Neutrophil granulocytes (PMNs) adhere poorly to and are unable to locomote on collagen-coated glass; they are able to attach to and invade three-dimensional matrices of collagen fibres. Invasion is largely independent of adhesion to the fibres, does not occur by proteolysis of the gel, and is not affected by the presence of fibronectin or chondroitin sulphate. Invasion is reduced by increasing ...

This paper addresses the particular need to develop suitable fabrication techniques of glasses to improve the radiation-resistance and extend the lifetime of optical fibres in high radiation background. Two radiation hardening techniques based on hydrogen and fluorine doping of glass have been applied on step index pure silica core optical fibres. The radiation-induced optical absorption and lu...

Fibres from annual plants are a sustainable alternative to glass fibres in composite manufacturing. However, both synthetic fibres, such as carbon and cellulosic exhibit heterogeneities along their lengths, which appear localised morphological misorientations known kink-bands. In plant kink-bands occur due growing conditions under abiotic stress during the retting stage fibre extraction process...

Variability is a common feature of natural silk fibres, caused by a range of natural processing conditions. Better understanding of variability will not only be favourable for explaining the enviable mechanical properties of animal silks but will provide valuable information for the design of advanced artificial and biomimetic silk-like materials. In this work, we have investigated the origin o...

Bioresorbable phosphate glass fibre reinforced polyester composites have been investigated as replacement for some traditional metallic orthopaedic implants, such as bone fracture fixation plates. However, composites tested revealed loss of the interfacial integrity after immersion within aqueous media which resulted in rapid loss of mechanical properties. Physical modification of fibres to cha...

Timber gridshells have become a very popular, efficient, sustainable and beautiful structural application of timber. However, given the slender laths involved in this form of construction, there is concern over the durability of timber for this purpose, and Glass FRP (GFRP) laths have been proposed as a possible substitution. This paper considers this possibility. It goes on to look at the poss...

Pottery was a traditional art and technology form in pre-colonial Amazonian civilizations, widely used for cultural expression objects, utensils and as cooking vessels. Abundance and workability of clay made it an excellent choice. However, inferior mechanical properties constrained their functionality and durability. The inclusion of reinforcement particles is a possible route to improve its r...

Shear failure of B-C joints is recognized as the primary cause collapse various moment-resisting frame buildings during recent earthquakes. When joint subjected to huge forces severe ground shaking and its behaviour has a very much influencing on structure, sometimes it may Leeds entire structure. To study energy dissipation with different types combinations FRP sheets used retrofit BC in this ...

The use of natural fibres as reinforcement in polymer composites has generated much interest in recent years due to environmental legislation and improvements on natural fibre performance and process-abilities. This research investigated the use of natural hemp fibre as reinforcement for the possibility of producing fibre reinforced Sheet Moulding Compounds (SMC) as an alternative to glass fibr...

Lead-gallium-bismuth (PGB) is a non-silica based glass that can be used in the fabrication of optical fibre with high nonlinearity, low transmission loss, high thermal stability, and a broad transparency window. With a nonlinearity two orders higher than that of the fluoride based fibres, it has attracted much attention worldwide for its potential application in the mid-infrared region, particu...