Background Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) may induce left atrium (LA) wall inflammation and promote LA fibrosis. Therefore, simultaneous assessment of these two important atrial fibrillation (AF) risk factors would be desirable. Purpose To perform a comprehensive evaluation of 3D Dixon water–fat separated late gadolinium enhancement (LGE‐Dixon) MRI by analysis of repeatability and systematic comparison with reference methods for assessment of fibrosis and fat. Study Type Prospective. Population Twenty‐eight, 10, and 7 patients, respectively, with clinical indications for cardiac MRI. Field Strength/Sequence A 1.5‐T scanner, inversion recovery multiecho spoiled gradient echo. Assessment Twenty‐eight patients (age 58 ± 19 years, 15 males) were scanned using LGE‐Dixon. A 5‐point Likert‐type scale was used to grade the image quality. Another 10 patients (age 46 ± 19 years, 9 males) were scanned using LGE‐Dixon and 3D proton density Dixon (PD‐Dixon). Finally, seven patients (age 62 ± 14 years, 4 males) were scanned using LGE‐Dixon and conventional LGE. The scan time, intraobserver and interobserver variability, and levels of agreement were assessed. Statistical Tests Student's t‐test, one‐way ANOVA, and Mann–Whitney U‐test were used; P < 0.05 was considered significant, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results The scan time (minutes:seconds) for LGE‐Dixon (n = 28) was 5:01 ± 1:40. ICC values for intraobserver and interobserver measurements of LA wall fibrosis percentage were 0.98 (95% CI, 0.97–0.99) and 0.97 (95% CI, 0.94–0.99) while of EAT were 0.92 (95% CI, 0.82–0.97) and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.80–0.95). The agreement for LA fibrosis percentage between the LGE‐Dixon and the conventional LGE was 0.92 (95% CI, 0.66–0.99) and for EAT volume between the LGE‐Dixon and the PD‐Dixon was 0.93 (95% CI, 0.72–0.98). Conclusion LA fibrosis and EAT can be assessed simultaneously using LGE‐Dixon. This method allows a high level of intraobserver and interobserver repeatability as well as agreement with reference methods and can be performed in a clinically feasible scan time. Evidence Level 2 Technical Efficacy Stage 3

An electrophoretic deposition (EPD) prototype was developed aiming at the continuous production of carbon nanotube (CNT) deposited carbon fiber fabric. Such multi-scale reinforcement was used to manufacture carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. The overall objective was to improve the mechanical performance and functionalities of CFRP composites. In the current study, the design concept and practical limit of the continuous EPD prototype, as well as the flexural strength and interlaminar shear strength, were the focus. Initial mechanical tests showed that the flexural stiffness and strength of composites with the developed reinforcement were significantly reduced with respect to the composites with pristine reinforcement. However, optical microscopy study revealed that geometrical imperfections, such as waviness and misalignment, had been introduced into the reinforcement fibers and/or bundles when being pulled through the EPD bath, collected on a roll, and dried. These defects are likely to partly or completely shadow any enhancement of the mechanical properties due to the CNT deposit. In order to eliminate the effect of the discovered defects, the pristine reinforcement was subjected to the same EPD treatment, but without the addition of CNT in the EPD bath. When compared with such water-treated reinforcement, the CNT-deposited reinforcement clearly showed a positive effect on the flexural properties and interlaminar shear strength of the composites. It was also discovered that CNTs agglomerate with time under the electric field due to the change of ionic density, which is possibly due to the electrolysis of water (for carboxylated CNT aqueous suspension without surfactant) or the deposition of ionic surfactant along with CNT deposition (for non-functionalized CNT aqueous suspension with surfactant). Currently, this sets time limits for the continuous deposition.