56,591 research outputs found
IFMIF suitability for evaluation of fusion functional materials
The International FusionMaterials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF) is a future neutron source based on the D-Li stripping reaction, planned to test candidate fusionmaterials at relevant fusion irradiation conditions. During the design of IFMIF special attention was paid to the structural materials for the blanket and first wall, because they will be exposed to the most severe irradiation conditions in a fusion reactor. Also the irradiation of candidate materials for solid breeder blankets is planned in the IFMIF reference design.
This paper focuses on the assessment of the suitability of IFMIF irradiation conditions for testing functionalmaterials to be used in liquid blankets and diagnostics systems, since they are been also considered within IFMIF objectives. The study has been based on the analysis and comparison of the main expected irradiation parameters in IFMIF and DEMO reactor
Simultaneous dynamic electrical and structural measurements of functional materials
A new materials characterization system developed at the XMaS beamline, located at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France, is presented. We show that this new capability allows to measure the atomic structural evolution (crystallography) of piezoelectric materials whilst simultaneously measuring the overall strain characteristics and electrical response to dynamically (ac) applied external stimuli
Functional materials for Design
The main problematic of the research is to connect the stimuli-responsive behaviour
of functional material to the end-user experience. To make this connection, the
research was divided in layers, from the most technical at the bottom, to the most
designerly at the top. The objective is to propose a set of chained tools that will
eventually allow a seamless journey through all the layers and provide support for
designers to use functional material in their projects
Coassembly Generates Peptide Hydrogel with Wound Dressing Material Properties
Multicomponent self-assembly of peptides is a powerful strategy to fabricate novel functional materials with synergetic properties that can be used for several nanobiotechnological applications. In the present study, we used a coassembly strategy to generate an injectable ultrashort bioactive peptide hydrogel formed by mixing a dipeptide hydrogelator with a macrophage attracting short chemotactic peptide ligand. Coassembly does not impede hydrogelation as shown by cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), scanning electron microscopy, and rheology. Biocompatibility was shown by cytotoxicity assays and confocal microscopy. The hydrogels release the entrapped skin antibiotic ciprofloxacin, among others, in a slow and continuous manner. Such bioinspired advanced functional materials can find applications as wound dressing materials to treat chronic wound conditions like diabetic foot ulcer
Inkjet Printing of Functional Electronic Memory Cells: A Step Forward to Green Electronics
open access journalNowadays, the environmental issues surrounding the production of electronics, from the
perspectives of both the materials used and the manufacturing process, are of major concern. The
usage, storage, disposal protocol and volume of waste material continue to increase the environmental
footprint of our increasingly “throw away society”. Almost ironically, society is increasingly involved
in pollution prevention, resource consumption issues and post-consumer waste management. Clearly,
a dichotomy between environmentally aware usage and consumerism exists. The current technology
used to manufacture functional materials and electronic devices requires high temperatures for material
deposition processes, which results in the generation of harmful chemicals and radiation. With such
issues in mind, it is imperative to explore new electronic functional materials and new manufacturing
pathways. Here, we explore the potential of additive layer manufacturing, inkjet printing technology
which provides an innovative manufacturing pathway for functional materials (metal nanoparticles
and polymers), and explore a fully printed two terminal electronic memory cell. In this work, inkjetable
materials (silver (Ag) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS))
were first printed by a piezoelectric Epson Stylus P50 inkjet printer as stand-alone layers, and secondly
as part of a metal (Ag)/active layer (PEDOT:PSS)/metal (Ag) crossbar architecture. The quality of the
individual multi-layers of the printed Ag and PEDOT:PSS was first evaluated via optical microscopy
and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, an electrical characterisation of the printed
memory elements was performed using an HP4140B picoammeter
- …