Predicting effective diffusion coefficients in mudrocks using a fractal model and small-angle neutron scattering measurements

The determination of effective diffusion coefficients of gases or solutes in the water‐saturated pore space of mudrocks is time consuming and technically challenging. Yet reliable values of effective diffusion coefficients are important to predict migration of hydrocarbon gases in unconventional reservoirs, dissipation of (explosive) gases through clay barriers in radioactive waste repositories, mineral alteration of seals to geological CO2 storage reservoirs, and contaminant migration through aquitards. In this study, small‐angle and very small angle neutron scattering techniques have been utilized to determine a range of transport properties in mudrocks, including porosity, pore size distributions, and surface and volume fractal dimensions of pores and grains, from which diffusive transport parameters can be estimated. Using a fractal model derived from Archie's law, we calculate effective diffusion coefficients from these parameters and compare them to laboratory‐derived effective diffusion coefficients for CO2, H2, CH4, and HTO on either the same or related mudrock samples. The samples include Opalinus Shale from the underground laboratory in Mont Terri, Switzerland, Boom Clay from a core drilled in Mol, Belgium, and a marine claystone cored in Utah, USA. The predicted values were compared to laboratory diffusion measurements. The measured and modeled diffusion coefficients show good agreement, differing generally by less than factor 5. Neutron or X‐ray scattering analysis is therefore proposed as a novel method for fast, accurate estimation of effective diffusion coefficients in mudrocks, together with simultaneous measurement of multiple transport parameters including porosity, pore size distributions, and surface areas, important for (reactive) transport modeling

CO2 storage from blast furnace in the Triassic sandstones of Lorraine, (Eastern Paris Basin, France): an experimental study

International audienceA core flow test autoclave has been designed in order to reproduce an injection well at a scale of 1/20. This autoclave allows the CO2 injection into a steel tube cemented to a core sample of red sandstone from the Triassic formations of Lorraine (France). Temperature and pressure gradients can be recorded between the injection point and the confining water phase. Such gradients imply solubility gradients of CO2 and mineral species into the water phase as permeability changes with time. Some chemical reactions can be observed from collected sample at the end of the experiment. Precipitation and dissolution are suspected both into the cement and rock phases. No fracturing is observed. Cement-rock interface is not opened

Engineering Breast Cancer Microenvironments and 3D Bioprinting

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a critical cue to direct tumorigenesis and metastasis. Although two-dimensional (2D) culture models have been widely employed to understand breast cancer microenvironments over the past several decades, the 2D models still exhibit limited success. Overwhelming evidence supports that three dimensional (3D), physiologically relevant culture models are required to better understand cancer progression and develop more effective treatment. Such platforms should include cancer-specific architectures, relevant physicochemical signals, stromal–cancer cell interactions, immune components, vascular components, and cell-ECM interactions found in patient tumors. This review briefly summarizes how cancer microenvironments (stromal component, cell-ECM interactions, and molecular modulators) are defined and what emerging technologies (perfusable scaffold, tumor stiffness, supporting cells within tumors and complex patterning) can be utilized to better mimic native-like breast cancer microenvironments. Furthermore, this review emphasizes biophysical properties that differ between primary tumor ECM and tissue sites of metastatic lesions with a focus on matrix modulation of cancer stem cells, providing a rationale for investigation of underexplored ECM proteins that could alter patient prognosis. To engineer breast cancer microenvironments, we categorized technologies into two groups: (1) biochemical factors modulating breast cancer cell-ECM interactions and (2) 3D bioprinting methods and its applications to model breast cancer microenvironments. Biochemical factors include matrix-associated proteins, soluble factors, ECMs, and synthetic biomaterials. For the application of 3D bioprinting, we discuss the transition of 2D patterning to 3D scaffolding with various bioprinting technologies to implement biophysical cues to model breast cancer microenvironments

A modular surgical simulator for microlaryngoscopy using standard instruments and the carbon dioxide laser

OBJECTIVE: Build a microlaryngoscopy surgical simulator for endoscopic laryngeal surgery using standard microsurgical instruments and a CO laser. STUDY DESIGN: Anatomical modeling, CAD design and 3D printed manufacturing. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We created a modular design for a microlaryngoscopy simulator in CAD software. Components include plastic and stainless-steel models of a standard operating laryngoscope and a cassette system for mounting porcine or synthetic models of the vocal folds. All simulator parts, including the metallic laryngoscope model, were manufactured using 3D printing technology. Tumors were simulated in porcine tissue models by injecting a soy protein-based tumor phantom. Residents and faculty in the Louisiana State University otolaryngology department evaluated the system. Each participant performed microlaryngoscopy with laser resection on a porcine larynx and cold instrument procedures on synthetic vocal folds. Participants scored the simulator using a 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: The microlaryngeal surgical simulator demonstrated in this project is realistic, economical, and easily assembled. We have included 3D printed parts files and detailed assembly instructions that will enable educators interested in surgical simulation to build the device.Participants in the simulator evaluation session felt that the simulator faithfully represented the procedure to resect vocal fold lesions using a CO laser. The synthetic model allows the trainee to develop hand-eye coordination while using standard laryngeal instruments. CONCLUSIONS: The simulator described herein will enable surgeons to acquire the surgical skills necessary to perform operative microlaryngoscopy prior to operating on live patients

Data_Sheet_1_Engineering Breast Cancer Microenvironments and 3D Bioprinting.DOCX

<p>The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a critical cue to direct tumorigenesis and metastasis. Although two-dimensional (2D) culture models have been widely employed to understand breast cancer microenvironments over the past several decades, the 2D models still exhibit limited success. Overwhelming evidence supports that three dimensional (3D), physiologically relevant culture models are required to better understand cancer progression and develop more effective treatment. Such platforms should include cancer-specific architectures, relevant physicochemical signals, stromal–cancer cell interactions, immune components, vascular components, and cell-ECM interactions found in patient tumors. This review briefly summarizes how cancer microenvironments (stromal component, cell-ECM interactions, and molecular modulators) are defined and what emerging technologies (perfusable scaffold, tumor stiffness, supporting cells within tumors and complex patterning) can be utilized to better mimic native-like breast cancer microenvironments. Furthermore, this review emphasizes biophysical properties that differ between primary tumor ECM and tissue sites of metastatic lesions with a focus on matrix modulation of cancer stem cells, providing a rationale for investigation of underexplored ECM proteins that could alter patient prognosis. To engineer breast cancer microenvironments, we categorized technologies into two groups: (1) biochemical factors modulating breast cancer cell-ECM interactions and (2) 3D bioprinting methods and its applications to model breast cancer microenvironments. Biochemical factors include matrix-associated proteins, soluble factors, ECMs, and synthetic biomaterials. For the application of 3D bioprinting, we discuss the transition of 2D patterning to 3D scaffolding with various bioprinting technologies to implement biophysical cues to model breast cancer microenvironments.</p

A modular surgical simulator for microlaryngoscopy using standard instruments and the carbon dioxide laser

OBJECTIVE: Build a microlaryngoscopy surgical simulator for endoscopic laryngeal surgery using standard microsurgical instruments and a CO laser. STUDY DESIGN: Anatomical modeling, CAD design and 3D printed manufacturing. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We created a modular design for a microlaryngoscopy simulator in CAD software. Components include plastic and stainless-steel models of a standard operating laryngoscope and a cassette system for mounting porcine or synthetic models of the vocal folds. All simulator parts, including the metallic laryngoscope model, were manufactured using 3D printing technology. Tumors were simulated in porcine tissue models by injecting a soy protein-based tumor phantom. Residents and faculty in the Louisiana State University otolaryngology department evaluated the system. Each participant performed microlaryngoscopy with laser resection on a porcine larynx and cold instrument procedures on synthetic vocal folds. Participants scored the simulator using a 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: The microlaryngeal surgical simulator demonstrated in this project is realistic, economical, and easily assembled. We have included 3D printed parts files and detailed assembly instructions that will enable educators interested in surgical simulation to build the device.Participants in the simulator evaluation session felt that the simulator faithfully represented the procedure to resect vocal fold lesions using a CO laser. The synthetic model allows the trainee to develop hand-eye coordination while using standard laryngeal instruments. CONCLUSIONS: The simulator described herein will enable surgeons to acquire the surgical skills necessary to perform operative microlaryngoscopy prior to operating on live patients