Air Pillow Research Articles

Enhancing the biochemical growth of Haematococcus pluvialis by mitigation of broad-spectrum light stress in wastewater cultures.

In this study, the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis were cultivated in wastewater inoculated into low-density polypropylene plastic air pillows (LDPE-PAPs) under a light stress. The cells were irradiated to different light stresses using white LED lights (WLs) as the control, and broad-spectrum lights (BLs) as a test for the period of 32 days. It was observed that the inoculum (70 × 102 mL-1 cells) of H. pluvialis algal cells increased almost 30 and 40 times in WL and BL, respectively, at day 32 coherent to its biomass productivity. Higher lipid concentration of up to 36.85 μg mL-1 was observed in BL irradiated cells compared to 13.215 μg L-1 dry weight of biomass in WL. The chlorophyll 'a' content was 2.6 times greater in BL (3.46 μg mL-1) compared to that in WL (1.32 μg mL-1) with total carotenoids being about 1.5 times greater in BL compared to WL on day 32. The yield of red pigment 'Astaxanthin' was about 27% greater in BL than in WL. The presence, of different carotenoids including astaxanthin was also confirmed by HPLC, whereas fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were confirmed by GC-MS. This study further confirmed that wastewater alongwith with light stress is suitable for the biochemical growth of H. pluvialis with good biomass yield as well as carotenoid accumulation. Additionally there was 46% reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD) in a far more efficient manner when cultured in recycled LDPE-PAP. Such type of cultivation of H. pluvialis made the overall process economical and suitable for upscaling to produce value-added products such as lipids, pigments, biomass, and biofuel for commercial applications.

Theoretical and experimental investigation study of data driven work envelope modelling for 3D printed soft pneumatic actuators

In the last decade, soft robotics is considered one of the most widely researched fields in robotics, as it has many advantages and more versatile use than rigid robotics. Soft robots are flexible, which enable them to metaphorically complex designs, enabling them to imitate the movement of living things. In this article, the use of regression models with finite element analysis (FEA) data is compared with neural network (NN) models trained on visual feedback data. The effect of the soft pneumatic actuator (SPA) air pillow inclination angle (β) under positive and vacuum pressure on the actuator work envelope is modelled from the perspective of design and control. The mathematical model is developed by two successive one-dimensional regression models, in which the influence of 21 different designs of positive pressure and vacuum pressure on the working range is studied. A very good matching experimental results acquired using image processing feedback for three selected SPAs at β = 0°, 10°, and 20° have been validated with FEA results. Also, the NN model is developed based on the experimental data of the three SPAs to predict the effect of any β angle on the work envelope under positive and vacuum pressure. Finally, the two models (mathematical and NN models) ability to predict the behaviour of SPA is tested and validated by running random β that is not involved in the main study that β = 13.5°, and 20.5°. The results show great similarity and apply to a wide range of β.

Modelling and implementation of soft bio-mimetic turtle using echo state network and soft pneumatic actuators

Advances of soft robotics enabled better mimicking of biological creatures and closer realization of animals’ motion in the robotics field. The biological creature’s movement has morphology and flexibility that is problematic deportation to a bio-inspired robot. This paper aims to study the ability to mimic turtle motion using a soft pneumatic actuator (SPA) as a turtle flipper limb. SPA’s behavior is simulated using finite element analysis to design turtle flipper at 22 different geometrical configurations, and the simulations are conducted on a large pressure range (0.11–0.4 Mpa). The simulation results are validated using vision feedback with respect to varying the air pillow orientation angle. Consequently, four SPAs with different inclination angles are selected to build a bio-mimetic turtle, which is tested at two different driving configurations. The nonlinear dynamics of soft actuators, which is challenging to model the motion using traditional modeling techniques affect the turtle’s motion. Conclusively, according to kinematics behavior, the turtle motion path is modeled using the Echo State Network (ESN) method, one of the reservoir computing techniques. The ESN models the turtle path with respect to the actuators’ rotation motion angle with maximum root-mean-square error of 1.04 times 10^{-11}. The turtle is designed to enhance the robot interaction with living creatures by mimicking their limbs’ flexibility and the way of their motion.

Research on the Indoor Physical Characteristic of the Ceiling of China National Aquatics Center under the Demand of Olympic Games

In the practice of the Beijing Olympic Winter Games in 2022 for the renovation and reuse of the 2008 Olympic legacy venues, PVC film-based clips integrated with the black coated fabric were employed as a shielding material, to reduce the influence of sunlight under the ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) air pillow ceiling system and maintain a good and stable indoor environment. Based on winter outdoor meteorological parameters, we measured the temperature; solar irradiance; and illuminance of the playing field, as well as the upper and lower surfaces of the ceiling enclosure and its internal cavity. Meanwhile, a simulation of the indoor environment before and after the shielding was carried out. The distribution and transmission mechanism of light, humidity, and heat in the venue were studied. It was found that the shielding material can block more than 98% of the sunlight and solar radiation; and after the addition of shielding material, the temperature of the playing field changes throughout the day about 1 °C. The difference between the surface temperature under the ceiling and the indoor temperature is about 3 °C, which is not easy to condense. The physical characteristics of the shielding of the roof enclosure structure are revealed, and the shading and heat insulation performance of it is verified, so that the venue meets the requirements of the Olympic Winter Games in the indoor environment.

Design and implementation of variable inclined air pillow soft pneumatic actuator suitable for bioimpedance applications

The technological revolution has caused the modernization of human–machine relationship changing our approach in problem solving our society issues and deviated the science of robotic all together. An example for one of the most important pawn in this revolution is soft robotics, the soft robots are robots that are made of deformable materials that provide an alternative approach to rigid robots. The soft pneumatic actuator (SPA) is one of the most widely used and studied form of this type of robotics. In this study, a new geometrical parameter of the SPAs is introduced by studying the effect of the change of the air pillow Inclination angle on the SPA work envelope and tip reaction force against wide range of positive and vacuum pressure applied on SPAs inner surfaces. We are elaborating this effect by using nonlinear static Finite Element Analysis. (FEA) basing it on the hyper-elastic material model identified by testing a specimen from the SPA fabricated material. Three SPAs are fabricated using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printer for the experimental validation of two aspects the work envelope and the tipping force. The test was performed by the image processing of the work envelope comparing the FEA and the experimental work envelope results and the tipping force was validated by using the load force scales. Based on the FEA and the experimental results, two different grippers with two work envelopes and tips was created to observe the change in the effect of the gripper on the weight and surfaces of the grasped object. By the integration of the SPA gripper with bio-impedance measurements, the SPA gripper was enabled to be translated to an agricultural application for fruit picking. A device that is monitored by having soft gripper to have no detrimental effect on the collected fruit's tissues, hybrid with Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) test for quality assurance. Finally, this work can be interrogated in the future to a gripper that have modifiable synchronized work envelope and tip force for each object.

India to ban single-use plastics

India is set to impose a nationwide ban on some single-use plastic items on Oct. 2, with the goal of eliminating all such items by 2022. India generates about 26,000 metric tons of plastic waste daily, much of which ends up as litter. As part of implementing the ban, the national railway system and Air India plan to move away from single-use plastic items, with the airline switching to birchwood cutlery, paper cups, and paper packaging for chips. The government is also asking private industry to slash its use of single-use plastics, and some companies are already falling in line: Amazon India says it will replace bubble wrap and plastic air pillows with paper padding by June 2020, and Bangalore-based Flipkart, which is owned by Walmart, plans to eliminate single-use plastic in packaging by March 2021. Not everyone is pleased by the efforts to reduce single-use plastics, however. The ban

A universal data quality assessment method for human brain magnetic resonance elastography using an elastic spherical phantom

Human brain Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) is on the verge of being utilized as a clinical diagnostic tool. Several methods are being investigated at multiple clinical facilities; however each have different ways of introducing vibrations into the brain and processing image data. These differences result in dissimilar complex shear modulus values, which make it difficult to reproduce and report brain tissue mechanical properties across the research community and in longitudinal clinical studies. Human brain MRE Data Quality Assessment (DQA) reporting methods are needed. This study investigates a universal method to regulate the precision and accuracy of MRE independent of the vibration system and post processing technique. A thin-walled 15.2 cm diameter acrylic sphere was filled with silicone gel. The phantom is designed to mimic human head, neck, and torso mechanics during human brain MRE scanning and is compatible with most brain vibration methods. MRE-derived storage shear modulus yields approximately 1.5 kPa (60 Hz vibration) using a custom air pillow system (Resoundant, Inc.). The material will be cross validated with rheometry for further validation. This study provides insight on design characteristics for a standard DQA phantom for regulating the quality of human brain MRE for research reporting and in the clinic.

Plastic Tote Distribution

Plastic totes have been commonly used to transport healthcare products from a distribution center to a retail store. Damages often occur in partially-filled totes. This article reviews the research performed at the Healthcare Packaging Consortium, including problem validation, the use of a bubble wrap sheet at the bottom of a plastic tote to cut down potential damages, the use of air pillows at the top of the a tote to reduce immediate and subsequent impact accelerations, and equations developed to predict drop height and impact acceleration at the interior tote bottom based on peak accelerations logged from a shock recorder.

First Load Phase of Long-term Tests on Composite Beams

During their lifetime bridge structures are exposed to various weather conditions and varying load factors. Dead load, i.e. the weight of a structure and any permanent loads fixed on it, acts as constant load. The aim of this paper is to analyse the long-term effects of the load simulating the dead load of a bridge structure on a composite reinforced concrete beam. The structure is formed of a pair of hollow steel beams encased in a concrete slab. The uniform load is exerted using a rubber air pillow inserted between two specimens in the prepared holder. Change of pressure in the rubber pillow causes change of the uniform load on a composite beam.

Open-loop Based Impedance Control of an Air Pillow with a Piston-cylinder Mechanism

Open-loop Based Impedance Control of an Air Pillow with a Piston-cylinder Mechanism

The effect of physical training on static balance in young people with intellectual disability

Intellectual disability affects all spheres of people's lives who suffer from it. It lowers the level of intellectual functioning, often stigmatizes, characteristically changing features, and decreases motor performance. Unfortunately, modern medicine cannot cure intellectual disability; however, there is a chance to improve the quality of life of people with mental retardation by means of physical exercises and by enhancing coordination, the quality of gait and efficiency in performing everyday activities. This paper deals with observations of static balance in 40 young females and males with mild Down syndrome, out of which 20 were subjected to a three-month sensorimotor training programme. The participants performed exercises with rehabilitation balls and air pillows twice a week, and the remaining persons constituted a control group. The balance platform test conducted at the beginning of the experiment revealed that the level of static one-legged balance was similar in both groups. A significant difference was noted in the length of the path of the general centre of gravity (COG) and the time frame in which the vertical projection of COG remained within the 13 mm radius circle, between the result of the test conducted under visual control and with the eyes closed, both in the group of the participants performing exercises and the ones who did not do them. After the training sessions the results of both tests improved in the group of the persons subjected to the training programme, however differences between the groups were not statistically significant, apart from the comparison of the time of keeping COG within the 13 mm radius circle at the beginning and at the end of the experiment by the participants who were physically active. Our results lead to a conclusion that exercises with the use of unstable surfaces improve deep sensibility in people with mild mental retardation.

Comprehensive environmental management of asthma and pediatric preventive care

Indoor environmental triggers can increase asthma morbidity. National guidelines recommend comprehensive use of environmental control practices (ECPs) as a component of asthma management. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between preventive asthma care and comprehensive ECP use among children with asthma. We used data from the National Asthma Survey, including 1,921 children with asthma. Comprehensive use was defined as using at least five of eight ECPs: (i) air filter, (ii) dehumidifier, (iii) mattress cover, (iv) pillow cover, (v) pet avoidance, (vi) smoke avoidance, (vii) removing carpets, and (viii) washing sheets in hot water. Univariate and multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between comprehensive use of ECPs and receipt of preventive asthma care, as measured by number of routine asthma visits in the prior year and physician advice to modify the environment. Overall, 17% (95% CI: 14-19%) of participants had comprehensive ECP use. The most commonly used practices were 'smoke avoidance' (85%), 'pet avoidance' (59%), and 'washing sheets in hot water' (46%). Comprehensive use of ECPs was associated with having received physician advice [odds ratio (OR) 3.1, 95% CI: 2.2-4.4] and increased asthma visits (1-2 visits: OR 1.5, 95% CI: 1.0-2.4; 3-4 visits: OR 2.2, 95% CI: 1.3-3.8; ≥5 visits: OR 2.7, 95% CI: 1.5-4.8). Only a minority of parents implement comprehensive ECPs, and receipt of preventive asthma care is associated with comprehensive use. Further research is needed to determine the factors mediating these associations in order to inform more effective asthma counseling.

Design Measures of Low Carbon Buildings with Exterior Envelope Made of ETFE Air Pillows

Energy saving and low carbon footprint are becoming key issues in recent architectural design. It's necessary to develop new materials and new building forms for this purpose. After introducing some famous model projects appling ETFT air pillows, this paper lists major physical properties of this new product and puts forward some design measures such as passive solar heating, great span structure system, natural lighting and cavity ventilation for energy saving and low carbon footprint buildings.

Lightning Packaging announce launch of biodegradable and compostable air pillows

Lightning Packaging announce launch of biodegradable and compostable air pillows

Comparison of recoveries from anesthesia of horses placed on a rapidly inflating-deflating air pillow or the floor of a padded stall

To compare recoveries from anesthesia of horses placed on a conventional padded stall floor or on a specially designed air pillow. Prospective study. 409 horses (> 1 year old) that were anesthetized for surgical procedures during a 37-month period. By random allocation, horses were allowed to recover from anesthesia in either a foammat-padded recovery stall or an identical recovery stall equipped with a rapidly inflating-deflating air pillow. All recoveries were videotaped for subsequent analysis by an independent evaluator. Times to first movement, first attempt to attain sternal recumbency, attainment of sternal recumbency, first attempt to stand, and successful standing were recorded. The numbers of attempts before achieving sternal recumbency and standing were counted, and scores for quality of standing and overall recovery were assigned. Recovery-related variables were compared between groups. Compared with horses allowed to recover in a conventional manner, horses that recovered from anesthesia on the air pillow had a significantly longer rest period before attempting to attain sternal recumbency and rise to standing. Once the pillow was deflated, horses were able to stand after significantly fewer attempts and the quality of their standing was significantly better. Between the 2 groups of horses, there was no significant difference in overall recovery quality scores. The air pillow and padded floor systems were equally safe. Results suggested that use of a rapidly inflating-deflating air pillow promotes a longer period of recumbency and a better quality of standing after anesthesia in horses.

Contemporary Surgical Management of HIV-Associated Facial Lipoatrophy

Intellectual disability affects all spheres of people's lives who suffer from it. It lowers the level of intellectual functioning, often stigmatizes, characteristically changing features, and decreases motor performance. Unfortunately, modern medicine cannot cure intellectual disability; however, there is a chance to improve the quality of life of people with mental retardation by means of physical exercises and by enhancing coordination, the quality of gait and efficiency in performing everyday activities. This paper deals with observations of static balance in 40 young females and males with mild Down syndrome, out of which 20 were subjected to a three-month sensorimotor training programme. The participants performed exercises with rehabilitation balls and air pillows twice a week, and the remaining persons constituted a control group. The balance platform test conducted at the beginning of the experiment revealed that the level of static one-legged balance was similar in both groups. A significant difference was noted in the length of the path of the general centre of gravity (COG) and the time frame in which the vertical projection of COG remained within the 13 mm radius circle, between the result of the test conducted under visual control and with the eyes closed, both in the group of the participants performing exercises and the ones who did not do them. After the training sessions the results of both tests improved in the group of the persons subjected to the training programme, however differences between the groups were not statistically significant, apart from the comparison of the time of keeping COG within the 13 mm radius circle at the beginning and at the end of the experiment by the participants who were physically active. Our results lead to a conclusion that exercises with the use of unstable surfaces improve deep sensibility in people with mild mental retardation.

Unconstrained and Noninvasive Measurement of Heartbeat and Respiration Using an Acoustic Sensor Enclosed in an Air Pillow

Unconstrained and Noninvasive Measurement of Heartbeat and Respiration Using an Acoustic Sensor Enclosed in an Air Pillow

エアー枕封入音響センサによる心拍・呼吸の無拘束無侵襲計測

エアー枕封入音響センサによる心拍・呼吸の無拘束無侵襲計測

557 エアー枕封入音響センサによる心拍・呼吸の無拘束無侵襲計測

One of the authors previously developed an unconstrained and noninvasive measurement system of heartbeat and respiration using an acoustic sensor enclosed in an air pillow or an air mat. The system measured instantaneous heartbeat and respiration periods by applying Kalman filters and maximum likelihood method to the dynamic models of the heartbeat and respiration signals extracted from the sensor output. To improve the respiration measurement accuracy especially in a weak respiration case, the paper proposes a measurement system taking into account not only the fundamental mode of the heartbeat, but also the harmonic component of the heartbeat and the two side band components of the heartbeat signal modulated by the respiration.

Multiple CCD detector for macromolecular X-ray crystallography

A charge-coupled device (CCD)-based detector designed for macromolecular crystallography is described. The detector has an area of 200 × 200 mm, a readout time of 1.6 s, and total noise equivalent to approximately three 12 keV X-ray photons per pixel. The detector is constructed from a 2 × 2 array of four identical units, each unit consisting of a 4.1:1 demagnifying fiber-optic taper bonded to a 1 k × 1 k, 24 µm pixel, CCD sensor. Each CCD is read out in parallel though four channels and digitized to 16 bits. A Gd2O2S phosphor X-ray-to-light converter bonded to an aluminized-plastic film is held in contact with the input surfaces of the fiber-optic tapers with an air pillow. The full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the point response function is 120 µm, the response is linear to better than 1% over the entire range of intensity from background to nearly full well, the gain is 3.4 e per 8 keV incident X-ray photon, the noise is 12.6 e per pixel for a 10 s integration time, the modulation transfer function (MTF) is 0.35 at 5 line pairs (lp) mm−1(the Nyquest frequency), and the measured detective quantum efficiency (DQE) is 0.74 for relatively strong Bragg peaks. Data collected from crystallographic studies with synchrotron radiation are presented. In an anomalous difference Patterson map for a data set collected in 40 min on a monoclinic myoglobin crystal, the magnitude of the Fe–Fe peaks is 18 times the standard uncertainty of the map.