Transparent PVC Research Articles

Characterization of Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Slug Flow Using Distributed Acoustic Sensing in Horizontal Pipes.

This article discusses the use of distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) for monitoring gas-liquid two-phase slug flow in horizontal pipes, using standard telecommunication fiber optics connected to a DAS integrator for data acquisition. The experiments were performed in a 14 m long, 5 cm diameter transparent PVC pipe with a fiber cable helically wrapped around the pipe. Using mineral oil and compressed air, the system captured various flow rates and gas-oil ratios. New algorithms were developed to characterize slug flow using DAS data, including slug frequency, translational velocity, and the lengths of slug body, slug unit, and the liquid film region that had never been discussed previously. This study employed a high-speed camera next to the fiber cable sensing section for validation purposes and achieved a good correlation among the measurements under all conditions tested. Compared to traditional multiphase flow sensors, this technology is non-intrusive and offers continuous, real-time measurement across long distances and in harsh environments, such as subsurface or downhole conditions. It is cost-effective, particularly where multiple measurement points are required. Characterizing slug flow in real time is crucial to many industries that suffer slug-flow-related issues. This research demonstrated the DAS's potential to characterize slug flow quantitively. It will offer the industry a more optimal solution for facility design and operation and ensure safer operational practices.

An active-bending sheltered pathway based on bamboo strips for indoor temporary applications: Design and construction

This study explores the feasibility of employing bamboo strips to create an innovative sheltered pathway designed for indoor temporary applications. The primary design objectives encompass the development of a lightweight structure to conserve materials, ease of installation, and the use of sustainable, environmentally friendly materials. Additionally, the study places a significant emphasis on creating a structural system that can be conveniently disassembled, occupying minimal space for easy transport. The research initiative commences by investigating the mechanical properties of bamboo strips under active bending conditions, employing both bending and cantilever tests to evaluate their performance. Subsequent numerical analyses are conducted using OpenSeesPy, utilizing elastic beam elements with a corotational geometric transformation to simulate the mechanical behavior of bamboo strips. These numerical simulations are then compared with experimental results, contributing to the validation of a mechanical model for the full active bending structure. This validated model is further employed to predict deformation status and stress distribution during the substantial deformations of bamboo strips. The Employing a Particle-Spring Assembly (PSA) model, the preliminary design seamlessly evolves from a 2D bamboo strips configuration to 3D structures, showcasing the final curved form inspired by the remarkable large deformation performance of bamboo strips. Finally, the validated model guides the design of three distinct prototypes of an active-bending sheltered pathway, progressively increasing in scale and complexity. The prototypes address challenges such as lateral stiffness and employ aluminum connections for enhanced performance. The stiffness of the final sheltered pathway prototype is simulated and validated through Finite Element Modeling (FEM) simulations in ABAQUS under diverse loading conditions. The ultimate prototype represents a full-scale module of the sheltered pathway, featuring a walkway, a shelter system constructed from transparent waterproof PVC fabric, and an LED strip-based lighting system. These initial designs and prototypes demonstrate promising performance and hold considerable potential for real-world applications, establishing them as a compelling subject of study.

Laboratory Investigations on the Mode of Failure in Frictional and Low-Cohesive Materials Under the Load of a Ground Anchor

Ground anchors are widely used in many types of construction works, such as stabilization of rock slopes, wind turbines, concrete dams and bridge towers. Some of the modes of failure for these anchors still have an insufficient scientific basis, and that applies especially to what happens in the ground when overloaded. This paper presents investigations on the failure development in frictional and low-cohesive materials which are subjected to loading by an embedded anchor with a free length towards the surface. The failure development is demonstrated through a series of small-scale physical model tests performed in the laboratory. The physical model setup consists of a transparent PVC test chamber, a rigid «anchor block», and a hydraulic jack. The model is instrumented with a camera, an extensometer and a load cell to continuously record the failure development and resistance from the material as the anchor block is pushed through the sample material. The main question investigated is how the failure appears, as a failure along the whole pull-out body at once or as an advancing fracture along the plane, where in the first case the shear capacity of the material will be the main input in calculations, and for the second case, one also needs to take failure propagation into account.

Design and Analysis of flexible patch antenna on transparent PVC material substrate

Flexible substrates play a vital role in the design of wearable antennas. Analysis and fabrication of rectangular microstrip patch antenna have been demonstrated in this paper on a least explored flexible PVC-based transparent sheet. The substrate’s dielectric constant and loss tangent have been calculated by conducting a standard ring resonator test. The effect of bending on an antenna with different bending diameters along the x-axis and y-axis has been observed on Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) to verify the flexibility of substrate material for wearable applications.

Improving condensing performance of a low-cost floating solar still by surface characteristic alteration

This work focuses on improving the performance of floating solar still by varying wettability and contact angle hysteresis of the cover surface. Static and dynamic characteristics of droplets on transparent PVC sheet and anti-fog film are measured and applied on a floating solar still prototype. The experimental result shows that wettability is insignificant to transmissivity and absorber temperature since the static contact angles for PVC (44.86°) and anti-fog (13.71°) are below the contact angle critical value (48.63°). However, low contact angle hysteresis found in the anti-fog film promotes the first sliding cycle phenomenon to occur and hence increases the water collection by 33.18%. To assess the quality of the distilled water for domestic use, a heterotrophic plate count (HPC) analysis was also conducted, showing a lower amount of microbial content in the distilled water. These findings can be further considered as a guideline in designing high-performance floating solar still.

Monitoring physicochemical properties of transparent PVC films containing captopril and metal oxide nanoparticles to assess UV blocking

Monitoring physicochemical properties of transparent PVC films containing captopril and metal oxide nanoparticles to assess UV blocking

Low-Phytate Grains to Enhance Phosphorus Sustainability in Agriculture: Chasing Drought Stress in lpa1-1 Mutant

Phytic acid (PA) is an anti-nutritional factor for monogastrics and contributes to phosphorus pollution. The low phytic acid (lpa) trait can provide several benefits to the nutritional quality of foods/feeds and to environmental sustainability. In maize, four lpa1 mutants have been isolated, and lpa1-1 is the most promising. Nevertheless, these mutations are frequently accompanied by many negative pleiotropic effects affecting plant performance. One of these is a greater susceptibility to drought stress, probably caused by an alteration in the root system. In this work, we set up an experiment in hydroponics and two in mesocosms, where pots were built using transparent PVC sheets to better access the roots. The results suggested that neither root architecture nor root depth are limiting factors in mutant plants. In hydroponics, the dry weight of the mutant and the root area per unit of length were twice that of B73. However, lpa1-1 exhibited a reduced efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm, 0.810 vs. 0.800) and a reduced leaf temperature (−0.5 °C compared to wild-type), probably due to increased water loss. Furthermore, molecular analysis performed on genes involved in root development (rtcs, rtcl, rum1, and BIGE1) revealed the abundance of rtcs transcripts in the mutant, suggesting an alteration in auxin polar transport.

A Study on the Modern Fashion Design Using the Characteristics of Chinese Traditional Shadow Play

Chinese shadow puppetry constitutes the intangible heritage of the Chinese traditional culture. In its long history, its costumes reflect the unique cultural characteristics of each era. Moreover , the unique expression of shadow puppet art applies various elements and characteristics in designing personalized and artistic costumes, which not only display the regional culture of Chinese national art but also puts forward new design concepts. Therefore, this study obtained inspiration from multiple aspects of Chinese traditional shadow puppets, including artistic images; characteristics of figures in shadow puppets and their joint actions; collocation of traditional colors; combination of light and shadow; and created works. Specifically, such an inspiration included methods of creation, forms, materials, colors, and patterns. Afterward, the results were applied to the design and development of modern fashion. First, it connected various shadow puppet workmodes , which have been separated from creation methods. Five Chinese traditional colors were selected as basic and major colors, whereas leather, which is the basic material for shadow puppets, was used as the basis for using multiple materials, such as transparent fabric and PVC . Moreover, patterns were created through the inspiration obtained from figures in the shadow puppets. In other words, the fashion design considered various elements and characteristics of shadow puppets. Four sets of works with unique artistic characteristics was produced. This thesis highlights shadow puppets, which is a Chinese traditional culture, as the basis of design and analyzes the segmented bodies, costumes, and ornaments of figures in shadow puppets and produced modern form features. On this basis, the study designed shadow puppet works that reflect contemporaneity and originality. Therefore, this research integrated the forms of the traditional esthetic sense of Chinese traditional shadow puppetry with modern fashion design and puts forward new design possibilities. In addition, the study hopes that the Chinese traditional culture will inspire fashion design and will continue to explore new designs that combine traditional and modern beauty.

Highly transparent plasticized PVC composite film with ideal ultraviolet/high-energy short-wavelength blue light shielding

Highly transparent plasticized PVC composite film with ideal ultraviolet/high-energy short-wavelength blue light shielding

A new method for designing bis-uracil derivatives as highly efficient and transparent PVC thermal stabilizer with excellent migration resistance

A bis-uracil derivative with a long aliphatic chain of 11 carbon atoms, USU-C, was synthesized by an optimized method. The migration rate test indicated that USU-C had better migration resistance compared to OSU. This advantage enabled the PVC samples containing USU-C to maintain good transparency and low haze for a long time. It had also been proven USU-C has better thermal stability and whiteness retention than OSU by the thermal stability tests. Based on summarizing this work and our previous studies, a new design method was proposed to enhance the transparency and thermal stability effect of thermal stabilizers on PVC based on Hansen solubility parameters (HSP) theory. Impressively, the quantitative mathematical function between the HSP and the carbon atom number in the long aliphatic chain of bis-uracil derivatives was also derived, which could be used to guide the structure design of new bis-uracil derivatives with long term migration resistance, preeminent transparency, and high thermal stability for PVC in the follow-up study, even other organic thermal stabilizers.

A Textile-Based Microfluidic Platform for the Detection of Cytostatic Drug Concentration in Sweat Samples

This work presents a new multilayered microfluidic platform, manufactured using a rapid and cost-effective xurography technique, for the detection of drug concentrations in sweat. Textile fabrics made of cotton and polyester were used as a component of the platform, and they were positioned in the middle of the microfluidic device. In order to obtain a highly conductive textile, the fabrics were in situ coated with different amounts of polyaniline and titanium dioxide nanocomposite. This portable microfluidic platform comprises at least three layers of optically transparent and flexible PVC foils which were stacked one on top of the other. Electrical contacts were provided from the edge of the textile material when a microfluidic variable resistor was actually created. The platform was tested in plain artificial sweat and in artificial sweat with a dissolved cytostatic test drug, cyclophosphamide, of different concentrations. The proposed microfluidic device decreased in resistance when the sweat was applied. In addition, it could successfully detect different concentrations of cytostatic medication in the sweat, which could make it a very useful tool for simple, reliable, and fast diagnostics.

Hydraulic Capacity and Efficiency of a Low-Speed Nonpressurized Coil Pump

The paper presents the results of an investigation on hydraulics of a low-speed coil pump for transport of liquids. One of the pump’s advantages is its wide range of potential inclination angles for its rotating shaft, from the horizontal to an almost vertical position. A simplified hydraulic model was developed based on kinematic and geometrical considerations to determine the pump capacity. The model was verified under laboratory conditions using a low-speed coil pump composed of transparent PVC tube (15 mm outer diameter) wound around a cylindrical drum (104 mm external diameter; 550 mm long). Laboratory tests were performed for three angles of inclination of the axis of rotation (20°, 40°, and 60°) and four rotational speeds (10, 20, 30, and 40 rpm). The results of the tests showed satisfactory agreement with the hydraulic model predictions. Energetic efficiency was estimated on the base of electric power measurements and difference of water levels in the two arms of rotating transparent torus, partly filled with water. The hydraulic efficiency of the coil pump is increasing with decreasing rotational speed.

A “one stop” thermal stabilizer, zinc arginine complex, with excellent comprehensive thermal stability effect on poly(vinyl chloride)

A “one stop” thermal stabilizer, zinc arginine complex (Zn(Arg)2), with excellent excellent initial whiteness, whiteness retention and long-term thermal stability time for PVC, was conveniently synthesized in water solution. The successful synthesis of Zn(Arg)2 was confirmed by FTIR, TGA and element analysis. Besides the longer Congo red and static thermal stability time than nitrogen-containing thermal stabilizer reported, Zn(Arg)2 also had better initial whiteness, whiteness retention and dynamic thermal stability time showed by Congo red test, discoloration test and torque rheology test. Especially, the static thermal stability time was more than 150 min, and the dynamic thermal stability time reached 78 min. The excellent thermal stability effect of Zn(Arg)2 on PVC was ascribed to the simultaneous possession of three mechanisms: absorbing HCl, replacing labile chlorine atoms and complexing ZnCl2. Moreover, PVC with Zn(Arg)2 also showed excellent transmittance tested by vis-uv-near infrared spectrophotometer. Therefore, Zn(Arg)2 is a “one stop” thermal stabilizer with good application prospects in transparent PVC.

Electroanalytical cells pencil drawn on PVC supports and their use for the detection in flexible microfluidic devices

A simple, effective and low-cost technique is here presented for assembling flexible and robust electrochemical devices on transparent PVC supports, using ordinary tools, all installed on a commercial desktop digitally controlled plotter/cutter. Small diamond burs were first set up to rough precise and well defined patterns on the surface of smooth and flexible PVC transparent films. Subsequently, reference, counter and working carbon electrodes were drawn onto abraded patterns by using micropencils (4B graphite leads, 0.5 mm in diameter), in their turn installed on the plotter/cutter. The effective active working surface of electrochemical cells was then defined by a thin adhesive strip or by covering the patterned support with a suitably cut adhesive layer, depending upon whether they were intended for use in batch or drop mode. After optimization of fabrication parameters, such as pressure and speed adopted during bur abrasion and pencil drawing, the electrochemical characterization of these cells was performed by using potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) as redox probe. Voltammetric responses displayed a good inter-device reproducibility (5.6%), thus confirming the effectiveness of this easy and fast assembling strategy. These PVC-based pencil-drawn electrochemical cells were then integrated as thin-layer detectors in adhesive-tape based microfluidic channels, cut and prepared in their turn using the digitally controlled plotter/cutter. These detectors offer the advantage given by the impermeability of PVC supports, thus avoiding absorption of the flowing carrier and consequent analyte broadening, instead occurring when electrochemical cells are pencil drawn on hydrophilic materials as paper. After optimization of the complete fabrication process, the effectiveness of these devices was tested by a proof-of-concept direct quantification of ascorbic acid in commonly used drugs.

Stability, antibacterial ability, and inhibition of “zinc burning” of amitrole as thermal stabilizer for transparent poly(vinyl chloride)

Amitrole is reported as a novel kind of transparent poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) thermal stabilizer that has both excellent inhibition of “zinc burning” thermal stability and antibacterial ability in this paper, which provide the possibility of applying the whole PVC industry into medical and food packaging, artificial leather, wire and cable, indoor decoration, and so on. From the results of Congo red test, discoloration test, and dynamic thermal stability test, we could clearly find out that amitrole could effectively replace the unstable chlorine atom and inhibit “zinc burning” of transparent PVC, while the long-term stability should be improved. Next, the stabilization mechanism of amitrole was also confirmed. The antibacterial activity of amitrole was measured by the bacteriostatic ring experiments. It was observed that the PVC films had good antibacterial properties after modified by amitrole. At last, optimal design of the amitrole/ZnSt2 (1:1)/ESBO formulation was studied, which have strong potential as thermal stabilizer to prepare super transparency and antibacterial PVC resin.

Effect of top cover tilt angle with ground surface on productivity of basin type solar distillation unit

Basin type solar stills were made with two types of top cover, transparent PVC sheet and another with glass sheet. A soaked black towel was at the base which was heated through green-house effect and contributed to the water for distillation. Productivity of these two basin type solar stills were studied at different tilt angles of the top transparent cover with ground surface (13o, 23o and 35o). The average amount of distilled water produced increased with the tilt angles for both types of cover materials, that for glass being much higher than that for PVC cover.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.10 No.1 2017 40-46

Effect of Soil Types on the Development of Water Levels and Erosion Processes during Overtopping Test

The construction of dike materials is an essential parameters in controlling the safety of hydraulic engineering. The dike material is an earthfill material constructed from non-cohesive materials or mixed from cohesive and non-cohesive materials. Overtopping failure can affect the dike stability during water cross above dike crest and could threat people lives and property. It is reduced the matric suctions binds soil particles due to the increasing volumetric water content during the transition of water level from the upstream into downstream slopes. In this paper, two spatial overtopping tests are conducted in Hydraulic Geotechnical laboratories at the Universiti Sains of Malaysia to observe the evolution of horizontal and vertical water levels as well as the development of lateral and vertical erosion processes under constant inflow discharge of 30 L/min. The vertical and horizontal water levels as well as the vertical erosion process are measured using one digital camera installed in front of dike embankment, while the horizontal erosion process was measured using another digital camera installed in front of downstream slope. Two types of coarse sand and very silty sand soils are used to construct dike embankment in small flume channel. The small flume is constructed from transparent PVC material to observe the development of water distributions and erosion processes with sediment box to collect the eroded materials. A pilot channel is cut in dike crest along the side wall of small flume channel to initiate breach channel in the dike crest. The initiation of breach channel is crucial for the evolution breach channel failure in the downstream and upstream slopes. The results show that the vertical and horizontal water levels are distributed faster in coarse sand soil compared with those in the very silty sand soil while the horizontal water levels are distributed faster than vertical water levels for both soils. The permeability of coarse sand increases the velocity of water flow for occupation soil particles and beginning failure in dike crest faster. The presence of fine particles in the very silty sand has reduced the rate of erosion processes inside dike particles in horizontal and vertical directions. The fine particles absorb a large amount of water content and, thus reduce the easiest water infiltration into particles with higher matric suctions. The analyzing of the distributions of water levels and erosion process help to understand the behavior of dike embankment during overtopping failure and increase the maintenance for dikes parts to reduce the potential danger.

Effect of top cover material on productivity of solar distillation unit

This work was taken up to design a cost effective and simple domestic scale solar water distillation device for use in the coastal villages of Bangladesh where saline free drinking water is scarce. This study mainly looked at the feasibility of using stretched transparent PVC cover in solar distillation devices in lieu of traditionally used transparent glass sheet. To increase total evaporative surface area of the bottom of stills, those were covered with black cotton fabrics with extended fibers. For the same angle of inclination (130) of the transparent cover, the average amount of distilled water produced by the transparent PVC sheet covered still was about 42% of that collected from a glass sheet covered still. The reason behind this poor performance could be traced to the increased surface adhesion of condensed water droplets with the PVC cover, which essentially scattered sunrays away from the solar still. So the way to go is to find a suitable plastic sheet material that has reduced surface adhesion to water or to find a coating material that can reduce surface adhesion too. Unless this can be done, traditional glass covered solar distillation device still remains the cover material of choice.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.9 No.1 2016 11-16

Bis-uracil based high efficient heat stabilizers used in super transparent soft poly (vinyl chloride)

Two novel kinds of bis-uracil derivative based organic stabilizer with different length of alkyl chains to provide outstanding compatibility with poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) were designed and synthesized in this paper, which exhibited high efficient thermal stability and could get super transparency PVC composites. After confirming the structures of 6,6′-diamino-1,1′,3,3′- tetramethyl-5,5´-(octylidene)bis[pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione] (OSU) and 6,6′-diamino-1,1′,3,3′-tetramethyl −5,5´-(hendecylidene)bis[pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione] (USU) by Fourier infrared spectrum (FT-IR) and Mass spectra, 2 phr of each was introduced into PVC respectively to verify that bis-uracil derivatives could absorb HCl released by PVC to enhance the thermal stability, confirmed through discoloration and Congo red tests, but the initial whiteness was not satisfied. In addition, epoxy soybean oil (ESBO) and phosphite ester showed excellent synergistic effects with OSU and USU that could effectively further improve the initial whiteness, thermal stability and transparency of PVC samples, proved by discoloration tests, UV vis spectrophotometer and transmittance/haze tests. We believe that such complex stabilizers without any metallic elements may widen the applications of the resultant soft transparent PVC in artificial leather, wire and cable, packing materials and so on.

Design of portable emergency lamp utilizing thin film solar cell and inflatable case

Lighting is an essential thing in performing daily activities and without sufficient lighting we will be difficult to see clearly. The problem is when there is no electricity, for example when we go to a cave or a forest or when there is a natural disaster that shuts down all the electricity. A portable lamp that can be charged by exposing the lamp to sun light can be one of the solution to overcome this problem. Energy Harvesting is a concept where an energy is captured, stored, and used with several technologies including solar technology. Energy Harvesting technology is used in many applications such as calculator, electrical cars or day-to-day lighting This paper will discuss about an application of solar panel in portable LED lamp, that can be used in the night and can be charged during daytime with solar panel. The solar panel, LED, and the battery is integrated in one circuit so there will be more space convenient for user. Solar emergency lamp can be used to illuminate the pathway in mountain or caves and the lamp can float in the water because it case is inflatable. Rechargeable Li-ion Battery 3.7 V 500 mAh and 10 LED SMD is used in this lamp. The proposed design is using a transparent PVC for the case of the lamp. The lamp can be turned on approximately for 4 hours from fully charged battery with 10 LED lamp. The illumination of solar portable emergency lamp was measured using lux meter. The illumination average of the solar portable emergency lamp is 17.58 lux with a deviation of 7.3 lux with medium bright mode. The illumination average of the solar portable emergency lamp is 32.85 lux with a deviation of 12.4 lux for the full bright mode. The Illumination is measured in 50 cm below the solar portable emergency lamp with 9 measured point consisting of 3 rows and 3 columns.