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In this paper, we investigate, by molecular dynamics simulations, the mechanical properties of a new carbon nanostructure, termed graphene nanochain, constructed by sewing up pristine or twisted graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) and interlocking…
Poly-L-lactide (PLLA) is a popular choice for medical devices due to its bioresorbability and superior mechanical properties compared with other polymers. However, although PLLA has been investigated for use in bioresorbable cardiovascular…
We investigate the linear viscoelasticity of polymer gels produced by the dispersion of gluten proteins in water:ethanol binary mixtures with various ethanol contents, from pure water to 60% v/v ethanol. We show that the complex…
We use a minimal model for a dense suspension undergoing thickening and thinning to investigate microstructural changes in 2d simulations. Our simulations show that in steady flow the contact network contains distinct building blocks which…
We investigate the role played by the bidispersity of polymer chains on the local structure and the potential of mean force (PMF) between silica nanoparticles (NPs) in a polystyrene melt. We use the hybrid particle-field molecular dynamics…
Natural ceramic composites present complex microstructures that lead to tortuous crack paths and confer them high toughness. Current microreinforced composites do not yet reach the same level of complexity in their microstructures,…
Recently, it has been found experimentally that hydrated nacre exhibits a nonlinear mechanical response. While mechanical nonlinearity has been shown to be important in other biological structures, such as spider webs, the implications of…
Employing grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) and X-ray reflectivity (XRR), we demonstrate that films composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-grafted silver nanoparticles (AgNP) and gold nanoparticles (AuNP), as well as…
We propose a continuum theory to model the Mullins effect, which is ubiquitously observed in polymer composites. In the theory, the softening of the materials during the stretching process is accounted for by considering the delamination of…
This paper aimed at obtaining cross-linked polymeric materials of biomass origin. For this purpose one-pot polyesterification of methyl ricinoleate and methyl 12-hydroxystearate using titanium isopropoxide as a catalyst has been performed…
The mechanical integrity of composite materials depends primarily on the interface strength and the defect density of the reinforcement which is the provider of enhanced strength and stiffness. In the case of graphene/ polymer…
The mechanical behavior of graphitic materials is greatly affected by the weak interlayer bonding with van der Waals forces for a range of thickness from nano to macroscale. Herein, we present a comprehensive study of the effect of layer…
Effect of microstructures and interactions on segmental dynamics in polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution in water is probed with macro-scale oscillatory rheology and micro-scale diffusion of a fluorescent probe. PEG solution fluorescence…
Polyurethane and polyurea-based adhesives are widely used in various applications, from automotive to electronics to medical. The adhesive performance depends strongly on its composition, and developing the formulation-structure-property…
Nanopapers based on graphene and related materials were recently proposed for application in heat spreader applications. To overcome typical limitations in brittleness of such materials, this work addressed the combination of graphite…
Graphene is a unique material to study fundamental limits of plasmonics. Apart from the ultimate single-layer thickness, its carrier concentration can be tuned by chemical doping or applying an electric field. In this manner the…
We investigate the influence of particle stiffness on the grasping performance of granular grippers, a class of soft robotic effectors that utilize granular jamming for object manipulation. Through experimental analyses and X-ray imaging,…
In this feature article, we provide an overview of our research on statistical copolymers as a coating material for metal oxide nanoparticles and surfaces. These copolymers contain functional groups enabling non-covalent binding to oxide…
Solutions of wormlike micelles can form cross-linked networks on microscopic length scales. The unique mechanical properties of these complex fluids are driven by the interplay between the network structure and dynamics which are…
Structural lubricity arises typically at incommensurate, well-defined dry contacts where short-range elastic instability is significantly mitigated. However, under ambient conditions, airborne molecules adsorb onto solid surfaces, forming…