US Naval Research Laboratory

6 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Bioengineering

Microfluidic Fabrication of Polymeric and Biohybrid Fibers with Predesigned Size and Shape

Darryl A. Boyd¹, Andre A. Adams¹, Michael A. Daniele¹, Frances S. Ligler^1,2

¹Center for Bio/Molecular Science & Engineering, US Naval Research Laboratory, ²Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Two adjacent fluids passing through a grooved microfluidic channel can be directed to form a sheath around a prepolymer core; thereby determining both shape and cross-section. Photoinitiated polymerization, such as thiol click chemistry, is well suited for rapidly solidifying the core fluid into a microfiber with predetermined size and shape.

Environment

Measuring Carbon-based Contaminant Mineralization Using Combined CO₂ Flux and Radiocarbon Analyses

Thomas J. Boyd¹, Michael T. Montgomery¹, Richard H. Cuenca², Yutaka Hagimoto²

¹Marine Biogeochemistry, Code 6114, US Naval Research Laboratory, ²Department of Biological and Ecological Engineering, Oregon State University

A protocol is described wherein CO₂ mineralized from organic contaminant (derived from petroleum feedstocks) biodegradation is trapped, quantified, and analyzed for ¹⁴C content. A model is developed to determine CO₂ capture zone's spatial extent. Spatial and temporal measurements allow integrating contaminant mineralization rates for predicting remediation extent and time.

Engineering

Laser-induced Forward Transfer of Ag Nanopaste

Eric Breckenfeld¹, Heungsoo Kim², Raymond C. Y. Auyeung², Alberto Piqué²

¹National Research Council Research Associates Program, Naval Research Laboratory, ²Materials Science and Technology Division, Naval Research Laboratory

We demonstrate the use of the Laser-induced forward transfer technique (LIFT) for the printing of high-viscosity Ag paste. This technique offers a simple, low temperature, robust process for non-lithographically printing microscale 2D and 3D structures.

Engineering

A Novel Method for In Situ Electromechanical Characterization of Nanoscale Specimens

Russell C. Reid^1,2, Alberto Piqué¹, Wonmo Kang^1,3

¹Materials Science and Technology Division, US Naval Research Laboratory, ²American Society for Engineering Education—Naval Research Laboratory (ASEE-NRL), ³Leidos Corporation

Isolating electrical and thermal effects on electrically assisted deformation (EAD) is very difficult using macroscopic samples. Metallic sample micro- and nanostructures together with a custom test procedure have been developed to evaluate the impact of applied current on the formation without joule heating and evolution of dislocations on these samples.

Chemistry

Controlled Odor Mimic Permeation Systems for Olfactory Training and Field Testing

Lauryn E. DeGreeff^1,2, Alison G. Simon^3,4, Michael S. Macias³, Howard K. Holness², Kenneth G. Furton²

¹Chemistry Division, US Naval Research Laboratory, ²International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, ³Formerly of International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, ⁴Formerly of National Research Council Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program, US Naval Research Laboratory

The Controlled Odor Mimic Permeation System is a simple, field-portable, low-cost method of odor delivery for olfactory testing and training. It is constructed of an odorant retained on an adsorbent material and contained inside of a permeable polymer bag allowing controlled release of the odorant vapor over time.

Bioengineering

Flapping Soft Fin Deformation Modeling using Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence Imaging

Kaushik Sampath^*1, Nicole Xu^*2, Jason Geder², Marius Pruessner³, Ravi Ramamurti²

¹KS Research Inc, ²Laboratories for Computational Physics and Fluid Dynamics, US Naval Research Laboratory, ³Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, US Naval Research Laboratory

The present protocol involves the measurement and characterization of 3D shape deformation in underwater flapping fins built with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) materials. Accurate reconstruction of these deformations is essential for understanding the propulsive performance of compliant flapping fins.