Novel Thermal Coating for High-Speed Airplanes

In comparison to various other materials, Carbon Fiber, specifically Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP), is pre-eminent amongst other materials for use on aeronautical systems. Due to its high specific strength (strength-to-weight ratio), CFRP is prominent for carrying heavy loads while maintaining a lightweight build. However, when influenced by heat resulting from air resistance, CFRP is known to undergo serious degradation that would significantly decrease the effectiveness of the polymers. To prevent this degradation and maintain the strength of the CFRP, thermal protective layers (TPLs) are designed to shield the CFRP from heat exposure. This research is focused on the examination of the effectiveness of a specific hybrid TPL composed of epoxy resins and buckypaper (carbon nanotubes). Heat gun and heating plate tests will be used at temperatures of 200-250°C to examine these specific properties at these temperatures. The effectiveness of the specific thermal resistance of TPL will be examined by analysis of its ability to successfully cause heat dispersion across the face surface with minimal heat allowed through the axis perpendicular to the front surface. Front and back surface temperature measurements will be performed to test these properties from both contact and non-contact temperature measuring devices. Additionally, there will also be thermal composite analysis performed through finite element analysis (FEA) simulations on Ansys using the steady-state thermal analysis system. To supplement the thermal property examination, the mechanical strength properties of these composites will also be analyzed before and after heat exposure through FEA simulations on Ansys using the static structural simulation analysis system. This mechanical analysis will allow for a stronger comprehension of the thermal protection’s effectiveness in improving the Carbon Fiber’s retention of strength after heat exposure. The results from the experiment and simulation will be collectively used to determine the TPL’s potential success in the aerospace industry

Therapeutic measures for COVID-19 and their clinical relevance of hERG channel translocation: A Pharmacodynamic approach

The COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 poses a massive challenge to the medical system, especially the safe and effective COVID-19 treatment methods, forcing people to look for drugs that may have therapeutic effects as soon as possible. Some old drugs have shown clinical benefits after a few small clinical trials attracting significant attention. Clinically, however, many medications, including those currently shown to be effective against COVID-19, such as Chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin and lopinavir/ritonavir, may cause cardiotoxicity by acting on cardiac potassium channel, hERG channel due to their off-target effect. Blocking of hERG prolongs QT intervals on the electrocardiogram and thus might induce severe ventricular arrhythmias and even sudden cardiac death. Therefore, while focusing on the efficacy of COVID-19 drugs, the fact that they block hERG from causing arrhythmias cannot be ignored. To develop safe and effective drugs, it is necessary to understand the interactions between drugs and hERG channels and the molecular mechanism behind this high affinity. In this review, we focus on the biochemical and molecular mechanistic aspects of related drug blockade in the hERG, trying to provide insights into the QT interval prolongation caused by potential therapeutic drugs for COVID-19 and hope to weigh the risks and benefits when using related drugs. Keywords: COVID-19; Therapeutic measures; hERG channel; Pharmacodynamic; Vaccine