Hybrid Hydrogels Assembled from Phenylalanine Derivatives and Agarose with Enhanced Mechanical Strength

A roadblock for supramolecular hydrogels is their poor mechanical properties. Herein, to enhance the mechanical strength of supramolecular hydrogels, agarose(AG) was incorporated into the low molecular weight hydrogelator(G1). The results of scanning electron microscopy(SEM), circular dichroism(CD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) prove that G1 gelators can self-assemble into cross-linked network together with AG. The mechanical properties of the gels are characterized by a rotary rheometer and the mechanical properties of the hybrid hydrogels(Hgel) can be significantly improved and may be further tuned by changing the ratio of the two components. For example, the elastic modulus of Hgel Ⅱ[m(G1):m(AG)=7:3] is about 2 times higher than that of G1 hydrogel. The results demonstrate that the mechanical property of hybrid supramolecular hydrogels can be adjusted through the formation of a cross-linked network.     

Handedness-dependent hyperelasticity of biological soft fibers with multilayered helical structures

Collagen fibrils with multilayered helical structures widely exist in biological soft tissues, e.g., blood vessels, tendons, and ligaments. Understanding the mechanical properties of this kind of chiral materials is not only essential for evaluating the mechanical behaviors of the host tissues but also of significance for medical engineering, clinical diagnosis, and surgical operation. In this paper, a theoretical model is presented to investigate the hyperelasticity of biological soft fibers with multilayered helical structures. The effects of the initial helical angle, number and handedness of the fibers in each ply on the mechanical response of the material are examined. Our analysis reveals a switch of contact modes between two neighboring layers, which may greatly alter the overall non-linear response of the material. The Poisson׳s ratio of such a multilayered string can be greater than 0.5. The obtained results agree with relevant experiments of soft tissues. This work sheds light on the non-linear mechanics of chiral materials and may also guide the design of biomimetic materials.     

Gradient systems and mechanical systems

All types of gradient systems and their properties are discussed. Two problems connected with gradient sys-tems and mechanical systems are studied. One is the direct problem of transforming a mechanical system into a gradi-ent system, and the other is the inverse problem, which is transforming a gradient system into a mechanical system.     

Using two scaling exponents to describe the mechanical properties of swollen elastomers

We study the ability of two scaling exponents to describe the mechanical properties of swollen elastomers. Swelling effects on the Young's modulus and osmotic pressure of swollen elastomers at equilibrium swelling are investigated using literature data and the Flory–Rehner free energy function. An extended model is developed by introducing two scaling exponents into elastic strain energy functions that are separated into deviatoric and volumetric components. This extended model satisfactorily reproduces the two different swelling effects, and also predicts swelling-induced rupture. The predicted tendency readily explains experimental observations well, i.e., swelling-induced rupture occurs when small extensions are applied in good solvents, and elucidates the mechanism of swelling-induced rupture of elastomers.     

岩土工程下沉贯入数值模拟方法研究进展

岩土工程下沉贯入领域的数值分析,由于结构物贯入时网格变形过大而产生扭曲畸变等问题,常会造成收敛困难甚至计算结果失真.采用合适的数值方法分析此类问题颇具挑战性.本文系统介绍了近年来对于岩土下沉贯入数值模拟的研究现状和发展动态,对各种数值模拟方法的相关原理、主要特征以及优缺点进行简要的探讨.并简要介绍耦合的欧拉-拉格朗日(coupled Eulerian--Lagrangian,CEL)有限元法的基本原理,通过不排水条件下的条形基础贯入问题和砂土中桩的静压下沉示例分析,表明CEL有限元法在模拟岩土贯入问题时计算结果的准确性和较其他模拟方法的优势.文中所阐述的岩土贯入分析数值模拟方法可供从事岩土贯入分析的相关学者借鉴参考.     

混合润滑理论模型进化与工程应用

混合润滑问题自提出以来,其相关分析理论已经获得了长足的发展,并呈现出精细化、多样化等特征.本文作者在系统梳理混合润滑理论分析研究历程及其工程应用背景的基础上,综述了现阶段已有混合润滑理论模型特点,分析指出混合润滑理论研究的热点和发展方向.同时归纳出一种多维度工程混合润滑问题理论分析模型的选择思路,并依据若干典型工程润滑问题进行了阐释.     

屋面光伏板风荷载特性数值分析

风荷载在屋面光伏阵列结构体系设计中起控制作用。采用计算风工程的方法分析讨论了屋面光伏板的风荷载特性。数值算法采用分离涡模拟方法。数值计算结果与现有风洞实验数据的比较,验证了本文方法的正确性。考虑影响光伏板风荷载的因素主要有光伏板在屋面上的安装位置、安装倾角、光伏阵列之间的距离和风向等。计算结果表明,屋面处脱落的涡对安装在不同位置的光伏阵列风荷载的影响较明显。当倾角由15°增加到45°时,电池板受到的风荷载随着倾角的增加而增大。在一定阵列间距范围内,光伏板风荷载主要表现为前排对下游光伏板的遮挡影响。本文方法与结果能为屋面光伏建筑结构设计提供重要参考。     

考虑投资者风险态度的随机模糊投资组合模型及实证

考虑投资者面临证券市场随机和模糊的双重不确定性,把证券收益率视为随机模糊变量。在前景理论下考虑投资者的风险态度,建立不同的随机模糊收益率、期望收益隶属度函数和目标权重,构建考虑投资者风险态度的随机模糊投资组合模型。采用实证方法把市场分为下降和上升两个阶段,研究不同风险态度投资者的投资组合差异及模型表现。结果表明:投资者的风险态度会影响投资组合的结构;考虑投资者风险态度的随机模糊投资组合模型,能够满足不同风险态度投资者对投资收益和风险的差异需求,且在实际投资决策中具有可行性。     

Hydrogen embrittlement assisted by ball-milling to obtain AlCuFe nanoparticles

In this work, we show that the synthesis of AlCuFe nanoparticles can be achieved by a wet ball-milling process. The AlCuFe intermetallic system is highly sensitive to the environmental embrittlement mechanism. Taking advantage of this, the wet ball-milling was used to increase the rate of grinding and accelerate the characteristic cleavage fracture of these phases. This research was carried out by subjecting Al₆₄Cu₂₄Fe₁₂ pre-alloyed ribbons to high-energy ball-milling under different powder–humidity relationships. The pre-alloyed and milled powders were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). High resolution electron microscopy (HREM) measurements and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) elemental chemical mapping confirm that the nanoparticles have a BCC structure with Al–Cu–Fe chemical composition. During the wet ball-milling, the aluminum content in the ψ-phase diminishes due to embrittlement mechanism which provokes its aperiodic disarrangement. This aluminum loss could be related with a ψ–β transformation.     

Fumarate Copolymer–Chitosan Cross‐Linked Scaffold Directed to Osteochondrogenic Tissue Engineering

Natural and synthetic cross‐linked polymers allow the improvement of cytocompatibility and mechanical properties of the individual polymers. In osteochondral lesions of big size it will be required the use of scaffolds to repair the lesion. In this work a borax cross‐linked scaffold based on fumarate‐vinyl acetate copolymer and chitosan directed to osteochondrondral tissue engineering is developed. The cross‐linked scaffolds and physical blends of the polymers are analyzed in based on their morphology, glass transition temperature, and mechanical properties. In addition, the stability, degradation behavior, and the swelling kinetics are studied. The results demonstrate that the borax cross‐linked scaffold exhibits hydrogel behavior with appropriated mechanical properties for bone and cartilage tissue regeneration. Bone marrow progenitor cells and primary chondrocytes are used to demonstrate its osteo‐ and chondrogenic properties, respectively, assessing the osteo‐ and chondroblastic growth and maturation, without evident signs of cytotoxicity as it is evaluated in an in vitro system.