Flexible Silicone Research Articles

PHSOR09 Presentation Time: 9:40 AM: Patient-Specific Plesiotherapy Using Flexible Silicone High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy Applicator Casting and 3D-Printed Molds

PHSOR09 Presentation Time: 9:40 AM: Patient-Specific Plesiotherapy Using Flexible Silicone High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy Applicator Casting and 3D-Printed Molds

Preparation and Properties of Flexible Phenolic Silicone Hybrid Aerogels for Thermal Insulation

In order to prepare flexible thermal protection aerogel materials, using dimethyldimethoxysilane (DMDMS) and methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) as co-precursors, isocyanate-propyltrimethoxysilane (CFS-006) was added to the co-precursor as a coupling agent, and resorcinol and formaldehyde were added to the sol solution to prepare a phenolic silicone hybrid aerogel (FAS) by the sol–gel method. The prepared FAS aerogel had no phase separation problem, the density was only 0.118 g/cm3, the hydrophobic angle reached 155.3°, and it had certain flexibility. It could be compressed to 70% and still be restored to its original state. The FAS aerogel also had a low thermal conductivity of 0.0318 W/(m·K) and good high temperature insulation. The introduction of phenolic groups improved thermal stability; Tmax increased to 643.7 °C, and the residual carbon rate was 24.5%. This work has positive significance for the future combination of aerogels and textiles in the preparation of firefighting protective clothing.

Silicone Irregular Hexagon Pessary Versus Polyvinyl Chloride Ring Pessary for Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Randomised Controlled Trial.

Vaginal pessaries are the mainstay of the non-surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). A flexible silicone irregular hexagonal (SIH) pessary was developed based on the results of a prior vaginal case study. We hypothesised that the SIH pessary would have a higher rate of retention and self-management than the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pessary. This was a prospective non-blinded, randomised controlled trial with institutional review board approval. Eligible participants were randomised and fitted with the assigned pessary. They were reviewed 1 week, 6 months and 1 year after the initial pessary fitting. Participants who returned for follow-up completed the study questionnaires. The primary outcome was success, defined as continued use of the allocated pessary at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included the ability to perform pessary self-care, treatment satisfaction and pessary-related complications. Statistical tests were performed with alpha or statistical significance defined as a p value of ≤ 0.05, two-tailed. A total of 104 participants were randomised, with 52 subjects in each arm. Primary outcome data were analysed using per protocol analysis. Continuing pessary usage at 6 months was 68.1% for the PVC pessary group and 65.1% for the SIH group, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (p = 0.765). Subjects with SIH were more likely to perform pessary self-care. There were no significant differences in subjects' satisfaction, quality-of-life scores or treatment complications between groups. The pessary continuation rate between the SIH and the PVC pessary groups was similar at 6 months. Participants with an SIH pessary were more likely to self-manage.

Shortwave Infrared Imaging of a Quantum Dot-Based Magnetic Guidewire Toward Non-Fluoroscopic Peripheral Vascular Interventions.

Peripheral vascular interventions (PVIs) offer several benefits to patients with lower extremity arterial diseases, including reduced pain, simpler anesthesia, and shorter recovery time, compared to open surgery. However, to monitor the endovascular tools inside the body, PVIs are conducted under X-ray fluoroscopy, which poses serious long-term health risks to physicians and patients. Shortwave infrared (SWIR) imaging of quantum dots (QDs) has shown great potential in bioimaging due to the non-ionizing penetration of SWIR light through tissues. In this paper, a QD-based magnetic guidewire and its system is introduced that allows X-ray-free detection under SWIR imaging and precise steering via magnetic manipulation. The QD magnetic guidewire contains a flexible silicone tube encapsulating a QD polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite, where HgCdSe/HgS/CdS/CdZnS/ZnS/SiO2 core/multi-shell QDs are dispersed in the PDMS matrix for SWIR imaging upon near-infrared excitation, as well as a permanent magnet for magnetic steering. The SWIR penetration of the QD magnetic guidewire is investigated within an artificial tissue model (1% Intralipid) and explore the potential for non-fluoroscopic PVIs within a vascular phantom model. The QD magnetic guidewire is biocompatible in its entirety, with excellent resistance to photobleaching and chemical alteration, which is a promising sign for its future clinical implementation.

A sandwich-structured 1-3 type piezoelectric composite material for enhancing reliability

This study proposes a sandwich structure 1-3 piezoelectric composite, incorporating flexible silicone rubber to enhance the thickness vibration mode of piezoelectric ceramics. Rigid aluminum nitride (AlN) is employed to bolster the mechanical stability of the composite. Utilizing equivalent parameter theory, we establish a mathematical model for the sandwich structure composite material. The impact of the piezoelectric phase size and the volume fraction of AlN on several performance parameters of the material are analyzed, including the thickness electromechanical coupling coefficient, density, sound velocity, and characteristic impedance. The sandwich structure piezoelectric composite was fabricated using the "cutting and filling" technique. Experimental outcomes reveal that this material demonstrates concentrated thickness vibration modes, with a thickness electromechanical coupling coefficient reaching as high as 0.72, a 16.6 % increase compared to traditional 1-3 piezoelectric composites. Results from thermal shock tests and tensile tests suggest that the sandwich structure 1-3 piezoelectric composite has considerable potential for use in highly reliable low-frequency receiving transducers.

Flexible composite films with ultrahigh through-plane thermal conductivity yet low graphene content

Graphene-based polymeric composites have become one of the promising thermal interface materials (TIMs) for the high integration electronic devices due to the excellent intrinsic thermal conductivity of graphene. However, the challenges still remain, such as ordered alignment of graphene in elastic polymer and regulation of phonon scattering at graphene/graphene interface. In this study, a vertically oriented graphene framework within a flexible silicone rubber matrix was fabricated by non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPs) coupled with an in in-situ welding technique. The as-prepared film exhibits an outstanding through-plane thermal conductivity of 29.5W/mK at low graphene loading of 7.5 wt%, which indicates an exceptionally high thermal conductivity enhancement per 1 wt% graphene content (specific TCE) over 1950 %/wt%. Furthermore, the composite films demonstrate excellent conformability inherited from the silicone rubber matrix and achieves low contact resistance of 40–70 Kmm2W−1 under various pressure and interfacial conditions. This study contributes to a deeper insight into the development of the high-performance graphene-based polymeric TIMs.

A flexible silicone tube arrangement structure triboelectric nanogenerator for tennis training monitoring

As the Internet of Things (IoTs) rapidly gain popularity, the demand for self-powered flexible electronic devices is continuously rising, particularly in the intelligent sports field. Hence, we introduced a silicone tube-based triboelectric nanogenerator (ST-TENG) designed for mechanical energy harvesting and tennis training monitoring. The ST-TENG, with its innovative tubular structure, effectively harvests low-frequency mechanical energy and converts it into electrical energy. At a working frequency of 6 Hz, the ST-TENG achieved an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 122.51 V, a short-circuit current (Isc) of 15.05 µA, and a transfer charge (Qsc) of 33.74 nC. The ST-TENG demonstrates high sensitivity and accuracy in capturing subtle motion details, providing comprehensive data on various aspects of an athlete’s performance. The ST-TENG demonstrated excellent responsiveness to pressure and bending, making it suitable for real-time motion monitoring in tennis. Integrating the ST-TENG into the clothing and equipment of tennis players effectively monitored wrist, waist, and foot movements, providing detailed motion data. This research paves the way for developing highly efficient, self-powered wearable sensors that can significantly enhance the accuracy and sustainability of real-time athletic training monitoring.

Decreasing Intraoperative Skin Damage in Prone-Position Surgeries.

To determine if subepidermal moisture (SEM) measures help detect and prevent intraoperative acquired pressure injuries (IAPIs) for prone-position surgery. In this clinical trial of patients (n = 39 preintervention, n = 48 intervention, 100 historical control) undergoing prone-position surgery, researchers examined the use of multidimensionally flexible silicone foam (MFSF) dressings applied preoperatively to patients' face, chest, and iliac crests. Visual skin assessments and SEM measures were obtained preoperatively, postoperatively, and daily for up to 5 days or until discharge. Electronic health record review included demographic, medical, and surgery data. Of the 187 total participants, 76 (41%) were women. Participants' mean age was 61.0 ± 15.0 years, and 9.6% were Hispanic (n = 18), 9.6% were Asian (n = 18), 6.9% were Black or African American (n = 13), and 73.8% were White (n = 138). Participants had a mean Scott-Triggers IAPI risk score of 1.5 ± 1.1. Among those with no erythema preoperatively, fewer intervention participants exhibited postoperative erythema on their face and chest than did preintervention participants. Further, fewer intervention participants had SEM-defined IAPIs at all locations in comparison with preintervention participants. The MFSF dressings overcame IAPI risk factors of surgery length, skin tone, and body mass index with fewer IAPIs in intervention participants. Patients undergoing prone-position surgeries developed fewer IAPIs, and SEM measures indicated no damage when MFSF dressings were applied to sites preoperatively. The SEM measures detected more damage than visual assessment.

Flexible silicone “honeycomb” sensing module inspired by the natural irregular holes of Taihu Lake Stone, used for athlete posture monitoring and human-computer interaction

Flexible silicone “honeycomb” sensing module inspired by the natural irregular holes of Taihu Lake Stone, used for athlete posture monitoring and human-computer interaction

Facile preparation of conductive silicone rubber composite foams with tunable cell morphologies and absorption-dominant characteristics

Flexible silicone rubber (SR) foams with tunable cellular morphologies were fabricated via supercritical CO2 foaming. Conductive carbon black (CB) modified at a low cost and with high complex viscosity was preferentially selected. The effects of the pore size and void fraction on the electrical conductivity and dielectric permittivity of the SR/CB composite foams were carefully investigated. The pore size of the foams affected the specific shielding effectiveness (SSE) and absorption coefficient (A), whereas the variation in the void fraction did not generate evident changes. In comparison with its solid counterpart, a foam with a pore diameter of 59.9 μm showed a 50 % decrease in density, 31.6 % increase in absorptivity, and 95.7 % increase in SSE, demonstrating a considerable electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE). Decreases in the pore size and void fraction of the foams improved compression modulus and strength. In addition, sample preparation process was simplified, making industrial production easier.

Reducing Leak and Increasing Comfort of an N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirator for Aged-Care Workers Using a Customized, Soft, and Compliant Mask Frame

Abstract This prospective cohort study examines the quantitative fit-factor and tolerability impact of a novel custom frame designed to fit beneath N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) in a healthcare setting. Conducted at a medium-sized metropolitan residential aged care facility (RACF) in South Australia, sixty participants underwent quantitative fit testing while wearing institutional-provided N95 FFRs. Utilizing three-dimensional (3D) face scanning with a proprietary iPhone app, personalized frames were created using flexible silicone foam with a rigid plastic interior “backbone” to ensure compliance and comfort. Following the fitting of custom frames, participants underwent repeat quantitative fit testing using the same style and size of N95 FFRs. Results indicate a remarkable improvement, with 81.5% of participants achieving a pass on quantitative fit testing when using their custom frame in conjunction with the N95 FFRs, compared to a baseline pass rate of only 21.7% (odds ratio (OR) 20.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 8.26, 58.50, p < 0.001 via logistic regression). Additionally, participants reported a 2.4 times higher level of tolerability when wearing the custom frame with their N95 FFRs compared to using FFRs alone (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the study demonstrates that wearing a customized frame device under an N95 FFR significantly enhances the likelihood of achieving a pass on quantitative fitting and offers a substantially more tolerable experience for wearers. These findings highlight the potential of personalized frame devices to improve respiratory protection efficacy and wearer comfort in healthcare settings.

Confined bioprinting and culture in inflatable bioreactor for the sterile bioproduction of tissues and organs

The future of organ and tissue biofabrication strongly relies on 3D bioprinting technologies. However, maintaining sterility remains a critical issue regardless of the technology used. This challenge becomes even more pronounced when the volume of bioprinted objects approaches organ dimensions. Here, we introduce a novel device called the Flexible Unique Generator Unit (FUGU), which is a unique combination of flexible silicone membranes and solid components made of stainless steel. Alternatively, the solid components can also be made of 3D printed medical-grade polycarbonate. The FUGU is designed to support micro-extrusion needle insertion and removal, internal volume adjustment, and fluid management. The FUGU was assessed in various environments, ranging from custom-built basic cartesian to sophisticated 6-axis robotic arm bioprinters, demonstrating its compatibility, flexibility, and universality across different bioprinting platforms. Sterility assays conducted under various infection scenarios highlight the FUGU’s ability to physically protect the internal volume against contaminations, thereby ensuring the integrity of the bioprinted constructs. The FUGU also enabled bioprinting and cultivation of a 14.5 cm3 human colorectal cancer tissue model within a completely confined and sterile environment, while allowing for the exchange of gases with the external environment. This FUGU system represents a significant advancement in 3D bioprinting and biofabrication, paving the path toward the sterile production of implantable tissues and organs.

Synthesis and Properties of Bio-Based Polycarbonates Containing Silicone Blocks.

This study aims to investigate the effects of different hydroxy-terminated silicones on the properties of polycarbonate-silicone copolymers (ICS-PC) by introducing flexible and hydrophobic silicone into isosorbide-based polycarbonate through melt transesterification- polycondensation method. Through compatibility and transesterification experiments, it is confirmed that the alcohol-hydroxyl polydimethylsiloxane (a-PDMS) has higher reactivity and silicone conversion than the phenol-hydroxyl polydimethylsiloxane (p-PDMS), but the conversion does not exceed 81%. Polyether-modified silicone (PEMS) exhibits better compatibility and higher reactivity, thus resulting in higher conversion that can reach 86%. Effects of the type and content of silicone on the glass transition temperature (Tg), optical transparency, saturated water absorption, and mechanical strength of ICS-PCs were also discussed. It is found that p-PDMS has higher Tg, hydrophobicity, and mechanical strength with similar silicone content, but the total transmittance does not exceed 60%. In contrast, the PEMS system exhibits better optical transparency due to its improved compatibility with the PC matrix, with a total transmittance of up to 73%, Tg exceeding 150 °C while maintaining excellent flexibility and hydrophobicity. These results are helpful to further improve the comprehensive properties of bio-based polycarbonates.

775 A Unique Semirigid Silicone Neck Collar for Management of Hypertrophic Scars

Abstract Introduction In the realm of burn injuries, the use of rigid hard neck collars, or soft collars, is indispensable for optimizing neck positioning and scar management. However, when injuries encompass the head and neck, a critical challenge arises only one rigid orthosis can typically be worn one at a time. We are introducing a novel solution: a semirigid neck collar crafted from flexible silicone. This collar combines the benefits of semirigid support with the freedom of natural neck and allows jaw movement and may be worn with a rigid facemask. Furthermore, it can be customized to effectively manage hypertrophic scarring, making it a promising advancement in burn injury care. Methods Our semirigid neck collar is crafted with High Consistency Rubber (HCR) silicone. The HCR can be fabricated as a solid sheet or perforated. This HCR applies a gentle, consistent minimum pressure of 20mmHg as displayed by the Kikuhime pressure monitoring device while remaining pliable enough to accommodate natural neck movements and TMJ mobility. The material is mixed, pigment tinted, and rolled to achieve the desired thickness. Following this, the HCR silicone is heated and molded based on a 3D scan of the patient's neck and fit to the patient. A successful trial was conducted in a patient with severe facial and neck burns, resulting in improved neck ROM and hypertrophic scar progression. The resulting scar displayed improvement on the Vancouver Scar Scale yielded as reported on the Likert scale and the patient reporting increased compliance of the semirigid collar. Results In the trial involving a patient with severe neck and facial burns: 1. Improved Neck ROM, Eating, and Mandibular Movement: While using the semirigid silicone neck collar, the patient experienced improvements in neck ROM, eating comfort, and mandibular movement. The average Likert scale rating for these improvements was five out of five. 2. Decreased Scarring upon Vancouver Scar Scale displaying the difference between the initial and final VSS scores, indicating how much the scar improved. 3. Patient Preference: A preference for the semirigid silicone neck collar, upon rating it a perfect five on the Likert scale. The patient was able to wear it in combination with a hard TFO facial orthotic. Conclusions The semirigid silicone neck collar represents a move forward in the field of neck orthosis design, particularly concerning scar management. Its innovative blend of design elements, including flexibility, adaptability, and customizable features, holds great promise for individuals dealing with burn-related neck scarring. Applicability of Research to Practice This semirigid appliance offers increased comfort compared to traditional rigid collars and an option in the management of neck positioning and scar hypertrophy. Its flexible nature, including color-tinting, and cost-effective modification options make it a valuable tool for improving scar management outcomes neck for patients with neck and combined facial/neck scarring.

Honeycomb networks of boron nitride/nanodiamond with interlocking interfaces enhance the application reliability of silicone rubber thermal conductivity composites

AbstractThe three‐dimensional (3D) boron nitride (BN) thermal conductive networks, crafted through layer‐by‐layer assembly, hold tremendous potential for the development of insulating thermal interface materials (TIMs) with exceptional thermal conductivity. Nevertheless, maintaining the thermal conductive stability of this structure type during application remains a considerable challenge. Herein, initially, the honeycomb networks of boron nitride/nanodiamond (ND/kBN) with interlocking interfaces were prepared by electrostatic self‐assembly and ice template method. Subsequently, thermal conductivity composites of flexible silicone rubber (VQM) were acquired through vacuum‐assisted infiltration. The composites demonstrated improved through‐plane thermal conductivity with 1.03 W/(m K) at a 9.9 vol% content of ND/kBN while exhibiting relatively ideal dielectric properties. More importantly, the thermal conductive properties of the composites still maintain at 96.1% and 91.9%, respectively, even after undergoing 30% compressive deformation for 1 h and being bent 300 times. This study presents a novel strategy that not only improves the thermal conductivity of composites but also ensures the reliability of their applications.Highlights Nanodiamond (ND) is anchored onto the kBN surface by electrostatic self‐assembly. ND/kBN filler honeycomb network with an interlocking interface was prepared. Flexible composites with high thermal conductivity (TC) were prepared. The composites exhibit excellent TC stability after experiencing deformation.

An In-Vitro Comparison of Steady State Leakage Rates through Introducer Sheaths Used for Fenestrated Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Objectives– fEVAR involves deploying a covered stent into the aorta followed by multiple visceral stents through fenestrations in the main body of graft. The most commonly used large sheaths for cannulation of visceral vessels are the Gore DrySeal Flex, Cook Performer Check-Flo and Medtronic Sentrant. None of these sheaths were designed for the insertion of multiple sheaths, and so a slow but steady leakage of blood occurs during the procedure. The aim of this paper is to assess in an in vitro setting which large bore sheath has the best valve for use when multiple smaller sheaths are inserted through it. MethodsThree large bore introducer sheaths (LBIS) were used for this study, The Gore DrySeal Flex LBIS, Medtronic Sentrant LBIS and Cook Performer Check-Flo LBIS. A test rig was constructed, made of an 18-litre fluid reservoir mounted vertically and receiving a constant supply of water from a domestic water supply which flowed into the reservoir and out of an overflow. The reservoir was connected to the LBIS by a vertical plastic pipe with an internal diameter of 40mm and an isolation valve. The LBIS was connected to the isolation valve by inserting the LBIS up a flexible silicone tube connected to the isolation valve. The LBIS was subject to a constant column/pressure of water and fluid leakage from the LBIS was collected in a plastic pot/tray placed underneath the LBIS. The leakage rates through each LBIS were determined for the following smaller diameter sheath combinations inserted through the valve, one 6 French Sheath, two 6 French Sheaths, two 6 French Sheaths and one 7 French Sheath. This was done to closely mimic a fEVAR procedure in vitro. The procedure was to insert different sheath combinations through the non-return valves in the LBIS and measure the volume of fluid that leaked through the valves. The leaked fluid was weighed, and the weight was converted to volume using the density of water (1g/ml). ResultsThe average (mean) leakage rates for each LBIS and each sheath combination showed that leakage rates when only one sheath was inserted were very low. For all three LBIS’s tested, the leakage rates increased dramatically when multiple sheaths were inserted. The Medtronic LBIS leaked the most, followed by Cook, followed by Gore. For the Cook LBIS, the leakage rates exhibited with 2 x 6 French sheaths were approx. 106 times greater than those for the Gore LBIS and five times greater for the 2 x 6 French + 1 x 7 French sheath combination. A similar comparison for the Medtronic LBIS vs the Gore LBIS yields factors of 132 and 8. ConclusionsLeakage rates increase significantly when multiple sheaths are inserted and the Gore LBIS demonstrates significantly lower leakage than both the Cook and Medtronic during procedures that require simultaneous, multiple insertions of smaller sheaths. Although the Gore Dryseal has by far the lowest leakage rate when three small diameter sheaths are inserted (just under 1ml/s), depending on the duration of the procedure this could still result in significant blood loss.

Design and characterization of a lightweight and flexible carbon fiber-loaded silicone foam-based broadband metamaterial absorber for microwave applications

This study reports a simple fabrication technique for creating a flexible, organic, and microwave-absorbing material using carbon fiber-loaded silicone foam. The "particle-template" elaboration method, using sugar crystals as sacrificial particles, is conducted. The material's density is adjusted by varying the sugar crystal concentration while ensuring effective dispersion of carbon fibers in the silicone foam matrix. The dielectric characterization of a composite with a density of 0.33 g.cm−3 and loaded with 2 wt.% of 12 mm carbon fibers results in a permittivity ranging from 7 to 1.1 and a dielectric loss ranging from 1.9 to 0.7 across the frequency range of 2–18 GHz. These properties are used in a parametric study to optimize the overall dimensions of a structured absorber to achieve wideband absorption performance. The resulting prototype, with a total thickness of 16 mm, demonstrates promising performance by exhibiting broadband absorption (4–18 GHz), as predicted by simulation.

Design and Usability of an Open-Source, Low-Cost Flexible Laryngoscope for Resource-Limited Settings

Endoscopes are paramount to the practice of otolaryngology. To provide physicians in low-middle-income countries with adequate tools to treat otolaryngologic problems, it is necessary to create a low-cost sustainable option. To describe the design and usability of an open-source, low-cost flexible laryngoscope that addresses the lack of affordable and accessible methods for otolaryngologic visualization in resource-limited settings. This quality improvement study used a mixed-methods approach, including a technical description of device design as well as quantitative and qualitative survey evaluation of device usability. Engineering involved device design, sourcing or manufacturing individual components, fabricating a prototype, and iterative testing. Key assumptions and needs for the device were identified in collaboration with otolaryngologists in Zimbabwe, and designed and simulated by biomedical engineers in a US university laboratory. Board-certified otolaryngologists at a single US university hospital trialed a completed prototype on simulated airways between May 2023 and June 2023. Technical details on the design of the device are provided. Otolaryngologist gave feedback on device characteristics, maneuverability, and visualization using the System Usability Scale, a customized Likert-scale questionnaire (5-point scale), and semistructured interviews. A functional prototype meeting requirements was completed consisting of a distal-chip camera, spring bending tip, handle housing the control mechanism and electronics, and flexible polyether block amide-coated silicone sheath housing the camera and control wires; an external monitor provided real-time visualization and ability to store data. A total of 14 otolaryngologists participated in the device review. The mean (SD) System Usability Scale score was 88.93 (10.08), suggesting excellent usability. The device was rated highly for ease of set up, physical attributes, image quality, and functionality. This quality improvement study described the design of a novel open-source low-cost flexible laryngoscope that external review with otolaryngologists suggests was usable and feasible in various resource-limited environments. Future work is needed to translate the model into a clinical setting.

Multifunctionality of MWCNT and TiC hybrid filler silicone composite for energy harvesting and strain sensing

AbstractThe flexible silicone elastomer‐conductive composite was developed with enhanced energy harvesting and strain sensing. A hybrid nanofiller system with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and titanium (IV) carbide (TiC) was used as reinforcing agents for the elastomer. The 4 MWCNT +5 TiC composite has 1.34 MPa tensile strength, 136.85% higher than unfilled silicone rubber (SR) matrix. The unfilled sample has a 1.558 MPa compressive modulus, while 4 MWCNT +5 TiC has 3.87 MPa. The machine and finger presses were utilized to test the energy harvesting of the composite. With greater cyclic stability, the 4 MWCNT +5 TiC sample performed exceptionally well in the machine press in the output voltage range of around 120 mV. Among the thumb presses, 2 MWCNT +5 TiC yielded the best results, with a voltage of about 100 mV. The 3 MWCNT +5 TiC sample produced 9044% more energy than the single filler 3 phr MWCNT sample from our previous work. Higher MWCNT content enhanced composite stiffness, making finger pressing harder and decreasing energy output. The strain sensing test on the 4 MWCNT +5 TiC composite showed high gauge factors (GF = 7.532 and 23.944) and good linearity (R2 = 0.909 and 0.939) over a strain range of Δε = 0%–14% and 14%–22%. Silicone composites' mechanical, energy harvesting, and strain sensing performance improved greatly with the MWCNT and TiC hybrid fillers. These composites could be used in self‐powered wearable electronics, machine or structural deformation monitoring, and human motion sensing.Highlights A stretchable device was developed with improved energy harvesting and strain sensing. Rubber composites were fabricated from MWCNTs, TiC hybrid fillers, and SR matrix. The energy harvesting was 9044% higher for hybrid filler compared to MWCNT as the only filler. Robust strain sensing properties with a gauge factor of 23.9, linearity of 0.91, and relaxation time of 0.1 s. The final composites are useful for self‐powered wearable electronics, health monitoring, and human motion sensing.

Speculum-free portable preterm imaging system.

Preterm birth is defined as a birth before 37 weeks of gestation and is one of the leading contributors to infant mortality rates globally. Premature birth can lead to life-long developmental impairment for the child. Unfortunately, there is a significant lack of tools to diagnose preterm birth risk, which limits patient care and the development of new therapies. To develop a speculum-free, portable preterm imaging system (PPRIM) for cervical imaging; testing of the PPRIM system to resolve polarization properties of birefringent samples; and testing of the PPRIM under an IRB on healthy, non-pregnant volunteers for visualization and polarization analysis of cervical images. The PPRIM can perform Mueller-matrix imaging to characterize the remodeling of the uterine cervix during pregnancy. The PPRIM is built with a polarized imaging probe and a flexible insertable sheath made with a compatible flexible rubber-like material to maximize comfort and ease of use. The PPRIM device is developed to meet specific design specifications as a speculum-free, portable, and comfortable imaging system with polarized imaging capabilities. This system comprises a main imaging component and a flexible silicone inserter. The inserter is designed to maximize comfort and usability for the patient. The PPRIM shows high-resolution imaging capabilities at the 20mm working distance and 25mm circular field of view. The PPRIM demonstrates the ability to resolve birefringent sample orientation and full field capture of a healthy, non-pregnant cervix. The development of the PPRIM aims to improve access to the standard of care for women's reproductive health using polarized Mueller-matrix imaging of the cervix and reduce infant and maternal mortality rates and better quality of life.