As described in the previous chapters, optical tweezers have become a tool of precision for in vitro single-molecule investigations, where the single molecule of interest most often is studied in purified form in an experimental assay with a well-controlled fluidic environment. A well-controlled fluidic environment implies that the physical properties of the liquid, most notably the viscosity, ...

Elastomers and their composites are widely used in modern innovative technology: for the production of aviation automobile tires, anti-vibration elements (rubber, rubber-metal springs), dampers, elastomeric bearings. Also they shaft suspensions, as spacers between structural parts, supporting parts fasteners. Elastomeric structures have a high dynamic load, particular cyclic nature, which is ac...

We summarize different studies describing mechanisms through which bacteria in a biofilm mode of growth resist mechanical and chemical challenges. Acknowledging previous microscopic work describing voids and channels in biofilms that govern a biofilms response to such challenges, we advocate a more quantitative approach that builds on the relation between structure and composition of materials ...

The use of thermoplastics in the automotive industry is continuously increasing. Design parts require characterization and numerical modelling thermo-mechanical behaviour those materials under wide strain rate (0–300 s−1) temperature ranges (−30 °C to +85 °C). Large costly experimental campaigns are therefore necessary identify all behaviour's sensitivities. Yet, time-temperature-superposition ...

Semi-structural bonded joints of steel components are exposed to long-term stresses in addition water diffusion, temperature changes and varying external forces during operation. These hygro-thermomechanical loadings lead successive degradation stiffness strength due damage resulting from chemical aging fatigue processes, causing failure the joint when its service life is reached. In following ...

Knowledge of the human multi-joint arm viscoelastic properties is essential in the assistance of building human-like robots. In this paper, a robust estimation method of human multi-joint arm viscoelasticity during natural movement is reviewed, a human arm-like robot control scheme using the measured viscoelasticity from estimation method is proposed. In order to imitate how to adjust the human...

The main characteristic of rubber is a viscoelasticity. So it is important to research the characteristic of the viscoelasticity of the high frequency band for the friction between a rubber material and the hard one with roughness, for instance, the tire and the road. As for the measurement of the viscoelasticity of rubber, DMA (Dynamic Mechanical Analysis) is general. However, some problems ar...

mechanical stress and maximum superconducting current have been calculated for a superconductor subjected to uniform plastic deformation. The training effect due to strain hardening o f the material is discussed. These results are compared with an analogous case when the normal transition is caused by the thermo-magnetomechanical instability. The quenching current is shown to depend on the hist...