Additively manufactured, long, serpentine submillimeter channels by combining binder jet printing and liquid-phase sintering.

Metallic microfluidic devices made from powder-bed additive manufacturing systems have received increasing attention, but their feasible channel geometry and complexity are often limited by lack of an effective approach to removing trapped powder particles within the channels or conduits of the sintered parts. Here, we present an innovative approach to fabricating long serpentine, high-aspect-ratio submillimeter channels made of stainless steel 316L (SS) by binder jet printing (BJP) and liquid-phase sintering. We leverage the unique nature of the BJP process, that is printing and consolidation steps are decoupled, enabling us to join two or more parts during the sintering step.

Conservation tillage supports soil macrofauna communities, infiltration, and farm profits in an irrigated maize-based cropping system of Colorado.

In the past several decades conservation tillage systems have been introduced to address the negative impacts of intensive tillage, but the potential of these technologies to improve soil function and maintain yields is still not fully understood. This study sought to examine the effects of conservation tillage on key soil quality parameters and profitability at a production scale. We evaluated soil properties and yields during the fifth and sixth years (2015 and 2016) of a field study comparing two conservation tillage systems: minimum tillage (MT) and strip tillage (ST), versus a conventional tillage control (CT).

A Binder Jet Printed, Stainless Steel Preconcentrator as an In-Line Injector of Volatile Organic Compounds.

A conventional approach to making miniature or microscale gas chromatography (GC) components relies on silicon as a base material and MEMS fabrication as manufacturing processes. However, these devices often fail in medium-to-high temperature applications due to a lack of robust fluidic interconnects and a high-yield bonding process. This paper explores the feasibility of using metal additive manufacturing (AM), which is also known as metal 3D printing, as an alternative platform to produce small-scale microfluidic devices that can operate at a temperature higher than that which polymers can withstand.

Soil properties affecting wheat yields following drilling-fluid application.

Oil and gas drilling operations use drilling fluids (mud) to lubricate the drill bit and stem, transport formation cuttings to the surface, and seal off porous geologic formations. Following completion of the well, waste drilling fluid is often applied to cropland. We studied potential changes in soil compaction as indicated by cone penetration resistance, pH, electrical conductivity (EC(e)), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), extractable soil and total straw and grain trace metal and nutrient concentrations, and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.

Irrigated mountain meadow fertilizer application timing effects on overland flow water quality.

Nonpoint-source pollution from agricultural activities is currently the leading cause of degradation of waterways in the United States. Applying best management practices to flood-irrigated mountain meadows may improve agricultural runoff and return flow water quality. Prior research has focused on fertilizer use for increased hay yields, while few studies have investigated the environmental implications of this practice.