Volume Shrinkage Research Articles

Hydrophilic or hydrophobic coating of whey protein aerogels obtained by supercritical-CO2-drying: Effect on physical properties, moisture adsorption and interaction with water and oil in food systems

Aerogel monoliths, prepared by water-to-ethanol substitution and supercritical-CO2-drying of whey protein hydrogels, were dip-coated with hydrophilic (alginate, AL; agar, AG) or hydrophobic (ethylcellulose, EC) polymers. AL coating induced aerogel collapse, due to solvent absorption. AG and EC rapidly set onto aerogel surface, forming layers of 65 and 100 μm thickness, respectively. While AG-coating induced 20% volume shrinkage, 25% apparent density increase and 75% firmness increase, EC-coating maintained the original aerogel structure. Upon exposure to 100% equilibrium relative humidity, aerogels showed moisture uptake in the order AG-coated>uncoated>EC-coated. When immersed in water or oil, the AG-coated aerogel showed an uptake respectively 40 and 60% lower than the uncoated control. The oil barrier capacity of AG-coated aerogel was also demonstrated in a lipid food system (stearin-oil mixture). Although not reducing oil uptake, EC-coating reduced water uptake by 30% and its water barrier properties were demonstrated upon immersion in an aqueous food system (water-flour batter). Industrial relevanceThe obtained results indicate tailored coating as a feasible strategy to enhance aerogel functionality in food. This would open further possibilities, including the use of aerogels as smart food ingredients able to modulate aroma and bioactive delivery both in the food product and during digestion. These findings are thus important in supporting the industrial development of aerogel-based ingredients with customized functionalities.

Hydrocarbons enhanced generation of surface nanobubbles by ethanol-water exchange

The ethanol-water (E-W) exchange at the graphite surface is a convenient method for creating surface nanobubbles due to its high efficiency and repeatability. However, understanding and controlling the nucleation dynamics remain challenging. While the formation of interfacial gas entities is usually attributed to the differences in gas solubility, alterations in surface properties resulting from the exchange process cannot be ignored. Herein, we investigated how varying hydrophobicity of the graphite surface during the E-W exchange affects the efficient production of surface nanobubbles. Observations demonstrated that the presence of ethanol could significantly enhance the generation of surface nanobubbles compared to the exchange without ethanol. Contact angle measurements and C-H vibrational spectra revealed that the absorbed hydrocarbon from the ethanol enhances surface hydrophobicity. We observed the volume shrinkage of nanobubbles and partial removal of the gas-like layer that supports bubbles in degassed water. Based on these results, we proposed that the absorbed hydrocarbon from ethanol makes the substrates with higher hydrophobicity during the E-W exchange, which may contribute to the formation of a gas enrichment layer that is beneficial to nucleation and stabilization of surface nanobubbles above it. The findings will provide valuable insights into the nucleation process of interfacial gas domains and their stabilization on hydrophobic surfaces, further advancing the controllable generation of surface nanobubbles.

Feasibility assessment of solution mining and gas storage in salt caverns: a case study of the Sanshui salt mine

The Sanshui salt mine is the sole location in the Guangdong province of South China with the potential to construct a salt cavern gas storage (SCGS) facility. Nevertheless, the gas storage construction of this mine faces significant challenges due to the presence of low‒grade salt deposits and numerous interlayers. To demonstrate the feasibility and calculate the gas storage capacity in this specific mining area, two representative salt caverns within this salt mine were simulated using a self-developed cavern-building simulation program, enabling us to accurately determine their respective volumes and shapes. Herein, the findings indicate that the combined caverns possess a total mining space volume of 1,157,000 m3, with the brine space accounting for merely 291,800 m3 (representing 25.22% of the overall mining space), and an extensive sedimentary volume of 865,200 m3 is also observed (constituting approximately 74.78% of the total mining capacity). Fortunately, this study has revealed that the sediments exhibit a porosity exceeding 40% and possess favorable permeability; consequently, countermeasures have been proposed to enhance the gas storage capacity within the pore space of these caverns, and we also utilized FLAC3D software for numerical simulation calculations to compare the stability of the cavern under different conditions of sediment pore utilization by calculating the volume loss rate, cavern wall displacement deformation, and plastic zone distribution. Moreover, the proposed method is anticipated to double the caverns’ working gas volume, increasing it from 40 million m3 to nearly 80 million m3. On the other hand, the long-term stability of caverns is numerically assessed under different pore space utilization rates of the sediments. The results also indicate that the caverns’ volume shrinkage, plastic zones, and surrounding rock displacement remain within allowable limits during 30 years of gas storage operation. The primary problem in the subsequent phase lies in effectively achieving gas injection and brine removal from the pore space of sediments while devising a methodology to extend this method to other salt caverns within similar salt mine areas. Thus, this study provides theoretical and technical guidance for the establishment of gas storage in existing salt caverns in the Sanshui salt mine and in salt mines worldwide that share similar geological conditions.

Characterization and ion-irradiation studies of typical microstructures in nuclear graphite

Nuclear graphite is an important structural material for advanced gas cooled reactors and molten salt reactors. Graphite microstructures are always accompanied with typical pores or cracks which plays an important role in nuclear graphite behaviors. A new surface processing method involving ion milling and fast oxidation is used here to characterize typical microstructures from the large-size calcination cracks in fillers to very small quinoline insoluble particles in NBG-17 and NBG-18 graphites. By using this surface processing method and ion irradiation technique, an attempt is made to explore the microstructural basis of graphite irradiation behaviors. Heating-induced relaxation of graphite microstructures is observed, indicating the presence of residual stresses in nuclear graphite. Creased graphite sheets are identified on ion-milled surface and are believed to accommodate a-axis shrinkage of graphite crystallites at the beginning of irradiation, which is consistent with the initial plateau of slow dimensional shrinking. Compared to NBG-17 graphite, NBG-18 is found to have much more calcination cracks which contract during irradiation, resulting in a deeper volume shrinkage of NBG-18. The quinoline insoluble particles containing chaotic structures are shown to severely contract and separate from surrounding structures, leading to voids in between. Both NBG-18 and NBG-17 have abundant quinoline insoluble particles, which might make a contribution to their smaller volume shrinkage than other medium-grain graphite.

Influence and mechanism analysis of different types of water reducing agents on volume shrinkage of cement mortar

This study investigated the impact of five commonly employed water-reducing agents on the fluidity of cement paste at varying dosages firstly. The agents considered in this research are sodium lignosulfonate (LS), naphthalene superplasticizer (PNS), aliphatic superplasticizer (HSB), and two types of polycarboxylate superplasticizers (PCEs), specifically PCE-5C and PCE-6C. Subsequently, the impact of water reducing agents on both the total drying shrinkage and autogenous shrinkage of cement mortar was investigated. This was done by maintaining a consistent water-cement ratio, ensuring good workability, and adjusting the dosage of various water-reducing agents to achieve comparable slump flow in the mortar. Furthermore, the study delved into the mechanisms behind the influence of different types of water-reducing agents. The findings indicate the following: 1) Polycarboxylate superplasticizers (PCEs) exhibit superior dispersion performance with cement, trailed by naphthalene superplasticizer (PNS) and aliphatic superplasticizer (HSB), while sodium lignosulfonate (LS) demonstrates the least effective dispersion performance. The fluidity of cement paste is most responsive to variations in the dosage of PCEs, followed by PNS and HSB, whereas the fluidity of cement paste undergoes minimal changes when the dosage of LS is increased. 2) The effects of various water reducing agents on the volume shrinkage of cement mortar are distinct, and their influence is the outcome of multiple factors working in tandem. These factors include the postponement of the exothermic peak during cement hydration, reduction in solution surface tension, and decrease in the proportion of larger pores and smaller-sized capillary pores within the porosity of cement-based materials, and all these aspects collectively contribute to minimizing the volume shrinkage of cement-based materials. 3) In the realm of concrete engineering, opting for PCEs as water-reducing agents has proven effective in reducing the overall drying shrinkage of cement-based materials. Notably, PCE-5C demonstrates a superior ability in minimizing shrinkage compared to PCE-6C.

Study of Impact of Sediment on the Stability of Salt Cavern Underground Gas Storage

The utilization of sediment voids for natural gas storage represents the future direction of salt cavern underground gas storage (UGS) in China. In this study, we first analyzed the way in which the sediment interacts with the salt caverns and the equilibrium state of the process. Subsequently, a novel approach employing the Discrete Element Method (DEM) for simulating sediment-filled salt cavern UGS was introduced, successfully modeling the operational process of sediment-filled salt cavern UGS. Moreover, deformation, plastic zone behavior, effective volume shrinkage rate, equivalent strain, and safety factor were employed to assess the impact of sediment on salt cavern stability. The findings indicate a positive influence of sediment on salt cavern stability, particularly in regions directly contacting the sediment. Deformation and effective volume shrinkage of the cavern were effectively mitigated, significantly improving the stress state of rock salt. This effect is more pronounced at lower internal gas pressures. In summary, sediment enhances the stability of salt caverns, providing a long-term and stable environment for natural gas storage within sediment voids.

Lithium storage of SnP2O7 anode coated by N-doped carbon and anchored on P-doped carbon framework

N-doped carbon-coated SnP2O7 anodes anchored on P-doped carbon framework (SPO/C-P@C-N) have been successfully synthesized via a novel and environmentally friendly method, using a green raw material of phytic acid as phosphorus and carbon sources, and dimethylimidazole as the second carbon source and nitrogen source. N-doped carbon coating and P-doped carbon framework inhibit the volume shrinkage and expansion, improve the electronic conductivity and diffusion coefficient of Li+ ions as well as capacitive contribution ratio, reduce the charge transfer resistance and the particle size, and then enhance the electrochemical performance of SPO/C-P@C-N. SPO/C-P@C-N-1.2 with the carbon content of 18.5 wt% exhibits excellent electrochemical performance. The discharge specific capacity is 416.6 mAh/g at 0.5 A/g after 200 cycles. 234.3 mAh/g is kept at 2 A/g for the 1000th cycle. In addition, the discharge specific capacity of the LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4//SPO/C-P@C-N-1.2 full cell is 206.6 mAh/g for the 200th cycle at 0.5C in 1.4–4.4 V. The full cell can power green, red, blue, and orange light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, as well as LED small light strings and heart-shaped circuit boards. It is the first report on SnP2O7 successfully applied to full cells, demonstrating the potential application.

Properties and Application of Chemical Grouting Materials for Construction Joint Leakage

This paper aims to disclose the properties of the chemical grouting materials under different conditions. Firstly, the water-soluble polyurethane (WPU) slurry, oil-soluble polyurethane (OPU) slurry, epoxy resin (EP) slurry, a slurry mixed by WPU slurry, and OPU slurry marked as (WPU + OPU) slurry were selected to test the properties. The setting time, volume shrinkage, and adhesive strength were measured under room conditions and water conditions. Then, the tunnel construction joints were simulated, and the injectability and water blocking effect were analyzed to evaluate the suitability of the different grouting slurry. In addition, the results were applied in the water leakage management of the Taihu Lake tunnel project. The test results showed that each of the four materials had its performance advantages and disadvantages and provided vital guidance for the engineering application.

Long-term Efficacy of Fibroid Devascularization with Ultrasound-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been increasingly used for treatment of uterine leiomyoma. The superiority of HIFU therapy targeting uterine leiomyoma blood vessels, however, still needs to be further explored. This study aims to evaluate the long-term efficacy of fibroid devascularization with ultrasound-guided HIFU (USgHIFU) and the effects of treatment on the ovarian reserve and endometrial injury. Fibroid devascularization was assessed with the Adler grade obtained by color Doppler flow imagingand power Doppler imaging (PDI). The targeted vessels were covered and then sonicated by HIFU focal spots. The patients were followed up at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years after treatment. Adverse effects and complications were recorded. The non-perfusion volume rate (NPVR), fibroid volume shrinkage rate (FVSR), Adler Grade, symptom severity score (SSS) and uterine fibroid symptom and quality of life (UFS-QOL) were evaluated. Adverse events (AEs)were recorded. In Center 1, the enrolled patients completed the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) test before and at 6 months after treatment. A total of 117 eligible patients were consecutively enrolled to receive interventions and follow-up evaluations of the three centers from January 2019 to May 2023. The 1-month and 6-monthNPVRs were 66.60%±33.14% and 51.12%±39.84%, respectively. The mean FVSRs at 1 month and 6 months after treatment were 38.20% and 43.89%, respectively. No significant difference was observed in AMH levels before and after treatment (p>0.05). No irreversible endometrial injury was observed in MR images after HIFU treatment. No significant difference was observed in both 1-month and 6-monthFVSRs among Center 1, 2 and 3 (p>0.05). No severe AEs occurred. For long-term outcomes, significant differences were observed in Adler grade, FV, FVSR, SSS, reduction in SSSand UFS-QOL before and after treatment (p<0.001) whereas no significant difference was observed in Adler grade among 3 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years after treatment (p>0.05). The SSSs were reduced by 33.42% at 1 year, 42.32% at 2 years and 52.46% at 3 years after treatment. For patients with uterine fibroids, USgHIFU-induced devascularization is a safe and effective treatment option. It has little effect on ovarian function and the endometrial injury is reversible, which could be attractive for patients who plan to become pregnant.

Sensitivity analysis of operation parameters of the salt cavern under long-term gas injection-production

Injection-production operation parameters, the minimum injection gas pressure (IGP: operation pressure), IGP interval, minimum IGP residence time, and injection-production cycle of the underground salt rock gas storage under long-term operation, affect not only the capacity and working ability of a salt cavern but also be crucial to the safety and stability of the surrounding rock. A 3D geo-mechanical model of the salt cavern is established to study the stability of the storage in the operation period. The deformation, expansion safety factor, volume shrinkage, and plastic zone are comprehensively considered for predicting the feasibility and stability of the salt cavern. The stability of the surrounding rock of the cavern with different injection-production parameters and the impact of each parameter on the stability of the cavern during operating are systematically investigated. The results indicate that the displacement, the expansion coefficient of the surrounding rock, and the volume shrinkage rate of the salt cavern reduces significantly with the increment of IGP interval and minimum IGP, while they increases with raising the minimum IGP residence time and injection-production cycle. With the continuous operation of the cavity, the displacement and the volume shrinkage rate enhances significantly year by year with the augment of operation parameters, moreover, their value show a fluctuating upward trend with the alternation of the gas injection and the production. The volume of the plastic zone is enlarged with the increment of the IGP interval, minimum IGP, and injection-production cycle, while it reduces with the extension of the minimum IGP residence time. The variation becomes remarkably with the augment of parameters. The sensitivity coefficients of each injection-production operation parameter are ranked, from large to small, as follows: IGP interval, minimum IGP, minimum IGP residence time, injection-production cycle. The results can offer beneficial reference for effectively optimize the injection-production parameters, so as to provide technical guidance for ensuring the stability of the storage and meeting requirements for the storage capacity.

Analysis of pressure interval/injection and production frequency on stability of large-scale supercritical CO2 storage in salt caverns

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary greenhouse gas, with annual emissions reaching up to 54 billion tons globally, leading to an unprecedented acceleration of global warming. In conjunction with carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), which represents the most advanced and efficient technology for energy conservation and emission reduction, as well as the innovative concept of CO2 storage in salt caverns, this paper investigates the industrial application potential of supercritical CO2. Herein the feasibility of large-scale storage of supercritical CO2 in salt caverns was investigated, focusing on the stability aspect associated with such storage. Specifically concentrating on the impact of upper and lower injection/production pressures and frequencies on the stability of carbon storage in salt caverns, this study utilizes numerical simulation methods to simulate the creep process that occurs in China's bedded salt formations. Numerical simulation results showed that: 1) From the perspective of salt cavern stability, the volume shrinkage, creep and damage degree of surrounding rock during operation all fall within an acceptable range. Consequently, it is feasible to implement carbon storage in these salt caverns for a during of 100 years. 2) Shortening the range of internal pressure will enhance the stability of salt cavern for carbon storage. Furthermore, different pressure intervals have an impact on the creep concentration position within the cavern, primarily resulting in a transformation between internal contraction of surrounding rock and sediment accumulation caused by floor creep by altering the lower pressure limit. 3) The injection and production frequency of salt cavern carbon storage (SCCS) is characterized by a low occurrence rate (<10 cycles). The stability of the cavern can be enhanced by increasing the injection and production frequency, nevertheless, it is important to note that internal pressure remains the primary factor influencing cavern stability compared to the injection and production frequency.

Low viscosity silicone with less shrinkage for brain slices

Plastination consists of replacing lipid and water with a curable polymer. This technique has numerous advantages, of which the production of non-toxic, inert, highly durable, dry, and easy maintenance and storage specimens stand out. Like all anatomical techniques, plastination also has disadvantages, and one of them is tissue shrinkage. The feasibility of using low viscosity domestic silicone (0,1Pa.s at 20°C) to plastinate brain slices was examined. Twenty humans, 10 millimeters (mm) brain slices were impregnated, ten slices each with two polymers [10 with domestic low viscosity polymer - P1 and 10 slices with Biodur® (0,45-0,6Pa.s at 20°C) S10]. Shrinkage was accessed by volume and area measurements. Volume shrinkage was significantly less in the slices impregnated with low viscosity domestic polymer, demonstrating the feasibility to plastinate brain slices with domestic low viscosity silicone polymer.

Efficacy and Safety of Ultrasound-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation in Women With Multiple Uterine Fibroids: An Exploratory Study.

The aim of the work described here was to explore the clinical efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (USg-HIFU) treatment in women with multiple fibroids and identify the characteristic parameters predicting USg-HIFU efficacy in multiple fibroids. From February 2021 to August 2022, 138 patients with multiple fibroids (group A comprising 125 patients with two to four fibroids and 13 patients with five or more fibroids) and 149 patients with solitary fibroids (group B) were included. HIFU treatment information, efficacy comparisons and adverse events were recorded. A nomogram model of the characteristic parameters used to predict the efficacy of USg-HIFU in multiple fibroids was established. After USg-HIFU treatment, the statistical comparison of pre-operative versus post-operative symptom scores and fibroid volume in the two groups indicated obvious symptom relief and substantial shrinkage of fibroid volume (all p values <0.001). Nevertheless, group A required more energy and longer treatment and sonication times to achieve a 70% non-perfused volume (NPV) ratio, and had a lower energy efficiency factor than group B (all p values <0.05). No severe complications were observed in either group. The nomogram model included fibroid volume, fibroid location and signal intensity on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and the accuracy of the model were 0.698 and 0.686, respectively. USg-HIFU appears to be an effective and safe treatment option for multiple fibroids. Knowledge of the fibroid volume, location and signal intensity on T2WI may help determine the efficacy of USg-HIFU in multiple fibroids.

Optimization, formation, and evolution of the photoinduced curing gradients and in-situ lamellar gaps in additive manufacturing of ZrO2 ceramics: From curing to sintering behaviors

The photoinduced curing gradients and in-situ lamellar gaps were related to the three-dimensional curing mechanism of stereolithography and researched in this work. Based on the photocuring mathematic theories presented by our team, photoinduced curing gradients were influenced by printing parameters such as laser power and frequency, scanning angle, and printing thickness. Among these curing gradients, the inadequate curing area was the main factor affecting the surface quality and physical properties of ceramics. The in-situ lamellar gaps were derived from the inadequate curing area. The lamellar gap size of green bodies was enlarged in brown bodies (sintering at 1170 ℃) and shrunk in sintered bodies (sintering at 1500 ℃). The correlations between the surface quality and printing parameters were clarified by establishing mathematical formulations of the lamellar gap size. Furthermore, anisotropic volume shrinkage, anisotropic surface topography, and density and hardness evolutions were associated with the wrapped particle density differences induced by the photoinduced curing gradients. Finally, the optimal printing parameters (75% of laser power, laser frequency of 150 kHz, scanning angle of 90º, printing thickness of 25 μm, and scanning speed of 2.5 m/s) were obtained by the orthogonal experimental analysis. This study provides a distinct understanding of the high-quality forming and extreme-performance manufacturing of stereolithography.

Preparation of ambient-dried multifunctional cellulose aerogel by freeze-linking technique

Ambient drying is currently the cheapest and most efficient way to prepare aerogels, but it is invisible for the preparation of cellulose aerogels. In this paper, we describe a method of preparing cellulose aerogels that can be dried under atmospheric pressure by freeze-linking technique. The amino silane coupling agent forms an amino-rich polymer layer on the bacterial cellulose surface during the freezing process. And, the cross-linked network constructed by Schiff base reaction can strengthen the fiber skeleton in the process of solvent exchange. Due to the double cross-linked network structures, the cellulose ethanol gel can be dried directly under atmospheric pressure at 60 °C and the volume shrinkage can be as low as 3.3 %±1.4 %. In the process of solvent exchange, the loss of some polysiloxane causes defects in the aerogel, which not only reduces its thermal conductivity but also increases its specific surface area. And the water resistance, thermal performance, and dye adsorption performance of the aerogel are also significantly improved. This study provides a low-cost and high-efficiency solution for the manufacture of cellulose aerogels and promotes their wide applications.

Parameter design of the compressed air energy storage salt cavern in highly impure rock salt formations

Compressed air energy storage (CAES) salt caverns are suitable for large-scale and long-time storage of compressed air in support of electrical energy production and are an important component for realizing renewable energy systems. In this paper, the use of sediment voids in highly impure rock salt formations for CAES is proposed. The interaction between the insoluble sediment and the cavern wall is analyzed. A geomechanical model is established to optimize the design parameters of CAES salt caverns. The simulation results show that as the cavern height increases, the displacement decreases in the bottom sediment region and increases in the waist. As the internal air pressure increases, the safety factor increases, while the volume shrinkage and displacement decrease. The plastic zone and the strength utilization rate decrease, and the safety factor increases with increasing pillar width. Based on the above results, the long cylindrical cavern is recommended to have a height in the range of 260–280 m and a diameter of 80 m. The minimum internal air pressure is 10–12 MPa, and the maximum internal air pressure is 16–18 MPa. The pillar widths between caverns are approximately 2.0–2.5 times the cavern diameter. In this study, for a single cavern with a diameter of 80 m and a height of 260–280 m, the upper free volume (excluding sediment) and the lower sediment filled volume of a single cavern are approximately 4.6–5.0 × 105 m3 and 7.2–7.8 × 105 m3, respectively. The sediment voids used for storing compressed air increase by at least approximately 3.6 × 105 m3, which is approximately 0.8 times the upper free cavern volume. The results show that the CAES salt cavern in highly impure rock salt is feasible and has great potential.

Ultralow thermal conductivity of robust vermiculite aerogels fabricated by fast trivalent cation induced nanosheet gelation

Low thermal conductivities and high fire resistance are highly desired for the materials used in energy-efficient buildings with high-level safety. Traditional inorganic insulating materials are either fragile or have high thermal conductivities, while organic insulating materials or hybrids with inorganic ones are limited by poor fire resistance and significant volume shrinkage after heating. Herein we report mechanically robust vermiculite aerogels with a thermal conductivity as low as 0.033 W/(m·K), excellent fire resistance, and robust structural stability at high temperatures. The aerogels were assembled from delaminated two-dimensional vermiculite nanosheets via trivalent cations, such as Al3+, Fe3+, and La3+, induced fast gelation. The nanosheet concentration and ion cross-linking play critical roles in forming monolithic and robust aerogels. The vermiculite aerogels can resist a high-temperature flame without disintegration and show almost no volume shrinkage after long-time heat treatment at 700 °C. The excellent robustness and super-insulating performance (0.021 W/(m·K)) remain and even are improved after heating at 900 °C for 1 h. The as-made vermiculite aerogels show low-bulk density, high-porosity, super-insulating performance, excellent fire resistance, and environmental safety, endowing them with great potential as ideal thermal insulators for various applications, such as energy-efficient buildings.

Inverse identification of in-situ curing shrinkage using a method combining 3D digital image correlation and finite-element simulation

Curing shrinkage of adhesives in the bonding process usually leads to deformation and residual stresses. The measurement of curing shrinkage is valuable in providing fundamental information for better understanding, controlling, and optimizing the curing process. This paper developed an efficient hybrid inverse identification method for in-situ measurement of the volume shrinkage. This method associates the artificial fish swarm algorithm (AFSA) with a finite element method (FEM) and 3D digital image correlation (3D-DIC) technology. A homemade apparatus for experimental characterization of curing shrinkage is prepared and tested. The evolution of the volume shrinkage is inversely identified by matching the 3D-DIC and the FEM results using the AFSA algorithm. The results are further validated by a direct-density measurement and the standard physical property of the adhesive. Those experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method is a viable non-contact, non-destructive, and in-situ technique that can be applied to measure the in-situ curing shrinkage.

Stability Evaluation of Horizontal Salt Caverns for Gas Storage in Two Mining Layers: A Case Study in China

To increase natural gas storage capacity and further utilize salt mine resources, salt cavern gas storage in the Yunying salt mine, Hubei Province, China, was simultaneously constructed in two different mining layers (K3 and K4). The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term feasibility of operating salt caverns for gas storage in two mining layers. Based on the geological conditions and sonar test results, the geometric parameters for the salt caverns in the two mining layers were designed, and a 3D geomechanical model was built to predict the cavern stability. The corresponding evaluation index included the displacement, volume shrinkage rate, equivalent strain, and dilatancy factor. The results show that simultaneously operating salt cavern gas storage in two mining layers is feasible, and the operational pressures for the salt caverns in mining layers K3 and K4 should be no less than 4–9 and 7–12 MPa, respectively, to satisfy the stability requirements. The surrounding rock of the salt caverns presents a larger displacement and volume reduction compared with cases in which the salt caverns are operated in a single mining layer. Increasing the injection–withdrawal frequency increases the deformation of the surrounding rock.

Percutaneous microwave ablation of hepatic tumors: is there an impact of cirrhotic liver parenchyma upon the volume and short-term assessment of the ablation zone?

To retrospectively compare and evaluate ablation zone volume and its reduction from baseline to 1 month follow-up post-percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) between healthy and cirrhotic liver parenchyma. Institutional database research identified 84 patients (118 hepatic tumors) who underwent percutaneous MWA with the same system. Caudal-right lobe ratio was applied to distinguish cirrhotic (n = 51) and healthy (n = 67) group; ITK-SNAP software was used to quantify ablation zone volume. Long (LAD) and short 1 (SAD-1) and 2 (SAD-2) axis, tumor size diameter (mm) and volume (cm³) of the ablation zones were evaluated for each treated lesion in both groups at baseline (immediately post-ablation) and at 1 month follow-up. There was no significant difference comparing ablation zone volumes at baseline (healthy group: mean ablation volume 14.84 cm³ vs cirrhotic group: mean ablation volume 17.85 cm³, p = 0.31) and 1 month post-ablation (healthy group: mean ablation volume 9.15 cm³ vs cirrhotic group: mean ablation volume 11.58 cm³, p = 0.24). When both "healthy" and "cirrhotic" liver group were evaluated independently, there was a significant difference of ablation volumes reduction (p-value < 0.001) from baseline to 1 month follow-up. When both groups were compared based on reduction (35.12-38.34%) there was no significant difference in ablation zone volumes (p-value = 0.77). Percutaneous MWA results in ablation zones of a comparable volume in both healthy and cirrhotic liver parenchyma. Both cirrhotic and healthy liver parenchyma experience a similar significant reduction of ablation zone volume at 1 month post-therapy. This study evaluates and compares the volume of the ablation zone after MWA between healthy and cirrhotic liver parenchyma from baseline to 1 month follow-up and attempts to identify potential differences. It is the first study to demonstrate significant shrinkage of ablation volumes in healthy livers as compared to cirrhotic livers after 4 weeks of follow-up. The results of this study can help us understand the effect of MWA when applied in different backgrounds of liver parenchyma, which could lead to different treatment planning.