We give results for the Γ-limit of a scaled elastic energy of a film as the thickness h > 0 converges to zero. The elastic energy density models materials with multiple phases or variants and is thus non-convex. The model includes an interfacial energy that allows sharp interfaces between the phases and variants and is proportional to the total variation of the deformation gradient.

Grain boundaries (GBs) provide a strengthening mechanism in engineering materials by impeding dislocation motion. In a polycrystalline material, there is a wide distribution of GB types with characteristic slip transmission and nucleation behaviors. Slip–GB reactions are not easy to establish analytically or from experiments; furthermore, there is a strong need to quantify the energy barriers o...

The self-organizing properties of nematic liquid crystals (LCs) can be used to align carbon nanotubes (CNTs) dispersed in them. In the previous paper [P. van der Schoot, V. Popa-Nita, and S. Kralj, J. Phys. Chem. B 112, 4512 (2008)], we have considered the weak anchoring limit of the nematic LC molecules at the nanotube's surface, where the CNT alignment is caused by the anisotropic interfacial...

The phase field approach is a powerful computational technique to simulate morphological and microstructural evolution at the mesoscale. Spheroidization is a frequently observed morphological change of mesoscale heterogeneous structures during annealing. In this study, we used the diffuse interface phase field method to investigate the interfacial diffusion-driven spheroidization of cylindrical...

Adhesive joints are continuously emerging as candidate to replace traditional fastening systems, such as riveting or welding, in primary structural applications. A wide class of components belonging to electronic, automotive and aerospace industries contains adhesive joints, however, the reliability during service constitutes a major technical problem as these contain flaws. Therefore, their us...

One of enduring problems of phospholipid adsorption at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES) has been the inability to determine and control the exact nature of the adsorbed monomolecular layer. In the present study, this problem has been overcome by the use of the well-known Langmuir-Blodgett technique. It has been shown that reproducible layers of known surface pr...