Straight Fibers Research Articles

High spatial resolution temperature variation detection in one direction with a fiber solenoid and RDTS system

Limited by the large bottom width of the pulsed light and the large sampling spacing of the data acquisition card in conventional Raman distributed temperature sensing (RDTS) systems, short straight fibers cannot acquire temperature measurements with high spatial resolution and high temperature accuracy in a single temperature variation region (TVR). In contrast, winding sensing fiber on a screwed tube as a fiber solenoid for temperature sensing can indirectly improve the spatial resolution of the system. However, as the radius of the screwed tube decreases, the ability of the screwed tube to improve the spatial resolution of the system will deteriorate. To break this limitation, we innovatively propose a signal processing scheme to first construct a three-dimensional surface of the sensing length of screwed tube-temperature-area value, then obtain the length of the TVR and the area value of the temperature rise curve generated from a single TVR, and finally demodulate the temperature of the TVR in the surface. The experimental results show that the proposed scheme improves the spatial resolution of the conventional screwed tube from 8 cm to 1 cm, and the average temperature accuracy of the three TVRs with the interval and length of the TVRs in the order of centimeters is ± 0.63 °C. The screwed tube can be used for axial temperature distribution measurements of liquids as well as solids, and the proposed method can further expand the application prospects of the RDTS system for continuous measurement of multiple TVRs with lengths and intervals of centimeters in one direction without changing the internal hardware.

First Advanced Bilayer Scaffolds for Tailored Skin Tissue Engineering Produced via Electrospinning and Melt Electrowriting

AbstractIn vitro skin models are validated methods for screening cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, but still have limitations. The bilayer poly(ε‐caprolactone) scaffold/membrane model described here overcomes some of these deficits by integrating a solution electrospun (SES) membrane at the dermoepidermal interface and a melt electrowritten (MEW) scaffold that provides an optimal open‐pore environment for the dermis. To the knowledge, this scaffold/membrane model is the only one capable of creating a properly differentiated, full thickness skin model with neosynthesized extracellular matrix (ECM) in only 18 days. Both the wavy and straight fiber scaffold designs create a well‐organized dermis, but dermal collagen organization differs between designs. Adding cells and vitamin C to the scaffolds improves the mechanical properties to more closely mimic native human skin. These findings establish bicomponent scaffolds as a promising advancement for rapidly creating different skin models with varied properties. The versatility and adaptability of the described model can be used for studying how the biological and physical microenvironment impact skin, and testing dermo‐cosmetics and pharmaceutical treatments on different ages of skin. Furthermore, it can be an excellent new tool for studying wound healing and development into its use as a graft or wound dressing is ongoing.

Open loop flutter control of optimally oriented smart variable stiffness plates under hygrothermal environment

The present study investigates the impact of hygrothermal effects on the free vibration and flutter characteristics of a smart variable stiffness composite laminate (VSCL). This research seeks to underscore the inherent advantages of VSCLs in contrast to conventional straight fibre constant stiffness composite laminates (CSCLs). Utilizing curvilinear fibres, VSCLs offer a heightened level of customization, culminating in notably enhanced structural performance. The Genetic Algorithm is employed to obtain optimal fibre paths for the variable stiffness laminates. Introducing an active fibre composite layer as an actuator atop the optimally oriented VSCL laminate enhances its capabilities. A parametric inquiry into the influence of hygrothermal loading on the smart structure's free vibration and flutter traits is undertaken. While hygrothermal loading imparts vulnerability to the laminate, the introduction of voltage to the active fibre composite layer counteracts this weakening effect, effectively augmenting stiffness and concurrently enhancing the flutter parameters (velocity, frequency) intrinsic to the plate structure.

Straight fiber bundles with non-uniform porosity: Shell-side hydrodynamics and mass transfer in cross flow

This study explores fully developed shell-side hydrodynamics and mass transfer past straight fiber bundles with non-uniform porosity in cross-flow. Simplified geometries made up by checkerboard arrays of alternately high and low porosity regions are considered. Simulations are performed for two domain sizes: a small geometry (26 fibers) and a large geometry (104 fibers). In the small geometry, the Darcy friction coefficient (fT) exhibits hydraulic isotropy at low transverse flow Reynolds numbers (ReT) but becomes dependent on the flow attack angle (θ) at higher ReT. In the large geometry, this dependency is observed at lower ReT. A non-uniform porosity reduces fT at almost all ReT and θ in the small geometry, with the large geometry exhibiting a more complex behavior. Regarding mass transfer, up to ReT≈1-10 (depending on θ), a non-uniform porosity leads to lower Sherwood numbers compared to regular square arrays. However, at higher ReT, it enhances mass transfer.

Abrasion resistance of milling steel fibre-reinforced ultrahigh-performance concrete

Ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC) is susceptible to various forms of abrasion during its service life. This study is an investigation of the abrasion resistance of UHPC, focusing on two primary causes of wear: dynamic traffic loads and hydraulic impacts. To enhance the material's resistance to abrasion, milling steel fibres were utilised. For comparative purposes, straight steel fibres and hybrid milling–straight steel fibres were also employed. The protective function of the steel fibres primarily comes into effect once the concrete cover has experienced wear. When subjected to traffic and hydraulic loads, UHPC containing milling fibres exhibited superior resistance, compared with that containing straight fibres, while maintaining favourable workability. Notably, the UHPC incorporating hybrid steel fibres, which form a composite skeleton, owing to the presence of two fibre types, demonstrated even greater effectiveness in resisting external abrasion. Furthermore, the abrasion resistances observed under both traffic and hydraulic conditions displayed a positive linear correlation, with R2 > 0.8. These findings suggest the feasibility of evaluating the material's abrasion resistance under various wearing causes using a single test method. The outcomes of this study hold promise in advancing the development of UHPC and promoting its utilisation in conditions characterised by severe abrasion.

On characteristic behavior and flattened chromatic dispersion properties of bent photonic crystal fibers

Abstract In this paper by using modified scalar effective index method, first effective refractive index of straight and bent photonic crystal fibers are determined and then propagation parameters, such as chromatic dispersions for different structural designs of PCF, are obtained. By changing the values of affecting parameters in the bent PCF, such as different bent radius, distance between air holes Λ $\Lambda $ and air-filling factor d / Λ , $d/\Lambda ,$ the chromatic dispersion is determined in terms of propagating wavelengths. The obtained results of bent PCF are compared with the results of straight PCF. The results of the present paper might be useful in designing optical devices and sensing systems.

Experimental Study on the Effects of Straight and Ring-Type Steel Fibres on the Bond Behaviour of Steel Bars in Rubber-Recycled Aggregate Concrete

The application range of rubber-recycled aggregate concrete (RRAC), a new type of green building material, is currently limited due to performance defects, including low hardness, high water absorption, and poor adhesion. To expand its application in reinforced concrete structures, it is crucial to enhance the bonding performance between RRAC and steel bars. In this study, the effects of adding straight steel fibres (SSFs) and ring-type steel fibres (RSFs) to RRAC were investigated, in order to enhance the bonding performance. To investigate the impact of steel fibres (SFs) on the bonding properties of RRAC and steel bars, a total of 51 specimens were subjected to pull-out tests to systematically examine the impact of SSF and RSF dosages on the bonding performance. The results demonstrated that incorporating the optimal amount of SSFs and RSFs can significantly improve the bond strength and bond stiffness. Moreover, the combined use of SSFs and RSFs yielded even better enhancement effects. The RRAC exhibited remarkable performance, when the total content of SFs was 1.2% and the proportion of RSFs 75%. In this case, the bond strength and bond stiffness were enhanced by 3.7% and 53.88%, respectively. Finally, a bond–slip constitutive model for RRAC and steel bar was established. The combined use of SSFs and RSFs minimizes the limitations of poor mechanical properties in traditional RRAC and holds significant value for the widespread adoption and application of RRAC.

Simultaneous optimization of fiber paths and geometric dimensions for fiber composite laminates using double neural network-surrogate model and genetic algorithm

CFRP is characterized by its anisotropic properties. Therefore, further structural weight reduction might be achieved by introducing the fiber direction as a design variable. For this study, steering fiber laminates defined by a Bezier curve are applied to a skin panel of CFRP stiffened panels. Then, simultaneous optimization of the fiber paths and stringer dimensions is performed to minimize the panel weight. We propose a new surrogate model that combines two neural networks and Latin hypercube sampling. Stiffness, manufacturability, and buckling load are introduced as constraints. Also, optimization is performed using the surrogate model and a genetic algorithm (GA). Furthermore, the stringer dimensions and fiber directions are optimized for straight fiber laminates. Comparison of steering fiber laminates and straight fiber laminates demonstrated that the introduction of steering layup into skin plates can reduce the stringer weight by up to 25.6%. An effective method for designing the geometric dimensions and layup path is provided.

Mechanical properties of twisted galvanized iron fiber reinforced concrete with different contents and pitches

Utilizing galvanized iron (GI) instead of expensive steel fiber has become a new technique in concrete construction to improve the mechanical properties of concrete. Tensile strength tests confirm that twisted GI fibers could serve as a viable alternative to steel fibers. Using deformed fiber instead of straight fiber increases the strength parameters of concrete significantly. As such, twisted GI fibers were employed in this study to improve the quality of the concrete. The GI fibers were mechanically twisted with varying twisting pitches (4, 6, and 8 turns per inch) to create rope-like fibers. Thirteen different concrete mixtures were prepared using three different fiber contents (1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% by weight), maintaining a constant 25.4 mm fiber length. Compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, toughness indices, and residual strength of GI fiber reinforced concrete (GIFRC) were determined. Employing GI fibers increased the compressive strength to a range from 13.4% to 28.9%, the split tensile strength from 18.8% to 42.5%, and the flexural strength from 11.5% to 46.0% compared to the control specimen. Besides, twisted GI fiber increased compressive strength from 1% to 7%, split tensile strength from 2% to 11%, and flexural strength from 3% to 13% than those of plain GIFRC. Toughness indices and residual strengths were significantly higher for GIFRC beams compared to the control specimen, which indicated greater energy absorption capacity of GIFRC. Additionally, strength prediction models were established to estimate different strength parameters with varying twisting pitch of GIFRC. Experimental results resembled the proposed strength models. Therefore, using twisted GI fibers in concrete can be an excellent choice to improve the mechanical properties of concrete.

Methodological Aspects and Mesh Convergence in Numerical Analysis of Athermal Fiber Network Material Deformation

A balance between model complexity, accuracy, and computational cost is a central concern in numerical simulations. In particular, for stochastic fiber networks, the non-affine deformation of fibers, related non-linear geometric features due to large global deformation, and size effects can significantly affect the accuracy of the computer experiment outputs and increase the computational cost. In this work, we systematically investigate methodological aspects of fiber network simulations with a focus on the output accuracy and computational cost in models with cellular (Voronoi) and fibrous (Mikado) network architecture. We study both p and h-refinement of the discretizations in finite element solution procedure, with uniform and length-based adaptive h-refinement strategies. The analysis is conducted for linear elastic and viscoelastic constitutive behavior of the fibers, as well as for networks with initially straight and crimped fibers. With relative error as the determining criterion, we provide recommendations for mesh refinement, comment on the necessity of multiple realizations, and give an overview of associated computational cost that will serve as guidance toward minimizing the computational cost while maintaining a desired level of solution accuracy.

Using recycled plastic waste as fiber reinforcement on limestone residue mortar

The main purpose of the paper is to study the effect of the geometry of recycled plastic fiber on the performance of mortar basing on natural limestone residue. The used fibers were collected from plastic waste of polypropylene, resulting from domestic sweeps fabrication. Two types of recycled fibers were used, straight and crimped fibers, which have the same length (20 ± 2 mm) and the same diameter (0.45 ± 0.07 mm). Four dosages of fibers were considered, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 wt. %. The obtained results show that the geometry of recycled plastic fibers has an important effect on the performances of limestone residue mortar. The addition of recycled fibers to mortar decreases its workability and the decrease is higher with crimped fibers. The results revealed that the limit dosage of recycled plastic fiber necessary to obtain a workable mortar is 1 % and 0.5 % for straight and crimped fibers, respectively. The benefit of recycled plastic fibers is well observed on the flexural and compressive behavior of limestone residue mortar, but the strength’s values are higher in straight fibers mortar (SFM) than that in crimped fibers mortar (CFM). The microstructure analysis confirms the good performances of the fiber mortar.

The significance of growth shells in development of symmetry, transparency, and refraction of the human lens.

Human visual function depends on the biological lens, a biconvex optical element formed by coordinated, synchronous generation of growth shells produced from ordered cells at the lens equator, the distal edge of the epithelium. Growth shells are comprised of straight (St) and S-shaped (SSh) lens fibers organized in highly symmetric, sinusoidal pattern which optimizes both the refractile, transparent structure and the unique microcirculation that regulates hydration and nutrition over the lifetime of an individual. The fiber cells are characterized by diversity in composition and age. All fiber cells remain interconnected in their growth shells throughout the life of the adult lens. As an optical element, cellular differentiation is constrained by the physical properties of light and its special development accounts for its characteristic symmetry, gradient of refractive index (GRIN), short range transparent order (SRO), and functional longevity. The complex sinusoidal structure is the basis for the lens microcirculation required for the establishment and maintenance of image formation.

Numerical Reconstruction of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Gas Diffusion Layers

Flooding and dehydration reduce stability and power performance in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs). The Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL) plays a crucial role in facilitating reactant gas transport and removing product water from the electrode. To suit various PEMFCs, GDLs with different shapes have been commercialized. The impact of the GDL structure on the surface-tension-driven water transport behavior remains poorly understood. However, this is one important aspect that can be controlled by proper design. In this study, the GDL performance is investigated by comparing curved and straight carbon fibers within the region. Specifically, an image-processing method extracts porosity, domain size, and fiber diameter from an experimental image-based GDL reconstruction. These parameters are utilized by in-house developed computer codes to stochastically reconstruct curved and straight carbon fiber GDLs, respectively. The real and reconstructed GDLs are compared in terms of pore size distribution, tortuosity, and permeability. Liquid transport in these GDLs and corresponding gas channels is simulated using a volume of fluid method in OpenFOAM 7.0.Figure 1(a) presents the T-shaped simulation domain and top view of three GDLs. Figure 1(b) displays the Cumulative Density Function (CDF) of the pore size distribution for the three GDLs, revealing that the main difference between the three GDLs lies in the pore diameter range of 10-30 µm. Upon completion of the research program, we aim to identify the influence of fiber shape on the GDL transport properties as well as the water behavior inside them. Figure 1

Design of manufacturable variable stiffness composite laminates using spectral Chebyshev and normalized cut segmentation methods

The in-plane fiber orientations of variable stiffness (VS) laminates can be tailored to achieve enhanced structural properties compared to conventional constant stiffness (CS) laminates. However, VS laminate manufacturing faces challenges such as wrinkles, gaps, and overlaps. To address these challenges, we present a novel three-step design methodology. First, the laminate is modeled using lamination parameters (LPs) and the spectral Chebyshev method, and the optimal LPs are determined to maximize the fundamental frequency. Then, the discrete fiber angles are retrieved using the optimal LP distribution. Lastly, a normalized-cut segmentation method is applied to divide the domain into clusters and to generate manufacturable curvilinear fiber paths. Case studies focusing on designing clusters containing both straight and curvilinear fiber paths demonstrate that the designed VS composites can significantly enhance the dynamic performance with up to 20% enhancement in the fundamental frequency compared to CS laminates, under fully clamped boundary conditions with manufacturing constraints.

Optimization of the Shape of Hooked-End Steel Fiber Based on Pulling Out and Reinforcing Cementitious Composites.

Efficient steel fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (SFRCC) should improve not only the ultimate tensile strength but also the residual tensile strength (post-cracking tensile strength) of the SFRCC matrix. The degradation of the post-cracking tensile strength of SFRCC depends on the pullout properties of the steel fibers from the cementitious matrix. When the straight steel fiber was pulled out from the matrix, the pullout resistance was affected by the actions of bonding and friction. After debonding, the load was transferred only by friction, and the pullout resistance decreased rapidly, resulting in a weak reinforcing effect. In addition, changing the fiber shape can effectively slow down the decreasing rate of the pullout resistance of the steel fibers, thus improving their reinforcing effects. In this study, the shape of the steel fibers was optimized to slow down the decrease in the pullout resistance of the steel fibers from the cementitious matrix, thus achieving better tensile properties of SFRCC. First, a calculation model for the steel fiber pullout resistance was established. On this basis, a method to optimize the shape of the steel fibers was proposed. Finally, the pulling out behavior of steel fibers with different end hook shapes was tested, and the influence of the steel fiber shape on the decreasing rate of the residual pullout resistance was analyzed. The results showed that the optimized hooked-end steel fibers had better pullout resistance than ordinary hooked end steel fibers of the same diameter, tensile strength, and matrix.

Graphene oxide based optical fiber humidity sensor having a linear response throughout a large dynamic range and optimum sensitivity.

The main objective of the present research is to develop an optical fiber relative humidity (RH) sensor with a high sensitivity, linear response over a wide dynamic range, and optimum response/recovery times by employing the simplest optical fiber sensing configuration. An optical fiber RH sensor that exploits the intensity modulation scheme through evanescent wave absorption spectroscopy and fulfills the objective is reported here. The fiber sensor employs graphene oxide (GO) diffused silica nanostructured thin sensing film as the cladding on the centrally decladded straight and uniform multimode optical fiber. Detailed experimental investigations are carried out to analyze the response characteristics of the proposed sensor. In comparison to other GO based optical fiber RH sensors, a linear response over the widest dynamic range (15.0%-95.3%RH) and shortest (fastest) response/recovery times (0.1436s/0.1547s) are observed for the proposed sensor. The linear sensitivity for the developed sensor is observed to be 0.1036dB/%RH. In addition, the proposed sensor exhibits a very good degree of reversibility, reliability, and repeatability.

Mechanical Properties of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) and Ultra-High Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) with Recycled Sand

Use of high-cost raw materials such as quartz sand can limit wider application of ultra-high performance concrete in concrete construction. In this experimental study, recycled sand was used to fabricate ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) and ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC). Green UHPC with ordinary Portland cement and industrial by-products such as silica fume, fly ash, as well as recycled sand was first developed through two-step packing density tests to optimize the mix design. UHPFRC was then developed based on the UHPC mix designs and by using 1%, 2%, or 3% 13-mm straight steel fibers (SSF). The compressive strength, elastic modulus, and flexural tensile strength was 128 MPa, 46.9 GPa, and 11.9 MPa, respectively, after 28 days at water-to-binder ratio of 0.17 and with 2% SSFs. All high-performance concretes in this work utilized 100% commercially available recycled sand that was produced by wet processing method. Mechanical characteristics such as strength, elastic modulus, and density, absorption, and voids of the UHPC/UHPFRC were investigated. Development of autogenous shrinkage of UHPC/UHPFRC with recycled sand was monitored for 12 weeks, while mercury intrusion porosimetry test and scanning electron microscopy were performed for microstructural investigation. Finally, the environmental impacts and economical aspects of the green UHPC were evaluated by life cycle assessment (LCA) and cost analysis.

Manufacturing multifunctional vascularized composites by through-thickness frontal polymerization and depolymerization: A numerical study on the impact of sacrificial fiber configurations

Concurrent through-thickness frontal polymerization and vascularization (FP-VaSC) is emerging as a promising alternative to conventional multi-step fabrication approaches for vascularized thermoset polymers and composites. This method relies on a localized and self-propagating exothermic polymerization reaction front of the polymer matrix, to simultaneously cure the matrix, and depolymerize pre-embedded sacrificial templates. It delivers fully cured thermoset polymers and composites rapidly and energy-efficiently with the desired vascular system in a single step. While previous studies demonstrated the capability of this method for making woven laminates with a single vascular channel created by embedding a single straight sacrificial fiber, it is desirable to explore the potential of this method for making composites with multiple channels for more practical applications. We employ a previously validated thermo-chemical model from our prior study, to systematically investigate the reaction process with the presence of multiple sacrificial fibers. Two sacrificial fiber configurations are considered, namely, inline and staggered fiber configurations. Within each configuration, we consider a range of horizontal and vertical fiber spacing, which also lead to different sacrificial fiber volume fractions. This study reveals the interactions between the sacrificial fiber and the reactions, identifies the working window of this method for different sacrificial fiber configurations, and provides guidance for manufacturing laminates with multiple vascular channels. We also propose an analytical model that can quickly approximate the maximum sacrificial fiber volume fraction that can lead to successful FP-VaSC for a given carbon fiber volume fraction and compare the results with those from the thermo-chemical modeling.

Highly compliant biomimetic scaffolds for small diameter tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) produced via melt electrowriting (MEW)

Biofabrication approaches toward the development of tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) have been widely investigated. However, successful translation has been limited to large diameter applications, with small diameter grafts frequently failing due to poor mechanical performance, in particular mismatched radial compliance. Herein, melt electrowriting (MEW) of poly(ϵ-caprolactone) has enabled the manufacture of highly porous, biocompatible microfibre scaffolds with physiological anisotropic mechanical properties, as substrates for the biofabrication of small diameter TEVGs. Highly reproducible scaffolds with internal diameter of 4.0 mm were designed with 500 and 250 µm pore sizes, demonstrating minimal deviation of less than 4% from the intended architecture, with consistent fibre diameter of 15 ± 2 µm across groups. Scaffolds were designed with straight or sinusoidal circumferential microfibre architecture respectively, to investigate the influence of biomimetic fibre straightening on radial compliance. The results demonstrate that scaffolds with wave-like circumferential microfibre laydown patterns mimicking the architectural arrangement of collagen fibres in arteries, exhibit physiological compliance (12.9 ± 0.6% per 100 mmHg), while equivalent control geometries with straight fibres exhibit significantly reduced compliance (5.5 ± 0.1% per 100 mmHg). Further mechanical characterisation revealed the sinusoidal scaffolds designed with 250 µm pores exhibited physiologically relevant burst pressures of 1078 ± 236 mmHg, compared to 631 ± 105 mmHg for corresponding 500 µm controls. Similar trends were observed for strength and failure, indicating enhanced mechanical performance of scaffolds with reduced pore spacing. Preliminary in vitro culture of human mesenchymal stem cells validated the MEW scaffolds as suitable substrates for cellular growth and proliferation, with high cell viability (>90%) and coverage (>85%), with subsequent seeding of vascular endothelial cells indicating successful attachment and preliminary endothelialisation of tissue-cultured constructs. These findings support further investigation into long-term tissue culture methodologies for enhanced production of vascular extracellular matrix components, toward the development of the next generation of small diameter TEVGs.

Pembuatan Komposit dari Serat Sabut Kelapa dan Resin Polyester sebagai Material untuk Helm

A composite is a material made from a combination of two or more materials. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of a reinforced configuration of coco fiber. The method of making this composite used the hand lay-up method or an open mold process. The test results of the coir fiber composite had an actual density value of 60% fiber and 40% resin composition of 1.19 g/cm3 and the lowest porosity value of 0.58% in the random arrangement fiber impact test specimen. The best value of impact toughness was found in the composition of 50% fiber and 50% resin of 271,311.29 J/m2 in straight fiber specimens with ductile mechanical properties. This value was much higher than the impact toughness of SNI 18111-2007 helmet material of 9,720 J/m2. Based on these results, the composite material, polyester resin reinforced with coconut fiber, is suitable as an alternative material in the manufacture of SNI helmets when viewed from the value of impact toughness and tensile strength.