• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.435-446
• /
• 2019

The existing piezoelectric spherical transducers with fixed prescribed dynamic characteristics limit their application in scenarios with multi-frequency or frequency variation requirement. To address this issue, this work proposes an improved design of piezoelectric spherical transducers using the resistance tuning method. Two piezoceramic shells are the functional elements with one for actuation and the other for tuning through the variation of load resistance. The theoretical model of the proposed design is given based on our previous work. The effects of the resistance, the middle surface radius and the thickness of the epoxy adhesive layer on the dynamic characteristics of the transducer are explored by numerical analysis. The numerical results show that the multi-frequency characteristics of the transducer can be obtained by tuning the resistance, and its electromechanical coupling coefficient can be optimized by a matching resistance. The proposed design and derived theoretical solution are validated by comparing with the literature given special examples as well as an experimental study. The present study demonstrates the feasibility of using the proposed design to realize the multi-frequency characteristics, which is helpful to improve the performance of piezoelectric spherical transducers used in underwater acoustic detection, hydrophones, and the spherical smart aggregate (SSA) used in civil structural health monitoring, enhancing their operation at the multiple working frequencies to meet different application requirements.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.9-19
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study was: (1) to compare nanoleakage patterns of a conventional 3-step etch and rinse adhesive system and two experimental hydrophobic adhesive systems and (2) to investigate the change of the nanoleakage patterns after load cycling. Two kinds of hydrophobic experimental adhesives, ethanol containing adhesive (EA) and methanol containing adhesive (MA), were prepared. Thirty extracted human molars were embedded in resin blocks and occlusal thirds of the crowns were removed. The polished dentin surfaces were etched with a 35 % phosphoric acid etching gel and rinsed with water. Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (MP), EA and MA were used for bonding procedure. Z-250 composite resin was built-up on the adhesive-treated surfaces. Five teeth of each dentin adhesive group were subjected to mechanical load cycling. The teeth were sectioned into 2 mm thick slabs and then stained with 50 % ammoniacal silver nitrate. Ten specimens for each group were examined under scanning electron microscope in backscattering electron mode. All photographs were analyzed using image analysis software. Three regions of each specimen were used for evaluation of the silver uptake within the hybrid layer. The area of silver deposition was calculated and expressed in gray value. Data were statistically analyzed by two-way ANOVA and post-hoc testing of multiple comparisons was done with the Scheffe's test. Silver particles were observed in all the groups. However, silver particles were more sparsely distributed in the EA group and the MA group than in the MP group (p < .0001). There were no changes in nanoleakage patterns after load cycling.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.13-22
• /
• 2007

This study was carried out to scrutinize possibility of manufacturing pitch pine (Pinus rigida) glued laminated timber in order to add values of pitch pine trees. Also, it was investigated to improve bending performance of pitch pine glulam. Pitch pine was imported as one of major plantation species in Korean peninsula. Machine stress rated grades of pitch pine lumber mostly ranged between E7 and E9. which grades were more or less inferior to producing high quality glulam. However, the adhesive properties between pitch pine and pitch pine, and between pitch pine and Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi Carr.), such as shear bond strength, wood failure rate and de-lamination rate of bonded layer submerged in cold and boiling water, were higher than Korean Standard criteria. These properties are essential for manufacturing glulam with single species or multiple species. The modulus of rupture (MOR) of pitch pine glulam exceeded the criterion of Korean Standard for glulam strength grade but modulus of elasticity (MOE) was lower than the criterion. On the other hand, the bending performances (MOR and MOE) were improved 20 percent by mixing with Japanese larch laminar. It is effective to arrange higher quality Japanese larch laminar at the outer layer of glulam for improving bending performances. In conclusion, it is possible to use low quality pitch pine as laminar of structural glulam for adding values of pitch pine.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.343-355
• /
• 2007

The objectives of this study was to evaluate the durability of 4 resin cements by means of microtensile bond strength test combined with thermocycling method and fractographic FE-SEM analysis. Experimental groups were prepared according to thermocycling (0, 1,000, 5,000) and the kind of resin cements, those were Variolink II, Multilink, Panavia F 2.0, Rely X Unicem. Flat dentin surfaces were created on mid-coronal dentin of extracted third molars. Then fresh dentin surface was grounded with 320-grit silicon carbide abrasive papers to create uniform smear layers. Indirect composite block (Tescera, Bisco Inc., Schaumburg, IL, USA) was fabricated ($12\;{\times}\;12\;{\times}\;6\;mm^3$). It's surface for bonding to tooth was grounded with silicon carbide abrasive papers from 180- to 600-grit serially, then sandblasted witk $20\;-\;50\;{\mu}m$ alumina oxide. According to each manufacturer's instruction, dentin surface was treated and indirect composite block was luted on it using each resin cement. For Rely X Unicem, dentin surface was not treated. The bonded tooth-resin block were stored in distilled water at $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours. After thermocycling, the bonded tooth-resin block was sectioned occluso-gingivally to 1.0 mm thick serial slabs using all Isomet slow-speed saw (Isomet, Buehler Ltd, Lake Bluff, IL, USA). These sectioned slabs were further sectioned to $1.0\;{\times}\;1.0\;mm^2$ composite-dentin beams. The specimens were tested with universal testing machine (EZ-Test, Shimadzu, Japan) at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min with maximum load of 500 N. The data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan's multiple comparison test at $p\;{\leq}\;0.05$ level. Within the limited results, we conclude as follows; 1. The bond strength of Variolink II was evaluated the highest among experimental groups and was significantly decreased after 1,000 thermocycling (p < 0.05). 2. The bond strength of Multilink was more affected by thermocycling than the other experimental groups and significantly decreased after 1,000 thermocycling (p < 0.05). 3. Panavia F 2.0 and Rely X Unicem showed the gradually decreased tendency of microtensile bond strength according to thermocycling but there was no significant difference (p > 0.05). 4. Adhesive based-resin cements showed lower bond strength with or without thermocycling than composite based-resin cements. 5. Variolink II & Multilink showed high bond strength and mixed failure, which was occurred with a thin layer of luting resin cement before thermocycling and gradually increased adhesive failure along the dentin surface after thermocycling. The bonding performance of resin cement can be affected by application procedure and chemical composition. Composite based-resin cement showed higher bond strength and durability than adhesive based-resin cement.