A Novel Contrast-Enhanced Brain Mimicking Hydrogel for Testing Implantable Brain Electrodes
Paralysis is a debilitating disorder that does not currently have safe and effective treatments. Implantable brain electrodes can be used to read brain waves and convert them into a corresponding motor function to restore movement in paralyzed patients. Tissue deformation induced around the implant site is believed to reduce their viability through the foreign body response. Developing electrodes that minimize deformation is challenging because the mechanical aspects of deformation are not fully understood and non-animal tissue models for testing electrodes are unavailable. Development of pre-clinical models for in vitro testing of the mechanical properties of electrodes can lead to a better understanding of this prevalent problem. The objective of this study was to construct a novel contrast-enhanced, brain mimicking hydrogel using photopolymerizable polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer that contains alginate microspheres with enclosed gadolinium (Gd) contrast agent. 1.5% alginate microspheres were constructed with enclosed Gd-DTPA-BSA contrast agent and successively added into 10% PEG. Then, this mixture was photopolymerized using a 5 mW/cm2UV lamp to result in a successful brain mimicking hydrogel. Rheological testing showed that its elastic modulus was approximately 1.5 kPa, which is similar to that of a normal human brain. The model is valuable because the presence of the contrast agent in the hydrogel resulted in distinct bright spots on the MRI. This can facilitate the visualization of tissue deformation caused by electrode insertion via comparison of pre-insertion and post-insertion images. This brain-mimicking model has the potential to improve understanding of neural deformation from electrode implants in order to assist patients suffering from paralysis.
Reduction fuel's amount when working the Internal-combustion engine
The aim of the work is inventing the way in which the power of the ICE is the same and consuming of the fuel decreases. The following methods of investigation were used: analysis of the experience of the improvement of ICE, modeling, the brainstorming, methods of Decition Theory of Invention’s Tasks (DTIT). In this work Ivan Semyonov based on a hypothesis that if the non-supporting combustion exhausts will be drawn with the vacuum from cylinder fuel for the same power it needed less. The practical meaning of this work is in the attempt of studying the question of improving the ICE for getting and making the more perfect ICE.
Universal computing sorting machine
The purpose of the study was to develop and create a semi-automatic multi-purpose sorting and counting machine of standard articles. Currently, there is a problem of equipping industrial enterprises as well as small trade companies and large retailers with computing sorting machines of standard products of a certain shape. We would like to fill this missing link up with a simple, compact and inexpensive device. Procedures The proposed research consisted of a consistent design of a virtual model of the device and its electronic-mechanical implementation. The virtual model is simulated by a computer program "SolidWorks" object, which graphically shows the operation of the future device. In the development of the computing sorting device standard electronic devices and their associated software have been used. The created simplified real model demonstrates the basic principles and characteristics of the proposed device. Data As an example for the implementation of the concept device a computing device for sorting coins, in circulation in Russia has been created. As a basic principle of sorting objects by their geometric and weight characteristics were used. It is important that the device is focused on the correct form of the objects of sorting (balls, rings, coins, regular polyhedrons, screws, nuts, etc). To confirm the effectiveness of the computing device of this type of sorting, a series of tests of counting of objects manually have been carried out . The effectiveness of the device is determined by comparing the time characteristics of manual and automatic sorting. Findings and conclusions As a result of research and work performed, we have concluded that: 1) The proposed device can be used in various industries. (for example, while sorting ball bearings.) 2) Such a computing sorting device may find it's application in various commercial enterprises: to assist cashiers in retail ATMs. 3) Can be used in payment terminals. 4) 4) After a certain modernization of the device it can be used for money encashment.
HOW HIGH ARE YOU REALLY JUMPING?
Purpose High-jump athletes are not always aware of the exact height they are jumping. They know that they are clearing the height set by the bar, but not their specific height, which may in fact be a record without them even knowing it. The purpose of this project is thus to design and make a device that will enable high-jump athletes to know exactly how high they are jumping. Procedure Background research was conducted and it was confirmed that no similar products are currently available. Possible types of sensors and micro-controllers were then investigated and then both a prototype and model were built to test the concept. Appropriate changes and adjustments were then made to the design until all func-tions were working accordingly. With the assistance of an experienced software de-veloper, a program was designed to communicate the data collected from the sen-sors into a graphical user interface. Results Many variables, contributing to the accuracy of the obtained results, had to be tak-en into consideration. These variables include interference with the sensors, which resulted in less accurate readings, as well as weather conditions. The latter was found not to have as drastic an effect on the results. Conclusion A device that enables athletes to measure the true height they are clearing was suc-cessfully designed and created. This device will thus be able to help motivate athletes by measuring their true capa-bilities.
Equipping, programming and testing a robot searching for an avalanche transceiver
1. Purpose of the research Because we live in a famous winter sport region in Switzerland, we have been confronted with the problematic of avalanches since we were born. In winter 2011/2012 alone, 179 people were involved in an avalanche accident, of whom 25 died. The most important device for searching and rescuing a buried person is the avalanche transceiver. It creates an electromagnetic field, which can be used to locate a buried person with another transceiver. The most important factor while searching is time: After 30 min. the chance of survival of a buried person has dropped to 40%. Considering the fact that people often make mistakes when they are put under such a big stress, valuable time gets lost. This is where our project comes into play. With an automation of the searching process a fast and reliable search should be achieved. The aim we agreed on for this paper is to develop a prototype of a robot that can find an avalanche transceiver automatically and reliably. To study and optimize the functionality of our robot more easily, our tests have only been performed on flat ground. 2. Procedures The components of an avalanche transceiver with only one transmitting antenna are used as a receiver. With the help of this receiver, the signal of a transmitting avalanche transceiver was analysed. Furthermore, the results were used to evaluate the most suitable search technique. Our robot is based on the “RP6” robot system, which is programmable in the C-language. The signal of the receiver is modified in a way which allows the robot to read it. Based on the results of the signal analysis, a search algorithm is developed. In the final tests the robot was examined as to its functionality and efficiency. Therefore, the robot was positioned at randomly chosen starting points to locate the transmitting device. 3. Data The transmitter could be located correctly in every test. The starting points were successfully located up to 11 m from the transmitter. The search ending points were found at a maximum range of 0.5 m from the correct position. 4. Conclusions In view of the results, the aim of developing an automatic localisation of an avalanche transceiver on flat ground as a prototype is seen as fulfilled. Outside the specified range, the transmitter can only be located unreliably. This is due to the fact that outside that range the signal differential in different directions is too small to be processed by the robot. Our prototype was tested under ideal conditions. Certainly, our robot is still some way from being ready for use in an actual avalanche. Many different questions have not been answered yet or have come up during this project, for example: ‘How should the robot should be applied on uneven terrain?’ or: ‘How should it deal with several buried people at once (multiple transmitted signals)?’ Two aspects of our prototype, the low weight and the low construction costs, however, are particularly favourable.
奈米使你變美了!-奈米二氧化鈦在化妝品上的應用
奈米的科學與技術將是21 世紀所要探討的方向。在了解奈米粒子的表面效應、小尺寸效應、量子尺寸效應、宏觀量子隧道效應後,發現其應用甚廣,諸如再生物、醫學、環境、國防、工業產品等方面,都將佔有很重要的地位。我們主要是利用溶膠-凝膠法來製造二氧化鈦奈米粒子,並了解二氧化鈦奈米粒子可吸收紫外線及光催化反應,將廣泛應用電子、紡織、塑膠、橡膠,空氣淨化及廢水處理方面。本實驗將利用二氧化鈦的吸收紫外線特性,來研究其應用在化妝品上面。The science and technology of nanomater will be the direction we will explore in the 21st century. After understanding surface area effect of nanometer particle, Small size effect, Quantum effect, and Macroscopic quantum tunnel effect, we can diswver the application is very far-fluing. For example:biochemistry, medical science,eneironment,national defense and industrial products,will devine a very important position.We mainly use sol-gel method to produce U-TiO?,and understand the absorption of UV and photocatalysis,plastics,mbber,purging air,and dealing with effluents.This experiment will use characteristic of absorbing UV of U-TiO? for researching the application of cosmstics.
Synthesis and Characterization of Niobium Nitride Nanowires
This project aims to explore the potential of inexpensive in-situ deposition of niobium nitride nanowires to improve electrical conductivity. Transition metal nitrides are well known for attributes such as superconductivity, high melting point, simple structure as well as excellent electrical and thermal conductivities. In particular, niobium nitride possesses exceptional hardness and high reflectivity, as well as being a stable field emitter, making it well suited to applications as a cold cathode material. Niobium nitrides are formed by the uptake of nitrogen by niobium. This is achieved by the exothermic formation of an interstitial solid solution of nitrogen atoms in the bcc lattice of the niobium. Existing research has established the possibility of preparing niobium nitride by heating niobium in nitrogen or ammonia over a range of temperatures, by heating niobium pentaoxide and carbon in the presence of nitrogen as well as by chemical vapor deposition of other niobium compounds, nitrogen or hydrogen. For the purpose of this study, a two-step process was used for synthesis. The benefits of a two-step process over direct ammonolysis are apparent, from the greater degree of freedom pertaining to parameter determination. Additionally, characterization of niobium pentaoxide nanowires synthesize under similar conditions is also made possible by terminating the reaction earlier. NbN nanowires were synthesized by annealing niobium pentaoxide nanowires at 850 oC for 2 hours. Subsequent characterization was done using Raman Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The presence of NbN nanowires via the conversion of Nb2O5 was ascertained by the absence of sharp peaks at 1000 cm-1 for Raman Spectroscopy and XRD plots. Field emission (FE) properties and electrical properties of NbN nanowires were then measured. NbN nanowires were found to have a high turn-on voltage, stable and relatively good field emission characteristics, demonstrating its potential as a cold cathode material. No current saturation was observed for an applied electric field of 0 to 6.0 V/ μm (5). This suggests a low degree of contact resistance for nanowires produced by this method of annealing, since the passage of electrons is not obstructed. Hence there will only be a small voltage drop between the SiO2 substrate and NbN nanowires. Samples containing NbN nanowires were dislodged by ultrasound to form an aqueous suspension of nanowires. A drop of suspension was dripped onto gold-finger substrates, and current-voltage (I-V) measurements of resultant nanowire bridges were taken. NbN nanowire bridges display Ohmic properties, in comparison with Nb2O5 nanowires that are semiconducting. Nanowire bridges obtained by heat-drying were denser and had better electrical properties than those obtained by evaporation to dryness. NbN nanowire bridges display Ohmic properties, in comparison with Nb2O5 nanowires that are semiconducting. Further work would include varying the cooling processes to observe any changes or deformation. Additionally, niobium nitride nanowires can be hybridized with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). A more in-depth comparison between niobium oxide and niobium nitride nanowires is also proposed, along with exploration of the nitrification of other transition metals.