Viscosity Characteristics Research Articles

Impact of Vehicle Distance Traveled on Motor Oil Properties

This comprehensive study delved into the impact of vehicle distance traveled and engine operating periods on motor oil properties, specifically focusing on viscosity and foaming characteristics. The findings unveiled a pivotal juncture in motor oil performance, with discernible viscosity degradation emerging after 10,000 kilometers, most notably within the 10,000-to-12,000-kilometer range. The study also shed light on foaming tendencies within the oil, indicating potential heightened friction and engine stress, particularly as mileage increased. The research underscores the critical need to incorporate these real- world driving factors into maintenance and oil change decisions, offering the prospect of fine-tuning engine performance and extending the longevity of engines. The practical implications of these insights are substantial, empowering vehicle operators to make more informed decisions regarding motor oil choices and suggesting the potential for formulating specialized motor oils capable of withstanding a wide spectrum of driving conditions. These findings carry broad-reaching implications for vehicle owners, manufacturers. and the automotive industry as a whole, aiming to enhance both performance and sustainability in the realm of internal combustion engines.

Results of the study of operating conditions in the cylinder and changes in the characteristics of diesel and gas diesel motor oils

Abstract This article discusses the results of a study of changes in the characteristics of M10G2 oils during the operation of diesel engines and gas engines based on diesel engines. During engine operation, the oil in the lubrication system circulates under conditions of temperature difference. The thermal load of the engine depends on the engine boost. Thermal stress and temperature of hot gases intensively influence the oxidation of oil; this process occurs in the annular zone of the pistons. The operating conditions are harsh in the working surface of the cylinder in the piston stroke area, in this area the oil is subject to thermal decomposition and high oxidation intensity. When operating a diesel engine, compared to a gas-diesel engine, the main oil indicators such as viscosity, density, mechanical impurities, high- and low-temperature characteristics, chemical characteristics such as base number have lower limit values, and the oil service life can be considered 1.5 times higher when operating at gaseous fuel. The alkaline number in samples of used oils varies from 2.24 to 1.4, which indicates the emergency condition of the used oil. The results of analyzes of the alkaline number of the studied motor oils show that when the engine is running on gaseous fuel it decreased on average from 6.0 to 2.2 mg KOH/g, and when running on diesel fuel from 6.0 to 1.4 mg KOH/g. i.e. below the permissible level.

Collagen and chitosan-based biogenic sprayable gel of silver nanoparticle for advanced wound care.

Silver nanoparticles have gained significant attention recently due to their unique antibacterial properties, making them promising candidates for wound care applications. This study proposes a novel approach for advanced wound care using a silver nanoparticle-impregnated biogenic spray hydrogel supplemented with collagen and chitosan. Silver nanoparticles were incorporated into the hydrogel (optimized by a QbD approach) to impart antimicrobial activity, crucial for combating wound infections and promoting faster healing. The study assessed the physical and chemical properties of the biogenic hydrogel, including its viscosity, pH, and nanoparticle dispersion characteristics. In vitro, antimicrobial efficacy against common wound pathogens and in vivo studies using chronic wound models in small animals portrayed the immense potential of the developed biogenic hydrogel in effectively reducing the bacterial load of broad-spectrum pathogens. The hydrogel exhibited excellent biocompatibility, supporting cell proliferation and tissue repair without toxic effects. It accelerated wound healing, improved collagen deposition, and enhanced tissue regeneration in the tested animals by reducing proinflammatory cytokines, ROS, and NF-kb levels. Overall, this innovative silver nanoparticle-impregnated biogenic spray hydrogel of collagen and chitosan presents a uniform spray pattern that proved efficient, showing a promising solution for advanced wound care. Its biocompatibility, safety, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial efficacy, and wound healing properties hold great potential for improving the management of complex wounds, opening new avenues in wound care and regenerative medicine.

Genetic improvement of eating and cooking quality of rice cultivars in southern China.

The genetic improvement of rice eating and cooking quality (ECQ) is an important goal in rice breeding. It is important to understand the genetic regulation of ECQ at the genomic level for effective breeding to improve ECQ. However, the mechanisms underlying the improvement of ECQ of indica and japonica cultivars in southern China remain unclear. In this study, 290 rice cultivars (155 indica and 135 japonica cultivars) bred in southern China in the past 30 years were collected. Physicochemical indicators, namely, apparent amylose content (AAC), protein content (PC), lipid content and taste value, were measured and correlation analysis was performed. Adecrease in AAC and PC was a crucial factor for the ECQ improvement of the rice cultivars in southern China. Genome-wide association analysis and selective domestication analysis preliminarily clarified that the comprehensive utilization of major and minor genes was an important genetic basis for improvement of ECQ. An elite allele, RAmy1AA, with potential application in breeding to improve starch viscosity characteristics and ECQ, was mined. The Wxb/OsmtSSB1LT/OsDML4G/RPBFT/Du3T and Wxb/OsEro1T/Glup3G/OsNAC25G/OsBEIIbC/RAmy1AA/FLO12A gene modules, neither of which have been widely used, are proposed as the optimal allele combinations for ECQ improvement of indica and japonica cultivars in southern China. The results clarify the genetic regulation of rice ECQ improvement in southern China and provide novel genetic resources and breeding strategies for ECQ improvement in rice.

The Synergistic Optimization of Rice Yield, Quality, and Profit by the Combined Application of Organic and Inorganic Nitrogen Fertilizers

The replacement of urea with polymer-coated urea (PCU) fertilizer and the application of organic fertilizers (OFs) are effective strategies for reducing N loss in farmland and preventing soil degradation. However, limited research has been conducted on the synergistic effects of OF combined with inorganic N fertilizer, particularly PCU, on rice yield, quality, and profit. To address this issue, a two-year field experiment was conducted involving five fertilization treatments: no nitrogen fertilizer (0N), urea applied at the full local rate of 270 kg N ha−1 (CK), PCU at a reduced rate of 240 kg N ha−1 (T1), a combination of 70% PCU and 30% urea at 240 kg N ha−1 (T2), and T2 supplemented with 4500 kg ha−1 of OF (T3). The results showed that, compared with CK, the T1 treatment improved the appearance quality and taste value but slightly reduced the other quality indices. In contrast, the T2 and T3 treatments enhanced the grain yield, especially for T3, with an advantage in the tiller number, shoot dry weight, and leaf area index, which promoted the panicle number, filled grain, and grain weight, thereby significantly increasing the yield. The T2 improved the processing, appearance, and taste qualities by reducing the protein content, increasing the amylose content and gel consistency, and optimizing the starch viscosity characteristics (increasing the peak viscosity and breakdown while reducing the setback and consistency), with the addition of OF (T3) further expanding the benefits. Furthermore, the nutritional quality was also enhanced by optimizing the protein components and increasing the protein yield. Although the agricultural inputs in the T2 and T3 treatments were higher, the profit from the increased grain yield could cover these inputs, thereby maintaining profit with T3 or increasing profit with T2. In summary, the combined application of PCU with urea and OF can synergistically improve the rice yield, quality, and profit.

Rheological properties of phosphorus-containing oligoester(meth)acrylate for processing by vacuum infusion

Objectives. To obtain polymer composite materials (PCM) with enhanced physicomechanical properties using the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VaRTM) method, binders must have a viscosity of up to 500 mPa∙s. In some cases, this leads to restrictions on the use of certain materials or requires the use of temporary diluents. This is closely related to the deterioration of other required composite characteristics, such as increased flammability. Three phosphorus-containing oligoester(meth)acrylates PhOEM-1, PhOEM-2, and PhOEM-3 were synthesized with significant differences in viscosity characteristics in the series PhOEM-1 << PhOEM-2 << PhOEM-3. The polymer based on PhOEM-1 exhibits inferior physicomechanical properties despite having lower viscosity. Hence, the aim of the study was to investigate the viscosity characteristics of mixtures of methacrylate binders of the same nature but different structures and functionalities. This was done by studying the rheological properties of the original oligoester(meth)acrylates and their mixtures taken in various ratios. The method used was to optimize compositions via a simplex lattice (Scheffe’s plan), in order to obtain PCM using the VaRTM technology.Methods. The study of rheological properties of phosphorus-containing oligoester(meth)acrylates and their mixtures was conducted using the method of rotational viscometry on a Brookfield LVDV-II + Pro viscometer with a spindle 27 at different shear rates ranging from 0 to 70 s−1 and temperatures from 30 to 70°C. Rheological studies were also conducted on a Lamy Rheology GT300 PLUS (GEL TIMER) viscometer in the same range of shear rates and temperatures.Results. It was established that the objects under investigation can be characterized by viscosity values ranging from 96 to 2137 mPa∙s depending on the temperature. The nature of the viscous flow of phosphorus-containing oligoester(meth)acrylates and their mixtures is similar to that of Newtonian liquids only at certain shear rates. The effective activation energies of the viscous flow of binders and their mixtures were calculated, and the influence of temperature on the viscosity of binders was determined.Conclusions. The study identified the features and nature of the flow curves of phosphorus-containing oligoester(meth)acrylate binders of the same nature but different structures and functionalities, as well as of their mixtures. The optimal composition ranges of threecomponent mixtures of phosphorus-containing oligoester(meth)acrylates for use in the VaRTM technological process in producing polymer composite materials within the temperature range of 30 to 70°C were defined. The optimal compositions and temperature conditions for obtaining polymer composite materials using the VaRTM technology were also identified. This enables the production of polymer products with complex geometric shapes and varying sizes.

Effects of Viscosity and Shear-thinning Characteristics of a Liquid Jet in Air Crossflow

In the present study, we performed numerical simulations of a single liquid jet with varying viscosities and non-Newtonian characteristics in uniform gas crossflows at different velocities, to investigate the effects of liquid properties on jet deformation and breakup behavior. By utilizing air as the gas and examining both Newtonian fluids with different viscosities and a shear-thinning fluid as the liquid, we aimed to uncover the intricate dynamics governing liquid jet deformation and breakup under crossflow conditions. At lower air velocities, the liquid jet bent and elongated without undergoing breakup, regardless of the viscosity and shear-thinning characteristics. Notably, in the case of the shear-thinning fluid, the effect of the viscosity was more pronounced in the outer regions of the liquid jet than at its center. In contrast, at higher air velocities, viscosity and shear-thinning characteristics significantly affected jet breakup; the high-viscosity Newtonian liquid jet resisted breakup, while the low-viscosity jet broke up into threads, with a decrease in apparent viscosity leading to increased penetration height.This study introduces a novel method for quantifying the energy transfer from gas to liquid jet, using pressure differences between a deformable liquid jet and an equivalent rigid cylinder as a reference. This approach allows for the separation of bending and breakup energy components, offering new quantitative insights into the forces driving jet deformation and breakup. These insights advance the current understanding of fluid-structure interactions in crossflow conditions.

Utilization of moringa leaf flour (Moringa oleifera) in making soy sauce

Abstract Soy sauce, a widely used condiment, is typically produced from soybeans and wheat. However, there is increasing interest in improving its nutritional and sensory properties through the use of alternative ingredients. This study explores how varying concentrations of moringa leaf flour and salt solution affect the quality characteristics of soy sauce. Employing a completely randomized factorial design, the research focused on two main factors: the percentage of moringa leaf flour (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%) and different salt solution concentrations (18%, 22%, 26%). Key parameters assessed included color index, pH, total soluble solids, viscosity, and various sensory characteristics. Results indicated that the concentration of salt has a significant effect on pH, total soluble solids, carbohydrates, and sensory attributes. Furthermore, the concentration of moringa leaf flour was found to significantly influence pH, total soluble solids, fat, protein, carbohydrates, color index, and sensory qualities like color, aroma, and flavor. The interaction between salt and moringa leaf flour also impacted pH, color index, carbohydrates, and overall sensory acceptability. The best quality soy sauce was achieved with a combination of 30% moringa leaf flour and 22% salt solution. This innovative soy sauce is anticipated to contribute positively to a healthier and more sustainable food industry.

Research on the viscosity characteristics of water glycol hydraulic fluids in deep-sea environment from molecular dynamics

The utilization of water glycol as a working medium represents a significant advancement in the realm of deep-sea hydraulic transmission systems. The viscosity of water glycol is a crucial parameter for hydrodynamic lubrication, yet it is profoundly influenced by the environmental conditions of the deep sea. This study employs the TIP4P/2005 water molecule model in conjunction with the optimized potentials for liquid simulations all-atom force field, and non-equilibrium molecular dynamics method to predict the viscosity of water glycol hydraulic fluids with varying compositions under deep-sea conditions. The simulation values agree well with the experimental results. Furthermore, this study introduces a fitting equation that accounts for the effects of composition, temperature, and pressure, enabling the prediction of the viscosity of water glycol hydraulic fluids within the 0–11 000 m sea water environment.

Impact of multi-frequency ultrasound processing with different treatment times on the structural quality of frozen wheat dough

This study investigates the effects of multi-frequency ultrasound treatment on the quality of frozen dough. We analyzed frozen wheat dough comprehensively for texture, viscosity, rheology, and structural quality characteristics under multi-frequency ultrasound (20 kHz, 20/40 kHz, and 20/40/60 kHz) with different treatment times (10, 20, and 30 mins). The dough treated with multi-frequency ultrasound increased elasticity and reduced hardness. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that 20/40/60 kHz for 30 min minimized freezing-induced morphological damage, decreased the tan δ in rheological analysis, and led to higher pasting and gelatinization enthalpy in starch granules, resulting in a more cohesive structure and lower free water content. Frozen dough hardness decreased by 52.1 %, which is associated with the control frozen dough with ultrasound frequency and duration changes. The spectral peaks in wheat flour frozen dough treated with single, dual, and tri-frequency ultrasound had the same forms and positions as the control samples but were arranged in an orderly manner. This study demonstrates the potential of multi-frequency ultrasound to enhance the quality of wheat frozen dough by mitigating freezing-induced deteriorations, offering a promising approach to improving the processing of frozen dough.

Viscosity Characteristics of Ideal Lubricants to Reduce Stress on Intestinal Mucosa During Balloon-Assisted Enteroscopy.

Balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE) is highly invasive and carries a higher risk of complications such as pain and perforation during enteroscope insertion. Applying lubricants to the small intestinal mucosa and reducing the dynamic friction coefficient (DFC) between the small intestinal mucosa and endoscopic shaft (ES) (or overtube (OT)) can minimize the invasiveness of BAE. However, the ideal viscosity characteristics of these lubricants remain unknown. In this study, a model is developed to measure the DFC using human small intestines from forensic autopsies and determine the ideal viscosity of low-friction lubricants that exhibit a minimal DFC, thus reducing the pressure on the intestinal lining during the procedure. The results reveal that the DFC is strongly correlated to the lubricant's viscosity rather than its chemical composition. Low-friction lubricants with viscosities within 0.20-0.32 and 0.35-0.58 Pa·s (at shear rates of 10 s-1) for the OT and ES, respectively, can significantly reduce the DFC, yielding optimal results. These findings highlight the role of viscosity in minimizing the friction between the equipment and small intestinal mucosa. The ideal low-friction lubricants satisfying the aforementioned viscosity ranges can minimize the invasiveness of BAE by decreasing the friction between the equipment and intestinal lining.

Rheological investigation of heavy oil-in-water pickering emulsions for potential applications of fracturing fluids

Pickering emulsions as a kind of emulsified fracturing fluids can enhance the efficacy of shale fracturing. Investigation of the rheological properties of Pickering emulsions yields valuable insights for their in-situ fracturing applications. In this work, nano-clay particles and heavy crude oil were employed to form oil-in-water (O/W) Pickering emulsions. The impact of salinity, pH, and temperature on the rheological properties, including viscosity property and viscoelastic property, of Pickering emulsions were tested and analyzed. The results showed that the viscosity of heavy O/W Pickering emulsions were significantly affected by the change of salinity and pH values, with higher salinity or lower pH resulting in increased viscosity. Under ultra-high salinities (>5 wt% NaCl), the coalescence stability of Pickering emulsion strengthens and creaming stability declines. The massive formation of clay clusters leads to a reduction in the number of nano-clay particles used to generate the network, causing instability in the emulsion creaming. The heavy O/W Pickering emulsions exhibited high stability and high viscosity characteristics, which were mainly caused by the change of surface charge of nano-clay particles and the corresponding change of particle adsorption on droplet surface and particle-particle interactions. At a salinity of 2.5% NaCl and a pH of 4.6, the emulsion system remained stable at a temperature up to 120 °C, holding a viscosity reaching 74.1 mPa s at a shear rate of 6.81 s−1. Besides, heavy O/W Pickering emulsions were viscoelastic fluids, with both noticeable viscous property and elastic property at the same time. Elastic modulus (G′) and viscous modulus (G″) of the emulsion increased with increasing salinity and decreasing pH, enhancing great deformation capacity. Remarkably, the Pickering emulsions could maintain its viscoelastic behavior at varying temperature conditions. For the first time, rheological study of Pickering emulsions formed by nano-clay nanoparticles as a single emulsifier to heavy oil. Our study underscores the emulsifying ability of nano-clay particles to heavy crude oils, under a wide range of salinity and pH, yielding Pickering emulsions with exceptional stability and rheological properties. This novel emulsion system, possessing high resistance to temperature and salinity, holds promise for a high-performance fracturing fluid design.

3D printing cassava starch-ovalbumin intelligent labels: Co-pigmentation effects of gallic acid on anthocyanins

Anthocyanins are often chosen as signal converters of intelligent labels. However, they are degraded by high-temperature oxidation in the process of intelligent label preparation. The color fading seriously affects the sensitivity of color development. In this study, a green 3D printing intelligent label preparation technique was developed, in which gallic acid (GA) was added to a blueberry anthocyanin (BA) solution to enhance the color of the co-pigment to ensure the color sensitivity. The combined effect of GA-BA reduced the fade rate of the anthocyanins from 35.13 % to 26.44 % at 90 °C. The printing ink has shear-thinning viscosity characteristics and yield stresses in the range of 500–600 MPa for high-quality printing. Structural analysis revealed that GA-BA co-pigmentation enhanced the interaction between ovalbumin and cassava starch. In addition, the method of 3D printing to prepare labels was conducive to solving the problem of waste in traditional labeling process. The results of freshness testing of sea shrimp proved that labels can be applied to fresh boxes to reflect the freshness of food. We provide a method for enhancing the color of 3D-printed smart ink to prepare intelligent labels with reproducible and customizable batch shapes.

Examination of the impact of using lactose or permeate for protein standardisation of skimmed milk on viscosity characteristics during evaporation

The effect of permeate and lactose for protein standardisation of skim milk concentrate, was investigated during evaporation. Analysis of the viscosity–total solids (TS) profiles of each treatment demonstrated that the unstandardised protein sample had the greatest increase in viscosity, followed by permeate and finally lactose‐standardised samples. Heat stability and acid buffering capacity of the permeate standardised skim milk samples were higher when compared to the lactose‐standardised samples. This work identifies how standardisation media can impact the viscosity of concentrated skim milk, enabling higher TS at the evaporator outlet in some circumstances which could have the potential to improve overall process efficiency. Furthermore this work demonstrates that, evaporating to a target viscosity rather than target TS would offer greater control and consistency during processing.

Study on Mechanism and Effect of Different Viscosity Reducing Methods on Offshore Heavy Oil

Abstract Bohai is rich in heavy oil. And its efficient development is significant. In this essay, ordinary heavy oil and extra one were selected, and the viscosity characteristics was also investigated referring to its internal composition. And so as the reducing viscosity effects of steam, oil-soluble viscosity reducer, diesel, emulsifier, flue gas and carbon dioxide. The experimental results show that resin and asphaltene content have positive effect on the viscosity of heavy oil. Compared with ordinary heavy oil, the drop is significantly greater when the temperature increases by 10°C. For ordinary heavy oil, the inflection point temperature is from 50°C to 70°C, and for extra-heavy oil, it is above 100°C. For ordinary heavy oil, its flow effect can be better improved without too high temperature, while it’s totally different for super heavy oil. For which, higher temperature and other auxiliary viscosity reduction methods are needed to achieve better flow performance. Diesel oil reduce viscosity of heavy oil by similar solubility principle, but the demand for diesel oil is large. At 50°C, the viscosity of super heavy oil with 0.5% emulsion viscosity reducer added is 36 mPa·s, but the water content needs to reach above 30%.Oil-soluble viscosity reducer reduces viscosity by dissolving asphaltenes and resins and dismantling aggregate structure of heavy oil aromatic flakes.However, the dosage should reach about 20 %, so that the viscosity of super heavy oil can be reduced to the level of dilute oil. Overall, for developing super heavy oil, steam compound with oil soluble viscosity reducer can be taken into account at the early production stage, and the emulsion viscosity reducer can be used in the middle development stage and wellbore viscosity reduction and lifting process. Finally, for ordinary heavy oil, flue gas’s viscosity reduction effects, nitrogen and carbon dioxide are investigated. It is found that the viscosity reduction effect of carbon dioxide is the best, followed by flue gas and nitrogen. Considering the offshore gas source, cost and carbon emission requirements, it is recommended to use flue gas in the field. The research provides theoretical guidance and technical reference for development of different types of offshore heavy oil.

Research on the Variation Law of C-ring Sealing Performance of the Steam Injection and Soak Period in Heavy Oil Recovery

Abstract The heavy oil resources in the Bohai Lvda (LD) Oilfield have the characteristics of high viscosity and poor fluidity, therefore, it is necessary to inject steam for efficient development. According to specific regulations, heavy oil thermal recovery wells must be equipped with a high-temperature resistant Surface Controlled Sub-Surface Safety Valve (SCSSV). However, observations in 2022 revealed several instances of hydraulic leakage in these valves, primarily due to severe deformation of the internal C-rings. To investigate this issue, this study employed the Abaqus software to simulate the stress state of C-rings within SCSSV throughout the entire steam injection and soak period, with a special focus on the sealing performance variation of metal C-rings at various contact interfaces. The findings highlight that the primary causes of diminished sealing performance are localized plastic deformation of the metal C-rings induced by heating and subsequent shrinkage upon cooling. Furthermore, the movement of the piston within the safety valve significantly impacts the stress magnitude at some C-ring part sealing performance. Additional investigations reveal that different installation methods of C-rings lead to varying patterns in sealing performance. Notably, excessive interference between the C-ring and piston should be avoided, as it results in more severe plastic deformation upon cooling, further diminishing the sealing performance of the C-rings post-cooling. The insights gained from this study are of paramount importance for the improvement and design optimization of C-rings in SCSSV used in thermal recovery wells of heavy oil. Offering significant value in enhancing the safety and efficiency of offshore heavy oil Recovery. Moreover, this research provides new theoretical support and practical guidance for related engineering practices and academic inquiries.

The influence of non-Newtonian behaviors of blood on the hemodynamics past a bileaflet mechanical heart valve

This study employs extensive three-dimensional direct numerical simulations to investigate the hemodynamics around a bileaflet mechanical heart valve. In particular, this study focuses on assessing whether non-Newtonian rheological behaviors of blood, such as shear-thinning and yield stress behaviors, exert an influence on hemodynamics compared to the simplistic Newtonian behavior under both steady inflow and physiologically realistic pulsatile flow conditions. Under steady inflow conditions, the study reveals that blood rheology impacts velocity and pressure field variations, as well as the values of clinically important surface and time-averaged parameters like wall shear stress (WSS) and pressure recovery. Notably, this influence is most pronounced at low Reynolds numbers, gradually diminishing as the Reynolds number increases. For instance, surface-averaged WSS values obtained with the non-Newtonian shear-thinning power-law model exceed those obtained with the Newtonian model. At Re=750, this difference reaches around 67%, reducing to less than 1% at Re=5000. Correspondingly, pressure recovery downstream of the valve leaflets is lower for the shear-thinning blood than the constant viscosity one, with the difference decreasing as the Reynolds number increases. On the other hand, in pulsatile flow conditions, jets formed between the leaflets and the valve housing wall are shorter than steady inflow conditions. Additionally, surface-averaged wall shear stress and blood damage (BD) parameter values are higher (with differences more than 13% and 47%, respectively) during the peak stage of the cardiac cycle, especially for blood exhibiting non-Newtonian yield stress characteristics compared to the shear-thinning or constant viscosity characteristics. Therefore, blood non-Newtonian behaviors, including shear-thinning and yield stress behaviors, exert a considerable influence on the hemodynamics around a mechanical heart valve. All in all, the findings of this study demonstrate the importance of considering non-Newtonian blood behaviors when designing blood-contacting medical devices, such as mechanical heart valves, to enhance functionality and performance.

Biocompatibility Study of Purified and Low-Temperature-Sterilized Injectable Collagen for Soft Tissue Repair: Intramuscular Implantation in Rats.

The clinical application of collagen-based biomaterials is expanding rapidly, especially in tissue engineering and cosmetics. While oral supplements and injectable skin boosters are popular for enhancing skin health, clinical evidence supporting their effectiveness remains limited. Injectable products show potential in revitalizing skin, but safety concerns persist due to challenges in sterilization and the risk of biological contamination. Traditional methods of sterilization (heat and irradiation) can denature collagen. This study addresses these issues by introducing a novel technique: the double filtration and low-temperature steam sterilization of a collagen gel. In vitro tests documented the sterility and confirmed that the collagen did not show cytotoxicity, degradation, integrity, and viscosity characteristics changes after the processing and sterilization. The collagen gel induced new collagen expression and the proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts when the cells were cultured with the collagen gel. An in vivo study found no adverse effects in rats or significant lesions at the implantation site over 13 weeks. These results suggest that this novel method to process collagen gels is a safe and effective skin booster. Advanced processing methods are likely to mitigate the safety risks associated with injectable collagen products, though further research is needed to validate their biological effectiveness and clinical benefits.

Effects of Laboratory Ageing on the Chemical Composition and High-Temperature Performance of Warm Mix Asphalt Binders

Warm asphalt mixtures can suffer from decreased short-term high-temperature performance; therefore, introducing additional modifiers can mitigate this risk. This study investigates the effects of a liquid organosilane warm mix additive (WMAd) and grade-bumping polyethylene-based additive added simultaneously to asphalt binders on their chemical composition and its relationship with performance characteristics. Previous studies found relationships between the formation of certain chemical species during bitumen ageing and the increase in their viscosity, stiffness and other performance characteristics—the present work intended to verify these relationships when the two mentioned additives are used. Two asphalt binders were investigated—a paving-grade 50/70 binder and a 45/80-55 polymer-modified bitumen. The chemical analysis was performed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance mode and focused on the quantification of carbonyl, sulfoxide, polybutadiene and polystyrene structures in the asphalt binders subjected to laboratory short- and long-term ageing. Additionally, the relationships between asphalt binder performance and selected FTIR indices were evaluated using a dynamic shear rheometer. It was found that the investigated additives significantly affected the apparent contents of all evaluated chemical structures in the asphalt binders; however, these changes were not reflected in their performance evaluation.

Inline estimation of volume fraction in Newtonian emulsions based on ultrasonic velocity profiling viscometry

Abstract We propose a method for estimating volume fraction of emulsions based on ultrasonic velocity profiling viscometry and validate its feasibility through a series of experiments. The experiments involve emulsions composed of silicone oil as continuous phase and tap water with volume fractions ranging from 10vol% to 30vol%. We introduce the viscosity model for this emulsion to establish the mathematical relationship between volume fraction and viscosity. Subsequently, we calibrate this relationship using ultrasonic spinning rheometry (USR). The identified equation is then applied in estimating the inline volume fraction using ultrasonic velocity profiling combined with pressure drop measurement. The key idea is that by measuring the viscosity in a pipeline the volume fraction is then indirectly estimated employing the identified equation. Through the collection and analysis of experimental data, we confirmed that the USR can capture the characteristics of the emulsion viscosity accurately. Moreover, we found that this method demonstrates applicability and accuracy in measuring volume fractions of emulsions. The results indicate that the mean relative error for this estimation is 24.06% at a volume fraction of 10vol%, and 4.78% at a volume fraction of 30vol%.