Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

About: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a other organization based out in Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Laser & Mach number. The organization has 5817 authors who have published 9157 publications receiving 292559 citations. The organization is also known as: Wright-Patterson AFB & FFO.

Remotely actuated polymer nanocomposites--stress-recovery of carbon-nanotube-filled thermoplastic elastomers.

Abstract: Stimuli-responsive (active) materials undergo large-scale shape or property changes in response to an external stimulus such as stress, temperature, light or pH1,2. Technological uses range from durable, shape-recovery eye-glass frames, to temperature-sensitive switches, to the generation of stress to induce mechanical motion3,4,5,6,7,8,9. Here, we demonstrate that the uniform dispersion of 1–5 vol.% of carbon nanotubes in a thermoplastic elastomer yields nanocomposites that can store and subsequently release, through remote means, up to 50% more recovery stress than the pristine resin. The anisotropic nanotubes increase the rubbery modulus by a factor of 2 to 5 (for 1–5 vol.%) and improve shape fixity by enhancing strain-induced crystallization. Non-radiative decay of infrared photons absorbed by the nanotubes raises the internal temperature, melting strain-induced polymer crystallites (which act as physical crosslinks that secure the deformed shape) and remotely trigger the release of the stored strain energy. Comparable effects occur for electrically induced actuation associated with Joule heating of the matrix when a current is passed through the conductive percolative network of the nanotubes within the resin. This unique combination of properties, directly arising from the nanocomposite morphology, demonstrates new opportunities for the design and fabrication of stimuli-responsive polymers, which are otherwise not available in one material system.

Compression Strength of Porous Sintered Alumina and Zirconia

Abstract: The influence of controlled porosity on the compression strength of sintered pure alumina and of partly magnesia-stabilized zirconia was investigated. Bodies with porosities ranging from approximately 3 to 60% by volume were prepared utilizing hydrogen peroxide to induce pore formation. Cubes of approximately 1.2-cm, unit length were used in testing for compression strength at room temperature. The spatial arrangement of pores in sintered alumina was found to exert an influence, inasmuch as bodies with pores lined parallel to the pressure direction revealed a higher strength than bodies of the same porosity but with pores lined mainly perpendicular to this direction. It was found that an increase of porosity by 10 volume % decreased the strength of both sintered alumina and sintered zirconia by half of their initial respective values.

Graphene-based wireless bacteria detection on tooth enamel

Abstract: Direct interfacing of nanosensors onto biomaterials could impact health quality monitoring and adaptive threat detection. Graphene is capable of highly sensitive analyte detection due to its nanoscale nature. Here we show that graphene can be printed onto water-soluble silk. This in turn permits intimate biotransfer of graphene nanosensors onto biomaterials, including tooth enamel. The result is a fully biointerfaced sensing platform, which can be tuned to detect target analytes. For example, via self-assembly of antimicrobial peptides onto graphene, we show bioselective detection of bacteria at single-cell levels. Incorporation of a resonant coil eliminates the need for onboard power and external connections. Combining these elements yields two-tiered interfacing of peptide-graphene nanosensors with biomaterials. In particular, we demonstrate integration onto a tooth for remote monitoring of respiration and bacteria detection in saliva. Overall, this strategy of interfacing graphene nanosensors with biomaterials represents a versatile approach for ubiquitous detection of biochemical targets.