Clean Separation Research Articles

Fabrication of Flexible Electrode with Sub-Tenth Micron Thickness Using Heat-Induced Peelable Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Containing Amide Groups.

In response to the increasing demand for flexible devices, there is increasing effort to manufacture flexible electrodes. However, the difficulty of handling a thin film is an obstacle to the production of flexible electrodes. In this study, a heat-induced peelable pressure-sensitive adhesive (h-PSA) was fabricated and used to manufacture a flexible electrode with sub-tenth micron thickness. Unlike the control PSA, the incorporation of amide groups made the h-PSA fail through adhesive failure at temperatures ranging from 20 to 80 °C. Compared to the peeling adhesion (1719 gf/in) of h-PSA measured at 20 °C, the value (171 gf/in) measured at 80 °C was decreased by one order of magnitude. Next, the 8 μm thick polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film was attached on a thick substrate (50 μm) via h-PSA, and Mo/Al/Mol patterns were fabricated on the PET film through sputtering, photolithography, and wet-etching processes. The thick substrate alleviated the difficulty of handling the thin PET film during the electrode fabrication process. Thanks to the low peel force and clean separation of the h-PSA at 80 °C, the flexible electrode of metal patterns on the PET (8 μm) film was isolated from the substrate with little change (<1%) in electrical conductivity. Finally, the mechanical durability of the flexible electrode was evaluated by a U-shape folding test, and no cracking or delamination was observed after 10,000 test cycles.

A new tool for medical image processing in biological anthropology and anatomy research

The use of clinical computed tomography (CT) scans as sources for data in biological anthropology and anatomy research is becoming increasingly common. While it is best to access the original high-resolution scans, the reformatted stacks of low-resolution multiplanar reconstructions are the most commonly available to researchers. Volumetric skeletal models reconstructed from these low-resolution scans can lead to distorted measurements and/or cause problems in subsequent analyses. This study investigates the utility of NiftyMIC, a python-based application, in registering and reconstructing high-resolution volume from multiple stacks of low-resolution scans. We do so by comparing the skeletal measurements taken on the resulting 3D long bone models to those reconstructed using a “classic” semi-automatic segmentation protocol from original low-resolution scans. CT scans of 33 individuals aged 0 to 16 years were collected from National Taiwan University Hospital. Two sets of linear measurements, one on the original low-resolution volume reconstructions and one on the registered high-resolution volume reconstructions, were collected by two independent investigators. A total of 197 linear measurements (80 lengths and 117 breadths) was collected. Percent differences were used to assess the accuracy of measurements taken on bones using each reconstruction. Technique while technical error of measurement (TEM) and relative technical error of measurement (%TEM) were used to test the reliability of the registration and reconstruction processes and observer errors. The results showed low and comparable percent differences for original reconstructions (0.688 to 3.801%) and the registered reconstructions (0.202 to 3.47%). Inter-modality TEM and %TEM were 0.089mm and 0.113%, respectively, showing high reliability of the registering technique. Intra- and inter-observer errors were comparable on both types of reconstructions and lower than 1mm and 1% for all TEMs and %TEMs. The registered high-resolution volume reconstructions provided much smoother surfaces and a clean separation of fusing elements (epiphyses and diaphyses) (Figure 1). This study demonstrates the utility of a new image processing tool in registering and reconstructing high-resolution volumes from low-resolution clinical CT scans. The application is especially useful in studies of children and juvenile individuals where separation of fusing skeletal elements is required, and in shape analyses, where clean and precise surfaces are beneficial.

Efficient computation of nonlinear isogeometric elements using the adjoint method and algorithmic differentiation

We present a consistent and efficient approach to the formulation of geometric nonlinear finite elements for isogeometric analysis (IGA) and isogeometric B-Rep analysis (IBRA) based on the adjoint method. IGA elements are computationally expensive, especially for high polynomial degrees. Using the method presented here enables us to reduce this disadvantage and develop a methodical framework for the efficient implementation of IGA elements. The elements are consistently derived from energy functionals. The load vector and stiffness matrix are obtained from the first and second order derivatives of the energy. Starting from the functional, we apply the concept of algorithmic or automatic differentiation to compute the precise derivatives. Here, we compare the direct (forward) and adjoint (reversed) methods. Analysis of the computational graph allows us to optimize the computation and identify recurring modules. It turns out that using the adjoint method leads to a core-congruential formulation, which enables a clean separation between the mechanical behavior and the geometric description. This is particularly useful in CAD-integrated analysis, where mechanical properties are applied to different geometry types. The adjoint method produces the same results but requires significantly fewer operations and fewer intermediate results. Moreover, the number of intermediate results is no longer dependent on the polynomial degree of the NURBS. This is important for implementation efficiency and computation speed.The procedure can be applied to arbitrary element formulations and coupling conditions based on energy functionals. For demonstration purposes, we present the proposed approach specifically for use with geometrically nonlinear trusses, beams, membranes, shells, and coupling conditions based on the penalty method.

Recovering valuable metals from spent hydrodesulfurization catalyst via blank roasting and alkaline leaching

Spent hydrodesulfurization (HDS) catalysts, containing considerable amount of pollutants and metals including vanadium (V), molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), and nickel (Ni), are considered as hazardous wastes which will result in not only ecosystem damage but also squandering resource. Herein, a process featuring blank roasting-alkaline leaching is proposed to recover spent HDS catalyst. During roasting, low-valence compounds convert to high-valence oxides which can be leached out by NaOH solution. Afterwards, leaching solution is subjected to crystallization to separate metals. The results show that for samples roasted at 650 °C, 97% V, 96% Mo, and 88% Al are leached out at optimal condition; for samples roasted at 1000 °C, selective leaching of 91% V and 96% Mo respectively, are realized, with negligible Al being dissolved. NiO is insoluble in strong alkali leaving in residue. The advantages of this process are that first, the leaching of V, Mo, and Al can be manipulated by controlling roasting conditions, providing flexible process design. Second, leaching solution can be fully recycled. Finally, mild leaching condition and clean separation of V, Mo, and Al is achieved, proving fundamental information for peer researches to facilitate their future research on the development of more efficient and cleaner technologies.

Stream runtime verification of real-time event streams with the Striver language

In this paper, we study the problem of runtime verification of real-time event streams; in particular, we propose a language to describe monitors for real-time event streams that can manipulate data from rich domains. We propose a solution based on stream runtime verification (SRV), where monitors are specified by describing how output streams of data are computed from input streams of data. SRV enables a clean separation between the temporal dependencies among incoming events and the concrete operations that are performed during the monitoring. Most SRV specification languages assume that all streams share a global synchronous clock and divide time in discrete instants. At each instant every input has a reading, and for every instant the monitor computes an output. In this paper, we generalize the time assumption to cover real-time event streams, but keep the explicit time offsets present in some synchronous SRV languages like Lola. The language we introduce, called Striver, shares with SRV the simplicity and economy of operators, and the separation between the reasoning about time and the computation of data values. The version of Striver in this paper allows expressing future and past dependencies. Striver is a general language that allows expressing for certain time domains other real-time monitoring languages, like TeSSLa, and temporal logics, like STL. We show in this paper translations from other formalisms for (piecewise-constant) real-time signals and timed event streams. Finally, we report an empirical evaluation of an implementation of Striver.

Clean and deep separation of molybdenum and rhenium from ultra-low concentration solutions via vapidly stepwise selective coagulation and flocculation precipitation

Clean and deep separation of molybdenum (Mo) and rhenium (Re) from the industrial solutions with ultra-low concentrations are extremely difficult. In current study, various low concentrations of Mo and Re are efficiently separated from the industrial solutions, including lixiviums, eluents and the waste waters, via vapidly stepwise selective coagulation and flocculation precipitation. In-situ generated metal hydroxyl coagulants in the solution have selective coagulation of series isopolymolybdates, while the cetyl-trimethyl-ammonium-bromide (CTAB) has a strong combination with rhenate. The effects of metal ion types, dosages, pH value, and reaction time on the separation behaviors of Mo and Re from the solution are systematically investigated via thermodynamic calculations, SEM-EDS, FT-IR and XPS analyses. It’s found that all the in-situ generated metal hydroxyl coagulants of Cu(II), Al(III), Fe(II) and Fe(III) have selective coagulation of Mo while the Fe(III) hydroxyl coagulant (FeHC) shows the best adsorption performance. After selective coagulation by FeHC, 99.9%Mo is separated while 95.8%Re is kept in the raffinate after filtration. Then the 98.9%Re is further recovered by CTAB flocculation precipitation. The selective coagulation mechanism of Mo and Re by the FeHC is discussed. In addition, this novel technology is applicative for the deep separation of Mo and Re from various low-concentration Mo,Re-bearing industrial solutions.

Improving recycling of polyethylene-coated paperboard with a nanofibrillated cellulose layer

To improve the ability to recycle polyethylene (PE)-coated paperboard, one solution may be to use nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) to generate a layer that should weaken when wet that leads to a clean separation between the polymer film and the pulp fibers. This NFC layer has the potential to improve the package’s oxygen and grease barrier properties, but this system has not been explored in the literature. In this study, papers coated with zero, 2, and 4 g/m2 of NFC were laminated with a PE film under a range of pressing temperatures and times at a constant pressing pressure. A model was developed to predict fiber recovery given the air permeability of the paper, pressing time, polymer temperature, and paper void volume. The recyclability or fiber recovery was evaluated in addition to the adhesive strength. Samples with the NFC layer had much improved fiber recovery because the NFC layer gives a good separation during the recycling operation. The model predictions were compared to the experiments.

The application of clean production in organic synthesis

Clean production, as an important part of green chemistry, has received great attention and considerable development in recent years. In this perspective article, we summarized some examples of (nearly) quantitative synthesis, clean separation and purification to emphasize clean production. These reactions were carried out by using eco-friendly solvents and the pure products could be easily obtained through clean procedures.

Combination of DGA and LN Columns: A Versatile Option for Isotope Production and Purification at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

ABSTRACT The chromatographic resins DGA and LN have been used sequentially to separate curium, californium, plutonium, and various fission products (FPs) to obtain products with a pure radioisotope or a radioelement with high isotopic purity. This 2-step combination of resins has found applications in the 252Cf and 238Pu campaigns performed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Experiments have been carried out in glove boxes, shielded caves, and hot cells, demonstrating that these resins are adequate and maintain their performance in highly radiolytic environments. Using these resins has led to the recovery of curium highly enriched (>95%) in 248Cm, the clean separation of 251Cf for the superheavy element research, and the recovery of 147Pm from the FP stream obtained during the 238Pu production campaign while demonstrating that the raffinate post DGA is essentially free of transuranic elements.

Ion-optical developments tailored for experiments with the Super-FRS at FAIR

The future Super-FRS separator-spectrometer at FAIR will provide rare-isotope beams for key experiments in nuclear structure, astrophysics and nuclear reactions. The Super-FRS will use large-aperture magnets, which is important for the acceptance of nuclear reaction products with a large transverse and longitudinal emittance. In the standard ion-optical separator mode, magnetic rigidity analysis in combination with atomic energy-loss will be performed for clean isotopic spatial separation, once in the Pre-Separator and second in the Main-Separator. New ion-optical developments, prepared for different categories of experiments, are presented in this article. The operating modes described in the early publications of the project are updated in the first part of the paper. In the second part, special ion-optical modes mainly for the experiments of the Super-FRS Experiment Collaboration are discussed. This collaboration is the succession of the FRS Collaboration which has concentrated on separator-spectrometer experiments with the present facility at GSI since 1990.

Seventeen Tidal Disruption Events from the First Half of ZTF Survey Observations: Entering a New Era of Population Studies

Abstract While tidal disruption events (TDEs) have long been heralded as laboratories for the study of quiescent black holes, the small number of known TDEs and uncertainties in their emission mechanism have hindered progress toward this promise. Here we present 17 new TDEs that have been detected recently by the Zwicky Transient Facility along with Swift UV and X-ray follow-up observations. Our homogeneous analysis of the optical/UV light curves, including 22 previously known TDEs from the literature, reveals a clean separation of light-curve properties with spectroscopic class. The TDEs with Bowen fluorescence features in their optical spectra have smaller blackbody radii, lower optical luminosities, and higher disruption rates compared to the rest of the sample. The small subset of TDEs that show only helium emission lines in their spectra have the longest rise times, the highest luminosities, and the lowest rates. A high detection rate of Bowen lines in TDEs with small photometric radii could be explained by the high density that is required for this fluorescence mechanism. The stellar debris can provide a source for this dense material. Diffusion of photons through this debris may explain why the rise and fade timescale of the TDEs in our sample are not correlated. We also report, for the first time, the detection of soft X-ray flares from a TDE on ∼day timescales. Based on the fact that the X-ray flares peak at a luminosity similar to the optical/UV blackbody luminosity, we attribute them to brief glimpses through a reprocessing layer that otherwise obscures the inner accretion flow.

Fabrication of New Demulsifiers Employing the Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate and their Demulsification Efficiency for Heavy Crude Oil Emulsions.

Two novel amphiphilic polyethylene amine terephthalate have been prepared via the glycolsis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The product, bis (2-hydroxyethyl terephthalate) (BHET), was converted to the corresponding dialkyl halide, bis(2-chloroethyl) terephthalate (BCET), using thionyl chloride (TC). This dialkyl compound was used for alkylation of dodecyl amine (DOA) and tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) or pentaethylenehexamine (PEHA) to form the corresponding polyethylene amine terephthalate, i.e., DOAT and DOAP, respectively. Their chemical structure, surface tension, interfacial tension (IFT), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were determined using different techniques. The efficiency of the prepared polyethylene amine terephthalate to demulsify water in heavy crude (W/O) emulsions was also determined and found to increase as their concentrations increased. Moreover, DOAT showed faster and higher efficiency, and cleaner separation than DOAP.

Cell Dissociation from the Tongue Epithelium and Mesenchyme/Connective Tissue of Embryonic-Day 12.5 and 8-Week-Old Mice.

Cell dissociation has been an essential procedure for studies at the individual-cell level and/or at a cell-population level (e.g.,single cell RNA sequencing and primary cell culture). Yielding viable, healthy cells in large quantities is critical, and the optimal conditions to do so are tissue dependent. Cell populations in the tongue epithelium and underlying mesenchyme/connective tissue are heterogeneous and tissue structures vary in different regions and at different developmental stages. We have tested protocols for isolating cells from the mouse tongue epithelium and mesenchyme/connective tissue in the early developmental [embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5)] and young adult (8-week) stages. A clean separation between the epithelium and underlying mesenchyme/connective tissue was easy to accomplish. However, to further process and isolate cells, yielding viable healthy cells in large quantities, and careful selection of enzymatic digestion buffer, incubation time, and centrifugation speed and time are critical. Incubation of separated epithelium or underlying mesenchyme/connective tissue in 0.25% Trypsin-EDTA for 30 min at 37 °C, followed by centrifugation at 200 x g for 8 min resulted in a high yield of cells at a high viability rate (>90%) regardless of the mouse stages and tongue regions. Moreover, we found that both dissociated epithelial and mesenchymal/connective tissue cells from embryonic and adult tongues could survive in the cell culture-based medium for at least 3 h without a significant decrease of cell viability. The protocols will be useful for studies that require the preparation of isolated cells from mouse tongues at early developmental (E12.5) and young adult (8-week) stages requiring cell dissociation from different tissue compartments.

DESIGN OF A CODE-AGNOSTIC DRIVER APPLICATION FOR HIGH-FIDELITY COUPLED NEUTRONICS AND THERMAL-HYDRAULIC SIMULATIONS

While the literature has numerous examples of Monte Carlo and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) coupling, most are hard-wired codes intended primarily for research rather than as standalone, general-purpose codes. In this work, we describe an open source application, ENRICO, that allows coupled neutronic and thermal-hydraulic simulations between multiple codes that can be chosen at runtime (as opposed to a coupling between two specific codes). In particular, we outline the class hierarchy in ENRICO and show how it enables a clean separation between the logic and data required for a coupled simulation (which is agnostic to the individual solvers used) from the logic/data required for individual physics solvers. ENRICO also allows coupling between high-order (and generally computationally expensive) solvers to low-order “surrogate” solvers; for example, Nek5000 can be swapped out with a subchannel solver. ENRICO has been designed for use on distributed-memory computing environments. The transfer of solution fields between solvers is performed in memory rather than through file I/O.We describe the process topology among the different solvers and how it is leveraged to carry out solution transfers. We present results for a coupled simulation of a single light-water reactor fuel assembly using Monte Carlo neutron transport and CFD.

Influence of DIBMA Polymer Length on Lipid Nanodisc Formation and Membrane Protein Extraction.

Polymer-based lipid nanoparticles like styrene-maleic acid lipid particles have revolutionized the study of membrane proteins. More recently, alternative polymers such as poly(diisobutylene-alt-maleic acid) (DIBMA) have been used in this field. DIBMA is commonly synthesized via conventional radical copolymerization. In order to study the influence of its chain length on lipid nanodisc formation and membrane protein extraction, we synthesized DIBMA with molar masses varying from 1.2-12 kDa via RAFT-mediated polymerization. For molar masses in the range of 3-7 kDa, the rate of lipid nanodisc formation was the highest and similar to those of poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) (SMA) and commercially available DIBMA. ZipA solubilization efficiency was significantly higher than for commercially available DIBMA and similar to SMA (circa 75%). Furthermore, RAFT-made DIBMA with a molar mass of 1.2-3.9 kDa showed a much cleaner separation on SDS-PAGE, without the smearing that is typically seen for SMA and commercially available DIBMA.

Study of Separation Mechanism and Characteristics of Ridge-Cut Explosive Bolts Using Numerical Analysis

Ridge-cut explosive bolts are a type of pyrotechnic release devices in which two connected structures are separated by explosives. They are designed such that shock waves can interact with and cut their body. Furthermore, they provide a clean separation surface and require a smaller explosive amount compared with other types of explosive bolts. In this study, ridge-cut explosive bolts of various diameters and with an exploding bridge wire (EBW) detonator were developed for use in sled testing. Their initial shapes were designed using an established procedure. Initial separation tests for the initial designs of the explosive bolts showed that considerable debris was produced for some models and that the explosive amount should be reduced. For the minimization of the number of experiments, the appropriate explosive amount was determined in advance through numerical analysis, which was performed using Autodyn, a commercial hydrocode. The numerical analysis technique used was improved to analyze the complete separation phenomena. The numerical results clearly revealed the separation mechanism and characteristics of the explosive bolts and helped determine an appropriate explosive amount for achieving a small amount of debris. Verification tests confirmed that explosive amounts determined using the numerical results were appropriate for separation and generated a small amount of debris.

Hyperspectral multiphoton microscopy for in vivo visualization of multiple, spectrally overlapped fluorescent labels.

The insensitivity of multiphoton microscopy to optical scattering enables high-resolution, high-contrast imaging deep into tissue, including in live animals. Scattering does, however, severely limit the use of spectral dispersion techniques to improve spectral resolution. In practice, this limited spectral resolution together with the need for multiple excitation wavelengths to excite different fluorophores limits multiphoton microscopy to imaging a few, spectrally-distinct fluorescent labels at a time, restricting the complexity of biological processes that can be studied. Here, we demonstrate a hyperspectral multiphoton microscope that utilizes three different wavelength excitation sources together with multiplexed fluorescence emission detection using angle-tuned bandpass filters. This microscope maintains scattering insensitivity, while providing high enough spectral resolution on the emitted fluorescence and capitalizing on the wavelength-dependent nonlinear excitation of fluorescent dyes to enable clean separation of multiple, spectrally overlapping labels, in vivo. We demonstrated the utility of this instrument for spectral separation of closely-overlapped fluorophores in samples containing ten different colors of fluorescent beads, live cells expressing up to seven different fluorescent protein fusion constructs, and in multiple in vivo preparations in mouse cortex and inflamed skin with up to eight different cell types or tissue structures distinguished.

Warm hydrogen direct adsorptive separation and purification with highly CO/H2S-tolerant rare earth alloys

Direct H2 separation using hydrogen adsorption materials has been gaining research attention for several decades. Rare-earth-metal-based alloys have proved to be feasible hydrogen adsorbents; however, their applications are restricted because of the presence of poisonous impurities, especially CO. Herein, we demonstrate the utilization of fluorinated LaNi5-based materials in elevated temperature pressure swing adsorption (ET-PSA) method for H2 separation is feasible. The adsorbent, fluorinated LaNi4.3Al0.7, maintained satisfactory working capacity at 453 K in poisonous mixed gas, which contained up to 30% CO or 0.5% H2S. During the breakthrough tests performed on a fixed bed reactor packed with, clean separations of H2/CO2+CO+N2+CH4 were observed when the feed gas component was N2/CH4/CO2/CO/H2 (45/10/10/5/30), indicating hydrogen was efficiently separated from the mixed gas in only one step, thereby simplifying the H2 separation process and the device. The mechanism of poisoning of LaNi5 by CO, and the effect of the working temperature on the CO resistance of LaNi5, were investigated using the density functional theory and ab initio molecular dynamics simulation, whose outcomes showed that the presence of CO significantly reduces the adsorption energy of H atoms. Nevertheless, at elevated temperatures (over 453 K), CO molecules was easier to escape from LaNi5 surface and less likely to completely cover the adsorbent surface, resulting in more possibility of H adsorbing on LaNi5 surface.

The last breath of the Sagittarius dSph

ABSTRACT We use the astrometric and photometric data from Gaia Data Release 2 and line-of-sight velocities from various other surveys to study the 3D structure and kinematics of the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy. The combination of photometric and astrometric data makes it possible to obtain a very clean separation of Sgr member stars from the Milky Way foreground; our final catalogue contains 2.6 × 105 candidate members with magnitudes G &amp;lt; 18, more than half of them being red clump stars. We construct and analyse maps of the mean proper motion and its dispersion over the region ∼30 × 12 deg, which show a number of interesting features. The intrinsic 3D density distribution (orientation, thickness) is strongly constrained by kinematics; we find that the remnant is a prolate structure with the major axis pointing at ∼45° from the orbital velocity and extending up to ∼5 kpc, where it transitions into the stream. We perform a large suite of N-body simulations of a disrupting Sgr galaxy as it orbits the Milky Way over the past 2.5 Gyr, which are tailored to reproduce the observed properties of the remnant (not the stream). The richness of available constraints means that only a narrow range of parameters produce a final state consistent with observations. The total mass of the remnant is $\sim \!4\times 10^8\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$, of which roughly a quarter resides in stars. The galaxy is significantly out of equilibrium, and even its central density is below the limit required to withstand tidal forces. We conclude that the Sgr galaxy will likely be disrupted over the next Gyr.

The 3D Topography of Mitotic Chromosomes

A long-standing conundrum is how mitotic chromosomes can compact, as required for clean separation to daughter cells, while maintaining close parallel alignment of sister chromatids. Pursuit of this question, by high resolution 3D fluorescence imaging of living and fixed mammalian cells, has led to three discoveries. First, we show that the structural axes of separated sister chromatids are linked by evenly spaced "mini-axis" bridges. Second, when chromosomes first emerge as discrete units, at prophase, they are organized as co-oriented sister linear loop arrays emanating from a conjoined axis. We show that this same basic organization persists throughout mitosis, without helical coiling. Third, from prophase onward, chromosomes are deformed into sequential arrays of half-helical segments of alternating handedness (perversions), accompanied by correlated kinks. These arrays fluctuate dynamically over <15s timescales. Together these discoveries redefine the foundation for thinking about the evolution of mitotic chromosomes as they prepare for anaphase segregation.