Surface-directed spinodal decomposition on a macroscopic scale in a nitrogen and carbon alloyed steel

Interactions with the macroscopic specimen surface can profoundly modify phase-separation processes. This has previously been observed in liquids and polymer films and is theoretically described by the theory of surface-directed spinodal decomposition (SDSD). Here we report first observations of SDSD in a metallic alloy on a macroscopic scale. The influence of the surface leads to the development of concentric domains extending over the whole 10 mm thick cylindrical steel specimen, due to long-range interactions via elastic stresses and long-range diffusion of the interstitial elements nitrogen and carbon.     

Modeling of Phase Separation in Alloys with Coherent Elastic Misfit

Elastic interactions arising from a difference of lattice spacing between two coherent phases can have a strong influence on the phase separation (coarsening) behavior of alloys. If the elastic moduli are different in the two phases, the elastic interactions may accelerate, slow down or even stop the phase separation process. If the material is elastically anisotropic, the precipitates can be shaped like plates or needles instead of spheres and can arrange themselves into highly correlated patterns. Tensions or compressions applied externally to the specimen may have a strong effect on the shapes and arrangement of the precipitates. In this paper, we review the main theoretical approaches that have been used to model these effects and we relate them to experimental observations. The theoretical approaches considered are (i) macroscopic models treating the two phases as elastic media separated by a sharp interface, (ii) mesoscopic models in which the concentration varies continuously across the interface, and (iii) microscopic models which use the positions of individual atoms.     

Mechanical properties of spruce wood cell walls by nanoindentation

In order to study the effects of structural variability, nanoindentation experiments were performed in Norway spruce cell walls with highly variable cellulose microfibril angle and lignin content. Contrary to hardness, which showed no statistically significant relationship with changing microfibril angle and lignin content, the elastic modulus of the secondary cell wall decreased significantly with increasing microfibril angle. While the elastic moduli of cell walls with large microfibril angle agreed well with published values, the elastic moduli of cell walls with small microfibril angle were clearly underestimated in nanoindentation measurements. Hardness measurements in the cell corner middle lamella allowed us to estimate the yield stress of the cell-wall matrix to be 0.34±0.16 GPa. Since the hardness of the secondary cell wall was statistically not different from the hardness of the cell corner middle lamella, irrespective of high variability in cellulose microfibril angle, it is proposed that compressive yielding of wood-cell walls is a matrix-dominated process. PACS 83.80.Mc     

A thermodynamic approach to grain growth and coarsening

The evolution equations for grain growth and coarsening have been derived in the open literature mainly based on phenomenological considerations. Applying a thermodynamic extremal principle, the evolution equations are derived in a rigorous way. All kinetic parameters are provided directly. Existing relations are proved and generalized.     

The implication of chemical extraction treatments on the cell wall nanostructure of softwood

Spruce wood was subjected to well-defined extraction treatments with sodium chlorite (NaClO₂) for delignification, as well as with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at different concentrations for extraction of hemicelluloses. The corresponding changes of the macromolecular polymer assembly were investigated by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Measurements with Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and wide-angle scattering (WAXS) gave qualitative information about the effectiveness of the extraction process, while the scattering experiments provided information about the regularity and typical dimensions of the molecular structures. The scattering data indicated that delignification had only a moderate effect on the structural organisation of the cell wall, while further extraction with NaOH induced considerable nanostructural changes.     

Light‐Induced Water Splitting Causes High‐Amplitude Oscillation of pH‐Sensitive Layer‐by‐Layer Assemblies on TiO2

We introduce a simple concept of a light induced pH change, followed by high amplitude manipulation of the mechanical properties of an adjacent polymer film. Irradiation of a titania surface is known to cause water splitting, and this can be used to reduce the environmental pH to pH 4. The mechanical modulus of an adjacent pH sensitive polymer film can thus be changed by more than an order of magnitude. The changes can be localized, maintained for hours and repeated without material destruction.     

A theoretical model for tissue growth in confined geometries

It is known that cells proliferate and produce extracellular matrix in response to biochemical and mechanical stimuli. Constitutive models considering these phenomena are needed to quantitatively describe the process of tissue growth in the context of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this paper we re-examine the theoretical framework provided by Ambrosi and Guana (2007) and Ambrosi and Guillou (2007). We show how a volumetric growth rate term can be obtained (both in a large and small strain setting), which is consistent with the laws of thermodynamics and then apply the model to a simple geometry of tissue growth within a circular pore. The model, despite its simplicity, is comparable with experimental measurements of tissue growth and highlights the contribution of the mechanical stresses produced during tissue growth on the growth rate itself.