Glass Strips Research Articles

Efficient and comprehensive recycling of valuable components from scrapped Si-based photovoltaic panels

The increasing scrapped Si-based photovoltaic (PV) panels has become an urgent problem, and their disposal is essential for resources utilization and environment issues. This paper proposes a comprehensive process for recycling of discarded silicon-based PV panels economically, environmentally, and efficiently. Based on the thermal properties of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), they are removed from the discarded PV panels at 600 °C with heating rate of 5 °C/min and maintain for one hour. The glass, solar cells, and copper strips were separated after heat treatment. Simultaneously, the solar cells were crushed into powder. Nitric acid was used to recover silver from the solar cell powder, while most of the metal impurities such as Mg, Ti and Al, were removed as well. The leaching efficiency of silver was over 96 % under the optimized conditions: HNO3 of 4.0 mol/L, liquid-to-solid ratio of 10:1, temperature of 50 °C for 80 min. Regarding the copper strips, they were sequentially treated with 0.5 mol/L CH3COOH and NaOH solution to remove the oxides of Pb and Sn on their surface. Subsequently, they were placed into the solution of 1.0 mol/L CuSO4 with pH of 2 ∼ 3 to eliminate Pb and Sn. This article provides significant reference for the recycling of Si-based PV panels.

Integrin-Dependent Transient Density Increase in Detergent-Resistant Membrane Rafts in Platelets Activated by Thrombin.

Platelet lipid rafts are critical membrane domains for adhesion, aggregation, and clot retraction. Lipid rafts are isolated as a detergent-resistant membrane fraction via sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The platelet detergent-resistant membrane shifted to a higher density on the sucrose density gradient upon thrombin stimulation. The shift peaked at 1 min and returned to the control level at 60 min. During this time, platelets underwent clot retraction and spreading on a fibronectin-coated glass strip. Thrombin induced the transient tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins in the detergent-resistant membrane raft fraction and the transient translocation of fibrin and myosin to the detergent-resistant membrane raft fraction. The level of phosphatidylserine (36:1) was increased and the level of phosphatidylserine (38:4) was decreased in the detergent-resistant membrane raft fraction via the thrombin stimulation. Furthermore, Glanzmann's thrombasthenia integrin αIIbβ3-deficient platelets underwent no detergent-resistant membrane shift to a higher density upon thrombin stimulation. As the phosphorylation of the myosin regulatory light chain on Ser19 was at a high level in Glanzmann's thrombasthenia resting platelets, thrombin caused no further phosphorylation of the myosin regulatory light chain on Ser19 or clot retraction. These observations suggest that the fibrin-integrin αIIbβ3-myosin axis and compositional change of phosphatidylserine species may be required for the platelet detergent-resistant membrane shift to a higher density upon stimulation with thrombin.

Strength Improvement of Black Cotton Soil Using Plastic Bottles and Crushed Glass Wastes

The aim of this study was to improve the strength of black cotton soil for its suitability for road subgrade construction using wastes from plastic bottles and glass waste powders. Currently, nondecomposable wastes from plastic and glasses have become threats to the human health and the environment. This study used the wastes to replace cement, since the cost of cement raised due to energy and raw material to use as stabilizer in weak soil. The glass powder (WGP) and the plastic chips were mixed with the soil sample with a percentage by dry weight of 6%, 12%, 18%, and 24% of WGP and 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% of plastic chips, respectively. The glass waste can be prepared similar to the soil as the requirement of test standards and plastic wastes was used as reinforcement for the soil-glass-mix; hence, its purpose was geomechanical. Laboratory tests for soil-mix physical properties and strength parameters were conducted. Soil laboratory test results proved that the natural soils were classified to A-7-5 as per the AASHTO Soil Classification System and CH as per the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS). The Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) improved from 91.92 kPa to 688.83 kPa, and the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) improved from 2.64 to 17.5. The improvement of subgrade soil properties was increased with increased ratios of powder glass and plastic strips. The result indicated that the two stabilizers were very effective in improving strength parameters and index parameters.

Harvest of the Sun: A cost effective solar thermal technology to simultaneously provide affordable energy and generate mass employment in developing Sun‐belt regions

AbstractHere we report a cost effective solar harvestor based on parabolic trough collector (PTC) technology with three remarkable characteristics. First, unlike the expensive (~USD 170/m2‐aperture) state‐of‐the‐art PTCs which use large curved reflectors, this reflector is composed of a plurality of long rectangular mirrored strips of glass placed on laser‐cut parabolic ribs to yield an accurate reflecting shape giving a concentration ratio of 38 (comparable to the state‐of‐the‐art). Second, the entire assembly is on bolts. It can be delivered in boxes, and can easily be erected on desired site: in stark contrast to state‐of‐the art PTCs, which need to be fabricated in a specially equipped workshop and installed using cranes. Third, by incorporating several innovations guided by comprehensive optimization using finite element analysis and ray tracing, the cost of the system has been brought below USD 82/m2‐aperture (as per the recommendation of NAE). Taken together, this solution promises more cost‐effective base load electricity than Photovoltaics, hence goes a long way toward meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goal of Affordable Energy (SDG‐7). Further, it can be fabricated using industrial equipment that is readily available in the developing regions of the Sun‐belt and installed using unskilled labor. Hence, it can form the core of a massive, decentralized, micro‐CSP industry that can provide dignified employment to large numbers of people in developing regions (SDG‐8). We have termed this technology Harvest of the Sun.

Femtosecond Laser Cutting of 110-550 µm Thickness Borosilicate Glass in Ambient Air and Water.

The cutting quality and strength of strips cut with femtosecond-duration pulses were investigated for different thicknesses of borosilicate glass plates. The laser pulse duration was 350 fs, and cutting was performed in two environments: ambient air and water. When cutting in water, a thin flowing layer of water was formed at the front surface of the glass plate by spraying water mist next to a laser ablation zone. The energy of pulses greatly exceeded the critical self-focusing threshold in water, creating conditions favorable for laser beam filament formation. Laser cutting parameters were individually optimized for different glass thicknesses (110-550 µm). The results revealed that laser cutting of borosilicate glass in water is favorable for thicker glass (300-550 µm) thanks to higher cutting quality, higher effective cutting speed, and characteristic strength. On the other hand, cutting ultrathin glass plates (110 µm thickness) demonstrated almost identical performance and cutting quality results in both environments. In this paper, we studied cut-edge defect widths, cut-sidewall roughness, cutting throughput, characteristic strength, and band-like damage formed at the back surface of laser-cut glass strips.

A Study on the Bending of Laminated Glass Under Blast Loading

BackgroundThe bending behaviour of laminated glass plays an important role in determining its overall response to blast loading. It is costly and difficult to characterise the bending behaviour by carrying out full-scale blast tests, therefore an alternative method is required.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to understand the response of laminated glass under high-rate bending in the laboratory at rates representative of blast loading.MethodsIn this paper a novel testing method is presented in which laminated glass strips of 700 mm long by 60 mm wide are tested up to speeds of 10 m/s in the laboratory. The laminated glass is accelerated to speeds comparable to blast loading and then brought to rest at its edges to mimic impulsive blast loading conditions. Different interlayer thickness, impact speeds, and boundary conditions were explored. Additionally, modelling methods were used to study the flexural rigidity of post-cracked laminated glass.ResultsFrom the experiments it was found that the interlayer thickness plays a key role in determining whether the dominant failure mechanism is de-bonding of interlayer from the glass or interlayer tearing. In addition, it was found that by allowing the frame to bend under loading, the laminated glass can carry greater loads without failure. Finally, an iterative method was used to quantify the flexural rigidity of post-cracked laminated glass depending on the speed of travel. This is a novel finding as it is usually assumed that laminated glass behaves like a membrane in the post-cracked phase of the response.ConclusionIn modelling and design of laminated glass structures under blast loading, post-crack flexural rigidity must be taken into account. Additionally, having novel frame designs to add further load bearing capacity to the framing members, plays a key role in reducing the load intensity on the laminated glass structure.

Solid State Joining of a Cold Rolled Zr-Based Bulk Metallic Glass to a Wrought Aluminum Alloy by Power Ultrasonics.

Ultrasonic metal welding (UMW) enables joining in the solid state at relative low temperatures with short cycle times. This technique is of particular interest for joining metallic glasses to each other or to other materials, because crystallization of the amorphous structure can be prevented due to the low thermal loading and the rapidity of the process. In this work, UMW is applied to join one 1 mm thick sheet of a commercial wrought aluminum alloy (AA5754) and one 0.4 mm thick strip of a commercial Zr-based bulk metallic glass (AMZ4). The introduced heat of the welding process is detected with thermocouples and thermal imaging. To investigate the strength of the joint and the influence on the microstructure, mechanical tensile tests are carried out in combination with scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The results show that ultrasonic metal welding is a suitable technique to join amorphous bulk metallic glasses to crystalline aluminum alloys. The metallic glass component retains its amorphous structure in the joint, and the joint strength is higher than the strength of the Al sheet. These findings will help to develop future applications of BMG-based multi-material components, including medical tools.

Comparison of Water Sensitive Paper and Glass Strip Sampling Approaches to Access Spray Deposit by UAV Sprayers

Target and off-target spray depositions determine the spray’s effectiveness and impact on the environment. A decisive stage in the measurement of spray deposition and drift is selecting an appropriate sampling approach under field conditions. There are various approaches available for sampling spray deposition and drift, during the evaluation of ground sprayers used for the UAV sprayer assessment, under field conditions. In this study, two sampling approaches (water-sensitive paper, and glass strip collectors) were compared to analyze spray deposition in target and off-target zones. The results showed a variation in the estimation of the spray deposits among the two applied sampling methods. The results showed that the water-sensitive paper recorded the droplet deposition in the target zone with a range from 0.049 to 4.866 µLcm−2, whereas the glass strip recorded from 0.11 to 0.793 µLcm−2. The results also showed the water sensitive paper recorded an 80.3% higher deposition than that of the glass strip at zero position during the driving flight height 2 m and flight speed 2 ms−1 (T1 treatment). It can be concluded that variation in recorded depositing is due to the sampling material. It is recommended that the confident deposition results, measurement methods and sampling approaches must be standardized for UAV sprayers according to the field conditions and controlled within artificial assessments.

Efficient Water-Assisted Glass Cutting with 355 nm Picosecond Laser Pulses.

In this study, the cutting of borosilicate glass plates in ambient air and water with a 355 nm wavelength picosecond laser was carried out. Low (2.1–2.75 W) and high (15.5 W) average laser power cutting regimes were studied. Thorough attention was paid to the effect of the hatch distance on the cutting quality and characteristic strength of glass strips cut in both environments. At optimal cutting parameters, ablation efficiency and cutting rates were the highest but cut sidewalls were covered with periodically recurring ridges. Transition to smaller hatch values improved the cut sidewall quality by suppressing the ridge formation, but negatively affected the ablation efficiency and overall strength of glass strips. Glass strips cut in water in the low-laser-power regime had the highest characteristic strength of 117.6 and 107.3 MPa for the front and back sides, respectively. Cutting in a high-laser-power regime was only carried out in water. At 15.5 W, the ablation efficiency and effective cutting speed per incident laser power increased by 16% and 22%, respectively, compared with cutting in water in a low-laser-power regime.

Selected properties of Al x Zn y O thin films prepared by reactive pulsed magnetron sputtering using a two-element Zn/Al target.

AlxZnyO thin films were obtained by reactive pulsed magnetron sputtering. A two-element Zn/Al planar target was used as source material prepared in the form of a Zn disc (100 mm diameter) with Al rings pressed into its surface. The sputtering processes were carried out in a mixture of argon and oxygen. The films were deposited with a discharge power of PE = 400 W, which corresponded to a power density on the target surface of approximately 5 W/cm2. The films were deposited on glass strip substrates, placed symmetrically over the target, making it possible to obtain films with different composition and thickness. The film sheet resistance was measured as a function of the distance from the target axis on both sides (front and back) of the substrate. The lowest measured resistivity was about 4 × 10−3 Ω·cm. Additionally, optical properties, surface topography, and elemental composition were determined in selected areas of the substrate.

Resin infusion process monitoring using graphene coated glass fabric sensors and infusible thermoplastic and thermoset matrices

AbstractIn this study, an online process monitoring system based on rGO coated glass fabric sensors was developed to monitor different stages of the resin infusion process. The developed sensors were able to monitor reinforcement compaction response, resin flow, race tracking, and resin cure when using thermoset resin and a novel low viscosity thermoplastic resin (i.e., Elium®). The coated glass fabric patches and strips were embedded at different locations within the laminate. The electrical resistance changes occurring within the embedded sensors during different stages of the manufacturing process were continuously monitored. The relative drop in overall resistance of the sensors upon contact with the resin systems was different for epoxy resin and Elium® resin due to differences in their electrical conductivity. It was found that the coating quality, dimensions, and spatial position of the sensors within the laminate and the type of resin system affected the performance of the sensors.

Chemical Composition, Antibacterial and Anti-Quorum Sensing Activities of Pimenta dioica L. Essential Oil and Its Major Compound (Eugenol) against Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria.

The Pimenta dioica essential oil and its main compound (eugenol) were tested for their antibacterial potency against eight Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria implicated in food intoxication. This essential oil and its main component were evaluated for their ability in inhibiting Quorum sensing (QS)-dependent mechanisms such as motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, production of violacein by Chromobacterium violaceum and biofilm formation on stainless steel and glass surfaces. Our results demonstrated that P. dioica essential oil and eugenol were active against all tested strains with a maximum of inhibition against Listeria monocytogenes CECT 933 (26.66 ± 0.57 mm). The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of the tested essential oil and eugenol was about 0.048 mg/mL for all strains. The obtained results demonstrated that 4CMI eugenol inhibited foodborne strains biofilm formation on the glass strips by 73.79% and by 75.90% on polystyrene. Moreover, 0.048 mg/mL (MIC) of P. dioica essential oil inhibited the violacein production by 69.30%. At 100 µg/mL, P. dioica oil and eugenol affected the motility of PAO1 by 42.00% and 29.17%, respectively. Low concentrations of P. dioica essential oil are active against the quorum sensing phenomena and biofilm potency. Thus, this essential oil could be further investigated for new molecules useful for the treatment of toxi-alimentary infections.

Improved Production of Large and Multi-Directional Homogeneous Optical Glass: SCHOTT N-BK7® for Challenging Applications

In many applications, the spatial refractive index variation – called homogeneity – within a measurement aperture either in one or two directions is important. Typical application examples are prisms in ultra-precision metrology with stability in multiple directions. Large lenses are used in artificial laser guide star systems for atmospheric correction in large telescopes. The challenge of enabling highest refractive index homogeneities requires tight control of all production steps from melting to hot forming and fine annealing. Large optical formats can be produced as singular castings in moulds up to 1.2 m in diameter and 250 mm thickness. Smaller formats are available as blocks produced in dimensions of approx. 250 x 250 x 180 mm3. A more economic and ecologic way is the production of continuous strips of glass up to approx. 500 mm width and 120 mm thickness. Recently SCHOTT has improved the homogeneity of these continuously produced jumbo strips significantly. Now homogeneity of up to H4 quality (2 ppm index maximum variation) can be provided on apertures up to approx. 900 mm x 500 mm. This paper gives an insight overview on the latest results and current state of this topic at the optical glass manufacturer SCHOTT.

High-contribution of strip glass waste in buckling-strengthening of slim GLARC columns at once avoiding ASR deterioration problems in concrete materials

The important thing about axially loading slim columns is buckling stability. However, very limited researches were found, especially using glass-reinforced concrete. An ASR (alkali silica reaction) deterioration problem only occurs when particles are very fine. The utilization of glass as a particle was avoided, and bigger dimension of glass strip waste was utilized instead because cement cannot penetrate deep into the glass piece. A series of axial loading tests of GLARC (glass-reinforced concrete) slim columns were carried out on arrangement types; glass strips, homogenous and randomly pieces reinforced to explore their buckling performance. All axial GLARC columns capacity results better than glassless columns reinforcement. The best reinforcement was longitudinal horizontal strip arrangement since they have consistent strength contribution hence allow the GLARC columns to resist higher axial loads to avoid buckling failures. The tests results in a good performance and hence GLARC columns have potential chances to be used extensively as structural compression members.

The Spectacle of “Nothing”: the image, material, and object in a photographic ecosystem of Antarctica

Photographic records of early 1900s polar expeditions encapsulated a paradox: the spectacle of “monotonous” “numbing whiteness” in images of “nothing” that were intended for public exhibition. This article examines expedition photography as an ecosystem of materials and meanings to reconsider the status of the “failed” photographic experiments that have remained sublimate to the iconic images of polar exploration. Light sensitive materials — photographic emulsion layered onto glass plates and strips of flexible transparent celluloid nitrate film — are integral to the registration of the image. However, these materials are also susceptible to the effects of humidity, touch and variations in temperature. Anomalies, such as details that were effaced by overexposure to light and watermarks registered the effects of labour in a polar climate These “failed photographic plates were occluded from exhibition, yet remain integral to the ideation of the incomprehensible in polar expedition narratives. In this context, experimental and “failed” images can be read as part of an ecosystem of interactions and begins to decipher the popularity of Ponting’s 1911 photograph “Ice-Blink”, the image of a seemingly featureless ocean horizon, as the commodification of “nothing” in discursive spaces of exhibition.

Strengthening of old timber floor joists with cross-laminated timber panels and tempered glass strips

This article deals with the procedure for strengthening existing timber floor joists with CLT panels and additional tempered glass strips. The proposed strengthening procedure was investigated on eight old timber floor joists from the historical Zgornja Polskava manor from Slovenia. The glass strips were adhesively bonded or screwed to the joists, while the CLT panels were screwed to the joists with self-tapping screws. The proposed procedure was evaluated based on four-point bending tests of the joists. The efficiency was determined by comparing the bending test results of the strengthened and unstrengthened joists. The bonded glass strip variant always resulted in a higher load-bearing capacity and a higher effective bending stiffness, while the screwed glass strip also always resulted in a higher effective bending stiffness, but only in some instances increased the load-bearing capacity. The experimental results were compared with analytical and numerical calculation results. The results showed good agreement, despite the joists being visually severely damaged, which was also demonstrated by performing acoustic tomography on a timber joist sample.

Renovation of timber floors with structural glass: Structural and environmental performance

A common occurrence in building renovation is the modification in the usage category that can lead to higher imposed loads, and consequently the need for structural improvements to the existing structure or to a structural element, such as timber floors. Strengthening practices oftentimes affect the originality of the building or a structural element under consideration. However, the preservation of the originality of timber floors having historical, architectural and cultural interest can be of high importance. This article provides insight into the field of timber floor strengthening techniques with regards to the requirements for conservation of the wooden built heritage. Moreover, a new strengthening technique using structural glass as a strengthening element for timber floors is presented, as reinforcing the bottom side of timber floors without compromising the appearance of the floor is an important objective of a successful intervention. In order to evaluate the performance of the newly proposed strengthening technique from a structural and environmental point of view, structural analysis and a life cycle assessment on a timber floor strengthened with cross-laminated timber panels and structural glass strips are performed. The structural analysis shows the possibility to use structural glass and still achieve a significant increase in the load-carrying capacity of the timber floor. Furthermore, the proposed strengthening technique has a lower global warming potential (GWP) and non-renewable cumulative energy demand compared to renovation and replacement with a cross-laminated timber panel, and a lower GWP compared to replacement with a reinforced concrete slab. This study not only represents the first holistic approach to evaluate the structural and environmental performance of the proposed strengthening technique, but it also addresses the aesthetically-aware design and technical limitations in the utilization of glass for the renovation of timber floors and thoroughly presents the possibilities to overcome these limitations.

Kwestia chronologii, typologii i pochodzenia szklanej biżuterii z wczesnośredniowiecznego ośrodka grodowego w Gnieźnie

The study presents 175 artefacts from the settlement center in Gniezno – beads and rings. The materials come from settlement levels from around the mid-10th to the 13th centuries. The latest chronological findings based on 14C dating have made it possible to refine the dating, especially of the early settlement levels of the stronghold, where the vast majority of glass artefacts come from. Threeba sic groups of beads have been distinguished based on the technique of their production – beads made of a drawing a tube, the technique of winding a glass strip, as well as casting and sintering. The results of 7 physico-chemical analyzes of the glass composition (performed with the X-Ray Fluorescence, XRF method) are presented. Physicochemical analyzes of the chemical composition of the tested beads made it possible to determine the technological group and the type of glass. An attempt was made to explain the origin of the starting material (glass) for jewelery. A comparative analysis made it possible to indicate in a general manner possible manufacturers and to outline the likely directions of the influx of these glass ornaments to Gniezno.

Evolution of Sliding Contact Wear Between Deformable Conducting Bodies via a Multiphysics Framework

AbstractA multiphysics computational framework is introduced and exercised to predict the wear behavior of two deformable, heat-conducting bodies under conditions of sliding contact. This framework enables the solution of a coupled system of partial differential equations (PDEs) expressing the conservation of energy and momentum along with two ordinary differential equations (ODEs) expressing mass conservation. This system is intended to capture wear evolution for each of the bodies forming a wear pair, in a self-consistent manner. Furthermore, an arbitrary-Lagrangian-Eulerian approach has been integrated to enable tracking the evolution of the wear fronts on both elements of the sliding contact pair through physics-informed mesh deformation. A theorem and a corollary are proved to indicate that most existing models describing wear that are expressed in the form of an ODE are actually manifestations of the law of conservation of mass. The framework is applied for two distinct slider-base pairs. The first involves an aluminum alloy slider and a copper alloy base. The second pair is identical to the first except it contains a thin strip of soda-lime glass embedded in the surface of the base. The effects of this glass layer on the wear of all participating bodies in comparison to the pair that does not contain this layer are presented. They indicate that while the glass layer has a wear mitigation effect for the stationary base it slightly increases the wear of the slider when compared with the respective bodies when the glass is not present.

The analysis of clinical characteristics of 34 novel coronavirus pneumonia cases in Ningxia Hui autonomous region

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of 34 COVID-19 cases and to provide the basis for the prevention and control of the epidemic disease. Methods: Thirty-four COVID-19 patients diagnosed with RT-PCR in the isolation ward of the Fourth People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui autonomous region (infectious diseases hospital) from the January 22 to February 4, 2020 were selected as the research subjects. The clinical data were collected. Excel was used to describe the relationship between clinical classification and age distribution, contact history and date of onset. SPSS 25.0 statistical software was used for analysis. The general information, clinical symptoms, blood test, virus nucleic acid test results, epidemiology, CT imaging, treatment and prognosis were analyzed. Results: There were 5 mild cases (5/34), 24 ordinary cases (24/34), 5 severe cases (5/34). The elderly was more common in severe patients. The main clinical symptoms were fever (27/34)and dry cough(26/34). The peripheral blood showed normal or decreased leukocyte count (33/34), decreased lymphocyte count (12/34). The increase of C-reactive protein (CRP) and D-dimer was related to the severity of the disease. Some patients had mild liver and kidney damage. Six patients were diagnosed through 3 or more times of nucleic acid tests. Sixteen cases had Wuhan related history,13 cases were close contacts, 5 cases had no confirmed route. The clustered infections were found in 6 families. In typical cases, CT showed single or multiple patchy ground glass shadow with thickening of interlobular septum. In severe cases, diffuse lesions of both lungs were found, with ground glass shadow, consolidation shadow and strip shadow coexisting. Thirty-four patients were treated with interferon-α and Lopinavir/Ritonavir with good prognosis. Conclusions: The clinical characteristics of COVID-19 were similar to that of general viral pneumonia but with strong infectivity. Close contact and family aggregation caused disease outbreaks. COVID-19 could not be excluded if two nucleic acid tests were negative and high-resolution CT was helpful for differential diagnosis. Early detection, early isolation, early diagnosis and early treatment are important for good prognosis. The effectiveness of antiviral drugs needs to be further verified.