• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.185-189
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• 2021

Herein, we propose a functional polymer cantilever to enhance maturation and contractile force of cardiomyocytes. The proposed cantilever consists of a surface-patterned polymer substrate and silver nanowires (AgNWs). The AgNWs are transferred to the PDMS substrate using conventional molding techniques. This thin metallic surface significantly improves the adhesion of cardiomyocyte on the surface-patterned PDMS with the hydrophobic characteristics. In addition, the use of AgNWs improves the visibility of the conducting PDMS substrate for the observation of cardiomyocyte through an inverted microscope. The AgNWs also assist in synchronizing each cardiomyocyte to maximize its contractile force.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.100-104
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• 2020

Thus far, several in vivo biosensing platforms have been proposed to measure the mechanical contractility of cultured cardiomyocytes. However, the low sensitivity and screening rate of the developed sensors severely limit their practical applications. In addition, intensive research and development in cardiovascular disease demand a high-throughput drug-screening platform based on biomimetic engineering. To overcome the drawbacks of the current state-of-the-art methods, we propose a high-throughput drug-screening platform based on 16 functional high-sensitivity well plates. The proposed system simulates the physiological accuracy of the heart function in an in vitro environment. We fabricated 64 cantilevers using highly flexible and optically transparent silicone rubber and placed in 16 independent wells. Nanogrooves were imprinted on the surface of the cantilever to promote cell alignment and maturation. The adverse effects of the cardiovascular drugs on the cultured cardiomyocytes were systematically investigated. The 64 cantilevers demonstrated a highly reliable and reproducible mechanical contractility of the drug-treated cardiomyocytes. Real-time high-throughput screening and simultaneous evaluation of the cardiomyocyte mechanical contractility under multiple drugs verified that the proposed system could be used as an efficient drugtoxicity test platform.

• Composites Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.129-134
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• 2013

The strength of adhesive joints employed in composite structures under cryogenic environments, such as LNG tanks, is affected by thermal residual stress generated from the large temperature difference between the bonding process and the operating temperature. Aramid fibers are noted for their low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and have been used to control the CTE of thermosetting resins. However, aramid composites exhibit poor adhesion between the fibers and the resin because the aramid fibers are chemically inert and contain insufficient functional groups. In this work, electrospun meta-aramid nanofiber-reinforced epoxy adhesive was fabricated to improve the interfacial bonding between the adhesive and the fibers under cryogenic temperatures. The CTE of the nanofiber-reinforced adhesives were measured, and the effect on the adhesion strength was investigated at single-lap joints under cryogenic temperatures. The fracture toughness of the adhesive joints was measured using a Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) test.

• Composites Research
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.39-43
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• 2011

For the last twenty years, nanocomposites composed of polymer matrices reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been an active research area. Also, the polymeric nanocomposites reinforced with CNTs are being investigated to be used matrices of carbon fiber composites. Carbon tiber composites have achieved advanced properties in the direction of carbon fibers due to enhanced carbon fiber properties. However, the matrix dominated properties need to be improved further to fully utilize the advanced carbon fiber properties. In particular, delamination is a typical and critical reason for fracture of carbon fiber composites. Mode I fracture toughness test which is also often called double cantilever beam (DCB) test shows the resistance to delamination of carbon fiber composites and this test is performed on carbon fiber composite samples incorporated with carbon nanotubes functionalized with various functional groups. The specimens with mat-like CNT layers showed the increased fracture toughness by 10.6%.