, or elsewhere, efficiency is what separates the best from the rest. In nature, where the possibilities of power increase are limited, efficiency of motion is particularly important; the same principle can be applied to the emerging biomimetic and bio-interacting technologies. In this work, by applying hints from nature, we consider possible approaches of increasing the efficiency of motion through liquid medium of bilayer ionic electroactive polymer actuations, focusing on the reduction of friction by means of surface tension and hydrophobicity. Conducting polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bilayers were chosen as the model actuator system. The actuation medium consisted of aqueous solutions containing tetramethylammonium chloride and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate in different ratios. The roles of ion concentrations and the surface tension are discussed. Hydrophobicity of the PET support layer was further tuned by adding a spin-coated silicone layer to it. As expected, both approaches increased the displacement—the best results having been obtained by combining both, nearly doubling the bending displacement. The simple approaches for greatly increasing actuation motion efficiency can be used in any actuator system operating in a liquid medium.

scholarly journals Amphiphobic Nanostructured Coatings for Industrial Applications

Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Veronesi ◽  
Giulio Boveri ◽  
Mariarosa Raimondo
Keyword(s):  
Surface Tension ◽  
Contact Angle ◽  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Contact Angle Hysteresis ◽  
Contact Angles ◽  
Friction Reduction ◽  
Hybrid Coatings ◽  
Wetting Behavior ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Solid Liquid

The search for surfaces with non-wetting behavior towards water and low-surface tension liquids affects a wide range of industries. Surface wetting is regulated by morphological and chemical features interacting with liquid phases under different ambient conditions. Most of the approaches to the fabrication of liquid-repellent surfaces are inspired by living organisms and require the fabrication of hierarchically organized structures, coupled with low surface energy chemical composition. This paper deals with the design of amphiphobic metals (AM) and alloys by deposition of nano-oxides suspensions in alcoholic or aqueous media, coupled with perfluorinated compounds and optional infused lubricant liquids resulting in, respectively, solid–liquid–air and solid–liquid–liquid working interfaces. Nanostructured organic/inorganic hybrid coatings with contact angles against water above 170°, contact angle with n-hexadecane (surface tension γ = 27 mN/m at 20 °C) in the 140–150° range and contact angle hysteresis lower than 5° have been produced. A full characterization of surface chemistry has been undertaken by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses, while field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) observations allowed the estimation of coatings thicknesses (300–400 nm) and their morphological features. The durability of fabricated amphiphobic surfaces was also assessed with a wide range of tests that showed their remarkable resistance to chemically aggressive environments, mechanical stresses and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Moreover, this work analyzes the behavior of amphiphobic surfaces in terms of anti-soiling, snow-repellent and friction-reduction properties—all originated from their non-wetting behavior. The achieved results make AM materials viable solutions to be applied in different sectors answering several and pressing technical needs.

scholarly journals The Growth of Streptococci in a Flowing Medium with Special Reference to Haemolysin Production

1929 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-308
Author(s):  
R. J. V. Pulvertaft
Keyword(s):  
Surface Tension ◽  
Special Reference ◽  
Liquid Medium ◽  
Oxygen Tension ◽  
Growth Phase ◽  
Living Tissue ◽  
Dynamic Conditions ◽  
Flowing Medium ◽  
Normal Method ◽  
Tissue Fluids

The culture of organisms in a stagnant liquid medium, which is the normal method employed when the products of their metabolism are studied, has obvious disadvantages. The medium is constantly varying in its constituents and physical characteristics; prominent variations are oxygen tension, pH, food supplies and surface tension, and growth phase of the organism. Experimenters are constantly occupied in preparing nutritive media bearing closer analogy to living tissue fluids; but strangely enough little attention has been directed to maintaining the dynamic conditions obtaining when infection takes place. Yet such conditions may greatly modify the metabolism and general pathological activity of the organism.

Entamoeba histolytica: the dynamics of penetrating a meniscus

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (9) ◽  
pp. 2124-2128 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Smith ◽  
E. Meerovitch
Keyword(s):  
Surface Tension ◽  
Liquid Medium ◽  
Entamoeba Histolytica ◽  
Constant Pressure ◽  
Closed Circuit ◽  
Nitrogen Gas ◽  
Television System ◽  
Intercellular Movement ◽  
Resultant Forces ◽  
Histolytica Strain

Using a closed-circuit television system, Entamoeba histolytica strain IP-106 was observed to penetrate through a meniscus separating a medium–nitrogen gas interface. Both the forces exerted on the amoeba by the surface tension of the liquid medium and the resultant forces applied by the amoeba, at various stages during penetration, were calculated. During penetration the force applied increased to a maximum of 3.3 × 10−6 N. However it was found that the shape of the amoeba allowed it to penetrate with a constant pressure. Intercellular movement due to active pseudopodial motion may play an important role in the process of penetration.

Immunoferritin localization of intracellular antigens in positively stained frozen sections

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-169
Author(s):  
K. T. Tokuyasu
Keyword(s):  
Surface Tension ◽  
Water Surface ◽  
Thin Layers ◽  
The Other ◽  
Positive Staining ◽  
Frozen Sections ◽  
The Past ◽  
Ultrathin Frozen Sections ◽  
Definition Of

During the past investigations of immunoferritin localization of intracellular antigens in ultrathin frozen sections, we found that the degree of negative staining required to delineate u1trastructural details was often too dense for the recognition of ferritin particles. The quality of positive staining of ultrathin frozen sections, on the other hand, has generally been far inferior to that attainable in conventional plastic embedded sections, particularly in the definition of membranes. As we discussed before, a main cause of this difficulty seemed to be the vulnerability of frozen sections to the damaging effects of air-water surface tension at the time of drying of the sections.Indeed, we found that the quality of positive staining is greatly improved when positively stained frozen sections are protected against the effects of surface tension by embedding them in thin layers of mechanically stable materials at the time of drying (unpublished).

The Critical Point Drying Method Applied to Scanning Electron Microscopy of L-929 Cells

1970 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 278-279
Author(s):  
Charles TurnbiLL ◽  
Delbert E. Philpott
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Surface Tension ◽  
Critical Point ◽  
Freeze Drying ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Crystal Formation ◽  
Critical Point Drying ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Scanning Electron

The advent of the scanning electron microscope (SCEM) has renewed interest in preparing specimens by avoiding the forces of surface tension. The present method of freeze drying by Boyde and Barger (1969) and Small and Marszalek (1969) does prevent surface tension but ice crystal formation and time required for pumping out the specimen to dryness has discouraged us. We believe an attractive alternative to freeze drying is the critical point method originated by Anderson (1951; for electron microscopy. He avoided surface tension effects during drying by first exchanging the specimen water with alcohol, amy L acetate and then with carbon dioxide. He then selected a specific temperature (36.5°C) and pressure (72 Atm.) at which carbon dioxide would pass from the liquid to the gaseous phase without the effect of surface tension This combination of temperature and, pressure is known as the "critical point" of the Liquid.

The Use of Styrenes as Embedding Media for Electron Microscopy

1971 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 488-489
Author(s):  
Edward D. De-Lamater ◽  
Eric Johnson ◽  
Thad Schoen ◽  
Cecil Whitaker
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Surface Tension ◽  
Ultraviolet Light ◽  
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide ◽  
Methyl Ethyl ◽  
Styrene Polymerization ◽  
Radical Initiation ◽  
Tertiary Butyl ◽  
Low Viscosity ◽  
Free Radical Initiation

Monomeric styrenes are demonstrated as excellent embedding media for electron microscopy. Monomeric styrene has extremely low viscosity and low surface tension (less than 1) affording extremely rapid penetration into the specimen. Spurr's Medium based on ERL-4206 (J.Ultra. Research 26, 31-43, 1969) is viscous, requiring gradual infiltration with increasing concentrations. Styrenes are soluble in alcohol and acetone thus fitting well into the usual dehydration procedures. Infiltration with styrene may be done directly following complete dehydration without dilution.Monomeric styrenes are usually inhibited from polymerization by a catechol, in this case, tertiary butyl catechol. Styrene polymerization is activated by Methyl Ethyl Ketone peroxide, a liquid, and probably acts by overcoming the inhibition of the catechol, acting as a source of free radical initiation.Polymerization is carried out either by a temperature of 60°C. or under ultraviolet light with wave lengths of 3400-4000 Engstroms; polymerization stops on removal from the ultraviolet light or heat and is therefore controlled by the length of exposure.

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