Thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of blends of bitumen with metallocene catalyzed polyolefins

A high penetration grade bitumen has been blended with up to 50 wt% of two different grades of metallocene catalyzed linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE) in order to investigate the potential of these and similar copolymers as a substitute for styrene butadiene styrene triblock copolymers in polymer-modified bitumens (PMB). A continuous polymer-rich phase was observed at m-LLDPE contents as low as 5-10 wt%, along with a significant decrease in the effective glass transition temperature of the PMBs with increasing polymer concentration, suggesting benefits for low temperature flexibility. The m-LLDPE-based PMBs also showed relatively low dynamic shear viscosities up to high polymer contents in the range of temperature and shear rate corresponding to typical PMB processing conditions. However, the presence of bitumen in the m-LLDPE-rich phase led to a significant reduction in the melting points of the m-LLDPE, and softening of the PMBs at temperatures as low as 40-50 degrees C, depending on the composition and the melting point of the pure polymer. PMBs based on the m-LLDPE with the higher melting point remained fully elastic in this temperature range, but at the expense of increased crystallinity and a higher glass transition temperature, which limit improvements in low temperature flexibility. On the other hand, the potentially broad composition and property windows associated with m-LLDPEs suggest considerable scope for the fine tuning of PMB properties by using combinations of different m-LLDPEs and/or other polyolefins as a means to optimize performance

A novel synthetic strategy for bioinspired functionally graded nanocomposites employing magnetic field gradients

In order to mimic the complex architecture of many bio-materials and synthesize composites characterized by continuously graded composition and mechanical properties, an innovative synthetic strategy making use of magnetic field gradients and based on the motion of superparamagnetic Fe3O4@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles is adopted. It is demonstrated that by lowering the viscosity of the system through particle functionalization, and increasing the magnetic force acting on the nanoparticles upon optimization of a simple set-up composed of two permanent magnets in repulsion configuration, the magnephoretic process can be considerably accelerated. Thus, owing to the magnetic responsiveness of the Fe3O4 core and the remarkable mechanical properties of the SiO2 shell, approximately 150 mm thick polymeric films with continuous gradients in composition and characterized by considerable increments in elastic modulus (up to approximate to 70%) and hardness (up to approximate to 150%) when going from particle-depleted to particleenriched regions can be synthesized, even in times as short as 1 hour. The present methods are highly promising for a more efficient magnetic force-based synthesis of inhomogeneous soft materials whose composition is required to be locally tuned to meet the specific mechanical demands arising from non-uniform external loads

Biodegradable polylactide/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite foam scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications

Supercritical carbon dioxide processing of poly--lactide (PLLA)/hydroxyapatite (nHA) nanocomposites was investigated as a means to prepare foams suitable as scaffolds in bone tissue engineering applications. For given foaming parameters, addition of nHA to the PLLA gave reduced cell sizes and improved homogeneity in the size distribution, but did not significantly affect the degree of crystallinity, which remained of the order of 50 wt% in all the foams. The compressive modulus and strength were primarily influenced by the porosity and there was no significant reinforcement of the matrix by the nHA. The mechanical properties of the foams were nevertheless comparable with those of trabecular bone, and by adjusting the saturation pressure and depressurization rate it was possible to generate porosities of about 85 %, an interconnected morphology and cell diameters in the range 200-400 mu m from PLLA containing 4.17 vol% nHA, satisfying established geometrical requirements for bone replacement scaffolds

Integrating life cycle costs and environmental impacts of composite rail car-bodies for a Korean train

Background, aim, and scope: A coupled Life Cycle Costing and life cycle assessment has been performed for car-bodies of the Korean Tilting Train eXpress (TTX) project using European and Korean databases, with the objective of assessing environmental and cost performance to aid materials and process selection. More specifically, the potential of polymer composite car-body structures for the Korean Tilting Train eXpress (TTX) has been investigated. Materials and methods: This assessment includes the cost of both carriage manufacturing and use phases, coupled with the life cycle environmental impacts of all stages from raw material production, through carriage manufacture and use, to end-of-life scenarios. Metallic carriages were compared with two composite options: hybrid steel-composite and full-composite carriages. The total planned production for this regional Korean train was 440 cars, with an annual production volume of 80 cars. Results and discussion: The coupled analyses were used to generate plots of cost versus energy consumption and environmental impacts. The results show that the raw material and manufacturing phase costs are approximately half of the total life cycle costs, whilst their environmental impact is relatively insignificant (3-8%). The use phase of the car-body has the largest environmental impact for all scenarios, with near negligible contributions from the other phases. Since steel rail carriages weigh more (27-51%), the use phase cost is correspondingly higher, resulting in both the greatest environmental impact and the highest life cycle cost. Compared to the steel scenario, the hybrid composite variant has a lower life cycle cost (16%) and a lower environmental impact (26%). Though the full composite rail carriage may have the highest manufacturing cost, it results in the lowest total life cycle costs and lowest environmental impacts. Conclusions and recommendations: This coupled cost and life cycle assessment showed that the full composite variant was the optimum solution. This case study showed that coupling of technical cost models with life cycle assessment offers an efficient route to accurately evaluate economic and environmental performance in a consistent wa

Stress reduction mechanisms during photopolymerization of functionally graded polymer nanocomposite coatings

From the experimental analysis of the photocuring process in terms of reaction kinetics as well as modulus and shrinkage build-up, the residual stresses arising during the photopolymerization of functionally graded composite coatings based on an acrylate matrix and Fe3O4@SiO2 core@shell nanoparticles are evaluated through a Finite Element Modeling approach. Owing to the monotonous variation of volume fraction of the constituent phases that influences the local conversion of the polymeric matrix, these coatings are able to decrease the residual stresseS at the coating/substrate interface by as much as approximate to 25% compared to those encountered in composites with homogeneous compositions, and by as much as approximate to 40% compared to those arising in the pure polymer. The influence of substrate stiffness, nanoparticle stiffness and conversion degree of the polymer matrix was also analyzed, providing further information for the optimization of the stress reduction mechanism in graded nanocomposite coatings. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Viscoelastic phase diagram of fluorinated and grafted polymer films and proton-exchange membranes for fuel cell applications

The influence of temperature and moisture activity on the viscoelastic behavior of fluorinated membranes for fuel cell applications was investigated. Uncrosslinked and crosslinked ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE)-based proton-conducting membranes were prepared by radiation grafting and subsequent sulfonation and their behavior was compared with ETFE base film and commercial Nafion (R) NR212 membrane. Uniaxial tensile tests and stress relaxation tests at controlled temperature and relative humidity (RH) were carried out at 30 and 50 degrees C for 10%60%, with an almost single relaxation time exponential. An exponential decrease of relaxation time with RH from 60 s to 10 s was obtained at RH70% and 30 degrees C. The general behavior of grafted films observed at 30 degrees C was also obtained at 50 degrees C. However, an anomalous result was noticed for the membranes, with a higher modulus at 50 degrees C when compared with 30 degrees C. This behavior was explained by solvation of the sulfonic acid groups by water absorption creating hydrogen bonding within the clusters. A viscoelastic phase diagram was elaborated to map critical conditions (temperature and RH) for transitions in time-dependent behavior, from power-law scaling to exponential scaling. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013, 51, 1139-114

Morphological investigation of polylactide/microfibrillated cellulose composites

Optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy have been used to investigate the morphology of polylactide (PLA)/microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) composites prepared by: compression molding of wet-comingled MFC and PLA latex or powder, twin-screw extrusion of the wet-comingled compounds, and solvent mixing of PLA with MFC or acetylated MFC. Compression molding of wet-comingled MFC and PLA latex or powder compounds resulted in a cellular MFC network, whereas solvent-cast films showed a more uniform dispersion of MFC fibers. Somewhat lower aggregate diameters observed in the acetylated MFC were assumed to be due to decreased MFC hydrophilicity and improved chemical affinity with the PLA matrix. The MFC networks in the commingled compounds were severely disrupted after twin-screw extrusion. This confirmed the limited deformability of the networks inferred from the extensive syneresis during the initial compression molding step, and accounted for substantial losses in stiffness reinforcement by the MFC after extrusion

Invited paper: Models and experiments of mechanical integrity for flexible displays

Flexible displays present a challenging problem in terms of mechanical integrity, a result of the considerable hygro-thermomechanical contrast between the inorganic, brittle device layers and the compliant polymer substractes. This paper reviews the main approaches to study and identify the key factors, which control the mechanical stability of this class of displays. Focus is put on the mechanical stability of this class of displays. Focus is put on the analyses of residual stress and damage under tensile loading. Novel electro-mechanical methods are used for accurate insight into critical phenomena. An important result is that the thickness and stiffness of the substrate control the critical strain for failure of the device layers

Innovative Solution for Building Integrated Photovoltaics

Among the main challenges of our century, the climate change and the need of diversification of the energy sources are of most importance. Renewable energies undoubtedly have an important role to play, photovoltaic (PV) electricity being especially well suited to face these energy challenges. However, the current integration of PV panels often comes without architectural consideration. In this context, the Archinsolar project [1] aims to develop a new generation of photovoltaic elements based on silicon thin films technologies (amorphous and micromorph), ultra-reliable and manufacturable at a very low cost, allowing a unique architectural integration, respectful of the bui lt environment and overall landscape. Here we will present our new developments on innovative PV elements including colored PV panels and a solar tile using a composite back-structure

HMG-coenzyme A reductase inhibition, type 2 diabetes, and bodyweight: evidence from genetic analysis and randomised trials.

BACKGROUND: Statins increase the risk of new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus. We aimed to assess whether this increase in risk is a consequence of inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), the intended drug target. METHODS: We used single nucleotide polymorphisms in the HMGCR gene, rs17238484 (for the main analysis) and rs12916 (for a subsidiary analysis) as proxies for HMGCR inhibition by statins. We examined associations of these variants with plasma lipid, glucose, and insulin concentrations; bodyweight; waist circumference; and prevalent and incident type 2 diabetes. Study-specific effect estimates per copy of each LDL-lowering allele were pooled by meta-analysis. These findings were compared with a meta-analysis of new-onset type 2 diabetes and bodyweight change data from randomised trials of statin drugs. The effects of statins in each randomised trial were assessed using meta-analysis. FINDINGS: Data were available for up to 223 463 individuals from 43 genetic studies. Each additional rs17238484-G allele was associated with a mean 0·06 mmol/L (95% CI 0·05-0·07) lower LDL cholesterol and higher body weight (0·30 kg, 0·18-0·43), waist circumference (0·32 cm, 0·16-0·47), plasma insulin concentration (1·62%, 0·53-2·72), and plasma glucose concentration (0·23%, 0·02-0·44). The rs12916 SNP had similar effects on LDL cholesterol, bodyweight, and waist circumference. The rs17238484-G allele seemed to be associated with higher risk of type 2 diabetes (odds ratio [OR] per allele 1·02, 95% CI 1·00-1·05); the rs12916-T allele association was consistent (1·06, 1·03-1·09). In 129 170 individuals in randomised trials, statins lowered LDL cholesterol by 0·92 mmol/L (95% CI 0·18-1·67) at 1-year of follow-up, increased bodyweight by 0·24 kg (95% CI 0·10-0·38 in all trials; 0·33 kg, 95% CI 0·24-0·42 in placebo or standard care controlled trials and -0·15 kg, 95% CI -0·39 to 0·08 in intensive-dose vs moderate-dose trials) at a mean of 4·2 years (range 1·9-6·7) of follow-up, and increased the odds of new-onset type 2 diabetes (OR 1·12, 95% CI 1·06-1·18 in all trials; 1·11, 95% CI 1·03-1·20 in placebo or standard care controlled trials and 1·12, 95% CI 1·04-1·22 in intensive-dose vs moderate dose trials). INTERPRETATION: The increased risk of type 2 diabetes noted with statins is at least partially explained by HMGCR inhibition. FUNDING: The funding sources are cited at the end of the paper