We report a cost-efficient and easy to implement process for fabricating microfluidic reactors in thermoplastic materials. The method includes (i) the fabrication of an imprint template (master), which consists of a photoresist deposited on a metal plate; (ii) the thermoembossing of the reactor features into polymer sheets; (iii) the activation of the embossed and planar thermoplastic surfaces;...

Background. Additive technologies based on Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) modeling methods attract a lot of attention from both industry and research groups, which is explained by low investment costs, ease production, etc. If the processing parameters are correctly selected, products with mechanical properties close to obtained traditional can be obtained. Objective. Practical implementation ...

Crack propagation within composite materials or along the interface of joints is a phenomenon that might result in catastrophic failure structure. When factor safety involved integrity structure, fail-safe design becomes crucial by embedding failure-confining features. This article reviews research work has been carried out on such crack-arresting features (CAFs) for laminates, composite-to-com...

A series of glass fiber-reinforced and rubber-toughened poly(ethylene terephthalate) hybrid composites were twin-screw extrusion compounded with varying total and relative concentrations of a reactive terpolymer of poly(ethylene-co-methyl acrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) (E-MA-GMA) as the elastomeric impact modifier (10-1520 wt.%) and short glass fiber – SGF (20-25-30 wt.%). Haake torque rheo...

This contribution reviews elastomeric materials with photo-actuation behavior with emphasis on thermoplastic elastomers and their composites. The principles of the photo-actuation and the main factors affecting the photo-actuation phenomena of thermoplastic elastomer materials are discussed in detail. The well-performing photoactuating systems involving both statistical and block copolymers-bas...

A facile method enabling the integration of elastomeric valves into rigid thermoplastic microfluidic chips is described. The valves employ discrete plugs of elastomeric polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) integrated into the thermoplastic substrate and actuated using a threaded stainless steel needle. The fabrication process takes advantage of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a sacrificial molding materi...