Separate Mesh Research Articles

The mouthguard for sports is capable of protecting the implant/crown complex when there is a frontal impact? Responding with finite element analisys

For athletes, the use of a mouthguard is fundamental. This device allows for the absorption and dissipation of energy from the impact. These rehabilitated patients will be subjected to oral-facial injuries and trauma again once they return to contact sports. Evaluate the mechanical effect of an impact over a maxilla region where implant-abutment-crown are present, and this mechanical behavior will be analyzed through the evaluation of maximum stress distributions. A three-dimensional geometry of an implant system (implant-abutment-crown and the bone) was obtained from computed tomography and transformed into separate meshes. A mouthguard was created to cover the surface, and a steel ball with a velocity of 1 m/s was used as the impact object. The results were divided into the individual analysis of the stress generated on each variable studied. The mouthguard was capable of reducing the stress on the implant by 71.81%, stress on the abutment by 73.20%, on both pieces by 74.30%, as well as reducing the impact on the prosthetic crown by 98.32%, thus preventing its fracture. A mouthguard is capable of reducing stress on the implant-abutment-crown complex and bone cortex. Clinical implications The present data contribute to the specialties of Sports Dentistry and Implantology, offering scientific evidence of the importance of a mouthguard to provide the best protection for athletes rehabilitated with dental implants.

A robust and high-throughput superhydrophobic-superoleophilic Zn/Ni composite coating prepared on stainless steel mesh for oil-water separation

Frequent oil spills and the discharge of oily wastewater have adverse effects on the environment and ecosystems. Against the backdrop of escalating environmental concerns, developing high-performing and eco-friendly oil-water separation techniques is crucial. In this study, we successfully created a PFOTS-Zn/Ni superhydrophobic-superoleophilic coating, abbreviated as PZNM, by electroplating Zn2+ and Ni2+ on the stainless steel mesh, followed by modification with perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane-ethanol solution. The wettability test results show that the water contact angle (WCA) reaches 161.3°, with a water sliding angle (WSA) of 2°, and the oil contact angle (OCA) is approximately 0°. Subsequently, the PZNM samples were subjected to tests including blade scratching combined with sandpaper abrasion, tape peeling, bending tests, submerging in acidic and alkaline solutions, high-temperature gradient exposure, and electrochemical corrosion to verify their outstanding long-term durability. Most importantly, it can be shaped into a practical continuous oil-water separation device. In the oil-water separation test, it was found that the superhydrophobic-superoleophilic PZNM achieves highly efficient oil-water separation, with a water/n-hexadecane separation efficiency of up to 93.2 % and a water-chloroform separation flux of 6450±30 L·m−2·h−1. The preparation process is straightforward and green, providing an economical solution. This design holds considerable prospects for applications in the domain of oil-water separation.

A multiscale steel–concrete interface model for structural applications

In this paper, a new multiscale macro-element formulation for the steel–concrete interface modeling is proposed. This element allows for the representation of the behavior of steel and the interface zone surrounding it. It can also model the interfacial bond stresses in between. Compared to conventional interface models of the literature, which employ separate mesh elements for the steel and the interface, utilizing a macro-element to model both components simplifies the creation of a reinforced concrete structure mesh. Moreover, the macro-element equilibrium is solved using a sub-structuring method that aims to reduce the computational cost. At the global level, it is considered as a four-node element linked to two-dimensional and three-dimensional concrete elements. At the local level, an assembly of multiple three-node bar elements with bond stresses is performed. An inner mesh discretization is therefore possible at the local level independently of the global level. The coupling between the two modeling scales is done using a static condensation technique. The formulation of the macro-element is presented in this paper. A selection of numerical examples is provided. The presented applications demonstrate the robustness of the proposed interface model and its capacity to reproduce the experimental behavior of reinforced concrete structural elements.

Preparation of robust superhydrophobic stainless steel mesh for Oil-Water separation through Mn-Assisted control of one-step electrodeposited Zn growth

Removing oil spills from water presents a significant challenge in environmental remediation. Among various separation materials available, superhydrophobic materials have emerged as promising solutions, notable for their efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. The precise control of micro/nanostructure synthesis plays an essential role in creating superhydrophobic surfaces. Herein, the present study demonstrates controlled growth of well-defined hexagonal platelet-like micro/nanostructures of zinc crystals. This is achieved through deliberate manipulation of the electrodeposition crystal growth process, a facet frequently disregarded in previous studies. Notably, the present work, based on the distinctive properties of the Zn hexagonal close-packed structure (hcp), focuses on the effects of incorporating Mn and deposition parameters on the performance of Zn coatings. These findings offer valuable insights into selectively constructing Zn crystal planes for future electrodeposition endeavors. The resulting zinc/manganese stearate (SZM) coating on stainless steel mesh (SSM) shows remarkable water contact angles, reaching an impressive 163.1 ± 2.4°, in accordance with the Cassie-Baxter theory. This feature facilitates highly efficient oil–water separation. Coupled with size sieving of SSM, SZM coatings exhibit an oil–water separation efficiency of up to 99.86 % and a flux as high as 55.58 kL/m2h. Furthermore, the SZM coating exhibits long-lasting superhydrophobicity and exceptional corrosion resistance, even when subjected to challenging conditions such as high temperatures up to 200℃, pressure reaching 7 kg/cm2, or exposure to chemical and mechanical stresses. These enduring properties make SZM coatings suitable for constructing gravity-based and continuous oil–water separation systems, establishing them as a practical solution for diverse oil–water separation applications.

Robust photopolymerized superoleophobic/superhydrophilic mesh for oil-water separation

Selective superwetting surfaces preserve the opposite superwetting properties of oil and water and have attracted considerable attention for their application in oil-water separation owing to their efficient surface energy since 2000. Among these surfaces, superoleophobic/superhydrophilic surfaces are considered remarkable because of their anti-oil properties. The coexistence of superoleophobicity and superhydrophilicity poses a challenge based on the traditional surface/interface theory. However, the fabrication of superoleophobic surfaces requires extremely low surface energy, which is achieved by introducing compounds with long fluorocarbon chains. However, these compounds are harmful to the environment. Herein, a mesh with superoleophobic/superhydrophilic properties was developed by coating a chemically etched copper mesh substrate with photopolymerized short fluorocarbon chains and water-insoluble hydrophilic monomers. This mesh can separate different types of oil-water mixtures with a separation efficiency of >99 %. The mesh demonstrated excellent underwater stability as well as chemical and mechanical durability. The water resistance and chemical durability of the mesh are stronger than those of the control copper mesh using metal ions and long fluorocarbon chains. Moreover, oil-water separation was achieved even after immersion in deionized water and salt, acid, and alkali solutions. In addition, the mesh preserves the ability of oil-water separation after being cleaned and reused for 10 times. The proposed superoleophobic/superhydrophilic mesh offers a solution for continuous oil-water separation and has prospects for developing anti-fouling/sweat-absorbing fabrics and self-cleaning surfaces.

Monte Carlo Source Convergence Diagnosis Method and Thermal-Physics Coupling Method Based on Functional Expansion Tallies

In iterative Monte Carlo calculations for nuclear reactors, the inactive cycles should be calculated first to ensure that the source distribution is converged, and then the tallies of various parameters in the active cycles can begin. In order to acquire the mesh-free distribution of the fission source, this research proposes the functional expansion tallies (FET) source convergence diagnosis method in the Reactor Monte Carlo code, which is a self-developed stochastic simulation code maintained by the Reactor Engineering Analysis Laboratory of Tsinghua University. Due to the randomness in Monte Carlo calculations and the difficulty in determining the precise source convergence, this paper proposes a diagnostic tool based on function curve similarity and moving average, and proposes an online real-time source convergence diagnosis method. The FET online source convergence method can terminate the calculation of the inactive cycle in real time according to the convergence diagnostic tool; thus it can greatly decrease the calculation time. The precise and effective transfer of data between different meshes is a difficult issue of thermal and physical coupling. Converting two separate meshes and transferring the data are exceptionally difficult and complex tasks within the conventional nuclear thermal-physics coupling approach. By applying the FET method to nuclear thermal-physics coupling, the mesh-free continuous-space fission source distribution can be obtained, which is suitable for more complex meshes. Additionally, computational memory can be minimized by replacing (transforming) the data from numerous mesh power distribution data points with the coefficients of the function.

Facile and scalable preparation of superhydrophobic brass mesh for efficient and rapid separation of oil and water

A facile method for preparing superhydrophobic brass mesh is proposed based on electrochemical etching and surface modification. The impact of processing time and the electric potential of the electrochemical etching were studied on the contact angle (CA) of the mesh. The samples were examined using scanning electron microscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The electrochemical etching process caused the decrement of wires’ thickness and imposed roughness. Results showed more dissolution of zinc than copper under 3 V of the electric potential and the processing times of 3 and 6 min. The optimum condition of electrochemical etching was obtained under the electric voltage of 3 V for a processing time of 6 min, which led to a CA of 155.5 ± 3.2°. The thickness of the mesh wires decreased by 17.7% due to electrochemical etching in this sample. This sample also showed low adhesion for a water drop. The efficiency of oil/water separation was above 95 for the xylene and ethyl acetate in a batch system. The effect of the flow rate of the oil–water mixture on separation efficiency was also examined. The optimum flow rate was 0.8 ml s−1 with a high separation efficiency of 96.8% for xylene/oil separation.

Fabrication of hydrophilic cellulose graft copolymer/SiO2 coated mesh for efficient oil-water separation

A superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic cellulose graft copolymer/SiO2 coated metal mesh (CASi/M) was fabricated through a facile and cost-effective process. As-prepared CASi/M could separate different oil-water mixture with a separation efficiency higher than 99.4 % and a flux up to 26940 L·m−2·h−1 only driven by gravity. The reusability experiment showed that the separation efficiency still exceeded 99.2 % after 25 cycles, which displayed superior reusability. Furthermore, CASi/M displayed superior stability in corrosive liquids such as acidic, alkaline, and salty environments. This work provides new sights in the development of durable and low-cost functional materials for rapid and efficient oil/water separation.

Electrochemically fast preparation of superhydrophobic copper mesh for high-efficiency oil spill adsorption and oil-water separation

Oily wastewater and marine oil spills are a massive environmental and human threat. Conventional oil spill treatment methods include adsorption by absorbent materials, dispersants or adsorbents, and in situ burning. Superhydrophobic materials, as a material that can achieve oil-water separation, have great potential for application in oil spill treatment. Research on superhydrophobic oil spill treatment mainly focuses on materials such as sponges and fabrics. Although these materials can effectively perform oil-water separation or oil spill adsorption, they also have the disadvantages of complicated preparation methods and high costs. Here, we present a miniature device for oil-water separation and oil spill collection and recovery. The superhydrophobic copper mesh box can be used on its own as an oil-water separation device or in combination with a commercial polyurethane sponge as a miniature oil-absorbing device. The robust copper mesh is prepared in two steps: anodizing and impregnation. The superhydrophobic copper mesh had a high oil separation flux (32,330 L m−2 h−1) and efficiency (97%), which remained high (28,560 L m−2 h−1) and efficient (95%) after 20 cycles of separation. The combined micro oil adsorption device can adsorb different oils and fats on the water surface, and it has good reusability with oil adsorption capacity and efficiency up to 15.28 g/g and 98% and still has good oil adsorption capacity (11.54 g/g) and efficiency (94.6%) after 20 cycles of adsorption. Therefore, the prepared micro oil-absorbing device has promising application prospects in oil-water separation, oil spill cleanup, etc. Environmental ImplicationThis study demonstrates a facile electrochemical approach to prepare a miniature device for high-efficiency oil-water separation and oil spill collection and recovery. The modified copper mesh's separation flux could reach 32,330 L m−2 h−1, showing great promise in oil-water separation and oil spill cleanup.

Robust and stable organic sulfonate sodium salt-coated superhydrophilic mesh for ultra-fast gravity-drive oil-water separation

Due to its special wetting behavior and high selectivity, super-wetting mesh is considered as an ideal candidate material for efficient separation of water/oil mixture. However, the oil-water separation mesh suffers from the problems of poor stability and durability, leading to the failure of the separation. In this paper, a robust and stable superhydrophobic/superhydrophilic copper mesh had been successfully prepared by decorating the copper mesh via the chemical grafting of the 3-thiol-propyl trimethoxysilane (KH590) and the subsequent reaction with 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropane-1-sulfonate sodium (AMPS). It showed that the KH590 condensation compound was tightly coated on the surface and the superhydrophobic copper mesh (SUCM) possessed excellent superhydrophobicity towards various liquid droplets with a WCA of higher 150° and a sliding angle lower 5°, while the superhydrophilic copper mesh (SICM) had promising anti-oil pollution property with WCA near 0°. The SUCM and SICM also had excellent acid and alkali resistance. The obtained SICM had preeminent separation efficiency higher 99% and extremely high permeability flux of 33,441 L·m−²·h−¹ for gravity-driven toluene-water separation, and possessed excellent recyclability even after 20 cycles. Moreover, the SICM could be used to separate the oil-water mixture of aqueous solution with different pH (pH=5/7/8) and aqueous sodium chloride solution with different concentrations (5%/25%/50%/saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution). In addition, the SICM had outstanding anti-abrasion mechanical stability. This work provided a simple and effective method for the preparation of special wettability materials with excellent acid/alkali resistance and mechanical stability, and promoted the practical application of oil/water separation mesh.

Revisiting large complex ventral hernia repair: multimodal hybrid technique deploying preoperative Botulinum Toxin A injection, laparoscopic anterior components separation and open mesh repair.

In the past, various techniques had been described to repair large complex ventral hernias. Laparoscopic technique of components separation showed low complication rates and better overall outcome. Recently, Botulinum Toxin A (BTA) has shown benefit in achieving tension-free repair. We describe here our multimodal technique combining BTA injection, laparoscopic anterior components separation (LACS) and open mesh repair. Ten consecutive cases performed over 3years were studied. A standardised technique was used with a reasonably short learning curve. Patients who generally fit for general anaesthesia were offered surgery after detailed preoperative imaging work up and informed consent. Demographic details, preoperative risk stratification, intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were recorded and analysed. A structured step by step management strategy was adopted. Total ten (n = 10) cases with median age of 42.5years (range 28-76years), male to female ratio of 8:2 and median BMI of 32.6 were included. Three patients had pre-existing stomas. Median diameter of hernial defect was 10cm, IQR 4.8cm and range of 6-20cm. No intraoperative or immediate complications were observed. Median hospital stay was 6days. Two seromas (20%) and two return to theatre (20%) were observed. One recurrence (10%) was observed after median follow-up of 32months. No 90-day mortality was recorded. Multimodal technique of BTA injection, LACS and midline mesh repair is a reproducible, safe and effective option to repair large complex ventral hernias.

Inorganic Antifouling SnO2 Nanosheet-Coated Mesh for Effective Separation of Viscous Oils from Food Waste Leachate

Inorganic Antifouling SnO₂ Nanosheet-Coated Mesh for Effective Separation of Viscous Oils from Food Waste Leachate

Controllable process to construct robust superhydrophobic membrane with tunable pore size for efficient separation of oil-water mixtures and emulsions

The increase in the discharge of industrial oily wastewater poses a threat to the environment and human health. Thus, the treatment of oily wastewater has become a focus of current research. The superhydrophobic surface derived from the lotus effect provides an effective direction for oil-water separation. Based on this, the authors reported a tunable superhydrophobic stainless steel separation mesh with a water contact angle of 155° through simple electrodeposition and modification with a fluorine-free modifier. The separation mesh with different surface morphology, by controlling different electrodeposition time and current, is able to achieve oil-water separation with super flux up to 51561 L/(m2·h) in heavy oil/water mixture and high-efficiency over 99.5% in water-in-oil emulsion. This controllable process constructs superhydrophobic membrane with tunable pore size, which is capable of separating heavy oil/water mixtures and water-in-oil emulsions depending on the process. This proposal is suggestive in the field of oil-water separation.

Digital light processing technique aided 3D printing hierarchical super-wetting mesh coated with hydrophobic SiO2 for highly efficient oil-water separation

Gravity-driven filtration using super-wetting mesh surfaces holds significant promise in addressing oil pollution resulting from human activities. However, conventional techniques need help fabricating efficient separation mesh structures due to their limited stability in oily-water solutions. To overcome this, we employed a Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printing technique to fabricate a mesh with a micro-patterned surface using a UV light-curable polyurethane (PU). A post-UV curing step was implemented to transform the soft segments of PU into a solid state. To enhance the super-wetting properties, hydrophobic modified silica (m-SiO2)/UV curable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) solution was applied through dip coating, resulting in a hierarchical structure with high surface roughness and superhydrophobic characteristics. In oil–water separation tests, the hierarchical superhydrophobic mesh, featuring a pore size of 300 µm, demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving a remarkable flow flux of 37,410 L/m2 h with a separation efficiency of 97.46 %. Furthermore, the separation efficiency remained consistently above 97.0 % under varying pH conditions and oil mixtures, highlighting the excellent water-repellence capacity of the hierarchical mesh developed in this study.

The Monte Carlo Thermal-Physics Coupling Method Based on Functional Expansion Tallies

In the Monte Carlo thermal-physical calculations for nuclear reactors, the precise and effective transfer of data between different meshes is a difficult issue of thermal and physical coupling. Converting two separate meshes and transferring the data is an exceptionally difficult and complex task within the conventional nuclear thermal-physics coupling approach. The newly developed Functional Expansion Tallies (FET) method can obtain the continuous distribution of parameters in the solution space. By applying FET method to nuclear thermal-physics coupling, the no-mesh continuous fission energy distribution can be obtained, which is suitable for more complex meshes. Additionally, the computational memory can be minimized by substituting the data from numerous mesh power distribution data points with the coefficients of the function.

Brushing a superhydrophilic cross-linked coating on the metal mesh for dye separation

A superhydrophilic mesh prepared by a simple brushing method efficiently separated dye wastewater.

Superhydrophilic-superhydrophobic integrated system based on copper mesh for continuous and efficient oil-water separation.

In petroleum, petrochemicals, metallurgy, and chemical industries, a significant volume of oily wastewater is unavoidably generated throughout the production processes. This not only harms the environment but also brings about diverse adverse effects on social and economic progress. In this study, copper mesh separation membranes exhibiting superhydrophobicity and superhydrophilicity/underwater superoleophobicity were fabricated through in situ oxidation, chemical vapor deposition, and other physical and chemical modification techniques. Moreover, copper meshes possessing contrasting wetting properties were incorporated into a system combining superhydrophilicity and superhydrophobicity enabling the continuous and efficient separation of mixed oil-water liquids. The separation efficiency of both the superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic membranes surpassed 99.0% and remained above 97.0% after 15 days of continuous use, showcasing the remarkable effectiveness and durability of the integrated system design. This research presents a straightforward and cost-effective design approach for the large-scale treatment of oily wastewater in industrial settings, which is expected to have extensive applications in practical production.

Abdominal Wall Reconstruction: Advances in the Last Decade

Abstract The incidence of abdominal wall hernia (AWH) is increasing because of the aging population, obesity, and the increasing number of abdominal surgeries performed. Over the last decade, there have been many improvements with the introduction of novel techniques in the management of AWH. The development of component separation and bioprosthetic mesh has transformed the management of complex ventral hernias. An increased number of complex ventral hernia repairs are being done using minimally invasive methods, including component separation. With the introduction of three-dimensional laparoscopic technique and robotic platform, the technique of component separation for abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) has become more reproducible. In the past decade, the prosthetic materials have greatly improved, including bioengineered smart scaffold tissues such as hydrogel and electrospun fibers that have shown promising results even in infected environment. Apart from advances in complex abdominal wall repair, patient-centric outcomes and the cost-effectiveness of hernia surgery also have gained focus in the management of AWH. Today, the field of hernia has become a discipline in itself due to a better understanding of the biomechanics and pathophysiology of AWHs. There has been a tremendous development in diverse surgical techniques for complex abdominal wall repair with huge advancements in the development of hernia implants transforming it from a simple hernia repair to the science of AWR. This review aims to summarize recent developments in the field of AWR, incorporating a brief overview of the management of AWH.

Comparison of open anterior component and open transversus abdominus release in repair of large subcostal hernias.

Large subcostal incisional hernias are considered as complex defects, and a few different approaches have been described for repair. The purpose of this comparative cross-sectional study is to evaluate the outcomes of patients with large subcostal incisional hernias treated with either the open anterior components separation technique (ACS) or with the open transversus abdominis release technique (TAR). From the database of patients with large complex incisional hernias who underwent abdominal wall reconstruction with open techniques between April 2007 and October 2022 at our institution, on May 25th, 2023 we identified those whose hernias were located in the subcostal areas and who underwent reconstruction with a components separation technique and mesh. Perioperative variables and outcomes were compared between the patients with large subcostal hernias who underwent abdominal wall reconstruction with either the ACS or the TAR techniques. Thirty-one patients with large subcostal hernias were included in the study. ACS and intra-abdominal mesh was used in 11 patients; TAR and retro-muscular mesh was performed in 20 patients. More postoperative local abdominal wall complications were seen in patients who had ACS as opposed to TAR (55% vs 15%, p = 0.02). Hernia recurrence was more common in patients who had ACS as opposed to TAR (55% vs 5%, p = 0.008). More post-operative complications and recurrences were seen in patients who had ACS as opposed to TAR.

The optimized microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation process to fabricate underwater superoleophobic mesh for efficient oil-water separation

Microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is an environmentally-friendly and easy operation technique for separating oil-water mixtures. However, the effect of environmental factors on the wettability and oil-water separation performance of MICP remains unclear. In this study, three primary factors including mineralization solution (MS) concentration, bacterial suspension (BS) concentration, and temperature were carefully investigated. Under these varying conditions, stainless steel meshes (SSM) were chosen as the substrates for the growth of CaCO3 precipitations. Experimental results demonstrate a strong dependence of the morphology and wettability of CaCO3 precipitations on these factors. Higher MS concentration and temperature contribute to enhanced hydrophilicity of CaCO3 coatings due to the increased surface roughness. The water flux of MICP-coated SSMs decreases with the increase of BS concentration, MS concentration, and temperature. The MICP-coated SSM obtained with MS concentration of 0.15 M, BS concentration of 0.1 × 108 cells/mL, and mineralization reaction at 25 ℃ for 24 hours demonstrated the optimal comprehensive performance, exhibiting underwater superoleophobicity with an underwater oil contact angle (UWOCA) exceeding 151°, an ultra-high oil intrusion pressure (> 3.0 kPa), ultrahigh flux (28,644 L m−2 h−1), and a preferable oil rejection rate (> 99.9%). Additionally, the as-prepared mesh exhibited superior anti-oil-fouling property and reusability, while concurrently demonstrating excellent chemical and thermal stability. This work contributes to advancing our knowledge of the influence of various environmental factors on the wetting characteristics of MICP and provides a feasible solution for the highly efficient and low-cost preparation of oil-water separation membranes based on the MICP process.