In quest of a systematic framework for unifying and defining nanoscience

This article proposes a systematic framework for unifying and defining nanoscience based on historic first principles and step logic that led to a “central paradigm” (i.e., unifying framework) for traditional elemental/small-molecule chemistry. As such, a Nanomaterials classification roadmap is proposed, which divides all nanomatter into Category I: discrete, well-defined and Category II: statistical, undefined nanoparticles. We consider only Category I, well-defined nanoparticles which are >90% monodisperse as a function of Critical Nanoscale Design Parameters (CNDPs) defined according to: (a) size, (b) shape, (c) surface chemistry, (d) flexibility, and (e) elemental composition. Classified as either hard (H) (i.e., inorganic-based) or soft (S) (i.e., organic-based) categories, these nanoparticles were found to manifest pervasive atom mimicry features that included: (1) a dominance of zero-dimensional (0D) core–shell nanoarchitectures, (2) the ability to self-assemble or chemically bond as discrete, quantized nanounits, and (3) exhibited well-defined nanoscale valencies and stoichiometries reminiscent of atom-based elements. These discrete nanoparticle categories are referred to as hard or soft particle nanoelements. Many examples describing chemical bonding/assembly of these nanoelements have been reported in the literature. We refer to these hard:hard (H-n:H-n), soft:soft (S-n:S-n), or hard:soft (H-n:S-n) nanoelement combinations as nanocompounds. Due to their quantized features, many nanoelement and nanocompound categories are reported to exhibit well-defined nanoperiodic property patterns. These periodic property patterns are dependent on their quantized nanofeatures (CNDPs) and dramatically influence intrinsic physicochemical properties (i.e., melting points, reactivity/self-assembly, sterics, and nanoencapsulation), as well as important functional/performance properties (i.e., magnetic, photonic, electronic, and toxicologic properties). We propose this perspective as a modest first step toward more clearly defining synthetic nanochemistry as well as providing a systematic framework for unifying nanoscience. With further progress, one should anticipate the evolution of future nanoperiodic table(s) suitable for predicting important risk/benefit boundaries in the field of nanoscience

Is this the end of the road for bio‐inspired road construction materials?

The global road network spans 64.3million km and is of huge significance for the social and economic development. The level of investment in road construction and maintenance is high, e.g. EU €44billion/year (2019), China €614.7billion/year (2019) and US €94billion/year (2019). Despite the level of investment, there has been minimal investment in the development of new asphalt technologies, particularly when compared with R&D investment in other industries, such as the automotive industry. Despite the limited investment, there have been some innovations in asphalt technology. For the past 20 years, researchers have developed bio‐inspired asphalt technology, self‐healing and bio‐binders and have applied them to asphalt pavements. This research has emerged as a response to global warming and the need to reduce both carbon emissions and reliance on oil in asphalt technology. This paper charts the development of two bio‐inspired technologies and considers their significance in relation to the need to reduce carbon emissions and oil dependence (in line with the UN strategic goals, specifically: SDG 9, 11 and 12). This paper considers the potential benefits of bio‐inspired technologies and outlines the current barriers to their further development. This paper aims to begin a conversation with stakeholders on how to speed up the acceptance of bio‐inspired asphalt technologies and their adoption in road design, construction and maintenance. Or is it the case that we have reached the end of the road for bio‐inspired road construction materials?.Materials and Environmen

Bio-binder—Innovative asphalt technology

Materials and Environmen

Self-healing asphalt for road pavements

This paper presents a unique self-healing system for asphalt pavement which employs compartmented calcium-alginate fibres encapsulating an asphalt binder healing agent (rejuvenator). This system presents a novel method of incorporating rejuvenators into asphalt pavement mixtures. The compartmented fibres are used to distribute the rejuvenator throughout the pavement mixture, thereby overcoming some of the problems associated with alternate asphalt pavement healing methods, i.e., spherical capsules and hollow fibres. The healing system performance, when embedded in Porous Asphalt (PA) mix was tested by employing: (i) Indirect Tensile Stiffness and Strength test (ii) 4 Point Bending Fatigue test. The Semi Circular Bend (SCB) test was adopted to study crack propagation and its closure (healing) in an asphalt mix. The findings demonstrate that compartmented alginate fibres have capacity to survive asphalt mixing and compaction process. The fibres can efficiently repair damage (close the cracks), increase asphalt mix stiffness and strength. However, when the asphalt mix is subjected to fatigue loading the system does not significantly improve healing properties of the asphalt mix. Nevertheless, the findings indicate that, with further enhancement, compartmented calcium alginate fibres may present a promising new approach for the development of self-healing asphalt pavement systems.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Materials and Environmen

Self-healing technology for asphalt pavements

Materials and EnvironmentMicrola

Ispitivanje tačnosti pozicioniranja mašina alatki sa hibridnom kinematikom prema standardu ISO 230-2

Mašine alatke sa parelelno-serijskom (hibridnom) kinematskom strukturom predstavljaju nekonvencionalan tip mašina alatki čije karakteristike zavise od kinematske konfiguracije. Zbog toga je neophodno da se za svaki tip mehanizma izvrši posebna analiza tačnosti. Ako tačnost neke mašine opisujemo kao karakteristiku koja je posledica niza osobina mehaničke i upravljačke strukture, onda je jedan od najboljih pokazatelja karakteristika mašine stanje tačnosti pozicioniranja. Kod konvencionalnih mašina alatki koje se baziraju isključivo na serijskoj (rednoj) kinematskoj strukturi postoje standardi i preporuke (ISO 230-2, VDI DGQ 3441), koje se bave problemom tačnosti pozicioniranja. U ovom radu se opisuje merenje tačnosti pozicinoranja mašine alatke sa hibridnom kinematskom strukturom „O-X glide“ prema standardu ISO 230-2 i analiziraju se dobijeni rezultati

The Effect of Conductive Alginate Capsules Encapsulating Rejuvenator (HealRoad Capsules) on the Healing Properties of 10 mm Stone Mastic Asphalt Mix

Conductive alginate capsules encapsulating a bitumen rejuvenator (HealRoad capsules) has demonstrated good healing abilities in pure bitumen and mortar mixes. HealRoad capsules can efficiently heal damage via induction heating. They also release the encapsulated rejuvenator, thereby rejuvenating aged bitumen. These findings indicate that HealRoad capsules and induction heating systems combined could represent a possible asphalt pavement maintenance method. This paper investigated the effect of HealRoad capsules on the mechanical performance of the 10 mm stone mastic asphalt mix and measured the damage repair (healing) efficiency of the capsules in an asphalt mix. The results indicate that in small amounts, >1%, HealRoad capsules do not degrade the mix performance (indirect tensile strength and rutting resistance) and in some cases, the HealRoad capsules actually improve mix performance, e.g., in terms of the indirect tensile strength ratio (water sensitivity). However, the HealRoad capsules are unable to stimulate induction healing due to the small volume of capsules within the mix. Further investigation demonstrated that increasing the capsules in the mix to >5% can stimulate induction heating effectively. However, it also indicated that a high content of HealRoad capsules reduces the asphalt mix strength. The study has shown that HealRoad capsules are an effective healing system for high bitumen content mixtures such as mortar mixtures but is an inefficient healing system for a full asphalt mix, such as the 10 mm stone mastic asphalt mixMaterials and Environmen

Conductive compartmented capsules encapsulating a bitumen rejuvenator

This paper explores the potential use of conductive alginate capsules encapsulating a bitumen rejuvenator as a new extrinsic self-healing asphalt method. The capsules combine two existing self-healing asphalt technologies: (1) rejuvenator encapsulation and (2) induction heating to create a self-healing system that will provide rapid and effective asphalt pavement repair. The work presents a proof of concept for the encapsulation process, which involves embedding the capsules into the bitumen mortar mixture and the survival rate of the capsules in the asphalt mixture. A drip capsule production process was adopted and scaled up to the production of 20l wet capsules at rate of 0.22 l/min. To prove the effectiveness and its ability to survive asphalt production process, the capsules were prepared and subjected to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and uniaxial compression Test (UCT). The test results demonstrated that the capsules had suitable thermal characteristics and mechanical strength to survive the asphalt mixing and compaction process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to investigate physiological properties, such as rejuvenator (oil) and iron particle distribution, within the capsules. The electrical resistance tests proved that the capsules were capable of conducting electrical current. The capsules were also tested for their conductive properties in order to determine whether they are capable of conducting and distributing the heat once subjected to induction heating. The results showed that capsules containing higher amounts of iron (alginate/iron powder in a ratio of 20:80 by weight) can efficiently conduct and distribute heat. To prove its success as an asphalt healing system, conductive alginate capsules encapsulating a bitumen rejuvenator were embedded in a bitumen mortar mix. The samples where then subjected to local damaging and healing events, and the degree of healing was quantified. The research findings indicate that conductive alginate capsules encapsulating a bitumen rejuvenator present a promising new approach for the development of an extrinsic self-healing asphalt pavement systems.Materials and Environmen