Analysis and development of the adhesion of stent coatings

<h2>Toolmaker's Microscopes</h2><p> How do the most minute and miniature components of all types of things get made and measured? The answer shouldn't shock you -- a toolmaker's microscope, a specialty measuring microscope, comes to the rescue. With the ability to determine relative positions, measure angles, and comparison measure at sizes of up to 0.01mm, these high-fidelity microscopes are ideal for inspecting and measuring miniature components of mechanical or electronic parts or even check for defects in very small components, especially in the manufacturing industry.<p> You don't really need more than between 10X-100X for a toolmaker's microscope, though advanced models often offer even greater magnifications. What you do need are specialized tools, techniques, and accessories for a scope like this, depending on the functionality required. Filters, diaphragms, and lens coatings are just a few examples used to improve image quality, while other features like built-in camera documentation can make it easy to report or send images or video to external devices for review. Special features like an ergonomic design for extra comfort when working for extended periods also contribute to the best toolmaker's microscope designs.<p> As always, microscope.com has a full range of toolmaker's microscopes and accessories. Shopping here is quick and easy, with free shipping on orders over $150 getting your new scope and equipment to your door in no time at all!

The slipperiness of ice is an everyday-life phenomenon which, surprisingly, remains controversial despite a long scientific history. The very small friction measured on ice is classically attributed to the presence of a thin self-lubricating film of meltwater between the slider and the ice. But while the macroscale friction behavior of ice and snow has been widely investigated, very little is known about the interfacial water film and its mechanical properties. In this work, we develop a stroke-probe force measurement technique to uncover the microscopic mechanisms underlying ice lubrication. We simultaneously measure the shear friction of a bead on ice and quantify the in-situ mechanical properties of the interfacial film, as well as its thickness, under various regimes of speed and temperature. In contrast with standard views, meltwater is found to exhibit a complex visco-elastic rheology, with a viscosity up to two orders of magnitude larger than pristine water. The non-conventional rheology of meltwater provides a new, consistent, rationale for ice slipperiness. Hydrophobic coatings are furthermore shown to strongly reduce friction due to a surprising change in the local viscosity, providing an unexpected explanation for waxing effects in winter sports. Beyond ice friction, our results suggest new avenues towards self-healing lubricants to achieve ultra-low friction.