Information reuse of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) data sets

To achieve added value from data spaces and data sets in general, an essential condition is to ensure the high quality of the stored information and its continuous availability. Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) processes represent an information source with potential for reuse. These provide essential information for the evaluation and characterization of materials and components. This information, along with others such as process parameters, is a valuable resource for data-driven added value, e.g., for process optimization or as training data for artificial intelligence (AI) applications. However, this use requires the continuous availability of NDE data sets as well as their structuring and readability. This paper describes the steps necessary to realize an NDE data cycle from the generation of information to the reuse of data.</p

Accurate predictions of thermoset resin glass transition temperatures from all-atom molecular dynamics simulation

To enable the design and development of the next generation of high-performance composite materials, there is a need to establish improved computational simulation protocols for accurate and efficient prediction of physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of thermoset resins. This is especially true for the prediction of glass transition temperature (Tg), as there are many discrepancies in the literature regarding simulation protocols and the use of cooling rate correction factors for predicting values using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The objectives of this study are to demonstrate accurate prediction the Tg with MD without the use of cooling rate correction factors and to establish the influence of simulated conformational state and heating/cooling cycles on physical, mechanical, and thermal properties predicted with MD. The experimentally-validated MD results indicate that accurate predictions of Tg, elastic modulus, strength, and coefficient of thermal expansion are highly reliant upon establishing MD models with mass densities that match experiment within 2%. The results also indicate the cooling rate correction factors, model building within different conformational states, and the choice of heating/cooling simulation runs do not provide statistically significant differences in the accurate prediction of Tg values, given the typical scatter observed in MD predictions of amorphous polymer properties

Mechanical properties and characterization of epoxy composites containing highly entangled as-received and acid treated carbon nanotubes

Huntsman–Merrimack MIRALON® carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a novel, highly entan-gled, commercially available, and scalable format of nanotubes. As-received and acid-treated CNTs were added to aerospace grade epoxy (CYCOM® 977-3), and the composites were characterized. The epoxy resin is expected to infiltrate the network of the CNTs and could improve mechanical properties. Epoxy composites were tested for flexural and viscoelastic properties and the as-re-ceived and acid treated CNTs were characterized using Field-Emission Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy, X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, and Thermogravimetric Analysis. Composites containing 0.4 wt% as-received CNTs showed an increase in flexural strength, from 136.9 MPa for neat epoxy to 147.5 MPa. In addition, the flexural modulus increased from 3.88 GPa for the neat epoxy to 4.24 GPa and 4.49 GPa for the 2.0 wt% and 3.0 wt% as-received CNT/epoxy compo-sites, respectively. FE-SEM micrographs indicated good dispersion of the CNTs in the as-received CNT/epoxy composites and the 10 M nitric acid 6 h treatment at 120 °C CNT/epoxy composites. CNTs treated with 10 M nitric acid for 6 h at 120 °C added oxygen containing functional groups (C– O, C=O, and O=C–O) and removed iron catalyst present on the as-received CNTs, but the flexural properties were not improved compared to the as-received CNT/epoxy composites

Modeling-Driven Damage Tolerant Design of Graphene Nanoplatelet/Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Hybrid Composite Panels for Full-Scale Aerospace Structures

The objective of this study is to design a new nano graphenecarbon fiberpolymer hybrid composite that can be used for the NASA SLS Composite Exploration Upper Stage (CEUS) forward skirt structure. The new material will improve the resistance to open-hole compression failure of the structure relative to traditional polymer fiber composites. The material is designed rapidly and with little cost using the Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) approach. Multiscale modeling and experiments are used to synergistically optimize the material design to yield improved properties and performance by controlling key processing parameters for manufacturing nano-enhanced materials. Specifically, the nanocomposite panel showed a 22 reduction in mass relative to the traditional composite panel, while both designs are equal in terms of ease of manufacture. This potential mass savings corresponds to an estimated 45 savings in materials and manufacturing costs. The multiscale ICME workflow developed for this project can be readily applied to the development of nano-enhanced composite materials and large aerospace structures. In addition, all key aspects of ICME were employed to complete this project including multiscale modeling, experimental characterization and visualization, data management, visualization, error and uncertainty quantification, and education. The results presented herein indicate a dramatic level of success, as well as the power and potential of ICME approach and multiscale modeling for composite materials

Serotonin regulates prostate growth through androgen receptor modulation

Serotonin regulates prostate growth through androgen receptor modulationAging and testosterone almost inexorably cause benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Human males. However, etiology of BPH is largely unknown. Serotonin (5-HT) is produced by neuroendocrine prostatic cells and presents in high concentration in normal prostatic transition zone, but its function in prostate physiology is unknown. Previous evidence demonstrated that neuroendocrine cells and 5-HT are decreased in BPH compared to normal prostate. Here, we show that 5-HT is a strong negative regulator of prostate growth. In vitro, 5-HT inhibits rat prostate branching through down-regulation of androgen receptor (AR). This 5-HT's inhibitory mechanism is also present in human cells of normal prostate and BPH, namely in cell lines expressing AR when treated with testosterone. In both models, 5-HT's inhibitory mechanism was replicated by specific agonists of 5-Htr1a and 5-Htr1b. Since peripheral 5-HT production is specifically regulated by tryptophan hydroxylase 1(Tph1), we showed that Tph1 knockout mice present higher prostate mass and up-regulation of AR when compared to wild-type, whereas 5-HT treatment restored the prostate weight and AR levels. As 5-HT is decreased in BPH, we present here evidence that links 5-HT depletion to BPH etiology through modulation of AR. Serotoninergic prostate pathway should be explored as a new therapeutic target for BPH.Projects NORTE-01-0246-FEDER-000012, NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013 and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000023, supported by the Northern Portugal Regional Operational Program (NORTE 2020), under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) and Bolsa de Investigação GSK Inovação em Urologia 2012info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Gold Nanoparticle Delivery of Modified CpG Stimulates Macrophages and Inhibits Tumor Growth for Enhanced Immunotherapy

Gold nanoparticle accumulation in immune cells has commonly been viewed as a side effect for cancer therapeutic delivery; however, this phenomenon can be utilized for developing gold nanoparticle mediated immunotherapy. Here, we conjugated a modified CpG oligodeoxynucleotide immune stimulant to gold nanoparticles using a simple and scalable selfassembled monolayer scheme that enhanced the functionality of CpG in vitro and in vivo. Nanoparticles can attenuate systemic side effects by enhancing CpG delivery passively to innate effector cells. The use of a triethylene glycol (TEG) spacer on top of the traditional poly-thymidine spacer increased CpG macrophage stimulatory effects without sacrificing DNA content on the nanoparticle, which directly correlates to particle uptake. In addition, the immune effects of modified CpGAuNPs were altered by the core particle size, with smaller 15 nm AuNPs generating maximum immune response. These TEG modified CpG-AuNP complexes induced macrophage and dendritic cell tumor infiltration, significantly inhibited tumor growth, and promoted survival in mice when compared to treatments with free CpG

Microneedles: A New Frontier in Nanomedicine Delivery

This review aims to concisely chart the development of two individual research fields, namely nanomedicines, with specific emphasis on nanoparticles (NP) and microparticles (MP), and microneedle (MN) technologies, which have, in the recent past, been exploited in combinatorial approaches for the efficient delivery of a variety of medicinal agents across the skin. This is an emerging and exciting area of pharmaceutical sciences research within the remit of transdermal drug delivery and as such will undoubtedly continue to grow with the emergence of new formulation and fabrication methodologies for particles and MN. Firstly, the fundamental aspects of skin architecture and structure are outlined, with particular reference to their influence on NP and MP penetration. Following on from this, a variety of different particles are described, as are the diverse range of MN modalities currently under development. The review concludes by highlighting some of the novel delivery systems which have been described in the literature exploiting these two approaches and directs the reader towards emerging uses for nanomedicines in combination with MN

TENSILE, THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY PROPERTIES OF EPOXY COMPOSITES CONTAINING CARBON BLACK AND GRAPHENE NANOPLATELETS

Adding carbon fillers to a polymer produces composites with unique conductivity and tensile properties. Varying amounts of carbon black (CB: \u3c 1 wt%), graphene nanoplatelets (GNP: \u3c 20 wt%), and combination (0.33 wt% CB with \u3c 10 wt% GNP) of fillers were compounded in epoxy. The thermal and electrical conductivities and tensile properties were evaluated. These composites can be used for electrically insulating, static dissipative, or semi-conductive applications depending on the electrical resistivities (ER). The 0.33wt% CB/5wt% GNP composite caused the ER to significantly decrease, which is likely due to the highly branched CB forming conductive networks with GNP. Concerning single filler composites, adding ≤ 1 wt% CB did not significantly change the composite tensile properties; however, adding GNP did change tensile properties. One possible application for the 10 wt% GNP composite is in Polymer Core Composite Conductors for transmission lines, which require improved thermal conductivity and mechanical properties

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERIZATION OF EPOXY AND CARBON FIBER/EPOXY COMPOSITES MODIFIED WITH HIGHLY ENTANGLED AS-RECEIVED AND ACID TREATED CARBON NANOTUBES

Huntsman-Merrimack MIRALON® carbon nanotubes (CNT’s) are a novel, highly entangled, commercially available, and scalable format of nanotubes. As-received and acid-treated CNT’s were added to aerospace grade epoxy (CYCOM® 977-3) and the composites were characterized. The epoxy resin is expected to infiltrate the network of the CNT’s and could improve mechanical properties. Epoxy composites were tested for flexural and viscoelastic properties and the as-received and acid treated CNT’s were characterized using field-emission scanning and transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Composites containing 0.4 wt% as-received CNT’s showed an increase in flexural strength, from 136.9 MPa for neat epoxy to 147.5 MPa. In addition, the flexural modulus increased from 3.88 GPa for the neat epoxy to 4.24 GPa and 4.49 GPa for the 2.0 wt% and 3.0 wt% as-received CNT/epoxy composites, respectively. FE-SEM micrographs indicated good dispersion of the CNT’s in the epoxy composites containing as-received CNT’s and CNT’s treated for 6 hours in 10 M nitric acid at 120 °C. CNT’s treated with 10 M nitric acid for 6 hours at 120 °C added oxygen containing functional groups (C-O, C=O, and O=C-O) and removed iron catalyst present on the as-received CNT’s, but the flexural properties of to the as-received CNT/epoxy composites. As-received and highly entangled Huntsman-Merrimack MIRALON® CNT sock materials (HGR and/or X55 grades) were added to unidirectional Hexcel HexTow IM7 carbon fiber/Solvay CYCOM® 977-3 epoxy prepreg system and the hybrid composites were characterized for tensile, flexural, and short beam shear properties. The incorporation of 1 CNT sock layer interleaving all of the CF/epoxy prepreg layers in the layup did not improve either the 0° or 90° tensile or flexural properties of the composite. Additionally, there was no improvement in the interlaminar shear strength of the hybrid composites, when 1, 2, or 3 CNT sock layers (HGR and X55 grades) were added between each CF/epoxy prepreg laye