Cerebral angiography using transauricular access in a rabbit model: a new technique.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral angiography in a rabbit model is widely used in the field of interventional radiology. Conventionally, the femoral artery is used for cerebral angiography in radiology departments. However, angiographic studies require surgical cutdown of the femoral artery, which is technically difficult. PURPOSE: To evaluate a new cerebral angiography technique involving a transauricular approach in a rabbit model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In each of 10 rabbits, central auricular arteries were punctured in the right or left ear with a 20-gauge i.v. catheter. A microcatheter (2.0 F) with a 0.016-inch guide wire was introduced through the i.v. catheter and advanced to the aortic arch. The microcatheter and guide wire were advanced selectively into cerebral arteries and angiography was performed. RESULTS: Central auricular arteries were successfully punctured with 20-gauge i.v. catheters. After approaching the aortic arch, microcatheter tips and guide wires were advanced manually to cerebral arteries on both sides. Difficulties in selecting the carotid arteries were resolved by using a looping technique within the cardiac chamber. Microcatheter loops within the cardiac chamber disappeared or remained during artery superselection. CONCLUSION: Transauricular cerebral angiography appears to be a feasible technique for brain or carotid intervention studies in rabbits. In addition, vertebral angiography using a transauricular approach is possible using the looping technique. Selection of carotid or vertebral arteries on each side was not difficult when the microcatheter and guide wire were looped within the cardiac chamber. The ear chosen for the initial puncture does not appear to be important.

The possibility of multi-layer nanofabrication via atomic force microscope-based pulse electrochemical nanopatterning.

Pulse electrochemical nanopatterning, a non-contact scanning probe lithography process using ultrashort voltage pulses, is based primarily on an electrochemical machining process using localized electrochemical oxidation between a sharp tool tip and the sample surface. In this study, nanoscale oxide patterns were formed on silicon Si (100) wafer surfaces via electrochemical surface nanopatterning, by supplying external pulsed currents through non-contact atomic force microscopy. Nanoscale oxide width and height were controlled by modulating the applied pulse duration. Additionally, protruding nanoscale oxides were removed completely by simple chemical etching, showing a depressed pattern on the sample substrate surface. Nanoscale two-dimensional oxides, prepared by a localized electrochemical reaction, can be defined easily by controlling physical and electrical variables, before proceeding further to a layer-by-layer nanofabrication process.

Simple and cost-effective fabrication of highly flexible, transparent superhydrophobic films with hierarchical surface design.

Optical transparency and mechanical flexibility are both of great importance for significantly expanding the applicability of superhydrophobic surfaces. Such features make it possible for functional surfaces to be applied to various glass-based products with different curvatures. In this work, we report on the simple and potentially cost-effective fabrication of highly flexible and transparent superhydrophobic films based on hierarchical surface design. The hierarchical surface morphology was easily fabricated by the simple transfer of a porous alumina membrane to the top surface of UV-imprinted polymeric micropillar arrays and subsequent chemical treatments. Through optimization of the hierarchical surface design, the resultant superhydrophobic films showed superior surface wetting properties (with a static contact angle of >170° and contact angle hysteresis of <3.5°) in the Cassie-Baxter wetting regime, considerable dynamic water repellency (with perfect bouncing of a water droplet dropped from an impact height of 30 mm), and good optical transparency (>82% at 550 nm wavelength). The superhydrophobic films were also experimentally found to be robust without significant degradation in the superhydrophobicity, even under repetitive bending and pressing for up to 2000 cycles. Finally, the practical usability of the proposed superhydorphobic films was clearly demonstrated by examining the antiwetting performance in real time while pouring water on the film and submerging the film in water.

A simple route to morphology-controlled polydimethylsiloxane films based on particle-embedded elastomeric masters for enhanced superhydrophobicity.

We present a simple route for controlling the surface morphology of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films based on a standard replica molding technique incorporating a microparticle-embedded elastomeric master for enhancing surface wetting properties. The elastomeric masters are simply prepared by embedding microparticles (MPs) firmly into a surface of PDMS substrates using an abrasive air-jetting (AAJ) that can be potentially scaled up to large-area fabrication. The surface geometries of the PDMS masters can be easily controlled by using MPs with different shape and size in the AAJ process, resulting in easy control of the surface morphologies and resultant wetting and optical properties of the PDMS films after replicating. The PDMS masters are found to be highly durable, enabling repeated use to produce superhydrophobic PDMS films with similar characteristics. In addition, the fabricated PDMS films retain almost constant properties even under repetitive compressing and stretching deformations thanks to the mechanical robustness enabled by their all-elastomeric architectures. We show that the fabricated PDMS surfaces can be potentially employed as self-cleaning films in glass-based applications, even with complex surfaces, owing to their enhanced wetting properties, fairly good optical transparency, and superior mechanical stability.

Highly flexible, transparent and self-cleanable superhydrophobic films prepared by a facile and scalable nanopyramid formation technique.

A facile and scalable technique to fabricate optically transparent, mechanically flexible and self-cleanable superhydrophobic films for practical solar cell applications is proposed. The superhydrophobic films were fabricated simply by transferring a transparent porous alumina layer, which was prepared using an anodic aluminium oxidation (AAO) technique, onto a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film with a UV-curable polymer adhesive layer, followed by the subsequent formation of alumina nano pyramids (NPs) through the time-controlled chemical etching of the transferred porous alumina membrane (PAM). It was found experimentally that the proposed functional films can ensure the superhydrophobicity in the Cassie-Baxter wetting mode with superior water-repellent properties through a series of experimental observations including static contact angle (SCA), contact angle hysteresis (CAH), sliding behaviour on the tilted film, and dynamic behaviour of the liquid droplet impacting on the film. In addition to the superior surface wetting properties, an optical transmittance of ∼79% at a light wavelength of 550 nm was achieved. Furthermore, there was no significant degradation in both the surface wetting properties and morphology even after 1500-cycles of repetitive bending tests, which indicates that the proposed superhydrophobic film is mechanically robust. Finally, the practicability of the proposed self-cleanable film was proven quantitatively by observing the changes in the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of a photovoltaic device covering the film before and after the cleaning process.

Effect of oxidizer nanostructures on propulsion forces generated by thermal ignition of nano-aluminum-based propellants.

We demonstrated that the size and morphology of an oxidizer have strong effects on the propulsion forces of nano-Al-based propellants. Enhanced propulsion forces could be obtained through the creation and addition of various oxidizer nanoparticles and nanowires in nano-Al-based propellants.

Effect of TiO2 nanoparticle-accumulated bilayer photoelectrode and condenser lens-assisted solar concentrator on light harvesting in dye-sensitized solar cells.

TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) with a size of 240 nm (T240), used as a light-scattering layer, were applied on 25-nm-sized TiO2 NPs (T25) that were used as a dye-absorbing layer in the photoelectrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In addition, the incident light was concentrated via a condenser lens, and the effect of light concentration on the capacity of the light-scattering layer was systematically investigated. At the optimized focal length of the condenser lens, T25/T240 double layer (DL)-based DSSCs with the photoactive area of 0.36 cm2 were found to have the short circuit current (Isc) of 11.92 mA, the open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.74 V, and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of approximately 4.11%, which is significantly improved when they were compared to the T25 single layer (SL)-based DSSCs without using a solar concentrator (the corresponding values were the Isc of 2.53 mA, the Voc of 0.69, and the PCE of 3.57%). Thus, the use of the optimized light harvesting structure in the photoelectrodes of DSSCs in conjunction with light concentration was found to significantly enhance the power output of DSSCs.

Improving the efficiency of a dye-sensitized solar cell with a reflex condenser system.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are inexpensive to manufacture and easy to process in comparison with silicone solar cells, but they are difficult to commercialize due to their low efficiency. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to improve the efficiency of a DSSC via an aluminum film reflective plate, reusing discarded light after it was absorbed. We found that the factor having the most dominant influence on DSSC efficiency was the amount of radiation reacting with the dye. For a reflective plate with [symbol: see text] = 30° and h = 15 mm, DSSC efficiency was increased about three times.

Improving the efficiency of a dye-sensitized solar cell with a reflex condenser system.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are inexpensive to manufacture and easy to process in comparison with silicone solar cells, but they are difficult to commercialize due to their low efficiency. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to improve the efficiency of a DSSC via an aluminum film reflective plate, reusing discarded light after it was absorbed. We found that the factor having the most dominant influence on DSSC efficiency was the amount of radiation reacting with the dye. For a reflective plate with θ = 30° and h = 15 mm, DSSC efficiency was increased about three times.

Evaluation of characteristics for dye-sensitized solar cell with reflector applied.

Dye-sensitized solar cells have slightly lower photoelectric efficiency than silicon solar cells. Researchers have investigated various ways to address this problem. This study improved the efficiency of a dye-sensitized solar cell by re-driving it with a reflector, reusing discarded light after it was absorbed. The reflector increased efficiency by about 50%, by increasing the size of the pattern shape and increasing the distance of the reflector.

Development of a high-efficiency laminated dye-sensitized solar cell with a condenser lens.

Dye-sensitized solar cells have slightly lower photoelectric efficiency than silicon solar cells. Researchers have investigated various ways to address this problem. In this paper, we found that the optimized separation between the condenser lens and the cells was 8 mm. The cell efficiency increased from 2.5% to 8.3% compared to two isolated cells without a lens. If the efficiency of the basic cell can be increased sufficiently, it should be possible to commercialize the product.

The characteristics of machined surface controlled by multi tip arrayed tool and high speed spindle.

In this study, we propose one of the ultra-precision machining methods that can be adapted brittle material as well as soft material by using multi arrayed diamond tips and high speed spindle. Conventional machining method is too hard to control surface roughness and surface texture against brittle material because particles of grinding tools are irregular size and material can be fragile. Therefore we were able to design tool paths and machine controlled pattern on surface by multi arrayed diamond tips which has uniform size made in MEMS fabrication and high speed spindle of which maximum speed is about 300,000 rpm. We defined several parameters that can have effect on machining surface. Those are multi array of diamond tips (n * n), speed of the air spindle, and feeding rate. Surface roughness and surface texture can be controlled by those parameters for micro machining.

Micro/nano surface modification on brittle materials by tribo nanolithography using PCD tool.

In this study, brittle materials were mechanically modified under precise normal force control at the mN approximately microN level using PCD tools as a nano tool. The lab-made PCD attached micro cantilevers were customized for tribo nanolithography. The machined patterns were measured under an atomic force microscope (AFM) to obtain the machining characteristics of the samples for each set of conditions. Then the samples were etched using aqueous solution to verify the etch characteristics of the machined surface. Our results showed that either protruding or depressed patterns could be generated on the scratched surface by controlling normal load, scan pitch, and etching condition. The unique mask effect of brittle material after mechanical scratching under PCD tool can be controlled by the conventional mechanical machining conditions such as chip formation, plastic flow, and material removal. We used SEM, TEM, SIMS, and AFM to investigate the etch characteristics and structural change of brittle material under nano scale mechanical machining conditions.

Surface patterning for brittle amorphous material using nanoindenter-based mechanochemical nanofabrication.

This paper demonstrates a micro/nanoscale surface patterning technology for brittle material using mechanical and chemical processes. Fused silica was scratched with a Berkovich tip under various normal loads from several mN to several tens of mN with various tip rotations. The scratched substrate was then chemically etched in hydrofluoric solution to evaluate the chemical properties of the different deformed layers produced under various mechanical scratching conditions. Our results showed that either protruding or depressed patterns could be generated on the scratched surface after chemical etching by controlling the tip rotation, the normal load and the etching condition. In addition, the mask effect of amorphous material after mechanical scratching was controlled by conventional mechanical machining conditions such as contact area, chip formation, plastic flow and material removal.

The characteristics of variable speed inchworm stage using lever mechanism by different materials.

Currently, piezoelectric actuators which have attractive features such as high output force, high positioning resolution, high stiffness and quick response have been used in many ultra precision stages. But their positioning ranges are very small. This very limited displacement severely restricts the actuator's immediate implementation for long-range positioning. This paper shows a variable speed inchworm type stage with hinge structures as lever mechanism for nanometer resolution with large dynamic range and studies on characteristics of it. The inchworm stage has hinge structure levers which can shift their pivot position. And it can amplify/reduce output displacement using mechanical advantage with a lever. Especially we suggest guide-line of design according this work that was performed using different materials of stages (Aluminium and Stainless Steel). As the results of simulations, the larger lever ratio is, the smaller stiffness of lever portion is. As the results of experiments, when we input voltage into the inchworm stage, output displacement of each lever is different according to material. Hysteresis of stage could also present that grow according as lever rate rises and stiffness of material. In the case of feeding speed, Aluminium with less hardness showed excellent responsiveness, hence excellent feed performance results.

Behavior characteristics of nano-stage according to hinge structure.

Nano-stages are used in many ultra-precision systems, such as scanning probe microscope (SPM), optical fiber aligners, ultra-precision cutting, measuring and optical systems. Generally, ultra-precision machining and measuring are achieved using a nano-scale motion stage actuated using Piezo-electric actuators (PZT), and the importance of and demands for the motion stage increase with the need to improve system performance and accuracy. However, it is difficult to find solutions because the performance and characteristics of nano-scale motion stages are determined by various factors, such as the hinge structure, actuator, and method of system control. This paper focuses on improving of leafspring and planar joint hinges, and suggests a composite joint hinge stage.