Effect of pressure on the physical properties of magnetorheological fluids

To date, several applications of magnetorheological (MR) fluids are present in the industrial world, nonetheless system requirements often needs better material properties. In technical literature a previous work shows that MR fluids exhibit a pressure dependency called squeeze strengthen effect. Since a lot of MR fluid based devices are rotary devices, this paper investigates the behaviour of MR fluids under pressure when a rotation is applied to shear the fluid. The system is designed in order to apply both the magnetic field and the pressure and follows a Design of Experiment approach. The experimental apparatus comprises a cylinder in which a piston is used both to apply the pressure and to shear the fluid. The magnetic circuit is designed to provide a nearly constant induction field in the MR fluid. The experimental apparatus measures the torque as a function of the variables considered and the yield shear stress is computed. The analysis of the results shows that there is a positive interaction between magnetic field and pressure, which enhances the MR fluid performances more than twice

Effect of pressure on the physical properties of magnetorheological fluids

To date, several applications of magnetorheological (MR) fluids are present in the industrial world,nonetheless system requirements often needs better material properties. In technical literature a previous workshows that MR fluids exhibit a pressure dependency called squeeze strengthen effect. Since a lot of MR fluidbased devices are rotary devices, this paper investigates the behaviour of MR fluids under pressure when arotation is applied to shear the fluid. The system is designed in order to apply both the magnetic field and thepressure and follows a Design of Experiment approach. The experimental apparatus comprises a cylinder inwhich a piston is used both to apply the pressure and to shear the fluid. The magnetic circuit is designed toprovide a nearly constant induction field in the MR fluid. The experimental apparatus measures the torque as afunction of the variables considered and the yield shear stress is computed. The analysis of the results showsthat there is a positive interaction between magnetic field and pressure, which enhances the MR fluidperformances more than twice

Optimum Mechanical Design of Binary Actuators Based on Shape Memory Alloys

This chapter describes the optimum mechanical design of shape memory based actuators. The authors show how to exploit the Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) to design silent, compact and light binary actuators. Two simple mechanical models are considered to describe the SMA behaviour and design equations are provided for two classes of actuators. First SMA actuators are analyzed and designed on the basis of the backup element needed to recover the stroke. Second SMA actuators are improved by adding a compensator system to enhance the output mechanical response, especially in terms of available stroke. Useful design procedures are provided to help the engineer in the synthesis of SMA actuators. Starting from the design specifications, a step by step procedure is built to define the mechanical dimension of the SMA active elements, of the backup system and of the compensator

Modellazione efficiente agli elementi finiti per l’analisi a collasso di strutture incollate complesse

Il lavoro verifica l’applicabilità di un modello semplificato agli elementi finiti per l’analisi a collasso post elastico di strutture incollate complesse in parete sottile. Al fine di superare le limitazioni dei modelli di letteratura come l’uso di elementi speciali, il lavoro sfrutta un modello ridotto già presentato dagli autori in campo elastico. Tale modello è basato sulla rappresentazione degli aderendi mediante elementi semistrutturali (piastre o gusci) e dell’adesivo per mezzo di speciali elementi coesivi. La continuità strutturale tra aderendi e adesivo è ottenuta mediante vincoli interni (tied mesh) che accomunano i gradi di libertà dei nodi mutuamente affacciati di aderendi ed adesivo. La struttura analizzata è un simulacro di incollaggio industriale e produce nella strato adesivo una sollecitazione complessa, analizzabile solo con modelli numerici. Si considera una struttura tubolare in parete sottile a sezione quadrata, fatta di due spezzoni posti testa a testa e incollati con fazzoletti di lamiera sui quattro lati. La struttura è sottoposta a flessione a tre punti fino al cedimento e la zona incollata posta disassata rispetto al punto di applicazione del carico riceve una sollecitazione indiretta. I risultati dell’analisi FEM, confrontati direttamente con le curve sperimentali forza-spostamento, evidenziano una buona accuratezza del metodo, in termini di rigidezza, forza massima e comportamento post elastico della struttura, accompagnati da ridotte dimensioni del modello e tempi di calcolo molto contenuti. Grazie a questi vantaggi, la procedura si presta ad effettuare l’analisi di strutture incollate complesse, altrimenti ingestibili se affrontate con una modellazione agli elementi finiti tradizionale

Objective Selection Criteria between ALT and Radial Forearm Flap in Oral Soft Tissues Reconstruction

Different locoregional and free flaps were described for oral soft tissues reconstruction after oncological resections; however, free flaps remain the first choice. Among free flaps, the radial forearm flap (RFF) and the anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALT) are preferred the most. The lack of standardization of the flap choice leaves the selection to the surgeon's experience. The purpose of our observational study is to provide an algorithm to support the flap choice for the reconstruction of oral soft tissues. Sixty patients with squamous cell carcinoma of oral soft tissues were enrolled in our study. All the patients underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the three-dimensional size of the tumor. During the follow-up, the patients were evaluated by using the University of Washington-Quality of Life Questionnaire. The questionnaire score was better for small tumors and worse for large tumors in both functional and relational fields. We observed that most of the overlapping results were obtained for small defects and the choice of RFF, as well as for large defects and the use of ALT. We observed that in the preoperative time, it is possible to select which flap between radial forearm and ALT is more appropriate for oral soft tissues defects reconstruction, according to the size of the tumor evaluated by MRI. We propose a decisional algorithm that suggests the type of flap to use between ALT and RFF

Class A predictions of damage level in an historical fortress induced by twin tunnelling

Tunnelling below historical city centres requires the accurate analysis of the impact of construction works on cultural heritage monuments, which need to be preserved from any possible damage. In this paper, the undercrossing of an historical masonry structure in the city of Florence (Italy), the Fortezza da Basso, by two tunnels of the new high-speed railway underground line is analysed. The interaction problem is studied by a 3D class-A finite element numerical model. Advanced constitutive laws are adopted to describe the key features of the mechanical behaviour of both soil layers and masonry structures. The results of the analyses show that the excavation process is likely to induce a negligible to slight damage in the historical fortress when a typical surface volume loss of 0.5% is considered in greenfield conditions

Early Skin-to-Skin Contact in Preterm Infants: Is It Safe? An Italian Experience

Background: Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) is one of the four components of kangaroo care (KC) and is also a valued alternative to incubators in low-income countries. SSC has also become a standard of care in high-income countries because of its short- and long-term benefits and its positive effect on infant growth and neurodevelopmental outcome. However, barriers in the implementation of SSC, especially with preterm infants, are common in NICUs because parents and health care professionals can perceive it as potentially risky for the clinical stability of preterm infants. Previous studies have assessed safety before and during SSC by monitoring vital parameters during short-time intervals. Aims: To demonstrate the safety of early SSC in preterm infants during at least 90 min intervals. Design: Prospective observational monocentric study. Methods: Preterm infants born between June 2018 and June 2020 with a gestational age of ≤33 weeks and a birth weight of <2000 g were monitored while performing an SSC session during the first three weeks of life. Infants with necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, and congenital malformations on mechanical ventilation or with more than five apneas in the hour before SSC were excluded. Continuous oxygen saturation (SaO2), heart rate (HR), and respiratory rate (RR) were registered during an SSC session and in the hour before. The minimum duration of an SSC session was 90 min. Information regarding postmenstrual age (PMA), body weight, respiratory support, presence of a central venous catheter and the onset of sepsis within 72 h after a session was collected. Two physicians, blinded to infant conditions and the period of analysis (before or during SSC), evaluated desaturation episodes (SaO2 < 85%, >15 s), bradycardia (HR < 100, >15 s) and apneas (pause in breathing > 20 s associated with desaturation and/or bradycardia). A Wilcoxon rank sum test was used for the statistical analysis. Results: In total, 83 episodes of SSC were analyzed for a total of 38 infants. The mean gestational age at birth was 29 weeks (range 23–33 weeks). Median PMA, days of life, and body weight at SSC were 31 weeks (range 25–34 weeks), 10 days (range 1–20 days), and 1131 g (range 631–2206 g), respectively. We found that 77% of infants were on respiratory support and 47% of them had a central venous catheter (umbilical or peripherally inserted central catheter) during SSC. The total duration of desaturation, bradycardia, and the number of apneas were not statistically different during the SSC session and the hour before. No catheter dislocation or ruptures were reported. Conclusions: These findings highlighted the safety of early SSC in preterm infants and the possibility of performing it in an intensive care setting in the first weeks of life. In addition, these findings should reassure health care professionals offering this practice as a standard of care. SSC plays a key role in the care of preterm infants due to its short- and long-term positive benefits, and it deserves to be increasingly offered to infants and their parents

Modellazione efficiente agli elementi finiti per l’analisi a collasso di strutture incollate complesse

Il lavoro verifica l’applicabilità di un modello semplificato agli elementi finiti per l’analisi a collasso post elastico di strutture incollate complesse in parete sottile. Al fine di superare le limitazioni dei modelli di letteratura come l’uso di elementi speciali, il lavoro sfrutta un modello ridotto già presentato dagli autori in campo elastico. Tale modello è basato sulla rappresentazione degli aderendi mediante elementi semistrutturali (piastre o gusci) e dell’adesivo per mezzo di speciali elementi coesivi. La continuità strutturale tra aderendi e adesivo è ottenuta mediante vincoli interni (tied mesh) che accomunano i gradi di libertà dei nodi mutuamente affacciati di aderendi ed adesivo. La struttura analizzata è un simulacro di incollaggio industriale e produce nella strato adesivo una sollecitazione complessa, analizzabile solo con modelli numerici. Si considera una struttura tubolare in parete sottile a sezione quadrata, fatta di due spezzoni posti testa a testa e incollati con fazzoletti di lamiera sui quattro lati. La struttura è sottoposta a flessione a tre punti fino al cedimento e la zona incollata posta disassata rispetto al punto di applicazione del carico riceve una sollecitazione indiretta. I risultati dell’analisi FEM, confrontati direttamente con le curve sperimentali forza-spostamento, evidenziano una buona accuratezza del metodo, in termini di rigidezza, forza massima e comportamento post elastico della struttura, accompagnati da ridotte dimensioni del modello e tempi di calcolo molto contenuti. Grazie a questi vantaggi, la procedura si presta ad effettuare l’analisi di strutture incollate complesse, altrimenti ingestibili se affrontate con una modellazione agli elementi finiti tradizionale