Mesoscopic structure evidenced by AC dielectric nonlinearities in Sr(0.75)Ba(0.25)Nb(2)O(6) relaxor ferroelectric thin films

The AC electric field and temperature dependences of the dielectric permittivity for strontium barium niobate (Sr(0.75)Ba(0.25)Nb(2)O(6)) relaxor ferroelectric thin films have been investigated. The results indicate the existence of a true mesoscopic structure evidenced by the nonlinear dielectric response of these films, which is similar to those observed for bulk relaxor ferroelectrics. A tendency for a temperature dependent crossover from a linear to a quadratic behaviour of the dielectric nonlinearity was observed, indicating an evolution from paraelectric to glass-like behaviour on cooling the samples towards the freezing temperature transition.

Investigation on dielectric response of PMN ceramics around paraelectric-ferroelectric diffuse phase transition

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Dielectric response features and oxygen migration on rare earth modified lead titanate ferroelectric ceramics

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Domain wall contribution to dielectric and piezoelectric responses in 0.65Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)-0.35PbTiO(3) ferroelectric ceramics

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Investigation of nonlinear dielectric properties in Sr0.75Ba0.25Nb2O6 relaxor ferroelectric thin films

The ac and dc driving fields dependence of the dielectric permittivity for the strontium barium niobate relaxor ferroelectric thin films has been investigated. The nonlinear dielectric properties were obtained by using the measurements of the dielectric permittivity of the material as a function of the ac and dc "bias" electric field amplitude in wide frequency (100 Hz-10 MHz) and temperature (50-450 K) intervals. The results hint the existence of a true mesoscopic dielectric relaxor response in the ferroelectric thin film, which is very similar to those observed in bulk relaxor ferroelectrics. An anomalous behavior of the NL dielectric response was observed when submitted to moderate dc electric fields levels,,indicating a crossover from paraelectric to a glasslike behavior on cooling the sample toward the freezing transition. The obtained results were analyzed within the framework of the models proposed in the current literature.

Stress Analysis in Platform-Switching Implants: A 3-Dimensional Finite Element Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the platform-switching technique on stress distribution in implant, abutment, and pen-implant tissues, through a 3-dimensional finite element study. Three 3-dimensional mandibular models were fabricated using the Solid Works 2006 and InVesalius software. Each model was composed of a bone block with one implant 10 mm long and of different diameters (3.75 and 5.00 mm). The UCLA abutments also ranged in diameter from 5.00 mm to 4.1 mm. After obtaining the geometries, the models were transferred to the software FEMAP 10.0 for pre- and postprocessing of finite elements to generate the mesh, loading, and boundary conditions. A total load of 200 N was applied in axial (0 degrees), oblique (45 degrees), and lateral (90) directions. The models were solved by the software NeiNastran 9.0 and transferred to the software FEMAP 10.0 to obtain the results that were visualized through von Mises and maximum principal stress maps. Model A (implants with 3.75 mm/abutment with 4.1 mm) exhibited the highest area of stress concentration with all loadings (axial, oblique, and lateral) for the implant and the abutment. All models presented the stress areas at the abutment level and at the implant/abutment interface. Models B (implant with 5.0 mm/abutment with 5.0 mm) and C (implant with 5.0 mm/abutment with 4.1 mm) presented minor areas of stress concentration and similar distribution pattern. For the cortical bone, low stress concentration was observed in the pen-implant region for models B and C in comparison to model A. The trabecular bone exhibited low stress that was well distributed in models B and C. Model A presented the highest stress concentration. Model B exhibited better stress distribution. There was no significant difference between the large-diameter implants (models B and C).

Photoelastic Analysis of the Influence of Platform Switching on Stress Distribution in Implants

The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress distribution of platform switching implants using a photoelastic method. Three models were constructed of the photoelastic resin PL-2, with a single implant and a screw-retained implant-supported prosthesis. These models were Model A, platform 5.0 mm/abutment 4.1 mm; Model B, platform 4.1 mm/abutment 4.1 mm; and Model C, platform 5.00 mm/abutment 5.00 mm. Axial and oblique (45 degrees) loads of 100 N were applied using a Universal Testing Machine (EMIC DL 3000). Images were photographed with a digital camera and visualized with software (AdobePhotoshop) to facilitate the qualitative analysis. The highest stress concentrations were observed at the apical third of the 3 models. With the oblique load, the highest stress concentrations were located at the implant apex, opposite the load application. Stress concentrations decreased in the cervical region of Model A (platform switching), and Models A (platform switching) and C (conventional/wide-diameter) displayed similar stress magnitudes. Finally, Model B (conventional/regular diameter) displayed the highest stress concentrations of the models tested.

Platform Switching: Biomechanical Evaluation Using Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate, using three-dimensional finite element analysis (3D FEA), the stress distribution in peri-implant bone tissue, implants, and prosthetic components of implant-supported single crowns with the use of the platform-switching concept. Materials and Methods: Three 3D finite element models were created to replicate an external-hexagonal implant system with peri-implant bone tissue in which three different implant-abutment configurations were represented. In the regular platform (RP) group, a regular 4.1-mm-diameter abutment (UCLA) was connected to regular 4.1-mm-diameter implant. The platform-switching (PS) group was simulated by the connection of a wide implant (5.0 mm diameter) to a regular 4.1-mm-diameter UCLA abutment. In the wide-platform (WP) group, a 5.0-mm-diameter UCLA abutment was connected to a 5.0-mm-diameter implant. An occlusal load of 100 N was applied either axially or obliquely on the models using ANSYS software. Results: Both the increase in implant diameter and the use of platform switching played roles in stress reduction. The PS group presented lower stress values than the RP and WP groups for bone and implant. In the peri-implant area, cortical bone exhibited a higher stress concentration than the trabecular bone in all models and both loading situations. Under oblique loading, higher intensity and greater distribution of stress were observed than under axial loading. Platform switching reduced von Mises (17.5% and 9.3% for axial and oblique loads, respectively), minimum (compressive) (19.4% for axial load and 21.9% for oblique load), and maximum (tensile) principal stress values (46.6% for axial load and 26.7% for oblique load) in the peri-implant bone tissue. Conclusion: Platform switching led to improved biomechanical stress distribution in peri-implant bone tissue. Oblique loads resulted in higher stress concentrations than axial loads for all models. Wide-diameter implants had a large influence in reducing stress values in the implant system. INT J ORAL MAXILLOFAC IMPLANTS 2011;26:482-491

Short Implant to Support Maxillary Restorations: Bone Stress Analysis Using Regular and Switching Platform

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Implant Platform Switching: Biomechanical Approach Using Two-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis

In implant therapy, a peri-implant bone resorption has been noticed mainly in the first year after prosthesis insertion. This bone remodeling can sometimes jeopardize the outcome of the treatment, especially in areas in which short implants are used and also in aesthetic cases. To avoid this occurrence, the use of platform switching (PS) has been used. This study aimed to evaluate the biomechanical concept of PS with relation to stress distribution using two-dimensional finite element analysis. A regular matching diameter connection of abutment-implant (regular platform group [RPG]) and a PS connection (PS group [PSG]) were simulated by 2 two-dimensional finite element models that reproduced a 2-piece implant system with peri-implant bone tissue. A regular implant (prosthetic platform of 4.1 mm) and a wide implant (prosthetic platform of 5.0 mm) were used to represent the RPG and PSG, respectively, in which a regular prosthetic component of 4.1 mm was connected to represent the crown. A load of 100 N was applied on the models using ANSYS software. The RPG spreads the stress over a wider area in the peri-implant bone tissue (159 MPa) and the implant (1610 MPa), whereas the PSG seems to diminish the stress distribution on bone tissue (34 MPa) and implant (649 MPa). Within the limitation of the study, the PS presented better biomechanical behavior in relation to stress distribution on the implant but especially in the bone tissue (80% less). However, in the crown and retention screw, an increase in stress concentration was observed.

Regular and Platform Switching: Bone Stress Analysis Varying Implant Type

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Biomechanical Evaluation of Platform Switching in Different Implant Protocols: Computed Tomography-Based Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Switching control of sympathetic activity from forebrain to hindbrain in chronic dehydration

We investigated the mechanisms responsible for increased blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) caused by 2-3 days dehydration (DH) both in vivo and in situ preparations. In euhydrated (EH) rats, systemic application of the AT(1) receptor antagonist Losartan and subsequent pre-collicular transection (to remove the hypothalamus) significantly reduced thoracic (t) SNA. In contrast, in DH rats, Losartan, followed by pre-collicular and pontine transections, failed to reduce tSNA, whereas transection at the medulla-spinal cord junction massively reduced tSNA. In DH but not EH rats, selective inhibition of the commissural nucleus tractus solitarii (cNTS) significantly reduced tSNA. Comparable data were obtained in both in situ and in vivo (anaesthetized/conscious) rats and suggest that following chronic dehydration, the control of tSNA transfers from supra-brainstem structures (e. g. hypothalamus) to the medulla oblongata, particularly the cNTS. As microarray analysis revealed up-regulation of AP1 transcription factor JunD in the dehydrated cNTS, we tested the hypothesis that AP1 transcription factor activity is responsible for dehydration-induced functional plasticity. When AP1 activity was blocked in the cNTS using a viral vector expressing a dominant negative FosB, cNTS inactivation was ineffective. However, tSNA was decreased after pre-collicular transection, a response similar to that seen in EHrats. Thus, the dehydration-induced switch in control of tSNA from hypothalamus to cNTS seems to be mediated via activation of AP1 transcription factors in the cNTS. If AP1 activity is blocked in the cNTS during dehydration, sympathetic activity control reverts back to forebrain regions. This unique reciprocating neural structure-switching plasticity between brain centres emphasizes the multiple mechanisms available for the adaptive response to dehydration.

Dielectric and ferroelectric characteristics of barium zirconate titanate ceramics prepared from mixed oxide method

Barium zirconium titanate (BZT) ceramics were prepared by mixed oxide method. X-ray diffraction showed the presence of a single phase while Raman scattering confirmed structural transitions as a function of different Zr/Ti ratio. The addition of Zr strongly influenced the crystal structure and electrical properties of the ceramics. A typical hysteresis loops were observed for all investigated compositions. BZT ceramics with 15 mol% Zr have shown a ferroelectric to paraelectric transition at around 77 degrees C. (C) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Ferroelectric characteristics of SrBi4Ti4O15 thin films grown on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates by the soft chemical method

Ferroelectric SrBi4Ti4O15 thin films were successfully prepared on a Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si(100) substrate for the first time by spin coating, using the polymeric precursor method. X-ray diffraction patterns of the films indicate that they are polycrystalline in nature. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses showed that the surface of these films is smooth, dense and crack-free with low surface roughness (6.4 nm). At room temperature and at a frequency of 1 MHz, the dielectric constant and the dissipation factor were, respectively, 150 and 0.022. The C-V characteristics of perovskite thin film prepared at low temperature show normal ferrolectric behaviour. The remanent polarization and coercive field for the films deposited were 5.4 mu C/cm(2) and 8 5 kV/cm, respectively. All the capacitors showed good polarization fatigue characteristics at least up to 1 x 10(10) bipolar pulse cycles indicating that SrBi4Ti4O15 thin films can be a promising material for use in nonvolatile memories. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.