The science of the total environment

http://www.tissueeng.net/lab/papers/1-s2.0-S014296121500719X-main.pdf

Synthesis, properties, and biomedical applications of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels

The validity of the cubic law for laminar flow of fluids through open fractures consisting of parallel planar plates has been established by others over a wide range of conditions with apertures ranging down to a minimum of 0.2 µm. The law may be given in simplified form by Q/Δh = C(2b)3, where Q is the flow rate, Δh is the difference in hydraulic head, C is a constant that depends on the flow geometry and fluid properties, and 2b is the fracture aperture. The validity of this law for flow in a closed fracture where the surfaces are in contact and the aperture is being decreased under stress has been investigated at room temperature by using homogeneous samples of granite, basalt, and marble. Tension fractures were artificially induced, and the laboratory setup used radial as well as straight flow geometries. Apertures ranged from 250 down to 4µm, which was the minimum size that could be attained under a normal stress of 20 MPa. The cubic law was found to be valid whether the fracture surfaces were held open or were being closed under stress, and the results are not dependent on rock type. Permeability was uniquely defined by fracture aperture and was independent of the stress history used in these investigations. The effects of deviations from the ideal parallel plate concept only cause an apparent reduction in flow and may be incorporated into the cubic law by replacing C by C/ƒ. The factor ƒ varied from 1.04 to 1.65 in these investigations. The model of a fracture that is being closed under normal stress is visualized as being controlled by the strength of the asperities that are in contact. These contact areas are able to withstand significant stresses while maintaining space for fluids to continue to flow as the fracture aperture decreases. The controlling factor is the magnitude of the aperture, and since flow depends on (2b)3, a slight change in aperture evidently can easily dominate any other change in the geometry of the flow field. Thus one does not see any noticeable shift in the correlations of our experimental results in passing from a condition where the fracture surfaces were held open to one where the surfaces were being closed under stress.

/pdf/validity-of-cubic-law-for-fluid-flow-in-a-deformable-rock-2ynq4id3hq.pdf

VALIDITY OF CUBIC LAW FOR FLUID FLOW IN A DEFORMABLE ROCK FRACTURE - eScholarship

Biopolymer-based hydrogels as scaffolds for tissue engineering applications: a review

/pdf/high-resolution-x-ray-computed-tomography-in-geosciences-a-3sj7249knj.pdf

High-resolution X-ray computed tomography in geosciences: A review of the current technology and applications

The technique of X-ray microtomography using X-ray tube radiation offers an interesting tool for the non-destructive investigation of a wide range of materials. A major challenge lies in the analysis and quantification of the resulting data, allowing for a full characterization of the sample under investigation. In this paper, we discuss the software tools for reconstruction and analysis of tomographic data that are being developed at the UGCT. The tomographic reconstruction is performed using Octopus, a high-performance and user-friendly software package. The reconstruction process transforms the raw acquisition data into a stack of 2D cross-sections through the sample, resulting in a 3D data set. A number of artifact and noise reduction algorithms are integrated to reduce ring artifacts, beam hardening artifacts, COR misalignment, detector or stage tilt, pixel non-linearities, etc. These corrections are very important to facilitate the analysis of the 3D data. The analysis of the 3D data focuses primarily on the characterization of pore structures, but will be extended to other applications. A first package for the analysis of pore structures in three dimensions was developed under Matlab®. A new package, called Morpho+, is being developed in a C++ environment, with optimizations and extensions of the previously used algorithms. The current status of this project will be discussed. Examples of pore analysis can be found in pharmaceuticals, material science, geology and numerous other fields.

Software tools for quantification of X-ray microtomography at the UGCT

Imaging and image-based fluid transport modeling at the pore scale in geological materials : a practical introduction to the current state-of-the-art

Self-healing strategies are regarded as a promising solution to reduce the high maintenance and repair cost of concrete infrastructures. In the present work, a bacterial-based self-healing by use of hydrogel encapsulated bacterial spores (bio-hydrogels) was investigated. The crack closure behavior of the specimens with/without bio-hydrogels was studied quantitatively by light microscopy. To have a view of the self-healing inside the specimens, a high resolution X-ray computed microtomography (X-ray μCT) was used. The total amount and the distribution of the healing products in the whole matrix were investigated. This study indicates that the specimens incorporated with bio-hydrogels had distinct improved healing efficiency compared to the reference ones with pure hydrogel only. The healing ratios in the specimens with bio-hydrogels were in the range from 70% to 100% for the cracks smaller than 0.3 mm, which is more than 50% higher than for the ones with pure hydrogel; and the maximum crack bridging was about 0.5 mm (in 7 d), while pure hydrogels only allowed healing of cracks of about 0.18 mm. The total volume ratio of the healing product in the specimens with bio-hydrogels amounted to 2.2%, which was about 60% higher than for the ones with pure hydrogel (1.37%).

X-ray computed tomography proof of bacterial-based self-healing in concrete

The UGCT (University Gent Computer Tomography) facility, a cooperation between the Radiation Physics research group and the Sedimentary Geology and Engineering Geology research group is a new CT facility providing a large range of scanning possibilities. Formerly a Skyscan 1072 was used to perform X-ray micro-CT scans at the UGCT facility and although this is a very powerful instrument, there were needs for a higher resolution and more flexibility. Therefore, the UCGT facility started the construction of a multidisciplinary micro-CT scanner inside a shielded room with a maximum flexibility of the set-up. The X-ray tube of this high-resolution CT scanner is a state-of-the-art open-type device with dual head: one head for high power micro-CT and one for sub-micro- or also called nano-CT. An important advantage of this scanner is that different detectors can be used to optimize the scanning conditions of the objects under investigation. The entire set-up is built on a large optical table to obtain the highest possible stability. Due to the flexible set-up and the powerful CT reconstruction software “Octopus”, it is possible to obtain the highest quality and the best signal-to-noise of the reconstructed images for each type of sample.

Veerle Cnudde

Papers

High-resolution X-ray computed tomography in geosciences: A review of the current technology and applications

Software tools for quantification of X-ray microtomography at the UGCT

Imaging and image-based fluid transport modeling at the pore scale in geological materials : a practical introduction to the current state-of-the-art

X-ray computed tomography proof of bacterial-based self-healing in concrete

UGCT: New X-ray radiography and tomography facility