Capillary Flow (capillary + flow)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Capillary Flow and Rheology Measurements on Chocolate Crumb/Sunflower Oil Mixtures

JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 9 2004
S. Carbonell
ABSTRACT: Rates of penetration of sunflower oil into beds of 3 types of chocolate crumb have been measured and the results analyzed using the Washburn-Rideal theory. The data show that the rates are a function of both the specific surface area of the crumb particles and their surface composition. Addition of an emulsifier to the oil reduces the penetration rate into the crumb made with full-cream milk powder, whereas for crumbs containing skimmed-milk powder, rates go through a maximum with increase of emulsifier concentration. Rheological data for dispersions of crumb in oil were fitted to the Casson equation. An inverse correlation was found between penetration rates and Casson yield values. [source]


Fat Migration in Chocolate: Diffusion or Capillary Flow in a Particulate Solid?,A Hypothesis Paper

JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 7 2004
J. M. Aguilera
ABSTRACT: The exact mechanism of fat and oil migration in chocolate and chocolate coatings is still unknown. Nevertheless, the so-called "diffusion equation" derived from Fick's 2nd law has been extensively used to model the phenomenon, giving the impression that molecular diffusion is the single transport mechanism. We propose that chocolate may be microstructurally regarded as a particulate medium formed by an assembly of fat-coated particles (for example, cocoa solids, sugars crystals, and milk powder). Within this matrix the liquid fraction of cocoa fat (which increases with temperature) is likely to move under capillary forces through interparticle passages and connected pores. Based on available evidence (microstructure, kinetic data, temperature dependence of liquid fat fraction, and so on) we demonstrate that capillary forces may have an important role to play in bulk flow of liquid fat and oils. The Lucas-Washburn equation for capillary rise fits available data under most reported experimental conditions. Detailed microstructural analysis in actual products as well as data on key parameters (surface tension, contact angle, viscosity) is necessary to confirm this hypothesis. Bulk flow due to capillary effects, highly disregarded in structured foods, should be considered as a mass transfer mechanism in liquid-filled porous or particulate foods. [source]


Static Magnetic Fields Affect Capillary Flow of Red Blood Cells in Striated Skin Muscle

MICROCIRCULATION, Issue 1 2008
Gunnar Brix
ABSTRACT Blood flowing in microvessels is one possible site of action of static magnetic fields (SMFs). We evaluated SMF effects on capillary flow of red blood cells (RBCs) in unanesthetized hamsters, using a skinfold chamber technique for intravital fluorescence microscopy. By this approach, capillary RBC velocities (vRBC), capillary diameters (D), arteriolar diameters (Dart), and functional vessel densities (FVD) were measured in striated skin muscle at different magnetic flux densities. Exposure above a threshold level of about 500 mT resulted in a significant (P < 0.001) reduction of vRBC in capillaries as compared to the baseline value. At the maximum field strength of 587 mT, vRBC was reduced by more than 40%. Flow reduction was reversible when the field strength was decreased below the threshold level. In contrast, mean values determined at different exposure levels for the parameters D, Dart, and FVD did not vary by more than 5%. Blood flow through capillary networks is affected by strong SMFs directed perpendicular to the vessels. Since the influence of SMFs on blood flow in microvessels directed parallel to the field as well as on collateral blood supply could not be studied, our findings should be carefully interpreted with respect to the setting of safety guidelines. [source]


Site-Selective Self-Assembly of Colloidal Photonic Crystals

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 8 2009
Sanna Arpiainen
Abstract A scalable method for site-selective, directed self-assembly of colloidal opals on topologically patterned substrates is presented. Here, such substrate contains optical waveguides which couple to the colloidal crystal. The site-selectivity is achieved by a capillary network, whereas the self-assembly process is based on controlled solvent evaporation. In the deposition process, a suspension of colloidal microspheres is dispensed on the substrate and driven into the desired crystallization sites by capillary flow. The method has been applied to realize colloidal crystals from monodisperse dielectric spheres with diameters ranging from 290 to 890,nm. The method can be implemented in an industrial wafer-scale process. [source]


Macroscopic Single-Walled-Carbon-Nanotube Fiber Self-Assembled by Dip-Coating Method

ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 43 2009
Eui Yun Jang
Pure macroscopic single-walled-carbon-nanotube (SWNT) fibers are fabricated by using a dip-coating method without any additive or additional electrical equipment or complex apparatus. The present method only utilizes microfluidics, which includes capillary condensation, capillary flow, and surface tension, and results in the self-assembly and self-alignment of SWNT colloids. [source]


Estimating areal snowmelt infiltration into frozen soils

HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 16 2001
D. M. Gray
Abstract An algorithm for estimating areal snowmelt infiltration into frozen soils is developed. Frozen soils are grouped into classes according to surface entry condition as: (a) Restricted,water entry is impeded by surface conditions, (b) Limited,capillary flow predominates and water entry is influenced primarily by soil physical properties, and (c) Unlimited,gravity flow predominates and most of the meltwater infiltrates. For Limited soils cumulative infiltration over time is estimated by a parametric equation from surface saturation, initial soil moisture content (water + ice), initial soil temperature and infiltration opportunity time. Total infiltration into Unlimited and Limited soils is constrained by the available water storage capacity. This constraint is also used to determine when Limited soils have thawed. The minimum spatial scale of the infiltration model is established for Limited soils by the variabilities in surface saturation, snow water equivalent, soil infiltrability, soil moisture (water + ice) and depth of soil freezing. Since snowmelt infiltration is influenced by other processes and factors that affect snow ablation, it is assumed that the infiltrability spatial scale should be consistent with the scales used to describe these variables. For open, northern, cold regions the following order in spatial scales is hypothesized: frozen ground , snowmelt , snow water equivalent , frozen soil infiltrability , soil moisture (water + ice) and snow water. For mesoscale application of the infiltration model it is recommended that the infiltrability scale be taken equal to the scale used to describe the areal extent and distribution of the water equivalent of the snowcover that covers frozen ground. Scaling the infiltrability of frozen soils in this manner allows one to exploit established landscape-stratification methodology used to derive snow accumulation means and distribution. Scaling of soil infiltrability at small scales (microscale) is complicated and requires information on the association(s) between the spatial distributions of soil moisture (water + ice) and snow water. A flow chart of the algorithm is presented. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Viscosity corrections for concentrated suspension in capillary flow with wall slip

AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 6 2010
Z. Y. Wang
Abstract Corrections for viscosity measurements of concentrated suspension with capillary rheometer experiments were investigated. These corrections include end effects, Rabinowitsch effect, and wall slip. The effects of temperature, particle concentration, and contraction ratio on the end effects were studied and their effects were accounted for using an entrance and exit losses model. The non-Newtonian effect and the nonlinearity of slip velocity against wall shear stress were described using a slip model. The true viscosity of a concentrated suspension with glass powder suspended in a non-Newtonian binder system was calculated as a function of shear rate and effective particle concentration, taking into consideration particle migration, which is calculated by a diffusive numerical model. Particle size was found to affect significantly the viscosity of the suspension with viscosity decreasing with increasing particle size, which can be reflected by a decrease in the value of the power-law index in the Krieger model. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010 [source]


Static Magnetic Fields Affect Capillary Flow of Red Blood Cells in Striated Skin Muscle

MICROCIRCULATION, Issue 1 2008
Gunnar Brix
ABSTRACT Blood flowing in microvessels is one possible site of action of static magnetic fields (SMFs). We evaluated SMF effects on capillary flow of red blood cells (RBCs) in unanesthetized hamsters, using a skinfold chamber technique for intravital fluorescence microscopy. By this approach, capillary RBC velocities (vRBC), capillary diameters (D), arteriolar diameters (Dart), and functional vessel densities (FVD) were measured in striated skin muscle at different magnetic flux densities. Exposure above a threshold level of about 500 mT resulted in a significant (P < 0.001) reduction of vRBC in capillaries as compared to the baseline value. At the maximum field strength of 587 mT, vRBC was reduced by more than 40%. Flow reduction was reversible when the field strength was decreased below the threshold level. In contrast, mean values determined at different exposure levels for the parameters D, Dart, and FVD did not vary by more than 5%. Blood flow through capillary networks is affected by strong SMFs directed perpendicular to the vessels. Since the influence of SMFs on blood flow in microvessels directed parallel to the field as well as on collateral blood supply could not be studied, our findings should be carefully interpreted with respect to the setting of safety guidelines. [source]


Inhibition of Leukocyte Adherence Enables Venular Control of Capillary Perfusion in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

MICROCIRCULATION, Issue 8 2004
KAVITHA NELLORE
ABSTRACT Objective: Vasoactive molecules can diffuse from venules to dilate closely paired arterioles and enhance capillary perfusion. Venular control of capillary flow has been found to be dependent on nitric oxide (NO), which might be scavenged rapidly in diabetic microvasculature due to the presence of activated leukocytes. This study attempts to improve venular control of capillary flow using fucoidan, which inhibits venular leukocyte adhesion. Methods: Microvascular red blood cell velocity was measured in the mesentery of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, with and without fucoidan treatment, and in normal rats. Arteriolar pathways leading to branching capillaries were videotaped to measure the percent of the surrounding area occupied by a venule (% pairing). Microvascular wall NO was measured using fluorescent diaminofluorescein-2-diacetate in diabetic rats, with and without fucoidan treatment. Results: In normal rats, close pairing of venules to arterioles resulted in faster capillary flow. However, after 4,5 weeks of diabetes, the correlation between capillary velocity and % pairing was no longer significant. Capillary velocity and % pairing decreased , 50% in comparison to normal rats. Treatment of diabetic rats with fucoidan restored venular control of capillary flow and increased NO levels. Conclusion: Leukocyte-derived mediators that scavenge NO may lead to inadequate venular control of capillary flow in diabetes. [source]


Acute remote ischemic preconditioning on a rat cremasteric muscle flap model

MICROSURGERY, Issue 6 2002
Markus V. Küntscher M.D.
A previous study showed, in a rat adipocutaneous flap model, that acute ischemic preconditioning (IP) can be achieved not only by preclamping of the flap pedicle, but also by a brief extremity ischemia prior to flap ischemia. The purpose of this study was to determine whether remote IP is also effective in other tissues such as muscle flaps. Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into three experimental groups. The rat cremaster flap in vivo microscopy model was used for assessment of ischemia/reperfusion injury. In the control group (CG, n = 8), a 2-hr flap ischemia was induced after preparation of the cremaster muscle. In the "classic" IP group (cIP, n = 6), a brief flap ischemia of 10 min was induced by preclamping the pedicle, followed by 30 min of reperfusion. A 10-min ischemia of the contralateral hindlimb was induced in the remote IP group (rIP, n = 6). The limb was then reperfused for 30 min. Flap ischemia and the further experiment were performed as in the CG. In vivo microscopy was performed after 1 hr of flap reperfusion in each animal. A significantly higher red blood cell velocity in the first-order arterioles and capillaries, a higher capillary flow, and a decreased number of leukocytes adhering to the endothelium of the postcapillary venules were observed in both preconditioned groups by comparison to the control group (P < 0.05). The differences within the preconditioned groups were not significant for these parameters. Our data show that ischemic preconditioning and improvement of flap microcirculation can be achieved not only by preclamping of the flap pedicle, but also by induction of an ischemia/reperfusion event in a body area distant from the flap prior to elevation. These findings indicate that remote IP is a systemic phenomenon, leading to an enhancement of flap survival. Our data suggest that remote IP could be performed simultaneously with flap elevation in the clinical setting without prolongation of the operation and without invasive means. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 22:221,226 2002 [source]


Acute remote ischemic preconditioning II: The role of nitric oxide

MICROSURGERY, Issue 6 2002
Markus V. Küntscher M.D.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in the mechanism of acute "classic" as well as acute remote ischemic preconditioning (IP). Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into five experimental groups. The rat cremaster flap in vivo microscopy model was used for assessment of ischemia/reperfusion injury. In the control group (CG, n = 8), a 2-hr flap ischemia was induced after preparation of the cremaster muscle. The animals of group NO (n = 6) received 500 nmol/kg of the NO-donor spermine/nitric oxide complex (Sper/NO) intravenously 30 min prior to ischemia. The group LN + P (L-NAME + preclamping, n = 6) received 10 mg/kg N,-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) intravenously before preclamping of the flap pedicle (10-min cycle length, 30-min reperfusion). L-NAME (10 mg/kg) was administered in group LN + T (L-NAME + tourniquet, n = 6) before ischemia of the right hindlimb was induced, using a tourniquet for 10 min after flap elevation. The limb was then reperfused for 30 min. Thereafter, flap ischemia was induced in each group as in group CG. In vivo microscopy was performed after 1 hr of flap reperfusion in each animal. Group NO demonstrated a significantly higher red blood cell velocity (RBV) in the first-order arterioles and capillaries, a higher capillary flow, and a decreased number of leukocytes adhering to the endothelium (stickers) of the postcapillary venules by comparison to all other groups (P < 0.05). The average capillary RBV and capillary flow were still higher in the CG than in the groups receiving L-NAME (P < 0.05). The data show that NO plays an important role in the mechanism of both acute "classic" as well as acute remote IP, since the administration of a NO-donor previous to ischemia simulates the effect of IP, whereas the nonspecific blocking of NO synthesis by L-NAME abolishes the protective effect of flap preconditioning. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 22:227-231 2002 [source]


Selective migration in polyethylene/rubbery particles blends during capillary flow

POLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 4 2010
C. Chartier
Adding elastomeric particles (Sunigum®) into a polyethylene (PE) matrix leads to an increase of both viscosity and dynamic moduli in the molten state. This suspension effect is more pronounced if the particle's dispersion is improved with a compatibilizing agent. However, under capillary flow, the blends exhibit a more complex behavior with a strong violation of a viscosity mixing rule. To elucidate the origin of this observation, an analysis of extrudates by confocal micro Raman spectrometry has been carried out. A selective migration of the lowest viscosity component (at a given shear rate) toward the wall of the capillary die has been noted. This migration is inhibited by the addition of a compatibilizer. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers [source]


Hemospan: Design Principles for a New Class of Oxygen Therapeutic

ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 2 2009
Kim D. Vandegriff
Abstract Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers have been under development for decades, but safety concerns have prevented commercial approval. Early designs for modified hemoglobins by polymerization or intramolecular cross-linking reactions increased molecular size and decreased oxygen affinity, but all exhibited side effects of vasoconstriction and reduced blood flow. A new strategy has been established by applying principles of oxygen transport to cell-free hemoglobin. Sangart has developed a new oxygen therapeutic, Hemospan, using site-specific, poly(ethylene) glycol conjugation chemistry designed on two principles: (i) increased macromolecular size to prolong intravascular retention time, and (ii) increased oxygen affinity to prevent premature oxygen offloading in arterioles. In contrast to early-generation products, Hemospan infusion maintains normal arteriolar vascular tone and capillary flow. Phase I and Phase II clinical trials have been completed, showing that Hemospan is well-tolerated in humans, with evidence of efficacy to impart hemodynamic stability in surgical patients under anesthesia. Phase III trials in orthopedic surgery have recently completed enrollment in Europe. [source]