A method for preparing a fully soft self-powered vibration sensor mainly uses a laser carbonization technology to prepare a two-dimensional porous carbon electrode with an origami structure, and then transfers the two-dimensional porous carbon electrode to a three-dimensional polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) cavity through mold transfer; finally, a laser engraving technology is used to create microstructures on surfaces of the porous carbon electrode and a PDMS film. The sensor includes the PDMS film, a liquid metal droplet oscillator, a porous out-of-plane carbon electrode, and a 3D PDMS cavity assembled tightly from top to bottom. The sensor works based on the triboelectric nanogenerator principle, when the sensor is excited by vibrations, contact and triboelectrification at an interface of the liquid metal droplet oscillator and PDMS film charge both objects, making contact surfaces carry stable charges, which allows the movement of the liquid metal droplet oscillator to output current through electrostatic induction.

Systems and methods for the dispensing of liquid, and automated layering of liquid hydrogel patterns are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein may utilize a bioprinter having a brush that is configured to pattern a collagen layer. In some embodiments, the bioprinter may be used to make layered bioprinted materials. In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein may include a bioprinter having an atomizer needle that is configured to dispense liquid in an automated way. In some embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods may provide modified surfaces upon which materials may be printed using a three-dimensional (3D) bioprinter. In one embodiment, a modified surface may be formed of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), silicones and the like.

The present invention relates to the use of a polycarbonate composition comprising an aromatic polycarbonate manufactured by an interfacial process and having a melt volume rate (MVR) of from 1-10 cm.sup.3/10 min (ISO 1133, 300 C., 1.2 kg), from 0.01 wt. % to 0.30 wt. % based on the weight of the polycarbonate composition, of an epoxy additive having at least two epoxy groups per molecule, and from 0.01 wt. % to 0.30 wt. % based on the weight of the polycarbonate composition, of a phenolic diphosphite derived from pentaerythritol, in an injection moulding process for the manufacture of an injection moulded article for reducing the formation of bubbles in said injection moulded article.

The anatomical model of a nasal cavity, such as a human nasal cavity, for in-vitro inhalation studies such as toxicological screening, intranasal drug delivery studies, and neurophysiological studies. The model includes a model body including separable upper and lower model portions together defining the nasal cavity and including fluidic channels therein that define an olfactory region of the upper model portion, and a nasal passage defined in the lower model portion. A biocompatible porous membrane is positioned between the upper and lower model portions, and the biocompatible membrane is configured for culturing olfactory epithelium cells thereon. An artificial mucous layer coats a surface of the nasal cavity and is configured to collect particles passing through the nasal cavity.

A method for measuring the dynamic stress field evolution law of a complex heterogeneous structure, comprising: preparing a transparent photosensitive resin model of a complex heterogeneous structure by means of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to serve as a test piece (S101); placing the test piece in a light path of a circularly polarized light dark field, performing continuous stress loading on the test piece, and recording images (S102); acquiring a plurality of continuously changing full-field stress fringe grayscale images according to videos generated by the image recording (S103); then acquiring grayscale value change sequences of pixel points at each position in the images (S104); and finally, calculating full-field fringe orders under continuous loading conditions according to the relation between the grayscale values and the fringe orders so as to calculate full-field stress values under the continuous loading conditions (S105). Thus, it is possible to extract and quantify the global dynamic stress field evolution law of a complex heterogeneous structure subjected to high exterior load under fixed light field conditions.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a cell spheroid using three-dimensional bio-printing technology, and the cell spheroid may be used for preventing or treating vascular and endocrine diseases by including mesenchymal stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells-derived cells, or the like as an active ingredient, or may be used as an in vitro drug testing model.

There is provided an apparatus for molding a thermoplastic material into a homogenous sample body having a predetermined shape, the apparatus comprising: (a) a main body (110) comprising a first opening (112), a second opening and a hollow bore (116) connecting the first opening (112) with the second opening, the hollow bore (116) being adapted to receive a separation foil shaped to cover at least a part of the hollow bore surface; (b) a piston (120) adapted to fit moveably into the hollow bore (116) containing the separation foil; (c) a base plate (130) comprising a protrusion, wherein the base plate (130) is adapted to be inserted into the first opening (112) in such a manner that the protrusion extends into a part of the hollow bore (116) containing the separation foil, and wherein the base plate (130) is adapted to transfer heat from a heating unit to a thermoplastic material (150) resting on the protrusion (132); (d) a vacuum connector (142) adapted to be connected to a vacuum source; (e) a lid (140) adapted to fit moveably into the second opening and adapted to apply a force to the piston (120) when the vacuum connector (142) is connected to the vacuum source such that the piston (120) applies a compressing force to the thermoplastic material (150) resting on the protrusion. There are further provided a method and a system for molding a thermoplastic material into a homogenous sample body having a predetermined shape.

Provided herein are microfluidic vascularized platforms and methods of using the platforms. Further provided herein are skin model systems comprising hydrogel layers of cells.

A test specimen for validating operating parameters of a method for the additive manufacturing of a part by laser melting on powder beds includes at least one upper face, at least one lower face and side faces, including a front side face and a rear side face that are substantially on opposite sides from one another. The test specimen has at least one recess opening onto the front and rear side faces, the recess having a substantially triangular cross sectional shape being delimited by three internal faces, including a first lower internal face oriented upwards, a second upper internal face oriented downwards, and a third upper internal face which defines a narrow wall with one other of the side faces, which is inclined.

A frame assembly includes a valve body, a plurality of arms that each extend radially outward from the valve body to a respective arm-tip, and a plurality of ventricular legs that are coupled to the valve body and that extend radially outward from the valve body and toward the plurality of arms. A liner lines the lumen. Prosthetic leaflets are attached to the liner within the lumen. A first sheet of flexible material is attached to the plurality of arms. A second sheet of flexible material is attached to the first sheet and extends radially inwards and downstream, and is attached to the valve body. The first sheet, the second sheet, and the liner define an inflatable pouch therebetween. The apparatus defines a plurality of windows from the lumen into the pouch.