Understanding the techniques used to improve the adhesion strength of the epoxy resin is important especially for consumer applications such as repairing car parts, bonding aluminum sheeting, and repairing furniture or applications within the aviation or civil industry. Selleys Araldite epoxy makes specific strength claims emphasizing that the load or weight that can be supported by the adhesive is 72 kg/cm2. Nguyen and Clarke aimed to test the strength claims of Selley’s Araldite Epoxy by gluing two steel adhesion surfaces: a steel tube and bracket. Results showed that there is a lack of consideration by Selleys for adhesion loss mechanisms and environmental factors when accounting for consumer use of the product leading to disputable claims.
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Incorporating graphite from pencils as a component of lithium-ion batteries
The authors looked at the ability to use graphite from pencils in anodes of lithium-anode batteries.
Read More...A comparison of starches and plasticizers for biopolymer synthesis and degradation
Solubility of graphite and the efficacy of using its dissolved form as a conductive paste
This study explored the use of graphite's conductivity for circuit boards by creating a conductive paste through exfoliation with organic solvents and sonication. The combination of acetone and sonication was found to be the most effective, producing a high-conductivity paste with desirable properties such as a low boiling point. While not a replacement for wires, this conductive paste has potential applications in electronics and infrastructure, provided that key engineering challenges are addressed.
Read More...Impact of NaCl concentration in crystalline nanocellulose for printed ionic dielectrics
The authors looked at how the addition of NaCl to crystalline nanocellulose capacitors could improve performance in transistor applications. They found that NaCl can improve performance, but that further work is needed to determine the optimal concentration used depending on the intended application.
Read More...Probiotic biosorption as a way to remove heavy metal in seawater
In this study, the authors address the concerns of heavy metal contamination in industrial and feedlot water waste. They test whether added probiotics are capable of taking up heavy metals in water to attenuate pollution.
Read More...Development of a pH-sensing hydrogel wound dressing for early infection monitoring for all skin color types
This paper develops a gelatin-based hydrogel dressing infused with bromothymol blue dye that visibly changes from yellow to blue as wound pH rises from 5.0 to 8.0, signaling possible infection. The color shift was visually detectable and statistically significant across all six Fitzpatrick skin tones, suggesting a low-cost ($0.40/dressing) tool for early infection monitoring in settings with limited access to care.
Read More...An analysis of the mechanical properties of fencing swords, and implications for weapon selection
The sword is the most important piece of equipment a fencer uses. In this study, we compared the mechanical and physical properties of two of the most common types of swords used in foil fencing.We that found that maraging steel blades had a significantly greater stiffness and were damped more effectively than low carbon steel blades. These properties affect how the blade behaves during particular maneuvers and techniques, and our findings therefore provide useful insights for fencers who want to select the optimal sword configuration to suit their personal style.
Read More...A 3D printed triboelectric nanogenerator for bridge vibration energy harvesting and sensing
This study strongly illustrates that optimizing 3D printing parameters would enhance a triboelectric nanogenerator's performance. The design improvements substantiate the potential of optimized, 3D-printed TENGs for developing scalable, cost-effective solutions for powering low-energy electronics, particularly in applications such as structural health monitoring.
Read More...An alternative to textile dyes: Synthesizing and applying PMMA nanoparticles to create structural coloration
The authors looked at developing a PMMA nanoparticle fabric dye that would be more sustainable compared to traditional fabric dyes. They were able to create PMMA based dyes in different colors that were also durable (i.e., did not fade quickly on fabric).
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