Adhesion and mechanical properties of PDMS-based materials probed with AFM: A review

This work was supported by Russian Science Foundation project grant 18-19-00645 "Adhesion of polymer-based soft materials: from liquid to solid-.Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is the most widely used silicon-based organic polymer, and is particularly known for its unusual rheological properties. PDMS has found extensive usage in various fields ranging from microfluidics and flexible electronics to cosmetics and food industry. In certain applications, like e.g. dry adhesives or dry transfer of 2D materials, adhesive properties of PDMS play crucial role. In this review we focus on probing the mechanical and adhesive properties of PDMS by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM). Main advantages and limitations of AFM-based measurements in comparison to macroscopic tests are discussed.Russian Science Foundation 18-19-00645; Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia as the Center of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-TeamingPhase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART

Safety and efficacy of tenecteplase in patients with wake-up stroke assessed by non-contrast CT (TWIST): a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial

Background: Current evidence supports the use of intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase in patients with wake-up stroke selected with MRI or perfusion imaging and is recommended in clinical guidelines. However, access to advanced imaging techniques is often scarce. We aimed to determine whether thrombolytic treatment with intravenous tenecteplase given within 4·5 h of awakening improves functional outcome in patients with ischaemic wake-up stroke selected using non-contrast CT. Methods: TWIST was an investigator-initiated, multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial with blinded endpoint assessment, conducted at 77 hospitals in ten countries. We included patients aged 18 years or older with acute ischaemic stroke symptoms upon awakening, limb weakness, a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 3 or higher or aphasia, a non-contrast CT examination of the head, and the ability to receive tenecteplase within 4·5 h of awakening. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either a single intravenous bolus of tenecteplase 0·25 mg per kg of bodyweight (maximum 25 mg) or control (no thrombolysis) using a central, web-based, computer-generated randomisation schedule. Trained research personnel, who conducted telephone interviews at 90 days (follow-up), were masked to treatment allocation. Clinical assessments were performed on day 1 (at baseline) and day 7 of hospital admission (or at discharge, whichever occurred first). The primary outcome was functional outcome assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days and analysed using ordinal logistic regression in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with EudraCT (2014–000096–80), ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03181360), and ISRCTN (10601890). Findings: From June 12, 2017, to Sept 30, 2021, 578 of the required 600 patients were enrolled (288 randomly assigned to the tenecteplase group and 290 to the control group [intention-to-treat population]). The median age of participants was 73·7 years (IQR 65·9–81·1). 332 (57%) of 578 participants were male and 246 (43%) were female. Treatment with tenecteplase was not associated with better functional outcome, according to mRS score at 90 days (adjusted OR 1·18, 95% CI 0·88–1·58; p=0·27). Mortality at 90 days did not significantly differ between treatment groups (28 [10%] patients in the tenecteplase group and 23 [8%] in the control group; adjusted HR 1·29, 95% CI 0·74–2·26; p=0·37). Symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage occurred in six (2%) patients in the tenecteplase group versus three (1%) in the control group (adjusted OR 2·17, 95% CI 0·53–8·87; p=0·28), whereas any intracranial haemorrhage occurred in 33 (11%) versus 30 (10%) patients (adjusted OR 1·14, 0·67–1·94; p=0·64). Interpretation: In patients with wake-up stroke selected with non-contrast CT, treatment with tenecteplase was not associated with better functional outcome at 90 days. The number of symptomatic haemorrhages and any intracranial haemorrhages in both treatment groups was similar to findings from previous trials of wake-up stroke patients selected using advanced imaging. Current evidence does not support treatment with tenecteplase in patients selected with non-contrast CT. Funding: Norwegian Clinical Research Therapy in the Specialist Health Services Programme, the Swiss Heart Foundation, the British Heart Foundation, and the Norwegian National Association for Public Health

In situ measurements of ultimate bending strength of CuO and ZnO nanowires

Young’s modulus and the bending strength of copper oxide and zinc oxide nanowires (NWs) were measured in situ using nanomanipulation techniques inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Young’s modulus was measured by bending half-suspended NWs and simultaneously measuring the force using a sensor based on a quartz tuning fork. Bending strength was measured for the NWs on a flat surface by bending them from one end with an AFM tip until the NW broke. The profile of the elastically deformed NW and the average value of Young’s modulus were used to calculate the bending strength of the NWs. Weibull statistics was applied to analyse and compare the bending strength distribution for NWs made from both materials

Adhesion and Mechanical Properties of PDMS-Based Materials Probed with AFM: A Review

Abstract Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is the most widely used silicon-based organic polymer, and is particularly known for its unusual rheological properties. PDMS has found extensive usage in various fields ranging from microfluidics and flexible electronics to cosmetics and food industry. In certain applications, like e.g. dry adhesives or dry transfer of 2D materials, adhesive properties of PDMS play crucial role. In this review we focus on probing the mechanical and adhesive properties of PDMS by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM). Main advantages and limitations of AFM-based measurements in comparison to macroscopic tests are discussed.</jats:p

Mechanical properties of sol–gel derived SiO2 nanotubes

The mechanical properties of thick-walled SiO2 nanotubes (NTs) prepared by a sol–gel method while using Ag nanowires (NWs) as templates were measured by using different methods. In situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) cantilever beam bending tests were carried out by using a nanomanipulator equipped with a force sensor in order to investigate plasticity and flexural response of NTs. Nanoindentation and three point bending tests of NTs were performed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) under ambient conditions. Half-suspended and three-point bending tests were processed in the framework of linear elasticity theory. Finite element method simulations were used to extract Young’s modulus values from the nanoindentation data. Finally, the Young’s moduli of SiO2 NTs measured by different methods were compared and discussed

Mechanical properties of sol–gel derived SiO 2

The mechanical properties of thick-walled SiO2 nanotubes (NTs) prepared by a sol–gel method while using Ag nanowires (NWs) as templates were measured by using different methods. In situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) cantilever beam bending tests were carried out by using a nanomanipulator equipped with a force sensor in order to investigate plasticity and flexural response of NTs. Nanoindentation and three point bending tests of NTs were performed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) under ambient conditions. Half-suspended and three-point bending tests were processed in the framework of linear elasticity theory. Finite element method simulations were used to extract Young’s modulus values from the nanoindentation data. Finally, the Young’s moduli of SiO2 NTs measured by different methods were compared and discussed