bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cosmeto-Textiles: State of the Art and Future Perspectives
Authors: Persico Paola , Carfagna Cosimo
Published: September 2012

The skin is the largest human organ. Its care and health are, therefore, essential. The skin can only be healthy and attractive when it is in balance. The pre-requisites for healthy skin are: the moisture content, the protective function, elasticity and cell renewal. All of these parameters are supported by applying pharmaceuticals and wellness substances. Pharmaceutical law defines the former as substances and compositions of substances that are applied to or in the human body to heal, ease, prevent or detect illness, pain, bodily injury or disease symptoms. Wellness substances are substances able to enhance the sense of overall wellbeing in all physical and mental aspects of life, and bring the mind, body and spirit in harmony with the nature. The newest movement in beauty is the hybrid of textiles and cosmetics called Cosmeto-Wear: consumers, especially ladies, expect clothing to have a positive effect on the conditions of their skin. Hence, finishers are being asked to create products that offer new and/or improved functions. In recent years, textile materials with special applications in the cosmetic field have been developed. A new sector of cosmetic textiles is opened up and several cosmetic textile products are currently available in the market. There are essentially two different ways of manufacturing cosmetic textiles, they are the binding of microencapsulated cosmetic components or the fabric coating by active finishes. This paper describes the fabrication technologies of cosmeto-textiles, discussing the choice of active components and the problem of their unwanted loss during washing, as well as the trend of cosmeto-textile industry in view of consumers demands.
Halochromic Textile Materials as Innovative pH-Sensors
Authors: Van der Schueren Lien , de Clerck Karen
Published: September 2012

Recently, an increasing interest in pH-sensitive textiles is recognized. These chromic textiles can be used as flexible sensors for various applications. The aim of the current research is to develop textile pH-sensors through the application of pH-sensitive dyes on various textile materials using different techniques. The results of our study show that halochromic dyes can be incorporated into conventional textiles by a conventional dyeing technique. Also coating the fabrics with a sol-gel layer containing the halochromic dye proved to be successful. The majority of these developed materials showed a clearly visible color change with a pH-variation. The response of the sensors was dependent on the density of the fabric but was generally relatively fast, especially for the sol-gel treated fabrics. The halochromic coloration of nanofibres was realized by directly adding the dyes during the fiber formation, which was shown to be highly effective. Again, a clear halochromic shift was observed. The response of these sensors was fast thanks to the high porosity of nanofibrous non-wovens. Yet, it should be kept in mind that the halochromic behavior of the dyes in the textile matrix altered compared to their behavior in solution which is most likely attributed to dye-fiber interactions. Generally we can conclude that various coloration techniques showed to be effective for the development of innovative textile pH-sensors.
Feasibility of Printing Woven Humidity and Temperature Sensors for the Integration into Electronic Textiles
Authors: Kinkeldei Thomas , Mattana Giorgio , Leuenberger David , Ataman C. , Lopez F. Molina , Quintero A. Vasquez , Briand Danick , Nisato G. , de Rooij N. F. , Tröster G.
Published: September 2012

We demonstrate a woven textile with an integrated humidity and temperature sensor on flexible PI substrates. We discuss the fabrication process of the smart textile and compare two methods of sensor fabrication, first conventional photo lithography and second printing using ink jet. The humidity sensor is based on a capacitive interdigitated transducer covered with a sensing layer while the temperature sensor is made of a resistive metallic meander. An encapsulation method protecting the sensors during dicing, weaving and operation has been successfully implemented. The fabricated structures are tested to bending strain, a main source of failure during the fabrication of textiles. We were able to bend bare electrodes and complete sensors down to a minimal bending radius of 100 μm without loss of functionality. The woven temperature sensor has a temperature coefficient of 0.0027 /°C for lithography made and 0.0029 /°C for printed sensors. The humidity sensor shows a repeatable behaviour in the tested humidity range between 20 to 70 %RH. The weaving process does not damage or change the behaviour of the fabricated sensors. This contribution will highlight the challenges and promises of printing and laminating processes for the large scale fabrication of smart polymeric stripes to be woven into textiles.
Essential Building Blocks of Fibrous Transistors, Part I: Gate Layer
Authors: Rambausek Lina , Van Genabet Bram , Schwarz Anne , Bruneel Els , Van Driessche Isabel , Van Langenhove Lieva
Published: September 2012

Abstract. During the last decade, research on intelligent textile systems progressed steadily. Today, science is focusing on full integration of electronics into textiles. E-textiles function like their rigid electronic companions but keep their textile properties. To interconnect components within the system, textile structures need to be equipped with electro-conductive properties. For flexible solar cells or fibrous transistors, electro-conductive coatings are applied. Transistors, acting as electrical switches, are essential for realizing fully integrated intelligent textile systems. By electroless deposition of pyrrole and copper on polyester fibres, conductivity is achieved. A DC conductive gate electrode is designed. In this paper, the development of the gate layer within the fibrous transistor is described. Ideal pH and optimal reaction time are determined as well as the effect of variation in fibre diameter is investigated. A reproducible polypyrrole layer has been obtained. Ideal reaction time was 180 minutes at a temperature of 278K. The electroless copper coating process on the polypyrrole layer showed optimal results when the substrate was immersed into the plating bath coated for 6 minutes at a pH of 13. Analysis through resistance measurements has been completed.
History and Recent Progress of MEMS Physical Sensors
Authors: Muro Hideo
Published: September 2012

Recently various electronic control systems for automotive, industrial and consumer-electronic applications have been developed using advanced semiconductor technologies including MEMS sensors. This paper reviews the history of the development of the MEMS physical sensors and highlights their recent progress where their research trends are categorized into the following 4 items:ⅰ) Incorporation of heterogeneous sensors,ⅱ) Integration with advanced CMOS circuitry,ⅲ) Improvement on wafer-level packaging technology, ⅳ) Adoption of new materials. Several examples of each item are introduced in this paper.
Continuous Process for Large-Area Flexible MEMS
Authors: Itoh Toshihiro
Published: September 2012

A novel fabrication process for large area flexible MEMS, having been developed in BEANS project, Japan, is introduced. The process consists of continuously high-speed coating for functional film materials, 3-D nano/micro-machining of the films on fibers, and weaving the functional fibers into large-area integration. In the coating process, functional materials, e.g., organic semiconductor, piezoelectric, conductor and insulator films could be formed on fibers with a speed of 20 m/min. In the 3-D nano/micro-machining, a compound reel-to-reel process system including both thermal roller imprint and photolithography functions was developed. In addition, the microfabrication of the 3-D exposure module and the spray deposition of thin resist films on the fibers were demonstrated. For the weaving assembly, a round-projection microspring contact structure was developed for the electrical contact between weft and warp fibers in a large area of woven textile. Evaluation of the durability showed that the microspring contact structures made of silicon elastomer and PEDOT:PSS are applicable to a movable contact. Weaving assembly process was verified by prototyping 1 × 1 m² or larger flexible touch sensor sheets using functional fibers with organic insulating/conductive films.
Hydrogel-Based Microfluidic Systems
Authors: Klatt Stephan , Allerdissen Merle , Körbitz René , Voit Brigtitte , Arndt Karl Friedrich , Richter Andreas
Published: September 2012

Over the last ten years, microfluidic technologies have gained considerable importance. However, realising highly integrated microsystems is a major challenge, which so far has only been solved insufficiently. Here, we present an innovative approach to fabricate low-cost, integrable mi- crofluidic platforms. As active elements, photopolymerised hydrogels based on Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) are introduced. PNIPAAm is temperature-sensitive. Heated in water above its lower crit- ical solution temperature (LCST), it reversibly changes from a swollen to a shrunken state (volume change in the order of 90%) and can, via an electrothermic interface, be employed as electrothermally switchable actuator. Varying specific parameters in the swelling agent, for example varying its alco- hol concentration, can shift the LCST. So not only micropumps or microvalves, but also valves with an appointed threshold value, so-called chemostats or chemical transistors, can be realised. Using the example of a microchip performing enzymatic endpoint analyses, we investigate characteristic be- haviour of active elements based on PNIPAAM and show the ability of integrating different fluidic operations like fluid transportation, metering, valving and mixing into one fully polymeric microchip.
Super-Hydrophilic PDMS and PET Surfaces for Microfluidic Devices
Authors: Bartali Ruben , Lorenzelli Leandro , Scarpa Marina , Morganti Elisa , Collini Cristian , Micheli Victor , Gottardi Gloria , Gambetti Aman , Gambetti Glauco , Coser G. , Pandiyan Rajesh , Luciu Ioana , Laidani Nadhira
Published: September 2012

In this work the effect of air plasmas on wettability of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was studied. These polymers are widely used materials in the fabrication of microfluidic devices. The microfluidic system fabricated from native PET and PDMS requires active pumping mechanism, due to a low hydrophilic surface behavior. To render hydrophilic and increase the capillary flow into the device, plasma treatments can be used. Air plasma treatment is an interesting technology for microfluidic fields due to simplicity of use and low cost. This study describes the effect of the working plasma pressure on wettability of polymers. The polymers were treated by RF plasma and the wettability was studied by means of sessile contact angle. The results established that the air plasma can increase the wettability of both polymers. Moreover we demonstrated that by optimizing the working pressure a superhydrophilic surface (with a contact angle less than 5°) can be obtained. The findings suggest that air plasma treatments are a suitable technology to enhance polymers surface wetting performance for microfluidic devices.
Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Photodriven Nanoimpellers for Drug Release
Authors: Franco Alfredo , García-Macedo Jorge A. , Zink Jeffrey I.
Published: September 2012

Mesostructured SiO2 films functionalized with the azo-chromophore Disperse Red 1 were synthesized by sol-gel method. The mesostructured long-range order in the films was determined by X-Ray Diffraction. The azo-chromophores in the films work as nano-impellers through their photo-induced trans-cis reversible isomerization. When the films are doped, they are able to control the release of the dopant by all-optical processes. We used the dye laser Rhodamine 6G as dopant, its very distinctive luminescence around 550 nm allows to follow the release. Polarized green and infrared laser light were used as pump sources to direct the movement of the nano-impellers. 299 nm light was used as a probe to induce the Rhodamine 6G luminescence, which was measured as function of the pumping time with a photomultiplier coupled to a monochromator. The results corresponding to the green and to the infrared pumping sources are compared in order to determine the feasibility to photo-control the nano-impellers movement through a two-photon absorption process.
Intelligent Optical Systems Using Adaptive Optics
Authors: Clark Natalie
Published: September 2012

Until recently, the phrase adaptive optics generally conjured images of large deformable mirrors being integrated into telescopes to compensate for atmospheric turbulence. However, the development of smaller, cheaper devices has sparked interest for other aerospace and commercial applications. Variable focal length lenses, liquid crystal spatial light modulators, tunable filters, phase compensators, polarization compensation, and deformable mirrors are becoming increasingly useful for other imaging applications included guidance navigation and control (GNC), coronagraphs, foveated imaging, situational awareness, autonomous rendezvous and docking, non-mechanical zoom, phase diversity, and enhanced multi-spectral imaging. Active components presented allow flexibility in the optical design, increasing performance. In addition, the intelligent optical systems presented offer advantages in size and weight and radiation tolerance.
Report on the 2011 off the Pacific Coast of Tohoku Earthquake: Its Impact, and Control/Monitoring Performances
Authors: Nishitani Akira , Matsui Chisa
Published: September 2012

On 11 March 2011, a moment magnitude 9.0 earthquake and its subsequent tsunami struck the Pacific coastal areas in the north-eastern part of Japan (Tohoku district). Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures in particular were severely damaged. Some cities, towns and villages in these three have been entirely destroyed by the tsunami, and have not yet fully recovered from those destructions. With the tsunami flood, one of the nuclear power plants in Fukushima Prefecture was catastrophically damaged, resulting in the release of radioactive materials. In this paper, the impacts of this quake are discussed in regard to tsunami, nuclear power plants, high-rise buildings, and response-controlled buildings. In addition, as a successful example of control and monitoring, an emergency stop operation for the Tohoku Shinkansen trains is presented.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Control for Life-Cycle Performance of Intelligent Civil Structures
Authors: Li Hui , Bao Yue Quan , Li Shun Long , Chen Wen Li , Laima Shu Jin , Ou Jin Ping
Published: September 2012

This paper includes five parts. The first is the sensing technology, in which ultrasonic-based sensing technology for scour monitoring of bridge piers, electro-chemistry-based distributed concrete cracks and automobile wireless sensors are introduced. The second is the application of compressive sensing technology in structural health monitoring, in which the recovery of lose data for wireless senor networks, spatial distribution of vehicles on the bridge and localization of acoustic emission source by using compressive technique are included. The third is damage monitoring and identification of seismically excited structures, in which data-driven seismic localization approach and nonlinear hysteretic model identification approach are proposed. The fourth is the monitoring for wind and wind effects of long-span bridges, the vortex-induced vibration of deck, suspended cables and stay cables is observed and the buffeting of bridge under Typhoon is also measured. The last one is the data analysis, modeling and safety evaluation of bridges based on structural health monitoring techniques.
Digital Wireless Solutions for Structural Control
Authors: Casciati Sara , Chen Zhi Cong
Published: September 2012

The authors have access to an existing laboratory facility which has been used to validate different control schemes. The three-storey steel frame is mounted on a single-axis shaking table simulating the ground excitation. Four single-axis wired accelerometers were mounted on each level (ground and floors of the frame). A mass cart driven by a DC motor, a DC motor position analog controller, and a controller board complete the early bed-test realization. Recently wireless sensor links and a digital position controller were introduced to update the AMD performance. In this paper the frame specimen is simulated by a numerical model allowing the authors to design and test the control laws without any risk of damaging the physical model.
Magnetic Flux Leakage Sensing-Based Steel Cable NDE Technique Incorporated on a Cable Climbing Robot for Bridge Structures
Authors: Park Seung Hee , Kim Ju Won , Nam Min Jun , Lee Jong Jae
Published: September 2012

In this study, an automated cable monitoring system using a NDE technique and a cable climbing robot is proposed. MFL (Magnetic Flux Leakage- based inspection system was applied to monitor the condition of cables. This inspection system measures magnetic flux to detect the local faults (LF) of steel cable. To verify the feasibility of the proposed damage detection technique, an 8-channel MFL sensor head prototype was designed and fabricated. A steel cable bunch specimen with several types of damage was fabricated and scanned by the MFL sensor head to measure the magnetic flux density of the specimen. To interpret the condition of the steel cable, magnetic flux signals were used to determine the locations of the flaws and the level of damage. Measured signals from the damaged specimen were compared with thresholds set for objective decision making. In addition, the measured magnetic flux signal was visualized into a 3D MFL map for convenient cable monitoring. Finally, the results were compared with information on actual inflicted damages to confirm the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed cable monitoring method.
Sensor Location Analysis in Nonlinear Acoustics Used for Damage Detection in Composite Chiral Sandwich Panels
Authors: Klepka Andrzej , Staszewski Wieslaw Jerzy , di Maio Dario , Scarpa Fabrizio , Tee Kong Fah , Uhl Tadeusz
Published: September 2012

This paper demonstrates damage detection in a smart sandwich panel with integrated piezoceramic transducers. The panel is built from a chiral honeycomb and two composite skins. A low-profile, surface-bonded piezoceramic transducer is used for high-frequency ultrasonic excitation. Low-frequency excitation is performed using a piezoceramic stack actuator. Ultrasonic sensing is performed using laser vibrometry. Nonlinear acoustics is applied for damage detection. The study is focused on sensor location analysis with respect to vibro-acoustic wave modulations. The paper demonstrates that when structure is damaged, the high-frequency “weak” ultrasonic wave is modulated by the low-frequency “strong” vibration wave. As a result frequency sidebands can be observed around the main acoustic harmonic in the spectrum of the ultrasonic signal. However, intensity of modulation strongly depends on sensor location.
On Characteristic Properties of a Layered Packet Base-Foundation on the Base of the Analysis of the Solutions of the Corresponding Three-Dimensional Dynamic Problems of Elasticity Theory
Authors: Aghalovyan Lenser A. , Aghalovyan Mher L.
Published: September 2012

Three-dimensional and multilayered packets from plates, simulating base-foundation, base-seismoisolator-foundation of constructions, are considered. A general asymptotic solution of three-dimensional dynamic problem of elasticity theory for n-layered packet is built. It is shown that the solution becomes mathematically exact, when entering in the boundary conditions functions are polynomial. The character of the stress-strain state of a three-dimensional packet, when the contact between the layers is complete, is studied in detail. On the base of the mathematically exact solution it is established that when there is a middle layer made of softer material of rubber type, the amplitudes of vibrations on the upper layer decrease sharply. By the same taken the application of seismoisolators is theoretically justified. The analysis of the exact solution of another class of problems, when the contact between the separate layers is incomplete, brought to the conclusion that the tangential displacements informed to the lower layer practically do not influence on the stress-strain states of the above standing layers with complete contact between the layers. The detected phenomena may be applied in the calculations of bases-foundations of constructions in seismosteady building for diminishing the negative influence of the seismic forces.
Imitating the Cricket Cercal System: The Beauty of the Beast with a Twist of the Engineer
Authors: Krijnen Gijs J.M. , Droogendijk Harmen , Dagamseh Ahmad , Jaganatharaja Ram , Casas Jerome
Published: September 2012

MEMS offers exciting possibilities for the fabrication of bioinspired mechanosensors. Over the last years we have been working on cricket inspired hair-sensor arrays for spatio-temporal flow-field observations (i.e flow-camera) and source localization. Whereas making flow-sensors as energy efficient as cricket hair-sensors appears to be a real challenge we have managed to fabricate capacitively interrogated sensors with sub millimeter per second flow sensing thresholds, to use them in lateral line experiments, address them individually while in arrays tracking transient flows, and use nonlinear effects to achieve parametric filtering and amplification. During these developments we have been working in close collaboration with insect biologists, generating a bidirectional flow of information and knowledge, beneficial to both parties. E.g. where the engineering has greatly benefitted from the insights derived from biology and biophysical models, the biologists have been able to take advantage of MEMS structures allowing for the sort of analysis that is hard to do on living material (e.g. the study of viscous coupling between closely spaced hair-sensors).
Actuator-Like Hydrogels Based on Conductive Chitosan
Authors: Desbrieres Jacques , Reynaud Stephanie , Marcasuzaa Pierre , Ehrenfeld Francis
Published: September 2012

Intrinsically conducting polymers are of great interest for a large number of applications. But among major drawbacks are their low solubility in common solvents and their poor mechanical properties. Elaboration of composites associating a matrix, bringing its mechanical properties, and polyaniline, as the conducting polymer is a way of overcoming these disadvantages. Chitosan-graft-polyaniline copolymers were synthesized by simple oxidative method. The grafting reaction was quite total and it was found that the copolymers crosslinked to yield a composite hydrogel in which the polyaniline was homogeneously embedded. The conductivity of precursor (block copolymer) and gels was found to be larger than 10-2 S.cm-1. The composite gels were characterized in terms of swelling and rheological properties. They can be classified as "superabsorbent" hydrogels and the swelling is reversible. The composite gels were then successfully used as actuators.
Numerical Simulations of the Clap-Fling-Sweep Mechanism of Hovering Insects
Authors: Schneider Kai , Kolomenskiy Dmitry , Engels Thomas , Moffatt Keith , Farge Marie
Published: September 2012

The Lighthill-Weis-Fogh clap-fling-sweep mechanism is a movement used by some insects to improve their flight performance. As first suggested by Lighthill (1973), this mechanism allows large circulations around the wings to be established immediately as they start to move. Initially, the wings are clapped. Then they fling open like a book, and a non-zero circulation is established around each of them. Thus one wing can be considered as the starting vortex for the other. Then they sweep apart, carrying these bound vortices and generating lift. Since the insect wings have relatively low aspect ratio and rotate, 3d effects are important, such as spanwise flow and stabilization of the leading edge vortices (Maxworthy, 2007). To explore these effects, we perform direct numerical simulations of flapping wings, using a pseudo-spectral method with volume penalization. Comparing 2d and 3d simulations for the same setup clarifies the role of the three-dimensionality of the wake. Our results show that the 2d approximation describes very well the flow during fling, when the wings are near, but 3d effects become crucial when the wings move far apart. Possible extensions of the numerical method for modeling the interaction with thin elastic wings using FSI will also be presented.
Controlling Flow Structures by Wing Motion in a Flapping-Flight Model
Authors: Iima Makoto , Yokoyama Naoto , Hirai Norio , Senda Kei
Published: September 2012

We have studied flow control in a two-dimensional flapping flight model for insects. The insect's center-of-mass motion can move in both horizontal and vertical directions according to the hydrodynamic force generated by flapping. Under steady flapping motion, the model converges to steady flight states depending on initial conditions. Further, we show that a short-time wing stop can control the final steady flight states. The model's flight finally converges to a final state by way of another quasi-steady state, which is not observed as a (stable) steady flight.
Advantages of an Ornithopter against an Airplane with a Propeller
Authors: Sunada Shigeru
Published: September 2012

The goal of our research is to develop a micro air vehicle (MAV) that is strongly stable in a wind gust. After observation of flights of an insect and a bird, we conjectured that an ornithopter would be a promising candidate as a high-performance MAV. In this paper we demonstrate the clear advantage of an ornithopter over an airplane with propellers. The variations in the aerodynamic forces acting on the two aircrafts, which generate the same thrust under the condition of no wind gust, were compared when they encountered gusts of wind. The consumed power, or alternately the period of one cycle of flapping motion and that of one rotation of propeller(s), remained constant before and after they encountered a wind gust. The following results were obtained: The variations of the aerodynamic force of an ornithopter by vertical and frontal wind gusts were slightly smaller than those of an airplane with one or two propellers. The variation in the aerodynamic force of the former by a side wind gust was smaller than that of the latter when the tip speed of the propeller and the flapping amplitude of the ornithopter were small.
Biomimetic Wings
Authors: Sisinni Giuseppe , Pietrogiacomi Domenico , Romano Giovanni Paolo
Published: September 2012

An experimental analysis is performed in a wind tunnel on wings with wavy leading edge derived from humpback whale flippers. The major peculiarity of such flippers is given by the presence of several bumps placed along the leading edge, called tubercles, giving rise to a sort of wing with irregular wavy leading edge. Specifically, the important question to be solved is if the tubercles are able to delay wing stall and to attain higher lift in comparison to a standard wing without them. The present investigations employ different measurement techniques in order to evaluate the amount of possible gain, the potential drawbacks and the physics under such a phenomenon.
A Wearable Remote Brain Machine Interface Using Smartphones and the Mobile Network
Authors: Shyamkumar Prashanth , Oh Sechang , Banerjee Nilanjan , Varadan Vijay K.
Published: September 2012

A Remote Brain Machine Interface (RBMI) can be defined as a means to control a machine that is in a different geographical location than the user. Thus far, simulations for such interfaces using multiple channels of non-invasive EEG signals acquired through tethered systems have been used for control of vehicles in military and exploratory applications, and for ongoing research on RBMI controlled robotic surgery. However, simple applications of RBMI in home automation for the elderly, low cost assistive devices for the disabled, home security etc can be built using fewer and more portable sensor systems. As a case study, we have implemented such an interface using a smartphone for the RBMI. The system consists of a wearable Bluetooth-enabled head band with dry electrodes for EEG and EOG signals, a smartphone to collect and relay the data, a laptop with internet connectivity at a remote location to retrieve the data and generate control commands. In this paper, we describe the information architecture, the design of the wearable nanosensors and algorithms for control command generation based on EEG and EOG. A selected demonstration will be shown.
Smart Hydrogel-Based Biochemical Microsensor Array for Medical Diagnostics
Authors: Guenther Margarita , Gerlach Gerald , Wallmersperger Thomas , Avula Mahender Nath , Cho Seung Hei , Xie X. , Devener B.V. , Solzbacher Florian , Tathireddy Prashant , Magda Jules J. , Scholz Carmen , Obeid Rodolphe , Armstrong Tracy
Published: September 2012

With the rapid development of micro systems technology and microelectronics, smart implantable wireless electronic systems are emerging for the continuous surveillance of relevant parameters in the body and even for closed-loop systems with a sensor feed-back to drug release systems. With respect to diabetes management, there is a critical societal need for a fully integrated sensor array that can be used to continuously measure a patient’s blood glucose concentration, pH, pCO2 and colloid oncotic pressure twenty four hours a day on a long-term basis. In this work, thin films of metabolite-specific or “smart” hydrogels were combined with microfabricated piezoresistive pressure transducers to obtain “chemomechanical sensors” that can serve as selective and versatile wireless biomedical sensors and sensor arrays for a continuous monitoring of several metabolites. Sensor response time and accuracy with which sensors can track gradual changes in glucose, pH, CO2 and ionic strength, respectively, was estimated in vitro using simulated physiological solutions. The biocompatibility and hermeticity of the developed multilayer encapsulation for the microsensor array has been investigated concerning the long-term stability and enduring functionality that is desired for permanent implants.
Basic Characteristics of RFID Antenna for Urination Detection
Authors: Nakajima Hiromasa , Takahashi Masaharu , Saito Kazuyuki , Ito Koichi
Published: September 2012

Radio frequency identification (RFID) system has been expected to be expanded in new fields. This paper shows a sensing system for urination by embedding an RFID tag into a paper diaper. The urination could be checked by change of the antenna characteristics. It could be possible to reduce physical and mental strain of both patients and their care personnel. In order to detect the urination, the RFID antenna was designed and the characteristics of the antenna were calculated. In addition, the antenna characteristics were measured with a phantom. As the result, urination considerably changes the antenna characteristics and that the system can be used to detect the urination.
Progress in Interactive Textiles for Health Monitoring
Authors: Luprano Jean
Published: September 2012

Interactive textiles have the capability to interact with the user, which means they embed sensors, local intelligence and actuators to achieve this goal. This interactivity requires to dispose of smart textiles, made of smart materials, completing the often used wording “Smart fabrics and interactive textiles” or SFIT. The term smart is used to refer to materials that sense and respond in a pre-defined way to environmental stimuli. Heath monitoring is an important field of application for smart textiles. Results and sometimes products such as shirts measuring electrocardiogram, respiration or body temperature have been achieved and are examples of state-of-the-art from the monitoring point-of-view. Making use and combining these signals to derive higher-level information and to provide feed-back in a comprehensive way to the user or to a caregiver are the starting point to interactivity. Sometimes, the textile provides itself interactivity; more often it is combined with discrete electronics and sometimes organic electronics. The convergence between textiles, smart materials and information technology is explored in the case of health monitoring. Several projects and their results are used to illustrate the progress in the field.
Development of Nanosystems to Release Atenolol
Authors: Novickis Richard. W. , Martins Marcos V. Surmani , de Miranda Leila F. , Ribeiro Roberto R. , Silva Laureano , Munhoz Jr. Antônio Hortêncio
Published: September 2012

Abstract: The structure of aluminum monohydroxide resulting from synthesis by ammonium hydroxide with aluminum chloride (or aluminum nitrate, for example) by a sol-gel process, gives a purified and chemically inert material with many applications possibilities because of its great specific surface area. A pseudoboehmite is the choice in this project for adsorption/desorption of atenolol. The molecular interaction with the pseudoboehmite substrate was studied by FTIR (Infrared Spectroscopy), DSC (Scanning electron /TG Thermogravimetry), UV-vis (Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). The SEM characterization has been used to quantify the local structural surface for the correlations with the synthesis process; and the Spectroscopies and Thermogravimetric techniques were used for measurements of the adsorption/desorption concentrations of the drug in physiological solution. This procedure gives information to the chemistry and surface of these fine ceramics material that would be applied like excipient in medications to control the drug delivery and plasmatic concentrations in optimal conditions.
Sol-Gel Synthesis and Characterization of Lanthanide-Substituted Nanostructured Calcium Hydroxyapatite
Authors: Bogdanoviciene Irma , Misevicius Martynas , Kareiva Aivaras , Gross Karlis A. , Yang Thomas C.K. , Pan Guang Ting , Fang Hsu Wei , Yang Jen Chang
Published: September 2012

In this study, nanostructured Ce- and Sm-substituted Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 samples have been synthesized using an aqueous sol-gel chemistry route. For the characterization of obtained specimens, the XRD, SEM, UV-visible reflection and IR spectroscopy and luminescence measurements were recorded. It was shown that phase purity of the end products highly depends on the amount of lanthanide element. The reflectance of lanthanide-substituted calcium hydroxyapatite samples is wavelength independent in the wavelength range of 450-800 nm and equal almost 100%. The cerium-substituted samples show a significant decrease of transmission at ~300 nm. The characteristic samarium absorption line (~430 nm) is evident in the UV-vis reflection spectra of samarium-substituted hydroxyapatites.
Apatite Coating on Titanium Samples Obtained by Powder Metallurgy
Authors: Ágreda Carola G. , Mendes Marcio W.D. , Bressiani José Carlos , Bressiani Ana Helena Almeida
Published: September 2012

Titanium and its alloys are widely used as orthopedic and dental implant materials. However, they cannot bond with bone directly and promote new bone formation. It is desirable to provide a bone-bonding ability to Ti metal and its alloys. This ability can be achieved by surface modification such as chemical treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate in SBF the apatite-forming ability of Ti subjected to different pre-treatments. Titanium laminated and samples Ti obtained by powder metallurgy were compared. The pretreatments studied were the alkali-treated; alkali and heat-treated; acid and alkali-treated; alkali-CaCl2-heat and hot water treatment. The groups were soaking in SBF for 1, 3, 6 and 9 days in equipment with constant agitation at 36.5°C. The obtained coatings were analyzed by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy on the infrared (DRIFT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The apatite formation was present in all groups; however, the apatite-coating was more effective in samples obtained by powder metallurgy.
Nanotechnology Enabled In Situ Orthopaedic Sensors for Personalized Medicine
Authors: Sirivisoot Sirinrath , Webster Thomas J.
Published: September 2012

Although improvements have been made in implant design to increase bone formation and promote successful osseointegration using nanotechnology, the clinical diagnosis of early bone growth surrounding implants remains problematic. The development of a device allowing doctors to monitor the healing cascade and to diagnose potential infection or inflammation is necessary. Biological detection can be examined by the electrochemical analysis of electron transfer (or redox) reactions of extracellular matrix proteins involved in bone deposition and resorption. The use of nanomaterials as signal amplifiers in electrochemical sensors has greatly improved the sensitivity of detection. Nanotechnology-enabled electrochemical sensors that can be placed on the implant surface itself show promise as self-diagnosing devices in situ, possibly to detect new bone growth surrounding the implant and other cellular events to ensure implant success.
Nonspherical Gold Nanoparticles as Bright Light Scattering Labels with Narrow Plasmon Lines
Authors: Vinokurov Vladimir A. , Muradov Alexander V. , Getmanskiy Michael , Qiu Le , Vitkin Edward , Itzkan Irving , Perelman Lev T.
Published: September 2012

In this paper we discuss the potential of nonspherical gold nanoparticles to serve as extremely bright light scattering labels for the detection of disease through several centimeters of tissue in humans in vivo. However, attempts to realize this important potential of gold nanoparticles have been limited by the broad spectroscopic linewidths usually observed. We identify the origin of this broadening as inhomogeneous broadening due to the extreme sensitivity of the surface plasmon resonance to the nanoparticle aspect ratio.
Design and Development of Light-Sensitive Chitosan-Based Nanocarriers for Gene Delivery
Authors: Duceppe Nicolas , Tabrizian Maryam
Published: September 2012

In this work, we report on the development of a multifunctional and photo-inducible nanoplex made of chitosan (Ch) and hyaluronic acid (HA) for delivery of nucleic acid. Self-assembled Ch/HA nanoparticles were attached to ortho-nitrobenzyl (o-NB) photo-labile molecules (PL)-gold nanoparticles via thiol groups and to QDs-conjugate ssDNA through amide bond linkage to form nanoplexes (Ch:HA:AuPL:QD-DNA). The composition of DNA nanocarriers was validated by nuclear magnetic resonance, transmission electronic microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, gel electrophoresis and spectrophotometry. The change in zeta potential (34 ± 11 to -26 ± 11 mV) and the loss of the o-NB characteristic peaks in nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, after the exposure of the PL molecule to ultraviolet light, both confirmed the photo-labile properties of the system. The potential of the nanoplexes to induce high cell transfection was assessed by flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy imaging. Over 30% transfection of HEK-293 was obtained with the nanoplexes after a one-minute exposure of cells to UV light. This corresponds to a 15% increase in the transfection efficiency compared to unexposed Ch:HA:AuPL:QD-DNA nanocarriers. This high transfection efficiency was associated with the unique design of the carrier system and its photo-responsiveness feature for facilitating the DNA release.
Dependence of Sub-Micron Vaterite Container Release Properties on pH and Ionic Strength of the Surrounding Solution
Authors: Parakhonskiy Bogdan , Tessarolo Francesco , Haase Albrecht , Antolini Renzo
Published: September 2012

We report on the synthesis and characterization of porous monodisperse vaterite containers with controllable average sizes from 400 nm to 10 μm. Possible release strategies of enclosed substances via recrystallization or by pH-change are presented. As a model experiment, a fluorescent marker was encapsulated and imaged by two-photon microscopy to monitor the dye release. The release process was found to be controllable via the immersion medium’s properties. Release times can be further tuned by covering the containers with additional polymer layers, creating a flexible system with promising perspectives for pharmaceutical applications.
Hepatocyte-Specific Gene Delivery with Galactose-Bearing Cationic Polymers with Different Molecular Structures
Authors: Munisso Maria Chiara , Mahara Atsushi , Tachibana Yoichi , Kang Jeong Hun , Obika Satoshi , Yamaoka Tetsuji
Published: September 2012

Since the promising virus -based gene therapies are often limited by problems such as the immunity of virus itself, the development of an efficient non-viral vector is of prime importance. For this reason, several synthetic nonviral polymeric carriers including cationic sequences have been molecularly designed. It is well known that the polymeric carriers with some cationic groups buffer the endosomal pH resulting in the enhanced transfection efficiency, but also in a relatively high toxicity. In the last decades, the polymers bearing pendant carbohydrates (glycopolymers) was proved to have relatively less toxic. Since the glycopolymers may not only decrease the toxicity of the cationic chain but also serve as targeting agent, we have rationally designed new glycopolymer-based gene delivery carriers. The interaction of carrier/gene polyplexes with hepatocytes and their intracellular trafficking were investigated in vitro. Our results show the significant efficacy of the galactose moieties on the uptake by hepatocytes, in a ligand specific manner.
Translocation t(11;14) (q13;q32) and Genomic Imbalances in Multi-Ethnic Multiple Myeloma Patients: A Malaysian Study
Authors: Pau Ni Ivyna Bong , Ching Ching Ng , Kian Meng Chang , Zakaria Zubaidah
Published: September 2012

More than 50% of myeloma cases have normal karyotypes under conventional cytogenetic analysis due to low mitotic activity and content of plasma cells in the bone marrow. We used a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based translocation detection assay to detect BCL1/JH t(11;14) (q13;q32) in 105 myeloma patients, and randomly selected 8 translocation positive samples for array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis. Our findings revealed 14.3% of myeloma samples were positive for BCL1/JH t(11;14) (q13;q32) translocation (n = 15 of 105). We found no significant correlation between this translocation with age (P = 0.420), gender (P = 0.317), ethnicity (P = 0.066) or new/relapsed status of multiple myeloma (P = 0.412) at 95% confidence interval level by Χ2 test. In addition, aCGH results showed genomic imbalances in all samples analyzed. Frequent chromosomal gains were identified at regions 1q, 2q, 3p, 3q, 4p, 4q, 5q, 7q, 9q, 11q, 13q, 15q, 21q, 22q and Xq, while chromosomal losses were detected at 4q and 14q. Copy number variations at genetic loci that contain NAMPT, IVNS1ABP and STK17B genes are new findings that have not previously been reported in myeloma patients. Besides fluorescence in situ hybridization, PCR is another rapid, sensitive and simple technique that can be used for detecting BCL1/JH t(11;14)(q13;q32) translocation in multiple myeloma patients. Genes located in the chromosomal aberration regions in our study, such as NAMPT, IVNS1ABP, IRF2BP2, PICALM, STAT1, STK17B, FBXL5, ACSL1, LAMP2, SAMSN1 and ATP8B4 might be potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in the treatment and management of multiple myeloma patients positive for BCL1/JH t(11;14) (q13;q32) translocation.
On the dependence of the OH* Meinel emission altitude on vibrational level: SCIAMACHY observations and model simulations
Authors: von Savigny C. , McDade I. C. , Eichmann K.-U. , Burrows J. P.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Measurements of the OH Meinel emissions in the terrestrial nightglow are one of the standard ground-based techniques to retrieve upper mesospheric temperatures. It is often assumed that the emission peak altitudes are not strongly dependent on the vibrational level, although this assumption is not based on convincing experimental evidence. In this study we use Envisat/SCIAMACHY (Scanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY) observations in the near-IR spectral range to retrieve vertical volume emission rate profiles of the OH(3-1), OH(6-2) and OH(8-3) Meinel bands in order to investigate whether systematic differences in emission peak altitudes can be observed between the different OH Meinel bands. The results indicate that the emission peak altitudes are different for the different vibrational levels, with bands originating from higher vibrational levels having higher emission peak altitudes. It is shown that this finding is consistent with the majority of the previously published results. The SCIAMACHY observations yield differences in emission peak altitudes of up to about 4 km between the OH(3-1) and the OH(8-3) band. The observations are complemented by model simulations of the fractional population of the different vibrational levels and of the vibrational level dependence of the emission peak altitude. The model simulations reproduce the observed vibrational level dependence of the emission peak altitude well – both qualitatively and quantitatively – if quenching by atomic oxygen as well as multi-quantum collisional relaxation by O2 is considered. If a linear relationship between emission peak altitude and vibrational level is assumed, then a peak altitude difference of roughly 0.5 km per vibrational level is inferred from both the SCIAMACHY observations and the model simulations.
Decadal record of satellite carbon monoxide observations
Authors: Worden H. M. , Deeter M. N. , Frankenberg C. , George M. , Nichitiu F. , Worden J. , Aben I. , Bowman K. W. , Clerbaux C. , Coheur P. F. , de Laat A. T. J. , Detweiler R. , Drummond J. R. , Edwards D. P. , Gille J. C. , Hurtmans D. , Luo M. , Martínez-Alonso S. , Massie S. , Pfister G. , Warner J. X.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Atmospheric carbon monoxide (CO) distributions are controlled by anthropogenic emissions, biomass burning, transport and oxidation by reaction with the hydroxyl radical (OH). Quantifying trends in CO is therefore important for understanding changes related to all of these contributions. Here we present a comprehensive record of satellite observations from 2000 through 2011 of total column CO using the available measurements from nadir-viewing thermal infrared instruments: MOPITT, AIRS, TES and IASI. We examine trends for CO in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres along with regional trends for Eastern China, Eastern USA, Europe and India. We find that all the satellite observations are consistent with a modest decreasing trend ∼−1% yr−1 in total column CO over the Northern Hemisphere for this time period and a less significant, but still decreasing trend in the Southern Hemisphere. Although decreasing trends in the United States and Europe have been observed from surface CO measurements, we also find a decrease in CO over E. China that, to our knowledge, has not been reported previously. Some of the interannual variability in the observations can be explained by global fire emissions, but the overall decrease needs further study to understand the implications for changes in anthropogenic emissions.