Size invariance of fibrous networks of supramolecular soft materials during formation under critical volume confinement

The rheological properties of a hierarchically structured supramolecular soft material are mainly determined by the structure of its network. Controlling the thermodynamic driving force of physical gels (one type of such materials) during the formation has proven effective in manipulating the network structure due to the nature of nucleation and growth of the fiber network formation in such a supramolecular soft material. Nevertheless, it is shown in this study that such a property can be dramatically influenced when the volume of the system is reduced to below a threshold value. Unlike un-confined systems, the network structure of such a soft material formed under volume confinement contains a constant network size, independent of the experimental conditions, i.e. temperature and solute concentration. This implies that the size of the fiber networks in such a material is invariable and free from the influence of external factors, once the volume is reduced to a threshold. The observations of this work are significant in the control of the formation of fibrous networks in materials of this type.

Classification and optimization of product review information using soft computing models

A soft computing framework to classify and optimize text-based information extracted from customers' product reviews is proposed in this paper. The soft computing framework performs classification and optimization in two stages. Given a set of keywords extracted from unstructured text-based product reviews, a Support Vector Machine (SVM) is used to classify the reviews into two categories (positive and negative reviews) in the first stage. An ensemble of evolutionary algorithms is deployed to perform optimization in the second stage. Specifically, the Modified micro Genetic Algorithm (MmGA) optimizer is applied to maximize classification accuracy and minimize the number of keywords used in classification. Two Amazon product reviews databases are employed to evaluate the effectiveness of the SVM classifier and the ensemble of MmGA optimizers in classification and optimization of product related keywords. The results are analyzed and compared with those published in the literature. The outputs potentially serve as a list of impression words that contains useful information from the customers' viewpoints. These impression words can be further leveraged for product design and improvement activities in accordance with the Kansei engineering methodology.

Graduating Students' Perceptions of Learning Design in an Undergraduate Engineering Course

BACKGROUNDUndergraduate Civil Engineering Course at Deakin University, Australia is relatively a new course. It graduated its second main cohort in 2013. Since its beginning in 2012, this study has been running an internal annual Course Experience Surveys targeted at uncovering the graduating students’ perceptions on three components of contemporary learning system provided by Deakin University learning design, learning environment and the human factor. Learning design covers the learning curriculum, learning resources, learning activities and learning supports; learning environment includes physical environment, virtual environment and psychosocial environment; and human factor includes learners, facilitators/teachers and help/support staff and their culture. There is a common agreement among educators in higher education that these three components of learning system should interact and complement each other in order to maximise student learning. This paper coversonly learning design aspect of the overall surveys from 2012 and 2013.PURPOSEThe aim of this study is to analyse the students’ perceptions of learning design provided by Deakin University to its undergraduate civil engineering students in 2012 and 2013. This will help track down the progresses in different aspects of learning design and to understand whether the learning design provided by the institution have actually helped students in their learning and met their learning expectations.DESIGN/METHODThis study adopts questionnaire approach to collect original data by asking students about their perceptions of learning design provided by the institution. 5-point Likert-scale questionnaire survey (strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, strongly agree) is developed and responses are collected. The responses are then statistically analysed in order to uncover the students’ perceptions of learning design provided by the university.RESULTSThe statistical analysis shows that the graduating students in both 2012 and 2013 did not perceive some important aspects of the learning design of the undergraduate civil engineering program/course as good as they expected. Moreover, in line with the shift in the learning design paradigm from content-centric to more inclusive learning design where soft skills, self-directed learning skills and research skills are incorporated, graduating students clearly perceived these changes. However, respondents’ perceptions on some components of learning design got slightly down in 2013 compared with 2012 particularly the ‘learning resources’, ‘learning activities’ and ‘learning supports’.CONCLUSIONSThe shift in the learning design paradigm of the undergraduate civil engineering program/course at Deakin University from teacher-centric to student-centric between 2012 and 2013 has not been perceived by students positively as expected. Students have clearly indicated that they prefer improved curriculum, quality learning resources, customised learning activities and additional learning supports in order to successfully implement student-centric learning design.

Soft tissue characterisation using a force feedback-enabled instrument for robotic assisted minimally invasive surgery systems

An automated laparoscopic instrument capable of non-invasivemeasurement of tip/tissue interaction forces for direct application in robotic assisted minimally invasive surgery systems is introduced in this chapter. It has the capability to measure normal grasping forces as well as lateral interaction forces without any sensor mounted on the tip jaws. Further to non-invasive actuation of the tip, the proposed instrument is also able to change the grasping direction during surgical operation. Modular design of the instrument allows conversion between surgical modalities (e.g., grasping, cutting, and dissecting). The main focus of thispaper is on evaluation of the grasping force capability of the proposed instrument. The mathematical formulation of fenestrated insert is presented and its non-linear behaviour is studied. In order to measure the stiffness of soft tissues, a device was developed that is also described in this chapter. Tissue characterisation experiments were conducted and results are presented and analysed here. The experimental results verify the capability of the proposed instrument in accurately measuring grasping forces and in characterising artificial tissue samples of varying stiffness.

A demandeur-centric theory of regime design in transnational commercial law

Recent scholarship on international agreement design has almost exclusively focused on the public international law area. The literature on regime design in the area of international private law lacks a solid theoretical foundation. Academic writing on public international law's state-centric approach is only amenable to crude transplantation and poses several puzzles in the international private law context. Resolving these puzzles is important because of the proliferation of transnational commercial agreements in areas that were traditionally the province of domestic law. This paper attempts to provide a starting point to address the theoretical vacuum. Part I argues that functionalist, liberal, and realist theories cannot fully explain transnational commercial law agreement design. Part II puts forth a demandeur-centric approach with the aid of examples that span the spectrum from hard law to soft law. Part III concludes that agreement design in transnational commercial law is premised on demandeur preferences and relative power.

Development of a novel soft parallel robot equipped with polymeric artificial muscles

This paper presents the design, analysis and fabrication of a novel low-cost soft parallel robot for biomedical applications, including bio-micromanipulation devices. The robot consists of two active flexible polymer actuator-based links, which are connected to two rigid links by means of flexible joints. A mathematical model is established between the input voltage to the polymer actuators and the robot's end effector position. The robot has two degrees-of-freedom, making it suitable for handling planar micromanipulation tasks. Moreover, a number of robots can be configured to operate in a cooperative manner for increasing micromanipulation dexterity. Finally, the experimental results demonstrate two main motion modes of the robot.

Openability of soft drinks PET packagings

Studies on packaging accessibility are still incipient in Brazil. Many of these packagings can represent a challenge to users, whether due to non-informative labels, tricky tabs or seals, or even those that need strength to open. This paper brings a simple test to determine the necessary torque force to open PET bottles, and to predict the amount of users that could not open it. The findings suggest that a considerable amount of users could not open it or would have some difficulties to exert the necessary force.

Effect of 4% titanium tetrafluoride solution on dental erosion by a soft drink: An in situ/ex vivo study

Objective: This in situ/ex vivo study assessed the effect of titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) on permanent human enamel subjected to erosion.Design: Ten volunteers took part in this study performed in two phases. In the first phase (ERO), they wore acrylic palatal appliances containing two enamel blocks, divided into two rows: TiF4 (F) and no-TiF4 (no-F). During the 1st day, the formation of a salivary pellicle was allowed. In the 2nd day, the TiF4 solution was applied on one row (ERO + F), whereas on the other row no treatment was performed (ERO + no-F). From 3rd until 7th day, the blocks were subjected to erosion, 4x per day. In the 2nd phase (no-ERO), the volunteers wore acrylic palatal appliances containing one enamel block, during 2 days, to assess the effect of TiF4 only (no-ERO + F). Enamel alterations were determined using profilometry (wear), microhardness (%SMHC) tests, scanning electron microscope and microprobe analysis. The %SMHC and wear were tested using ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests (p < 0.05).Results: The mean of %SMHC and wear ( mu m) values ( +/- S.D.) were, respectively: ERO + F -73.32 +/- 5.16(A)/2.40 +/- 0.60(a); ERO + no-F -83.49 +/- 4.59B/1.17 +/- 0.48(b) and no-ERO + F -67.92 +/- 6.16(A)/0.21:E 0.09(c). In microscope analysis, the no-F group showed enamel with honeycomb appearance. For F groups, it was observed a surface coating with microcracks. The microprobe analysis revealed the presence of the following elements (%) in groups ERO + F, ERO + no-F and no-ERO + F, respectively: Ca (69.9, 72.5, 66.25); P (25.9, 26.5, 26.06); Ti (3.0, 0, 5.93).Conclusions: The TiF4 was unable to reduce dental erosion. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Geometric modeling from the medical images in the CAD system to support prosthesis design

This paper presents an individual designing prosthesis for surgical use and proposes a methodology for such design through mathematical extrapolation of data from digital images obtained via tomography of individual patient's bones. Individually tailored prosthesis designed to fit particular patient requirements as accurately as possible should result in more successful reconstruction, enable better planning before surgery and consequently fewer complications during surgery. Fast and accurate design and manufacture of personalized prosthesis for surgical use in bone replacement or reconstruction is potentially feasible through the application and integration of several different existing technologies, which are each at different stages of maturity. Initial case study experiments have been undertaken to validate the research concepts by making dimensional comparisons between a bone and a virtual model produced using the proposed methodology and a future research directions are discussed.

Design of microstructure of zirconia foams from the emulsion template properties

In this work, we investigate the correlations between structural and rheological properties of emulsified aqueous sol and the porous microstructure of monolithic zirconia foams, manufactured by the integrative combination of the sol-gel and emulsification processes. Macroporous zirconia ceramics prepared using different amounts of decahydronaphthalene, as oil phase, are compared in terms of the emulsion microstructure and ceramic porosity. A combination of electrical conductivity, oil droplet diameter, and rheological measurements was used to highlight the key effect of the dynamic structural properties of the emulsion on the porosity of the ceramic zirconia foam. The minimization of drying shrinkage by appropriate sol-gel mineralization of the oil droplet wall enabled versatile and easy tuning of the ceramic foam microstructure, by fine adjustment of the emulsion characteristics. The foam with the highest porosity (90%) and the lowest bulk density (0.40 g cm-3) was prepared from emulsion with 80 wt% of decahydronaphthalene, which also showed a bicontinuous structure and elevated flow consistency. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2013.

A influência do design na aplicação de forças manuais para abertura de embalagens plásticas de refrigerantes

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Oxymoron,progetto di un grattacielo direzionale a Shenzhen, Cina applicazione della Soft Kill Option (SKO) nella progettazione architettonica

Lo scopo della tesi è quello di affrontare la progettazione con un approccio,quanto più attuale e per certi versi avanguardista, chiamato Parametric design (progettazione parametrica), accoppiato efficacemente col concetto di Arte generativa (in questo caso Architettura). Già nel 1957 Luigi Moretti affrontò il tema dell’architettura parametrico-generativa fondando l’IRMOU (Istituto per la Ricerca Matematica e Operativa applicata all'Urbanistica) e oggi è una mentalità molto diffusa nei più grandi studi del mondo. Il tema non è solo tecnologico o informatico strumentale, ma è proprio un modo di pensare e immaginare il possibile, costruito o naturale che sia. E’ un modo di vivere la propria creatività. L’aggettivo “generativa” è legato al fatto che l’arte in esame è generata seguendo regole preimpostate e ben definite dal progettista, coerentemente agli obiettivi e alle finalità del progetto. L’evoluzione delle stesse, seguendo relazioni molto semplici, può dar vita a risultati sorprendenti e inaspettati, dotati di una notevole complessità che però, se letta nell’insieme, è perfettamente in armonia con l’idea progettuale di partenza. Il fascino di questa materia è il legame entusiasmante che crea tra architettura, ingegneria, poesia, filosofia, matematica, biologia, fisica, pittura ecc ecc. Questo perché i concetti di evoluzione, di relazione e di generazione appartengono a tutto ciò che ci circonda, e quindi alla concezione umana di vita. E’ possibile in questo modo permeare il costrutto progettuale con principi e regole oggettivamente riconoscibili e apprezzabili dallo spettatore perché instrisi di una forte veridicità processuale. Il titolo "Oxymoron" è la traduzione inglese della figura retorica ossimoro,la quale è strettamente connessa all’ispirazione progettuale: proviene dall’indagine approfondita di processi evolutivi (distruttivi in questo caso) caratterizzanti realtà naturali che, esplorate con sempre più accuratezza, determinano morfologie e forme aventi profonde radici strutturali. La distruzione che crea lo spazio. La genesi stessa della forma segue predominanti algoritmi matematici governati e corretti da variabili di diversa natura che definiscono l'enviroment di influenze interagenti ed agenti sul campione di studio. In questo caso la ricerca è focalizzata su processi erosivi fisici e chimici, di agenti esterni (quali vento e sali rispettivamente) ,di cui materiali inorganici, quali minerali e aggregati degli stessi (rocce), sono soggetti. In particolare, l’interesse è approfondito su fenomeni apparentemente emergenti dei tafoni e dei cosiddetti Micro canyon. A tal scopo si sfrutterà un metodo di soft kill option (SKO) di ottimizzazione topologica (optimization topology) attraverso gli strumenti informatici più idonei quali software di modellazione parametrica e di calcolo computazionale. La sperimentazione sta proprio nell'utilizzare uno strumento concepito per uno scopo, con un'ottica strettamente ingegneristica, per un'altra meta, ossia ricavare e ottenere se possibile un metodo di lavoro o anche solo un processo generativo tale da riprodurre o simulare casi e situazioni riscontrabili in natura negli eventi soggetti a erosione. Il tutto coerente con le regole che stanno alla base della genesi degli stessi. Il parallelismo tra singolarità naturale e architettura risiede nella generazione degli spazi e nella combinazione di questi. L’ambizioso obiettivo è quello di innescare un ciclo generativo, che messo in comunicazione diretta con un contesto variegato ed eterogeneo, dia vita a una soluzione progettuale dall'alto contenuto morfologico e spaziale.

Design and fabrication of biocompatible scaffolds for the regeneration of tissues

Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering attempt to repair or improve the biological functions of tissues that have been damaged or have ceased to perform their role through three main components: a biocompatible scaffold, cellular component and bioactive molecules. Nanotechnology provide a toolbox of innovative scaffold fabrication procedures in regenerative medicine. In fact, nanotechnology, using manufacturing techniques such as conventional and unconventional lithography, allows fabricating supports with different geometries and sizes as well as displaying physical chemical properties tunable over different length scales. Soft lithography techniques allow to functionalize the support by specific molecules that promote adhesion and control the growth of cells. Understanding cell response to scaffold, and viceversa, is a key issue; here we show our investigation of the essential features required for improving the cell-surface interaction over different scale lengths. The main goal of this thesis has been to devise a nanotechnology-based strategy for the fabrication of scaffolds for tissue regeneration. We made four types of scaffolds, which are able to accurately control cell adhesion and proliferation. For each scaffold, we chose properly designed materials, fabrication and characterization techniques.

"Offshore tower or platform foundations: numerical analysis of a laterally loaded single pile or pile group in soft clay and analysis of actions on a jacket structure"

Laterally loaded piles are a typical situation for a large number of cases in which deep foundations are used. Dissertation herein reported, is a focus upon the numerical simulation of laterally loaded piles. In the first chapter the best model settings are largely discussed, so a clear idea about the effects of interface adoption, model dimension, refinement cluster and mesh coarseness is reached. At a second stage, there are three distinct parametric analyses, in which the model response sensibility is studied for variation of interface reduction factor, Eps50 and tensile cut-off. In addition, the adoption of an advanced soil model is analysed (NGI-ADP). This was done in order to use the complex behaviour (different undrained shear strengths are involved) that governs the resisting process of clay under short time static loads. Once set a definitive model, a series of analyses has been carried out with the objective of defining the resistance-deflection (P-y) curves for Plaxis3D (2013) data. Major results of a large number of comparisons made with curves from API (America Petroleum Institute) recommendation are that the empirical curves have almost the same ultimate resistance but a bigger initial stiffness. In the second part of the thesis a simplified structural preliminary design of a jacket structure has been carried out to evaluate the environmental forces that act on it and on its piles foundation. Finally, pile lateral response is studied using the empirical curves.

Evolution of the structural and fracture design of the ISS payloads due to the new launchers, specifically applied to Biolab IEC-2 projects

The relatively young discipline of astronautics represents one of the scientifically most fascinating and technologically advanced achievements of our time. The human exploration in space does not offer only extraordinary research possibilities but also demands high requirements from man and technology. The space environment provides a lot of attractive experimental tools towards the understanding of fundamental mechanism in natural sciences. It has been shown that especially reduced gravity and elevated radiation, two distinctive factors in space, influence the behavior of biological systems significantly. For this reason one of the key objectives on board of an earth orbiting laboratory is the research in the field of life sciences, covering the broad range from botany, human physiology and crew health up to biotechnology. The Columbus Module is the only European low gravity platform that allows researchers to perform ambitious experiments in a continuous time frame up to several months. Biolab is part of the initial outfitting of the Columbus Laboratory; it is a multi-user facility supporting research in the field of biology, e.g. effect of microgravity and space radiation on cell cultures, micro-organisms, small plants and small invertebrates. The Biolab IEC are projects designed to work in the automatic part of Biolab. In this moment in the TO-53 department of Airbus Defence & Space (formerly Astrium) there are two experiments that are in phase C/D of the development and they are the subject of this thesis: CELLRAD and CYTOSKELETON. They will be launched in soft configuration, that means packed inside a block of foam that has the task to reduce the launch loads on the payload. Until 10 years ago the payloads which were launched in soft configuration were supposed to be structural safe by themselves and a specific structural analysis could be waived on them; with the opening of the launchers market to private companies (that are not under the direct control of the international space agencies), the requirements on the verifications of payloads are changed and they have become much more conservative. In 2012 a new random environment has been introduced due to the new Space-X launch specification that results to be particularly challenging for the soft launched payloads. The last ESA specification requires to perform structural analysis on the payload for combined loads (random vibration, quasi-steady acceleration and pressure). The aim of this thesis is to create FEM models able to reproduce the launch configuration and to verify that all the margins of safety are positive and to show how they change because of the new Space-X random environment. In case the results are negative, improved design solution are implemented. Based on the FEM result a study of the joins has been carried out and, when needed, a crack growth analysis has been performed.