Traffic flow sensors are import devices to provide inputs for traffic management applications. This NATRL seed project explores the piezoresistive property of the CNT/cement composite and its feasibility as an embedded stress sensor for to detect traffic flow. The experimental results show that the electrical resistance of the CNT/cement composites changes proportionally to the compressive stre...

A new generation of bone cement with mechanical properties significantly higher than that of commercially available acrylic bone cements are strongly desired in order to ensure the long term clinical performance of the cemented arthroplasty. Currently commercial acrylic bone cement formulations contain micron-sized particles of either BaSO4 or ZrO2 to provide radiopacity, however these particle...

Herein, the performance of graphene oxide (GO) in improving mechanical properties and subsequently reducing the permeability of cement composites used in concrete pavement, is studied. A polycarboxylate superplasticizer was used to improve the dispersion of GO flakes in the cement. The mechanical strength of graphene-cement nanocomposites containing 0.1–2 wt% GO and 0.5 wt% superplasticizer was...

This research project developed self-sensing carbon-nanotube (CNT)/cement composites. The piezoresitive property of carbon nanotubes enables the composite to detect the stress/stain inside the pavement. Meanwhile, CNTs can also work as the reinforcement elements to improve the strength and toughness of the concrete pavement. Experimental results show that the electrical resistance of the compos...

Fluoride release from six light-activated restorative materials, including two resinmodified glass-ionomers, two composites, and two compomers, was evaluated and compared with one conventional acid-based glass-ionomer cement. The amount and rate of release varied among the tested materials. Both resin-modified glass-ionomers and the conventional acid-base glass-ionomer cements released more flu...

AIM To evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of two cements with a similar chemical composition to mineral trioxide aggregate and to attempt to improve their properties by producing a composite material. METHODOLOGY Two cement types were used: a mixture of calcium sulpho-aluminate cement and Portland cement (CSA) and calcium fluoro-aluminate cement (CFA) in conjunction with an admix...

Microencapsulated phase-change materials (MPCM) can be used to develop a structural-functional integrated cement paste having high heat storage efficiency and suitable mechanical strength. However, the incorporation of MPCM has been found to degrade the mechanical properties of cement based composites. Therefore, in this research, the effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the properties of MPCM ...

Acoustic emission (AE) is capable of monitoring the cracking activities inside materials. In this study, embedded sensors were employed to monitor the AE behavior of early age concrete. Type 1-3 cement-based piezoelectric composites, which had lower mechanical quality factor and acoustic impedance, were fabricated and used to make sensors. Sensors made of the composites illustrated broadband fr...

This study investigated weight changes of seven different light-cured composite restorative materials, one polyacid glass ionomer compomer, and one light-cured glass-ionomer cement following short-term and long-term storage in water. Two packable composites, three universal (hybrid) composites, one microglass composite, one polyacid glass ionomer resin composite (compomer), one microhybrid low-...

Polymer-cement composites (PCCs) are materials in which the polymer and mineral binder create an interpenetrating network and co-operate, significantly improving the performance of the material. On the other hand, the need for the utilization of waste materials is a demand of sustainable construction. Various mineral powders, such as fly ash or blast-furnace slag, are successfully used for the ...