Hybrid Nanomaterials

Two of the hottest research topics today are hybrid nanomaterials and flexible electronics. As such, this book covers both topics with chapters written by experts from across the globe. Chapters address hybrid nanomaterials, electronic transport in black phosphorus, three-dimensional nanocarbon hybrids, hybrid ion exchangers, pressure-sensitive adhesives for flexible electronics, simulation and modeling of transistors, smart manufacturing technologies, and inorganic semiconductors

From Classical to Advanced Use of Polymers in Food and Beverage Applications

Polymers are extensively used in food and beverage packaging to shield against contaminants and external damage due to their barrier properties, protecting the goods inside and reducing waste. However, current trends in polymers for food, water, and beverage applications are moving forward into the design and preparation of advanced polymers, which can act as active packaging, bearing active ingredients in their formulation, or controlling the head-space composition to extend the shelf-life of the goods inside. In addition, polymers can serve as sensory polymers to detect and indicate the presence of target species, including contaminants of food quality indicators, or even to remove or separate target species for later quantification. Polymers are nowadays essential materials for both food safety and the extension of food shelf-life, which are key goals of the food industry, and the irruption of smart materials is opening new opportunities for going even further in these goals. This review describes the state of the art following the last 10 years of research within the field of food and beverage polymer’s applications, covering present applications, perspectives, and concerns related to waste generation and the circular economy.This work was supported by the Regional Government of Castilla y León (Junta de Castilla y León) and by the Ministry of Science and Innovation MICIN and the European Union NextGeneration EU PRTR. The project leading to these results has received funding from “La Caixa” Foundation, under the agreement LCF/PR/PR18/51130007. We also gratefully acknowledge the grant PID2020-113264RB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe”. Finally, we want to acknowledge the funding from Ministerio de UniversidadesEuropean Union in the frame of NextGenerationEU RD 289/2021 (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid-CA1/RSUE/2021-00409)

Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Innovations in Automation and Mechatronics Engineering (ICIAME2018)

The Mechatronics Department (Accredited by National Board of Accreditation, New Delhi, India) of the G H Patel College of Engineering and Technology, Gujarat, India arranged the 4th International Conference on Innovations in Automation and Mechatronics Engineering 2018, (ICIAME 2018) on 2-3 February 2018. The papers presented during the conference were based on Automation, Optimization, Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing, Nanotechnology, Solar Energy etc and are featured in this book

Design and characterization of aromatic thermosetting copolyester resin for polymer matrix nanocomposites

This study presents the development of multifunctional polymer nanocomposite systems utilizing aromatic thermosetting copolyester resin enriched with various forms of nanofiller particles. The molecular weight and crosslinking functionality of precursor oligomers during condensation polymerization reaction regulate thermal-mechanical properties of self-generated foam morphologies. Aluminum foam layered aromatic thermosetting copolyester foam sandwich structures demonstrate outstanding impact energy absorption characteristics. High-performance nanocomposite foams, incorporating homogenously distributed carbonaceous nanoparticles, display significantly improved thermophysical properties that outperform state-of-the-art configurations. Periodically-functionalized self-assembled shish-kebab structures develop within an aromatic resin dip-coated graphene fiber system through an epitaxial step-growth polymerization process. Graphene nanoplatelet particles conjugate with precursor oligomers during in situ polymerization process forming electrically percolated network domains which enable controllable conductivity for nanocomposite structures. The interfacial attachment mechanism between carbonaceous particles occurs via oxygen-bearing functional groups, which establishes covalent bonding with cure advancing crosslinking polymer network and modifies the glass transition region characteristics. The aromatic resin forms an interfacial liquid crystalline mesophase domain around graphene nanoplatelets, which uniquely displays a thermally reversible characteristic with shape memory effect. Self-luminescent dielectric silicon nanoparticles homogenously disperse into the aromatic matrix without neither losing their luminescent properties nor deteriorating chemical configuration of the polymer network. The neat and nanocomposite structures preserve their physical and chemical properties following direct exposure to aggressive environmental aging conditions. Bioactive nanofiller particles reinforced bionanocomposites hold a promise as a reconfigurable bone replacement material, for which interfacial coupling with nanoparticles enables more deformation tolerant nanocomposite matrix. The aromatic resin can afford high-temperature enabled solid-state dynamic covalent bond exchange reaction between two similar surfaces, which enables a reversible bonding scheme to develop multifunctional reconfigurable in-space architectures for deep-space missions. The bonding/debonding mechanism displays >50 times repeated cycles through predominantly cohesive failure along with high glass transition temperature and bonding strength required for relevant application requirements. The solid-state bonding concept can also be utilized to join similar/dissimilar polymer composites and metal articles permanently. Via controlled process time, temperature and pressure, aromatic resin displays relatively high bonding strengths viable from cryogenic temperatures to elevated temperatures. The bonding approach can be utilized to produce lightweight fuselage structures for spacecraft without necessitating additional joining mechanisms. Covetics are a novel class of carbon-metal nanomaterials for which in situ generated arc discharge during fabrication induces a chemical conversion reaction converting amorphous carbon to a crystalline graphitic structure which forms an intermetallic covalent bonding with host metal matrix. The covetics exhibit improved thermophysical properties as compared to their parent metals. We provide a comprehensive literature review on the covetics. Aluminum covetics demonstrate significantly improved corrosion potential relative to parent material with no carbon added. Both the hardness and the compressive strength of the aluminum covetic with carbon added are also improved. The carbon particles during covetics fabrication conditions induce structural modifications on intrinsic secondary phases which contribute to the observed changes in corrosion behavior and improvement in mechanical properties

A hybrid piezoelectric and electrostatic energy harvester for scavenging arterial pulsations

Implantable and wearable biomedical devices suffer from a limited lifespan of on-board batteries which results in a requirement to change the battery or the device itself causing additional physical discomfort. In order to overcome this, various energy harvesters have been developed. The human body possesses several types of energy available for scavenging through appropriately designed energy harvesting devices, while cardiovascular system in particular represents a constant reliable source of mechanical energy from vibration. Most conventional energy harvesters exploit only a single phenomenon, such piezo- or triboelectricity, thus producing reduced power density. As an improvement, hybridisation of energy harvesters intends to negate this drawback by simultaneously scavenging energy by multiple harvesters. In the present work, the reverse electrowetting on dielectric (REWOD) phenomenon is combined with the piezoelectric effect in a proof-of-concept hybrid harvester for scavenging biomechanical energy from arterial or other type pulsations. A mathematical model of the harvester was developed, and a computational investigation using CFD, and fluid-structure interaction simulations were carried out using the COMSOL Multiphysics software. The effect of the materials of piezoelectric film and geometrical features of the harvester on parameters such as the displacement, the frequency of pulsations and the energy produced were studied. An experimental setup that could imitate the displacements caused from arterial pulsations was designed and the produced electrical energy characteristics were analysed. A comparison between experimental and computational data was carried out and demonstrated a good agreement. Dependencies between geometrical parameters and electrical output were obtained, recommendation on piezoelectric materials and design solutions were provided