Relationships between microstructures and properties of chinese ancient bronzes
The typical morphology of alloy lead (Pb) in ancient bronzes made in the Spring-Autumn Warring States Period (770 B.C. -221 B.C.), China, was examined by using electron microscopic techniques. We propose that the main purposes for adding metallic Pb in a large quantity into ancient bronzes, such as arrows and ritual vessel—Ding, were for increasing weight and economical reasons. In order to promote adding efficiency and improve casting quality for getting homogenously distributed Pb particles in the bronzes, a process through inserting Pb rod into the mold is supposed to be used during casting, which provided a process for preventing Pb sinkage. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations from the fracture surface of the bronzes revealed that the Pb particle possessed a “hollow-cored bubble” structure, which was formed due to absorbing casting gases during solidification and therefore indirectly eliminated the casting porosity and loosen.
Experiments on dissolving lead from bronze wares and the related questions [Title and text in Chinese]
A series of experiments on dissolving lead from bronze wares indicate that the use of bronze wares containing lead in ancient daily life led to serious food toxicity. Our ancestors had created the brilliant bronze civilization. However, the noble classes who were proud of the possession of bronze wares also paid a great cost for using them, which brought a series of social problems. -- ICCROM
Diversity of Electrospinning Approach for Vascular Implants: Multilayered Tubular Scaffolds
Abstract The biomimetics of biological structures found in nature remains one of the most promising approaches to engineer functional tissues from natural or synthetic biocompatible materials for the replacement of damaged or injured parts of the human body. Recently, medical therapeutic regimes have advanced into a new era, overcoming the known mechanical and biological variances that occur when using autologous or synthetic grafts. Basically, the core concept of tissue biofabrication, commonly referred to as tissue engineering, is to find out the favorable cellular microenvironments to grow a living tissue prior to clinical uses. In fact, the ability of stem cells to regenerate is controlled via signaling pathways (growth factors) and supporting materials (scaffolds) that guide the cellular activities. After the first successful experiments to fabricate polymer fibers from their solutions, Cooley proposed the use of an electric field a century ago (Cooley (US 692:631, 1902 ). The electrospinning technique has been continually developed as a fruitful polymer processing technique to draw ultrafine nonwoven fibers. Electrospun polymer fibers have been used for a wide range of technical and biotechnical applications such as filtration, organic solar cells, tissue engineering, and drug releasing implants. In this regard, this review begins with an overview about the various spinning approaches for the fabrication of polymer fibers as well as the basic principles of electrospinning process. In addition, this review will highlight vascular bypass surgery and, in particular, the needs for vascular tissue engineering. Finally, the review includes some of the latest attempts to improve the mechanical and biological properties of electrospun polymeric fibers and summarizes the challenges and prospects for the future. Lay Summary However, vascular defects are treated successfully via bypass surgical bypass grafting using autologous or synthetic vessels. The small-diameter vessels (less than 6) are often associated with high failure rate. This review reports some of the recent features that should be highlighted to fabricate an ideal graft for small-diameter vascular grafts. The review introduces multilayered conduits as an alternative approach to overcome the known mechanical and biological mismatches of single layered vascular grafts of electrospun polymers.