Modelling and quantifying Mode I interlaminar fracture in particle-toughened CFRPs

Four-dimensional time-resolved Synchrotron Radiation Computed Tomography (SRCT) has been used to capture Mode I delamination propagation in particle-toughened Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs). Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) was used in order to measure ply opening displacements at the crack tip, permitting the interlayer strain ahead of the crack tip to be quantified. Estimates at which toughening particles de-bonded and/or fractured were made, giving insight into the effects of particle type and particle size on the fracture mico-mechanisms. The experiments are complemented by a 2D plane-strain finite element (FE) model, which investigated the effects of particle strength and toughness on the ply opening displacement and crack path by modelling the particles as 1D cohesive segments. Previous work has shown that Mode I crack propagation in particle-toughened interlayers involves a process zone rather than a distinct crack tip. Therefore, Augmented Finite Element Method (A-FEM) elements were used in the simulation, since the elements can account for both bifurcating and merging cracks within a single element. The nodal displacements in the simulation were compared to the DVC results, illustrating a potential path through which more complex FE simulations may be validated against experimental results in the future

Adaptations to hydrothermal vent life in Kiwa tyleri, a new species of yeti crab from the East Scotia Ridge, Antarctica

Hydrothermal vents in the Southern Ocean are the physiologically most isolated chemosynthetic environments known. Here, we describe Kiwa tyleri sp. nov., the first species of yeti crab known from the Southern Ocean. Kiwa tyleri belongs to the family Kiwaidae and is the visually dominant macrofauna of two known vent sites situated on the northern and southern segments of the East Scotia Ridge (ESR). The species is known to depend on primary productivity by chemosynthetic bacteria and resides at the warm-eurythermal vent environment for most of its life; its short-range distribution away from vents (few metres) is physiologically constrained by the stable, cold waters of the surrounding Southern Ocean. Kiwa tylerihas been shown to present differential life history adaptations in response to this contrasting thermal environment. Morphological adaptations specific to life in warm-eurythermal waters, as found on – or in close proximity of – vent chimneys, are discussed in comparison with adaptations seen in the other two known members of the family (K. hirsuta, K. puravida), which show a preference for low temperature chemosynthetic environments

Characterisation of 3D printed sand moulds using micro-focus X-ray computed tomography

Purpose – Micro-focus X-ray computed tomography (CT) can be used to quantitatively evaluate the packing density, pore connectivity andvprovide the basis for specimen derived simulations of gas permeability of sand mould. This non-destructive experiment or following simulations can be done on any section of any size sand mould just before casting to validate the required properties. This paper aims to describe the challenges of this method and use it to simulate the gas permeability of 3D printed sand moulds for a range of controlling parameters. The permeability simulations are compared against experimental results using traditional measurement techniques. It suggests that a minimum volume of only 700 700 700 mm3 is required to obtain, a reliable and most representative than the value obtained by the traditional measurement technique, the simulated permeability of a specimen. Design/methodology/approach – X-ray tomography images were used to reconstruct 3D models to simulate them for gas permeability of the 3D printed sand mould specimens, and the results were compared with the experimental result of the same. Findings – The influence of printing parameters, especially the re-coater speed, on the pore connectivity of the 3D printed sand mould and related permeability has been identified. Characterisation of these sand moulds using X-ray CT and its suitability, compared to the traditional means, are also studied. While density and 3PB strength are a measure of the quality of the moulds, the pore connectivity from the tomographic images precisely relates to the permeability. The main conclusions of the present study are provided below. A minimum required sample size of 700 700 700 mm3 is required to provide representative permeability results. This was obtained from sand specimens with an average sand grain size of 140 mm, using the tomographic volume images to define a 3D mesh to run permeability calculations. Z-direction permeability is always lower than that in the X-/Ydirections due to the lower values of X-(120/140 mm) and Y-(101.6 mm) resolutions of the furan droplets. The anisotropic permeability of the 3D printed sand mould is mainly due to, the only adjustable, X-directional resolution of the furan droplets; the Y-directional resolution is a fixed distance, 102.6 mm, between the printhead nozzles and the Z-directional one is usually, 280 mm, twice the size of an average sand grain.A non-destructive and most representative permeability value can be obtained, using the computer simulation, on the reconstructed 3D X-ray tomography images obtained on a specific location of a 3D printed sand mould. This saves time and effort on printing a separate specimen for the traditional test which may not be the most representative to the printed mould. Originality/value – The experimental result is compared with the computer simulated results

Reconstruction of the formation history of the Darwin Mounds, N Rockall Trough: How the dynamics of a sandy contourite affected cold-water coral growth

Cold-water coral mounds, formed through a feed-back process of cold-water coral growth and sediment baffling, have been studied all along the NE Atlantic continental margin. However, major questions remain concerning their formation history, especially their initiation and early development in relation to the surrounding sediment dynamics. For the first time, two small mounds located in a sandy contourite have been cored from the top to mound base: here, the formation history of the Darwin Mounds, located in the Northern Rockall Trough was investigated and reconstructed from two piston cores using a multidisciplinary approach. This consisted of CT-scanning for quantifying coral density changes with depth, grain-size analysis to obtain the hydrodynamic trends and radiocarbon and U-series dating to place the results into a wider paleoceanographic context. The results show that the Darwin Mounds formed during the early Holocene (~ 10 ka BP) through sediment baffling, mainly by Lophelia pertusa. The initiation of both mounds shows a similar pattern of increased current velocities resulting in coarser sediment deposition and a relatively high coral density with a peak of 23 vol%. The mound growth was rapid between ~ 10–9.7 ka BP (up to 277 cm ka− 1 in one of the mounds), with further vibrant growth periods around ~ 8.8 ka BP, 6.5 ka BP and 3.4 ka BP. The demise of the mounds ca. ~ 3 ka BP was likely caused by an intensification in bottom current velocities causing a hostile environment for coral growth in the contourite setting. In a wider context, the development of the Darwin Mounds appears to have responded to the relative strength and position of the Subpolar Gyre, which affected food supply to the corals, sedimentation rates, current speeds and other water mass properties in the area

Imaging the interaction of roots and phosphate fertiliser granules using 4D X-ray tomography

Plant root system architecture adapts to the prevailing soil environment and the distribution of nutrients. Many species respond to localised regions of high nutrient supply, found in the vicinity of fertiliser granules, by elevating branching density in these areas. However, observation of these adaptations are frequently limited to plants cultured in idealised materials (e.g. hydrogels) which have a structure-less, homogenous matrix, or rhizotrons, which are spatially limited and provide only 2D data that are not fully quantitative.MethodsIn this study, in vivo, time resolved, non-destructive, micro-focus X-ray CT imaging (?CT) in 3D was used to visualise, quantify and assess root/fertiliser interactions of wheat plants in an agricultural soil during the entire plant life cycle. Two contrasting fertilisers [Triple superphosphate (TSP) and struvite (Crystal Green®)] were applied according to 3 different treatments, each providing an equivalent of 80 kg P2O5 ha-1 (struvite only, TSP only and a 50:50 mixture) to each plant. ?CT scans (60 ?m spatial resolution) of the plant roots were obtained over 14 weeks.ResultsThis is the first time that in situ root/soil/fertiliser interactions have been visualised in 3D from plant germination through to maturity. Results show that lateral roots tend to pass within a few millimetres of the phosphorus (P) source. At this length scale, roots are able to access the P diffusing from the granule.ConclusionsQuantitative analysis of root/fertiliser interactions has shown that rooting density correlates with granule volume-loss for a slow release, struvite fertiliser.<br/

A combined imaging, deformation and registration methodology for predicting respirator fitting

N95/FFP3 respirators have been critical to protect healthcare workers and their patients from the transmission of COVID-19. However, these respirators are characterised by a limited range of size and geometry, which are often associated with fitting issues in particular sub-groups of gender and ethnicities. This study describes a novel methodology which combines magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a cohort of individuals (n = 8), with and without a respirator in-situ, and 3D registration algorithm which predicted the goodness of fit of the respirator. Sensitivity analysis was used to optimise a deformation value for the respirator-face interactions and corroborate with the soft tissue displacements estimated from the MRI images. An association between predicted respirator fitting and facial anthropometrics was then assessed for the cohort

Multi-instrument multi-scale experimental damage mechanics for fibre reinforced composites

© Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd. Reliable investigation of damage in fibre reinforced composites requires concurrent in- and ex-situ application of multiple instruments at different scale: digital image correlation, acoustic emission registration, optical/electron microscopy, C-scan, X-ray imaging and micro-computed tomography. The multi-instrument experimental mechanics allows detailed damage monitoring and inspection

A Personal Respirator to Improve Protection for Healthcare Workers Treating COVID-19 (PeRSo)

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 infection is a global pandemic. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect healthcare workers has been a recurrent challenge in terms of global stocks, supply logistics and suitability. In some settings, around 20% of healthcare workers treating COVID-19 cases have become infected, which leads to staff absence at peaks of the pandemic, and in some cases mortality.Methods: To address shortcomings in PPE, we developed a simple powered air purifying respirator, made from inexpensive and widely available components. The prototype was designed to minimize manufacturing complexity so that derivative versions could be developed in low resource settings with minor modification.Results: The “Personal Respirator – Southampton” (PeRSo) delivers High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtered air from a battery powered fan-filter assembly into a lightweight hood with a clear visor that can be comfortably worn for several hours. Validation testing demonstrates that the prototype removes microbes, avoids excessive CO2 build-up in normal use, and passes fit test protocols widely used to evaluate standard N95/FFP2 and N99/FFP3 face masks. Feedback from doctors and nurses indicate the PeRSo prototype was preferred to standard FFP2 and FFP3 masks, being more comfortable and reducing the time and risk of recurrently changing PPE. Patients report better communication and reassurance as the entire face is visible.Conclusion: Rapid upscale of production of cheaply produced powered air purifying respirators, designed to achieve regulatory approval in the country of production, could protect healthcare workers from infection and improve healthcare delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic