Effect of Nano-Silica on the Physical, Mechanical and Thermal Properties of the Natural Rubber Latex Modified Concrete

The preparation and properties of latex modified concrete (LMC), nano silica modified concrete (nSMC) and silica-latex modified concrete (SLMC) have been investigated in this study. Properties like compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, thermal characteristics and water absorption have been evaluated. The 7-day compressive strength has increased 37% (30.15 N/mm2) after the inclusion of nano silica and latex. The composite has showed considerable improvements in splitting tensile strength (3.24 N/mm2), flexural strength (6.05 N/mm2) and thermal conductivity, while it lowered the water absorption rate. The property increase has been attributed to the pore filling and pozzolanic activity of nano silica and densification of matrix by natural rubber latex and nano silica. The results of this study have suggested that the addition of nano silica and latex could be a relevant technique toward conventional concrete as a key material along with energy efficient construction and building technology

Effect of Nano-Silica on the Physical, Mechanical and Thermal Properties of the Natural Rubber Latex Modified Concrete

452-457The preparation and properties of latex modified concrete (LMC), nano silica modified concrete (nSMC) and silica-latex modified concrete (SLMC) have been investigated in this study. Properties like compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, thermal characteristics and water absorption have been evaluated. The 7-day compressive strength has increased 37% (30.15 N/mm2) after the inclusion of nano silica and latex. The composite has showed considerable improvements in splitting tensile strength (3.24 N/mm2), flexural strength (6.05 N/mm2) and thermal conductivity, while it lowered the water absorption rate. The property increase has been attributed to the pore filling and pozzolanic activity of nano silica and densification of matrix by natural rubber latex and nano silica. The results of this study have suggested that the addition of nano silica and latex could be a relevant technique toward conventional concrete as a key material along with energy efficient construction and building technology

3D FEM Simulation and Analysis of Fractal Electrode-Based FBAR Resonator for Tetrachloroethene (PCE) Gas Detection

This paper presents the FEM modeling and simulation of a thin-film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) for a tetrachloroethene (PCE) gas-sensing application. A zinc oxide layer is used as a piezoelectric material; an aluminum layer is used as the electrode material in the structure of the FBAR. Polyisobutylene (PIB) is used as the sensitive layer for PCE gas detection. The study was carried out in commercially available FEM-based COMSOL software. The proposed structure was exposed to six different organic gases with concentrations ranging from 0 to 1000 ppm. The structure showed high selectivity for PCE gas. Incorporating the 3rd-order Hilbert fractal geometry in the top electrode of the FBAR increased the sensitivity of the sensor which showed high selectivity for PCE gas detection. A sensitivity enhancement of 66% was obtained using fractal geometry on the top electrode of the FBAR without alteration in size or cost. In addition, a reduction in the cross-sensitivity was achieved. Further, the PIB layer thickness and active area of the FBAR were optimized to obtain high sensitivity. The equivalent circuit was also analyzed to understand the behavior of the sensing effect and mechanism

3D FEM Simulation and Analysis of Fractal Electrode-Based FBAR Resonator for Tetrachloroethene (PCE) Gas Detection

This paper presents the FEM modeling and simulation of a thin-film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) for a tetrachloroethene (PCE) gas-sensing application. A zinc oxide layer is used as a piezoelectric material; an aluminum layer is used as the electrode material in the structure of the FBAR. Polyisobutylene (PIB) is used as the sensitive layer for PCE gas detection. The study was carried out in commercially available FEM-based COMSOL software. The proposed structure was exposed to six different organic gases with concentrations ranging from 0 to 1000 ppm. The structure showed high selectivity for PCE gas. Incorporating the 3rd-order Hilbert fractal geometry in the top electrode of the FBAR increased the sensitivity of the sensor which showed high selectivity for PCE gas detection. A sensitivity enhancement of 66% was obtained using fractal geometry on the top electrode of the FBAR without alteration in size or cost. In addition, a reduction in the cross-sensitivity was achieved. Further, the PIB layer thickness and active area of the FBAR were optimized to obtain high sensitivity. The equivalent circuit was also analyzed to understand the behavior of the sensing effect and mechanism

Microrubbing technique to produce high pretilt multidomain liquid crystal alignment

A microrubbing (µ-rubbing) technique to create multidomain alignment in liquid crystal displays was discussed. It was found that a small metallic sphere under sufficient load was used to directly rub a polyimide alignment layer. A 47 µm linewidth and a 10° pretilt with respect to the substrate plane were demonstrated. The electro-optic performance and viewing angle characteristics of four domain samples were also elaborated