Structure-Property Relationships in Hybrid Cellulose Nanofibrils/Nafion-Based Ionic Polymer-Metal Composites.

Herein, we report the production of ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) hybridized with cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) as a partial substitute for Nafion. The aim is not only to reduce the production cost and enhance respective mechanical/thermal properties but also to bestow a considerable degree of biodegradability to such products. Formulations with different CNF/Nafion ratios were produced in a thin-film casting process.

Potential Applications of Smart Multifunctional Wearable Materials to Gerontology.

Smart multifunctional materials can play a constructive role in addressing some very important aging-related issues. Aging affects the ability of older adults to continue to live safely and economically in their own residences for as long as possible. Thus, there will be a greater need for preventive, acute, rehabilitative, and long-term health care services for older adults as well as a need for tools to enable them to function independently during daily activities.

Biomimetic robotic Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula Ellis) made with ionic polymer metal composites.

The work described in this paper is a novel design of a robotic Venus flytrap (VFT) (Dionaea muscipula Ellis) by means of ionic polymeric metal composite (IPMC) artificial muscles as distributed nanosensors and nanoactuators. Rapid muscular movements in carnivorous plants, such as VFT, which are triggered by antenna-like sensors (trigger hair), present a golden key to study distributed biomolecular motors. Carnivorous plants, such as VFT, possess built-in intelligence (trigger hairs), as a strategy to capture prey, that can be turned on in a controlled manner.

Ionic polymeric conductor nanocomposites (IPCNCs) as distributed nanosensors and nanoactuators.

This paper covers advances made in connection with ionic polymeric conductor nanocomposites (IPCNCs) as distributed biomimetic nanosensors, nanoactuators, nanorobots and artificial muscles. A review of the fundamental properties and characteristics of IPCNCs will be presented first. This summary will include descriptions of the basic materials' molecular structure and subsequent procedure to manufacture the basic material for chemical plating and electroactivation.

Smart intramedullary rod for correction of pediatric bone deformity: a preliminary study.

We were interested in determining if a smart intramedullary rod made of nitinol shape-memory alloy is capable of correcting deformed immature long bones. Because of limitations in our study design the process was reversed in that we examined the smart rod's ability to create a deformity rather than to correct one. Smart rods of different lengths and diameters were heat-treated to resume a radius of curvature of 30 to 110 mm.

Flexor tendon repair using shape memory alloy suture: a biomechanical evaluation.

The purpose of the current study was to test in vitro a new shape memory alloy suture for flexor tendon repair. Forty fresh-frozen human anatomic flexor superficialis and profundus tendons were divided and repaired via the cruciate four-strand technique using one of two suture materials (the shape memory alloy suture and the 4-0 Ethibond suture). The forces required to cause a 1, 2, and 3 mm gap, ultimate load to failure, and repair stiffness were compared.