Reversible polymeric networks can show self-healing properties due to their ability to reassemble after application of stress and fracture, but typically the relation between equilibrium molecular dynamics and self-healing kinetics has been difficult to disentangle. Here we present a well-characterized, self-assembled bulk network based on supramolecular assemblies, that allows a clear distinct...

Analysis of freeze-fractured earthworm body wall muscle reveals distinctive trough-shaped concavities in the protoplasmic leaflet of the muscle cell membrane which contain diagonally oriented rows of particles sometimes in highly ordered arrays. The troughs correspond to the concave postjunctional patches of sarcolemma seen previously in thin sections of myoneural junctions identified as cholin...

Vancomycin-supplemented allografts provide biological restoration of bone stock and sound fixation with a low incidence of re-infection. Experimental incorporation of these grafts is similar to allografts without vancomycin. However, the underlying biology remains unknown. We report the first histological observations of vancomycin-supplemented impacted bone allografts in two reconstructions pe...

Much of the virulence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria is caused by cytoadherence of infected erythrocytes, which promotes parasite survival by preventing clearance in the spleen. Adherence is mediated by membrane protrusions known as knobs, whose formation depends on the parasite-derived, knob-associated histidine-rich protein (KAHRP). Knobs are required for cytoadherence under flow conditions...

Structuring over many length scales is a design strategy widely used in Nature to create materials with unique functional properties. We here present a comprehensive analysis of an adult sea urchin spine, and in revealing a complex, hierarchical structure, show how Nature fabricates a material which diffracts as a single crystal of calcite and yet fractures as a glassy material. Each spine comp...

The Ceramic On-Demand Extrusion (CODE) process is a novel additive manufacturing process for fabricating dense ceramic components from aqueous pastes of high solids loading. In this study, 3 mol% Y2O3 stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP) parts were fabricated using the CODE process. The parts were then dried in a humidity controlled environmental chamber and sintered under atmosp...

The fracture mechanics examines the development and expansion of cracks in solids and how they affect the deformation of materials. The stress intensity factors at the tip of the crack and the critical stress intensity factors or fracture toughness of materials are considered in the relevant criteria. There are three main modes of applying forces to a crack including the tensile mode, shear mod...

ZrO2 has been used for hip and knee joint replacements because of the excellent combination of biocompatibility, low density and corrosion resistance. However, coarse-grained ZrO2 has low wear, abrasion resistance and fracture toughness. One of the methods to improve mechanical properties is generally to refine the grain size. As nanomaterials possess high strength, high hardness, excellent duc...