An Active Thermography approach for materials characterisation of thermal management systems for Lithium-ion batteries.

The aim of this work is an alternative non destructive technique for estimating the thermal properties of four different Thermal Management System (TMS) materials. More in detail, a thermographic setup realized with the Active Thermography approach (AT) is utilized for the purpose and the data elaboration follows the ISO 18755 Standard. As well known, Phase Changes Materials (PCMs) represent an innovative solution in the Thermal Management System (TMS) of Lithium-Ion batteries and, during the years, many solutions were developed to improve its thermal properties.

Neuromechanics of finger hangs with arm lock-offs: analyzing joint moments and muscle activations to improve practice guidelines for climbing.

Introduction: Climbing imposes substantial demands on the upper limbs and understanding the mechanical loads experienced by the joints during climbing movements is crucial for injury prevention and optimizing training protocols. This study aimed to quantify and compare upper limb joint loads and muscle activations during isometric finger hanging exercises with different arm lock-off positions.

Methods: Seventeen recreational climbers performed six finger dead hangs with arm lock-offs at 90° and 135° of elbow flexion, as well as arms fully extended.

Engineering Graphene Wrinkles for Large Enhancement of Interlaminar Friction Enabled Damping Capability.

Graphene nanoplates are hoped-for solid lubricants to reduce friction and energy dissipation in micro and nanoscale devices benefiting from their interface slips to reach an expected superlubricity. On the contrary, we propose here by introducing engineered wrinkles of graphene nanoplates to exploit and optimize the interfacial energy dissipation mechanisms between the nanoplates in graphene-based composites for enhanced vibration damping performance. Polyurethane (PU) beams with designed sandwich structures have been successfully fabricated to activate the interlaminar slips of wrinkled graphene-graphene, which significantly contribute to the dissipation of vibration energy.

Transcutaneously refillable, 3D-printed biopolymeric encapsulation system for the transplantation of endocrine cells.

Autologous cell transplantation holds enormous promise to restore organ and tissue functions in the treatment of various pathologies including endocrine, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases among others. Even though immune rejection is circumvented with autologous transplantation, clinical adoption remains limited due to poor cell retention and survival. Cell transplant success requires homing to vascularized environment, cell engraftment and importantly, maintenance of inherent cell function.

Mechanical characterization and numerical simulation of a subcutaneous implantable 3D printed cell encapsulation system.

Cell transplantation in bioengineered scaffolds and encapsulation systems has shown great promise in regenerative medicine. Depending on the site of implantation, type of cells and their expected function, these systems are designed to provide cells with a physiological-like environment while providing mechanical support and promoting long-term viability and function of the graft. A minimally invasive 3D printed system termed neovascularized implantable cell homing and encapsulation (NICHE) was developed in polylactic acid for subcutaneous transplantation of endocrine cells, including pancreatic islets.