The accuracy of mechanical properties from depth-sensing indentation, or nanoindentation, depends on the accuracy of the displacement measurement used to calculate these properties. Here, current nanoindentation techniques and analysis methods for accurate displacement measurements are reviewed. First, the ability of a commercial instrument to sense the surface of soft materials is examined. Se...

Values of the bending modulus KC are reviewed, and possible causes for the considerable differences are discussed. One possible cause is the use of glucose and sucrose in the classical micromechanical manipulation and shape analysis methods. New data, using the more recent low angle X-ray method, are presented that do not support an effect of glucose or sucrose on KC. Another possible cause is ...

Understanding the rheological properties of soft biological tissue is a key issue for mechanical systems used in the health care field. We propose a simple empirical model using fractional dynamics and exponential nonlinearity (FDEN) to identify the rheological properties of soft biological tissue. The model is derived from detailed material measurements using samples isolated from porcine live...

Mining areas in western China are mainly located in soft rock strata with poor bearing capacity. In order to make the deformation failure mechanism and strength behavior of weakly consolidated soft mudstone and coal rock hosted in Ili No. 4 mine of Xinjiang area clear, some uniaxial and triaxial compression tests were carried out according to the samples of rocks gathered in the studied area, r...

In this study we address the mechanical properties of Sb2S3 nanowires and determine their Young's modulus using in situ electric-field-induced mechanical resonance and static bending tests on individual Sb2S3 nanowires with cross-sectional areas ranging from 1.1·10(4) nm(2) to 7.8·10(4) nm(2). Mutually orthogonal resonances are observed and their origin explained by asymmetric cross section of ...

Employing the empirical embedded-atom method potentials, the evolution of edge and screw dislocation core structure is calculated at different hydrogen concentrations. With hydrogen, the core energy and Peierls potential are reduced for all dislocations. A broaden-core and a quasi-split core structure are observed for edge and screw dislocation respectively. The screw dislocation and hydrogen i...

New soccer shoes have been developed by considering various concepts related to kicking, such as curving a soccer ball. However, the effects of shoes on ball behaviour remain unclear. In this study, by using a finite element simulation, we investigated the factors that affect ball behaviour immediately after impact in a curve kick. Five experienced male university soccer players performed one c...

Measurement of the strength of brittle materials, such as resin composites, is extremely difficult. Micro-indentation hardness testing is a convenient way of investigating the mechanical properties of a small volume of material. In this study, the mechanical properties of five commercially available flowable resin composites were investigated by the dynamic micro-indentation method. Additionall...

We present a simple microscopic model describing the unique friction behavior of gecko setal arrays as they are dragged on smooth surfaces. Unlike other solids of high elastic modulus that do not stick under van der Waals forces alone, the gecko setal arrays do not require a compressive force to display a drag resistance but rather develop a tensile normal force when they are dragged (J. Experi...

Confined liquid crystals (LC) provide a unique platform for technological applications and for the study of LC properties, such as bulk elasticity, surface anchoring, and topological defects. In this work, lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLCs) are confined in spherical droplets, and their director configurations are investigated as a function of mesogen concentration using bright-field an...