SummaryThe combination of focused ion beam and scanning electron microscopy with a cryo-preparation/transfer system allows specimens to be milled at low temperatures. However, for biological specimens in particular, the quality of results is strongly dependent on correct preparation of the specimen surface. We demonstrate a method for deposition of a protective, planarizing surface layer onto a cryo-sample, enabling high-quality cross-sectioning using the ion beam and investigation of structures at the nanoscale.

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This paper presents empirical results to support the use of vibrotactile cues as a means of improving user performance on a spatial task. In a building-clearing exercise, directional vibrotactile cues were employed to alert subjects to areas of the building that they had not yet cleared, but were currently exposed to. Compared with performing the task without vibrotactile cues, subjects were exposed to uncleared areas a smaller percentage of time, and cleared more of the overall space, when given the added vibrotactile stimulus. The average length of each exposure was also significantly less when vibrotactile cues were present.

Meltblown polypropylene and polyester and paper towels were examined for food oil absorption capacity by weight difference method. Six food oils (coconut, corn, cottonseed, olive, safflower, and sunflower) were used to include a range of fatty acid compositions. Materials were examined by scanning electron microscopy to note physical characteristics that related to absorption. Polypropylene absorbed 33.4% of the oils compared to 25.1% for polyester and 24.2% for paper towels. This was noted by the large pore size and small diameter fibers forming great numbers of pockets which could include oil. Polypropylene material should be considered in microwavable packaging as means to decrease dietary fat.

Summary: Printed Electronics is the designation given to a set of new technological routes for the manufacture of electronic devices which are light, discrete, flexible, and capable of folding. These devices require power sources that share these properties. This paper is focused on how to obtain electrically conductive elastomer composites. These elastomeric composite materials are obtained by mechanical mixing of electronic and ionic conductive polymers with commercial grade styrenebutadiene rubbers (SBS). The produced materials had good capacitance, thus performing well as rechargeable batteries. These materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrical conductivity measurements to quantify the abundance and distribution of conductive polymers within the rubbery matrix. Our generated experimental results were used to test the predictive power of two mathematical equations based on Hashin-Shtrikman models and composites theory, respectively. Electrical conductivity vs voltage profiles for these conductive elastomer composites were adequately predicted by these models.