Stainless Mesh Research Articles

Mesh-based phase contrast Fourier transform imaging

Traditional x-ray radiography is limited by low attenuation contrast in materials of low electron density. Phase contrast imaging offers the potential to improve the contrast between such materials, but due to the requirements on the spatial coherence of the x-ray beam, practical implementation of such systems with tabletop (i.e. non-synchrotron) sources has been limited. One phase imaging technique employs multiple fine-pitched gratings. However, the strict manufacturing tolerances and precise alignment requirements have limited the widespread adoption of grating-based techniques. In this work, we have investigated a recently developed technique that utilizes a single grid of much coarser pitch. Our system consisted of a low power 100µm spot Mo source, a CCD with 22µm pixel pitch, and either a focused mammography linear grid or a stainless steel woven mesh. Phase is extracted from a single image by windowing and comparing data localized about harmonics of the mesh in the Fourier domain. The effects on the diffraction phase contrast and scattering amplitude images of varying grid types and periods, and of varying the width of the window function used to separate the harmonics were investigated. Using the wire mesh, derivatives of the phase along two orthogonal directions were obtained and combined to form improved phase contrast images.

Statistical analyses of a screen cylinder wake

The evolution of a screen cylinder wake was studied by analysing its statistical properties over a streamwise range of The screen cylinder was made of a stainless steel screen mesh of 67% porosity. The experiments were conducted in a wind tunnel at a Reynolds number of using an X-probe. The results were compared with those obtained in the wake generated by a solid cylinder. It was observed that the evolution of the statistics in the wake of the screen cylinder was different from that of a solid cylinder, reflecting the differences in the formation of the organized large-scale vortices in both wakes. The streamwise evolution of the Reynolds stresses, energy spectra and cross-correlation coefficients indicated that there exists a critical location that differentiates the screen cylinder wake into two regions over the measured streamwise range. The formation of the fully formed large-scale vortices was delayed until this critical location. Comparison with existing results for screen strips showed that although the near-wake characteristics and the vortex formation mechanism were similar between the two wake generators, variation in the Strouhal frequencies was observed and the self-preservation states were non-universal, reconfirming the dependence of a wake on its initial condition.

Gas Analysis Formed in Dual Carbon Battery Using LiPF6 in EC-Dmc

Lithium ion rechargeable battery has been used in various field including mobile device and the power source for electric cars. Because of the limited capacity and rate property, advanced type new battery with large energy density as well as rate property are required at present. Dual carbon battery consists of graphitic carbon for both anode and cathode, and charge and discharge is performed by intercalation of Li and PF6 for both cathode and anode. This battery has an advantage of high discharge potential like 5V and superior rate property and expecting as an advance type battery. However, this battery has disadvantage of low coulomb efficiency and this may be related with decomposition of electrolyte. In this study, gas formation during charge and discharge in dual carbon battery was investigated by using mass spectrometry. Formation of gas from anode and cathode was analyzed by using H-type cell and for cathode and anode, graphitic carbon of KS-6 (TIMCAL) and MAG-D(Hitachi Kase) was used and stainless mesh was used for current corrector. Ar gas was used for carrier gas and part of carrier gas was introduced to vacuum line and analyzed with quadrupole mass spectrometer (MS). From the result of MS analysis of the gases in DCB during charge and discharge, it was found that the formed gas in charge was mainly observed at potential lower than 4.5 V from anode and higher than 4.5 V from cathode in charging process. The formed gas was mainly assigned to C2H6, C2H4, and CO2 for both anode and cathode. Considering the potential, gas from anode seems to be assigned to formation of SEI layer and that from cathode was decomposition of electrolyte. Comparing with Li ion battery, gas formation amount is little larger in DCB and this mainly assigned to gas formation from cathode at higher potential. On the other hand, the amount of gas was strongly affected by conducting binder and electrolyte. Among the examined carbon binder, it was found that carbon black shows the smallest gas formation and so by using the carbon black, the amount of gas from cathode was suppressed. After second cycles, the amount of gas was greatly decreased and so this study revealed that gas formation is mainly observed at initial charge process.

Discharge of viscous UV-curable resin droplets by screen printing for UV nanoimprint lithography

We demonstrated a coating method of screen printing for discharging droplets of a high-viscosity resin on a substrate for ultraviolet (UV) nanoimprint lithography (NIL). Compared with a spin-coated resin film on a silicon substrate, discharged resin droplets on a silicon substrate were effective in terms of the uniformity of residual layer thickness (RLT) in contact with a mold with various pattern densities. Fluorescence microscope observations with a fluorescent-dye-containing UV-curable resin enabled the evaluation of the shapes of resin droplets discharged on a substrate surface. Widely used screen mesh plates composed of a stainless mesh covered with a patterned emulsion film caused defects of undischarged parts, whereas defects-free resin droplets with a narrow size distribution were discharged by mesh-free plates prepared with laser ablation. The pitch-to-diameter ratio in the configuration of 10-µm-diameter holes needs to be larger than 2.5 times for printing a resin having a viscosity of 12,800 mPa s.

Improved cell infiltration of electrospun nanofiber mats for layered tissue constructs.

While achieving the spatial organization of cells within 3D assembled nanofiber/cell constructs via nanofiber-enabled cell layering, the small sizes of inter-fiber pores of the electrospun nanofiber mats could significantly limit cell penetration across the layers for rapid formation of an integrated tissue construct. To address this challenge, efforts were made to improve cell-infiltration of electrospun nanofiber mats by modulating the density distribution and spatial organization of the fibers during electrospinning. Collection of collagen-containing electrospun nanofibers (300-600 nm in diameter) onto the surface of a stainless steel metal mesh (1 mm × 1 mm in mesh size) led to the periodic alternation of fiber density from densely packed to loosely arranged distribution within the same mat, in which the densely packed fibers maintained the structural integrity while the region of loose fibers allowed for cell penetration. Along with improved cell infiltration, the distinct fiber organization between dense and loose fiber regions also induced different morphology of fibroblasts (stellate vs. elongated spindle-like). Assembly of cell-seeded nanofiber sheets into 3D constructs with such periodically organized nanofiber mats further demonstrated their advantages in improving cell penetration across layers in comparison to either random or aligned nanofiber mats. Taken together, modulation of nanofiber density to enlarge the pore size is effective to improve cell infiltration through electrospun mats for better tissue formation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1479-1488, 2016.

Experimental investigation on performance of lithium-ion battery thermal management system using flat plate loop heat pipe for electric vehicle application

The development of electric vehicle batteries has resulted in very high energy density lithium-ion batteries. However, this growth is accompanied by the risk of thermal runaway, which can cause serious accidents. Heat pipes are heat exchangers that are suitable to be applied in electric vehicle battery thermal management for their lightweight and compact size, and they do not require external power supply. This study examined experimentally a flat plate loop heat pipe (FPLHP) performance as a heat exchanger in the thermal management system of the lithium-ion battery for electric vehicle application. The heat generation of the battery was simulated using a cartridge heater. Stainless steel screen mesh was used as the capillary wick. Distilled water, alcohol, and acetone were used as working fluids with a filling ratio of 60%. It was found that acetone gave the best performance that produces a thermal resistance of 0.22 W/°C with 50 °C evaporator temperature at heat flux load of 1.61 W/cm2.

Electricity generation and bivalent copper reduction as a function of operation time and cathode electrode material in microbial fuel cells

The performance of carbon rod (CR), titanium sheet (TS), stainless steel woven mesh (SSM) and copper sheet (CS) cathode materials are investigated in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for simultaneous electricity generation and Cu(II) reduction, in multiple batch cycle operations. After 12 cycles, the MFC with CR exhibits 55% reduction in the maximum power density and 76% increase in Cu(II) removal. In contrast, the TS and SSM cathodes at cycle 12 show maximum power densities of 1.7 (TS) and 3.4 (SSM) times, and Cu(II) removal of 1.2 (TS) and 1.3 (SSM) times higher than those observed during the first cycle. Diffusional resistance in the TS and SSM cathodes is found to appreciably decrease over time due to the copper deposition. In contrast to CR, TS and SSM, the cathode made with CS is heavily corroded in the first cycle, exhibiting significant reduction in both the maximum power density and Cu(II) removal at cycle 2, after which the performance stabilizes. These results demonstrate that the initial deposition of copper on the cathodes of MFCs is crucial for efficient and continuous Cu(II) reduction and electricity generation over prolonged time. This effect is closely associated with the nature of the cathode material. Among the materials examined, the SSM is the most effective and inexpensive cathode for practical use in MFCs.

Template-free synthesis of ordered ZnO@ZnS core–shell arrays for high performance supercapacitors

In this article, ordered ZnO@ZnS core-shell structures have been produced on a stainless mesh by a two-step approach without using a template. ZnO nanorods fabricated by a chemical vapor method are transferred into a 50 ml autoclave for a second stage ion-exchange reaction followed by heating at 120 °C for 4-16 h. The ZnO core is prepared as the conducting channel and ZnS as the active material. Such unique architecture exhibits remarkable electrochemical performance with high capacitance and desirable cycle life. When evaluating as the electrode for supercapacitors, the ZnO@ZnS core-shell structure delivers a high specific capacitance of 603.8 F g-1 at a current density of 2 A g-1, with 9.4% capacitance loss after cycling 3000 times. The fabrication strategy presented here is simple and cost-effective, which can open new avenues for large-scale applications of the novel materials in energy storage.

Copper-assisted stress-corrosion cracking of stainless steel steam mesh

Copper-assisted stress-corrosion cracking of stainless steel steam mesh

Preliminary Investigation of an Up-Scaled Gamma-Type Stirling Engine for Power Production

This paper presents the development of Gamma-type Stirling engine for High Temperature Differential (HTD) and self-pressurized mode of operation. The engine is the up-scaled version from the Low Temperature Differential (LTD) miniaturized gamma-type Stirling engine. The test engine is featured with 85cc power piston and 4357cc displacer piston swept volumes, respectively. The characterization of few critical engine parameters and components that includes heater head section, cooler section, displacer and power pistons material selection and heat source system had been conducted. Air is used as a working fluid and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is utilized as the heat source in order to cater for the heater temperature up to 1000°C. The workability test of the engine revealed that the lightweight in mass of the displacer piston and the auxiliary cooling effect at the cooler section had contributed to a significant improvement on the engine rotational motion. The static load test determined that the engine is capable of producing the friction power of 1.2W for stainless steel mesh wire displacer and 0.3W for polystyrene displacer. Based on Beale formula, the estimated power of 4W can be produced by the engine using stainless steel mesh wire displacer and 2.4W of power using polystyrene displacer. Good agreement has been shown, where the potential net power production of 3.8W and 2.1 W for stainless mesh wire displacer and polystyrene displacer, respectively. Further investigation is needed to improve the heat regeneration in between hot and cold sections of the engine to realize the sustainable performance of the engine at higher range of temperature difference and output power.

Measurement of ion temperature by ion-acoustic waves Landau damping in oxide cathode plasma

Ion temperature is one of the fundamental plasma parameters, which is important for studying the plasma behavior and instabilities. The measurement of ion temperature is very difficult especially in a low temperature plasma. The traditional passive and active (laser induced fluorescence) spectral diagnostics are complex and expensive because of the low value of the ion temperature, while the resolution of the retarding energy analyzer is not fine enough to measure the small T_i. Here we utilize the method of ion acoustic wave Landau damping to measure the ion temperature in the linear magnetized plasma device, where the 2 meter long plasma column with 12 cm in diameter is produced by an indirectly heated oxide cathode plasma source. The device provides a wide range of plasma parameters for many fundamental issues of plasma research. The typical plasma density is 2×1017 m-3 and neutral argon pressure is 0.02 Pa. Discharge pulse length is 5.8 ms with a plateau period of 4.8 ms. Ion acoustic waves (IAWs) are excited via biased plane stainless mesh grid with a high transparency of 80%. The grid with 10 cm in diameter is located in the center of the device (1.5 m away from the plasma source), while its normal axis is parallel to the magnetic field lines. Ion acoustic waves are excited during the discharge pulse via the sine signals applied to the grid. The biasing peak-peak voltage is 12 V with frequencies of 800 kHz and 1 MHz. IAW is also excited with biasing voltage 24 V and frequency 800 kHz, while the experimental results exclude the existence of the ion burst mode. A movable Langmuir probe controlled by a step motor is used to measure the spatial evolution of the IAW along the magnetic field. Thus the damping length and the phase velocity of the IAW propagating in the magnetic field are measured under different conditions. The measured phase velocity is around 3200 m/s in plasma coordinate. The electron temperature is measured to be 2.9 eV resulting from the V-I curve of single probe. Based on the measured damping length, the ion temperature is measured to be 0.3 eV, which is very consistent with the results measured by spectral diagnostics on other similar linear machines.

Assessment of five different cathode materials for Co(II) reduction with simultaneous hydrogen evolution in microbial electrolysis cells

Cobalt recovery from aqueous Co(II) is one critical step for recovery of cobalt and recycle of spent lithium ion batteries, but suffers from consumption of large amount of energy and chemicals. Previous tests have primarily examined the performance of graphite felt cathode for Co(II) reduction and hydrogen production in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). The materials of nickel foam (NF), stainless steel woven mesh (SSM), titanium sheet (TS), carbon cloth (CC), and nickel foam + graphene (NF + G) were compared here as cathodes for Co(II) reduction and hydrogen evolution in MECs. Co(II) reduction on the cathodes of TS, SSM, CC and NF + G was not significantly different from each other and increased with the increase of applied voltage from 31.8 ± 6.0% at 0.2 V to 72.2 ± 4.6% at 0.5 V, which was always higher than 16.5 ± 1.8%‒53.4 ± 2.2% on the NF cathodes at the same range of applied voltage. While a low dissolved oxygen (DO) of 1.0 mg/L benefited to both Co(II) reduction and hydrogen evolution for all the materials cathodes with generally appreciable differences from each other, cobalt produced in previous fed-batch operations improved hydrogen evolution in the subsequent batch cycles. These results provide the first assessment of these materials for Co(II) reduction with simultaneous hydrogen evolution, and SSM as the most promising inexpensive alternative to the others.

Qualitative spectroscopic characterization of the matrix–silane coupling agent interface across metal fibre reinforced ion exchange resin composite membranes

The characterization of novel metal reinforced electro-dialysis ion exchange membranes, for water desalination, by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy mapping is presented in this paper. The surface of the porous stainless steel fibre meshes was treated in order to enhance the amount of surface oxide groups and increase the material hydrophilicity. Then, the metal membranes were functionalized through a sol–gel reaction with silane coupling agents to enhance the affinity with the ion exchange resins and avoid premature metal oxidation due to redox reactions at the metal–polymer interface. Polished cross sections of the composite membranes embedded into an epoxy resin revealed interfaces between metallic frameworks and the silane layer at the interface with the ion exchange material. The morphology of the metal–polymer interface was investigated with scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared micro-spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared mapping of the interfaces was performed using the attenuated total reflectance mode on the polished cross-sections at the Australian Synchrotron. The nature of the interface between the metal framework and the ion exchange resin was shown to be homogeneous and the coating thickness was found to be around 1μm determined by Fourier transform infrared micro-spectroscopy mapping. The impact of the coating on the properties of the membranes and their potential for water desalination by electro-dialysis are also discussed.

Transparent conductive oxide‐less back contact dye‐sensitized solar cells using cobalt electrolyte

AbstractTransparent conductive oxide‐less (TCO‐less) dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been fabricated and characterized using nanoporous TiO2‐coated stainless steel metal mesh as flexible photoanode and cobalt bipyridyl complex (Co(bpy))‐based one electron redox shuttle electrolyte. Attempts have been made towards enhancing the efficiency of TCO‐less DSSCs to match with their TCO‐based DSSC counterparts. It has been found that surface protection of metal mesh is highly required for enhancing the efficiency of TCO‐less DSSCs specially using cobalt electrolytes as confirmed by dark current–voltage characteristics. Photocurrent action spectra clearly reveal that TCO‐based DSSCs using (Co(bpy)) electrolyte exhibits photon harvesting (incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) 52%) in the 370–450 nm wavelength region as compared to photon harvesting at peak absorption of the dye (IPCE 56% at 550 nm), which is almost the same (IPCE 47%) in the 400–610 nm wavelength region for TCO‐less DSSCs. Under similar experimental conditions, replacing indoline dye D‐205 to porphyrin‐based dye YD2‐o‐C8 led to the enhancement in the photoconversion efficiency from 3.33% to 4.84% under simulated solar irradiation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Immobilized photocatalyst on stainless steel woven meshes assuring efficient light distribution in a solar reactor

Abstract. An immobilized TiO2 photocatalyst with a high specific surface area was prepared on stainless steel woven meshes in order to be used packed in layers for water purification. Immobilization of such a complex shape needs a special coating technique. For this purpose, dip coating and electrophoretic deposition (EPD) techniques were used. The EPD technique gave the TiO2 coating films a better homogeneity and adhesion, fewer cracks, and a higher ·OH formation than the dip coating technique. The woven mesh structure packed in layers guaranteed an efficient light-penetration in water treatment reactor. A simple equation model was used to describe the distribution of light through the mesh layers in the presence of absorbing medium (e.g., colored water with humic acids). Maximum three or four coated meshes were enough to harvest the solar UV light from 300 nm to 400 nm with a high penetration efficiency. The separation distance between the mesh layers played an important role in the efficiency of solar light penetration through the coated mesh layers, especially in case of colored water contaminated with high concentrations of humic acid.

Analysis of a Stainless Steel Heat Pipe based on Operation Limits

The thermal performance of a stainless steel heat pipe was analyzed based on its operation limits. The heat pipe developed here shall be used in compacts heat exchangers which can be used for instance in cogeneration plants. First, a mathematical model based on the heat pipe operation limits (capillary, viscous, sonic, entrainment and boiling limits) are presented. This model is used as an useful tool for design of heat pipes. Next, a heat pipe was produced with a stainless steel tube with an outer diameter of 6 mm, length of 230 mm and capillary structure composed by one round stainless steel screen mesh (number 100). The working fluid used was deionized water. The heat pipe has an evaporator and a condenser length of 80 mm and 110 mm, respectively. The condenser was cooled by forced convection using a water heat sink set at 20 °C and the evaporator was heated using an electrical resistor. This heat pipe was tested for increasing heat loads varying from 5 to 20 W. The theoretical and experimental results are compared in order to validate the mathematical model.

Purification of titanate nanotubes using a mesh-stacked dielectrophoretic separator equipped with carbon nanotube electrodes

A mesh-stacked dielectrophoretic (MS-DEP) separator whose electrodes were covered with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was built to purify titanate nanotubes (TNTs) synthesized by hydrothermal conversion from anatase TiO2 powders. MWCNTs were synthesized directly on the surface of stainless mesh electrodes. It was experimentally observed that this MS-DEP separator could be useful to purify TNTs. It was found that relatively low frequency for AC voltage applied on the MS-DEP separator was preferable when it was required to collect TNTs possessing a large energy bandgap. In addition, a model calculation was carried out to qualitatively discuss the effect of MWCNT to enhance the electric field strength at MWCNTs, which could generate the strong DEP force on small particles.

E134 積層ステンレスワイヤーメッシュを用いた蓄熱器の熱流特性

In thermoacoustic devices based on the Stirling cycle, regenerators comprising stacked stainless wire meshes are usually adopted as an energy conversion component. In general, the thermoacoustic effects of the regenerator having a complex flow path are known to have amplitude dependence. In this report, we measured the parameters that govern the acoustic power dissipation and heat flow in the area of small pressure oscillation using stacked wire meshes regenerators. As a result, it was shown to obey a universal curve specified by dimensionless parameter ωτn

Microfabricated environmental barrier using ZnO nanowire on metal mesh

In this study, a waterproof environmental barrier for microsensor package has been developed using metal mesh covered with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowire. A near superhydrophobic surface with two-dimensional array of holes has been fabricated by hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanowire on an off-the-shelf steel use stainless (SUS) mesh. For a twill-woven SUS wire mesh having wire thickness of 30 µm and gap of 33 µm, a maximum contact angle of 160.40° and a minimum contact angle hysteresis of 15.23° have been achieved using ZnO nanowire grown on the wire surface and further deposition of FC film. The mesh was able to withstand a maximum water pressure of 2,459.8 Pa. The measured height of ZnO nanowire was approximately 2–3 µm. The fabricated SUS mesh covered with ZnO nanowire has been assembled with a microphone package, and waterproof characteristics have been measured by cyclic dipping test at various water levels. For a microphone package having two acoustic ports on top and bottom covered with fabricated mesh, no visible change in acoustic characteristics has been observed up to 1,372.9 Pa of water pressure. Total volume of the package was 6.8 × 9.8 × 1.9 mm3.

Results using Trabecular Metal™ augments in combination with acetabular impaction bone grafting in deficient acetabula

We examined whether the use of trabecular metal wedges to fill segmental defects is an effective method of socket reconstruction when used in combination with impaction grafting and implantation of a cemented socket. Fifteen hips in 14 patients underwent impaction grafting in combination with a TM wedge with a minimum of two years follow-up. All patients had their defects assessed using the Paprosky classification. Patients were reviewed with x-rays and migration of the implant was measured. Outcome scores were also collected. Mean follow-up was 39 months (25-83). The mean age at surgery was 67.8 (49-85) years. Seven of the patients had previously undergone impaction grafting with the use of a stainless steel rim mesh to constrain the graft. None of the patients had failed either clinically or radiologically.