Showing papers on "Fiber published in 2002"

High angular resolution diffusion imaging reveals intravoxel white matter fiber heterogeneity.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can resolve the white matter fiber orientation within a voxel provided that the fibers are strongly aligned. However, a given voxel may contain a distribution of fiber orientations due to, for example, intravoxel fiber crossing. The present study sought to test whether a geodesic, high b-value diffusion gradient sampling scheme could resolve multiple fiber orientations within a single voxel. In regions of fiber crossing the diffusion signal exhibited multiple local maxima/minima as a function of diffusion gradient orientation, indicating the presence of multiple intravoxel fiber orientations. The multimodality of the observed diffusion signal precluded the standard tensor reconstruction, so instead the diffusion signal was modeled as arising from a discrete mixture of Gaussian diffusion processes in slow exchange, and the underlying mixture of tensors was solved for using a gradient descent scheme. The multitensor reconstruction resolved multiple intravoxel fiber populations corresponding to known fiber anatomy. Ma

Micro- and Nanostructured Surface Morphology on Electrospun Polymer Fibers

Abstract: Electrospun fibers were produced using a variety of solvents to investigate the influence of polymer/solvent properties on the fiber surface morphology. Electrospinning is a novel processing techni...

Carbon nanotube/carbon fiber hybrid multiscale composites

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes were grown directly on carbon fibers using chemical vapor deposition. When embedded in a polymer matrix, the change in length scale of carbon nanotubes relative to carbon fibers results in a multiscale composite, where individual carbon fibers are surrounded by a sheath of nanocomposite reinforcement. Single-fiber composites were fabricated to examine the influence of local nanotube reinforcement on load transfer at the fiber/matrix interface. Results of the single-fiber composite tests indicate that the nanocomposite reinforcement improves interfacial load transfer. Selective reinforcement by nanotubes at the fiber/matrix interface likely results in local stiffening of the polymer matrix near the fiber/matrix interface, thus, improving load transfer.

Ultrafine fibrous cellulose membranes from electrospinning of cellulose acetate

Abstract: Three solvents, that is, acetone, acetic acid, and dimethylacetamide (DMAc), with a range of solubility parameter δ, surface tension γ, viscosity η and boiling temperature were used to generate mixtures for electrospinning cellulose acetate (CA) (degree of substitution, DS = 2.45). Although none of these solvents alone enables continuous formation of fibers, mixing DMAc with either acetone or acetic acid produced suitable solvent systems. The 2:1 acetone:DMAc mixture is the most versatile mixture because it allows CA in the 12.5–20% concentration range to be continuously electrospun into fibrous membranes. These CA solutions have η between 1.2 and 10.2 poise and γ around 26 dyne/cm and produce smooth fibers with diameters from 100 nm to ∼1 μm. Fiber sizes generally decrease with decreasing CA concentrations. The nature of the collectors affects the morphology as well as packing of fibers. Fibers collected on paper have more uniform sizes, smooth surfaces, and fewer defects, whereas fibers collected on water are more varied in size. Electrically conductive solid collectors, such as Al foil and water, favor more tightly packed and less porous membranes. Porous collectors, like paper and copper mesh, produce highly porous membranes. The pores in membranes collected on the Al foil and paper are much better interconnected in the planar directions than those in membranes collected on water. There is evidence that electrospinning induces order in the fibers. Deacetylation of CA membranes is more efficient and complete in NaOH/ethanol than in aqueous NaOH, producing DS values between 0.15 and 2.33 without altering fiber surfaces, packing, or organization. The fully regenerated cellulose membranes are similarly hydrophilic as commodity cellulose fibrous matrices but absorb nearly 10 times as much water. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2119–2129, 2002

Effects of environmental aging on the mechanical properties of bamboo–glass fiber reinforced polymer matrix hybrid composites

Abstract: Short bamboo fiber reinforced polypropylene composites (BFRP) and short bamboo–glass fiber reinforced polypropylene hybrid composites (BGRP) were fabricated using a compression molding method. Maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) was used as a compatibilizer to improve the adhesion between the reinforcements and the matrix material. By incorporating up to 20% (by mass) glass fiber, the tensile and flexural modulus of BGRP were increased by 12.5 and 10%, respectively; and the tensile and flexural strength were increased by 7 and 25%, respectively, compared to those of BFRP. Sorption behavior and effects of environmental aging on tensile properties of both BFRP and BGRP systems were studied by immersing samples in water for up to 1200 h at 25°C. Compared to BFRP, a 4% drop in saturated moisture level is seen in BGRP. After aging in water for 1200 h, reduction in tensile strength and modulus for BGRP is nearly two times less than that of BFRP. Use of MAPP as coupling agent in the polypropylene matrix results in decreased saturated moisture absorption level and enhanced mechanical properties for both BFRP and BGRP systems. Thus it is shown that the durability of bamboo fiber reinforced polypropylene can be enhanced by hybridization with small amount of glass fibers.

Nutritional and Physicochemical Characteristics of Dietary Fiber Enriched Pasta

Abstract: The relationship between pasta texture and physicostructural characteristics was determined in relation to potential starch degradation and subsequent glucose release. Pastas with added soluble and insoluble dietary fiber ingredients were evaluated in relation to biochemical composition, cooking properties, and textural characteristics. Results show that both the type and amount of added fiber influence the overall quality of both raw and cooked pasta. Glucose release may be significantly reduced by the addition of soluble dietary fiber.

Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of PBO/SWNT Composites &

Abstract: Poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO) has been synthesized in the presence of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in poly(phosphoric acid) (PPA) using typical PBO polymerization conditions. PBO and PBO/SWNT lyotropic liquid crystalline solutions in PPA have been spun into fibers using dry-jet wet spinning. The tensile strength of the PBO/SWNT fiber containing 10 wt % SWNTs is about 50% higher than that of the control PBO fibers containing no SWNTs. The structure and morphology of these fibers have been studied.

Surface characterization of flax, hemp and cellulose fibers; Surface properties and the water uptake behavior

Abstract: The surface characteristics of several natural fibers—flax, hemp and cellulose—were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, BET-surface area and zeta (ζ-) potential measurements. ζ-Potential measurements using the streaming potential method were performed in order to study the water uptake behavior as well as the surface properties of several natural fibers. The influence of different flax-fiber separation methods and several modifications, like industrial purification, and such a treatment followed by alkaline purification as well as polypropylene grafting on the fiber surface morphology, surface area and time- and pH-depending ζ-potentials were studied. The time-dependence of the ζ-potential, measured in 1 mM KCl solution, offeres and alternative possibility to estimate the water uptake behavior for nearly all investigated natural fibers. The water uptake data derived from the ζ-potential measurements (ζ = f(t)) were compared with data from conventional water adsorption studies for some chosen examples.

External Reflection from Omnidirectional Dielectric Mirror Fibers

Abstract: We report the design and fabrication of a multilayered macroscopic fiber preform and the subsequent drawing and optical characterization of extended lengths of omnidirectional dielectric mirror fibers with submicrometer layer thickness. A pair of glassy materials with substantially different indices of refraction, but with similar thermomechanical properties, was used to construct 21 layers of alternating refractive index surrounding a tough polymer core. Large directional photonic band gaps and high reflection efficiencies comparable to those of the best metallic reflectors were obtained. Potential applications of these fibers include woven fabrics for radiation barriers, spectral authentication of cloth, and filters for telecommunications.

High Pressure CO2/CH4 Separation Using Carbon Molecular Sieve Hollow Fiber Membranes

Abstract: Carbon molecular sieve (CMS) hollow fiber membranes have been investigated for CO2/CH4 separation. High-pressure (up to 1000 psia), mixed-gas feeds of 10% CO2/90% CH4 on the shell side were examined for three different temperatures (24, 35, and 50 °C). The mechanical, permeance, and selectivity stabilities of the CMS membranes under high pressure were encouraging and could be industrially relevant for many high-pressure applications, such as CO2 removal from natural gas. Two asymmetric polyimide precursor fibers, 6FDA/BPDA-DAM and Matrimid 5218, were pyrolyzed under vacuum to form the CMS membrane fibers. When pyrolyzed under identical protocols, the two types of CMS fibers had different permeation properties and physical characteristics. Modifications of the pyrolysis protocol and conditions were explored. Increasing the final pyrolysis temperature was shown to dramatically increase the CO2/CH4 selectivity (>600) of the CMS membranes but was detrimental to the CO2 permeance. On the other hand, using a he...

High index-contrast fiber waveguides and applications

Abstract: High index-contrast fiber waveguides, materials for forming high index-contrast fiber waveguides, and applications of high index-contrast fiber waveguides are disclosed.

Polypropylene fibers reinforced with carbon nanotubes

Abstract: The strength properties of polypropylene fibers were enhanced with single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) Solvent processing was used to disperse SWNTs in a commodity polypropylene After the solvent was removed, the solid polymer was melt-spun and postdrawn into fibers of unusual strength For a 1-wt % loading of nanotubes, the fiber tensile strength increased 40% (from 90 to 131 g/denier) At the same time, the modulus increased 55% (from 60 to 93 g/denier) © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2079–2084, 2002

Degradation of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites by Ultraviolet Radiation and Condensation

Abstract: The degradation of an IM7/997 carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy exposed to ultraviolet radiation and/or condensation has been characterized. Based on observations of physical and chemical degradation it has been established that these environments operate in a synergistic manner that causes extensive erosion of the epoxy matrix, resulting in a reduction in mechanical properties. Matrix dominated properties are affected the most, with the transverse tensile strength decreasing by 29% after only 1000 h of cyclic exposure to UV radiation and condensation. While, the longitudinal fiber-dominated properties are not affected for the exposure durations investigated, it has been noted that extensive matrix erosion would ultimately limit effective load transfer to the reinforcing fibers and lead to the deterioration of mechanical properties even along the fiber dominated material direction.

A Kinesin-Like Protein Is Essential for Oriented Deposition of Cellulose Microfibrils and Cell Wall Strength

Abstract: Cortical microtubules have long been hypothesized to regulate the oriented deposition of cellulose microfibrils. However, the molecular mechanisms of how microtubules direct the orientation of cellulose microfibril deposition are not known. We have used fibers in the inflorescence stems of Arabidopsis to study secondary wall deposition and cell wall strength and found a fragile fiber (fra1) mutant with a dramatic reduction in the mechanical strength of fibers. The fra1 mutation did not cause any defects in cell wall composition, secondary wall thickening, or cortical microtubule organization in fiber cells. An apparent alteration was found in the orientation of cellulose microfibrils in fra1 fiber walls, indicating that the reduced mechanical strength of fra1 fibers probably was attributable to altered cellulose microfibril deposition. The FRA1 gene was cloned and found to encode a kinesin-like protein with an N-terminal microtubule binding motor domain. The FRA1 protein was shown to be concentrated around the periphery of the cytoplasm but absent in the nucleus. Based on these findings, we propose that the FRA1 kinesin-like protein is involved in the microtubule control of cellulose microfibril order.

Morphology and mechanical properties of unidirectional sisal-epoxy composites

Abstract: Plant fibers are of increasing interest for use in composite materials. They are renewable resources and waste management is easier than with glass fibers. In the present study, longitudinal stiffn ...

Improved structure and properties of single-wall carbon nanotube spun fibers

Abstract: This letter describes a method to improve the alignment of single-wall carbon nanotubes in macroscopic fibers produced by a simple spinning process. By contrast to classical composite fibers, where the nanotubes are embedded in a polymeric matrix, they consist of an interconnected network of polymers and nanotubes. This network can be swollen and stretched when the fibers are immersed in an appropriate solvent. The nanotubes alignment, studied by x-ray scattering, is significantly improved by the treatment. The fiber Young’s modulus can also be increased by a factor of 4.

Heterogeneous structure of silk fibers from Bombyx mori resolved by 13C solid-state NMR spectroscopy.

Abstract: The molecular conformation of silk fibrion is characterized by solid-state 13C NMR before spinning (silk I structure) and after spinning (silk II structure). We compare native silk fibers with the quasi-crystalline Cp-fraction and a synthetic model peptide (Ala-Gly)15, both of which can be converted either into silk I by dialysis from 9 M LiBr or into silk II by treatment with formic acid. Our results demonstrate that silk II fibers are intrinsically heterogeneous, consisting of β-sheets, distorted β-turns, and distorted β-sheets. This higher-order heterogeneity is revealed by the 13C-NMR Cβ-peak of Ala, indicating that the Ala side chains are stacked partially in parallel and partially face-to-face, at a ratio of 1:2.

Surface chemical modification of natural cellulose fibers

Abstract: Simple esterification and etherification reactions were applied to steam-exploded Flax (Linum usitatissimum) with the aim of changing the surface properties through modification of fiber surface chemistry. Native and chemically modified cellulose fibers were characterized in terms of thermal stability, surface chemistry, morphology, and crystal structure. Independent of the substituent nature, chemically modified fibers exhibited a thermal stability comparable to that of native cellulose. Introduction of the desired chemical groups at the fiber surface was demonstrated by TOF-SIMS analysis, whereas FTIR showed that the substitution reaction involved only a small fraction of the cellulose hydroxyls. No change of the native crystalline structure of cellulose fibers was caused by chemical modification, except in the case where ether substitution was carried out in water-isopropanol medium. Cellulose fibers with unchanged structure and morphology and carrying at the surface the desired chemical groups were obtained for reinforcing applications in polymer composites. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 38–45, 2002

Processing and characterization of aligned vapor grown carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene

Abstract: This investigation describes a method for aligning vapor grown carbon nano-fibers suspended in a polymer flow during extrusion to produce an improved thermoplastic composite. A twin-screw extruder was used to shear mix and extrude fiber/polypropylene mixtures through a converging-annular die that generates fiber alignment along the flow direction. The degree of fiber alignment was quantified by using X-ray diffraction. It was shown that fiber alignment could be improved by increasing the residence time in the die channel. Tensile specimens were fabricated by molding the extruded strands and the strength properties of the aligned samples increased with fiber content. The tensile strength improved with greater fiber orientation, however, more fiber alignment had little affect on the modulus. The addition of vapor grown carbon nano-fiber also increased the thermal conductivity and decreased the electrical resistivity.

Characterization of interfacial and mechanical properties of green composites with soy protein isolate and ramie fiber

Abstract: Environment-friendly fiber-reinforced composites were fabricated using ramie fibers and soy protein isolate (SPI) and were characterized for their interfacial and mechanical properties. Ramie fibers were characterized for their tensile properties and the parameters for the Weibull distribution were estimated. Effect of glycerol content on the tensile properties of SPI was studied. Interfacial shear strength (IFSS) was determined using the microbond technique. Based on the IFSS results and fiber strength distribution, three different fiber lengths and fiber weight contents (FWC) were chosen to fabricate short fiber-reinforced composites. The results indicate that the fracture stress increases with increase in fiber length and fiber weight content. Glycerol was found to increase the fracture strain and reduce the resin fracture stress and modulus as a result of plasticization. For 10% (w/w) of 5 mm long fibers, no significant reinforcement effect was observed. In fact the short fibers acted as flaws and led to reduction in the tensile properties. On further increasing the fiber length and FWC, a significant increase in the Young's modulus and fracture stress and decrease in fracture strain was observed as the fibers started to control the tensile properties of the composites. The experimental data were compared to the theoretical predictions made using Zweben's model. The experimental results are lower than the predicted values for a variety of reasons. However, the two values get closer with increasing fiber length and FWC.

Ablation, mechanical and thermal conductivity properties of vapor grown carbon fiber/phenolic matrix composites

Abstract: The ablation, mechanical and thermal properties of vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF) (Pyrograf III™ Applied Sciences, Inc.)/phenolic resin (SC-1008, Borden Chemical, Inc.) composites were evaluated to determine the potential of using this material in solid rocket motor nozzles. Composite specimens with varying VGCF loadings (30–50% wt.) including one sample with ex-rayon carbon fiber plies were prepared and exposed to a plasma torch for 20 s with a heat flux of 16.5 MW/m 2 at approximately 1650°C. Low erosion rates and little char formation were observed, confirming that these materials were promising for rocket motor nozzle materials. When fiber loadings increased, mechanical properties and ablative properties improved. The VGCF composites had low thermal conductivities (approximately 0.56 W/m-K) indicating they were good insulating materials. If a 65% fiber loading in VGCF composite could be achieved, then ablative properties are projected to be comparable to or better than the composite material currently used on the Space Shuttle Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM).