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The aim of this work is to study the pulse thermal response on the nondestructive inspection of weak bond in carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) using finite element (FE) model. Simulations of thermal responses of weak bonds to external loads have been conducted using finite element models of the CFRP specimens with defects/weak bonds sandwiched in between CFRP layers. The resulting thermal evolution field is comprised of thermal properties variation between the defect and CFRP; and the important characteristic of the defects can be obtained from evolution of the field distribution. We study the depth and size of defect buried in various layers; and the result shows promising defect detection with resolution contrast up to ∼ 0.07K. Also, we estimate the thermal contrast when the thickness of defect is approximately to zero for predicting the zero-thickness weak bonds in the laminate layers.

We extend the plasmon hybridization method from a single nanoparticle to a complex planar nanostructure, decomposing the complex nanostructure into fundamental nanoparticle building blocks. Using gammadion nanostructure as an example, we validated the theory by comparing the field profile in the gammadion’s arms under the influence of an incident circularly polarized wave. This allows us to address the origin of the plasmonics modes in the circular dichroism (CD) spectrum. The use of this hybridization method provides a simple and intuitive explanation on how conductive and inductive coupling may result from complex planar nanostructures, allowing us to study its optical properties. Using our approach, top down hybridization studies can be applied to other complex planar structures to gain further insight on the origin of the CD modes and enhance ultrasensitive sensing of chiral micro and macro molecules.

A model has been developed to quickly and accurately simulate the response of eddy current probe to sub-mm crack in alloy. Electromagnetic (EM) modeling technique employed a fast and yet stable integral equation (IE) method. Enhanced detection can be achieved via an EM circuit co-simulation approach, which significantly boosted the response signals above the background noise threshold. With this, surface breaking cracks is detected by the resonant frequency-shifting of eddy current response. The developed model was validated by comparing simulated results to the experimental response obtained using an eddy current data collection system.

In this paper, symmetric and asymmetric tapering on the arms of the gammadion nanostructure is proposed to enhance both local field distribution and extinction difference (ED). The asymmetric tapered gammadion with tapering fraction (TF) of 0.67 is seen to have the largest ED and spatial local field distribution, producing a large wavelength shift of more than 50 percent as compared to the untapered gammadion nanostructures when immersed in a solution of actin molecules and filaments. The optical chirality, ζ shows that the larger local field amplitudes produced by the asymmetric designs increases the rate of chiral molecules excitation. This enhanced field is strongly rotating and highly sensitive to single molecules and larger filaments. Here, we show that the ED, optical chirality, sensitivity and rate of chiral molecules excitation can be improved by incorporating asymmetric designs into chiral gammadion nanostructures through tapering.

• Background and Aims The purpose of this study was to investigate the basis of the optimal hydration status for cryopreservation of intermediate oily seeds using Citrus as a model. • Methods The relationships between equilibrium relative humidity (RH), seed water content, presence of freezable water as determined by DSC analysis, and germination percentage after immersion in liquid nitrogen (LN) were investigated in Citrus aurantifolia, C. grandis, C. madurensis and C. reticulata. The relationship between the lipid content of seeds and their unfrozen water content was also investigated. • Key Results Independent of their level of seed desiccation tolerance, the optimal desiccation RH for seed tolerance to LN exposure was 75–80 % in the four species studied. This optimal hydration status always coincided with that at which presence of frozen water could not be detected in seed tissues during the cooling/thawing process. The unfrozen water content of seeds was variable between species and negatively correlated to seed lipid content. Using the present data, those obtained previously in seven coffee species and those reported by other authors for five other species, a significant linear relationship was found between the lipid content and the unfrozen water content of seeds. • Conclusions This study provides additional evidence that intermediate oily seeds do not withstand the presence of freezable water in their tissues during the cooling/warming process. Moreover, it offers two important applied perspectives: (1) independent of their level of desiccation tolerance, testing germination of seeds of a given oily seed species after equilibration in 75–80 % RH at 25 °C and LN exposure, gives a rapid and reliable evaluation of the possibility of cryopreserving whole seeds of this given species; (2) it is now possible to calculate the interval of water contents in which non-orthodox oily seeds of a given species are likely to withstand LN exposure as a function of their lipid content.

In this paper, we rotate an array of asymmetrical double layer of 4-strips windmill structure to investigate its effect on the chirality and sensitivity detection of biomolecular structures. The structure is made up of silver material with 300nm pitch and 10nm separation between layers. The spectrum shows two resonance modes on 600THz and 900THz with linear polarized light normally incident on the structure. We investigate the CD by rotating one of the layers with respect to the horizontal axis of the other layer by the angle θ. It is observed that the CD spectra at different angles are different. The rotation resulted in larger wavelength shift of the CD spectra. In addition, the CD also increases with the rotating angle given a larger absorption difference between the left and right handed circular polarized light.

In this paper, the effect of tapered asymmetrical gammadion on the optical rotational properties and sensitivity detection of biomolecular structures is presented. The asymmetrical structure is made up of gold material on a glass structure and immersed in water. The chirality of the un-rotated array is first determined by measuring the circular dichroism (CD) spectrum. Three modes, arising from Bloch periodic theory and surface resonance mode are observed. Then each asymmetrical gammadion structure is tapered at the arms. Tapering fraction, which define the ratio of tapered end to the untapered end is used for defining the new design. The designs are then fabricated using e-beam lithography and tested using the polarimeter for CD spectra. The spectra show that the three CD modes changes in degree amplitude and wavelength, especially for smaller tapering fractions.

This paper investigates the importance of loading and treatment with a vitrification solution on the survival of Citrus madurensis embryonic axes cryopreserved using a vitrification protocol. Among the seven different loading solutions tested, the solution containing 2 M glycerol + 0.4 M sucrose was the most efficient. Of the six vitrification solutions tested, the PVS2 vitrification solution, applied for 20 min at 25 degree C or for 60 min at 0 degree C, ensured the highest survival. A three-step vitrification protocol, involving the treatment of embryonic axes at 0 degree C with half strength PVS2 solution for 20 min then with full strength PVS2 for an additional 40 min was more efficient than a two-step protocol that involved treatment of axes directly with full strength PVS2 solution for 60 min. After rapid immersion in liquid nitrogen, rapid rewarming, unloading in a 1.2 M sucrose solution for 20 min, culture on solid medium with 0.3 M sucrose for 1 day and growth recovery for 4 weeks on standard medium, survival of C. madurensis embryonic axes reached 85 % following the three-step process, compared with 70 % for the two-step process.

In this paper, we demonstrate that C. madurensis embryonic axes can withstand cryopreservation using the encapsulation-dehydration technique. Up to 57.5 % survival was achieved using a standard encapsulation-dehydration protocol, which included pregrowth of encapsulated axes for 16 h in medium containing 0.8 M sucrose + 1 M glycerol, desiccation of beads to around 30 % moisture content (fresh weight basis) followed by rapid freezing. A slightly higher survival percentage (65 %) was obtained using a modified encapsulation-dehydration protocol, which included pretreatment of axes with 2 M glycerol + 0.6 M sucrose for 1 h, concomitantly with their encapsulation in 3 % calcium alginate beads, followed by desiccation of the beads to around 30 % moisture content.

The role of pregrowth and preculture treatments in terms of both medium composition and exposure duration on survival of embryonic axes of Citrus madurensis after cryopreservation using the vitrification procedure was investigated. The optimal pregrowth treatment for excised embryonic axes was a 3-day treatment with 0.1M sucrose. Preculture was also essential in increasing survival after cryopreservation. Among the various media and treatment durations evaluated, a 24h-preculture of embryonic axes on medium with 0.3M sucrose and 0.5M glycerol was found to be optimal. Using these pregrowth and preculture conditions followed by treatment at 25 degrees C for 20 min each with a loading solution (0.4M sucrose + 2.0M glycerol) and then the PVS2 vitrification solution, direct immersion in liquid nitrogen, rapid rewarming, unloading in a 1.2M sucrose solution for 20 min and transfer of embryonic axes on recovery medium, 82.5% survival and regrowth without intermediary callus formation were obtained with C. madurensis embryonic axes.