Original Volume Research Articles

Detecting damage in composites using volume decomposition analysis of tomographic data

Detection of damage in a single tow ceramic matrix composite specimen has been achieved using orthogonal decomposition of volumetric tomographic datasets collected at four tensile loads. This decomposition approach has been applied at two different length scales: (i) individual fibres and (ii) bulk volumes containing fibres and matrix material. Volumes were first decomposed to feature vectors, orders of magnitude smaller than the original volume they describe, and then comparisons between datasets at different load levels were made in feature vector space. The results show quantitative measurements of damage location, damage morphology and the relative growth of this damage with increased load when compared with a dataset with less or no damage. No prior knowledge of the dataset or training of algorithms is required for damage to be detected, it is only necessary that at least two datasets are available for comparison, e.g. from in situ or repeated scanning measurements. Results are generated on significantly shorter timescales when compared with previous automated approaches to tomography data processing. This approach has the potential to be applied to damage detection in a range of materials through comparisons of volumetric datasets from a range of measurement or computational techniques.

Cryodehydration applied to bovine fetal hearts: A model for studying cardiac organogenesis.

The study aimed to standardize the cryodehydration technique for bovine fetal hearts, focusing on optimizing protocols for each developmental stage to preserve morphological characteristics. We analyzed 29 bovine fetal hearts categorized into early, middle, and late developmental stages. These hearts underwent cryodehydration until a 60%-70% reduction in original fluid volume was achieved. Biometric data were recorded and statistically analyzed using Pearson correlation tests for age versus weight and age versus number of cryodehydration sessions. Morphometric comparisons before and after cryodehydration were performed using paired t-tests. In Group I, hearts exhibited well-defined structures, including the atrium cordis, ventriculus cordis, auricula atrii, aorta, truncus pulmonalis, and ramus coronaries arteria, which were preserved in Groups II and III. Additionally, in Group I the heart had a conical or flat apex cordis, whereas those in Groups II and III had a more pronounced apex. The average number of cryodehydration sessions required was 9.38 (±1.2) days for Group I, 12.37 (±1.4) days for Group II, and 15 days for Group III. A positive correlation was found between age and sample weight, indicating that more developed hearts were heavier. Similarly, there was a positive correlation between gestational age and the number of cryodehydration sessions, suggesting that more advanced stages required more cryodehydration sessions. Paired t-tests demonstrated high statistical significance in the morphometric parameters before and after cryodehydration, indicating a loss of mass during dehydration. However, there was no alteration in the macroscopic structure of the hearts, which remained morphologically preserved. In conclusion, cryodehydration shows promise for preserving and analyzing the external morphological characteristics of bovine fetal cardiac development. It also provides lightweight, odorless, and easy-to-handle specimens ideal for detailed morphological studies and offers a unique perspective for investigating cardiac morphology in biological research contexts.

Evaluating brain volume segmentation accuracy and reliability of FreeSurfer and Neurophet AQUA at variations in MRI magnetic field strengths.

We aimed to compare the accuracy and reliability of two segmentation tools for magnetic resonance (MR) volumetry (FreeSurfer and Neurophet AQUA) at two magnetic field strengths (1.5T and 3T). We included 101 patients for the 1.5T-3T dataset and 112 for the 3T-3T dataset from three hospitals and five open-source datasets. The mean volume difference and average volume difference percentage with the change in magnetic field strength were compared between the methods. The hippocampus volume was larger with FreeSurfer than the Neurophet AQUA. In most brain regions, the Neurophet AQUA yielded a smaller average volume difference percentage (all < 10%) than FreeSurfer (all > 10%). The Neurophet AQUA exhibited more stable connectivity and regularity of the segmented components. Regarding volume, the Neurophet AQUA had effect sizes and ICCs comparable to those of FreeSurfer across the magnetic field strengths. With FreeSurfer, the original volume difference was small, whereas the average volume difference percentage was small with the Neurophet AQUA. Image segmentation took 1h with FreeSurfer and 5min with the Neurophet AQUA. When choosing an automatic segmentation method, the differences in image processing time and volume variability due to changes in the magnetic field strength of these methods should be considered.

Topological optimization of hip spacer reinforcement

The use of an antibiotic-enriched hip spacer represents the optimal treatment for periprosthetic joint infections (PJI). The addition of reinforcement significantly enhances its mechanical properties. Employing the explicit method enables accurate prediction of the mechanical behavior of both the spacer and its reinforcement. Topological optimization of the reinforcement emerges as the most effective strategy to prevent bone demineralization, enhance antibiotic diffusion, and improve spacer resistance. The objective of this study is to conduct topological optimization of a validated numerical model of a reinforced hip spacer and to select, from the obtained topologies, the one that best improves mechanical properties and prevents stress shielding while minimizing volume. The results indicate that an 8 mm thick titanium reinforcement, optimized to 70% of its original volume, proves to be the most effective choice.

Assessing the Adequacy of Orbital Reconstruction With Titanium Mesh Using Clinical and Radiological Measures.

Background Orbital reconstruction aims to restore the original orbit volume and correct diplopia, enophthalmos, and ocular motility of the fractured orbit. This study aimed to assess the adequacy of orbital reconstruction using radiological and clinical factors. Methods In this retrospective study, patients with orbital blowout fractures meeting clinical or radiographic criteria underwent orbital reconstruction with titanium mesh. The orbital volume and anteroposterior displacement were calculated pre- and post-operatively using computed tomography. Diplopia, inferior orbital nerve examination, and ocular movement were also evaluated. Pre- and post-operative orbital volumes of the fractured and contralateral unfractured orbits were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using MS Excel (Redmond, USA) and STATA BE (Texas, US). Results There was a significant reduction in the difference in volumes between fractured and normal orbits postoperatively (p-value <0.001). The mean difference between the reconstructed orbital floor fracture and the contralateral normal orbit was 0.55 cm3, which is within the normal anatomic variation. Enophthalmos was corrected postoperatively in our patients per radiological parameters as a result of a reduction in the mean posterior displacement. Infraorbital nerve hypoesthesia was not resolved postoperatively. Conclusion Our study highlights the restoration of the normal anatomical variation in volume differences between the fractured and contralateral orbits post-surgery using CT-guided analysis, thereby improving clinical outcomes.

Effect of Microwave Treatment on Nutritional Factors of Soybeans

Microwave treatment by the developed experimental equipment split and puffed up soybeans, increasing the volume of seeds by 22%. Micronization increased the volume of beans by 18%, autoclaving retained the original volume of seeds. No significant differences in the content of crude protein, fat, ash and fiber in soybeans were observed for all types of treatment.

Toward Automated Structural Design for Controlled Vibration Characteristics Using Topology Optimization and Computer Vision in Space Missions

This study explores the integration of computer vision with topology optimization for additive manufacturing, with a focus on maximizing eigenfrequency in a design domain. Utilizing custom-developed photogrammetry software, high-resolution images are processed to generate detailed 3D models, which are subsequently converted to STL files with precision. Adaptive meshing in COMSOL 5.3 Multiphysics, controlled through a MATLAB 2023 API, ensures optimal mesh resolution. Prioritizing resource conservation in extraterrestrial environments, the original volume is reduced by 50% while preserving structural integrity. The design domain undergoes rigorous topology optimization in MATLAB, supported by COMSOL’s advanced FEM simulation. The optimized design exhibits a 57% performance improvement and a 50% weight reduction, maintaining the desired vibration characteristics, validating the efficacy of the modifications. Moreover, the case with an eccentric mass shows a significant 64% increase in eigenfrequency.

3D Data Processing and Entropy Reduction for Reconstruction from Low-Resolution Spatial Coordinate Clouds in a Technical Vision System.

This paper proposes an advancement in the application of a Technical Vision System (TVS), which integrates a laser scanning mechanism with a single light sensor to measure 3D spatial coordinates. In this application, the system is used to scan and digitalize objects using a rotating table to explore the potential of the system for 3D scanning at reduced resolutions. The experiments undertaken searched for optimal scanning windows and used statistical data filtering techniques and regression models to find a method to generate a 3D scan that was still recognizable with the least amount of 3D points, balancing the number of points scanned and time, while at the same time reducing effects caused by the particularities of the TVS, such as noise and entropy in the form of natural distortion in the resulting scans. The evaluation of the experimentation results uses 3D point registration methods, joining multiple faces from the original volume scanned by the TVS and aligning it to the ground truth model point clouds, which are based on a commercial 3D camera to verify that the reconstructed 3D model retains substantial detail from the original object. This research finds it is possible to reconstruct sufficiently detailed 3D models obtained from the TVS, which contain coarsely scanned data or scans that initially lack high definition or are too noisy.

Targeting the Tumor Vascular Supply to Enhance Radiation Therapy Administered in Single or Clinically Relevant Fractionated Schedules.

This pre-clinical study was designed to demonstrate how vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) should be administered, either alone or when combined with radiation in clinically relevant fractionated radiation schedules, for the optimal anti-tumor effect. CDF1 mice, implanted in the right rear foot with a 200 mm3 murine C3H mammary carcinoma, were injected with various doses of the most potent VDA drug, combretastatin A-1 phosphate (CA1P), under different schedules. Tumors were also locally irradiated with single-dose, or stereotactic (3 × 5-20 Gy) or conventional (30 × 2 Gy) fractionation schedules. Tumor growth and control were the endpoints used. Untreated tumors had a tumor growth time (TGT5; time to grow to 5 times the original treatment volume) of around 6 days. This increased with increasing drug doses (5-100 mg/kg). However, with single-drug treatments, the maximum TGT5 was only 10 days, yet this increased to 19 days when injecting the drug on a weekly basis or as three treatments in one week. CA1P enhanced radiation response regardless of the schedule or interval between the VDA and radiation. There was a dose-dependent increase in radiation response when the combined with a single, stereotactic, or conventional fractionated irradiation, but these enhancements plateaued at around a drug dose of 25 mg/kg. This pre-clinical study demonstrated how VDAs should be combined with clinically applicable fractionated radiation schedules for the optimal anti-tumor effect, thus suggesting the necessary pre-clinical testing required to ultimately establish VDAs in clinical practice.

Evaluating stereotactic accuracy with patient-specific MRI distortion corrections for frame-based radiosurgery.

This study examines how MRI distortions affect frame-based SRS treatments and assesses the need for clinical distortion corrections. The study included 18 patients with 80 total brain targets treated using frame-based radiosurgery. Distortion within patients' MRIs were corrected using Cranial Distortion Correction (CDC) software, which utilizes the patient's CT to alter planning MRIs to reduce inherent intra-cranial distortion. Distortion was evaluated by comparing the original planning target volumes (PTVORIG) to targets contoured on corrected MRIs (PTVCORR). To provide an internal control, targets were also re-contoured on uncorrected (PTVRECON) MRIs. Additional analysis was done to assess if 1mm expansions to PTVORIG targets would compensate for patient-specific distortions. Changes in target volumes, DICE and JACCARD similarity coefficients, minimum PTV dose (Dmin), dose to 95% of the PTV (D95%), and normal tissue receiving 12Gy (V12Gy), 10Gy (V10Gy), and 5Gy (V5Gy) were calculated and evaluated. Student's t-tests were used to determine if changes in PTVCORR were significantly different than intra-contouring variability quantified by PTVRECON. PTVRECON and PTVCORR relative changes in volume were 6.19%±10.95% and 1.48%±32.92%. PTVRECON and PTVCORR similarity coefficients were 0.90±0.08 and 0.73±0.16 for DICE and 0.82±0.12 and 0.60±0.18 for JACCARD. PTVRECON and PTVCORR changes in Dmin were -0.88%±8.77% and -12.9±17.3%. PTVRECON and PTVCORR changes in D95% were -0.34%±5.89 and -8.68%±13.21%. The 1mm expanded PTVORIG targets did not entirely cover 14 of the 80 PTVCORR targets. Normal tissue changes (V12Gy, V10Gy, V5Gy) calculated with PTVRECON were (-0.09%±7.39%, -0.38%±5.67%, -0.08%±2.04%) and PTVCORR were (-2.14%±7.34%, -1.42%±5.45%, -0.61%±1.93%). Except for V10Gy, all PTVCORR changes were significantly different (p<0.05) than PTVRECON. MRIs used for SRS target delineation exhibit notable geometric distortions that may compromise optimal dosimetric accuracy. A uniform 1mm expansion may result in geometric misses; however, the CDC algorithm provides a feasible solution for rectifying distortions, thereby enhancing treatment precision.

Estimation of CO2 storage capacities in saline aquifers using material balance

Estimating CO2 storage capacities is crucial in developing carbon capture and storage projects. Material balance equation (MBE) methods, widely employed for oil and gas reserve estimation, offer a direct approach to estimating CO2 storage capacities. However, previous MBE methods rely on an original fluid in-place volume calculated using volumetric methods to estimate CO2 storage capacities, lacking validation for accuracy. It is essential to accurately estimate the original fluid in-place volume, representing the pore volume, as it substantially influences CO2 storage capacity. This study presents a refined MBE method that ensures accurate estimates of CO2 storage capacities by validating the original fluid in-place volumes in saline aquifers. The accuracy of this method was evaluated by comparing it with a commercial reservoir simulator for a synthetic aquifer example and the Sleipner L9 model. In the synthetic aquifer example, the relative error in CO2 storage capacity estimation with the proposed MBE method was only 2.09%, even when short-term (1-year) injection data were utilized. The proposed MBE method demonstrates consistent accuracy in estimating CO2 storage capacities under different aquifer properties, operating conditions, and MBE-related conditions. The proposed MBE method also accurately estimated the CO2 storage capacity in the Sleipner L9 model, achieving a relative error of 3.47%.

Geometric validation of a pediatric upper airways model made using a mainstream desktop 3D printer

BackgroundThree-dimensional (3D) printing has become increasingly affordable. Several research projects used 3D printing to create in vitro upper airways model. However, studies using a mainstream desktop 3D printer never performed geometric validation of their model. The aim of this study was to perform geometric validation of a pediatric upper airways model printed with a mainstream desktop 3D printer. MethodsHead computerized tomography (CT) scan of a 10-month-old female underwent segmentation between airways and surrounding anatomical structures. Airways segmentation allowed their measurement for further comparison with printed model. Head segmentation enabled the creation of a 3D printable volume file. To proceed to the geometric validation of the head model, the latter underwent a CT scan. Similar segmentation work was performed on the printed model for comparison. Overlap proportion between the original infant volume and the printed model as well as an average Hausdorff distance were calculated after manual alignment between the original and printed model. ResultsVolumes were 12.31 cm3 and 12.32 cm3 for the pediatric and the printed model upper airways, respectively (0.08% difference). Dice coefficient of original and printed model was 0.92. The average Hausdorff distance was 0.21 mm. ConclusionDesktop mainstream 3D printers can generate pediatric upper airway model with a high dimensional accuracy, as evidenced by our comprehensive geometrical validation.

Assessing the key concerns in snow storage: a case study for China

Abstract. Snow security plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of winter sports events and supporting the ski industry. One effective approach to enhancing snow reliability is through snow storage. Despite its potential benefits, investigations of snow storage in China have been limited. To address this gap, we implemented snow storage covered with geotextiles at two venues, namely the Big Air Shougang (BAS) in Beijing for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games and the National Biathlon Center (NBC) in Chongli for the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games, in response to possible extreme meteorological conditions. To assess the key concerns associated with snow storage, ablation (the process of snow loss) and snow properties, we introduced a fine-snow-pile monitoring system and the SNOWPACK model. Our observations revealed that, by 18 February, the snow pile at BAS had lost 158.6 m3 of snow (equivalent to 6.7 % of the initial volume). Subsequently, the accelerated ablation was influenced by meteorological conditions and a thin geotextile layer. Between 16 January and 15 April, the snow pile at BAS experienced a total loss of 1242.9 m3 of snow (corresponding to 52.7 % of the original volume). Regarding snow properties, no significant variations were modeled at the study sites, except for the upper part of the snow piles. Notably, the evaporation of the geotextiles contributed to slowing the ablation process. Consequently, we discourage the use of impermeable coverage schemes for snow storage. Instead, the thickness of the cover played a vital role in preserving the snow pile. At Beijing and Chongli, the 0.7 and 0.4 m thick cover layers, respectively, were found to protect approximately half of the snow pile height over the summer season. Importantly, the evolution of snow properties was consistent across the different cover thicknesses. The findings of our study have implications for the ski industry in China, as they provide valuable insights into snow storage techniques and their impact on snow reliability.

The influence of heat treatment process on the dynamic recrystallization evolution mechanism of Inconel 718 during high-speed machining

This study aims to investigate the cutting mechanisms of Inconel 718 alloy under different heat treatment processes and the grain refinement patterns of the transformed layer. By establishing a constitutive model suitable for cutting and importing it into DEFORM-3D for heat treatment processing and single-factor cutting experiment simulation, the effects of heat treatment processes and cutting parameters on cutting force, cutting temperature, and surface grain refinement were studied. The results indicate that the increase in cutting force is maximum, approximately 12 %, after the aging temperature is raised from 668 °C to 718 °C. The cutting force generated after aging heat treatment shows a negative correlation with cutting speed, whereas the cutting force after solution heat treatment rises significantly between 1400 and 1600 mm/s. The maximum cutting temperature occurs in workpieces after solution heat treatment, about 112 % of that of workpieces treated at 718 °C aging heat treatment. At the onset of cutting, the size relationship of the original grain volume is as follows: untreated < solution heat treatment < aging heat treatment; the number of nucleation points for dynamic recrystallization at grain boundaries is as follows: aging heat treatment < solution heat treatment < untreated. The most significant increase in the number of dynamic recrystallizations is observed after aging heat treatment at 621 °C, with the relationship of the number of recrystallizations in different cutting deformation zones being: secondary deformation zone < primary deformation zone < tertiary deformation zone. With the increase in cutting depth, the grain size of the workpiece after solution heat treatment first increases then decreases during the cutting process; the grain size of the workpiece after aging heat treatment first decreases then increases. The grain size of the workpiece during the cutting process after heat treatment is negatively correlated with cutting speed. Specifically, when the cutting speed is 600 mm/s, the grain size after solution heat treatment is the largest, about 1.1 times that of the 718 °C aging heat-treated workpiece.

The effects of ACE inhibitor Enalapril on Mytilus galloprovincialis: Insights into morphological and functional responses

In the last decades, pharmaceuticals have emerged as a new class of environmental contaminants.Antihypertensives, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, are of special concern due to their increased consumption over the past years. However, the available data on their putative effects on the health of aquatic animals, as well as the possible interaction with biological systems are still poorly understood.This study analysed whether and to which extent the exposure to Enalapril, an ACE inhibitor commonly used for treating hypertension and heart failure, may induce morpho-functional alterations in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, a sentinel organism of water pollution. By mainly focusing on the digestive gland (DG), a target tissue used for analysing the effects of xenobiotics in mussels, the effects of 10-days exposure to 0.6 ng/L (E1) and 600 ng/L (E2) of Enalapril were investigated in terms of cell viability and volume regulation, morphology, oxidative stress, and stress protein expression and localization. Results indicated that exposure to Enalapril compromised the capacity of DG cells from the E2 group to regulate volume by limiting the ability to return to the original volume after hypoosmotic stress. This occurred without significant effects on DG cell viability. Enalapril unaffected also haemocytes viability, although an increased infiltration of haemocytes was histologically observed in DG from both groups, suggestive of an immune response. No changes were observed in the two experimental groups on expression and tissue localization of heat shock proteins 70 (HSPs70) and HSP90, and on the levels of oxidative biomarkers.Our results showed that, in M. galloprovincialis the exposure to Enalapril did not influence the oxidative status, as well as the expression and localization of stress-related proteins, while it activated an immune response and compromised the cell ability to face osmotic changes, with potential consequences on animal performance.

The remarkable effects of the non-volatile matrix of wine on the release of volatile compounds evaluated by analysing their release to the headspaces

Six Spanish wines with different wine-making styles were completely dearomatised and later reconstituted to their original volume with a standard volatile solution containing 15 wine aroma compounds with broad differences in physicochemical characteristics. The headspace composition of the reconstituted wines was evaluated using an automated dynamic headspace (DHS) method combined with thermal desorption (TD) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). This method provides a snapshot of the volatile profiles transferred to the headspace in non-equilibrium conditions. The results showed that the non-volatile matrix of the wine significantly affected the transference to the headspace of the 15 aroma compounds. Differences between wines for butanoic and hexanoic acids, DMS and vanillin are above factors 5, 4 or 3, respectively, while for ethyl acetate, ethyl decanoate, 3-methylbutan-1-ol, 2-phenylethan-1-ol or 4-ethylphenol are close to a factor 2. Only ethyl butanoate was uniformly transferred. The release of DMS was related to copper levels, while pH explained part of the release of fatty acids. However, most effects of volatility are difficult to explain. Results strongly indicate that a sample-specific correction for volatility is required to interpret the sensory effects of aroma volatiles.

Dynamics of oil separation from sand particle moving in the water at the Reynolds number of 500

This work represents studies of bitumen separation from a single bitumen-coated sand particle moving in a stream of water at the particle Reynolds number of 500. The transient dynamics of separation processes are calculated numerically using a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics based model coupled with the combination of level set and volume of fluid models, known as the coupled level set volume of fluid model. The sand particle diameter is 10−4 m. The bitumen layer thickness comprises 10% of the particle diameter. The simulation results show that 20% of bitumen is removed during the onset of the water flow around the particle. Further, a bitumen layer is transformed into a bitumen tail with 77% of the original bitumen volume.

High-performance hydrophobic aerogel based on nanocellulose, graphene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, and hexadecyltrimethoxysilane: Structure, properties, and applicability

The most prevalent kinds of contaminants found in water sources are oil and organic substances, which are often present in either spilled or emulsified states. Due to the vast surface area and porous structure, nanocellulose aerogel is an environmentally benign material widely employed for its efficacy in adsorbing oils and organic pollutants. In this study, an aerogel composed of nanocellulose (CNF), graphene oxide (GO), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), subsequently modified with hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS), exhibited a well-defined structure and demonstrated proficient removal of waste oil and certain organic solvents from water at high speed. By a simple and cheap preparation method from solution mixing and freeze-drying, the resultant aerogel has a high porosity of 97.26 %, a light density of 0.0036 g/cm3, a mesoporous structure with a mean pore diameter of 3.5 nm, and a surface area of 15.717 m2/g. Aerogel exhibits pronounced superhydrophobic behavior, achieving a contact angle of up to 152°, thereby substantially impeding water permeation through its structure in experimental assessments of selectivity and efficacy in separating oil-water mixtures. According to Langmuir isotherm model, DO adsorption occurred in a monolayer. CNF/GO/PVA/HDTMS aerogel exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 322.58 mg/g, with the pseudo-second-order model effectively representing this adsorption process. Furthermore, the CNF/GO/PVA/HDTMS aerogel displays a strong adsorption capability towards oils and organic solvents, with a range of 10–25 times the original volume of the aerogel. Another feature of the resultant aerogel is its good deemulsion ability on both water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions. The pump extraction method is more effective than the extraction method in oil recovery and reuse of the aerogel. The results obtained in the study show a potential environmentally friendly material for the treatment of oily and organic solvent wastewater from industries.

An ultralight all‐fiber‐structure sponge with thermal and electromagnetic integrated insulation property

AbstractThe integration of thermal and electromagnetic interference (EMI) insulation is of great significance for fields such as aerospace that face extreme environments. The challenge lies in ensuring that the protective layer is lightweight while simultaneously possessing the ability to suppress heat conduction, heat convection, thermal radiation, and electromagnetic radiation. To address these challenges, we propose a novel ultralight all‐fiber‐structure composite sponge, yttria‐stabilized zirconia/polyvinyl butyral‐supported silver (YAP) nanofiber sponge, with ultralight mass (∼65 mg/cm3), exceptionally low thermal conductivity (21 mW/m K at 25°C, and 329 mW/m K at 500°C), and remarkable EMI shielding effectiveness (∼62.6 dB). Moreover, benefiting from its all‐fiber‐structure, the YAP nanofiber sponge can endure 100 cycles of compression up to 50% of its original volume while retaining its mechanical properties with minimal degradation. These characteristics render YAP nanofiber sponge an ideal material for integrated thermal and EMI insulation, offering a promising solution to the rigorous demands of extreme environment protection such as space exploration.

Enhancement of the Consistency and Connectivity of the Ant-tracking Algorithm via 3D U-Net with Dual-Threshold Iteration

Abstract The ant-tracking algorithm is commonly used to extract faults in geological structures. However, obtaining 3D ant-tracking data requires the calculation of various volume attributes. To obtain satisfactory data, it is necessary to iterate through the parameters of these attributes to achieve reasonable continuity. Moreover, due to the numerous parameters involved, the algorithm can produce different outputs with each execution. In this study, we aimed to enhance the performance of the ant-tracking algorithm by combining it with a basic U-Net structure. The input and corresponding labels to the model are "cubic shaped" 3D data segmented from the original 3D seismic volume to facilitate cross-validation with distinct regions. We used the label data as the single ant-tracking result to minimize the operator’s bias by executing the ant-tracking with several different parameters and executors and then taking the average. An evaluative comparison of three different loss functions (MAE, RMSE, and MSE) was conducted to identify the optimal function for training the model. Across five out of the six metrics, MSE function demonstrated predominant performance, leading to its adoption. Apart from this, a significant number of misinterpreted faults led us to propose the post-processing algorithm named "Dual-Threshold Iteration." It was initially used to extract fine blood vessels branching out from large vessels in medical image segmentation and adapted in our work to ensure a high level of continuity while ignoring worthless noise. Comparison with the F1 score and the number of 3D-connected components confirmed that the proposed method could generate reduced bias and smoothly connected fault structures.