Jove Engineering Research Articles March 2023

The Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE) has established itself as a premier resource for researchers seeking to understand and replicate experimental methodologies across a broad range of scientific disciplines. The March 2023 issue of JoVE features a diverse array of engineering research articles, each providing detailed, step-by-step video demonstrations coupled with rigorous scientific protocols. This comprehensive collection offers valuable insights and practical guidance for researchers, students, and professionals alike, aiming to advance innovation and accelerate scientific discovery. This article delves into selected key articles published in JoVE Engineering in March 2023, highlighting their significance, methodologies, and potential impact on their respective fields.

Unveiling the Power of Visualized Experiments in Engineering

Engineering, by its very nature, relies heavily on experimentation. Traditional methods of communicating experimental procedures often fall short in conveying the nuances and complexities involved. JoVE addresses this challenge by providing a visual medium to complement traditional text-based protocols. The combination of video demonstrations and detailed written protocols ensures clarity, reproducibility, and a deeper understanding of the experimental process. This approach is particularly beneficial for complex procedures or when subtle variations in technique can significantly impact results.

Featured Engineering Research Articles: March 2023

The March 2023 issue of JoVE Engineering includes a wide range of articles spanning various engineering disciplines. Here, we will explore a selection of these articles, focusing on their methodology, results, and implications.

1. Microfluidic Device Fabrication for Cell Culture and Drug Screening

Introduction:

Microfluidic devices have revolutionized cell culture and drug screening, offering precise control over the cellular microenvironment and enabling high-throughput experimentation. This article presents a detailed protocol for fabricating a microfluidic device suitable for cell culture and drug screening applications.

Methodology:

The protocol begins with the design and fabrication of a master mold using soft lithography techniques. The master mold is then used to create polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic devices through replica molding. The process involves:

• Master Mold Fabrication: Designing the microfluidic channels using CAD software and transferring the design to a silicon wafer using photolithography.
• PDMS Casting: Mixing PDMS prepolymer with a curing agent, pouring the mixture onto the master mold, and curing it in an oven.
• Device Assembly: Peeling the cured PDMS device from the master mold, punching inlets and outlets, and bonding it to a glass slide using plasma treatment.
• Surface Modification: Modifying the PDMS surface to enhance cell adhesion using extracellular matrix proteins or other coatings.

The article provides detailed instructions and visual guidance on each step, ensuring that researchers can accurately replicate the fabrication process.

Significance:

This protocol is essential for researchers seeking to develop and utilize microfluidic devices for cell culture, drug screening, and other biomedical applications. The clear and concise video demonstration ensures reproducibility and accelerates the adoption of this technology.

2. Additive Manufacturing of Polymer Composites for Structural Applications

Introduction:

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, has emerged as a transformative technology for creating complex geometries and customized materials. This article presents a comprehensive protocol for additive manufacturing of polymer composites, focusing on structural applications.

Methodology:

The protocol utilizes fused deposition modeling (FDM) to fabricate polymer composite parts. The process involves:

• Material Preparation: Mixing polymer resin with reinforcing fibers or particles to create a composite filament.
• 3D Printing: Loading the composite filament into an FDM printer and extruding it layer by layer to create the desired part.
• Process Optimization: Adjusting printing parameters, such as layer height, printing speed, and infill density, to optimize the mechanical properties of the printed part.
• Post-Processing: Applying post-processing techniques, such as heat treatment or surface coating, to enhance the strength and durability of the printed part.

The article highlights the importance of selecting appropriate materials and optimizing printing parameters to achieve desired mechanical properties.

Significance:

This protocol is valuable for engineers and researchers seeking to leverage additive manufacturing for creating lightweight, high-strength composite structures. The detailed instructions and visual demonstrations enable the rapid prototyping and fabrication of customized parts for various applications.

3. Electrochemical Characterization of Energy Storage Materials

Introduction:

Electrochemical characterization is critical for evaluating the performance of energy storage materials, such as batteries and supercapacitors. This article presents a detailed protocol for performing electrochemical characterization using techniques like cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).

Methodology:

The protocol outlines the steps for:

• Electrode Preparation: Preparing electrodes using the active material, conductive additives, and a binder.
• Electrolyte Preparation: Preparing the electrolyte solution with appropriate concentration and purity.
• Cell Assembly: Assembling the electrochemical cell with the working electrode, counter electrode, and reference electrode.
• Cyclic Voltammetry (CV): Performing CV measurements at different scan rates to evaluate the redox behavior of the material.
• Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS): Performing EIS measurements over a range of frequencies to determine the impedance characteristics of the cell.

The article provides detailed guidance on data analysis and interpretation, enabling researchers to extract key performance parameters from the electrochemical measurements.

Significance:

This protocol is essential for researchers working on energy storage materials, providing a standardized approach for evaluating the electrochemical performance of new materials and optimizing device designs.

4. Bioprinting of 3D Tissue Scaffolds for Regenerative Medicine

Introduction:

Bioprinting has emerged as a promising technology for creating 3D tissue scaffolds for regenerative medicine applications. This article presents a comprehensive protocol for bioprinting tissue scaffolds using a combination of cells, biomaterials, and growth factors.

Methodology:

The protocol involves:

• Bioink Preparation: Preparing the bioink by mixing cells, biomaterials, and growth factors.
• Scaffold Design: Designing the 3D scaffold using CAD software.
• Bioprinting: Loading the bioink into a bioprinter and extruding it layer by layer to create the scaffold.
• Cell Culture: Culturing the bioprinted scaffold in a bioreactor to promote cell proliferation and tissue maturation.

The article emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate biomaterials and optimizing printing parameters to create scaffolds with desired mechanical and biological properties.

Significance:

This protocol is valuable for researchers seeking to develop bioprinted tissue scaffolds for regenerative medicine applications. The detailed instructions and visual demonstrations enable the fabrication of complex 3D structures with controlled cellular organization and functionality.

5. Development of a Low-Cost Sensor for Environmental Monitoring

Introduction:

Environmental monitoring is crucial for assessing air and water quality and detecting pollutants. This article presents a protocol for developing a low-cost sensor for environmental monitoring applications.

Methodology:

The protocol involves:

• Sensor Design: Designing the sensor using commercially available components, such as microcontrollers, sensors, and communication modules.
• Sensor Calibration: Calibrating the sensor using standard solutions or reference instruments.
• Data Acquisition: Developing software to acquire data from the sensor and transmit it to a remote server.
• Field Testing: Deploying the sensor in the field and evaluating its performance under real-world conditions.

The article highlights the importance of selecting appropriate sensors and optimizing the sensor design to achieve desired accuracy and reliability.

Significance:

This protocol is valuable for researchers and engineers seeking to develop low-cost sensors for environmental monitoring. The detailed instructions and visual demonstrations enable the rapid prototyping and deployment of sensors for various applications.

Detailed Protocol Breakdowns

To further illustrate the value of these JoVE articles, let's delve deeper into the specifics of a couple of the aforementioned protocols:

A. Microfluidic Device Fabrication for Cell Culture and Drug Screening: A Deeper Dive

1. Master Mold Fabrication: The initial step is creating a master mold, typically using photolithography on a silicon wafer. The wafer is coated with a photoresist, which is then exposed to UV light through a photomask that defines the microchannel patterns. The exposed photoresist is developed, leaving behind the desired channel structures. The precise control over channel dimensions is crucial for the subsequent steps.

2. PDMS Casting: PDMS, a biocompatible and flexible polymer, is commonly used for microfluidic device fabrication. The PDMS prepolymer is mixed with a curing agent and degassed to remove air bubbles. The mixture is then poured onto the master mold and cured in an oven at a specific temperature and duration. This step ensures that the PDMS replicates the microchannel structures accurately.

3. Device Assembly: After curing, the PDMS device is peeled from the master mold. Inlets and outlets are punched into the device to allow fluidic connections. The PDMS device is then bonded to a glass slide using plasma treatment. This process creates a strong and irreversible bond between the PDMS and the glass slide, forming a sealed microfluidic channel.

4. Surface Modification: PDMS is naturally hydrophobic, which can hinder cell adhesion. To overcome this, the PDMS surface is often modified with extracellular matrix proteins, such as fibronectin or collagen, or with other coatings that promote cell attachment and growth.

B. Additive Manufacturing of Polymer Composites for Structural Applications: A Closer Look

1. Material Preparation: Polymer composites typically consist of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibers or particles. The choice of polymer and reinforcement material depends on the desired mechanical properties. For example, carbon fibers are often used to enhance strength and stiffness, while glass fibers offer a balance of strength and cost.

2. 3D Printing: Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a common additive manufacturing technique for polymer composites. The composite filament is fed into a heated nozzle, which extrudes the material layer by layer onto a build platform. The printing parameters, such as layer height, printing speed, and infill density, significantly affect the mechanical properties of the printed part.

3. Process Optimization: Optimizing the printing parameters is crucial for achieving desired mechanical properties. For example, reducing the layer height can improve surface finish and dimensional accuracy, while increasing the infill density can enhance strength and stiffness. The optimization process often involves trial and error, with mechanical testing used to evaluate the performance of the printed parts.

4. Post-Processing: Post-processing techniques, such as heat treatment or surface coating, can further enhance the mechanical properties of the printed part. Heat treatment can relieve residual stresses and improve the bonding between layers, while surface coating can protect the part from environmental degradation.

The Broader Impact of JoVE Engineering Articles

The engineering research articles published in JoVE have a significant impact on the scientific community. By providing detailed, step-by-step video demonstrations, JoVE facilitates the reproducibility of experiments, reduces errors, and accelerates the learning process. This is particularly important for complex procedures or when subtle variations in technique can significantly impact results.

Moreover, JoVE articles promote collaboration and knowledge sharing among researchers. The visual format allows researchers to quickly grasp the essential aspects of an experiment, enabling them to adapt and improve upon existing protocols. This fosters innovation and accelerates scientific discovery.

Benefits of Visualized Experiments

The benefits of using visualized experiments in engineering research are manifold:

• Enhanced Clarity: Video demonstrations provide a clear and concise visual representation of the experimental procedure, reducing ambiguity and improving understanding.
• Improved Reproducibility: Detailed written protocols and visual guidance ensure that researchers can accurately replicate the experiment.
• Accelerated Learning: The visual format allows researchers to quickly grasp the essential aspects of an experiment, accelerating the learning process.
• Reduced Errors: Visual demonstrations help researchers avoid common mistakes and optimize their technique.
• Increased Collaboration: The visual format promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing among researchers.

Challenges and Future Directions

While JoVE has made significant strides in promoting visual communication in science, there are still challenges to be addressed. One challenge is the cost of producing high-quality video demonstrations, which can be a barrier for some researchers. Another challenge is the need for standardized protocols and metadata to ensure the discoverability and interoperability of JoVE articles.

In the future, JoVE could expand its coverage to include more engineering disciplines, such as civil engineering, chemical engineering, and aerospace engineering. It could also develop new features, such as interactive simulations and virtual reality environments, to further enhance the learning experience.

Conclusion

The March 2023 issue of JoVE Engineering features a diverse and valuable collection of engineering research articles. These articles provide detailed, step-by-step video demonstrations coupled with rigorous scientific protocols, offering valuable insights and practical guidance for researchers, students, and professionals alike. By promoting visual communication, JoVE is helping to advance innovation and accelerate scientific discovery in engineering and beyond. As the field of engineering continues to evolve, the importance of visual communication will only increase. JoVE is well-positioned to play a leading role in shaping the future of scientific communication and fostering collaboration and innovation across the globe. The platform's commitment to clarity, reproducibility, and accessibility makes it an invaluable resource for the engineering community. Through continued innovation and expansion, JoVE will undoubtedly continue to drive progress and accelerate the pace of scientific discovery in engineering and related fields.