Understanding pop-ins in spherical nanoindentation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pathak, Siddhartha, E-mail: pathak@lanl.gov, E-mail: siddharthapathak@gmail.com; Riesterer, Jessica L.; Michler, Johann

2014-10-20

Pop-ins, or sudden displacement-bursts at constant load in a nanoindentation test, are typically attributed to the difficulty of setting up potent dislocation sources in the very small indentation zones in these experiments. Such displacement (and strain) bursts would intuitively indicate a sharp drop in stress during the pop-in event itself. However, spherical indentation stress-strain curves routinely exhibit a high and stable indentation stress value during the pop-in, and the indentation stresses decrease only after a further finite amount of additional indentation displacement has been applied. In order to understand this discrepancy, we utilize a combination of interrupted spherical indentation testsmore » along with depth profiling of the residual indentation surfaces using in-situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) to study pop-ins. The AFM surface profile maps show that there is an asymmetric profile change over a limited region around the indentation contact area for a single pop-in; the asymmetry disappears upon further loading beyond the pop-in. A plausible sequence of physical processes (related to metal plasticity) occurring underneath the indenter during and immediately after the occurrence of the pop-in is proposed to explain these observations.« less

From elasticity to capillarity in soft materials indentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pham, Jonathan T.; Schellenberger, Frank; Kappl, Michael; Butt, Hans-Jürgen

2017-06-01

For soft materials with Young's moduli below 100 kPa, quantifying mechanical and interfacial properties by small scale indentation is challenging because in addition to adhesion and elasticity, surface tension plays a critical role. Until now, microscale contact of very soft materials has only been studied by static experiments under zero external loading. Here we introduce a combination of the colloidal probe technique and confocal microscopy to characterize the force-indentation and force-contact radius relationships during microindentation of soft silicones. We confirm that the widespread Johnson-Kendall-Roberts theory must be extended to predict the mechanical contact for soft materials. Typically a liquid component is found within very soft materials. With a simple analytical model, we illustrate that accounting for this liquid surface tension can capture the contact behavior. Our results highlight the importance of considering liquid that is often associated with soft materials during small scale contact.

The nanoscale phase distinguishing of PCL-PB-PCL blended in epoxy resin by tapping mode atomic force microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Huiqin; Sun, Limin; Shen, Guangxia; Liang, Qi

2012-02-01

In this work, we investigated the bulk phase distinguishing of the poly(ɛ-caprolactone)-polybutadiene-poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL-PB-PCL) triblock copolymer blended in epoxy resin by tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TM-AFM). We found that at a set-point amplitude ratio ( r sp) less than or equal to 0.85, a clear phase contrast could be obtained using a probe with a force constant of 40 N/m. When r sp was decreased to 0.1 or less, the measured size of the PB-rich domain relatively shrank; however, the height images of the PB-rich domain would take reverse (translating from the original light to dark) at r sp = 0.85. Force-probe measurements were carried out on the phase-separated regions by TM-AFM. According to the phase shift angle vs. r sp curve, it could be concluded that the different force exerting on the epoxy matrix or on the PB-rich domain might result in the height and phase image reversion. Furthermore, the indentation depth vs. r sp plot showed that with large tapping force (lower r sp), the indentation depth for the PB-rich domain was nearly identical for the epoxy resin matrix.

Nanoindentation studies of full and empty viral capsids and the effects of capsid protein mutations on elasticity and strength

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michel, J. P.; Ivanovska, I. L.; Gibbons, M. M.; Klug, W. S.; Knobler, C. M.; Wuite, G. J. L.; Schmidt, C. F.

2006-04-01

The elastic properties of capsids of the cowpea chlorotic mottle virus have been examined at pH 4.8 by nanoindentation measurements with an atomic force microscope. Studies have been carried out on WT capsids, both empty and containing the RNA genome, and on full capsids of a salt-stable mutant and empty capsids of the subE mutant. Full capsids resisted indentation more than empty capsids, but all of the capsids were highly elastic. There was an initial reversible linear regime that persisted up to indentations varying between 20% and 30% of the diameter and applied forces of 0.6-1.0 nN; it was followed by a steep drop in force that is associated with irreversible deformation. A single point mutation in the capsid protein increased the capsid stiffness. The experiments are compared with calculations by finite element analysis of the deformation of a homogeneous elastic thick shell. These calculations capture the features of the reversible indentation region and allow Young's moduli and relative strengths to be estimated for the empty capsids. atomic force microscopy | cowpea chlorotic mottle virus | finite element analysis | biomechanics

Primate lens capsule elasticity assessed using Atomic Force Microscopy

PubMed Central

Ziebarth, Noël M.; Arrieta, Esdras; Feuer, William J.; Moy, Vincent T.; Manns, Fabrice; Parel, Jean-Marie

2011-01-01

The purpose of this project is to measure the elasticity of the human and non-human primate lens capsule at the microscopic scale using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Elasticity measurements were performed using AFM on the excised anterior lens capsule from 9 cynomolgus monkey (5.9–8.0 years), 8 hamadryas baboon (2.8–10.1 years), and 18 human lenses (33–79 years). Anterior capsule specimens were obtained by performing a 5mm continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and collecting the resulting disk of capsular tissue. To remove the lens epithelial cells the specimen was soaked in 0.1% trypsin and 0.02% EDTA for five minutes, washed, and placed on a Petri dish and immersed in DMEM. Elasticity measurements of the capsule were performed with a laboratory-built AFM system custom designed for force measurements of ophthalmic tissues. The capsular specimens were probed with an AFM cantilever tip to produce force-indentation curves for each specimen. Young’s modulus was calculated from the force-indentation curves using the model of Sneddon for a conical indenter. Young’s modulus of elasticity was 20.1–131kPa for the human lens capsule, 9.19–117kPa for the cynomolgus lens capsule, and 13.1–62.4kPa for the baboon lens capsule. Young’s modulus increased significantly with age in humans (p=0.03). The age range of the monkey and baboon samples was not sufficient to justify an analysis of age dependence. The capsule elasticity of young humans (<45 years) was not statistically different from that of the monkey and baboon. In humans, there is an increase in lens capsule stiffness at the microscale that could be responsible for an increase in lens capsule bulk stiffness. PMID:21420953

Stability and tribological performances of fluid phospholipid bilayers: effect of buffer and ions.

PubMed

Dekkiche, F; Corneci, M C; Trunfio-Sfarghiu, A-M; Munteanu, B; Berthier, Y; Kaabar, W; Rieu, J-P

2010-10-15

We have investigated the mechanical and tribological properties of supported Dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine (DOPC) bilayers in different solutions: ultrapure water (pH 5.5), saline solution (150 mM NaCl, pH 5.8), Tris buffer (pH 7.2) and Tris saline buffer (150 mM NaCl, pH 7.2). Friction forces are measured using a homemade biotribometer. Lipid bilayer degradation is controlled in situ during friction tests using fluorescence microscopy. Mechanical resistance to indentation is measured by force spectroscopy with an atomic force microscope. This study confirms that mechanical stability under shear or normal load is essential to obtain low and constant friction coefficients. In ultrapure water, bilayers are not resistant and have poor lubricant properties. On the other hand, in Tris saline buffer, they fully resist to indentation and exhibit low (micro=0.035) and stable friction coefficient with no visible wear during the 50 min of the friction test. The unbuffered saline solution improves the mechanical resistance to indentation but not the lubrication. These results suggest that the adsorption of ions to the zwiterrionic bilayers has different effects on the mechanical and tribological properties of bilayers: higher resistance to normal indentation due to an increase in bilayer cohesion, higher lubrication due to an increase in bilayer-bilayer repulsion. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Multiscale Investigation of the Depth-Dependent Mechanical Anisotropy of the Human Corneal Stroma

PubMed Central

Labate, Cristina; Lombardo, Marco; De Santo, Maria P.; Dias, Janice; Ziebarth, Noel M.; Lombardo, Giuseppe

2015-01-01

Purpose. To investigate the depth-dependent mechanical anisotropy of the human corneal stroma at the tissue (stroma) and molecular (collagen) level by using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Methods. Eleven human donor corneas were dissected at different stromal depths by using a microkeratome. Mechanical measurements were performed in 15% dextran on the surface of the exposed stroma of each sample by using a custom-built AFM in force spectroscopy mode using both microspherical (38-μm diameter) and nanoconical (10-nm radius of curvature) indenters at 2-μm/s and 15-μm/s indentation rates. Young's modulus was determined by fitting force curve data using the Hertz and Hertz-Sneddon models for a spherical and a conical indenter, respectively. The depth-dependent anisotropy of stromal elasticity was correlated with images of the corneal stroma acquired by two-photon microscopy. Results. The force curves were obtained at stromal depths ranging from 59 to 218 μm. At the tissue level, Young's modulus (ES) showed a steep decrease at approximately 140-μm stromal depth (from 0.8 MPa to 0.3 MPa; P = 0.03) and then was stable in the posterior stroma. At the molecular level, Young's modulus (EC) was significantly greater than at the tissue level; EC decreased nonlinearly with increasing stromal depth from 3.9 to 2.6 MPa (P = 0.04). The variation of microstructure through the thickness correlated highly with a nonconstant profile of the mechanical properties in the stroma. Conclusions. The corneal stroma exhibits unique anisotropic elastic behavior at the tissue and molecular levels. This knowledge may benefit modeling of corneal behavior and help in the development of biomimetic materials. PMID:26098472

Nano-Bio-Mechanics of Neuroblastoma Cells Using AFM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bastatas, Lyndon; Matthews, James; Kang, Min; Park, Soyeun

2011-10-01

We have conducted an in vitro study to determine the elastic moduli of neurobalstoma cell lines using atomic force microscopy. Using a panel of cell lines established from neuroblastoma patients at different stages of disease progress and treatment, we have investigated the differences in elastic moduli during a course of cancer progression and chemotherapy. The cells were grown on the hard substrates that are chemically functionalized to enhance adhesion. We have performed the AFM indentation experiments with different applied forces from the AFM probe. For the purpose of the comparison between cell lines, the indentations were performed only on cell centers. The obtained force-distance curves were analyzed using the Hertz model in order to extract the elastic moduli. We have found that the elastic moduli of human neuroblastoma cells significantly varied during the disease progression. We postulate that the observed difference might be affected by the treatment and chemotherapy.

Indentation of Graphene-Covered Atomic Force Microscopy Probe Across a Lipid Bilayer Membrane: Effect of Tip Shape, Size, and Surface Hydrophobicity.

PubMed

Lv, Kang; Li, Yinfeng

2018-06-21

Understanding the interaction of graphene with cell membranes is crucial to the development of graphene-based biological applications and the management of graphene safety issues. To help reveal the key factors controlling the interaction between graphene and cell membranes, here we adopt the dissipative particle dynamics method to analyze the evolution of interaction force and free energy as the graphene-covered atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe indents across a lipid bilayer. The simulation results show that the graphene-covered AFM probe can cause severe deformation of the cell membrane which drives the lipid molecule to adsorb and diffuse at the surface of graphene. The breakthrough force and free energy are calculated to study the effects of the tip shape, size, and surface hydrophobicity on the piercing behaviors of graphene-covered AFM. In addition, the deformation of cell membrane can decrease the dependency of the breakthrough force on the tip shape. The analysis of surface functionalization suggests that the horizontal patterns on graphene can change the preferred orientation in the penetration process, but the vertical patterns on graphene may disrupt the cell membrane. What's more, the bending stiffness of graphene has little influence on the penetration process as graphene pierces into the cell membrane. These results provide useful guidelines for the molecular design of graphene materials with controllable cell penetrability.

Investigation into local cell mechanics by atomic force microscopy mapping and optical tweezer vertical indentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coceano, G.; Yousafzai, M. S.; Ma, W.; Ndoye, F.; Venturelli, L.; Hussain, I.; Bonin, S.; Niemela, J.; Scoles, G.; Cojoc, D.; Ferrari, E.

2016-02-01

Investigating the mechanical properties of cells could reveal a potential source of label-free markers of cancer progression, based on measurable viscoelastic parameters. The Young’s modulus has proved to be the most thoroughly studied so far, however, even for the same cell type, the elastic modulus reported in different studies spans a wide range of values, mainly due to the application of different experimental conditions. This complicates the reliable use of elasticity for the mechanical phenotyping of cells. Here we combine two complementary techniques, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and optical tweezer microscopy (OTM), providing a comprehensive mechanical comparison of three human breast cell lines: normal myoepithelial (HBL-100), luminal breast cancer (MCF-7) and basal breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cells. The elastic modulus was measured locally by AFM and OTM on single cells, using similar indentation approaches but different measurement parameters. Peak force tapping AFM was employed at nanonewton forces and high loading rates to draw a viscoelastic map of each cell and the results indicated that the region on top of the nucleus provided the most meaningful results. OTM was employed at those locations at piconewton forces and low loading rates, to measure the elastic modulus in a real elastic regime and rule out the contribution of viscous forces typical of AFM. When measured by either AFM or OTM, the cell lines’ elasticity trend was similar for the aggressive MDA-MB-231 cells, which were found to be significantly softer than the other two cell types in both measurements. However, when comparing HBL-100 and MCF-7 cells, we found significant differences only when using OTM.

Determination of the Elastic Moduli of a Single Cell Cultured on a Rigid Support by Force Microscopy.

PubMed

Garcia, Pablo D; Garcia, Ricardo

2018-06-19

The elastic response of a living cell is affected by its physiological state. This property provides mechanical fingerprints of a cell's dysfunctionality. The softness (kilopascal range) and thickness (2-15 μm) of mammalian cells imply that the force exerted by the probe might be affected by the stiffness of the solid support. This observation makes infinite sample thickness models unsuitable to describe quantitatively the forces and deformations on a cell. Here, we report a general theory to determine the true Young's moduli of a single cell from a force-indentation curve. Analytical expressions are deduced for common geometries such as flat punches, paraboloids, cones, needles, and nanowires. For a given cell and indentation, the influence of the solid support on the measurements is reduced by using sharp and high aspect ratio tips. The theory is validated by finite element simulations. Copyright © 2018 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Use of atomic force microscopy in the forensic application of chronological order of toners and stamping inks in questioned documents.

PubMed

Kang, Tae-Yi; Lee, Joong; Park, Byung-Wook

2016-04-01

This paper describes the application of the atomic force microscopy (AFM) as a nano-indentation method and introduces a new method of identifying the chronological order of the application of the toner and stamping ink on the surface of documents by removing either of them. Various toners were used as samples for the AFM nano-indentation method. The chronological order of the application of the toner and stamping ink with either the toner placed over the stamping ink or the stamping ink placed over the toner, could be identified, regardless of the kinds of toners made by various companies. This paper provides the new approach for physically removing the toner and checking the material below it to identify questioned documents, which allows the method to be used to appraise documents forensically. Blind testing has shown that the method to analyze the chronological order of toner-printed documents and the seal stamping on them could accurately identify the order in all samples, while minimizing damage to the samples. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Laser Window Studies

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-08-01

CONT’D) Nuniln 21 23 24 26 20 30 31 34 3 5 ■A 6 37 39 Title Page Nomarski Fnterference Microscopy of Surface of 61 Film Substrates Tes...Potassium Chloride Surfaces 83 Anomalous Indentation Behavior 85 Indentations in As.;S Films - Nomarski Microscopy 92 Indentations in As9S...minimum load required to remove the film. Nomarski interference microscopy was used to inspect the scratched surfaces. The method was found to be less

Exploring the remarkable limits of continuum elastic theory to understand the nanomechanics of viruses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roos, Wouter; Gibbons, Melissa; Klug, William; Wuite, Gijs

2009-03-01

We report nanoindentation experiments by atomic force microscopy on capsids of the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). HBV is investigated because its capsids can form in either a smaller T=3 or a bigger T=4 configuration, making it an ideal system to test the predictive power of continuum elastic theory to describe nanometre-sized objects. It is shown that for small, consecutive indentations the particles behave reversibly linear and no material fatigue occurs. For larger indentations the particles start to deform non-linearly. The experimental force response fits very well with finite element simulations on coarse grained models of HBV capsids. Furthermore, this also fits with thin shell simulations guided by the F"oppl- von K'arm'an (FvK) number (the dimensionless ratio of stretching and bending stiffness of a thin shell). Both the T=3 and T=4 morphology are very well described by the simulations and the capsid material turns out to have the same Young's modulus, as expected. The presented results demonstrate the surprising strength of continuum elastic theory to describe indentation of viral capsids.

Spatially resolved quantitative mapping of thermomechanical properties and phase transition temperatures using scanning probe microscopy

DOEpatents

Jesse, Stephen; Kalinin, Sergei V; Nikiforov, Maxim P

2013-07-09

An approach for the thermomechanical characterization of phase transitions in polymeric materials (polyethyleneterephthalate) by band excitation acoustic force microscopy is developed. This methodology allows the independent measurement of resonance frequency, Q factor, and oscillation amplitude of a tip-surface contact area as a function of tip temperature, from which the thermal evolution of tip-surface spring constant and mechanical dissipation can be extracted. A heating protocol maintained a constant tip-surface contact area and constant contact force, thereby allowing for reproducible measurements and quantitative extraction of material properties including temperature dependence of indentation-based elastic and loss moduli.

Large Electric Field-Enhanced-Hardness Effect in a SiO2 Film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Revilla, Reynier I.; Li, Xiao-Jun; Yang, Yan-Lian; Wang, Chen

2014-03-01

Silicon dioxide films are extensively used in nano and micro-electromechanical systems. Here we studied the influence of an external electric field on the mechanical properties of a SiO2 film by using nanoindentation technique of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and friction force microscopy (FFM). A giant augmentation of the relative elastic modulus was observed by increasing the localized electric field. A slight decrease in friction coefficients was also clearly observed by using FFM with the increase of applied tip voltage. The reduction of the friction coefficients is consistent with the great enhancement of sample hardness by considering the indentation-induced deformation during the friction measurements.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Tianyi; Tan, Lizhen; Lu, Zizhe

Instrumented nanoindentation was used in this paper to investigate the hardness, elastic modulus, and creep behavior of an austenitic Fe-20Cr-25Ni model alloy at room temperature, with the indented grain orientation being the variant. The samples indented close to the {111} surfaces exhibited the highest hardness and modulus. However, nanoindentation creep tests showed the greatest tendency for creep in the {111} indented samples, compared with the samples indented close to the {001} and {101} surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy revealed slip bands and dislocations in all samples. The slip band patterns on the indented surfaces were influencedmore » by the grain orientations. Deformation twinning was observed only under the {001} indented surfaces. Finally, microstructural analysis and molecular dynamics modeling correlated the anisotropic nanoindentation-creep behavior with the different dislocation substructures formed during indentation, which resulted from the dislocation reactions of certain active slip systems that are determined by the indented grain orientations.« less

The effect of grain orientation on nanoindentation behavior of model austenitic alloy Fe-20Cr-25Ni

DOE PAGES

Chen, Tianyi; Tan, Lizhen; Lu, Zizhe; ...

2017-07-26

Instrumented nanoindentation was used in this paper to investigate the hardness, elastic modulus, and creep behavior of an austenitic Fe-20Cr-25Ni model alloy at room temperature, with the indented grain orientation being the variant. The samples indented close to the {111} surfaces exhibited the highest hardness and modulus. However, nanoindentation creep tests showed the greatest tendency for creep in the {111} indented samples, compared with the samples indented close to the {001} and {101} surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy revealed slip bands and dislocations in all samples. The slip band patterns on the indented surfaces were influencedmore » by the grain orientations. Deformation twinning was observed only under the {001} indented surfaces. Finally, microstructural analysis and molecular dynamics modeling correlated the anisotropic nanoindentation-creep behavior with the different dislocation substructures formed during indentation, which resulted from the dislocation reactions of certain active slip systems that are determined by the indented grain orientations.« less

Atomic Force Microscopy Measurements of the Mechanical Properties of Cell Walls on Living Bacterial Cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bailey, Richard; Mullin, Nic; Turner, Robert; Foster, Simon; Hobbs, Jamie

2014-03-01

Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of infection in humans, including the Methicillin resistant strain, MRSA. However, very little is known about the mechanical properties of these cells. Our investigations use AFM to examine live S. aureus cells to quantify mechanical properties. These were explored using force spectroscopy with different trigger forces, allowing the properties to be extracted at different indentation depths. A value for the cell wall stiffness has been extracted, along with a second, higher value which is found upon indenting at higher forces. This higher value drops as the cells are exposed to high salt, sugar and detergent concentrations, implying that this measurement contains a contribution from the internal turgor pressure. We have monitored these properties as the cells progress through the cell cycle. Force maps were taken over the cells at different stages of the growth process to identify changes in the mechanics throughout the progression of growth and division. The effect of Oxacillin has also been studied, to better understand its mechanism of action. Finally mutant strains of S. aureus and a second species Bacillus subtilis have been used to link the mechanical properties of the cell walls with the chain lengths and substructures involved.

[Atomic force microscopy: a tool to analyze the viral cycle].

PubMed

Bernaud, Julien; Castelnovo, Martin; Muriaux, Delphine; Faivre-Moskalenko, Cendrine

2015-05-01

Each step of the HIV-1 life cycle frequently involves a change in the morphology and/or mechanical properties of the viral particle or core. The atomic force microscope (AFM) constitutes a powerful tool for characterizing these physical changes at the scale of a single virus. Indeed, AFM enables the visualization of viral capsids in a controlled physiological environment and to probe their mechanical properties by nano-indentation. Finally, AFM force spectroscopy allows to characterize the affinities between viral envelope proteins and cell receptors at the single molecule level. © 2015 médecine/sciences – Inserm.

Microrheology of growing Escherichia coli biofilms investigated by using magnetic force modulation atomic force microscopy.

PubMed

Gan, Tiansheng; Gong, Xiangjun; Schönherr, Holger; Zhang, Guangzhao

2016-12-01

Microrheology of growing biofilms provides insightful information about its structural evolution and properties. In this study, the authors have investigated the microrheology of Escherichia coli (strain HCB1) biofilms at different indentation depth (δ) by using magnetic force modulation atomic force microscopy as a function of disturbing frequency (f). As δ increases, the dynamic stiffness (k s ) for the biofilms in the early stage significantly increases. However, it levels off when the biofilms are matured. The facts indicate that the biofilms change from inhomogeneous to homogeneous in structure. Moreover, k s is scaled to f, which coincides with the rheology of soft glasses. The exponent increases with the incubation time, indicating the fluidization of biofilms. In contrast, the upper layer of the matured biofilms is solidlike in that the storage modulus is always larger than the loss modulus, and its viscoelasticity is slightly influenced by the shear stress.

Application of Contact Mode AFM to Manufacturing Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giordano, Michael A.; Schmid, Steven R.

A review of the application of contact mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) to manufacturing processes is presented. A brief introduction to common experimental techniques including hardness, scratch, and wear testing is presented, with a discussion of challenges in the extension of manufacturing scale investigations to the AFM. Differences between the macro- and nanoscales tests are discussed, including indentation size effects and their importance in the simulation of processes such as grinding. The basics of lubrication theory are presented and friction force microscopy is introduced as a method of investigating metal forming lubrication on the nano- and microscales that directly simulates tooling/workpiece asperity interactions. These concepts are followed by a discussion of their application to macroscale industrial manufacturing processes and direct correlations are made.

An indentation depth-force sensing wheeled probe for abnormality identification during minimally invasive surgery.

PubMed

Liu, H; Puangmali, P; Zbyszewski, D; Elhage, O; Dasgupta, P; Dai, J S; Seneviratne, L; Althoefer, K

2010-01-01

This paper presents a novel wheeled probe for the purpose of aiding a surgeon in soft tissue abnormality identification during minimally invasive surgery (MIS), compensating the loss of haptic feedback commonly associated with MIS. Initially, a prototype for validating the concept was developed. The wheeled probe consists of an indentation depth sensor employing an optic fibre sensing scheme and a force/torque sensor. The two sensors work in unison, allowing the wheeled probe to measure the tool-tissue interaction force and the rolling indentation depth concurrently. The indentation depth sensor was developed and initially tested on a homogenous silicone phantom representing a good model for a soft tissue organ; the results show that the sensor can accurately measure the indentation depths occurring while performing rolling indentation, and has good repeatability. To validate the ability of the wheeled probe to identify abnormalities located in the tissue, the device was tested on a silicone phantom containing embedded hard nodules. The experimental data demonstrate that recording the tissue reaction force as well as rolling indentation depth signals during rolling indentation, the wheeled probe can rapidly identify the distribution of tissue stiffness and cause the embedded hard nodules to be accurately located.

In situ mechanical characterization of the cell nucleus by atomic force microscopy.

PubMed

Liu, Haijiao; Wen, Jun; Xiao, Yun; Liu, Jun; Hopyan, Sevan; Radisic, Milica; Simmons, Craig A; Sun, Yu

2014-04-22

The study of nuclear mechanical properties can provide insights into nuclear dynamics and its role in cellular mechanotransduction. While several methods have been developed to characterize nuclear mechanical properties, direct intracellular probing of the nucleus in situ is challenging. Here, a modified AFM (atomic force microscopy) needle penetration technique is demonstrated to mechanically characterize cell nuclei in situ. Cytoplasmic and nuclear stiffness were determined based on two different segments on the AFM indentation curves and were correlated with simultaneous confocal Z-stack microscopy reconstructions. On the basis of direct intracellular measurement, we show that the isolated nuclei from fibroblast-like cells exhibited significantly lower Young's moduli than intact nuclei in situ. We also show that there is in situ nucleus softening in the highly metastatic bladder cancer cell line T24 when compared to its less metastatic counterpart RT4. This technique has potential to become a reliable quantitative measurement tool for intracellular mechanics studies.

Scanning electron acoustic microscopy of indentation-induced cracks and residual stresses in ceramics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cantrell, John H.; Qian, Menglu; Ravichandran, M. V.; Knowles, K. M.

1990-01-01

The ability of scanning electron acoustic microscopy (SEAM) to characterize ceramic materials is assessed. SEAM images of Vickers indentations in SiC whisker-reinforced alumina clearly reveal not only the radial cracks, the length of which can be used to estimate the fracture toughness of the material, but also reveal strong contrast, interpreted as arising from the combined effects of lateral cracks and the residual stress field left in the SiC whisker-reinforced alumina by the indenter. The strong contrast is removed after the material is heat treated at 1000 C to relieve the residual stresses around the indentations. A comparison of these observations with SEAM and reflected polarized light observations of Vickers indentations in soda-lime glass both before and after heat treatment confirms the interpretation of the strong contrast.

Indentation measurements on the eardrum with automated projection moiré profilometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buytaert, J. A. N.; Aernouts, J. E. F.; Dirckx, J. J. J.

2009-03-01

Computer modeling of middle ear mechanics is an important tool to investigate its complex behavior, but correct mechanical and elastic parameters are needed to obtain realistic simulations. A possible way to determine eardrum elasticity in situ is the use of point indentation measurements. The eardrum is, however, a small fragile membrane, so a non-contacting high-resolution technique is needed to measure the shape change caused by point indentation. We have developed a projection moiré interferometer combined with an indentation actuator and a high-resolution force sensor. The apparatus applies deformations up to 1 mm with a resolution of 1 μm, while the indentation force is measured with a resolution better than 1 mN. The moiré setup delivers height data on 512×512 points through phase-shifting, with a height resolution of 15 μm. Shape recordings are made on a rabbit eardrum at different indentation distances, and indentation force is recorded simultaneously.

High-Temperature Microindentation Tests on Olivine and Clinopyroxene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dorner, D.; Schellewald, M.; Stöckhert, B.

2001-12-01

The perspectives of microindentation techniques for the investigation of the mechanical behaviour of minerals at high temperatures are explored. The technique offers the following advantages: (1) natural specimens with small grain size can be used, (2) preparation is simple, (3) a reasonable number of experiments can be performed within a short period of time. The strength of single crystals as a function of orientation and the activated glide systems are studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) facilities. Furthermore, the effects of compositional variations on the flow strength of solid solutions are explored. The indentation hardness tests are performed on selected grains within natural polycrystalline aggregates. The surface of the specimen is polished mechanically and chemically. The orientation of the crystals is determined using EBSD. The indentation tests are performed with a diamond pyramid (Vickers indenter) at temperatures of 25 ° C to 900 ° C. Loading is done with a constant displacement rate up to a force of 0.5 N, followed by a creep period of 10 s at constant load. SEM is used to measure the size of the indents and to examine their morphology in detail. The microhardness obtained for olivine depends on crystal and indenter orientation and decreases slightly with temperature. Slip steps are observed on the surface around the indents. Their orientation with respect to the crystal orientation indicates that the predominant glide system activated in the indentation process is \\{110\\}[001]. The Schmid factors for this glide system correlate with the observed orientation dependence of the hardness. Indentation hardness of clinopyroxene solid solutions depends on composition with jadeite being stronger than diopside. This is inverse to what is expected for dislocation creep. The high yield stresses inferred from the hardness data and the weak dependence of hardness on temperature are consistent with plasticity being the deformation regime explored in indentation hardness tests.

Mechanical properties of multilayered films using different nanoindenters.

PubMed

Fang, Te-Hua; Wang, Tong Hong; Wu, Jia-Hung

2010-07-01

The effects of interface, contact hardness, deformation, and adhesion of Al/Ni multilayered films under nanoindentation were investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The results show that the indentation force of the sphere indenter is the largest among nanoindentations using sphere, cone, Vickers, or Berkovich type indenters at the same penetration depth. Force increasing, relaxation and adhesion took place during loading, holding depth and unloading, respectively. The interface occurred along the {111} (110) slip systems and the maximum width of the glide bands was about 1 nm. The reaction force and plastic energy of the indented films are also discussed.

Quantitative analysis of imprint shape and its relation to mechanical properties measured by microindentation in bone.

PubMed

Schwiedrzik, J J; Zysset, P K

2015-01-21

Microindentation in bone is a micromechanical testing technique routinely used to extract material properties related to bone quality. As the analysis of microindentation data is based on assumptions about the contact between sample and surface, the aim of this study was to quantify the topological variability of indentations in bone and examine its relationship with mechanical properties. Indentations were performed in dry human and ovine bone in axial and transverse directions and their topology was measured by atomic force microscopy. Statistical shape modeling of the residual imprint allowed to define a mean shape and to describe the variability in terms of 21 principal components related to imprint depth, surface curvature and roughness. The indentation profile of bone was found to be highly consistent and free of any pile up while differing mostly by depth between species and direction. A few of the topological parameters, in particular depth, showed significant but rather weak and inconsistent correlations to variations in mechanical properties. The mechanical response of bone as well as the residual imprint shape was highly consistent within each category. We could thus verify that bone is rather homogeneous in its micromechanical properties and that indentation results are not strongly influenced by small deviations from an ideally flat surface. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cyclic Hardness Test PHYBALCHT: A New Short-Time Procedure to Estimate Fatigue Properties of Metallic Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kramer, Hendrik; Klein, Marcus; Eifler, Dietmar

Conventional methods to characterize the fatigue behavior of metallic materials are very time and cost consuming. That is why the new short-time procedure PHYBALCHT was developed at the Institute of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Kaiserslautern. This innovative method requires only a planar material surface to perform cyclic force-controlled hardness indentation tests. To characterize the cyclic elastic-plastic behavior of the test material the change of the force-indentation-depth-hysteresis is plotted versus the number of indentation cycles. In accordance to the plastic strain amplitude the indentation-depth width of the hysteresis loop is measured at half minimum force and is called plastic indentation-depth amplitude. Its change as a function of the number of cycles of indentation can be described by power-laws. One of these power-laws contains the hardening-exponentCHT e II , which correlates very well with the amount of cyclic hardening in conventional constant amplitude fatigue tests.

Lattice Rotation Patterns and Strain Gradient Effects in Face-Centered-Cubic Single Crystals Under Spherical Indentation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gao, Y. F.; Larson, B. C.; Lee, J. H.

Strain gradient effects are commonly modeled as the origin of the size dependence of material strength, such as the dependence of indentation hardness on contact depth and spherical indenter radius. However, studies on the microstructural comparisons of experiments and theories are limited. First, we have extended a strain gradient Mises-plasticity model to its crystal plasticity version and implemented a finite element method to simulate the load-displacement response and the lattice rotation field of Cu single crystals under spherical indentation. The strain gradient simulations demonstrate that the forming of distinct sectors of positive and negative angles in the lattice rotation fieldmore » is governed primarily by the slip geometry and crystallographic orientations, depending only weakly on strain gradient effects, although hardness depends strongly on strain gradients. Second, the lattice rotation simulations are compared quantitatively with micron resolution, three-dimensional X-ray microscopy (3DXM) measurements of the lattice rotation fields under 100mN force, 100 mu m radius spherical indentations in < 111 >, < 110 >, and < 001 > oriented Cu single crystals. Third, noting the limitation of continuum strain gradient crystal plasticity models, two-dimensional discrete dislocation simulation results suggest that the hardness in the nanocontact regime is governed synergistically by a combination of strain gradients and source-limited plasticity. However, the lattice rotation field in the discrete dislocation simulations is found to be insensitive to these two factors but to depend critically on dislocation obstacle densities and strengths.« less

Nanomechanical properties of α-synuclein amyloid fibrils: a comparative study by nanoindentation, harmonic force microscopy, and Peakforce QNM

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

We report on the use of three different atomic force spectroscopy modalities to determine the nanomechanical properties of amyloid fibrils of the human α-synuclein protein. α-Synuclein forms fibrillar nanostructures of approximately 10 nm diameter and lengths ranging from 100 nm to several microns, which have been associated with Parkinson's disease. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to image the morphology of these protein fibrils deposited on a flat surface. For nanomechanical measurements, we used single-point nanoindentation, in which the AFM tip as the indenter is moved vertically to the fibril surface and back while the force is being recorded. We also used two recently developed AFM surface property mapping techniques: Harmonic force microscopy (HarmoniX) and Peakforce QNM. These modalities allow extraction of mechanical parameters of the surface with a lateral resolution and speed comparable to tapping-mode AFM imaging. Based on this phenomenological study, the elastic moduli of the α-synuclein fibrils determined using these three different modalities are within the range 1.3-2.1 GPa. We discuss the relative merits of these three methods for the determination of the elastic properties of protein fibrils, particularly considering the differences and difficulties of each method. PMID:21711775

Super-resolution microscopy reveals LINC complex recruitment at nuclear indentation sites.

PubMed

Versaevel, Marie; Braquenier, Jean-Baptiste; Riaz, Maryam; Grevesse, Thomas; Lantoine, Joséphine; Gabriele, Sylvain

2014-12-08

Increasing evidences show that the actin cytoskeleton is a key parameter of the nuclear remodeling process in response to the modifications of cellular morphology. However, detailed information on the interaction between the actin cytoskeleton and the nuclear lamina was still lacking. We addressed this question by constraining endothelial cells on rectangular fibronectin-coated micropatterns and then using Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM) to observe the interactions between actin stress fibers, nuclear lamina and LINC complexes at a super-resolution scale. Our results show that tension in apical actin stress fibers leads to deep nuclear indentations that significantly deform the nuclear lamina. Interestingly, indented nuclear zones are characterized by a local enrichment of LINC complexes, which anchor apical actin fibers to the nuclear lamina. Moreover, our findings indicate that nuclear indentations induce the formation of segregated domains of condensed chromatin. However, nuclear indentations and condensed chromatin domains are not irreversible processes and both can relax in absence of tension in apical actin stress fibers.

Analyzing Cell Wall Elasticity After Hormone Treatment: An Example Using Tobacco BY-2 Cells and Auxin.

PubMed

Braybrook, Siobhan A

2017-01-01

Atomic force microscopy, and related nano-indentation techniques, is a valuable tool for analyzing the elastic properties of plant cell walls as they relate to changes in cell wall chemistry, changes in development, and response to hormones. Within this chapter I will describe a method for analyzing the effect of the phytohormone auxin on the cell wall elasticity of tobacco BY-2 cells. This general method may be easily altered for different experimental systems and hormones of interest.

Effects of L-Alanine and Inosine Germinants on the Elasticity of Bacillus anthracis Spores

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-22

there was some scanner hysteresis and drift in the detection system, we often observed that the deflection of the free cantilever was not equal to zero...of waste products.5,35 The degradation of the spore coat resulted in a cell that could bemore easily indented by the AFMprobe, as was observed on...changes in the mechanical properties of the spore. In this work, we use atomic force microscopy (AFM) to characterize the mechanical properties of the

Dehomogenized Elastic Properties of Heterogeneous Layered Materials in AFM Indentation Experiments.

PubMed

Lee, Jia-Jye; Rao, Satish; Kaushik, Gaurav; Azeloglu, Evren U; Costa, Kevin D

2018-06-05

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is used to study mechanical properties of biological materials at submicron length scales. However, such samples are often structurally heterogeneous even at the local level, with different regions having distinct mechanical properties. Physical or chemical disruption can isolate individual structural elements but may alter the properties being measured. Therefore, to determine the micromechanical properties of intact heterogeneous multilayered samples indented by AFM, we propose the Hybrid Eshelby Decomposition (HED) analysis, which combines a modified homogenization theory and finite element modeling to extract layer-specific elastic moduli of composite structures from single indentations, utilizing knowledge of the component distribution to achieve solution uniqueness. Using finite element model-simulated indentation of layered samples with micron-scale thickness dimensions, biologically relevant elastic properties for incompressible soft tissues, and layer-specific heterogeneity of an order of magnitude or less, HED analysis recovered the prescribed modulus values typically within 10% error. Experimental validation using bilayer spin-coated polydimethylsiloxane samples also yielded self-consistent layer-specific modulus values whether arranged as stiff layer on soft substrate or soft layer on stiff substrate. We further examined a biophysical application by characterizing layer-specific microelastic properties of full-thickness mouse aortic wall tissue, demonstrating that the HED-extracted modulus of the tunica media was more than fivefold stiffer than the intima and not significantly different from direct indentation of exposed media tissue. Our results show that the elastic properties of surface and subsurface layers of microscale synthetic and biological samples can be simultaneously extracted from the composite material response to AFM indentation. HED analysis offers a robust approach to studying regional micromechanics of heterogeneous multilayered samples without destructively separating individual components before testing. Copyright © 2018 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Endothelial, cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle exhibit different viscous and elastic properties as determined by atomic force microscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mathur, A. B.; Collinsworth, A. M.; Reichert, W. M.; Kraus, W. E.; Truskey, G. A.

2001-01-01

This study evaluated the hypothesis that, due to functional and structural differences, the apparent elastic modulus and viscous behavior of cardiac and skeletal muscle and vascular endothelium would differ. To accurately determine the elastic modulus, the contribution of probe velocity, indentation depth, and the assumed shape of the probe were examined. Hysteresis was observed at high indentation velocities arising from viscous effects. Irreversible deformation was not observed for endothelial cells and hysteresis was negligible below 1 microm/s. For skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle cells, hysteresis was negligible below 0.25 microm/s. Viscous dissipation for endothelial and cardiac muscle cells was higher than for skeletal muscle cells. The calculated elastic modulus was most sensitive to the assumed probe geometry for the first 60 nm of indentation for the three cell types. Modeling the probe as a blunt cone-spherical cap resulted in variation in elastic modulus with indentation depth that was less than that calculated by treating the probe as a conical tip. Substrate contributions were negligible since the elastic modulus reached a steady value for indentations above 60 nm and the probe never indented more than 10% of the cell thickness. Cardiac cells were the stiffest (100.3+/-10.7 kPa), the skeletal muscle cells were intermediate (24.7+/-3.5 kPa), and the endothelial cells were the softest with a range of elastic moduli (1.4+/-0.1 to 6.8+/-0.4 kPa) depending on the location of the cell surface tested. Cardiac and skeletal muscle exhibited nonlinear elastic behavior. These passive mechanical properties are generally consistent with the function of these different cell types.

Atomic force microscopy of biological samples

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Doktycz, Mitchel John

2010-01-01

The ability to evaluate structural-functional relationships in real time has allowed scanning probe microscopy (SPM) to assume a prominent role in post genomic biological research. In this mini-review, we highlight the development of imaging and ancillary techniques that have allowed SPM to permeate many key areas of contemporary research. We begin by examining the invention of the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) by Binnig and Rohrer in 1982 and discuss how it served to team biologists with physicists to integrate high-resolution microscopy into biological science. We point to the problems of imaging nonconductive biological samples with the STM and relate howmore » this led to the evolution of the atomic force microscope (AFM) developed by Binnig, Quate, and Gerber, in 1986. Commercialization in the late 1980s established SPM as a powerful research tool in the biological research community. Contact mode AFM imaging was soon complemented by the development of non-contact imaging modes. These non-contact modes eventually became the primary focus for further new applications including the development of fast scanning methods. The extreme sensitivity of the AFM cantilever was recognized and has been developed into applications for measuring forces required for indenting biological surfaces and breaking bonds between biomolecules. Further functional augmentation to the cantilever tip allowed development of new and emerging techniques including scanning ion-conductance microscopy (SICM), scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM), Kelvin force microscopy (KFM) and scanning near field ultrasonic holography (SNFUH).« less

Microstructural and mechanical characterization of scarred vocal folds.

PubMed

Heris, Hossein K; Miri, Amir K; Ghattamaneni, Nageswara R; Li, Nicole Y K; Thibeault, Susan L; Wiseman, Paul W; Mongeau, Luc

2015-02-26

The goal of this study was to characterize the vocal folds microstructure and elasticity using nonlinear laser scanning microscopy and atomic force microscopy-based indentation, respectively. As a pilot study, the vocal folds of fourteen rats were unilaterally injured by full removal of lamina propria; the uninjured folds of the same animals served as controls. The area fraction of collagen fibrils was found to be greater in scarred tissues two months after injury than the uninjured controls. A novel mathematical model was also proposed to relate collagen concentration and tissue bulk modulus. This work presents a first step towards systematic investigation of microstructural and mechanical characteristics in scarred vocal fold tissue. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Elastic modulus measurements at variable temperature: Validation of atomic force microscopy techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Natali, Marco; Reggente, Melania; Passeri, Daniele; Rossi, Marco

2016-06-01

The development of polymer-based nanocomposites to be used in critical thermal environments requires the characterization of their mechanical properties, which are related to their chemical composition, size, morphology and operating temperature. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been proven to be a useful tool to develop techniques for the mechanical characterization of these materials, thanks to its nanometer lateral resolution and to the capability of exerting ultra-low loads, down to the piconewton range. In this work, we demonstrate two techniques, one quasi-static, i.e., AFM-based indentation (I-AFM), and one dynamic, i.e., contact resonance AFM (CR-AFM), for the mechanical characterization of compliant materials at variable temperature. A cross-validation of I-AFM and CR-AFM has been performed by comparing the results obtained on two reference materials, i.e., low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polycarbonate (PC), which demonstrated the accuracy of the techniques.

Micro- and Nanomechanical Analysis of Articular Cartilage by Indentation-Type Atomic Force Microscopy: Validation with a Gel-Microfiber Composite

PubMed Central

Loparic, Marko; Wirz, Dieter; Daniels, A.U.; Raiteri, Roberto; VanLandingham, Mark R.; Guex, Geraldine; Martin, Ivan; Aebi, Ueli; Stolz, Martin

2010-01-01

Abstract As documented previously, articular cartilage exhibits a scale-dependent dynamic stiffness when probed by indentation-type atomic force microscopy (IT-AFM). In this study, a micrometer-size spherical tip revealed an unimodal stiffness distribution (which we refer to as microstiffness), whereas probing articular cartilage with a nanometer-size pyramidal tip resulted in a bimodal nanostiffness distribution. We concluded that indentation of the cartilage's soft proteoglycan (PG) gel gave rise to the lower nanostiffness peak, whereas deformation of its collagen fibrils yielded the higher nanostiffness peak. To test our hypothesis, we produced a gel-microfiber composite consisting of a chondroitin sulfate-containing agarose gel and a fibrillar poly(ethylene glycol)-terephthalate/poly(butylene)-terephthalate block copolymer. In striking analogy to articular cartilage, the microstiffness distribution of the synthetic composite was unimodal, whereas its nanostiffness exhibited a bimodal distribution. Also, similar to the case with cartilage, addition of the negatively charged chondroitin sulfate rendered the gel-microfiber composite's water content responsive to salt. When the ionic strength of the surrounding buffer solution increased from 0.15 to 2 M NaCl, the cartilage's microstiffness increased by 21%, whereas that of the synthetic biomaterial went up by 31%. When the nanostiffness was measured after the ionic strength was raised by the same amount, the cartilage's lower peak increased by 28%, whereas that of the synthetic biomaterial went up by 34%. Of interest, the higher peak values remained unchanged for both materials. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the nanoscale lower peak is a measure of the soft PG gel, and the nanoscale higher peak measures collagen fibril stiffness. In contrast, the micrometer-scale measurements fail to resolve separate stiffness values for the PG and collagen fibril moieties. Therefore, we propose to use nanostiffness as a new biomarker to analyze structure-function relationships in normal, diseased, and engineered cartilage. PMID:20513418

Cartilage microindentation using cylindrical and spherical optical fiber indenters with integrated Bragg gratings as force sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marchi, G.; Canti, O.; Baier, V.; Micallef, W.; Hartmann, B.; Alberton, P.; Aszodi, A.; Clausen-Schaumann, H.; Roths, J.

2018-02-01

Fiber optic microindentation sensors that have the potential to be integrated into arthroscopic instruments and to allow localizing degraded articular cartilage are presented in this paper. The indenters consist of optical fibers with integrated Bragg gratings as force sensors. In a basic configuration, the tip of the fiber optic indenter consists of a cleaved fiber end, forming a cylindrical flat punch indenter geometry. When using this indenter geometry, high stresses at the edges of the cylinder are present, which can disrupt the tissue structure. This is avoided with an improved version of the indenter. A spherical indenter tip that is formed by melting the end of the glass fiber. The spherical fiber tip shows the additional advantage of strongly reducing reflections from the fiber end. This allows a reduction of the length of the fiber optic sensor element from 65 mm of the flat punch type to 27 mm of the spherical punch. In order to compare the performance of both indenter types, in vitro stress-relaxation indentation experiments were performed on bovine articular cartilage with both indenter types, to assess biomechanical properties of bovine articular cartilage. For indentation depths between 60 μm and 300 μm, the measurements with both indenter types agreed very well with each other. This shows that both indenter geometries are suitable for microindentation measuremnts . The spherical indenter however has the additional advantage that it minimizes the risk to damage the surface of the tissue and has less than half dimensions than the flat indenter.

Nanomechanics of Cells and Biomaterials Studied by Atomic Force Microscopy.

PubMed

Kilpatrick, Jason I; Revenko, Irène; Rodriguez, Brian J

2015-11-18

The behavior and mechanical properties of cells are strongly dependent on the biochemical and biomechanical properties of their microenvironment. Thus, understanding the mechanical properties of cells, extracellular matrices, and biomaterials is key to understanding cell function and to develop new materials with tailored mechanical properties for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has emerged as an indispensable technique for measuring the mechanical properties of biomaterials and cells with high spatial resolution and force sensitivity within physiologically relevant environments and timescales in the kPa to GPa elastic modulus range. The growing interest in this field of bionanomechanics has been accompanied by an expanding array of models to describe the complexity of indentation of hierarchical biological samples. Furthermore, the integration of AFM with optical microscopy techniques has further opened the door to a wide range of mechanotransduction studies. In recent years, new multidimensional and multiharmonic AFM approaches for mapping mechanical properties have been developed, which allow the rapid determination of, for example, cell elasticity. This Progress Report provides an introduction and practical guide to making AFM-based nanomechanical measurements of cells and surfaces for tissue engineering applications. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Assessment of the Local Residual Stresses of 7050-T7452 Aluminum Alloy in Microzones by the Instrumented Indentation with the Berkovich Indenter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, M.; Huang, C. H.; Wang, X. X.; Yang, F.; Zhang, N.; Li, F. G.

2017-10-01

The local residual stresses in microzones are investigated by the instrumented indentation method with the Berkovich indenter. The parameters required for determination of residual stresses are obtained from indentation load-penetration depth curves constructed during instrumented indentation tests on flat square 7050-T7452 aluminum alloy specimens with a central hole containing the compressive residual stresses generated by the cold extrusion process. The force balance system with account of the tensile and compressive residual stresses is used to explain the phenomenon of different contact areas produced by the same indentation load. The effect of strain-hardening exponent on the residual stress is tuned-off by application of the representative stress σ_{0.033} in the average contact pressure assessment using the Π theorem, while the yield stress value is obtained from the constitutive function. Finally, the residual stresses are calculated according to the proposed equations of the force balance system, and their feasibility is corroborated by the XRD measurements.

Enamel: From brittle to ductile like tribological response.

PubMed

Guidoni, G; Swain, M; Jäger, I

2008-10-01

To identify the intrinsic nano-scale wear mechanisms of enamel by comparing it with that of highly brittle glass, and highly ductile copper and silver monocrystals. A sharp cube corner indenter tip (20-50 nm radius) was used to abrade glass, enamel as well as copper and silver monocrystals. Square abraded areas (5 microm x 5 microm, 10 microm x 10 microm) were generated with loads of 50 microN for enamel and 100 microN for the remaining materials (2D abrasion). The normal load and displacement data were utilized in a complementary manner to support the comparison. In addition normal and lateral forces were simultaneously measured along 10 microm single scratched lines (1D abrasion). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were also used to characterise the worn areas and debris. The sharp tip cuts into and ploughs the specimens creating a wedge or ridge of material ahead of itself which eventually detaches, for the ductile materials and at high loads in enamel. For glass and enamel at low loads, the indenter tip ploughs into the material and the removed material is redistributed and pressed back into the abraded area. The wear behaviour of enamel at the nano-level resembles that obtained with glass at low loads (50 microN) and that obtained with metal mono-crystals at high load (100 microN). The role of the microstructural heterogeneity in the wear behaviour of enamel is considered in the discussion. The relevance to clinical wear of enamel is also considered.

Plastic deformation behaviors of Ni- and Zr-based bulk metallic glasses subjected to nanoindentation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Weizhong, Liang, E-mail: wzliang1966@126.com; Zhiliang, Ning; Zhenqian, Dang

2013-12-15

Plastic deformation behaviors of Ni{sub 42}Ti{sub 20}Zr{sub 21.5}Al{sub 8}Cu{sub 5}Si{sub 3.5} and Zr{sub 51}Ti{sub 5}Ni{sub 10}Cu{sub 25}Al{sub 9} bulk metallic glasses at room temperature were studied by nanoindentation testing and atomic force microscopy under equivalent indentation experimental conditions. The different chemical composition of these two bulk metallic glasses produced variant tendencies for displacement serrated flow to occur during the loading process. The nanoindentation strain rate was calculated as a function of indentation displacement in order to verify the occurrence of displacement serrated flow at different loading rates. Atomic force microscopy revealed decreasing numbers of discrete shear bands around the indentationmore » sites as loading rates increased from 0.025 to 2.5 mNs{sup −1}. Variations in plastic deformation behaviors between Ni and Zr-based glasses materials can be explained by the different metastable microstructures and thermal stabilities of the two materials. The mechanism governing plastic deformation of these metallic glasses was analyzed in terms of an established model of the shear transformation zone. - Highlights: • Plastic deformation of Ni- and Zr-based BMG is studied under identical conditions • Zr-based BMG undergoes a greater extent of plastic deformation than Ni-based BMG • Nanoindentation strain rate is studied to clarify variation in plastic deformation • Metastable microstructure, thermal stability affect BMG plastic deformation.« less

Identification of nanoparticles and nanosystems in biological matrices with scanning probe microscopy.

PubMed

Angeloni, Livia; Reggente, Melania; Passeri, Daniele; Natali, Marco; Rossi, Marco

2018-04-17

Identification of nanoparticles and nanosystems into cells and biological matrices is a hot research topic in nanobiotechnologies. Because of their capability to map physical properties (mechanical, electric, magnetic, chemical, or optical), several scanning probe microscopy based techniques have been proposed for the subsurface detection of nanomaterials in biological systems. In particular, atomic force microscopy (AFM) can be used to reveal stiff nanoparticles in cells and other soft biomaterials by probing the sample mechanical properties through the acquisition of local indentation curves or through the combination of ultrasound-based methods, like contact resonance AFM (CR-AFM) or scanning near field ultrasound holography. Magnetic force microscopy can detect magnetic nanoparticles and other magnetic (bio)materials in nonmagnetic biological samples, while electric force microscopy, conductive AFM, and Kelvin probe force microscopy can reveal buried nanomaterials on the basis of the differences between their electric properties and those of the surrounding matrices. Finally, scanning near field optical microscopy and tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy can visualize buried nanostructures on the basis of their optical and chemical properties. Despite at a still early stage, these methods are promising for detection of nanomaterials in biological systems as they could be truly noninvasive, would not require destructive and time-consuming specific sample preparation, could be performed in vitro, on alive samples and in water or physiological environment, and by continuously imaging the same sample could be used to dynamically monitor the diffusion paths and interaction mechanisms of nanomaterials into cells and biological systems. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Nanoindentation characterisation of human colorectal cancer cells considering cell geometry, surface roughness and hyperelastic constitutive behaviour

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boccaccio, Antonio; Uva, Antonio E.; Papi, Massimiliano; Fiorentino, Michele; De Spirito, Marco; Monno, Giuseppe

2017-01-01

Characterisation of the mechanical behaviour of cancer cells is an issue of crucial importance as specific cell mechanical properties have been measured and utilized as possible biomarkers of cancer progression. Atomic force microscopy certainly occupies a prominent place in the field of the mechanical characterisation devices. We developed a hybrid approach to characterise different cell lines (SW620 and SW480) of the human colon carcinoma submitted to nanoindentation measurements. An ad hoc algorithm was written that compares the force-indentation curves experimentally retrieved with those predicted by a finite element model that simulates the nanoindentation process and reproduces the cell geometry and the surface roughness. The algorithm perturbs iteratively the values of the cell mechanical properties implemented in the finite element model until the difference between the experimental and numerical force-indentation curves reaches the minimum value. The occurrence of this indicates that the implemented material properties are very close to the real ones. Different hyperelastic constitutive models, such as Arruda-Boyce, Mooney-Rivlin and Neo-Hookean were utilized to describe the structural behaviour of indented cells. The algorithm was capable of separating, for all the cell lines investigated, the mechanical properties of cell cortex and cytoskeleton. Material properties determined via the algorithm were different with respect to those obtained with the Hertzian contact theory. This demonstrates that factors such as: the cell geometry/anatomy and the hyperelastic constitutive behaviour, which are not contemplated in the Hertz’s theory hypotheses, do affect the nanoindentation measurements. The proposed approach represents a powerful tool that, only on the basis of nanoindentation measurements, is capable of characterising material at the subcellular level.

Energy absorption characterization of human enamel using nanoindentation.

PubMed

He, Li Hong; Swain, Michael V

2007-05-01

Enamel is a natural composite, which has much higher toughness than its major component, crystalline hydroxyapatite. In this study, the energy absorption behavior of human sound enamel was investigated with nanoindentation techniques. A UMIS nanoindenter system as well as a Berkovich and two spherical indenters with nominal tip radii of 5 and 20 microm were used to indent enamel at different loading forces in the direction parallel to enamel prisms. Inelastic energy dissipation versus depth of indenter penetration (U%-h(p) curve) as well as a function of indentation strain (U%-epsilon curve) of enamel was determined. Enamel showed much higher energy absorption capacity than a ceramic material with equivalent modulus (fused silica). Even at the lowest forces (1 mN) for the 20 microm indenter, inelastic response was found. Additional tests done at different force loading rates illustrated that load rate has little influence on P-h response of enamel. The top surface of enamel has the plastic work of indentation of approximately 5.2 nJ/microm(3). The energy absorbing ability is influenced by the very small protein rich component that exists between the hydroxyapatite nanocrystals as well as within the sheath structure surrounding the enamel rods. Copyright 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Indenting a Thin Floating Film: Force and First-fold Formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ripp, Monica; Paulsen, Joseph

2017-11-01

When a thin elastic sheet is gently pushed into a liquid bath, a pattern of radial wrinkles is generated where the film is locally compressed. Despite the simplicity of this setting, basic questions remain about the mechanics and morphology of indented thin films. Recent work shows that traditional post-buckling analysis must be supplanted with an analysis where wrinkles completely relax compressive stresses. Support for this ``far-from-threshold'' theory has been built on measurements of wrinkle extent and wavelength, but direct force measurements have been absent. Here we measure the force response of floating ultrathin ( 100 nm) polystyrene films in indentation experiments. Our measurements are in good agreement with recent predictions for two regimes of poking: Early on force depends on film properties (thickness and Young's modulus) and later is independent of film properties, simply transferring forces from the substrate (gravity and surface tension) to the poker. At larger indentations compression localizes into a single fold. We present scaling arguments and experiments that show the existing model of this transition must be modified. NSF IGERT, NSF CAREER.

Indentation of a floating elastic sheet: geometry versus applied tension

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Box, Finn; Vella, Dominic; Style, Robert W.; Neufeld, Jerome A.

2017-10-01

The localized loading of an elastic sheet floating on a liquid bath occurs at scales from a frog sitting on a lily pad to a volcano supported by the Earth's tectonic plates. The load is supported by a combination of the stresses within the sheet (which may include applied tensions from, for example, surface tension) and the hydrostatic pressure in the liquid. At the same time, the sheet deforms, and may wrinkle, because of the load. We study this problem in terms of the (relatively weak) applied tension and the indentation depth. For small indentation depths, we find that the force-indentation curve is linear with a stiffness that we characterize in terms of the applied tension and bending stiffness of the sheet. At larger indentations, the force-indentation curve becomes nonlinear and the sheet is subject to a wrinkling instability. We study this wrinkling instability close to the buckling threshold and calculate both the number of wrinkles at onset and the indentation depth at onset, comparing our theoretical results with experiments. Finally, we contrast our results with those previously reported for very thin, highly bendable membranes.

Indentation of a floating elastic sheet: geometry versus applied tension.

PubMed

Box, Finn; Vella, Dominic; Style, Robert W; Neufeld, Jerome A

2017-10-01

The localized loading of an elastic sheet floating on a liquid bath occurs at scales from a frog sitting on a lily pad to a volcano supported by the Earth's tectonic plates. The load is supported by a combination of the stresses within the sheet (which may include applied tensions from, for example, surface tension) and the hydrostatic pressure in the liquid. At the same time, the sheet deforms, and may wrinkle, because of the load. We study this problem in terms of the (relatively weak) applied tension and the indentation depth. For small indentation depths, we find that the force-indentation curve is linear with a stiffness that we characterize in terms of the applied tension and bending stiffness of the sheet. At larger indentations, the force-indentation curve becomes nonlinear and the sheet is subject to a wrinkling instability. We study this wrinkling instability close to the buckling threshold and calculate both the number of wrinkles at onset and the indentation depth at onset, comparing our theoretical results with experiments. Finally, we contrast our results with those previously reported for very thin, highly bendable membranes.

Near-Field Acoustical Imaging using Lateral Bending Mode of Atomic Force Microscope Cantilevers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caron, A.; Rabe, U.; Rödel, J.; Arnold, W.

Scanning probe microscopy techniques enable one to investigate surface properties such as contact stiffness and friction between the probe tip and a sample with nm resolution. So far the bending and the torsional eigenmodes of an atomic force microscope cantilever have been used to image variations of elasticity and shear elasticity, respectively. Such images are near-field images with the resolution given by the contact radius typically between 10 nm and 50 nm. We show that the flexural modes of a cantilever oscillating in the width direction and parallel to the sample surface can also be used for imaging. Additional to the dominant in-plane component of the oscillation, the lateral modes exhibit a vertical component as well, provided there is an asymmetry in the cross-section of the cantilever or in its suspension. The out-of-plane deflection renders the lateral modes detectable by the optical position sensors used in atomic force microscopes. We studied cracks which were generated by Vickers indents, in submicro- and nanocrystalline ZrO2. Images of the lateral contact stiffness were obtained by vibrating the cantilever close to a contact-resonance frequency. A change in contact stiffness causes a shift of the resonant frequency and hence a change of the cantilever vibration amplitude. The lateral contact-stiffness images close to the crack faces display a contrast that we attribute to altered elastic properties indicating a process zone. This could be caused by a stress-induced phase transformation during crack propagation. Using the contact mode of an atomic force microscope, we measured the crack-opening displacement as a function of distance from the crack tip, and we determined the crack-tip toughness Ktip. Furthermore, K1c was inferred from the length of radial cracks of Vickers indents that were measured using classical scanning acoustic microscopy

Localized deformation in Ni-Mn-Ga single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, Paul H.; Efaw, Corey M.; Patten, Lance K.; Hollar, Courtney; Watson, Chad S.; Knowlton, William B.; Müllner, Peter

2018-06-01

The magnetomechanical behavior of ferromagnetic shape memory alloys such as Ni-Mn-Ga, and hence the relationship between structure and nanoscale magnetomechanical properties, is of interest for their potential applications in actuators. Furthermore, due to its crystal structure, the behavior of Ni-Mn-Ga is anisotropic. Accordingly, nanoindentation and magnetic force microscopy were used to probe the nanoscale mechanical and magnetic properties of electropolished single crystalline 10M martensitic Ni-Mn-Ga as a function of the crystallographic c-axis (easy magnetization) direction relative to the indentation surface (i.e., c-axis in-plane versus out-of-plane). Load-displacement curves from 5-10 mN indentations on in-plane regions exhibited pop-in during loading, whereas this phenomenon was absent in out-of-plane regions. Additionally, the reduced elastic modulus measured for the c-axis out-of-plane orientation was ˜50% greater than for in-plane. Although heating above the transition temperature to the austenitic phase followed by cooling to the room temperature martensitic phase led to partial recovery of the indentation deformation, the magnitude and direction of recovery depended on the original relative orientation of the crystallographic c-axis: positive recovery for the in-plane orientation versus negative recovery (i.e., increased indent depth) for out-of-plane. Moreover, the c-axis orientation for out-of-plane regions switched to in-plane upon thermal cycling, whereas the number of twins in the in-plane regions increased. We hypothesize that dislocation plasticity contributes to the permanent deformation, while pseudoelastic twinning causes pop-in during loading and large recovery during unloading in the c-axis in-plane case. Minimization of indent strain energy accounts for the observed changes in twin orientation and number following thermal cycling.

Mapping in vitro local material properties of intact and disrupted virions at high resolution using multi-harmonic atomic force microscopy.

PubMed

Cartagena, Alexander; Hernando-Pérez, Mercedes; Carrascosa, José L; de Pablo, Pedro J; Raman, Arvind

2013-06-07

Understanding the relationships between viral material properties (stiffness, strength, charge density, adhesion, hydration, viscosity, etc.), structure (protein sub-units, genome, surface receptors, appendages), and functions (self-assembly, stability, disassembly, infection) is of significant importance in physical virology and nanomedicine. Conventional Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) methods have measured a single physical property such as the stiffness of the entire virus from nano-indentation at a few points which severely limits the study of structure-property-function relationships. We present an in vitro dynamic AFM technique operating in the intermittent contact regime which synthesizes anharmonic Lorentz-force excited AFM cantilevers to map quantitatively at nanometer resolution the local electro-mechanical force gradient, adhesion, and hydration layer viscosity within individual φ29 virions. Furthermore, the changes in material properties over the entire φ29 virion provoked by the local disruption of its shell are studied, providing evidence of bacteriophage depressurization. The technique significantly generalizes recent multi-harmonic theory (A. Raman, et al., Nat. Nanotechnol., 2011, 6, 809-814) and enables high-resolution in vitro quantitative mapping of multiple material properties within weakly bonded viruses and nanoparticles with complex structure that otherwise cannot be observed using standard AFM techniques.

Quantifying Hydrostatic Pressure in Plant Cells by Using Indentation with an Atomic Force Microscope

PubMed Central

Beauzamy, Léna; Derr, Julien; Boudaoud, Arezki

2015-01-01

Plant cell growth depends on a delicate balance between an inner drive—the hydrostatic pressure known as turgor—and an outer restraint—the polymeric wall that surrounds a cell. The classical technique to measure turgor in a single cell, the pressure probe, is intrusive and cannot be applied to small cells. In order to overcome these limitations, we developed a method that combines quantification of topography, nanoindentation force measurements, and an interpretation using a published mechanical model for the pointlike loading of thin elastic shells. We used atomic force microscopy to estimate the elastic properties of the cell wall and turgor pressure from a single force-depth curve. We applied this method to onion epidermal peels and quantified the response to changes in osmolality of the bathing solution. Overall our approach is accessible and enables a straightforward estimation of the hydrostatic pressure inside a walled cell. PMID:25992723

Biomechanical Properties of Murine Meniscus Surface via AFM-based Nanoindentation

PubMed Central

Li, Qing; Doyran, Basak; Gamer, Laura W.; Lu, X. Lucas; Qin, Ling; Ortiz, Christine; Grodzinsky, Alan J.; Rosen, Vicki; Han, Lin

2015-01-01

This study aimed to quantify the biomechanical properties of murine meniscus surface. Atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based nanoindentation was performed on the central region, proximal side of menisci from 6- to 24-week old male C57BL/6 mice using microspherical tips (Rtip ≈ 5 μm) in PBS. A unique, linear correlation between indentation depth, D, and response force, F, was found on menisci from all age groups. This non-Hertzian behavior is likely due to the dominance of tensile resistance by the collagen fibril bundles on meniscus surface that are mostly aligned along the circumferential direction observed on 12-week old menisci. The indentation resistance was calculated as both the effective stiffness, Sind = dF/dD, and the effective modulus, Eind, via the isotropic Hertz model. Values of Sind and Eind were found to depend on indentation rate, suggesting the existence of poro-viscoelasticity. These values do not significantly vary with anatomical sites, lateral versus medial compartments, or mouse age. In addition, Eind of meniscus surface (e.g., 6.1 ± 0.8 MPa for 12 weeks of age, mean ± SEM, n = 13) was found to be significantly higher than those of meniscus surfaces in other species, and of murine articular cartilage surface (1.4 ± 0.1 MPa, n = 6). In summary, these results provided the first direct mechanical knowledge of murine knee meniscus tissues. We expect this understanding to serve as a mechanics-based benchmark for further probing the developmental biology and osteoarthritis symptoms of meniscus in various murine models. PMID:25817332

On the indentation failure of carbon-epoxy cross-ply laminates, and its suppression by elasto-plastic interleaves

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Joergensen, O.; Horsewell, A.

1997-08-01

Elastic and elasto-plastic modelling of indentation in CFRP cross-ply laminates has been performed. Detailed knowledge of the field solutions in the volume below the indentor forms the basis for the reported micromechanical interpretation of the observed damage in test specimens. The analysis shows that matrix cracks originate at sites of maximum tensile stress perpendicular to fibers. The predicted stress fields due to indentation show that stress concentrations occur in the interface between alternating plies. It is found that microcracking in this zone is a precursor to the observed failure. This analysis is supported by in-situ scanning electron microscopy during loadingmore » by a cylindrical indentor onto the laminate supported on a rigid substrate. The microscopy reveals microdamage in the region of interfacial tensile stress concentrations. The onset of indentation failure in these layered composites suggests that plastic interleaves would delay failure. It is shown numerically that plastic deformation of the interleaves redistributes stresses and thereby weakens the tensile stress concentrations which arise during indentation. Experimentally it is shown that aluminium interleaves affect the formation of indentation failure. In a cross-ply laminate, where alternating ply groups are separated by aluminium sheets, matrix cracking and delamination failures are suppressed by the occurrence of plastic deformation. Since the aluminium is likely to be weakly bonded to the plies, it is seen that weak interlaminar fracture toughness does not necessarily cause delaminations, nor lead to a lower indentation strength. High indentation strength and delamination resistance are complex qualities which, among others, seem to be achieved in laminate geometries which have a minimum of stress concentration at interfaces between ply groups of different orientation.« less

Engineered Defects for Investigation of Laser-Induced Damage of Fused Silica at 355nm

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hamza, A V; Siekhaus, W J; Rubenchik, A M

2001-12-18

Embedded gold and mechanical deformation in silica were used to investigate initiation of laser-induced damage at 3.55-nm (7.6 ns). The nanoparticle-covered surfaces were coated with between 0 and 500 nm of SiO{sub 2} by e-beam deposition. The threshold for observable damage and initiation site morphology for these ''engineered'' surfaces was determined. The gold nanoparticle coated surfaces with 500nm SiO{sub 2} coating exhibited pinpoint damage threshold of <0.7 J/cm{sup 2} determined by light scattering and Nomarski microscopy. The gold nanoparticle coated surfaces with the 100nm SiO{sub 2} coatings exhibited what nominally appeared to be film exfoliation damage threshold of 19 J/cm{supmore » 2} via light scattering and Nomarski microscopy. With atomic force microscopy pinholes could be detected at fluences greater than 7 J/cm{sup 2} and blisters at fluences greater than 3 J/cm{sup 2} on the 100 nm-coated surfaces. A series of mechanical indents and scratches were made in the fused silica substrates using a nano-indentor. Plastic deformation without cracking led to damage thresholds of -25 J/cm{sup 2}, whereas indents and scratches with cracking led to damage thresholds of only {approx}5 J/cm{sup 2}. Particularly illuminating was the deterministic damage of scratches at the deepest end of the scratch, as if the scratch acted as a waveguide.« less

The Applications of Modern Nanoindentation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Van Buskirk, Caleb Griffith

2017-03-16

The TI-950 TriboIndenter is a nanoindentation device that obtains nanometer resolution material topography images using Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM), modulus maps of material using nano-Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, and provides hardness measurements with a resolution of 0.2 nm. The instrument applies a force to a material through a sharp tip and used a transducer to measure the force a material applies back to the tip to derive information about the material. The information can be used to study the homogeneity of material surfaces as well as the homogeneity of the material as a function of depth and can lead to importantmore » information on the aging of the material as well as the consistency of the production of the material.« less

The Interplay between Cell Wall Mechanical Properties and the Cell Cycle in Staphylococcus aureus

PubMed Central

Bailey, Richard G.; Turner, Robert D.; Mullin, Nic; Clarke, Nigel; Foster, Simon J.; Hobbs, Jamie K.

2014-01-01

The nanoscale mechanical properties of live Staphylococcus aureus cells during different phases of growth were studied by atomic force microscopy. Indentation to different depths provided access to both local cell wall mechanical properties and whole-cell properties, including a component related to cell turgor pressure. Local cell wall properties were found to change in a characteristic manner throughout the division cycle. Splitting of the cell into two daughter cells followed a local softening of the cell wall along the division circumference, with the cell wall on either side of the division circumference becoming stiffer. Once exposed, the newly formed septum was found to be stiffer than the surrounding, older cell wall. Deeper indentations, which were affected by cell turgor pressure, did not show a change in stiffness throughout the division cycle, implying that enzymatic cell wall remodeling and local variations in wall properties are responsible for the evolution of cell shape through division. PMID:25468333

DNA nanoparticles with core-shell morphology.

PubMed

Chandran, Preethi L; Dimitriadis, Emilios K; Lisziewicz, Julianna; Speransky, Vlad; Horkay, Ferenc

2014-10-14

Mannobiose-modified polyethylenimines (PEI) are used in gene therapy to generate nanoparticles of DNA that can be targeted to the antigen-presenting cells of the immune system. We report that the sugar modification alters the DNA organization within the nanoparticles from homogenous to shell-like packing. The depth-dependent packing of DNA within the nanoparticles was probed using AFM nano-indentation. Unmodified PEI-DNA nanoparticles display linear elastic properties and depth-independent mechanics, characteristic of homogenous materials. Mannobiose-modified nanoparticles, however, showed distinct force regimes that were dependent on indentation depth, with 'buckling'-like response that is reproducible and not due to particle failure. By comparison with theoretical studies of spherical shell mechanics, the structure of mannobiosylated particles was deduced to be a thin shell with wall thickness in the order of few nanometers, and a fluid-filled core. The shell-core structure is also consistent with observations of nanoparticle denting in altered solution conditions, with measurements of nanoparticle water content from AFM images, and with images of DNA distribution in Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Quantitative measures to reveal coordinated cytoskeleton-nucleus reorganization during in vitro invasion of cancer cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dvir, Liron; Nissim, Ronen; Alvarez-Elizondo, Martha B.; Weihs, Daphne

2015-04-01

Metastasis formation is a major cause of mortality in cancer patients and includes tumor cell relocation to distant organs. A metastatic cell invades through other cells and extracellular matrix by biochemical attachment and mechanical force application. Force is used to move on or through a 2- or 3-dimensional (3D) environment, respectively, or to penetrate a 2D substrate. We have previously shown that even when a gel substrate is impenetrable, metastatic breast cancer cells can still indent it by applying force. Cells typically apply force through the acto-myosin network, which is mechanically connected to the nucleus. We develop a 3D image-analysis to reveal relative locations of the cell elements, and show that as cells apply force to the gel, a coordinated process occurs that involves cytoskeletal remodeling and repositioning of the nucleus. Our approach shows that the actin and microtubules reorganize in the cell, bringing the actin to the leading edge of the cell. In parallel, the nucleus is transported behind the actin, likely by the cytoskeleton, into the indentation dimple formed in the gel. The nucleus volume below the gel surface correlates with indentation depth, when metastatic breast cancer cells indent gels deeply. However, the nucleus always remains above the gel in benign cells, even when small indentations are observed. Determining mechanical processes during metastatic cell invasion can reveal how cells disseminate in the body and can uncover targets for diagnosis and treatment.

Indentation of a stretched elastomer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Yue; Crosby, Alfred J.; Cai, Shengqiang

2017-10-01

Indentation has been intensively used to characterize mechanical properties of soft materials such as elastomers, gels, and soft biological tissues. In most indentation measurements, residual stress or stretch which can be commonly found in soft materials is ignored. In this article, we aim to quantitatively understand the effects of prestretches of an elastomer on its indentation measurement. Based on surface Green's function, we analytically derive the relationship between indentation force and indentation depth for a prestretched Neo-Hookean solid with a flat-ended cylindrical indenter as well as a spherical indenter. In addition, for a non-equal biaxially stretched elastomer, we obtain the equation determining the eccentricity of the elliptical contacting area between a spherical indenter and the elastomer. Our results clearly demonstrate that the effects of prestretches of an elastomer on its indentation measurement can be significant. To validate our analytical results, we further conduct correspondent finite element simulations of indentation of prestretched elastomers. The numerical results agree well with our analytical predictions.

Finite indentation of highly curved elastic shells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pearce, S. P.; King, J. R.; Steinbrecher, T.; Leubner-Metzger, G.; Everitt, N. M.; Holdsworth, M. J.

2018-01-01

Experimentally measuring the elastic properties of thin biological surfaces is non-trivial, particularly when they are curved. One technique that may be used is the indentation of a thin sheet of material by a rigid indenter, while measuring the applied force and displacement. This gives immediate information on the fracture strength of the material (from the force required to puncture), but it is also theoretically possible to determine the elastic properties by comparing the resulting force-displacement curves with a mathematical model. Existing mathematical studies generally assume that the elastic surface is initially flat, which is often not the case for biological membranes. We previously outlined a theory for the indentation of curved isotropic, incompressible, hyperelastic membranes (with no bending stiffness) which breaks down for highly curved surfaces, as the entire membrane becomes wrinkled. Here, we introduce the effect of bending stiffness, ensuring that energy is required to change the shell shape without stretching, and find that commonly neglected terms in the shell equilibrium equation must be included. The theory presented here allows for the estimation of shape- and size-independent elastic properties of highly curved surfaces via indentation experiments, and is particularly relevant for biological surfaces.

A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) force-displacement transducer for sub-5 nm nanoindentation and adhesion measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Youfeng; Oh, Yunje; Stauffer, Douglas; Polycarpou, Andreas A.

2018-04-01

We present a highly sensitive force-displacement transducer capable of performing ultra-shallow nanoindentation and adhesion measurements. The transducer utilizes electrostatic actuation and capacitive sensing combined with microelectromechanical fabrication technologies. Air indentation experiments report a root-mean-square (RMS) force resolution of 1.8 nN and an RMS displacement resolution of 0.019 nm. Nanoindentation experiments on a standard fused quartz sample report a practical RMS force resolution of 5 nN and an RMS displacement resolution of 0.05 nm at sub-10 nm indentation depths, indicating that the system has a very low system noise for indentation experiments. The high sensitivity and low noise enables the transducer to obtain high-resolution nanoindentation data at sub-5 nm contact depths. The sensitive force transducer is used to successfully perform nanoindentation measurements on a 14 nm thin film. Adhesion measurements were also performed, clearly capturing the pull-on and pull-off forces during approach and separation of two contacting surfaces.

Topography associated with crustal flow in continental collisions, with application to Tibet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bendick, R.; McKenzie, D.; Etienne, J.

2008-10-01

Collision between an undeformable indenter and a viscous region generates isostatically compensated topography by solid-state flow. We model this process numerically, using a finite element scheme. The slope, amplitude and symmetry of the topographic signal depend on the indenter size and the Argand number of the viscous region, a dimensionless ratio of gravitational body forces to viscous forces. When applied to convergent continental settings, these scaling rules provide estimates of the position of an indenter at depth and the mechanical properties of the viscous region, especially effective viscosity. In Tibet, forward modelling suggests that some elevated, low relief topography within the northern plateau may be attributed to lower crustal flow, stimulated by a crustal indenter, possibly Indian lithosphere. The best-fit model constrains the northernmost limit of this indenter to 33.7°N and the maximum effective viscosity of Eurasian middle and lower crust to 1 × 1020 +/- 0.3 × 1020 Pa s.

Effect of system compliance on crack nucleation in soft materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rattan, Shruti; Crosby, Alfred

Puncture mechanics in soft materials is critical for the development of new surgical instruments, robot assisted-surgery as well as new materials used in personal protective equipment. However, analytical techniques to study this important deformation process are limited. We have previously described a simple experimental method to study the resistive forces and failure of a soft gel being indented with a small tip needle. We showed that puncture stresses can reach two orders of magnitude greater than the material modulus and that the force response is insensitive to the geometry of the indenter at large indentation depths. Currently, we are examining the influence of system compliance on crack nucleation (e.g. puncture) in soft gels. It is well known that system compliance influences the peak force in adhesion and traditional fracture experiments; however, its influence on crack nucleation is unresolved. We find that as the system becomes more compliant, lower peak forces required to puncture a gel of certain stiffness with the same indenter were measured. We are developing scaling relationships to relate the peak puncture force and system compliance. Our findings introduce new questions with regard to the possibility of intrinsic materials properties related to the critical stress and energy for crack nucleation in soft materials.

Nanoindentation hardness and atomic force microscope imaging studies of pressure-quenched zirconium metal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Catledge, Shane A.; Spencer, Philemon T.; Vohra, Yogesh K.

2000-11-01

We have carried out mechanical property measurements on zirconium metal compressed in a diamond anvil cell to 19 GPa at room temperature with subsequent quenching to room pressure. The irreversible transformation from the ambient hexagonal-close-packed phase to the simple hexagonal ω phase (AlB2 structure) is confirmed by synchrotron energy dispersive x-ray diffraction followed by nanoindentation of the pressure-quenched sample. We document an 80% increase in hardness as a consequence of the pressure-induced transformation to the ω phase at room temperature. This is a large increase for a metallic phase transformation and can be attributed to the presence of sp2-hybrid bonds forming graphite-like nets in the (0001) plane of the AlB2 structure. Atomic force microscopy of the indents shows that a plastic deformation of 2 μm in depth was achieved with a force of 200 mN.

Precise and direct method for the measurement of the torsion spring constant of the atomic force microscopy cantilevers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jarząbek, D. M., E-mail: djarz@ippt.pan.pl

2015-01-15

A direct method for the evaluation of the torsional spring constants of the atomic force microscope cantilevers is presented in this paper. The method uses a nanoindenter to apply forces at the long axis of the cantilever and in the certain distance from it. The torque vs torsion relation is then evaluated by the comparison of the results of the indentations experiments at different positions on the cantilever. Next, this relation is used for the precise determination of the torsional spring constant of the cantilever. The statistical analysis shows that the standard deviation of the calibration measurements is equal tomore » approximately 1%. Furthermore, a simple method for calibration of the photodetector’s lateral response is proposed. The overall procedure of the lateral calibration constant determination has the accuracy approximately equal to 10%.« less

Stability enhancement of an atomic force microscope for long-term force measurement including cantilever modification for whole cell deformation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weafer, P. P.; McGarry, J. P.; van Es, M. H.; Kilpatrick, J. I.; Ronan, W.; Nolan, D. R.; Jarvis, S. P.

2012-09-01

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is widely used in the study of both morphology and mechanical properties of living cells under physiologically relevant conditions. However, quantitative experiments on timescales of minutes to hours are generally limited by thermal drift in the instrument, particularly in the vertical (z) direction. In addition, we demonstrate the necessity to remove all air-liquid interfaces within the system for measurements in liquid environments, which may otherwise result in perturbations in the measured deflection. These effects severely limit the use of AFM as a practical tool for the study of long-term cell behavior, where precise knowledge of the tip-sample distance is a crucial requirement. Here we present a readily implementable, cost effective method of minimizing z-drift and liquid instabilities by utilizing active temperature control combined with a customized fluid cell system. Long-term whole cell mechanical measurements were performed using this stabilized AFM by attaching a large sphere to a cantilever in order to approximate a parallel plate system. An extensive examination of the effects of sphere attachment on AFM data is presented. Profiling of cantilever bending during substrate indentation revealed that the optical lever assumption of free ended cantilevering is inappropriate when sphere constraining occurs, which applies an additional torque to the cantilevers "free" end. Here we present the steps required to accurately determine force-indentation measurements for such a scenario. Combining these readily implementable modifications, we demonstrate the ability to investigate long-term whole cell mechanics by performing strain controlled cyclic deformation of single osteoblasts.

Indentation quantification for in-liquid nanomechanical measurement of soft material using an atomic force microscope: rate-dependent elastic modulus of live cells.

PubMed

Ren, Juan; Yu, Shiyan; Gao, Nan; Zou, Qingze

2013-11-01

In this paper, a control-based approach to replace the conventional method to achieve accurate indentation quantification is proposed for nanomechanical measurement of live cells using atomic force microscope. Accurate indentation quantification is central to probe-based nanomechanical property measurement. The conventional method for in-liquid nanomechanical measurement of live cells, however, fails to accurately quantify the indentation as effects of the relative probe acceleration and the hydrodynamic force are not addressed. As a result, significant errors and uncertainties are induced in the nanomechanical properties measured. In this paper, a control-based approach is proposed to account for these adverse effects by tracking the same excitation force profile on both a live cell and a hard reference sample through the use of an advanced control technique, and by quantifying the indentation from the difference of the cantilever base displacement in these two measurements. The proposed control-based approach not only eliminates the relative probe acceleration effect with no need to calibrate the parameters involved, but it also reduces the hydrodynamic force effect significantly when the force load rate becomes high. We further hypothesize that, by using the proposed control-based approach, the rate-dependent elastic modulus of live human epithelial cells under different stress conditions can be reliably quantified to predict the elasticity evolution of cell membranes, and hence can be used to predict cellular behaviors. By implementing the proposed approach, the elastic modulus of HeLa cells before and after the stress process were quantified as the force load rate was changed over three orders of magnitude from 0.1 to 100 Hz, where the amplitude of the applied force and the indentation were at 0.4-2 nN and 250-450 nm, respectively. The measured elastic modulus of HeLa cells showed a clear power-law dependence on the load rate, both before and after the stress process. Moreover, the elastic modulus of HeLa cells was substantially reduced by two to five times due to the stress process. Thus, our measurements demonstrate that the control-based protocol is effective in quantifying and characterizing the evolution of nanomechanical properties during the stress process of live cells.

Characterization of Novel Gel Casting System to Make Complex Shaped Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3) Parts

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-01

investigated including systems based on starch , gelatin, protein, and agarose. Generally, all systems are too expensive for high-volume casting.13 While gel...was determined by measuring the resistance force in uniaxial compression. Therefore, the specimen was considered gelled when the resistance force was...used to lower the indenter tip at a rate of 30 mm/min by a distance of 6 mm while measuring the maximum resistance force during the indentation. At the

Laser Speckle Rheology for evaluating the viscoelastic properties of hydrogel scaffolds

PubMed Central

Hajjarian, Zeinab; Nia, Hadi Tavakoli; Ahn, Shawn; Grodzinsky, Alan J.; Jain, Rakesh K.; Nadkarni, Seemantini K.

2016-01-01

Natural and synthetic hydrogel scaffolds exhibit distinct viscoelastic properties at various length scales and deformation rates. Laser Speckle Rheology (LSR) offers a novel, non-contact optical approach for evaluating the frequency-dependent viscoelastic properties of hydrogels. In LSR, a coherent laser beam illuminates the specimen and a high-speed camera acquires the time-varying speckle images. Cross-correlation analysis of frames returns the speckle intensity autocorrelation function, g2(t), from which the frequency-dependent viscoelastic modulus, G*(ω), is deduced. Here, we establish the capability of LSR for evaluating the viscoelastic properties of hydrogels over a large range of moduli, using conventional mechanical rheometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based indentation as reference-standards. Results demonstrate a strong correlation between |G*(ω)| values measured by LSR and mechanical rheometry (r = 0.95, p < 10−9), and z-test analysis reports that moduli values measured by the two methods are identical (p > 0.08) over a large range (47 Pa – 36 kPa). In addition, |G*(ω)| values measured by LSR correlate well with indentation moduli, E, reported by AFM (r = 0.92, p < 10−7). Further, spatially-resolved moduli measurements in micro-patterned substrates demonstrate that LSR combines the strengths of conventional rheology and micro-indentation in assessing hydrogel viscoelastic properties at multiple frequencies and small length-scales. PMID:27905494

Cortical Bone Mechanical Properties Are Altered in an Animal Model of Progressive Chronic Kidney Disease

PubMed Central

Newman, Christopher L.; Moe, Sharon M.; Chen, Neal X.; Hammond, Max A.; Wallace, Joseph M.; Nyman, Jeffry S.; Allen, Matthew R.

2014-01-01

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), which leads tocortical bone loss and increasedporosity,increases therisk of fracture. Animal models have confirmed that these changes compromise whole bone mechanical properties. Estimates from whole bone testing suggest that material properties are negatively affected, though tissue-level assessmentshavenot been conducted. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to examine changes in cortical bone at different length scales using a rat model with theprogressive development of CKD. At 30 weeks of age (∼75% reduction in kidney function), skeletally mature male Cy/+ rats were compared to their normal littermates. Cortical bone material propertieswere assessed with reference point indentation (RPI), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy,and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Bones from animals with CKD had higher (+18%) indentation distance increase and first cycle energy dissipation (+8%) as measured by RPI.AFM indentation revealed a broader distribution of elastic modulus values in CKD animals witha greater proportion of both higher and lower modulus values compared to normal controls. Yet, tissue composition, collagen morphology, and collagen cross-linking fail to account for these differences. Though the specific skeletal tissue alterations responsible for these mechanical differences remain unclear, these results indicate that cortical bone material properties are altered in these animals and may contribute to the increased fracture risk associated with CKD. PMID:24911162

Laser Speckle Rheology for evaluating the viscoelastic properties of hydrogel scaffolds.

PubMed

Hajjarian, Zeinab; Nia, Hadi Tavakoli; Ahn, Shawn; Grodzinsky, Alan J; Jain, Rakesh K; Nadkarni, Seemantini K

2016-12-01

Natural and synthetic hydrogel scaffolds exhibit distinct viscoelastic properties at various length scales and deformation rates. Laser Speckle Rheology (LSR) offers a novel, non-contact optical approach for evaluating the frequency-dependent viscoelastic properties of hydrogels. In LSR, a coherent laser beam illuminates the specimen and a high-speed camera acquires the time-varying speckle images. Cross-correlation analysis of frames returns the speckle intensity autocorrelation function, g 2 (t), from which the frequency-dependent viscoelastic modulus, G*(ω), is deduced. Here, we establish the capability of LSR for evaluating the viscoelastic properties of hydrogels over a large range of moduli, using conventional mechanical rheometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based indentation as reference-standards. Results demonstrate a strong correlation between |G*(ω)| values measured by LSR and mechanical rheometry (r = 0.95, p < 10 -9 ), and z-test analysis reports that moduli values measured by the two methods are identical (p > 0.08) over a large range (47 Pa - 36 kPa). In addition, |G*(ω)| values measured by LSR correlate well with indentation moduli, E, reported by AFM (r = 0.92, p < 10 -7 ). Further, spatially-resolved moduli measurements in micro-patterned substrates demonstrate that LSR combines the strengths of conventional rheology and micro-indentation in assessing hydrogel viscoelastic properties at multiple frequencies and small length-scales.

Quantifying hydrostatic pressure in plant cells by using indentation with an atomic force microscope.

PubMed

Beauzamy, Léna; Derr, Julien; Boudaoud, Arezki

2015-05-19

Plant cell growth depends on a delicate balance between an inner drive-the hydrostatic pressure known as turgor-and an outer restraint-the polymeric wall that surrounds a cell. The classical technique to measure turgor in a single cell, the pressure probe, is intrusive and cannot be applied to small cells. In order to overcome these limitations, we developed a method that combines quantification of topography, nanoindentation force measurements, and an interpretation using a published mechanical model for the pointlike loading of thin elastic shells. We used atomic force microscopy to estimate the elastic properties of the cell wall and turgor pressure from a single force-depth curve. We applied this method to onion epidermal peels and quantified the response to changes in osmolality of the bathing solution. Overall our approach is accessible and enables a straightforward estimation of the hydrostatic pressure inside a walled cell. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nanoscale effects in the characterization of viscoelastic materials with atomic force microscopy: coupling of a quasi-three-dimensional standard linear solid model with in-plane surface interactions.

PubMed

Solares, Santiago D

2016-01-01

Significant progress has been accomplished in the development of experimental contact-mode and dynamic-mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) methods designed to measure surface material properties. However, current methods are based on one-dimensional (1D) descriptions of the tip-sample interaction forces, thus neglecting the intricacies involved in the material behavior of complex samples (such as soft viscoelastic materials) as well as the differences in material response between the surface and the bulk. In order to begin to address this gap, a computational study is presented where the sample is simulated using an enhanced version of a recently introduced model that treats the surface as a collection of standard-linear-solid viscoelastic elements. The enhanced model introduces in-plane surface elastic forces that can be approximately related to a two-dimensional (2D) Young's modulus. Relevant cases are discussed for single- and multifrequency intermittent-contact AFM imaging, with focus on the calculated surface indentation profiles and tip-sample interaction force curves, as well as their implications with regards to experimental interpretation. A variety of phenomena are examined in detail, which highlight the need for further development of more physically accurate sample models that are specifically designed for AFM simulation. A multifrequency AFM simulation tool based on the above sample model is provided as supporting information.

Visualizing the shape of soft solid and fluid contacts between two surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pham, Jonathan; Schellenberger, Frank; Kappl, Michael; Vollmer, Doris; Butt, Hans-Jürgen

The soft contact between two surfaces is fundamentally interesting for soft materials and fluid mechanics and relevant for friction and wear. The deformation of soft solid interfaces has received much interest because it interestingly reveals similarities to fluid wetting. We present an experimental route towards visualizing the three-dimensional contact geometry of either liquid-solid (i.e., oil and glass) or solid-solid (i.e., elastomer and glass) interfaces using a home-built combination of confocal microscopy and atomic force microscopy. We monitor the shape of a fluid capillary bridge and the depth of indentation in 3D while simultaneously measuring the force. In agreement with theoretical predictions, the height of the capillary bridge depends on the interfacial tensions. By using a slowly evaporating solvent, we quantify the temporal evolution of the capillary bridge and visualized the influence of pinning points on its shape. The position dependence of the advancing and receding contact angle along the three-phase contact line, particle-liquid-air, is resolved. Extending our system, we explore the contact deformation of soft solids where elasticity, in addition to surface tension, becomes an important factor.

The influence of lateral forces on the cell stiffness measurement by optical tweezers vertical indentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ndoye, Fatou; Sulaiman Yousafzai, Muhammad; Coceano, Giovanna; Bonin, Serena; Scoles, Giacinto; Ka, Oumar; Niemela, Joseph; Cojoc, Dan

2016-01-01

We studied the lateral forces arising during the vertical indentation of the cell membrane by an optically trapped microbead, using back focal plane interferometry to determine force components in all directions. We analyzed the cell-microbead interaction and showed that indeed the force had also lateral components. Using the Hertz model, we calculated and compared the elastic moduli resulting from the total and vertical forces, showing that the differences are important and the total force should be considered. To confirm our results we analyzed cells from two breast cancer cell lines: MDA-MB-231 and HBL-100, known to have different cancer aggressiveness and hence stiffness.

Sensing inhomogeneous mechanical properties of human corneal Descemet's membrane with AFM nano-indentation.

PubMed

Di Mundo, Rosa; Recchia, Giuseppina; Parekh, Mohit; Ruzza, Alessandro; Ferrari, Stefano; Carbone, Giuseppe

2017-10-01

The paper describes a highly space-resolved characterization of the surface mechanical properties of the posterior human corneal layer (Descemet's membrane). This has been accomplished with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) nano-indentation by using a probe with a sharp tip geometry. Results indicate that the contact with this biological tissue in liquid occurs with no (or very low) adhesion. More importantly, under the same operating conditions, a broad distribution of penetration depth can be measured on different x-y positions of the tissue surface, indicating a high inhomogeneity of surface stiffness, not yet clearly reported in the literature. An important contribution to such inhomogeneity should be ascribed to the discontinuous nature of the collagen/proteoglycans fibers matrix tissue, as can be imaged by AFM when the tissue is semi-dry. Using classical contact mechanics calculations adapted to the specific geometry of the tetrahedral tip it has been found that the elastic modulus E of the material in the very proximity of the surface ranges from 0.23 to 2.6 kPa. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Phase transformations induced by spherical indentation in ion-implanted amorphous silicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haberl, B.; Bradby, J. E.; Ruffell, S.; Williams, J. S.; Munroe, P.

2006-07-01

The deformation behavior of ion-implanted (unrelaxed) and annealed ion-implanted (relaxed) amorphous silicon (a-Si) under spherical indentation at room temperature has been investigated. It has been found that the mode of deformation depends critically on both the preparation of the amorphous film and the scale of the mechanical deformation. Ex situ measurements, such as Raman microspectroscopy and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, as well as in situ electrical measurements reveal the occurrence of phase transformations in all relaxed a-Si films. The preferred deformation mode of unrelaxed a-Si is plastic flow, only under certain high load conditions can this state of a-Si be forced to transform. In situ electrical measurements have revealed more detail of the transformation process during both loading and unloading. We have used ELASTICA simulations to obtain estimates of the depth of the metallic phase as a function of load, and good agreement is found with the experiment. On unloading, a clear change in electrical conductivity is observed to correlate with a "pop-out" event on load versus penetration curves.

Analytical modeling of the mechanics of early invasion of a merozoite into a human erythrocyte.

PubMed

Abdalrahman, Tamer; Franz, Thomas

2017-12-01

In this study, we used a continuum model based on contact mechanics to understand the mechanics of merozoite invasion into human erythrocytes. This model allows us to evaluate the indentation force and work as well as the contact pressure between the merozoite and erythrocyte for an early stage of invasion (γ = 10%). The model predicted an indentation force of 1.3e -11 N and an indentation work of 1e -18 J. The present analytical model can be considered as a useful tool not only for investigations in mechanobiology and biomechanics but also to explore novel therapeutic targets for malaria and other parasite infections.

Parameter identification of hyperelastic material properties of the heel pad based on an analytical contact mechanics model of a spherical indentation.

PubMed

Suzuki, Ryo; Ito, Kohta; Lee, Taeyong; Ogihara, Naomichi

2017-01-01

Accurate identification of the material properties of the plantar soft tissue is important for computer-aided analysis of foot pathologies and design of therapeutic footwear interventions based on subject-specific models of the foot. However, parameter identification of the hyperelastic material properties of plantar soft tissues usually requires an inverse finite element analysis due to the lack of a practical contact model of the indentation test. In the present study, we derive an analytical contact model of a spherical indentation test in order to directly estimate the material properties of the plantar soft tissue. Force-displacement curves of the heel pads are obtained through an indentation experiment. The experimental data are fit to the analytical stress-strain solution of the spherical indentation in order to obtain the parameters. A spherical indentation approach successfully predicted the non-linear material properties of the heel pad without iterative finite element calculation. The force-displacement curve obtained in the present study was found to be situated lower than those identified in previous studies. The proposed framework for identifying the hyperelastic material parameters may facilitate the development of subject-specific FE modeling of the foot for possible clinical and ergonomic applications. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An improved measurement of Vickers indentation behaviour through enhanced instrumentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faisal, N. H.; Reuben, R. L.; Ahmed, R.

2011-01-01

This work presents an enhanced instrumented Vickers indentation technique capable of recording force, displacement and acoustic emission (AE) during loading condition. Four materials were chosen for examination; copper, aluminium, steel and as-sprayed HVOF WC-12%Co coating. Results indicate that force-displacement (P-h) profiles are essentially bilinear with two characteristic slopes separated by a distinct displacement arrest for all loads above 98 N. The P-h curve indicates three distinct loading stages (I, II and III) and the stage III mechanical energy increases with loads. About 66% of the hardened steel indentations but only about 18% of the as-sprayed HVOF WC-12%Co coating indentations exhibited an AE record that could be separated into three distinct zones (A, B and C). Where zoning was possible the AE corresponding to a zone correlated well with the AE associated with a loading stage. It is concluded that plastic deformation in soft metals produced little AE, whereas brittle fracture in hardened steel and as-sprayed HVOF WC-12%Co coating produced significant AE. AE may or may not be focused onto particular stages of the indentation and a full measure of crack prevalence would require fractal dimension analysis, which is time consuming, offering a motivation for AE-based indentation testing.

Indentation of a rigid sphere into an elastic substrate with surface tension and adhesion

PubMed Central

Hui, Chung-Yuen; Liu, Tianshu; Salez, Thomas; Raphael, Elie; Jagota, Anand

2015-01-01

The surface tension of compliant materials such as gels provides resistance to deformation in addition to and sometimes surpassing that owing to elasticity. This paper studies how surface tension changes the contact mechanics of a small hard sphere indenting a soft elastic substrate. Previous studies have examined the special case where the external load is zero, so contact is driven by adhesion alone. Here, we tackle the much more complicated problem where, in addition to adhesion, deformation is driven by an indentation force. We present an exact solution based on small strain theory. The relation between indentation force (displacement) and contact radius is found to depend on a single dimensionless parameter: ω=σ(μR)−2/3((9π/4)Wad)−1/3, where σ and μ are the surface tension and shear modulus of the substrate, R is the sphere radius and Wad is the interfacial work of adhesion. Our theory reduces to the Johnson–Kendall–Roberts (JKR) theory and Young–Dupre equation in the limits of small and large ω, respectively, and compares well with existing experimental data. Our results show that, although surface tension can significantly affect the indentation force, the magnitude of the pull-off load in the partial wetting liquid-like limit is reduced only by one-third compared with the JKR limit and the pull-off behaviour is completely determined by ω. PMID:25792953

Indentation and needle insertion properties of the human eye

PubMed Central

Matthews, A; Hutnik, C; Hill, K; Newson, T; Chan, T; Campbell, G

2014-01-01

Purpose Characterization of the biomechanical properties of the human eye has a number of potential utilities. One novel purpose is to provide the basis for development of suitable tissue-mimicking material. The purpose of this study was to determine the indentation and needle insertion characteristics on human eye globes and tissue strips. Methods An indenter assessed the elastic response of human eye globes and tissue strips under increasing compressive loads. Needle insertion determined the force (N) needed to penetrate various areas of the eye wall. Results The results demonstrated that globes underwent slightly greater indentation at the midline than at the central cornea, and corneal strips indented twofold more than scleral strips, although neither difference was significant (P=0.400 and P=0.100, respectively). Significant differences were observed among various areas of needle insertion (P<0.001). Needle insertion through the anterior sclera (adjacent to the limbus) and posterior sclera (adjacent to the optic nerve) required the greatest amount of force (0.954 and 1.005 N, respectively). The force required to penetrate the central cornea (0.518 N) was significantly lower than all other areas except the midline sclera (0.700 N) Conclusion These data form the basis for further research into the development of a tissue-mimicking human eye construct with potential utility as a model for use in ophthalmology research and surgical teaching. PMID:24810571

Spherical nanoindentation stress–strain curves

DOE PAGES

Pathak, Siddhartha; Kalidindi, Surya R.

2015-03-24

Although indentation experiments have long been used to measure the hardness and Young's modulus, the utility of this technique in analyzing the complete elastic–plastic response of materials under contact loading has only been realized in the past few years – mostly due to recent advances in testing equipment and analysis protocols. This paper provides a timely review of the recent progress made in this respect in extracting meaningful indentation stress–strain curves from the raw datasets measured in instrumented spherical nanoindentation experiments. These indentation stress–strain curves have produced highly reliable estimates of the indentation modulus and the indentation yield strength inmore » the sample, as well as certain aspects of their post-yield behavior, and have been critically validated through numerical simulations using finite element models as well as direct in situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements on micro-pillars. Much of this recent progress was made possible through the introduction of a new measure of indentation strain and the development of new protocols to locate the effective zero-point of initial contact between the indenter and the sample in the measured datasets. As a result, this has led to an important key advance in this field where it is now possible to reliably identify and analyze the initial loading segment in the indentation experiments.« less

Effects of methotrexate on the viscoelastic properties of single cells probed by atomic force microscopy.

PubMed

Li, Mi; Liu, Lianqing; Xiao, Xiubin; Xi, Ning; Wang, Yuechao

2016-10-01

Methotrexate is a commonly used anti-cancer chemotherapy drug. Cellular mechanical properties are fundamental parameters that reflect the physiological state of a cell. However, so far the role of cellular mechanical properties in the actions of methotrexate is still unclear. In recent years, probing the behaviors of single cells with the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) has contributed much to the field of cell biomechanics. In this work, with the use of AFM, the effects of methotrexate on the viscoelastic properties of four types of cells were quantitatively investigated. The inhibitory and cytotoxic effects of methotrexate on the proliferation of cells were observed by optical and fluorescence microscopy. AFM indenting was used to measure the changes of cellular viscoelastic properties (Young's modulus and relaxation time) by using both conical tip and spherical tip, quantitatively showing that the stimulation of methotrexate resulted in a significant decrease of both cellular Young's modulus and relaxation times. The morphological changes of cells induced by methotrexate were visualized by AFM imaging. The study improves our understanding of methotrexate action and offers a novel way to quantify drug actions at the single-cell level by measuring cellular viscoelastic properties, which may have potential impacts on developing label-free methods for drug evaluation.

On the uniqueness of measuring elastoplastic properties from indentation: The indistinguishable mystical materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xi; Ogasawara, Nagahisa; Zhao, Manhong; Chiba, Norimasa

2007-08-01

Indentation is widely used to extract material elastoplastic properties from the measured force-displacement curves. One of the most well-established indentation techniques utilizes dual (or plural) sharp indenters (which have different apex angles) to deduce key parameters such as the elastic modulus, yield stress, and work-hardening exponent for materials that obey the power-law constitutive relationship. However, the uniqueness of such analysis is not yet systematically studied or challenged. Here we show the existence of "mystical materials", which have distinct elastoplastic properties yet they yield almost identical indentation behaviors, even when the indenter angle is varied in a large range. These mystical materials are, therefore, indistinguishable by many existing indentation analyses unless extreme (and often impractical) indenter angles are used. Explicit procedures of deriving these mystical materials are established, and the general characteristics of the mystical materials are discussed. In many cases, for a given indenter angle range, a material would have infinite numbers of mystical siblings, and the existence maps of the mystical materials are also obtained. Furthermore, we propose two alternative techniques to effectively distinguish these mystical materials. The study in this paper addresses the important question of the uniqueness of indentation test, as well as providing useful guidelines to properly use the indentation technique to measure material elastoplastic properties.

Development, characterization and comparison of two strontium doped nano hydroxyapatite molecules for enamel repair/regeneration.

PubMed

Krishnan, Vinod; Bhatia, Ankit; Varma, Harikrishna

2016-05-01

Enamel damage resulting or arising from/associated with orthodontic treatment such as white spot lesions and surface deterioration after debonding brackets along with incipient carious lesions are considered problems not amenable for routine restorations due to its invasive nature. The present study was aimed at synthesizing and characterizing nHAp and 25 and 50 mol% strontium nHAp as a surface application modality for dental enamel remineralization/repair. 25 and 50 mol% Sr nHAp was synthesized and characterized in comparison with custom made pure nHAp initially with the help of transmission and scanning electron microscopy as well as toxicological assessment. Further, comparative evaluation of these novel synthesized strontium substituted particles was assessed for its efficacy in repairing damaged enamel with the help of atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and micro indentation testing. There is increase in crystallinity and reduced particle size favoring dissolution and re-precipitation through small incipient carious lesions and soft white spot areas with 25% Sr-nHAp. Sr doped specimens showed more cell viability in comparison with pure nHAP make it less cytotoxic and hence a biologically friendly material which can be safely applied in patient's mouth. AFM images obtained from 25% and 50% Sr nHAp treated specimens clearly indicated increased roughness in surface topography and performed well with micro indentation test. The novel synthesized Sr doped nHAp forms an improved treatment modality to tackle the long standing quest for solving the problem of enamel loss with incipient carious lesions and WSL from orthodontic procedures. Copyright © 2016 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Finite element simulation of Reference Point Indentation on bone.

PubMed

Idkaidek, Ashraf; Agarwal, Vineet; Jasiuk, Iwona

2017-01-01

Reference Point Indentation (RPI) is a novel technique aimed to assess bone quality. Measurements are recorded by the BioDent instrument that applies multiple indents to the same location of cortical bone. Ten RPI parameters are obtained from the resulting force-displacement curves. Using the commercial finite element analysis software Abaqus, we assess the significance of the RPI parameters. We create an axisymmetric model and employ an isotropic viscoelastic-plastic constitutive relation with damage to simulate indentations on a human cortical bone. Fracture of bone tissue is not simulated for simplicity. The RPI outputs are computed for different simulated test cases and then compared with experimental results, measured using the BioDent, found in literature. The number of cycles, maximum indentation load, indenter tip radius, and the mechanical properties of bone: Young׳s modulus, compressive yield stress, and viscosity and damage constants, are varied. The trends in the RPI parameters are then investigated. We find that the RPI parameters are sensitive to the mechanical properties of bone. An increase in Young׳s modulus of bone causes the force-displacement loading and unloading slopes to increase and the total indentation distance (TID) to decrease. The compressive yield stress is inversely proportional to a creep indentation distance (CID1) and the TID. The viscosity constant is proportional to the CID1 and an average of the energy dissipated (AvED). The maximum indentation load is proportional to the TID, CID1, loading and unloading slopes, and AvED. The damage parameter is proportional to the TID, but it is inversely proportional to both the loading and unloading slopes and the AvED. The value of an indenter tip radius is proportional to the CID1 and inversely proportional to the TID. The number of load cycles is inversely proportional to an average of a creep indentation depth (AvCID) and the AvED. The indentation distance increase (IDI) is strongly inversely proportional to the compressive yield stress, and strongly proportional to the viscosity constant and maximum applied load, but has weak relation with the damage parameter, indenter tip radius, and elastic modulus. This computational study advances our understanding of the RPI outputs and provides a starting point for more comprehensive computational studies of the RPI technique. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of Halide Solutions on Collagen Networks: Measurements of Physical Properties by Atomic Force Microscopy

PubMed Central

Kempe, André; Lackner, Maximilian

2016-01-01

The influence of aqueous halide solutions on collagen coatings was tested. The effects on resistance against indentation/penetration on adhesion forces were measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the change of Young's modulus of the coating was derived. Comparative measurements over time were conducted with halide solutions of various concentrations. Physical properties of the mesh-like coating generally showed large variability. Starting with a compact set of physical properties, data disperse after minutes. A trend of increase in elasticity and permeability was found for all halide solutions. These changes were largest in NaI, displaying a logical trend with ion size. However a correlation with concentration was not measured. Adhesion properties were found to be independent of mechanical properties. The paper also presents practical experience for AFM measurements of soft tissue under liquids, particularly related to data evaluation. The weakening in physical strength found after exposure to halide solutions may be interpreted as widening of the network structure or change in the chemical properties in part of the collagen fibres (swelling). In order to design customized surface coatings at optimized conditions also for medical applications, halide solutions might be used as agents with little impact on the safety of patients. PMID:27721994

Deformation behaviors of Cu29Zr32Ti15Al5Ni19 high entropy bulk metallic glass during nanoindentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, Qihong; Yi, Ming; Li, Jia; Liu, Bin; Huang, Zaiwang

2018-06-01

The deformation behaviors of Cu29Zr32Ti15Al5Ni19 high entropy bulk metallic glass (HE-BMG) during the nanoindentation are presented via the large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The indentation tests are carried out using spherical rigid indenter to investigate the microstructural evolution on the mechanical properties of HE-BMGs in terms of shear strain, indentation force, and surface morphology as well as radial distribution function (RDF). Based on the Hertzian fitting the load-displacement curve, HE-BMG Cu29Zr32Ti15Al5Ni19 has the Young's modulus of 93.1 GPa and hardness of 8.8 GPa. The indentation force requiring for the continual increasing contacted area between the indenter and the substrate goes up with the increasing of indentation depth. In addition, the symmetrical distribution of atomic displacement reveals the isotropic of HE-BMG after the indentation treatment. In the deformation region, the Al element would lead to the serious fluctuation in the first peak of RDF, which is much stronger than the other elements. The severe distortion from the atomic size difference maybe reduce the activation energy to the occurrence of shear deformation in HE-BMG, leading to the transition from brittle to ductile observed by the whole sliding of the local atom group. Through the indentation load-displacement curves at various temperatures, the softening of HE-BMG at high temperatures is in qualitative agreement with the experimental findings. Moreover, this effective strategy is used to accelerate the discovery of excellent mechanical properties of HE-BMGs by means of MD simulation, as well as understand the fundamental nanoindentation response of HE-BMGs.

An inverse finite-element model of heel-pad indentation.

PubMed

Erdemir, Ahmet; Viveiros, Meredith L; Ulbrecht, Jan S; Cavanagh, Peter R

2006-01-01

A numerical-experimental approach has been developed to characterize heel-pad deformation at the material level. Left and right heels of 20 diabetic subjects and 20 nondiabetic subjects matched for age, gender and body mass index were indented using force-controlled ultrasound. Initial tissue thickness and deformation were measured using M-mode ultrasound; indentation forces were recorded simultaneously. An inverse finite-element analysis of the indentation protocol using axisymmetric models adjusted to reflect individual heel thickness was used to extract nonlinear material properties describing the hyperelastic behavior of each heel. Student's t-tests revealed that heel pads of diabetic subjects were not significantly different in initial thickness nor were they stiffer than those from nondiabetic subjects. Another heel-pad model with anatomically realistic surface representations of the calcaneus and soft tissue was developed to estimate peak pressure prediction errors when average rather than individualized material properties were used. Root-mean-square errors of up to 7% were calculated, indicating the importance of subject-specific modeling of the nonlinear elastic behavior of the heel pad. Indentation systems combined with the presented numerical approach can provide this information for further analysis of patient-specific foot pathologies and therapeutic footwear designs.

Finite indentation of highly curved elastic shells

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

Experimentally measuring the elastic properties of thin biological surfaces is non-trivial, particularly when they are curved. One technique that may be used is the indentation of a thin sheet of material by a rigid indenter, while measuring the applied force and displacement. This gives immediate information on the fracture strength of the material (from the force required to puncture), but it is also theoretically possible to determine the elastic properties by comparing the resulting force–displacement curves with a mathematical model. Existing mathematical studies generally assume that the elastic surface is initially flat, which is often not the case for biological membranes. We previously outlined a theory for the indentation of curved isotropic, incompressible, hyperelastic membranes (with no bending stiffness) which breaks down for highly curved surfaces, as the entire membrane becomes wrinkled. Here, we introduce the effect of bending stiffness, ensuring that energy is required to change the shell shape without stretching, and find that commonly neglected terms in the shell equilibrium equation must be included. The theory presented here allows for the estimation of shape- and size-independent elastic properties of highly curved surfaces via indentation experiments, and is particularly relevant for biological surfaces. PMID:29434505

Simulated impact damage in a thick graphite/epoxy laminate using spherical indenters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Poe, C. C., Jr.

1988-01-01

A study was made to determine the extent of fiber damage caused by low-velocity impact of spherical impactors to a very thick graphite/epoxy laminate. The laminate was cut from a filament wound case being developed for the Space Shuttle solid rocket motors. The case was wound using a wet process with AS4W graphite fiber and HBRF-55A epoxy. Impacts were simulated under quasi-static conditions by pressing hemispherically shaped indenters against the laminate at different locations. The contact force and indenter diameter were varied from location to location. The forces were chosen for each indenter diameter to produce contact pressures below and above that required to initiate damage. After the forces were applied, the laminate was cut into smaller pieces so that each piece contained a test site. The pieces were then deplied and the individual plies examined to determine the extent of fiber damage. Broken fibers were found in the outer layers directly beneath the contact site. The locus of broken fibers in each layer resembled a crack normal to the direction of the fibers. The maximum length and depth of the cracks increased with increasing contact pressure and indenter diameter. The internal stresses in the laminate were calculated using Hertz's law and Love's solution for pressure applied on part of the boundary of a semi-infinite body. The maximum length and depth of the cracks were predicted using a maximum shear stress criterion. Predictions and measurements were in good agreement.

Nanoscale effects in the characterization of viscoelastic materials with atomic force microscopy: Coupling of a quasi-three-dimensional standard linear solid model with in-plane surface interactions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Solares, Santiago D.

Significant progress has been accomplished in the development of experimental contact-mode and dynamic-mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) methods designed to measure surface material properties. However, current methods are based on one-dimensional (1D) descriptions of the tip-sample interaction forces, thus neglecting the intricacies involved in the material behavior of complex samples (such as soft viscoelastic materials) as well as the differences in material response between the surface and the bulk. In order to begin to address this gap, a computational study is presented where the sample is simulated using an enhanced version of a recently introduced model that treats the surfacemore » as a collection of standard-linear-solid viscoelastic elements. The enhanced model introduces in-plane surface elastic forces that can be approximately related to a two-dimensional (2D) Young's modulus. Relevant cases are discussed for single-and multifrequency intermittent-contact AFM imaging, with focus on the calculated surface indentation profiles and tip-sample interaction force curves, as well as their implications with regards to experimental interpretation. A variety of phenomena are examined in detail, which highlight the need for further development of more physically accurate sample models that are specifically designed for AFM simulation. As a result, a multifrequency AFM simulation tool based on the above sample model is provided as supporting information.« less

Nanoscale effects in the characterization of viscoelastic materials with atomic force microscopy: Coupling of a quasi-three-dimensional standard linear solid model with in-plane surface interactions

DOE PAGES

Solares, Santiago D.

2016-04-15

Significant progress has been accomplished in the development of experimental contact-mode and dynamic-mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) methods designed to measure surface material properties. However, current methods are based on one-dimensional (1D) descriptions of the tip-sample interaction forces, thus neglecting the intricacies involved in the material behavior of complex samples (such as soft viscoelastic materials) as well as the differences in material response between the surface and the bulk. In order to begin to address this gap, a computational study is presented where the sample is simulated using an enhanced version of a recently introduced model that treats the surfacemore » as a collection of standard-linear-solid viscoelastic elements. The enhanced model introduces in-plane surface elastic forces that can be approximately related to a two-dimensional (2D) Young's modulus. Relevant cases are discussed for single-and multifrequency intermittent-contact AFM imaging, with focus on the calculated surface indentation profiles and tip-sample interaction force curves, as well as their implications with regards to experimental interpretation. A variety of phenomena are examined in detail, which highlight the need for further development of more physically accurate sample models that are specifically designed for AFM simulation. As a result, a multifrequency AFM simulation tool based on the above sample model is provided as supporting information.« less

Local Viscoelastic Properties of Live Cells Investigated Using Dynamic and Quasi-Static Atomic Force Microscopy Methods

PubMed Central

Cartagena, Alexander; Raman, Arvind

2014-01-01

The measurement of viscoelasticity of cells in physiological environments with high spatio-temporal resolution is a key goal in cell mechanobiology. Traditionally only the elastic properties have been measured from quasi-static force-distance curves using the atomic force microscope (AFM). Recently, dynamic AFM-based methods have been proposed to map the local in vitro viscoelastic properties of living cells with nanoscale resolution. However, the differences in viscoelastic properties estimated from such dynamic and traditional quasi-static techniques are poorly understood. In this work we quantitatively reconstruct the local force and dissipation gradients (viscoelasticity) on live fibroblast cells in buffer solutions using Lorentz force excited cantilevers and present a careful comparison between mechanical properties (local stiffness and damping) extracted using dynamic and quasi-static force spectroscopy methods. The results highlight the dependence of measured viscoelastic properties on both the frequency at which the chosen technique operates as well as the interactions with subcellular components beyond certain indentation depth, both of which are responsible for differences between the viscoelasticity property maps acquired using the dynamic AFM method against the quasi-static measurements. PMID:24606928

Inference of the phase-to-mechanical property link via coupled X-ray spectrometry and indentation analysis: Application to cement-based materials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Krakowiak, Konrad J.; Wilson, William; James, Simon

2015-01-15

A novel approach for the chemo-mechanical characterization of cement-based materials is presented, which combines the classical grid indentation technique with elemental mapping by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS). It is illustrated through application to an oil-well cement system with siliceous filler. The characteristic X-rays of major elements (silicon, calcium and aluminum) are measured over the indentation region and mapped back on the indentation points. Measured intensities together with indentation hardness and modulus are considered in a clustering analysis within the framework of Finite Mixture Models with Gaussian component density function. The method is able to successfully isolate themore » calcium-silica-hydrate gel at the indentation scale from its mixtures with other products of cement hydration and anhydrous phases; thus providing a convenient means to link mechanical response to the calcium-to-silicon ratio quantified independently via X-ray wavelength dispersive spectroscopy. A discussion of uncertainty quantification of the estimated chemo-mechanical properties and phase volume fractions, as well as the effect of chemical observables on phase assessment is also included.« less

Nano-indentation investigation on the mechanical stability of individual austenite in high-carbon steel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Qiao, Xun; Han, Lizhan; Zhang, Weimin

2015-12-15

Quenching (AQ) and cryogenic treatments (QC) were conducted on the high-carbon SAE 52100 steel to investigate the mechanical stability of individual retained austenite (RA) by nano-indentation. The cross-sections of indented RA region prepared by focused ion beam (FIB) were examined by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). For the first time, it was directly observed that some parts of RA grain, closest to the indent, in AQ specimen had transformed into strain-induced martensite (SIM). However, not any pop-in or transformation was detected in the indented QC specimen. This clearly indicates that the mechanical stability of RA in QC seems significantly enhanced,more » which is mainly attributed to the cryogenic treatment resulting in a higher carbon enrichment of RA compared to that in AQ. Furthermore, a higher load of external stress may need to trigger its martensitic transformation in QC specimen. - Highlights: • Mechanical stability of retained austenite was studied by nano-indentation and TEM. • The strain-induced martensite transformation in RA was observed under applied load. • Cryogenic treatment enhances mechanical stability of RA due to carbon enrichment.« less

Investigation of adhesion and mechanical properties of human glioma cells by single cell force spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy.

PubMed

Andolfi, Laura; Bourkoula, Eugenia; Migliorini, Elisa; Palma, Anita; Pucer, Anja; Skrap, Miran; Scoles, Giacinto; Beltrami, Antonio Paolo; Cesselli, Daniela; Lazzarino, Marco

2014-01-01

Active cell migration and invasion is a peculiar feature of glioma that makes this tumor able to rapidly infiltrate into the surrounding brain tissue. In our recent work, we identified a novel class of glioma-associated-stem cells (defined as GASC for high-grade glioma--HG--and Gasc for low-grade glioma--LG) that, although not tumorigenic, act supporting the biological aggressiveness of glioma-initiating stem cells (defined as GSC for HG and Gsc for LG) favoring also their motility. Migrating cancer cells undergo considerable molecular and cellular changes by remodeling their cytoskeleton and cell interactions with surrounding environment. To get a better understanding about the role of the glioma-associated-stem cells in tumor progression, cell deformability and interactions between glioma-initiating stem cells and glioma-associated-stem cells were investigated. Adhesion of HG/LG-cancer cells on HG/LG-glioma-associated stem cells was studied by time-lapse microscopy, while cell deformability and cell-cell adhesion strengths were quantified by indentation measurements by atomic force microscopy and single cell force spectroscopy. Our results demonstrate that for both HG and LG glioma, cancer-initiating-stem cells are softer than glioma-associated-stem cells, in agreement with their neoplastic features. The adhesion strength of GSC on GASC appears to be significantly lower than that observed for Gsc on Gasc. Whereas, GSC spread and firmly adhere on Gasc with an adhesion strength increased as compared to that obtained on GASC. These findings highlight that the grade of glioma-associated-stem cells plays an important role in modulating cancer cell adhesion, which could affect glioma cell migration, invasion and thus cancer aggressiveness. Moreover this work provides evidence about the importance of investigating cell adhesion and elasticity for new developments in disease diagnostics and therapeutics.

Nano-indentation used to study pyramidal slip in GaN single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krimsky, E.; Jones, K. A.; Tompkins, R. P.; Rotella, P.; Ligda, J.; Schuster, B. E.

2018-02-01

The nucleation and structure of dislocations created by the nano-indentation of GaN samples with dislocation densities ≈103, 106 or 109 ⊥/cm2 were studied in the interest of learning how dislocations can be created to relieve the mismatch strain in ternary nitride films grown on (0001) oriented binary nitride substrates. Using transmission electron microscopy and stress analyses to assist in interpreting the nano-indentation data, we determined that the pop-ins in the indenter load vs. penetration depth curves are created by an avalanche process at stresses well above the typical yield stress. The process begins by the homogeneous formation of a basal plane screw dislocation that triggers the formation of pyramidal and other basal plane dislocations that relieve the excess stored elastic energy. It appears that pyramidal slip can occur on either the {1122} or {0111} planes, as there is little resistance to the cross slip of screw dislocations.

Probing softness of the parietal pleural surface at the micron scale

PubMed Central

Kim, Jae Hun; Butler, James P.; Loring, Stephen H.

2011-01-01

The pleural surfaces of the chest wall and lung slide against each other, lubricated by pleural fluid. During sliding motion of soft tissues, shear induced hydrodynamic pressure deforms the surfaces, promoting uniformity of the fluid layer thickness, thereby reducing friction. To assess pleural deformability at length scales comparable to pleural fluid thickness, we measured the modulus of the parietal pleura of rat chest wall using atomic force microscopy (AFM) to indent the pleural surface with spheres (radius 2.5 µm and 5 µm). The pleura exhibited two distinct indentation responses depending on location, reflecting either homogeneous or significantly heterogeneous tissue properties. We found an elastic modulus of 0.38–0.95 kPa, lower than the values measured using flat-ended cylinders > 100 µm radii (Gouldstone et al., 2003, Journal of Applied Physiology 95, 2345–2349). Interestingly, the pleura exhibited a three-fold higher modulus when probed using 2.5 µm vs. 5 µm spherical tips at the same normalized depth, confirming depth dependent inhomogeneous elastic properties. The observed softness of the pleura supports the hypothesis that unevenness of the pleural surface on this scale is smoothed by local hydrodynamic pressure. PMID:21820660

The Physical Mechanism of Frictional Aging Revealed by Nanoindentation Creep

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thom, C.; Carpick, R. W.; Goldsby, D. L.

2017-12-01

A classical observation from rock friction experiments is that friction increases linearly with the logarithm of the time of stationary contact, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as aging. Aging is most often attributed to an increase in the real area of contact due to asperity creep. However, recent atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that time-dependent siloxane (Si—O—Si) bonding gives rise to aging in silica-silica contacts in the absence of plastic deformation. Determining whether an increase in contact `quantity' (due to creep), contact `quality' (due to chemical bonding), or another unknown mechanism causes aging is a challenging experimental task, despite its importance for developing a physical basis for rate and state friction laws. An intriguing observation is that aging is absent in friction experiments on quartz rocks and gouge at humidities <5% and returns upon exposure of the test specimens to humid air. This behavior has been attributed to the effects of water on asperity creep (via hydrolytic weakening) or on the adhesive strength of contacts. To discern between these possibilities, we have conducted nanoindentation experiments on single crystals of quartz to measure their indentation hardness and creep behavior at humidities of 2% to 50%, and in vacuum. Samples were loaded at 1000 mN/s to a peak load of 15, 40, or 400 mN, which was then held constant for 10 s. After the peak load is reached, the tip sinks into the material with time due to creep of the indentation contact. Our experiments reveal that there is no effect of varying humidity on either indentation hardness or indentation creep behavior over the full range of humidities investigated. If asperity creep were the dominant mechanism of frictional aging for quartz in the experiments cited above, then significant increases in hardness and decreases in the growth rate of indentation contacts at low humidities is expected, in stark contrast with our nanoindentation data. Our experiments indicate that asperity creep cannot be the cause of aging in quartz rocks, and suggest that chemical bonding may instead be the dominant mechanism of frictional aging.

Tissue mechanics govern the rapidly adapting and symmetrical response to touch

PubMed Central

Eastwood, Amy L.; Sanzeni, Alessandro; Petzold, Bryan C.; Park, Sung-Jin; Vergassola, Massimo; Pruitt, Beth L.

2015-01-01

Interactions with the physical world are deeply rooted in our sense of touch and depend on ensembles of somatosensory neurons that invade and innervate the skin. Somatosensory neurons convert the mechanical energy delivered in each touch into excitatory membrane currents carried by mechanoelectrical transduction (MeT) channels. Pacinian corpuscles in mammals and touch receptor neurons (TRNs) in Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes are embedded in distinctive specialized accessory structures, have low thresholds for activation, and adapt rapidly to the application and removal of mechanical loads. Recently, many of the protein partners that form native MeT channels in these and other somatosensory neurons have been identified. However, the biophysical mechanism of symmetric responses to the onset and offset of mechanical stimulation has eluded understanding for decades. Moreover, it is not known whether applied force or the resulting indentation activate MeT channels. Here, we introduce a system for simultaneously recording membrane current, applied force, and the resulting indentation in living C. elegans (Feedback-controlled Application of mechanical Loads Combined with in vivo Neurophysiology, FALCON) and use it, together with modeling, to study these questions. We show that current amplitude increases with indentation, not force, and that fast stimuli evoke larger currents than slower stimuli producing the same or smaller indentation. A model linking body indentation to MeT channel activation through an embedded viscoelastic element reproduces the experimental findings, predicts that the TRNs function as a band-pass mechanical filter, and provides a general mechanism for symmetrical and rapidly adapting MeT channel activation relevant to somatosensory neurons across phyla and submodalities. PMID:26627717

Nanomechanical probing of thin-film dielectric elastomer transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osmani, Bekim; Seifi, Saman; Park, Harold S.; Leung, Vanessa; Töpper, Tino; Müller, Bert

2017-08-01

Dielectric elastomer transducers (DETs) have attracted interest as generators, actuators, sensors, and even as self-sensing actuators for applications in medicine, soft robotics, and microfluidics. Their performance crucially depends on the elastic properties of the electrode-elastomer sandwich structure. The compressive displacement of a single-layer DET can be easily measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in the contact mode. While polymers used as dielectric elastomers are known to exhibit significant mechanical stiffening for large strains, their mechanical properties when subjected to voltages are not well understood. To examine this effect, we measured the depths of 400 nanoindentations as a function of the applied electric field using a spherical AFM probe with a radius of (522 ± 4) nm. Employing a field as low as 20 V/μm, the indentation depths increased by 42% at a load of 100 nN with respect to the field-free condition, implying an electromechanically driven elastic softening of the DET. This at-a-glance surprising experimental result agrees with related nonlinear, dynamic finite element model simulations. Furthermore, the pull-off forces rose from (23.0 ± 0.4) to (49.0 ± 0.7) nN implying a nanoindentation imprint after unloading. This embossing effect is explained by the remaining charges at the indentation site. The root-mean-square roughness of the Au electrode raised by 11% upon increasing the field from zero to 12 V/μm, demonstrating that the electrode's morphology change is an undervalued factor in the fabrication of DET structures.

In-vivo viscous properties of the heel pad by stress-relaxation experiment based on a spherical indentation.

PubMed

Suzuki, Ryo; Ito, Kohta; Lee, Taeyong; Ogihara, Naomichi

2017-12-01

Identifying the viscous properties of the plantar soft tissue is crucial not only for understanding the dynamic interaction of the foot with the ground during locomotion, but also for development of improved footwear products and therapeutic footwear interventions. In the present study, the viscous and hyperelastic material properties of the plantar soft tissue were experimentally identified using a spherical indentation test and an analytical contact model of the spherical indentation test. Force-relaxation curves of the heel pads were obtained from the indentation experiment. The curves were fit to the contact model incorporating a five-element Maxwell model to identify the viscous material parameters. The finite element method with the experimentally identified viscoelastic parameters could successfully reproduce the measured force-relaxation curves, indicating the material parameters were correctly estimated using the proposed method. Although there are some methodological limitations, the proposed framework to identify the viscous material properties may facilitate the development of subject-specific finite element modeling of the foot and other biological materials. Copyright © 2017 IPEM. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Inverse finite element methods for extracting elastic-poroviscoelastic properties of cartilage and other soft tissues from indentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Namani, Ravi

Mechanical properties are essential for understanding diseases that afflict various soft tissues, such as osteoarthritic cartilage and hypertension which alters cardiovascular arteries. Although the linear elastic modulus is routinely measured for hard materials, standard methods are not available for extracting the nonlinear elastic, linear elastic and time-dependent properties of soft tissues. Consequently, the focus of this work is to develop indentation methods for soft biological tissues; since analytical solutions are not available for the general context, finite element simulations are used. First, parametric studies of finite indentation of hyperelastic layers are performed to examine if indentation has the potential to identify nonlinear elastic behavior. To answer this, spherical, flat-ended conical and cylindrical tips are examined and the influence of thickness is exploited. Also the influence of the specimen/substrate boundary condition (slip or non-slip) is clarified. Second, a new inverse method---the hyperelastic extraction algorithm (HPE)---was developed to extract two nonlinear elastic parameters from the indentation force-depth data, which is the basic measurement in an indentation test. The accuracy of the extracted parameters and the influence of noise in measurements on this accuracy were obtained. This showed that the standard Berkovitch tip could only extract one parameter with sufficient accuracy, since the indentation force-depth curve has limited sensitivity to both nonlinear elastic parameters. Third, indentation methods for testing tissues from small animals were explored. New methods for flat-ended conical tips are derived. These account for practical test issues like the difficulty in locating the surface or soft specimens. Also, finite element simulations are explored to elucidate the influence of specimen curvature on the indentation force-depth curve. Fourth, the influence of inhomogeneity and material anisotropy on the extracted "average" linear elastic modulus was studied. The focus here is on murine tibial cartilage, since recent experiments have shown that the modulus measured by a 15 mum tip is considerably larger than that obtained from a 90 mum tip. It is shown that a depth-dependent modulus could give rise to such a size effect. Lastly, parametric studies were performed within the small strain setting to understand the influence of permeability and viscoelastic properties on the indentation stress-relaxation response. The focus here is on cartilage, and specific test protocols (single-step vs. multi-step stress relaxation) are explored. An inverse algorithm was developed to extract the poroviscoelastic parameters. A sensitivity study using this algorithm shows that the instantaneous elastic modulus (which is a measure of the viscous relaxation) can be extracted with very good accuracy, but the permeability and long-time relaxation constant cannot be extracted with good accuracy. The thesis concludes with implications of these studies. The potential and limitations of indentation tests for studying cartilage and other soft tissues is discussed.

Ballistic nanoindentation of polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gotsmann, B.; Rothuizen, H.; Duerig, U.

2008-09-01

Indentation of a sharp (20 nm) cantilevered silicon tip into a polymer (SU8) surface is analyzed experimentally and through finite-element simulations. A rate effect on the microsecond scale that eases indentation is found, in contrast to the commonly observed hardening at high strain rates. The observed rate effect is discussed in terms of adiabatic heating and inertial force overshoot. The estimated magnitude of adiabatic heating is marginal, but the force overshoot itself is large enough to explain the data. The data imply that topographic patterning of a polymer at megahertz rates is feasible.

Nanomechanics of electrospun phospholipid fiber

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mendes, Ana C., E-mail: anac@food.dtu.dk, E-mail: ioach@food.dtu.dk; Chronakis, Ioannis S., E-mail: anac@food.dtu.dk, E-mail: ioach@food.dtu.dk; Nikogeorgos, Nikolaos

Electrospun asolectin phospholipid fibers were prepared using isooctane as a solvent and had an average diameter of 6.1 ± 2.7 μm. Their mechanical properties were evaluated by nanoindentation using Atomic Force Microscopy, and their elastic modulus was found to be approximately 17.2 ± 1 MPa. At a cycle of piezo expansion-retraction (loading-unloading) of a silicon tip on a fiber, relatively high adhesion was observed during unloading. It is proposed that this was primarily due to molecular rearrangements at the utmost layers of the fiber caused by the indentation of the hydrophilic tip. The phospholipid fibers were shown to be stable in ambient conditions, preserving the modulusmore » of elasticity up to 24 h.« less

Light and scanning electron microscopy of the ecdysis of Haemonchus contortus infective larvae.

PubMed

Gamble, H R; Lichtenfels, J R; Purcell, J P

1989-04-01

During the second ecdysis of ruminant trichostrongyles, a region of the second molt cuticle is digested by a 44-kDa Zn-metalloprotease. We have examined this digestion process by light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The substrate region of the cuticle appeared, during the ecdysis process, as an indented ring at the 20th cuticular annulus coincident with the anterior terminus of the lateral alae. Continued digestion of the cuticle resulted in holes in the ring region that expanded until they became continuous and separation occurred between the anterior and posterior portions of the cuticle. Mechanical movements of the L3 forced aside the cuticle cap that generally remained attached on one side to the posterior portion as the larva escaped from the sheath. The site of secretion of the 44-kDa ecdysing enzyme causing cuticle digestion was not clear from morphological observations; however, existing evidence strongly points to the release of enzyme from the esophageal (pharyngeal) glands through the mouth.

AFM stiffness nanotomography of normal, metaplastic and dysplastic human esophageal cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fuhrmann, A.; Staunton, J. R.; Nandakumar, V.; Banyai, N.; Davies, P. C. W.; Ros, R.

2011-02-01

The mechanical stiffness of individual cells is important in tissue homeostasis, cell growth, division and motility, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the initiation of cancer. In this work, a normal squamous cell line (EPC2) and metaplastic (CP-A) as well as dysplastic (CP-D) Barrett's Esophagus columnar cell lines are studied as a model of pre-neoplastic progression in the human esophagus. We used the combination of an atomic force microscope (AFM) with a scanning confocal fluorescence lifetime imaging microscope to study the mechanical properties of single adherent cells. Sixty four force indentation curves were taken over the nucleus of each cell in an 8 × 8 grid pattern. Analyzing the force indentation curves, indentation depth-dependent Young's moduli were found for all cell lines. Stiffness tomograms demonstrate distinct differences between the mechanical properties of the studied cell lines. Comparing the stiffness for indentation forces of 1 nN, most probable Young's moduli were calculated to 4.7 kPa for EPC2 (n = 18 cells), 3.1 kPa for CP-A (n = 10) and 2.6 kPa for CP-D (n = 19). We also tested the influence of nuclei and nucleoli staining organic dyes on the mechanical properties of the cells. For stained EPC2 cells (n = 5), significant stiffening was found (9.9 kPa), while CP-A cells (n = 5) showed no clear trend (2.9 kPa) and a slight softening was observed (2.1 kPa) in the case of CP-D cells (n = 16). Some force-indentation curves show non-monotonic discontinuities with segments of negative slope, resembling a sawtooth pattern. We found the incidence of these 'breakthrough events' to be highest in the dysplastic CP-D cells, intermediate in the metaplastic CP-A cells and lowest in the normal EPC2 cells. This observation suggests that the microscopic explanation for the increased compliance of cancerous and pre-cancerous cells may lie in their susceptibility to 'crumble and yield' rather than their ability to 'bend and flex'.

CHIPPING FRACTURE RESISTANCE OF DENTURE TOOTH MATERIALS

PubMed Central

Quinn, G. D.; Giuseppetti, A. A.; Hoffman, K. H.

2014-01-01

Objective The applicability of the edge chipping method to denture tooth materials was assessed. These are softer materials than those usually tested by edge chipping. The edge chipping fracture resistances of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) based and two filled resin composite denture tooth materials were compared. Methods An edge chipping machine was used to chip rectangular blocks and flattened anterior denture teeth. Force versus edge distance data were collected over a broad range of forces and distances. Between 20 and 65 chips were made per condition depending upon the material, the scatter, and the indenter type. Different indenter types were used including Rockwell C, sharp conical 120°, Knoop, and Vickers. The edge toughness, Te, was evaluated for different indenter types. Results The edge chipping data collected on the blocks matched the data collected from flattened teeth. High scatter, particularly at large distances and loads, meant that many tests (up to 64) were necessary to compare the denture tooth materials and to ascertain the appropriate data trends. A linear force – distance trend analysis was adequate for comparing these materials. A power law trend might be more appropriate, but the large scatter obscured the definitive determination of the precise trend. Different indenters produce different linear trends, with the ranking of: sharp conical 120°, Rockwell C, and Knoop, from lowest to highest edge toughness. Vickers indenter data were extremely scattered and a sensible trend could not be obtained. Edge toughness was inversely correlated to hardness. Significance Edge chipping data collected either from simple laboratory scale test blocks or from actual denture teeth may be used to evaluate denture materials. The edge chipping method’s applicability has been extended to another class of restorative materials. PMID:24674342

A versatile atomic force microscope integrated with a scanning electron microscope.

PubMed

Kreith, J; Strunz, T; Fantner, E J; Fantner, G E; Cordill, M J

2017-05-01

A versatile atomic force microscope (AFM), which can be installed in a scanning electron microscope (SEM), is introduced. The flexible design of the instrument enables correlated analysis for different experimental configurations, such as AFM imaging directly after nanoindentation in vacuum. In order to demonstrate the capabilities of the specially designed AFM installed inside a SEM, slip steps emanating around nanoindents in single crystalline brass were examined. This example showcases how the combination of AFM and SEM imaging can be utilized for quantitative dislocation analysis through the measurement of the slip step heights without the hindrance of oxide formation. Finally, an in situ nanoindentation technique is introduced, illustrating the use of AFM imaging during indentation experiments to examine plastic deformation occurring under the indenter tip. The mechanical indentation data are correlated to the SEM and AFM images to estimate the number of dislocations emitted to the surface.

Nanoindentation studies of full and empty viral capsids and the effects of capsid protein mutations on elasticity and strength

PubMed Central

Michel, J. P.; Ivanovska, I. L.; Gibbons, M. M.; Klug, W. S.; Knobler, C. M.; Wuite, G. J. L.; Schmidt, C. F.

2006-01-01

The elastic properties of capsids of the cowpea chlorotic mottle virus have been examined at pH 4.8 by nanoindentation measurements with an atomic force microscope. Studies have been carried out on WT capsids, both empty and containing the RNA genome, and on full capsids of a salt-stable mutant and empty capsids of the subE mutant. Full capsids resisted indentation more than empty capsids, but all of the capsids were highly elastic. There was an initial reversible linear regime that persisted up to indentations varying between 20% and 30% of the diameter and applied forces of 0.6–1.0 nN; it was followed by a steep drop in force that is associated with irreversible deformation. A single point mutation in the capsid protein increased the capsid stiffness. The experiments are compared with calculations by finite element analysis of the deformation of a homogeneous elastic thick shell. These calculations capture the features of the reversible indentation region and allow Young's moduli and relative strengths to be estimated for the empty capsids. PMID:16606825

Determination of the mechanical and physical properties of cartilage by coupling poroelastic-based finite element models of indentation with artificial neural networks.

PubMed

Arbabi, Vahid; Pouran, Behdad; Campoli, Gianni; Weinans, Harrie; Zadpoor, Amir A

2016-03-21

One of the most widely used techniques to determine the mechanical properties of cartilage is based on indentation tests and interpretation of the obtained force-time or displacement-time data. In the current computational approaches, one needs to simulate the indentation test with finite element models and use an optimization algorithm to estimate the mechanical properties of cartilage. The modeling procedure is cumbersome, and the simulations need to be repeated for every new experiment. For the first time, we propose a method for fast and accurate estimation of the mechanical and physical properties of cartilage as a poroelastic material with the aid of artificial neural networks. In our study, we used finite element models to simulate the indentation for poroelastic materials with wide combinations of mechanical and physical properties. The obtained force-time curves are then divided into three parts: the first two parts of the data is used for training and validation of an artificial neural network, while the third part is used for testing the trained network. The trained neural network receives the force-time curves as the input and provides the properties of cartilage as the output. We observed that the trained network could accurately predict the properties of cartilage within the range of properties for which it was trained. The mechanical and physical properties of cartilage could therefore be estimated very fast, since no additional finite element modeling is required once the neural network is trained. The robustness of the trained artificial neural network in determining the properties of cartilage based on noisy force-time data was assessed by introducing noise to the simulated force-time data. We found that the training procedure could be optimized so as to maximize the robustness of the neural network against noisy force-time data. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Adhesive contact between a rigid spherical indenter and an elastic multi-layer coated substrate

PubMed Central

Stan, Gheorghe; Adams, George G.

2016-01-01

In this work the frictionless, adhesive contact between a rigid spherical indenter and an elastic multi-layer coated half-space was investigated by means of an integral transform formulation. The indented multi-layer coats were considered as made of isotropic layers that are perfectly bonded to each other and to an isotropic substrate. The adhesive interaction between indenter and contacting surface was treated as Maugis-type adhesion to provide general applicability within the entire range of adhesive interactions. By using a transfer matrix method, the stress-strain equations of the system were reduced to two coupled integral equations for the stress distribution under the indenter and the ratio between the adhesion radius and the contact radius, respectively. These resulting integral equations were solved through a numerical collocation technique, with solutions for the load dependencies of the contact radius and indentation depth for various values of the adhesion parameter and layer composition. The method developed here can be used to calculate the force-distance response of adhesive contacts on various inhomogeneous half-spaces that can be modeled as multi-layer coated half-spaces. PMID:27574338

Characterization of bovine cartilage by fiber Bragg grating-based stress relaxation measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baier, V.; Marchi, G.; Foehr, P.; Burgkart, R.; Roths, J.

2017-04-01

A fiber-based device for testing mechanical properties of cartilage is presented within this study. The measurement principle is based on stepwise indentation into the tissue and observing of corresponding relaxation of the stress. The indenter tip is constituted of a cleaved optical fiber that includes a fiber Bragg grating which is used as the force sensor. Stress relaxation measurements at 25 different positions on a healthy bovine cartilage sample were performed to assess the behavior of healthy cartilage. For each indentation step a good agreement was found with a viscoelastic model that included two time constants. The model parameters showed low variability and a clear dependence with indentation depth. The parameters can be used as reference values for discriminating healthy and degenerated cartilage.

Effects of temperature and cellular interactions on the mechanics and morphology of human cancer cells investigated by atomic force microscopy.

PubMed

Li, Mi; Liu, LianQing; Xi, Ning; Wang, YueChao; Xiao, XiuBin; Zhang, WeiJing

2015-09-01

Cell mechanics plays an important role in cellular physiological activities. Recent studies have shown that cellular mechanical properties are novel biomarkers for indicating the cell states. In this article, temperature-controllable atomic force microscopy (AFM) was applied to quantitatively investigate the effects of temperature and cellular interactions on the mechanics and morphology of human cancer cells. First, AFM indenting experiments were performed on six types of human cells to investigate the changes of cellular Young's modulus at different temperatures and the results showed that the mechanical responses to the changes of temperature were variable for different types of cancer cells. Second, AFM imaging experiments were performed to observe the morphological changes in living cells at different temperatures and the results showed the significant changes of cell morphology caused by the alterations of temperature. Finally, by co-culturing human cancer cells with human immune cells, the mechanical and morphological changes in cancer cells were investigated. The results showed that the co-culture of cancer cells and immune cells could cause the distinct mechanical changes in cancer cells, but no significant morphological differences were observed. The experimental results improved our understanding of the effects of temperature and cellular interactions on the mechanics and morphology of cancer cells.

Finite-element modeling of soft tissue rolling indentation.

PubMed

Sangpradit, Kiattisak; Liu, Hongbin; Dasgupta, Prokar; Althoefer, Kaspar; Seneviratne, Lakmal D

2011-12-01

We describe a finite-element (FE) model for simulating wheel-rolling tissue deformations using a rolling FE model (RFEM). A wheeled probe performing rolling tissue indentation has proven to be a promising approach for compensating for the loss of haptic and tactile feedback experienced during robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery (H. Liu, D. P. Noonan, B. J. Challacombe, P. Dasgupta, L. D. Seneviratne, and K. Althoefer, "Rolling mechanical imaging for tissue abnormality localization during minimally invasive surgery, " IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng., vol. 57, no. 2, pp. 404-414, Feb. 2010; K. Sangpradit, H. Liu, L. Seneviratne, and K. Althoefer, "Tissue identification using inverse finite element analysis of rolling indentation," in Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. Robot. Autom. , Kobe, Japan, 2009, pp. 1250-1255; H. Liu, D. Noonan, K. Althoefer, and L. Seneviratne, "The rolling approach for soft tissue modeling and mechanical imaging during robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery," in Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. Robot. Autom., May 2008, pp. 845-850; H. Liu, P. Puangmali, D. Zbyszewski, O. Elhage, P. Dasgupta, J. S. Dai, L. Seneviratne, and K. Althoefer, "An indentation depth-force sensing wheeled probe for abnormality identification during minimally invasive surgery," Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng., H, vol. 224, no. 6, pp. 751-63, 2010; D. Noonan, H. Liu, Y. Zweiri, K. Althoefer, and L. Seneviratne, "A dual-function wheeled probe for tissue viscoelastic property identification during minimally invasive surgery," in Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. Robot. Autom. , 2008, pp. 2629-2634; H. Liu, J. Li, Q. I. Poon, L. D. Seneviratne, and K. Althoefer, "Miniaturized force indentation-depth sensor for tissue abnormality identification," IEEE Int. Conf. Robot. Autom., May 2010, pp. 3654-3659). A sound understanding of wheel-tissue rolling interaction dynamics will facilitate the evaluation of signals from rolling indentation. In this paper, we model the dynamic interactions between a wheeled probe and a soft tissue sample using the ABAQUS FE software package. The aim of this work is to more precisely locate abnormalities within soft tissue organs using RFEM and hence aid surgeons to improve diagnostic ability. The soft tissue is modeled as a nonlinear hyperelastic material with geometrical nonlinearity. The proposed RFEM was validated on a silicone phantom and a porcine kidney sample. The results show that the proposed method can predict the wheel-tissue interaction forces of rolling indentation with good accuracy and can also accurately identify the location and depth of simulated tumors.

A Peridynamic Approach for Nanoscratch Simulation of the Cement Mortar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Jingjing; Zhang, Qing; Lu, Guangda; Chen, Depeng

2018-03-01

The present study develops a peridynamic approach for simulating the nanoscratch procedure on the cement mortar interface. In this approach, the cement and sand are considered as discrete particles with certain mechanical properties on the nanoscale. Besides, the interaction force functions for different components in the interface are represented by combining the van der Waals force and the peridynamic force. The nanoscratch procedures with the indenter moving along certain direction either parallel or perpendicular to the interface are simulated in this paper. The simulation results show the damage evolution processes and the final damage distributions of the cement mortar under different scratching speed and depth of the indenter, indicating that the interface between cement and sand is a weak area.

An optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based air jet indentation system for measuring the mechanical properties of soft tissues

PubMed Central

Huang, Yan-Ping; Zheng, Yong-Ping; Wang, Shu-Zhe; Chen, Zhong-Ping; Huang, Qing-Hua; He, Yong-Hong

2010-01-01

A novel noncontact indentation system with the combination of an air jet and optical coherence tomography (OCT) was presented in this paper for the quantitative measurement of the mechanical properties of soft tissues. The key idea of this method is to use a pressure-controlled air jet as an indenter to compress the soft tissue in a noncontact way and utilize the OCT signals to extract the deformation induced. This indentation system provides measurement and mapping of tissue elasticity for small specimens with high scanning speed. Experiments were performed on 27 silicone tissue-mimicking phantoms with different Young’s moduli, which were also measured by uniaxial compression tests. The regression coefficient of the indentation force to the indentation depth (N mm−1) was used as an indicator of the stiffness of tissue under air jet indentation. Results showed that the stiffness coefficients measured by the current system correlated well with the corresponding Young’s moduli obtained by conventional mechanical testing (r = 0.89, p < 0.001). Preliminary in vivo tests also showed that the change of soft tissue stiffness with and without the contraction of the underlying muscles in the hand could be differentiated by the current measurement. This system may have broad applications in tissue assessment and characterization where alterations of mechanical properties are involved, in particular with the potential of noncontact micro-indentation for tissues. PMID:20463843

Nanoscale elastic modulus variation in loaded polymeric micelle reactors.

PubMed

Solmaz, Alim; Aytun, Taner; Deuschle, Julia K; Ow-Yang, Cleva W

2012-07-17

Tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TM-AFM) enables mapping of chemical composition at the nanoscale by taking advantage of the variation in phase angle shift arising from an embedded second phase. We demonstrate that phase contrast can be attributed to the variation in elastic modulus during the imaging of zinc acetate (ZnAc)-loaded reverse polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) diblock co-polymer micelles less than 100 nm in diameter. Three sample configurations were characterized: (i) a 31.6 μm thick polystyrene (PS) support film for eliminating the substrate contribution, (ii) an unfilled PS-b-P2VP micelle supported by the same PS film, and (iii) a ZnAc-loaded PS-b-P2VP micelle supported by the same PS film. Force-indentation (F-I) curves were measured over unloaded micelles on the PS film and over loaded micelles on the PS film, using standard tapping mode probes of three different spring constants, the same cantilevers used for imaging of the samples before and after loading. For calibration of the tip geometry, nanoindentation was performed on the bare PS film. The resulting elastic modulus values extracted by applying the Hertz model were 8.26 ± 3.43 GPa over the loaded micelles and 4.17 ± 1.65 GPa over the unloaded micelles, confirming that phase contrast images of a monolayer of loaded micelles represent maps of the nanoscale chemical and mechanical variation. By calibrating the tip geometry indirectly using a known soft material, we are able to use the same standard tapping mode cantilevers for both imaging and indentation.

An experimental investigation of creep and viscoelastic properties using depth-sensing indentation techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lucas, Barry Neal

Indentation Creep. Using depth-sensing indentation techniques at both room and elevated temperatures, the dependency of the indentation hardness on the variables of indentation strain rate and temperature, and the existence of a steady state behavior in an indentation creep test with a Berkovich indenter were investigated. The indentation creep response of five materials, Pb-65 at% In (at RT), high purity indium (from RT to 75sp°C), high purity aluminum (from RT to 250sp°C), an amorphous alumina film (at RT), and sapphire (at RT), was measured. It was shown that the indentation strain rate, defined as h/h, could be held constant during an experiment using a Berkovich indenter by controlling the loading rate such that the loading rate divided by the load, P/P, remained constant. The temperature dependence of indentation creep in indium and aluminum was found to be the same as that for uniaxial creep. By performing P/P change experiments, it was shown that a steady state path independent hardness could be reached in an indentation test with a Berkovich indenter. Viscoelasticity. Using a frequency specific dynamic indentation technique, a method to measure the linear viscoelastic properties of polymers was determined. The polymer tested was poly-cis 1,4-isoprene. By imposing a small harmonic force excitation on the specimen during the indentation process and measuring the displacement response at the same frequency, the complex modulus, G*, of the polymer was determined. The portion of the displacement signal "in phase" with the excitation represents the elastic response of the contact and is related to the stiffness, S, of the contact and to the storage modulus, Gsp', of the material. The "out of phase" portion of the displacement signal represents the damping, Comega where omega = 2 pi f, of the contact, and thus the loss modulus, Gsp{''}, of the material. It was shown that both the storage, S, and loss, Comega components of the response scale as the respective component of the complex modulus multiplied by the square root of the contact area.

Particle shape effect on erosion of optical glass substrates due to microparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waxman, Rachel; Gray, Perry; Guven, Ibrahim

2018-03-01

Impact experiments using sand particles and soda lime glass spheres were performed on four distinct glass substrates. Sand particles were characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopy. High-speed video footage from impact tests was used to calculate incoming and rebound velocities of the individual impact events, as well as the particle volume and two-dimensional sphericity. Furthermore, video analysis was used in conjunction with optical and scanning electron microscopy to relate the incoming velocity and particle shape to subsequent fractures, including both radial and lateral cracks. Indentation theory [Marshall et al., J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 65, 561-566 (1982)] was applied and correlated with lateral crack lengths. Multi-variable power law regression was performed, incorporating the particle shape into the model and was shown to have better fit to damage data than the previous indentation model.

Factors influencing the shear rate acting on silicone oil to cause silicone oil emulsification.

PubMed

Chan, Yau Kei; Cheung, Ning; Wong, David

2014-10-30

The shear force between silicone oil (SO) bubble and aqueous during eye movements may underlie the development of SO emulsification. This study examines factors that may affect such shear force induced by eye movements. A surface-modified model eye chamber was put under large-amplitude eye movements (amplitude 90°, angular velocity 360°/s, and a duration 300 ms). Agarose-made indentations were introduced to mimic the effect of encircling scleral buckle. Two SOs (1300 and 5000 centistokes [cSt]), three volumes (3, 4, and 5 mL), and two eye chambers (with and without indentation) were tested. Video recording was used to capture the movements of SO inside the model chamber under various conditions. The presence of indentation within the eye chamber significantly reduced the velocity of SO movements relative to the eye chamber movements (P < 0.001). To a lesser extent, an increase in viscosity also had a significant effect in reducing the relative movements. No significant effect was observed for the extent of SO fill in the chamber. Our experimental model suggests indentation within an eye, such as that created by scleral buckling, may have the greatest influence in reducing shear force induced by eye movements. Therefore, using an encircling scleral buckle may be similarly or more effective than using SO with higher viscosity in lowering the propensity to SO emulsification. Copyright 2014 The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc.

Effect of soybean-lecithin as an enhancer of buccal mucosa absorption of insulin.

PubMed

Tian, Weiqun; Hu, Qiaolin; Xu, Ying; Xu, Yi

2012-01-01

Transmucosal delivery is a suitable route for insulin non-injection administration. In order to understand how insulin passes through mucosa with soybean-lecithin as an enhancing absorption. The penetration rate of insulin molecular through porcine buccal mucosa was investigated by measuring transbuccal fluxes in the Ussing Chambers. The imaging morphology of rabbits buccal mucosa was analyzed by using non-contact mode atomic force microscopy. The permeation rate can be increased by co-administration of soybean-lecithin. Untreated buccal mucosa showed relatively smooth surface characteristics, with many small crater-like pits and indentations spread over mucosa surfaces. Buccal mucosa that had been treated with 1.0% (w/v) sodium deoxycholic acid (pH 7.4) appeared to much more indentations characteristic, which treated with 2.5% (w/v) soybean-lecithin (pH 7.4) and 2.5% (w/v) Azone or laurocapram (pH 7.4) appeared rather different, the surface mucosa treated with soybean-lecithin emulsion showed a fine, rippling effect whereas those exposed to Azone display a more coarse, undulating surface feature. As a result of that Azone could damage the surface of the buccal mucosa, but soybean-lecithin could not. This study demonstrated that soybean-lecithin is a better and safer enhancer for insulin transmucosal delivery.

Newly developed hardness testing system, "Cariotester": measurement principles and development of a program for measuring Knoop hardness of carious dentin.

PubMed

Shimizu, Akihiko; Nakashima, Syozi; Nikaido, Toru; Sugawara, Toyotaro; Yamamoto, Takatsugu; Momoi, Yasuko

2013-01-01

We previously discovered that when a cone-shaped indenter coated with paint was pressed into an object, the paint disappeared in accordance with the depth of the indentation. Based on this fact, we developed the Cariotester, a portable system for measuring the Knoop hardness (KHN) of carious dentin. The Cariotester is composed of a handpiece with an indenter, a microscope, and a computer. In this system, the painted indenter is forced into the material with a 150-gf load, and the indentation depth (CT depth) is obtained from the paint disappearance. The CT depth by the Cariotester and the KHN by a microhardness tester were determined at 14 dentin regions. From the data, a program was created to convert the CT depth of the carious dentin into the KHN. As a result, if the CT depth is measured with this system, the KHN of carious dentin can be displayed in real time.

Indentation theory on a half-space of transversely isotropic multi-ferroic composite medium: sliding friction effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, F.; Wu, T.-H.; Li, X.-Y.

2018-03-01

This article aims to present a systematic indentation theory on a half-space of multi-ferroic composite medium with transverse isotropy. The effect of sliding friction between the indenter and substrate is taken into account. The cylindrical flat-ended indenter is assumed to be electrically/magnetically conducting or insulating, which leads to four sets of mixed boundary-value problems. The indentation forces in the normal and tangential directions are related to the Coulomb friction law. For each case, the integral equations governing the contact behavior are developed by means of the generalized method of potential theory, and the corresponding coupling field is obtained in terms of elementary functions. The effect of sliding on the contact behavior is investigated. Finite element method (FEM) in the context of magneto-electro-elasticity is developed to discuss the validity of the analytical solutions. The obtained analytical solutions may serve as benchmarks to various simplified analyses and numerical codes and as a guide for future experimental studies.

Identification of fundamental deformation and failure mechanisms in armor ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muller, Andrea Marie

Indentation of a surface with a hard sphere can be used to examine micromechanical response of a wide range of materials and has been shown to generate loading conditions resembling early stages of ballistic impact events. Cracking morphologies also show similarities, particularly with formation of cone cracks at the contact site. The approach in this thesis is to use this indentation technique to characterize contact damage and deformation processes in armor ceramics, as well as identify the role of cone cracking and inelastic behavior. To accomplish these objectives, an instrumented indentation system was designed and fabricated, extending depth-sensing capabilities originally developed for nano-indentation to higher forces. This system is also equipped with an acoustic emission system to detect onset of cone cracking and subsequent failure. Once calibrated and verified the system was used to evaluate elastic modulus and cone crack initiation forces of two commercial float glasses. As-received air and tin surfaces of soda-lime-silica and borosilicate float glass were tested to determine differences in elastic and fracture behavior. Information obtained from load--displacement curves and visual inspection of indentation sites were used to determine elastic modulus, and conditions for onset of cone cracking as a function of surface roughness. No difference in reduced modulus or cone cracking loads on as-received air and tin surfaces were observed. Abraded surfaces showed the tin surface to be slightly more resistant to cone cracking. A study focusing on the transition from elastic to inelastic deformation in two transparent fine-grained polycrystalline spinels with different grain sizes was then conducted. Congruent experiments included observations on evolution of damage, examinations of sub-surface damage and inspection of remnant surface profiles. Indentation stress--strain behavior obtained from load--displacement curves revealed a small difference in yielding and strain-hardening behavior given the significant grain size difference. Directly below the indentation sites, regions of grain boundary cracking, associated with the inelastic zone, were identified in both spinels. Comparison of Meyer hardness and in-situ hardness showed a discrepancy at low loads, a result of elastic recovery. Elastic-plastic indentation behavior of the two spinels was then compared to behavior of a transparent large-grained aluminum oxinitirde (AlON) and a small-grained sintered aluminum nitride (AlN). Subsurface indentation damage revealed transitions from intergranular to transgranular fracture in the two spinels, AlON showed a transition from multiple cleavage microcracks to transgranular fracture while AlN exhibited only intergranular fracture. Analysis of indentation stress-strain results showed a slight difference in yielding behaviors of the two spinels and AlON whereas AlN showed a much lower yield value comparatively. Slight differences in strain-hardening behavior were observed. When comparing indentation stress--strain energy density and work of indentation a linear correlation was observed and a clear distinction could be made between materials. Therefore, it is suggested by the work in this thesis that instrumented spherical indentation could serve as a useful method of evaluating armor materials, particularly when behavior is described using indentation stress and strain, as this is a useful way to evaluate onset and development of inelastic deformation under high contact pressures and self-confining stresses. Additionally, it proposes that comparison of the work of indentation and indentation strain energy density approaches provide a good foundation for evaluating and comparing a materials penetration resistance.

Apparatus for performing high-temperature fiber push-out testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eldridge, Jeffrey I. (Inventor); Ebihara, Ben T. (Inventor)

1994-01-01

The apparatus disclosed in the present invention measures the force at which a fiber resist the motion of an indenter driven at constant speed. This apparatus conducts these test in a vacuum of about 10(exp -6) tort and at temperatures up to 1100 C. Temperature and vacuum environment are maintained while controlling indenter motion, sample position, and providing magnified visual inspection during the test.

Understanding and controlling low-temperature aging of nanocrystalline materials.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Battaile, Corbett Chandler; Boyce, Brad Lee; Brons, Justin G.

2013-10-01

Nanocrystalline copper lms were created by both repetitive high-energy pulsed power, to produce material without internal nanotwins; and pulsed laser deposition, to produce nan- otwins. Samples of these lms were indented at ambient (298K) and cryogenic temperatures by immersion in liquid nitrogen (77K) and helium (4K). The indented samples were sectioned through the indented regions and imaged in a scanning electron microscope. Extensive grain growth was observed in the lms that contained nanotwins and were indented cryogenically. The lms that either lacked twins, or were indented under ambient conditions, were found to exhibit no substantial grain growth by visual inspection.more » Precession transmission elec- tron microscopy was used to con rm these ndings quantitatively, and show that 3 and 7 boundaries proliferate during grain growth, implying that these interface types play a key role in governing the extensive grain growth observed here. Molecular dynamics sim- ulations of the motion of individual grain boundaries demonstrate that speci c classes of boundaries - notably 3 and 7 - exhibit anti- or a-thermal migration, meaning that their mobilities either increase or do not change signi cantly with decreasing temperature. An in-situ cryogenic indentation capability was developed and implemented in a transmission electron microscope. Preliminary results do not show extensive cryogenic grain growth in indented copper lms. This discrepancy could arise from the signi cant di erences in con g- uration and loading of the specimen between the two approaches, and further research and development of this capability is needed.« less

Inclined indentation of smooth wedge in rock mass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chanyshev, AI; Podyminogin, GM; Lukyashko, OA

2018-03-01

The article focuses on the inclined rigid wedge indentation into a rigid-plastic half-plane of rocks with the Mohr–Coulomb-Mohr plasticity. The limiting loads on different sides of the wedge are determined versus the internal friction angle, cohesion and wedge angle. It is shown that when the force is applied along the symmetry axis of the wedge, the zone of plasticity is formed only on one wedge side. In order to form the plasticity zone on both sides of the wedge, it is necessary to apply the force asymmetrically relative to the wedge symmetry axis. An engineering solution for the asymmetrical case implementation is suggested.

AFM nanoscale indentation in air of polymeric and hybrid materials with highly different stiffness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suriano, Raffaella; Credi, Caterina; Levi, Marinella; Turri, Stefano

2014-08-01

In this study, nanomechanical properties of a variety of polymeric materials was investigated by means of AFM. In particular, selecting different AFM probes, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) bulk samples, sol-gel hybrid thin films and hydrated hyaluronic acid hydrogels were indented in air to determine the elastic modulus. The force-distance curves and the indentation data were found to be greatly affected by the cantilever stiffness and by tip geometry. AFM indentation tests show that the choice of the cantilever spring constant and of tip shape is crucially influenced by elastic properties of samples. When adhesion-dominated interactions occur between the tip and the surface of samples, force-displacement curves reveal that a suitable functionalization of AFM probes allows the control of such interactions and the extraction of Young' modulus from AFM curves that would be otherwise unfeasible. By applying different mathematical models depending on AFM probes and materials under investigation, the values of Young's modulus were obtained and compared to those measured by rheological and dynamic mechanical analysis or to literature data. Our results show that a wide range of elastic moduli (10 kPa-10 GPa) can be determined by AFM in good agreement with those measured by conventional macroscopic measurements.

Deformation Behavior and Structure of i-Al-Cu-Fe Quasicrystalline Alloy in Vicinity of Nanoindenter Indentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shalaeva, E. V.; Selyanin, I. O.; Smirnova, E. O.; Smirnov, S. V.; Novachek, D. D.

2018-02-01

The nanoindentation tests have been carried out for the quasicrystalline polygrain Al62.4Cu25.3Fe12.3 alloy with the icosahedral structure i; the load P-displacement h diagrams have been used to estimate the contributions of plastic deformation (monotonic and intermittent), and the structures of the transverse microscopic sections have been studied in the vicinity of indentations by electron microscopy. It is shown that several systems of deformation bands are formed in the elasto-plastic zone in the vicinity of the indentations along the close-packed planes of the i lattice with the five-fold and two-fold symmetry axes; the bands often begin from cracks and manifest the signs of the dislocation structure. The traces of the phase transformation with the formation of the β-phase areas are observed only in a thin layer under an indenter. The effects of intermittent deformation are up to 50% of the total inelastic deformation and are related to the plastic behavior of the quasicrystal-activation and passage of deformation bands and also the formation of undersurface micro- and nanosized cracks.

Quantitative Imaging of Young's Modulus of Soft Tissues from Ultrasound Water Jet Indentation: A Finite Element Study

PubMed Central

Lu, Min-Hua; Mao, Rui; Lu, Yin; Liu, Zheng; Wang, Tian-Fu; Chen, Si-Ping

2012-01-01

Indentation testing is a widely used approach to evaluate mechanical characteristics of soft tissues quantitatively. Young's modulus of soft tissue can be calculated from the force-deformation data with known tissue thickness and Poisson's ratio using Hayes' equation. Our group previously developed a noncontact indentation system using a water jet as a soft indenter as well as the coupling medium for the propagation of high-frequency ultrasound. The novel system has shown its ability to detect the early degeneration of articular cartilage. However, there is still lack of a quantitative method to extract the intrinsic mechanical properties of soft tissue from water jet indentation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the loading-unloading curves and the mechanical properties of soft tissues to provide an imaging technique of tissue mechanical properties. A 3D finite element model of water jet indentation was developed with consideration of finite deformation effect. An improved Hayes' equation has been derived by introducing a new scaling factor which is dependent on Poisson's ratios v, aspect ratio a/h (the radius of the indenter/the thickness of the test tissue), and deformation ratio d/h. With this model, the Young's modulus of soft tissue can be quantitatively evaluated and imaged with the error no more than 2%. PMID:22927890

Indentation-flexure and low-velocity impact damage in graphite/epoxy laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kwon, Young S.; Sankar, Bhavani V.

1992-01-01

Static indentation and low velocity impact tests were performed on quasi-isotropic and cross ply graphite/epoxy composite laminates. The load deflection relations in static tests and impact force history in the impact tests were recorded. The damage was assessed by using ultrasonic C-scanning and photomicrographic techniques. The static behavior of the laminates and damage progression during loading, unloading, and reloading were explained by a simple plate delamination model. A good correlation existed between the static and impact responses. It was found that results from a few static indentation-flexture tests can be used to predict the response and damage in composite laminates due to a class of low velocity impact events.

Regulation of muscle contraction by Drebrin-like protein 1 probed by atomic force microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garces, Renata; Butkevich, Eugenia; Platen, Mitja; Schmidt, Christoph F.; Biophysics Team

Sarcomeres are the fundamental contractile units of striated muscle cells. They are composed of a variety of structural and regulatory proteins functioning in a precisely orchestrated fashion to enable coordinated force generation in striated muscles. Recently, we have identified a C. elegans drebrin-like protein 1 (DBN-1) as a novel sarcomere component, which stabilizes actin filaments during muscle contraction. To further characterize the function of DBN-1 in muscle cells, we generated a new dbn-1 loss-of-function allele. Absence of DBN-1 resulted in a unique worm movement phenotype, characterized by hyper-bending. It is not clear yet if DBN-1 acts to enhance or reduce the capacity for contraction. We present here an experimental mechanical study on C. elegans muscle mechanics. We measured the stiffness of the worm by indenting living C. eleganswith a micron-sized sphere adhered to the cantilever of an atomic force microscope (AFM). Modeling the worm as a pressurized elastic shell allows us to monitor the axial tension in the muscle through the measured stiffness. We compared responses of wild-type and mutant C. elegans in which DBN-1 is not expressed..

Viscoelastic Properties Measurement of Human Lymphocytes by Atomic Force Microscopy Based on Magnetic Beads Cell Isolation.

PubMed

Mi Li; Lianqing Liu; Xiubin Xiao; Ning Xi; Yuechao Wang

2016-07-01

Cell mechanics has been proved to be an effective biomarker for indicating cellular states. The advent of atomic force microscopy (AFM) provides an exciting instrument for measuring the mechanical properties of single cells. However, current AFM single-cell mechanical measurements are commonly performed on cell lines cultured in vitro which are quite different from the primary cells in the human body. Investigating the mechanical properties of primary cells from clinical environments can help us to better understand cell behaviors. Here, by combining AFM with magnetic beads cell isolation, the viscoelastic properties of human primary B lymphocytes were quantitatively measured. B lymphocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy volunteers by density gradient centrifugation and CD19 magnetic beads cell isolation. The activity and specificity of the isolated cells were confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. AFM imaging revealed the surface topography and geometric parameters of B lymphocytes. The instantaneous modulus and relaxation time of living B lymphocytes were measured by AFM indenting technique, showing that the instantaneous modulus of human normal B lymphocytes was 2-3 kPa and the relaxation times were 0.03-0.06 s and 0.35-0.55 s. The differences in cellular visocoelastic properties between primary B lymphocytes and cell lines cultured in vitro were analyzed. The study proves the capability of AFM in quantifying the viscoelastic properties of individual specific primary cells from the blood sample of clinical patients, which will improve our understanding of the behaviors of cells in the human body.

The influence of hold time on the onset of plastic deformation in silicon

DOE PAGES

Wong, Sherman; Haberl, Bianca; Bradby, Jodie E.; ...

2015-12-24

Here, the formation of silicon (Si) in its -Sn form is known to be nucleation limited, with an undetermined period of time between when critical pressure for the trans- formation is reached and when the transformation actually occurs. In this letter, we use nanoindentation to apply critical pressure to diamond cubic Si and hold the sample under pressure to promote deformation via phase transformation and crystalline defects. We report that the number of indents in which phase transformation is observed increases with increasing hold time. Interestingly, the number of indents in which crystalline defects are observed also increase with increasingmore » hold time, suggesting crystalline defects are also nucleation limited. Raman spectroscopy and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy is used to show that these two deformation mechanisms are mutually exclusive under the indentation conditions used within this letter.« less

Biomimetic Gradient Polymers with Enhanced Damping Capacities.

PubMed

Wang, Dong; Zhang, Huan; Guo, Jing; Cheng, Beichen; Cao, Yuan; Lu, Shengjun; Zhao, Ning; Xu, Jian

2016-04-01

Designing gradient structures, mimicking biological materials, such as pummelo peels and tendon, is a promising strategy for developing advanced materials with superior energy damping capacities. Here a facile and effective approach for fabricating polymers with composition gradients at millimeter length scale is presented. The gradient thiol-ene polymers (TEPs) are created by the use of density difference of ternary thiol-ene-ene precursors and the subsequent photo-crosslinking via thiol-ene reaction. The compositional gradients are analyzed via differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), compressive modulus testing, atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation, and swelling measurements. In contrast to homogeneous TEPs networks, the resultant gradient polymer shows a broader effective damping temperature range combining with good mechanical properties. The present result provides an effective route toward high damping materials by the fabrication of gradient structures. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Measuring the mechanical properties of plant cells by combining micro-indentation with osmotic treatments.

PubMed

Weber, Alain; Braybrook, Siobhan; Huflejt, Michal; Mosca, Gabriella; Routier-Kierzkowska, Anne-Lise; Smith, Richard S

2015-06-01

Growth in plants results from the interaction between genetic and signalling networks and the mechanical properties of cells and tissues. There has been a recent resurgence in research directed at understanding the mechanical aspects of growth, and their feedback on genetic regulation. This has been driven in part by the development of new micro-indentation techniques to measure the mechanical properties of plant cells in vivo. However, the interpretation of indentation experiments remains a challenge, since the force measures results from a combination of turgor pressure, cell wall stiffness, and cell and indenter geometry. In order to interpret the measurements, an accurate mechanical model of the experiment is required. Here, we used a plant cell system with a simple geometry, Nicotiana tabacum Bright Yellow-2 (BY-2) cells, to examine the sensitivity of micro-indentation to a variety of mechanical and experimental parameters. Using a finite-element mechanical model, we found that, for indentations of a few microns on turgid cells, the measurements were mostly sensitive to turgor pressure and the radius of the cell, and not to the exact indenter shape or elastic properties of the cell wall. By complementing indentation experiments with osmotic experiments to measure the elastic strain in turgid cells, we could fit the model to both turgor pressure and cell wall elasticity. This allowed us to interpret apparent stiffness values in terms of meaningful physical parameters that are relevant for morphogenesis. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology.

Multi-Scale Effects in the Strength of Ceramics

PubMed Central

Cook, Robert F.

2016-01-01

Multiple length-scale effects are demonstrated in indentation-strength measurements of a range of ceramic materials under inert and reactive conditions. Meso-scale effects associated with flaw disruption by lateral cracking at large indentation loads are shown to increase strengths above the ideal indentation response. Micro-scale effects associated with toughening by microstructural restraints at small indentation loads are shown to decrease strengths below the ideal response. A combined meso-micro-scale analysis is developed that describes ceramic inert strength behaviors over the complete indentation flaw size range. Nano-scale effects associated with chemical equilibria and crack velocity thresholds are shown to lead to invariant minimum strengths at slow applied stressing rates under reactive conditions. A combined meso-micro-nano-scale analysis is developed that describes the full range of reactive and inert strength behaviors as a function of indentation load and applied stressing rate. Applications of the multi-scale analysis are demonstrated for materials design, materials selection, toughness determination, crack velocity determination, bond-rupture parameter determination, and prediction of reactive strengths. The measurements and analysis provide strong support for the existence of sharp crack tips in ceramics such that the nano-scale mechanisms of discrete bond rupture are separate from the larger scale crack driving force mechanics characterized by continuum-based stress-intensity factors. PMID:27563150

Mechanical properties of bovine cortical bone based on the automated ball indentation technique and graphics processing method.

PubMed

Zhang, Airong; Zhang, Song; Bian, Cuirong

2018-02-01

Cortical bone provides the main form of support in humans and other vertebrates against various forces. Thus, capturing its mechanical properties is important. In this study, the mechanical properties of cortical bone were investigated by using automated ball indentation and graphics processing at both the macroscopic and microstructural levels under dry conditions. First, all polished samples were photographed under a metallographic microscope, and the area ratio of the circumferential lamellae and osteons was calculated through the graphics processing method. Second, fully-computer-controlled automated ball indentation (ABI) tests were performed to explore the micro-mechanical properties of the cortical bone at room temperature and a constant indenter speed. The indentation defects were examined with a scanning electron microscope. Finally, the macroscopic mechanical properties of the cortical bone were estimated with the graphics processing method and mixture rule. Combining ABI and graphics processing proved to be an effective tool to obtaining the mechanical properties of the cortical bone, and the indenter size had a significant effect on the measurement. The methods presented in this paper provide an innovative approach to acquiring the macroscopic mechanical properties of cortical bone in a nondestructive manner. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quantitative assessment of intermolecular interactions by atomic force microscopy imaging using copper oxide tips

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mönig, Harry; Amirjalayer, Saeed; Timmer, Alexander; Hu, Zhixin; Liu, Lacheng; Díaz Arado, Oscar; Cnudde, Marvin; Strassert, Cristian Alejandro; Ji, Wei; Rohlfing, Michael; Fuchs, Harald

2018-05-01

Atomic force microscopy is an impressive tool with which to directly resolve the bonding structure of organic compounds1-5. The methodology usually involves chemical passivation of the probe-tip termination by attaching single molecules or atoms such as CO or Xe (refs 1,6-9). However, these probe particles are only weakly connected to the metallic apex, which results in considerable dynamic deflection. This probe particle deflection leads to pronounced image distortions, systematic overestimation of bond lengths, and in some cases even spurious bond-like contrast features, thus inhibiting reliable data interpretation8-12. Recently, an alternative approach to tip passivation has been used in which slightly indenting a tip into oxidized copper substrates and subsequent contrast analysis allows for the verification of an oxygen-terminated Cu tip13-15. Here we show that, due to the covalently bound configuration of the terminal oxygen atom, this copper oxide tip (CuOx tip) has a high structural stability, allowing not only a quantitative determination of individual bond lengths and access to bond order effects, but also reliable intermolecular bond characterization. In particular, by removing the previous limitations of flexible probe particles, we are able to provide conclusive experimental evidence for an unusual intermolecular N-Au-N three-centre bond. Furthermore, we demonstrate that CuOx tips allow the characterization of the strength and configuration of individual hydrogen bonds within a molecular assembly.

Use of hydrodynamic forces to engineer cartilaginous tissues resembling the non-uniform structure and function of meniscus.

PubMed

Marsano, Anna; Wendt, David; Raiteri, Roberto; Gottardi, Riccardo; Stolz, Martin; Wirz, Dieter; Daniels, Alma U; Salter, Donald; Jakob, Marcel; Quinn, Thomas M; Martin, Ivan

2006-12-01

The aim of this study was to demonstrate that differences in the local composition of bi-zonal fibrocartilaginous tissues result in different local biomechanical properties in compression and tension. Bovine articular chondrocytes were loaded into hyaluronan-based meshes (HYAFF-11) and cultured for 4 weeks in mixed flask, a rotary Cell Culture System (RCCS), or statically. Resulting tissues were assessed histologically, immunohistochemically, by scanning electron microscopy and mechanically in different regions. Local mechanical analyses in compression and tension were performed by indentation-type scanning force microscopy and by tensile tests on punched out concentric rings, respectively. Tissues cultured in mixed flask or RCCS displayed an outer region positively stained for versican and type I collagen, and an inner region positively stained for glycosaminoglycans and types I and II collagen. The outer fibrocartilaginous capsule included bundles (up to 2 microm diameter) of collagen fibers and was stiffer in tension (up to 3.6-fold higher elastic modulus), whereas the inner region was stiffer in compression (up to 3.8-fold higher elastic modulus). Instead, molecule distribution and mechanical properties were similar in the outer and inner regions of statically grown tissues. In conclusion, exposure of articular chondrocyte-based constructs to hydrodynamic flow generated tissues with locally different composition and mechanical properties, resembling some aspects of the complex structure and function of the outer and inner zones of native meniscus.

Collective mechanical behavior of multilayer colloidal arrays of hollow nanoparticles.

PubMed

Yin, Jie; Retsch, Markus; Thomas, Edwin L; Boyce, Mary C

2012-04-03

The collective mechanical behavior of multilayer colloidal arrays of hollow silica nanoparticles (HSNP) is explored under spherical nanoindentation through a combination of experimental, numerical, and theoretical approaches. The effective indentation modulus E(ind) is found to decrease with an increasing number of layers in a nonlinear manner. The indentation force versus penetration depth behavior for multilayer hollow particle arrays is predicted by an approximate analytical model based on the spring stiffness of the individual particles and the multipoint, multiparticle interactions as well as force transmission between the layers. The model is in good agreement with experiments and with detailed finite element simulations. The ability to tune the effective indentation modulus, E(ind), of the multilayer arrays by manipulating particle geometry and layering is revealed through the model, where E(ind) = (0.725m(-3/2) + 0.275)E(mon) and E(mon) is the monolayer modulus and m is number of layers. E(ind) is seen to plateau with increasing m to E(ind_plateau) = 0.275E(mon) and E(mon) scales with (t/R)(2), t being the particle shell thickness and R being the particle radius. The scaling law governing the nonlinear decrease in indentation modulus with an increase in layer number (E(ind) scaling with m(-3/2)) is found to be similar to that governing the indentation modulus of thin solid films E(ind_solid) on a stiff substrate (where E(ind_solid) scales with h(-1.4) and also decreases until reaching a plateau value) which also decreases with an increase in film thickness h. However, the mechanisms underlying this trend for the colloidal array are clearly different, where discrete particle-to-particle interactions govern the colloidal array behavior in contrast to the substrate constraint on deformation, which governs the thickness dependence of the continuous thin film indentation modulus.

Growth of high quality AlN films on CVD diamond by RF reactive magnetron sputtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Liang-xian; Liu, Hao; Liu, Sheng; Li, Cheng-ming; Wang, Yi-chao; An, Kang; Hua, Chen-yi; Liu, Jin-long; Wei, Jun-jun; Hei, Li-fu; Lv, Fan-xiu

2018-02-01

A highly oriented AlN layer has been successfully grown along the c-axis on a polycrystalline chemical vapor deposited (CVD) diamond by RF reactive magnetron sputtering. Structural, morphological and mechanical properties of the heterostructure were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Nano-indentation and Four-probe meter. A compact AlN film was demonstrated on the diamond layer, showing columnar grains and a low surface roughness of 1.4 nm. TEM results revealed a sharp AlN/diamond interface, which was characterized by the presence of a distinct 10 nm thick buffer layer resulting from the initial AlN growth stage. The FWHM of AlN (002) diffraction peak and its rocking curve are as low as 0.41° and 3.35° respectively, indicating a highly preferred orientation along the c-axis. AlN sputtered films deposited on glass substrates show a higher bulk resistivity (up to 3 × 1012 Ω cm), compared to AlN films deposited on diamond (∼1010 Ω cm). Finally, the film hardness and Young's modulus of AlN films on diamond are 25.8 GPa and 489.5 GPa, respectively.

Multi-scale mechanical response of freeze-dried collagen scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.

PubMed

Offeddu, Giovanni S; Ashworth, Jennifer C; Cameron, Ruth E; Oyen, Michelle L

2015-02-01

Tissue engineering has grown in the past two decades as a promising solution to unresolved clinical problems such as osteoarthritis. The mechanical response of tissue engineering scaffolds is one of the factors determining their use in applications such as cartilage and bone repair. The relationship between the structural and intrinsic mechanical properties of the scaffolds was the object of this study, with the ultimate aim of understanding the stiffness of the substrate that adhered cells experience, and its link to the bulk mechanical properties. Freeze-dried type I collagen porous scaffolds made with varying slurry concentrations and pore sizes were tested in a viscoelastic framework by macroindentation. Membranes made up of stacks of pore walls were indented using colloidal probe atomic force microscopy. It was found that the bulk scaffold mechanical response varied with collagen concentration in the slurry consistent with previous studies on these materials. Hydration of the scaffolds resulted in a more compliant response, yet lesser viscoelastic relaxation. Indentation of the membranes suggested that the material making up the pore walls remains unchanged between conditions, so that the stiffness of the scaffolds at the scale of seeded cells is unchanged; rather, it is suggested that thicker pore walls or more of these result in the increased moduli for the greater slurry concentration conditions. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

An ultra-precision tool nanoindentation instrument for replication of single point diamond tool cutting edges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Yindi; Chen, Yuan-Liu; Xu, Malu; Shimizu, Yuki; Ito, So; Matsukuma, Hiraku; Gao, Wei

2018-05-01

Precision replication of the diamond tool cutting edge is required for non-destructive tool metrology. This paper presents an ultra-precision tool nanoindentation instrument designed and constructed for replication of the cutting edge of a single point diamond tool onto a selected soft metal workpiece by precisely indenting the tool cutting edge into the workpiece surface. The instrument has the ability to control the indentation depth with a nanometric resolution, enabling the replication of tool cutting edges with high precision. The motion of the diamond tool along the indentation direction is controlled by the piezoelectric actuator of a fast tool servo (FTS). An integrated capacitive sensor of the FTS is employed to detect the displacement of the diamond tool. The soft metal workpiece is attached to an aluminum cantilever whose deflection is monitored by another capacitive sensor, referred to as an outside capacitive sensor. The indentation force and depth can be accurately evaluated from the diamond tool displacement, the cantilever deflection and the cantilever spring constant. Experiments were carried out by replicating the cutting edge of a single point diamond tool with a nose radius of 2.0 mm on a copper workpiece surface. The profile of the replicated tool cutting edge was measured using an atomic force microscope (AFM). The effectiveness of the instrument in precision replication of diamond tool cutting edges is well-verified by the experimental results.

Nanoindentation cannot accurately predict the tensile strength of graphene or other 2D materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Jihoon; Pugno, Nicola M.; Ryu, Seunghwa

2015-09-01

Due to the difficulty of performing uniaxial tensile testing, the strengths of graphene and its grain boundaries have been measured in experiments by nanoindentation testing. From a series of molecular dynamics simulations, we find that the strength measured in uniaxial simulation and the strength estimated from the nanoindentation fracture force can differ significantly. Fracture in tensile loading occurs simultaneously with the onset of crack nucleation near 5-7 defects, while the graphene sheets often sustain the indentation loads after the crack initiation because the sharply concentrated stress near the tip does not give rise to enough driving force for further crack propagation. Due to the concentrated stress, strength estimation is sensitive to the indenter tip position along the grain boundaries. Also, it approaches the strength of pristine graphene if the tip is located slightly away from the grain boundary line. Our findings reveal the limitations of nanoindentation testing in quantifying the strength of graphene, and show that the loading-mode-specific failure mechanism must be taken into account in designing reliable devices from graphene and other technologically important 2D materials.Due to the difficulty of performing uniaxial tensile testing, the strengths of graphene and its grain boundaries have been measured in experiments by nanoindentation testing. From a series of molecular dynamics simulations, we find that the strength measured in uniaxial simulation and the strength estimated from the nanoindentation fracture force can differ significantly. Fracture in tensile loading occurs simultaneously with the onset of crack nucleation near 5-7 defects, while the graphene sheets often sustain the indentation loads after the crack initiation because the sharply concentrated stress near the tip does not give rise to enough driving force for further crack propagation. Due to the concentrated stress, strength estimation is sensitive to the indenter tip position along the grain boundaries. Also, it approaches the strength of pristine graphene if the tip is located slightly away from the grain boundary line. Our findings reveal the limitations of nanoindentation testing in quantifying the strength of graphene, and show that the loading-mode-specific failure mechanism must be taken into account in designing reliable devices from graphene and other technologically important 2D materials. Electronic ESI (ESI) available: Modelling of polycrystalline graphene, verification of loading speed, biaxial tensile simulations, comparison of stress distribution, size effects of indenter radius, force-deflection curves, and stability analysis of crack propagation. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr04134a

Age and Hydration dependence of jowl and forearm skin firmness in young and mature women.

PubMed

Mayrovitz, Harvey N; Wong, Jennifer; Fasen, Madeline

2017-12-27

Quantitative assessment of possible linkages between skin's firmness and water content is useful for cosmetic and clinical purposes and to better understand features of advancing age. Our goals were to characterize age-related differential features in skin firmness in women and determine the relationship between skin firmness and indices of skin water. Skin firmness was quantified using handheld devices that measure the force to indent skin 0.3 and 1.3 mm (F0.3 and F1.3). Skin hydration was quantified using handheld devices that measured tissue dielectric constant (TDC) at 300 MHz to skin depths of 0.5 and 2.0-2.5 mm. All parameters were measured bilaterally in the jowl area and volar forearm of 60 women grouped by age <45 years (YOUNG) and ≥45 years old (MATURE). All measured parameters were bilaterally symmetrical at jowl and forearm. Forearm and jowl indentation forces were greater in YOUNG with statistically significant declines with advancing age with regression relations most evident at shallower indentation depths (P < .001). Quantitative relations for arm and jowl were F 0.3 = 0.256 × AGE + 32.7 mN and F 0.3 = -0.07 × AGE + 17.7 mN. Firmness was related to TDC values only when indentation force and TDC were assessed on the arm at the shallowest skin depths, as weakly related to firmness and was observed to change with age only when measured to a depth of 0.5 mm represented by TDC5 = 0.096 × AGE + 32.7. Experimental finding show clear differences in skin firmness between age-groups with skin hydration playing a minor role. Possible explanations and suggestions for further studies are provided. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Quantifying the mechanical effects of He, W and He + W ion irradiation on tungsten with spherical nanoindentation

DOE PAGES

Weaver, Jordan S.; Sun, Cheng; Wang, Yongqiang; ...

2017-12-19

Here, recent advances in spherical nanoindentation protocols have proven very useful for capturing the grain-scale mechanical response of different metals. This is achieved by converting the load–displacement response into an effective indentation stress–strain response which reveals latent information such as the elastic–plastic transition or indentation yield strength and work-hardening behavior and subsequently correlating the response with the material structure (e.g., crystal orientation) at the indentation site. Using these protocols, we systematically study and quantify the microscale mechanical effects of He, W, and He + W ion irradiation on commercially pure, polycrystalline tungsten. The indentation stress–strain response is correlated with themore » crystal orientation from electron backscatter diffraction, the defect structure from transmission electron microscopy micrographs, and the stopping range of ions in matter calculations of displacement damage and He concentration. He-implanted grains show a much higher indentation yield strength and saturation stress compared to W-ion-irradiated grains for the same displacement damage. There is also good agreement between the dispersed barrier hardening model with a barrier strength of 0.5–0.8 and void models (Bacon–Kochs–Scattergood and Osetsky–Bacon models) with the experimentally observed changes in indentation strength due to the presence of He bubbles. This finding indicates that a high density (~ 9 × 10 23 m –3) and concentration (~ 1.5 at.%) of small (~ 1 nm diameter) He bubbles can be moderate to strong barriers to dislocation slip in tungsten.« less

Quantifying the mechanical effects of He, W and He + W ion irradiation on tungsten with spherical nanoindentation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Weaver, Jordan S.; Sun, Cheng; Wang, Yongqiang

Here, recent advances in spherical nanoindentation protocols have proven very useful for capturing the grain-scale mechanical response of different metals. This is achieved by converting the load–displacement response into an effective indentation stress–strain response which reveals latent information such as the elastic–plastic transition or indentation yield strength and work-hardening behavior and subsequently correlating the response with the material structure (e.g., crystal orientation) at the indentation site. Using these protocols, we systematically study and quantify the microscale mechanical effects of He, W, and He + W ion irradiation on commercially pure, polycrystalline tungsten. The indentation stress–strain response is correlated with themore » crystal orientation from electron backscatter diffraction, the defect structure from transmission electron microscopy micrographs, and the stopping range of ions in matter calculations of displacement damage and He concentration. He-implanted grains show a much higher indentation yield strength and saturation stress compared to W-ion-irradiated grains for the same displacement damage. There is also good agreement between the dispersed barrier hardening model with a barrier strength of 0.5–0.8 and void models (Bacon–Kochs–Scattergood and Osetsky–Bacon models) with the experimentally observed changes in indentation strength due to the presence of He bubbles. This finding indicates that a high density (~ 9 × 10 23 m –3) and concentration (~ 1.5 at.%) of small (~ 1 nm diameter) He bubbles can be moderate to strong barriers to dislocation slip in tungsten.« less

Experimental and numerical validation for the novel configuration of an arthroscopic indentation instrument

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korhonen, Rami K.; Saarakkala, Simo; Töyräs, Juha; Laasanen, Mikko S.; Kiviranta, Ilkka; Jurvelin, Jukka S.

2003-06-01

Softening of articular cartilage, mainly attributable to deterioration of superficial collagen network and depletion of proteoglycans, is a sign of incipient osteoarthrosis. Early diagnosis of osteoarthrosis is essential to prevent the further destruction of the tissue. During the past decade, a few arthroscopic instruments have been introduced for the measurement of cartilage stiffness; these can be used to provide a sensitive measure of cartilage status. Ease of use, accuracy and reproducibility of the measurements as well as a low risk of damaging cartilage are the main qualities needed in any clinically applicable instrument. In this study, we have modified a commercially available arthroscopic indentation instrument to better fulfil these requirements when measuring cartilage stiffness in joints with thin cartilage. Our novel configuration was validated by experimental testing as well as by finite element (FE) modelling. Experimental and numerical tests indicated that it would be better to use a smaller reference plate and a lower pressing force (3 N) than those used in the original instrument (7-10 N). The reproducibility (CV = 5.0%) of the in situ indentation measurements was improved over that of the original instrument (CV = 7.6%), and the effect of material thickness on the indentation response was smaller than that obtained with the original instrument. The novel configuration showed a significant linear correlation between the indenter force and the reference dynamic modulus of cartilage in unconfined compression, especially in soft tissue (r = 0.893, p < 0.001, n = 16). FE analyses with a transversely isotropic poroelastic model indicated that the instrument was suitable for detecting the degeneration of superficial cartilage. In summary, the instrument presented in this study allows easy and reproducible measurement of cartilage stiffness, also in thin cartilage, and therefore represents a technical improvement for the early diagnosis of osteoarthrosis during arthroscopy.

Computer simulations of the mechanical response of brushes on the surface of cancerous epithelial cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goicochea, A. Gama; Guardado, S. J. Alas

2015-08-01

We report a model for atomic force microscopy by means of computer simulations of molecular brushes on surfaces of biological interest such as normal and cancerous cervical epithelial cells. Our model predicts that the force needed to produce a given indentation on brushes that can move on the surface of the cell (called “liquid” brushes) is the same as that required for brushes whose ends are fixed on the cell’s surface (called “solid” brushes), as long as the tip of the microscope covers the entire area of the brush. Additionally, we find that cancerous cells are softer than normal ones, in agreement with various experiments. Moreover, soft brushes are found to display larger resistance to compression than stiff ones. This phenomenon is the consequence of the larger equilibrium length of the soft brushes and the cooperative association of solvent molecules trapped within the brushes, which leads to an increase in the osmotic pressure. Our results show that a careful characterization of the brushes on epithelial cells is indispensable when determining the mechanical response of cancerous cells.

Simultaneous Measurement of Multiple Mechanical Properties of Single Cells Using AFM by Indentation and Vibration.

PubMed

Zhang, Chuang; Shi, Jialin; Wang, Wenxue; Xi, Ning; Wang, Yuechao; Liu, Lianqing

2017-12-01

The mechanical properties of cells, which are the main characteristics determining their physical performance and physiological functions, have been actively studied in the fields of cytobiology and biomedical engineering and for the development of medicines. In this study, an indentation-vibration-based method is proposed to simultaneously measure the mechanical properties of cells in situ, including cellular mass (m), elasticity (k), and viscosity (c). The proposed measurement method is implemented based on the principle of forced vibration stimulated by simple harmonic force using an atomic force microscope (AFM) system integrated with a piezoelectric transducer as the substrate vibrator. The corresponding theoretical model containing the three mechanical properties is derived and used to perform simulations and calculations. Living and fixed human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells were subjected to indentation and vibration to measure and compare their mechanical parameters and verify the proposed approach. The results that the fixed sample cells are more viscous and elastic than the living sample cells and the measured mechanical properties of cell are consistent within, but not outside of the central region of the cell, are in accordance with the previous studies. This work provides an approach to simultaneous measurement of the multiple mechanical properties of single cells using an integrated AFM system based on the principle force vibration and thickness-corrected Hertz model. This study should contribute to progress in biomedical engineering, cytobiology, medicine, early diagnosis, specific therapy and cell-powered robots.

Fragmentation of copper current collectors in Li-ion batteries during spherical indentation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Hsin; Watkins, Thomas R.; Simunovic, Srdjan

Large, areal, brittle fracture of copper current collector foils was observed by 3D x-ray computed tomography (XCT) of a spherically indented Li-ion cell. This fracture was hidden and non-catastrophic to a degree because the graphite layers deformed plastically, and held the materials together so that the cracks in the foils could not be seen under optical and electron microscopy. 3D XCT on the indented cell showed “mud cracks” within the copper layer. The cracking of copper foils could not be immediately confirmed when the cell was opened for post-mortem examination. However, an X-ray radiograph on a single foil of themore » Cu anode showed clearly that the copper foil had broken into multiple pieces similar to the brittle cracking of a ceramic under indentation. This new failure mode of anodes on Li-ion cell has very important implications on the behavior of Li-ion cells under mechanical abuse conditions. Furthermore, the fragmentation of current collectors in the anode must be taken into consideration for the electrochemical responses which may lead to capacity loss and affect thermal runaway behavior of the cells.« less

Fragmentation of copper current collectors in Li-ion batteries during spherical indentation

DOE PAGES

Wang, Hsin; Watkins, Thomas R.; Simunovic, Srdjan; ...

2017-08-29

Large, areal, brittle fracture of copper current collector foils was observed by 3D x-ray computed tomography (XCT) of a spherically indented Li-ion cell. This fracture was hidden and non-catastrophic to a degree because the graphite layers deformed plastically, and held the materials together so that the cracks in the foils could not be seen under optical and electron microscopy. 3D XCT on the indented cell showed “mud cracks” within the copper layer. The cracking of copper foils could not be immediately confirmed when the cell was opened for post-mortem examination. However, an X-ray radiograph on a single foil of themore » Cu anode showed clearly that the copper foil had broken into multiple pieces similar to the brittle cracking of a ceramic under indentation. This new failure mode of anodes on Li-ion cell has very important implications on the behavior of Li-ion cells under mechanical abuse conditions. Furthermore, the fragmentation of current collectors in the anode must be taken into consideration for the electrochemical responses which may lead to capacity loss and affect thermal runaway behavior of the cells.« less

Extreme Response in Tension and Compression of Tantalum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Remington, Tane Perry

This research on a model bcc metal, tantalum, has three components: the study of tensile failure; defects generated under a nanoindenter; and dislocation velocities in an extreme regime generated by pulsed lasers. The processes of dynamic failure by spalling were established in nano, poly, and mono crystalline tantalum in recovery experiments following laser compression and release. The process of spall was characterized by different techniques: optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, microcomputerized tomography and electron backscatter diffraction. Additionally, the pull back signal was measured by VISAR and the pressure decay was compared with HYADES simulations. There are clear differences in the microscopic fracture mechanisms, dictated by the grain sizes. In the nano and poly crystals, spalling occurred by ductile fracture favoring grain boundaries. In the monocrystals, grain boundaries are absent, and the process was of ductile failure by void initiation, growth and coalescence. The spall strength of single crystalline tantalum was higher than the poly and nano crystals. It was experimentally confirmed that spall strength in tantalum increases with strain rate. In order to generate dislocations close to the surface, single crystalline tantalum with orientations (100), (110) and (111) was nanoindented with a Berkovich tip. Atomic force microscopy showed pile-ups of dislocations around the perimeter of the nanoindentations. Sections of nanoindentations were focused ion beam cut into transmission electron microscope foils. The mechanisms of deformation under a nanoindentation in tantalum were identified and quantified. Molecular dynamics simulations were conducted and the simulated plastic deformation proceeds by the formation of nanotwins, which rapidly evolve into shear dislocation loops. Dislocation densities under the indenter were estimated experimentally (~1.2 x 1015 m-2), by MD (~7 x1015 m-2) and through an analytical calculation (2.6--19 x10 15 m-2). Considering the assumptions and simplifications, this agreement is considered satisfactory. These indented crystals were subjected to shock compression and the results are being analyzed with the objective of establishing the velocities of dislocations. A novel technique to establish dislocation velocities is being tested. It consists of subjecting tantalum containing a matrix of nanoindentations to shock compression for post shock characterization enabling the determination of mean dislocation displacements.

Nanoindentation study of interphases in epoxy/amine thermosetting systems modified with thermoplastics.

PubMed

Ramos, Jose Angel; Blanco, Miren; Zalakain, Iñaki; Mondragon, Iñaki

2009-08-15

The characterization of a mixture of epoxy/amine with different stoichiometric ratios was carried out by means of nanoindentation. The epoxy system was composed by diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A and 4,4'-methylene bis-(3-chloro 2,6-diethylaniline). Diffusion through interface formed by epoxy/amine system in stoichiometric ratio and several thermoplastic polymers was also analyzed by means of stiffness analysis, as studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and coupled nanoindentation tests. Used thermoplastics were an amorphous, atactic polystyrene, and two semicrystalline, syndiotactic polystyrene and poly(phenylene sulfide). Larger range diffusion was obtained in epoxy/amine systems modified with atactic polystyrene while the study of the influence of stoichiometric ratio suggests that the excess of epoxy generated stiffer material. In addition, larger indentation loads resulted in higher apparent stiffness because of the more number of polymer chains that had to re-accommodate owing to the increase in contact area.

Locally measuring the adhesion of InP directly bonded on sub-100 nm patterned Si.

PubMed

Pantzas, K; Le Bourhis, E; Patriarche, G; Troadec, D; Beaudoin, G; Itawi, A; Sagnes, I; Talneau, A

2016-03-18

A nano-scale analogue to the double cantilever experiment that combines instrumented nano-indentation and atomic force microscopy is used to precisely and locally measure the adhesion of InP bonded on sub-100 nm patterned Si using oxide-free or oxide-mediated bonding. Surface-bonding energies of 0.548 and 0.628 J m(-2), respectively, are reported. These energies correspond in turn to 51% and 57% of the surface bonding energy measured in unpatterned regions on the same samples, i.e. the proportion of unetched Si surface in the patterned areas. The results show that bonding on patterned surfaces can be as robust as on unpatterned surfaces, provided care is taken with the post-patterning surface preparation process and, therefore, open the path towards innovative designs that include patterns embedded in the Si guiding layer of hybrid III-V/Si photonic integrated circuits.

Adhesion of cellulose fibers in paper.

PubMed

Persson, Bo N J; Ganser, Christian; Schmied, Franz; Teichert, Christian; Schennach, Robert; Gilli, Eduard; Hirn, Ulrich

2013-01-30

The surface topography of paper fibers is studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM), and thus the surface roughness power spectrum is obtained. Using AFM we have performed indentation experiments and measured the effective elastic modulus and the penetration hardness as a function of humidity. The influence of water capillary adhesion on the fiber-fiber binding strength is studied. Cellulose fibers can absorb a significant amount of water, resulting in swelling and a strong reduction in the elastic modulus and the penetration hardness. This will lead to closer contact between the fibers during the drying process (the capillary bridges pull the fibers into closer contact without storing up a lot of elastic energy at the contacting interface). In order for the contact to remain good in the dry state, plastic flow must occur (in the wet state) so that the dry surface profiles conform to each other (forming a key-and-lock type of contact).

Mechanical comparison of a polymer nanocomposite to a ceramic thin-film anti-reflective filter.

PubMed

Druffel, Thad; Geng, Kebin; Grulke, Eric

2006-07-28

Thin-film filters on optical components have been in use for decades and, for those industries utilizing a polymer substrate, the mismatch in mechanical behaviour has caused problems. Surface damage including scratches and cracks induces haze on the optical filter, reducing the transmission of the optical article. An in-mold anti-reflective (AR) filter incorporating 1/4-wavelength thin films based on a polymer nanocomposite is outlined here and compared with a traditional vacuum deposition AR coating. Nanoindentation and nanoscratch techniques are used to evaluate the mechanical properties of the thin films. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the resulting indentations and scratches are then compared to the force deflection curves to further explain the phenomena. The traditional coatings fractured by brittle mechanisms during testing, increasing the area of failure, whereas the polymer nanocomposite gave ductile failure with less surface damage.

Measurement of corneal tangent modulus using ultrasound indentation.

PubMed

Wang, Li-Ke; Huang, Yan-Ping; Tian, Lei; Kee, Chea-Su; Zheng, Yong-Ping

2016-09-01

Biomechanical properties are potential information for the diagnosis of corneal pathologies. An ultrasound indentation probe consisting of a load cell and a miniature ultrasound transducer as indenter was developed to detect the force-indentation relationship of the cornea. The key idea was to utilize the ultrasound transducer to compress the cornea and to ultrasonically measure the corneal deformation with the eyeball overall displacement compensated. Twelve corneal silicone phantoms were fabricated with different stiffness for the validation of measurement with reference to an extension test. In addition, fifteen fresh porcine eyes were measured by the developed system in vitro. The tangent moduli of the corneal phantoms calculated using the ultrasound indentation data agreed well with the results from the tensile test of the corresponding phantom strips (R(2)=0.96). The mean tangent moduli of the porcine corneas measured by the proposed method were 0.089±0.026MPa at intraocular pressure (IOP) of 15mmHg and 0.220±0.053MPa at IOP of 30mmHg, respectively. The coefficient of variation (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of tangent modulus were 14.4% and 0.765 at 15mmHg, and 8.6% and 0.870 at 30mmHg, respectively. The preliminary study showed that ultrasound indentation could be applied to the measurement of corneal tangent modulus with good repeatability and improved measurement accuracy compared to conventional surface displacement-based measurement method. The ultrasound indentation can be a potential tool for the corneal biomechanical properties measurement in vivo. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Theoretical coefficient of restitution for planer impact of rough elasto-plastic bodies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stronge, W.J.

1995-12-31

During an inelastic collision the normal component of force between colliding bodies is a nonlinear function of indentation. In the cycle of loading and unloading which occurs in a collision this force exhibits hysteresis due to internal inelastic deformations near the contact point. Energy dissipation during impact can be calculated for any incident velocity and impact configuration by integration of rate-of-work throughout the contact period. In {open_quote}rigid body{close_quote} impact there is negligible displacement during the contact period - in this case work done by the normal component of contact force can be calculated to obtain the part of the initialmore » kinetic energy of relative motion that is lost to irreversible internal dissipation. This energy loss is directly related to the energetic coefficient of restitution. For a non-collinear collision between rough bodies, this paper obtains an analytical expression for the energetic coefficient of restitution; this expression is appropriate for moderate speed impacts between compact bodies where maximum indentation remains small. The coefficient of restitution depends on the incident relative velocity, material properties and an effective mass as well as a secondary effect of friction. For impacts that result in fully plastic indentation, this theory obtains a coefficient of restitution proportional to normal impact speed to the 1/4 power a result that agrees with Goldsmith`s compilation of experimental evidence.« less

Design and fabrication of single-crystal GaN nano-bridge on homogeneous substrate for nanoindentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hung, Shang-Chao

2014-12-01

This study reports a simple method to design and fabricate a freestanding GaN nano-bridge over a homogeneous short column as supporting leg. Test samples were fabricated from MOCVD-grown single-crystal GaN films over sapphire substrate using a FIB milling to leave freestanding short spans. We also investigated the nanoindentation characteristics and the corresponding nanoscopic mechanism of the GaN nano-bridge and its short column with a conical indenter inside transmission electron microscopy. The stress-strain mechanical properties and Young's modulus have also been examined and calculated as 108 GPa ± 4.8 % by the strain energy method. The significant slope switch of the L- D curve corresponds to the transition from the single-point bending indentation to the surface stretching indentation and has been interpreted with the evolution of TEM images. This freestanding fabrication and test have key advantages to characterize nanoscale behavior of one-dimensional bridge structure and greater ease of sample preparation over other micro-fabrication techniques.

Berkovich Nanoindentation on AlN Thin Films.

PubMed

Jian, Sheng-Rui; Chen, Guo-Ju; Lin, Ting-Chun

2010-03-31

Berkovich nanoindentation-induced mechanical deformation mechanisms of AlN thin films have been investigated by using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (XTEM) techniques. AlN thin films are deposited on the metal-organic chemical-vapor deposition (MOCVD) derived Si-doped (2 × 1017 cm-3) GaN template by using the helicon sputtering system. The XTEM samples were prepared by means of focused ion beam (FIB) milling to accurately position the cross-section of the nanoindented area. The hardness and Young's modulus of AlN thin films were measured by a Berkovich nanoindenter operated with the continuous contact stiffness measurements (CSM) option. The obtained values of the hardness and Young's modulus are 22 and 332 GPa, respectively. The XTEM images taken in the vicinity regions just underneath the indenter tip revealed that the multiple "pop-ins" observed in the load-displacement curve during loading are due primarily to the activities of dislocation nucleation and propagation. The absence of discontinuities in the unloading segments of load-displacement curve suggests that no pressure-induced phase transition was involved. Results obtained in this study may also have technological implications for estimating possible mechanical damages induced by the fabrication processes of making the AlN-based devices.

ON EDGE CHIPPING TESTING AND SOME PERSONAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE STATE OF THE ART OF MECHANICAL TESTING

PubMed Central

Quinn, G. D.

2014-01-01

Objective The edge chipping test is used to measure the fracture resistance of dental restoration ceramics and resin composites. This paper focuses on the progress of evaluating chipping resistance of these materials and also on the progress of standardization of this test method. This paper also makes observations about the state of the art of mechanical testing of ceramic and composite restorative materials in general. Interlaboratory comparative studies (“round robins”) are recommended. Methods An edge chipping machine was used to evaluate dozens of materials including porcelains, glass ceramics, aluminas, zirconias, filled resin-composites, new hybrid ceramic-resin composites, laminated composite ceramics, and even polymethyl methacrylate based denture materials. Force versus distance data were collected over a broad range with different indenters. Several chipping resistance parameters were quantified. Results Older restorative materials such as feldspathic porcelains and veneering materials had limited chipping resistance, but more modern ceramics and filled composites show significant improvements. A yttria-partially stabilized zirconia had the greatest resistance to chipping. Much of the early work on edge chipping resistance of brittle materials emphasized linear force versus distance trends obtained with relatively blunt Rockwell C indenters. More recently, trends for dental restorative materials with alternative sharper indenters have been nonlinear. A new phenomenological model with a simple quadratic function fits all data exceptionally well. It is loosely based on an energy balance between indenter work and fracture and deformation energies in the chipped material. Significance Although a direct comparison of our laboratory scale tests on idealized simple geometries to clinical outcomes has not yet been done, anecdotal evidence suggests the procedure does produce clinically relevant rankings and outcomes. Despite the variations in the trends and indenters, comparisons between materials can easily be made by chipping convenient block-shaped specimens with sharp conical 120°, Vickers, or Rockwell C indenters at a defined edge distance of 0.5 mm. Broad distance ranges are recommended for trend evaluation. This work has provided important information for standardization. PMID:25244927

Brain tissue stiffness is a sensitive marker for acidosis.

PubMed

Holtzmann, Kathrin; Gautier, Hélène O B; Christ, Andreas F; Guck, Jochen; Káradóttir, Ragnhildur Thóra; Franze, Kristian

2016-09-15

Carbon dioxide overdose is frequently used to cull rodents for tissue harvesting. However, this treatment may lead to respiratory acidosis, which potentially could change the properties of the investigated tissue. Mechanical tissue properties often change in pathological conditions and may thus offer a sensitive generic readout for changes in biological tissues with clinical relevance. In this study, we performed force-indentation measurements with an atomic force microscope on acute cerebellar slices from adult rats to test if brain tissue undergoes changes following overexposure to CO2 compared to other methods of euthanasia. The pH significantly decreased in brain tissue of animals exposed to CO2. Concomitant with the drop in pH, cerebellar grey matter significantly stiffened. Tissue stiffening was reproduced by incubation of acute cerebellar slices in acidic medium. Tissue stiffness provides an early, generic indicator for pathophysiological changes in the CNS. Atomic force microscopy offers unprecedented high spatial resolution to detect such changes. Our results indicate that the stiffness particularly of grey matter strongly correlates with changes of the pH in the cerebellum. Furthermore, the method of tissue harvesting and preparation may not only change tissue stiffness but very likely also other physiologically relevant parameters, highlighting the importance of appropriate sample preparation. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

MEMS-based Force-clamp Analysis of the Role of Body Stiffness in C. elegans Touch Sensation

PubMed Central

Petzold, Bryan C.; Park, Sung-Jin; Mazzochette, Eileen A.; Goodman, Miriam B.; Pruitt, Beth L.

2013-01-01

Touch is enabled by mechanoreceptor neurons in the skin and plays an essential role in our everyday lives, but is among the least understood of our five basic senses. Force applied to the skin deforms these neurons and activates ion channels within them. Despite the importance of the mechanics of the skin in determining mechanoreceptor neuron deformation and ultimately touch sensation, the role of mechanics in touch sensitivity is poorly understood. Here, we use the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to directly test the hypothesis that body mechanics modulate touch sensitivity. We demonstrate a microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based force clamp that can apply calibrated forces to freely crawling C. elegans worms and measure touch-evoked avoidance responses. This approach reveals that wild-type animals sense forces < 1 μN and indentation depths < 1 μm. We use both genetic manipulation of the skin and optogenetic modulation of body wall muscles to alter body mechanics. We find that small changes in body stiffness dramatically affect force sensitivity, while having only modest effects on indentation sensitivity. We investigate the theoretical body deformation predicted under applied force and conclude that local mechanical loads induce inward bending deformation of the skin to drive touch sensation in C. elegans. PMID:23598612

The physical foundation of FN = kh(3/2) for conical/pyramidal indentation loading curves.

PubMed

Kaupp, G

2016-01-01

A physical deduction of the FN = kh(3/2) relation (where FN is normal force, k penetration resistance, and h penetration depth) for conical/pyramidal indentation loading curves has been achieved on the basis of elementary mathematics. The indentation process couples the productions of volume and pressure to the displaced material that often partly plasticizes due to such pressure. As the pressure/plasticizing depends on the indenter volume, it follows that FN = FNp(1/3) · FNV(2/3), where the index p stands for pressure/plasticizing and V for indentation volume. FNp does not contribute to the penetration, only FNV. The exponent 2/3 on FNV shows that while FN is experimentally applied; only FN(2/3) is responsible for the penetration depth h. Thus, FN = kh(3/2) is deduced and the physical reason is the loss of FN(1/3) for the depth. Unfortunately, this has not been considered in teaching, textbooks, and the previous deduction of numerous common mechanical parameters, when the Love/Sneddon deductions of an exponent 2 on h were accepted and applied. The various unexpected experimental verifications and applications of the correct exponent 3/2 are mentioned and cited. Undue mechanical parameters require correction not only for safety reasons. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Surface topography, hardness, and frictional properties of GFRP for esthetic orthodontic wires.

PubMed

Inami, Toshihiro; Tanimoto, Yasuhiro; Yamaguchi, Masaru; Shibata, Yo; Nishiyama, Norihiro; Kasai, Kazutaka

2016-01-01

In our previous study, glass-fiber-reinforced plastics (GFRPs) made from polycarbonate and glass fiber for esthetic orthodontic wires were prepared by using pultrusion. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the surface topography, hardness, and frictional properties of GFRPs. To investigate how fiber diameter affects surface properties, GFRP round wires with a diameter of 0.45 mm (0.018 in.) were prepared incorporating either 13 μm (GFRP-13) or 7 μm (GFRP-7) glass fibers. As controls, stainless steel (SS), cobalt-chromium-nickel alloy, β-titanium (β-Ti) alloy, and nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) alloy were also evaluated. Under scanning electron microscopy and scanning probe microscopy, the β-Ti samples exhibited greater surface roughness than the other metallic wires and the GFRP wires. The dynamic hardness and elastic modulus of GFRP wires obtained by the dynamic micro-indentation method were much lower than those of metallic wires (p < 0.05). Frictional forces against the polymeric composite brackets of GFRP-13 and GFRP-7 were 3.45 ± 0.49 and 3.60 ± 0.38 N, respectively; frictional forces against the ceramic brackets of GFRP-13 and GFRP-7 were 3.39 ± 0.58 and 3.87 ± 0.48 N, respectively. For both bracket types, frictional forces of GFRP wires and Ni-Ti wire were nearly half as low as those of SS, Co-Cr, and β-Ti wires. In conclusion, there was no significant difference in surface properties between GFRP-13 and GFRP-7; presumably because both share the same polycarbonate matrix. We expect that GFRP wires will deliver superior sliding mechanics with low frictional resistance between the wire and bracket during orthodontic treatment. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Structure–mechanics relationships of collagen fibrils in the osteogenesis imperfecta mouse model

PubMed Central

Andriotis, O. G.; Chang, S. W.; Vanleene, M.; Howarth, P. H.; Davies, D. E.; Shefelbine, S. J.; Buehler, M. J.; Thurner, P. J.

2015-01-01

The collagen molecule, which is the building block of collagen fibrils, is a triple helix of two α1(I) chains and one α2(I) chain. However, in the severe mouse model of osteogenesis imperfecta (OIM), deletion of the COL1A2 gene results in the substitution of the α2(I) chain by one α1(I) chain. As this substitution severely impairs the structure and mechanics of collagen-rich tissues at the tissue and organ level, the main aim of this study was to investigate how the structure and mechanics are altered in OIM collagen fibrils. Comparing results from atomic force microscopy imaging and cantilever-based nanoindentation on collagen fibrils from OIM and wild-type (WT) animals, we found a 33% lower indentation modulus in OIM when air-dried (bound water present) and an almost fivefold higher indentation modulus in OIM collagen fibrils when fully hydrated (bound and unbound water present) in phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS) compared with WT collagen fibrils. These mechanical changes were accompanied by an impaired swelling upon hydration within PBS. Our experimental and atomistic simulation results show how the structure and mechanics are altered at the individual collagen fibril level as a result of collagen gene mutation in OIM. We envisage that the combination of experimental and modelling approaches could allow mechanical phenotyping at the collagen fibril level of virtually any alteration of collagen structure or chemistry. PMID:26468064

Structure-mechanics relationships of collagen fibrils in the osteogenesis imperfecta mouse model.

PubMed

Andriotis, O G; Chang, S W; Vanleene, M; Howarth, P H; Davies, D E; Shefelbine, S J; Buehler, M J; Thurner, P J

2015-10-06

The collagen molecule, which is the building block of collagen fibrils, is a triple helix of two α1(I) chains and one α2(I) chain. However, in the severe mouse model of osteogenesis imperfecta (OIM), deletion of the COL1A2 gene results in the substitution of the α2(I) chain by one α1(I) chain. As this substitution severely impairs the structure and mechanics of collagen-rich tissues at the tissue and organ level, the main aim of this study was to investigate how the structure and mechanics are altered in OIM collagen fibrils. Comparing results from atomic force microscopy imaging and cantilever-based nanoindentation on collagen fibrils from OIM and wild-type (WT) animals, we found a 33% lower indentation modulus in OIM when air-dried (bound water present) and an almost fivefold higher indentation modulus in OIM collagen fibrils when fully hydrated (bound and unbound water present) in phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS) compared with WT collagen fibrils. These mechanical changes were accompanied by an impaired swelling upon hydration within PBS. Our experimental and atomistic simulation results show how the structure and mechanics are altered at the individual collagen fibril level as a result of collagen gene mutation in OIM. We envisage that the combination of experimental and modelling approaches could allow mechanical phenotyping at the collagen fibril level of virtually any alteration of collagen structure or chemistry. © 2015 The Authors.

Modeling the mechanics of cells in the cell-spreading process driven by traction forces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, Yuqiang; Lai, King W. C.

2016-04-01

Mechanical properties of cells and their mechanical interaction with the extracellular environments are main factors influencing cellular function, thus indicating the progression of cells in different disease states. By considering the mechanical interactions between cell adhesion molecules and the extracellular environment, we developed a cell mechanical model that can characterize the mechanical changes in cells during cell spreading. A cell model was established that consisted of various main subcellular components, including cortical cytoskeleton, nuclear envelope, actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. We demonstrated the structural changes in subcellular components and the changes in spreading areas during cell spreading driven by traction forces. The simulation of nanoindentation tests was conducted by integrating the indenting force to the cell model. The force-indentation curve of the cells at different spreading states was simulated, and the results showed that cell stiffness increased with increasing traction forces, which were consistent with the experimental results. The proposed cell mechanical model provides a strategy to investigate the mechanical interactions of cells with the extracellular environments through the adhesion molecules and to reveal the cell mechanical properties at the subcellular level as cells shift from the suspended state to the adherent state.

Modeling the mechanics of cells in the cell-spreading process driven by traction forces.

PubMed

Fang, Yuqiang; Lai, King W C

2016-04-01

Mechanical properties of cells and their mechanical interaction with the extracellular environments are main factors influencing cellular function, thus indicating the progression of cells in different disease states. By considering the mechanical interactions between cell adhesion molecules and the extracellular environment, we developed a cell mechanical model that can characterize the mechanical changes in cells during cell spreading. A cell model was established that consisted of various main subcellular components, including cortical cytoskeleton, nuclear envelope, actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. We demonstrated the structural changes in subcellular components and the changes in spreading areas during cell spreading driven by traction forces. The simulation of nanoindentation tests was conducted by integrating the indenting force to the cell model. The force-indentation curve of the cells at different spreading states was simulated, and the results showed that cell stiffness increased with increasing traction forces, which were consistent with the experimental results. The proposed cell mechanical model provides a strategy to investigate the mechanical interactions of cells with the extracellular environments through the adhesion molecules and to reveal the cell mechanical properties at the subcellular level as cells shift from the suspended state to the adherent state.

Nanoindentation creep behavior of human enamel.

PubMed

He, Li-Hong; Swain, Michael V

2009-11-01

In this study, the indentation creep behavior of human enamel was investigated with a nanoindentation system and a Berkovich indenter at a force of 250 mN with one-step loading and unloading method. A constant hold period of 900 s was incorporated into each test at the maximum load as well at 5 mN minimum load during unloading. The indentation creep at the maximum load and creep recovery at the minimum load was described with a double exponential function and compared with other classic viscoelastic models (Debye/Maxwell and Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts). Indentation creep rate sensitivity, m, of human enamel was measured for the first time with a value of approximately 0.012. Enamel displayed both viscoelastic and viscoplastic behavior similar to that of bone. These results indicate that, associated with entrapment of particulates between teeth under functional loading and sliding wear conditions, the enamel may inelastically deform but recover upon its release. This behavior may be important in explaining the excellent wear resistance, antifatigue, and crack resistant abilities of natural tooth structure. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Substrate-dependent cell elasticity measured by optical tweezers indentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yousafzai, Muhammad S.; Ndoye, Fatou; Coceano, Giovanna; Niemela, Joseph; Bonin, Serena; Scoles, Giacinto; Cojoc, Dan

2016-01-01

In the last decade, cell elasticity has been widely investigated as a potential label free indicator for cellular alteration in different diseases, cancer included. Cell elasticity can be locally measured by pulling membrane tethers, stretching or indenting the cell using optical tweezers. In this paper, we propose a simple approach to perform cell indentation at pN forces by axially moving the cell against a trapped microbead. The elastic modulus is calculated using the Hertz-model. Besides the axial component, the setup also allows us to examine the lateral cell-bead interaction. This technique has been applied to measure the local elasticity of HBL-100 cells, an immortalized human cell line, originally derived from the milk of a woman with no evidence of breast cancer lesions. In addition, we have studied the influence of substrate stiffness on cell elasticity by performing experiments on cells cultured on two substrates, bare and collagen-coated, having different stiffness. The mean value of the cell elastic modulus measured during indentation was 26±9 Pa for the bare substrate, while for the collagen-coated substrate it diminished to 19±7 Pa. The same trend was obtained for the elastic modulus measured during the retraction of the cell: 23±10 Pa and 13±7 Pa, respectively. These results show the cells adapt their stiffness to that of the substrate and demonstrate the potential of this setup for low-force probing of modifications to cell mechanics induced by the surrounding environment (e.g. extracellular matrix or other cells).

An Evaluation System for the Contact Electrification of a Single Microparticle Using Microelectromechanical-Based Actuated Tweezers.

PubMed

Yamaguchi, Daichi

2018-06-05

The image quality of laser and multi-function printers that make use of electrophotography depends on the amount of surface charge generated by contact electrification on the toner particles. However, because it has been impossible to experimentally evaluate such amounts under controlled contact conditions using macroscopic measurements, theoretical elucidation of the contact electrification mechanism has not progressed sufficiently. In the present study, we have developed a system to experimentally evaluate the contact electrification of a single particle using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and nanotweezers (microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based actuated tweezers). This system performs, in succession, (i) a contact test that makes use of the nanotweezers and three piezoelectric stages, and (ii) an image force measurement using the AFM cantilever. Using this system, contact electrification was evaluated under controlled conditions, such as the contact number and the indentation depth. In addition, differences in contact electrification due to the amount of external surface additives were investigated. The results reveal that a coating with external additives leads to a decrease in the amount of contact electrification due to a reduction in the contact area with the substrate.

Macroindentation hardness measurement-Modernization and applications.

PubMed

Patel, Sarsvat; Sun, Changquan Calvin

2016-06-15

In this study, we first developed a modernized indentation technique for measuring tablet hardness. This technique is featured by rapid digital image capture, using a calibrated light microscope, and precise area-determination. We then systematically studied effects of key experimental parameters, including indentation force, speed, and holding time, on measured hardness of a very soft material, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and a very hard material, dibasic calcium phosphate, to cover a wide range of material properties. Based on the results, a holding period of 3min at the peak indentation load is recommended to minimize the effect of testing speed on H. Using this method, we show that an exponential decay function well describes the relationship between tablet hardness and porosity for seven commonly used pharmaceutical powders investigated in this work. We propose that H and H at zero porosity may be used to quantify the tablet deformability and powder plasticity, respectively. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Vibrotactile perception thresholds at the sole of the foot: effects of contact force and probe indentation.

PubMed

Gu, Cheng; Griffin, Michael J

2012-05-01

When using vibrotactile thresholds to investigate neuropathy in the fingers, the indentation of a vibrating probe, and the force applied to a static surround around a vibrating probe, affect thresholds. This study was designed to investigate the effects on vibrotactile perception thresholds at the sole of the foot of probe indentation (i.e. height of a vibrating probe relative to a static surround) and the force applied to the static surround. Thresholds at 20 Hz (expected to be mediated by the NP I channel) and at 160 Hz (expected to be mediated by the Pacinian channel) were obtained at the hallux (i.e. greater toe) and the ball of the foot on 14 healthy subjects. In one condition, the height of the vibrating probe was varied to 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 mm above a static surround with 4-N force applied to the surround. In a second condition, the force applied to the surround was varied to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 N while using a probe height of 1mm. Thresholds at 20 Hz decreased with increasing probe height from 0 to 1 mm but showed no significant variation between 2, 3, and 4mm at either the hallux or the ball of the foot. Thresholds at 160 Hz decreased with increasing probe height from 0 to 4 mm at both the hallux and the ball of the foot. Thresholds at 20 Hz obtained with 1-N surround force were higher than thresholds obtained with 2 N, but there was no significant difference with surround forces from 2 to 6 N at either the hallux or the ball of the foot. Thresholds at 160 Hz were unaffected by variations in surround force at the ball of the foot but tended to decrease with increasing force at the hallux. It is concluded that a vibrating probe flush with a static surround, and a surround force in the range 2-4 N, are appropriate when measuring vibrotactile thresholds at the hallux and the ball of the foot with a 6-mm diameter contactor and a 2-mm gap to the static surround. Copyright © 2011 IPEM. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

On the choice of boundary conditions in continuum models of continental deformation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wdowinski, Shimon; O'Connell, Richard J.

1990-01-01

Recent studies of continental deformation have treated the lithosphere as a viscous medium and investigated the time evolution of the deformation caused by tectonic and buoyancy forces. This paper examines the differences between (1) continuum models that keep velocity boundary conditions constant with time and (2) models that keep stress boundary conditions constant with time. These differences are demonstrated by using a simple example of a continental lithosphere that is subjected to horizontal compression. The results show that in (2) the indentation velocity decreases with time, while in (1) the indentation velocity remains constant with time.

Fragmentation of copper current collectors in Li-ion batteries during spherical indentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hsin; Watkins, Thomas R.; Simunovic, Srdjan; Bingham, Philip R.; Allu, Srikanth; Turner, John A.

2017-10-01

Large, areal, brittle fracture of copper current collector foils has been observed by 3D x-ray computed tomography (XCT) of a spherically indented Li-ion cell. This fracture is hidden and non-catastrophic to a degree because the graphite layers deform plastically, and hold the materials together so that the cracks in the foils cannot be seen under optical and electron microscopy. The cracking of copper foils could not be immediately confirmed when the cell is opened for post-mortem examination. However, 3D XCT on the indented cell reveals ;mud cracks; within the copper layer and an X-ray radiograph on a single foil of the Cu anode shows clearly that the copper foil has broken into multiple pieces. This failure mode of anodes in Li-ion cell has very important implications on the behavior of Li-ion cells under mechanical abuse conditions. The fragmentation of current collectors in the anode must be taken into consideration for the electrochemical responses which may lead to capacity loss and affect thermal runaway behavior of the cells.

The Mechanical Properties of Energetically Deposited Non-Crystalline Carbon Thin Films

DOE PAGES

Kracica, M.; Kocer, C.; Lau, D.; ...

2015-11-05

The mechanical behaviour of carbon films prepared with a variety of densities and microstructures was investigated using nanoindentation. Deposition energies between 25 and 600 eV and temperatures in the range 25-600 °C were used. Films prepared at low temperatures and moderate energy were amorphous with a high density. Finite element methods were used to model the stress fields, reproduce the indentation behaviour and evaluate elastic properties. Young s moduli up to 670 GPa and a low Poisson s ratio of ~ 0.17 were found, comparable to polycrystalline cubic boron nitride, one of the hardest materials known. Films with the samemore » density did not always show the same behaviour, emphasising the role of microstructure in determining mechanical response. Extended graphite- like regions within the films grown at high energy and high temperature observed in transmission electron microscopy caused plastic deformation and failure to recover after a complete indentation cycle. At low deposition energies, the graphite-like regions were smaller in size causing plastic deformation but with complete recovery after indentation.« less

Driving force for indentation cracking in glass: composition, pressure and temperature dependence

PubMed Central

Rouxel, Tanguy

2015-01-01

The occurrence of damage at the surface of glass parts caused by sharp contact loading is a major issue for glass makers, suppliers and end-users. Yet, it is still a poorly understood problem from the viewpoints both of glass science and solid mechanics. Different microcracking patterns are observed at indentation sites depending on the glass composition and indentation cracks may form during both the loading and the unloading stages. Besides, we do not know much about the fracture toughness of glass and its composition dependence, so that setting a criterion for crack initiation and predicting the extent of the damage yet remain out of reach. In this study, by comparison of the behaviour of glasses from very different chemical systems and by identifying experimentally the individual contributions of the different rheological processes leading to the formation of the imprint—namely elasticity, densification and shear flow—we obtain a fairly straightforward prediction of the type and extent of the microcracks which will most likely form, depending on the physical properties of the glass. Finally, some guidelines to reduce the driving force for microcracking are proposed in the light of the effects of composition, temperature and pressure, and the areas for further research are briefly discussed. PMID:25713446

Microwave emission from lead zirconate titanate induced by impulsive mechanical load

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Aman, A., E-mail: alexander.aman@ovgu.de; Packaging Group, Institute of Micro- and Sensorsytems, Otto-von-Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg; Majcherek, S.

2015-10-28

This paper focuses on microwave emission from Lead zirconate titanate Pb [Zr{sub x}Ti{sub 1−x}] O{sub 3} (PZT) induced by mechanical stressing. The mechanical stress was initiated by impact of a sharp tungsten indenter on the upper surface of PZT ceramic. The sequences of microwave and current impulses, which flew from indenter to electric ground, were detected simultaneously. The voltage between the upper and lower surface of ceramic was measured to obtain the behavior of mechanical force acting on ceramic during the impact. It was found that the amplitude, form, and frequency of measured microwave impulses were different by compression andmore » restitution phase of impact. Two different mechanisms of electron emission, responsible for microwave impulse generation, were proposed based on the dissimilar impulse behavior. The field emission from tungsten indenter is dominant during compression, whereas ferroemission dominates during restitution phase. Indeed, it was observed that the direction of the current flow, i.e., sign of current impulses is changed by transitions from compression to restitution phase of impact. The observed dissimilar behavior of microwave impulses, caused by increasing and decreasing applied force, can be used to calculate the contact time and behavior of mechanical force during mechanical impact on ceramic surface. It is shown that the generation of microwave impulses exhibits high reproducibility, impulse intensity, a low damping factor, and high mechanical failure resistance. Based on these microwave emission properties of PZT, the development of new type of stress sensor with spatial resolution of few microns becomes possible.« less

Elasticity, biodegradability and cell adhesive properties of chitosan/hyaluronan multilayer films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider, Aurore; Richert, Ludovic; Francius, Gregory; Voegel, Jean-Claude; Picart, Catherine

2007-03-01

In the bioengineering field, a recent and promising approach to modifying biomaterial surfaces is the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique used to build thin polyelectrolyte multilayer films. In this work, we focused on polyelectrolyte multilayer films made of two polysaccharides, chitosan (CHI) and hyaluronan (HA), and on the control of their physico-chemical and cell adhesive properties by chemical cross-linking. CHI/HA films were cross-linked using a water soluble carbodiimide and observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) with a fluorescently labeled CHI. Film thicknesses were similar for native and cross-linked films. The film nanometer roughness was measured by atomic force microscopy and was found to be higher for cross-linked films. Cross-linking the films also leads to a drastic change in film stiffness. The elastic modulus of the films (Young's modulus) as measured by AFM nano-indentation was about tenfold increased for cross-linked films as compared to native ones. From a biological point of view, cross-liked films are more resistant to enzymatic degradation by hyaluronidase. Furthermore, the increase in film stiffness has a favorable effect on the adhesion and spreading of chondrosarcoma cells. Thus, the CHI/HA cross-linked films could be used for various applications due to their adhesive properties and to their mechanical properties (including stability in enzymatic media).

Berkovich Nanoindentation on AlN Thin Films

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Berkovich nanoindentation-induced mechanical deformation mechanisms of AlN thin films have been investigated by using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (XTEM) techniques. AlN thin films are deposited on the metal-organic chemical-vapor deposition (MOCVD) derived Si-doped (2 × 1017 cm−3) GaN template by using the helicon sputtering system. The XTEM samples were prepared by means of focused ion beam (FIB) milling to accurately position the cross-section of the nanoindented area. The hardness and Young’s modulus of AlN thin films were measured by a Berkovich nanoindenter operated with the continuous contact stiffness measurements (CSM) option. The obtained values of the hardness and Young’s modulus are 22 and 332 GPa, respectively. The XTEM images taken in the vicinity regions just underneath the indenter tip revealed that the multiple “pop-ins” observed in the load–displacement curve during loading are due primarily to the activities of dislocation nucleation and propagation. The absence of discontinuities in the unloading segments of load–displacement curve suggests that no pressure-induced phase transition was involved. Results obtained in this study may also have technological implications for estimating possible mechanical damages induced by the fabrication processes of making the AlN-based devices. PMID:20672096

Effect of Coating Thickness on the Properties of TiN Coatings Deposited on Tool Steels Using Cathodic Arc Pvd Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mubarak, A.; Akhter, Parvez; Hamzah, Esah; Mohd Toff, Mohd Radzi Hj.; Qazi, Ishtiaq A.

Titanium nitride (TiN) widely used as hard coating material, was coated on tool steels, namely on high-speed steel (HSS) and D2 tool steel by physical vapor deposition method. The study concentrated on cathodic arc physical vapor deposition (CAPVD), a technique used for the deposition of hard coatings for tooling applications, and which has many advantages. The main drawback of this technique, however, is the formation of macrodroplets (MDs) during deposition, resulting in films with rougher morphology. Various standard characterization techniques and equipment, such as electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, hardness testing machine, scratch tester, and pin-on-disc machine, were used to analyze and quantify the following properties and parameters: surface morphology, thickness, hardness, adhesion, and coefficient of friction (COF) of the deposited coatings. Surface morphology revealed that the MDs produced during the etching stage, protruded through the TiN film, resulting in film with deteriorated surface features. Both coating thickness and indentation loads influenced the hardness of the deposited coatings. The coatings deposited on HSS exhibit better adhesion compared to those on D2 tool steel. Standard deviation indicates that the coating deposited with thickness around 6.7 μm showed the most stable trend of COF versus sliding distance.

Model of Nanostructuring Burnishing by a Spherical Indenter Taking into Consideration Plastic Deformations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyashenko, Ya. A.; Popov, V. L.

2018-01-01

A dynamic model of the nanostructuring burnishing of a surface of metallic details taking into consideration plastic deformations has been suggested. To describe the plasticity, the ideology of dimension reduction method supplemented with the plasticity criterion is used. The model considers the action of the normal burnishing force and the tangential friction force. The effect of the coefficient of friction and the periodical oscillation of the burnishing force on the burnishing kinetics are investigated.

Non-contact tensile viscoelastic characterization of microscale biological materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yuhui; Hong, Yuan; Xu, Guang-Kui; Liu, Shaobao; Shi, Qiang; Tang, Deding; Yang, Hui; Genin, Guy M.; Lu, Tian Jian; Xu, Feng

2018-06-01

Many structures and materials in nature and physiology have important "meso-scale" structures at the micron length-scale whose tensile responses have proven difficult to characterize mechanically. Although techniques such as atomic force microscopy and micro- and nano-identation are mature for compression and indentation testing at the nano-scale, and standard uniaxial and shear rheometry techniques exist for the macroscale, few techniques are applicable for tensile-testing at the micrometre-scale, leaving a gap in our understanding of hierarchical biomaterials. Here, we present a novel magnetic mechanical testing (MMT) system that enables viscoelastic tensile testing at this critical length scale. The MMT system applies non-contact loading, avoiding gripping and surface interaction effects. We demonstrate application of the MMT system to the first analyses of the pure tensile responses of several native and engineered tissue systems at the mesoscale, showing the broad potential of the system for exploring micro- and meso-scale analysis of structured and hierarchical biological systems.

Non-contact tensile viscoelastic characterization of microscale biological materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yuhui; Hong, Yuan; Xu, Guang-Kui; Liu, Shaobao; Shi, Qiang; Tang, Deding; Yang, Hui; Genin, Guy M.; Lu, Tian Jian; Xu, Feng

2018-01-01

Many structures and materials in nature and physiology have important "meso-scale" structures at the micron length-scale whose tensile responses have proven difficult to characterize mechanically. Although techniques such as atomic force microscopy and micro- and nano-identation are mature for compression and indentation testing at the nano-scale, and standard uniaxial and shear rheometry techniques exist for the macroscale, few techniques are applicable for tensile-testing at the micrometre-scale, leaving a gap in our understanding of hierarchical biomaterials. Here, we present a novel magnetic mechanical testing (MMT) system that enables viscoelastic tensile testing at this critical length scale. The MMT system applies non-contact loading, avoiding gripping and surface interaction effects. We demonstrate application of the MMT system to the first analyses of the pure tensile responses of several native and engineered tissue systems at the mesoscale, showing the broad potential of the system for exploring micro- and meso-scale analysis of structured and hierarchical biological systems.

Characterization of ultraviolet light cured polydimethylsiloxane films for low-voltage, dielectric elastomer actuators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Töpper, Tino; Wohlfender, Fabian; Weiss, Florian; Osmani, Bekim; Müller, Bert

2016-04-01

The reduction the operation voltage has been the key challenge to realize of dielectric elastomer actuators (DEA) for many years - especially for the application fields of robotics, lens systems, haptics and future medical implants. Contrary to the approach of manipulating the dielectric properties of the electrically activated polymer (EAP), we intend to realize low-voltage operation by reducing the polymer thickness to the range of a few hundred nanometers. A study recently published presents molecular beam deposition to reliably grow nanometer-thick polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films. The curing of PDMS is realized using ultraviolet (UV) radiation with wavelengths from 180 to 400 nm radicalizing the functional side and end groups. The understanding of the mechanical properties of sub-micrometer-thin PDMS films is crucial to optimize DEAs actuation efficiency. The elastic modulus of UV-cured spin-coated films is measured by nano-indentation using an atomic force microscope (AFM) according to the Hertzian contact mechanics model. These investigations show a reduced elastic modulus with increased indentation depth. A model with a skin-like SiO2 surface with corresponding elastic modulus of (2.29 +/- 0.31) MPa and a bulk modulus of cross-linked PDMS with corresponding elastic modulus of (87 +/- 7) kPa is proposed. The surface morphology is observed with AFM and 3D laser microscopy. Wrinkled surface microstructures on UV-cured PDMS films occur for film thicknesses above (510 +/- 30) nm with an UV-irradiation density of 7.2 10-4 J cm-2 nm-1 at a wavelength of 190 nm.

Modeling ramp-hold indentation measurements based on Kelvin-Voigt fractional derivative model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Hongmei; zhe Zhang, Qing; Ruan, Litao; Duan, Junbo; Wan, Mingxi; Insana, Michael F.

2018-03-01

Interpretation of experimental data from micro- and nano-scale indentation testing is highly dependent on the constitutive model selected to relate measurements to mechanical properties. The Kelvin-Voigt fractional derivative model (KVFD) offers a compact set of viscoelastic features appropriate for characterizing soft biological materials. This paper provides a set of KVFD solutions for converting indentation testing data acquired for different geometries and scales into viscoelastic properties of soft materials. These solutions, which are mostly in closed-form, apply to ramp-hold relaxation, load-unload and ramp-load creep-testing protocols. We report on applications of these model solutions to macro- and nano-indentation testing of hydrogels, gastric cancer cells and ex vivo breast tissue samples using an atomic force microscope (AFM). We also applied KVFD models to clinical ultrasonic breast data using a compression plate as required for elasticity imaging. Together the results show that KVFD models fit a broad range of experimental data with a correlation coefficient typically R 2  >  0.99. For hydrogel samples, estimation of KVFD model parameters from test data using spherical indentation versus plate compression as well as ramp relaxation versus load-unload compression all agree within one standard deviation. Results from measurements made using macro- and nano-scale indentation agree in trend. For gastric cell and ex vivo breast tissue measurements, KVFD moduli are, respectively, 1/3-1/2 and 1/6 of the elasticity modulus found from the Sneddon model. In vivo breast tissue measurements yield model parameters consistent with literature results. The consistency of results found for a broad range of experimental parameters suggest the KVFD model is a reliable tool for exploring intrinsic features of the cell/tissue microenvironments.

Effects of Gel Thickness on Microscopic Indentation Measurements of Gel Modulus

PubMed Central

Long, Rong; Hall, Matthew S.; Wu, Mingming; Hui, Chung-Yuen

2011-01-01

In vitro, animal cells are mostly cultured on a gel substrate. It was recently shown that substrate stiffness affects cellular behaviors in a significant way, including adhesion, differentiation, and migration. Therefore, an accurate method is needed to characterize the modulus of the substrate. In situ microscopic measurements of the gel substrate modulus are based on Hertz contact mechanics, where Young's modulus is derived from the indentation force and displacement measurements. In Hertz theory, the substrate is modeled as a linear elastic half-space with an infinite depth, whereas in practice, the thickness of the substrate, h, can be comparable to the contact radius and other relevant dimensions such as the radius of the indenter or steel ball, R. As a result, measurements based on Hertz theory overestimate the Young's modulus. In this work, we discuss the limitations of Hertz theory and then modify it, taking into consideration the nonlinearity of the material and large deformation using a finite-element method. We present our results in a simple correction factor, ψ, the ratio of the corrected Young's modulus and the Hertz modulus in the parameter regime of δ/h ≤ min (0.6, R/h) and 0.3 ≤ R/h ≤ 12.7. The ψ factor depends on two dimensionless parameters, R/h and δ/h (where δ is the indentation depth), both of which are easily accessible to experiments. This correction factor agrees with experimental observations obtained with the use of polyacrylamide gel and a microsphere indentation method in the parameter range of 0.1 ≤ δ/h ≤ 0.4 and 0.3 ≤ R/h ≤ 6.2. The effect of adhesion on the use of Hertz theory for small indentation depth is also discussed. PMID:21806932

Effect of surface treatments on self-trapped exciton luminescence in single-crystal CaF2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cramer, L. P.; Cumby, T. D.; Leraas, J. A.; Langford, S. C.; Dickinson, J. T.

2005-05-01

We show that near-surface defects produced by mechanical treatments and electron irradiation can significantly enhance the intensity of luminescence due to the decay of self-trapped excitons (STEs) in single-crystal calcium fluoride during 157- and 193-nm irradiation. For example, polishing can double the intensity of the STE luminescence. Defects produced by mechanical indentation can either increase or decrease the luminescence intensity, depending on the indentation force. Electron irradiation also enhances subsequent STE luminescence. When electron-irradiated samples are annealed, additional increases in luminescence intensity are observed. Plausible mechanisms for the observed effects on STE luminescence intensity are discussed.

A comparative study between an improved novel air-cushion sensor and a wheeled probe for minimally invasive surgery.

PubMed

Zbyszewski, Dinusha; Challacombe, Benjamin; Li, Jichun; Seneviratne, Lakmal; Althoefer, Kaspar; Dasgupta, Prokar; Murphy, Declan

2010-07-01

We describe a comparative study between an enhanced air-cushion tactile sensor and a wheeled indentation probe. These laparoscopic tools are designed to rapidly locate soft-tissue abnormalities during minimally invasive surgery (MIS). The air-cushion tactile sensor consists of an optically based sensor with a 7.8 mm sphere "floating" on a cushion of air at the tip of a shaft. The wheeled indentation probe is a 10 mm wide and 5 mm in diameter wheel mounted to a force/torque sensor. A continuous rolling indentation technique is used to pass the sensors over the soft-tissue surfaces. The variations in stiffness of the viscoelastic materials that are detected during the rolling indentations are illustrated by stiffness maps that can be used for tissue diagnosis. The probes were tested by having to detect four embedded nodules in a silicone phantom. Each probe was attached to a robotic manipulator and rolled over the silicone phantom in parallel paths. The readings of each probe collected during the process of rolling indentation were used to achieve the final results. The results show that both sensors reliably detected the areas of variable stiffness by accurately identifying the location of each nodule. These are illustrated in the form of two three-dimensional spatiomechanical maps. These probes have the potential to be used in MIS because they could provide surgeons with information on the mechanical properties of soft tissue, consequently enhancing the reduction in haptic feedback.

Analysis of kidney-shaped indentation cracks in 4Y-PSZ

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pajares, A.; Guiberteau, F.; Cumbrera, F.L.

1996-11-01

Vickers indentation cracks in zirconia containing ceramics very often exhibit two non-connected mirror symmetric branches with kidney-shaped morphology. Kidney cracks, generated with different indentation loads (98--490 N) in 4 mol.% yttria-partially-stabilized-zirconia (4Y-PSZ), are described and analyzed by proposing a model which combines the observed geometrical features with residual stress considerations. The crack shape is affected by a radial decreasing hydrostatic stress field originating in the plastic deformation zone underneath the impression and with its center at a certain depth from the surface. The hydrostatic stresses modify the generally assumed point force residual stress field. The model provides a self-similar descriptionmore » of the residual stress intensity factor for kidney cracks from different indentation loads. Furthermore, the experimental observation that one single half-penny crack rather than the two kidney cracks forms at higher indentation loads is explained by the model. For 4Y-PSZ a reasonably good agreement between the theoretically calculated and the experimentally observed critical transition load from kidney to half-penny geometry, P*, is obtained. The transition load varies with toughness, K{sub R} and hardness, H, according to P* {approximately} K{sub R}{sup 4}/H{sup 3}, indicating the relative influence of deformation and fracture characteristics on crack morphology. It must be concluded that the kidney-shaped contour is the dominant geometry of elastic/plastic contact cracks in tough zirconia-containing ceramics.« less

Quantifying the plant actin cytoskeleton response to applied pressure using nanoindentation.

PubMed

Branco, Rémi; Pearsall, Eliza-Jane; Rundle, Chelsea A; White, Rosemary G; Bradby, Jodie E; Hardham, Adrienne R

2017-03-01

Detection of potentially pathogenic microbes through recognition by plants and animals of both physical and chemical signals associated with the pathogens is vital for host well-being. Signal perception leads to the induction of a variety of responses that augment pre-existing, constitutive defences. The plant cell wall is a highly effective preformed barrier which becomes locally reinforced at the infection site through delivery of new wall material by the actin cytoskeleton. Although mechanical stimulation can produce a reaction, there is little understanding of the nature of physical factors capable of triggering plant defence. Neither the magnitude of forces nor the contact time required has been quantified. In the study reported here, mechanical stimulation with a tungsten microneedle has been used to quantify the response of Arabidopsis plants expressing an actin-binding protein tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP) to reveal the organisation of the actin cytoskeleton. Using confocal microscopy, the response time for actin reorganisation in epidermal cells of Arabidopsis hypocotyls was shown to be 116 ± 49 s. Using nanoindentation and a diamond spherical tip indenter, the magnitude of the forces capable of triggering an actin response has been quantified. We show that Arabidopsis hypocotyl cells can detect a force as small as 4 μN applied for as short a time as 21.6 s to trigger reorganisation of the actin cytoskeleton. This force is an order of magnitude less than the potential invasive force determined for a range of fungal and oomycete plant pathogens. To our knowledge, this is the first quantification of the magnitude and duration of mechanical forces capable of stimulating a structural defence response in a plant cell.

Corneal Stromal Elasticity and Viscoelasticity Assessed by Atomic Force Microscopy after Different Cross Linking Protocols

PubMed Central

Dias, Janice; Diakonis, Vasilios F.; Lorenzo, Michael; Gonzalez, Felipe; Porras, Kevin; Douglas, Simone; Avila, Marcel; Yoo, Sonia H.; Ziebarth, Noël M.

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate elasticity and viscoelasticity in the anterior and deeper stromal regions of the cornea after cross linking with three different protocols using atomic force microscopy (AFM) through indentation. A total of 40 porcine corneas were used in this study and were divided into 4 groups (10 corneas per group): control (no treatment), Dresden (corneal epithelial debridement, riboflavin pretreatment for 30 minutes and a 3mw/cm2 for 30 minutes UVA irradiation), accelerated (corneal epithelial debridement, riboflavin pretreatment for 30 minutes and a 30mw/cm2 for 3 minutes UVA irradiation), and genipin (corneal epithelial debridement and submersion of anterior surface in a 1% genipin solution for 4 hours). Elasticity and viscoelasticity were quantified using AFM through indentation for all corneas, for the anterior stroma and at a depth of 200μm. For the control, Dresden, accelerated, and Genipin groups, respectively, the average Young’s modulus for the anterior stromal region was 0.60±0.58MPa, 1.58 ±1.04MPa, 0.86±0.46MPa, and 1.71±0.51MPa; the average for the 200μm stromal depth was 0.08±0.06MPa, 0.08±0.04MPa, 0.08±0.04MPa, and 0.06±0.01MPa. Corneas crosslinked with the Dresden protocol and genipin were significantly stiffer than controls (p<0.05) in the anterior region only. For the control, Dresden, Accelerated, and Genipin groups, respectively, the average calculated apparent viscosity for the anterior stroma was 88.2±43.7kPa-s, 8.3±7.1kPa-s, 8.1±2.3kPa-s, and 9.5±3.8kPa-s; the average for the 200μm stromal depth was 35.0±3.7kPa-s, 49.6±35.1kPa-s, 42.4±17.6kPa-s, and 41.8±37.6kPa-s. All crosslinking protocols resulted in a decrease in viscosity in the anterior region only (p<0.05). The effects of cross-linking seem to be limited to the anterior corneal stroma and do not extend to the deeper stromal region. Additionally, the Dresden and genipin protocols seem to produce a stiffer anterior corneal stroma when compared to the accelerated protocol. PMID:26093276

The nanomechanical signature of liver cancer tissues and its molecular origin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Mengxin; Li, Yiran; Liu, Weiren; Jin, Lei; Jiang, Xifei; Wang, Xinyan; Ding, Zhenbin; Peng, Yuanfei; Zhou, Jian; Fan, Jia; Cao, Yi; Wang, Wei; Shi, Yinghong

2015-07-01

Patients with cirrhosis are at higher risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the second most frequent cause of cancer-related deaths. Although HCC diagnosis based on conventional morphological characteristics serves as the ``gold standard'' in the clinic, there is a high demand for more convenient and effective diagnostic methods that employ new biophysical perspectives. Here, we show that the nanomechanical signature of liver tissue is directly correlated with the development of HCC. Using indentation-type atomic force microscopy (IT-AFM), we demonstrate that the lowest elasticity peak (LEP) in the Young's modulus distribution of surgically removed liver cancer tissues can serve as a mechanical fingerprint to evaluate the malignancy of liver cancer. Cirrhotic tissues shared the same LEP as normal tissues. However, a noticeable downward shift in the LEP was detected when the cirrhotic tissues progressed to a malignant state, making the tumor tissues more prone to microvascular invasion. Cell-level mechanistic studies revealed that the expression level of a Rho-family effector (mDia1) was consistent with the mechanical trend exhibited by the tissue. Our findings indicate that the mechanical profiles of liver cancer tissues directly varied with tumor progression, providing an additional platform for the future diagnosis of HCC.Patients with cirrhosis are at higher risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the second most frequent cause of cancer-related deaths. Although HCC diagnosis based on conventional morphological characteristics serves as the ``gold standard'' in the clinic, there is a high demand for more convenient and effective diagnostic methods that employ new biophysical perspectives. Here, we show that the nanomechanical signature of liver tissue is directly correlated with the development of HCC. Using indentation-type atomic force microscopy (IT-AFM), we demonstrate that the lowest elasticity peak (LEP) in the Young's modulus distribution of surgically removed liver cancer tissues can serve as a mechanical fingerprint to evaluate the malignancy of liver cancer. Cirrhotic tissues shared the same LEP as normal tissues. However, a noticeable downward shift in the LEP was detected when the cirrhotic tissues progressed to a malignant state, making the tumor tissues more prone to microvascular invasion. Cell-level mechanistic studies revealed that the expression level of a Rho-family effector (mDia1) was consistent with the mechanical trend exhibited by the tissue. Our findings indicate that the mechanical profiles of liver cancer tissues directly varied with tumor progression, providing an additional platform for the future diagnosis of HCC. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Detailed experimental procedures and supplementary figures. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr02192h

Surface analysis and mechanical behaviour mapping of vertically aligned CNT forest array through nanoindentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koumoulos, Elias P.; Charitidis, C. A.

2017-02-01

Carbon nanotube (CNT) based architectures have increased the scientific interest owning to their exceptional performance rendering them promising candidates for advanced industrial applications in the nanotechnology field. Despite individual CNTs being considered as one of the most known strong materials, much less is known about other CNT forms, such as CNT arrays, in terms of their mechanical performance (integrity). In this work, thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method is employed to produce vertically aligned multiwall (VA-MW) CNT carpets. Their structural properties were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy, while their hydrophobic behavior was investigated via contact angle measurements. The resistance to indentation deformation of VA-MWCNT carpets was investigated through nanoindentation technique. The synthesized VA-MWCNTs carpets consisted of well-aligned MWCNTs. Static contact angle measurements were performed with water and glycerol, revealing a rather super-hydrophobic behavior. The structural analysis, hydrophobic behavior and indentation response of VA-MWCNTs carpets synthesized via CVD method are clearly demonstrated. Additionally, cycle indentation load-depth curve was applied and hysteresis loops were observed in the indenter loading-unloading cycle due to the local stress distribution. Hardness (as resistance to applied load) and modulus mapping, at 200 nm of displacement for a grid of 70 μm2 is presented. Through trajection, the resistance is clearly divided in 2 regions, namely the MWCNT probing and the in-between area MWCNT - MWCNT interface.

Evolution of stacking fault tetrahedral and work hardening effect in copper single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Hai Tao; Zhu, Xiu Fu; Sun, Ya Zhou; Xie, Wen Kun

2017-11-01

Stacking fault tetrahedral (SFT), generated in machining of copper single crystal as one type of subsurface defects, has significant influence on the performance of workpiece. In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is used to investigate the evolution of stacking fault tetrahedral in nano-cutting of copper single crystal. The result shows that SFT is nucleated at the intersection of differently oriented stacking fault (SF) planes and SFT evolves from the preform only containing incomplete surfaces into a solid defect. The evolution of SFT contains several stress fluctuations until the complete formation. Nano-indentation simulation is then employed on the machined workpiece from nano-cutting, through which the interaction between SFT and later-formed dislocations in subsurface is studied. In the meanwhile, force-depth curves obtained from nano-indentation on pristine and machined workpieces are compared to analyze the mechanical properties. By simulation of nano-cutting and nano-indentation, it is verified that SFT is a reason of the work hardening effect.

Simulated impact damage in a thick graphite/epoxy laminate using spherical indenters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Poe, C. C., Jr.

1988-01-01

The extent of fiber damage due to low-velocity impacts was determined for very thick graphite/epoxy laminates. The impacts were simulated by pressing spherical indenters against the laminates. After the forces were applied, the laminate was cut into smaller pieces so that each piece contained a test site. Then the pieces were deplied and the individual plies were examined to determine the extent of fiber damage. Broken fibers were found in the outer layers directly beneath the contact site. The locus of broken fibers resembled cracks. The cracks were more or less oriented in the direction of the fibers in the contiguous layers. The maximum length and depth of the cracks increased with increasing contact pressure and indenter diameter. The length and depth of the cracks were also predicted using maximum compression and shear stress criteria. The internal stresses were calculated using Hertz's law and Love's solution for pressure applied on part of the boundary of a semi-infinite body. The predictions and measurements were in good agreement.

Determination of fracture toughness of calcium phosphate coatings deposited onto Ti6Al4V substrate by using indentation technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aydin, Ibrahim; Cetinel, Hakan; Pasinli, Ahmet

2012-09-01

In this study, fracture toughness values of calcium phosphate (CaP) coatings deposited onto Ti6Al4V substrate were determined by using Vickers indentation method. In this new patent holding method, the activation processes were performed with NaOH and NaOH+H2O2 on the Ti6Al4V material surface. Thicknesses of CaP coatings were measured from cross-sections of the samples by using optical microscopy. Vickers indentation tests were performed by using microhardness tester. Young's modulus values of the coatings were determined by using ultra microhardness tester. As a result, fracture toughness (K1C) values of the CaP coatings produced by using two different activation processes, were calculated by using experimental study results. These were found to be 0.43 MPa m1/2 and 0.39 MPa m1/2, respectively. It was determined that the CaP coating on Ti6Al4V activated by NaOH+H2O2 had higher fracture toughness than the CaP coating on Ti6Al4V activated by NaOH.

Influence of nitrogen immersion on the mechanical properties of (NiO)x(Bi1.6 Pb0.4)Sr2Ca2Cu3O10-δ composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahal, H. T.; Awad, R.; Abdel-Gaber, A. M.

2018-05-01

(NiO)x(Bi1.6 Pb0.4)Sr2Ca2Cu3O10-δ composite, where 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2 wt%., were prepared using solid state reaction method. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Vickers microhardness measurements (HV) were carried out at room temperature under different applied loads varying from 0.49 to 9.8 N, and dwell times (40 and 59 s). It was noted that dwell time and Vickers microhardness were inversely proportional. HV values increase as x increases up to 0.1 wt%, and then they decrease with further increases in x. All samples exhibit indentation size effect (ISE) with normal trend, as Vickers microhardness decreases by increasing the applied loads. Also, Vickers microhardness measurements of the prepared samples were done during both loading forces up to 9.8 N and unloading downwards to 0.49 N. It was noted that unloading values of Vickers microhardness are slightly greater than loading values. The elastic/plastic deformation model (EPD) was used to interpret the loading and unloading Vickers microhardness results. It is clearly noted that values of do, the added elastic component the measured plastic indentation semi-diagonal (d),in the unloading results are much higher than those for loading data. The effect of liquid nitrogen immersion for 16 h on Vickers microhardness values was examined. A significant improvement in the Vickers microhardness of (Bi, Pb)-2223 samples immersed in liquid nitrogen was observed. Such behavior is attributed to the fact that nitrogen immersion increases the volume contraction of the superconductor matrix, causing the shrink of the pores and voids present in the samples. Different models were used to analyze the obtained results such as Meyer's law, Hays-Kendall (HK) approach, elastic/plastic deformation (EPD) model, and modified proportional specimen resistance (MPSR) model. The experimental results of Vickers microhardness of both samples without and with liquid nitrogen immersion are well fitted according to the MPSR model.

Development of blood extraction system for health monitoring system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsuchiya, Kazuyoshi; Nakanishi, Naoyuki; Nakamachi, Eiji

2004-03-01

The purpose of this research is to develop the compact human blood sampling device applied for a health monitoring system(HMS), which is called "Mobile Hospital". The HMS consists of (1) a micro electrical pumping system for blood extraction, (2) a bio-sensor to detect and evaluate an amount of Glucose, Cholesterol and Urea in extracted blood, by using enzyme such as Glucoseoxidase (GOD), Cholesteroloxidase and Urease. The mechanical design elements of the device are bio-compatible microneedle, indentation unit using a shape memory alloy(SMA) actuator and pumping unit using a piezoelectric microactuator. The design concept is the biomimetic micromachine of female mosquito"s blood sampling mechanism. The performances of the main mechanical elements such as indentation force of the microneedle, actual stroke of the indentation unit using a SMA actuator and liquid sampling ability of the pumping unit using PZT piezoelectric microactuator were measured. The 3 mm stroke of the indentation load generated by SMA actuator was 0.8mN. The amount of imitation blood extracted by using bimorph PZT actuators was about 0.5 microliters for 10 sec. A 60-micrometer outer diameter and 25-micrometer inner diameter Titanium microneedle, which size is same as female mosquito"s labium, was produced by sputter deposition.

Enhanced centrifuge-based approach to powder characterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomas, Myles Calvin

Many types of manufacturing processes involve powders and are affected by powder behavior. It is highly desirable to implement tools that allow the behavior of bulk powder to be predicted based on the behavior of only small quantities of powder. Such descriptions can enable engineers to significantly improve the performance of powder processing and formulation steps. In this work, an enhancement of the centrifuge technique is proposed as a means of powder characterization. This enhanced method uses specially designed substrates with hemispherical indentations within the centrifuge. The method was tested using simulations of the momentum balance at the substrate surface. Initial simulations were performed with an ideal powder containing smooth, spherical particles distributed on substrates designed with indentations. The van der Waals adhesion between the powder, whose size distribution was based on an experimentally-determined distribution from a commercial silica powder, and the indentations was calculated and compared to the removal force created in the centrifuge. This provided a way to relate the powder size distribution to the rotational speed required for particle removal for various indentation sizes. Due to the distinct form of the data from these simulations, the cumulative size distribution of the powder and the Hamaker constant for the system were be extracted. After establishing adhesion force characterization for an ideal powder, the same proof-of-concept procedure was followed for a more realistic system with a simulated rough powder modeled as spheres with sinusoidal protrusions and intrusions around the surface. From these simulations, it was discovered that an equivalent powder of smooth spherical particles could be used to describe the adhesion behavior of the rough spherical powder by establishing a size-dependent 'effective' Hamaker constant distribution. This development made it possible to describe the surface roughness effects of the entire powder through one adjustable parameter that was linked to the size distribution. It is important to note that when the engineered substrates (hemispherical indentations) were applied, it was possible to extract both powder size distribution and effective Hamaker constant information from the simulated centrifuge adhesion experiments. Experimental validation of the simulated technique was performed with a silica powder dispersed onto a stainless steel substrate with no engineered surface features. Though the proof-of-concept work was accomplished for indented substrates, non-ideal, relatively flat (non-indented) substrates were used experimentally to demonstrate that the technique can be extended to this case. The experimental data was then used within the newly developed simulation procedure to show its application to real systems. In the absence of engineered features on the substrates, it was necessary to specify the size distribution of the powder as an input to the simulator. With this information, it was possible to extract an effective Hamaker constant distribution and when the effective Hamaker constant distribution was applied in conjunction with the size distribution, the observed adhesion force distribution was described precisely. An equation was developed that related the normalized effective Hamaker constants (normalized by the particle diameter) to the particle diameter was formulated from the effective Hamaker constant distribution. It was shown, by application of the equation, that the adhesion behavior of an ideal (smooth, spherical) powder with an experimentally-validated, effective Hamaker constant distribution could be used to effectively represent that of a realistic powder. Thus, the roughness effects and size variations of a real powder are captured in this one distributed parameter (effective Hamaker constant distribution) which provides a substantial improvement to the existing technique. This can lead to better optimization of powder processing by enhancing powder behavior models.

Endovascular Crossing of Chronic Total Occlusions Using an Impulse: An Explorative Design Study.

PubMed

Sakes, Aimée; van der Wiel, Marleen; Dodou, Dimitra; Breedveld, Paul

2017-06-01

In this study we investigated whether exerting an impulse on a Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) improves the success rate of CTO crossing as compared to the currently used method of statically pushing the guidewire against the CTO. A prototype (Ø2 mm) was developed that generates translational momentum using a spring-loaded indenter and converts it to an impulse during impact. Mechanical performance was evaluated by measuring the peak force and momentum for different spring compressions and strike distances in air and blood-mimicking fluid. Puncture performance, in terms of number of punctures, number of strikes to puncture, and energy transfer from the indenter to the CTO, was assessed for six tip shapes (stamp, wedge, spherical, pointed, hollow spherical, and ringed) on three CTO models with different weight percentages of gelatin and calcium. As a control, a Ø0.4 mm rigid rod was tested. A maximum indenter momentum of 1.3 mNs (velocity of 3.4 m/s), a peak force of 19.2 N (vs. 1.5 N reported in literature and 2.7 N for the control), and CTO displacement of 1.4 mm (vs. 2.7 mm for the control) were measured. The spherical and ringed tips were most effective, with on average 2.3 strikes to puncture the most calcified CTO model. The prototype generated sufficient peak forces to puncture highly calcified CTO models, which are considered most difficult to cross during PCI. Furthermore, CTO displacement was minimized, resulting in a more effective procedure. In future, a smaller, faster, and flexible clinical prototype will be developed.

Prosthetic finger phalanges with lifelike skin compliance for low-force social touching interactions

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Prosthetic arms and hands that can be controlled by the user's electromyography (EMG) signals are emerging. Eventually, these advanced prosthetic devices will be expected to touch and be touched by other people. As realistic as they may look, the currently available prosthetic hands have physical properties that are still far from the characteristics of human skins because they are much stiffer. In this paper, different configurations of synthetic finger phalanges have been investigated for their skin compliance behaviour and have been compared with the phalanges of the human fingers and a phalanx from a commercially available prosthetic hand. Methods Handshake tests were performed to identify which areas on the human hand experience high contact forces. After these areas were determined, experiments were done on selected areas using an indenting probe to obtain the force-displacement curves. Finite element simulations were used to compare the force-displacement results of the synthetic finger phalanx designs with that of the experimental results from the human and prosthetic finger phalanges. The simulation models were used to investigate the effects of (a) varying the internal topology of the finger phalanx and (b) varying different materials for the internal and external layers. Results and Conclusions During handshake, the high magnitudes of contact forces were observed at the areas where the full grasping enclosure of the other person's hand can be achieved. From these areas, the middle phalanges of the (a) little, (b) ring, and (c) middle fingers were selected. The indentation experiments on these areas showed that a 2 N force corresponds to skin tissue displacements of more than 2 mm. The results from the simulation model show that introducing an open pocket with 2 mm height on the internal structure of synthetic finger phalanges increased the skin compliance of the silicone material to 235% and the polyurethane material to 436%, as compared to a configuration with a solid internal geometry. In addition, the study shows that an indentation of 2 N force on the synthetic skin with an open pocket can also achieve a displacement of more than 2 mm, while the finger phalanx from a commercially available prosthetic hand can only achieve 0.2 mm. PMID:21447188

Evaluation of stiffness feedback for hard nodule identification on a phantom silicone model

PubMed Central

Konstantinova, Jelizaveta; Xu, Guanghua; He, Bo; Aminzadeh, Vahid; Xie, Jun; Wurdemann, Helge; Althoefer, Kaspar

2017-01-01

Haptic information in robotic surgery can significantly improve clinical outcomes and help detect hard soft-tissue inclusions that indicate potential abnormalities. Visual representation of tissue stiffness information is a cost-effective technique. Meanwhile, direct force feedback, although considerably more expensive than visual representation, is an intuitive method of conveying information regarding tissue stiffness to surgeons. In this study, real-time visual stiffness feedback by sliding indentation palpation is proposed, validated, and compared with force feedback involving human subjects. In an experimental tele-manipulation environment, a dynamically updated color map depicting the stiffness of probed soft tissue is presented via a graphical interface. The force feedback is provided, aided by a master haptic device. The haptic device uses data acquired from an F/T sensor attached to the end-effector of a tele-manipulated robot. Hard nodule detection performance is evaluated for 2 modes (force feedback and visual stiffness feedback) of stiffness feedback on an artificial organ containing buried stiff nodules. From this artificial organ, a virtual-environment tissue model is generated based on sliding indentation measurements. Employing this virtual-environment tissue model, we compare the performance of human participants in distinguishing differently sized hard nodules by force feedback and visual stiffness feedback. Results indicate that the proposed distributed visual representation of tissue stiffness can be used effectively for hard nodule identification. The representation can also be used as a sufficient substitute for force feedback in tissue palpation. PMID:28248996

Evaluation of stiffness feedback for hard nodule identification on a phantom silicone model.

PubMed

Li, Min; Konstantinova, Jelizaveta; Xu, Guanghua; He, Bo; Aminzadeh, Vahid; Xie, Jun; Wurdemann, Helge; Althoefer, Kaspar

2017-01-01

Haptic information in robotic surgery can significantly improve clinical outcomes and help detect hard soft-tissue inclusions that indicate potential abnormalities. Visual representation of tissue stiffness information is a cost-effective technique. Meanwhile, direct force feedback, although considerably more expensive than visual representation, is an intuitive method of conveying information regarding tissue stiffness to surgeons. In this study, real-time visual stiffness feedback by sliding indentation palpation is proposed, validated, and compared with force feedback involving human subjects. In an experimental tele-manipulation environment, a dynamically updated color map depicting the stiffness of probed soft tissue is presented via a graphical interface. The force feedback is provided, aided by a master haptic device. The haptic device uses data acquired from an F/T sensor attached to the end-effector of a tele-manipulated robot. Hard nodule detection performance is evaluated for 2 modes (force feedback and visual stiffness feedback) of stiffness feedback on an artificial organ containing buried stiff nodules. From this artificial organ, a virtual-environment tissue model is generated based on sliding indentation measurements. Employing this virtual-environment tissue model, we compare the performance of human participants in distinguishing differently sized hard nodules by force feedback and visual stiffness feedback. Results indicate that the proposed distributed visual representation of tissue stiffness can be used effectively for hard nodule identification. The representation can also be used as a sufficient substitute for force feedback in tissue palpation.

Effects of nanoscale coatings on reliability of MEMS ohmic contact switches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tremper, Amber Leigh

This thesis examines how the electrical and mechanical behavior of Au thin films is altered by the presence of ultra-thin metallic coatings. To examine the mechanical behavior, nanoindentation, nano-scratch, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) testing was performed. The electrical behavior was evaluated through Kelvin probe contact resistance measurements. This thesis shows that ultra-thin, hard, ductile coatings on a softer, ductile underlying layer (such as Ru or Pt on Au) had a significant effect on mechanical behavior of the system, and can be tailored to control the deformation resistance of the thin film system. Despite Ru and Pt having a higher hardness and plane strain modulus than Au, the Ru and Pt coatings decreased both the hardness and plane strain modulus of the layered system when the indentation depth was on the order of the coating thickness. Alternately, when the indentation depth was several times the coating thickness, the ductile, plastically hard, elastically stiff layer significantly hardened the contact response. These results correlate well with membrane stress theoretical predictions, and demonstrate that membrane theory can be applied even when the ratio of indentation depth, h, to coating thickness, t, is very large ( h/t<10). The transition from film-substrate models to membrane models occurs when the indent penetration depth to coating thickness ratio is less than ˜0.5. When the electrical behavior of the Ru-coated Au films was examined, it was found that all the measured resistances of the Au-only film and Ru-coated systems were several orders of magnitude larger than those predicted by Holm's law, but were still in good agreement with previously reported values in the literature. Previous studies attributed the high contact resistances to a variety of causes, including the buildup of an insulating contamination layer. This thesis determined the cause of the deviations to be large sheet resistance contributions to the total measured resistance. Further, studies on aged samples (with thicker contamination layers) conclusively showed that, while contamination increases the contact resistance, it also increases the dependence on force. This thesis also details that the relative contribution of contact resistance to the total measured resistance can be maximized by decreasing the probe spacing and tip radius. AFM testing of the layered systems showed that the coated samples had larger predicted plane strain moduli than the Au sample, in contrast to the nanoindentation testing. Thus, when the contact depth was kept sufficiently small, the contact stiffness increased as predicted by substrate models. When the contact depth was on the order of the coating thickness, the contact stiffness actually decreased. Additionally, the forceseparation plots showed that the Ru and Pt surfaces either accumulated large amounts of contamination or were less susceptible to being wiped clean than the Au film. Further, scratch testing of the Au film and Ru and Pt coatings show that the hard surface coatings reduce material removal and contact wear. Ultra-thin Ru and Pt surface coatings on Au films are shown to be improved material systems for ohmic contact switches. The wear is reduced for coated materials, while the resistance and power consumption through the coating are not significantly affected.

21 CFR 886.1930 - Tonometer and accessories.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...) MEDICAL DEVICES OPHTHALMIC DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 886.1930 Tonometer and accessories. (a) Identification. A tonometer and accessories is a manual device intended to measure intraocular pressure by applying a known force on the globe of the eye and measuring the amount of indentation produced (Schiotz...

Effect of pendent chains on the interfacial properties of thin polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) networks.

PubMed

Landherr, Lucas J T; Cohen, Claude; Archer, Lynden A

2011-05-17

The interfacial properties of end-linked polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films on silicon are examined. Thin cross-linked PDMS films (∼10 μm thick) were synthesized over a self-assembled monolayer supported on a silicon wafer. By systematically varying the concentration of monofunctional PDMS in a mixture with telechelic precursor molecules, structures ranging from near-ideal elastic networks to poorly cross-linked networks composed of a preponderance of dangling/pendent chains were synthesized. Lateral force microscopy (LFM) employing bead probes was used to quantify the effect of network structure on the interfacial friction coefficient and residual force. Indentation measurements employing an AFM in force mode were used to characterize the elastic modulus and the pull-off force for the films as a function of pendent chain content. These measurements were complemented with conventional mechanical rheometry measurements on similar thick network films to determine their bulk rheological properties. All networks studied manifested interfacial friction coefficients substantially lower than that of bare silicon. PDMS networks with the lowest pendent chain content displayed friction coefficients close to 1 order of magnitude lower than that of bare silicon, whereas networks with the highest pendent chain content manifested friction coefficients about 3 times lower than that of bare silicon. At intermediate sliding velocities, a crossover in the interfacial friction coefficient was observed, wherein cross-linked PDMS films with the least amount of pendent chains exhibit the highest friction coefficient. These observations are discussed in terms of the structure of the films and relaxation dynamics of elastic strands and dangling chains in tethered network films.

Fluctuating Nonlinear Spring Model of Mechanical Deformation of Biological Particles

PubMed Central

Kononova, Olga; Snijder, Joost; Kholodov, Yaroslav; Marx, Kenneth A.; Wuite, Gijs J. L.; Roos, Wouter H.; Barsegov, Valeri

2016-01-01

The mechanical properties of virus capsids correlate with local conformational dynamics in the capsid structure. They also reflect the required stability needed to withstand high internal pressures generated upon genome loading and contribute to the success of important events in viral infectivity, such as capsid maturation, genome uncoating and receptor binding. The mechanical properties of biological nanoparticles are often determined from monitoring their dynamic deformations in Atomic Force Microscopy nanoindentation experiments; but a comprehensive theory describing the full range of observed deformation behaviors has not previously been described. We present a new theory for modeling dynamic deformations of biological nanoparticles, which considers the non-linear Hertzian deformation, resulting from an indenter-particle physical contact, and the bending of curved elements (beams) modeling the particle structure. The beams’ deformation beyond the critical point triggers a dynamic transition of the particle to the collapsed state. This extreme event is accompanied by a catastrophic force drop as observed in the experimental or simulated force (F)-deformation (X) spectra. The theory interprets fine features of the spectra, including the nonlinear components of the FX-curves, in terms of the Young’s moduli for Hertzian and bending deformations, and the structural damage dependent beams’ survival probability, in terms of the maximum strength and the cooperativity parameter. The theory is exemplified by successfully describing the deformation dynamics of natural nanoparticles through comparing theoretical curves with experimental force-deformation spectra for several virus particles. This approach provides a comprehensive description of the dynamic structural transitions in biological and artificial nanoparticles, which is essential for their optimal use in nanotechnology and nanomedicine applications. PMID:26821264

The energy dissipative mechanisms of the particle-fiber interface in a textile composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McAllister, Quinn Patrick

Impact resistant fabrics comprised of woven high performance fibers (e.g., Kevlar) have exhibited improved energy dissipative capability with the inclusion of nano- to micrometer sized particles. Upon impact, the particles embed and gouge adjacent fiber surfaces. While the particle-fiber interactions appear to be a primary mechanism for the increase in energy dissipation, the fundamentals of the nano- to micrometer sized gouging response of high performance fibers and the dissipation of energy due to particle gouging have not been studied previously. In this research, nanoindentation and nanoscratching techniques, which exploit probe sizes in the range of nano- to micrometers, were used to study the particle-fiber contact and develop nanoscale structure-property relationships of single Kevlar fibers. Atomic force microscopy based methods were used to create high resolution stiffness maps of fiber cross-sections, the results of which indicated that the stiffness of Kevlar 49 fibers is independent of radial position, while Kevlar KM2 fibers exhibit a reduced stiffness "shell" region (up to ˜300-350 nm thick). Instrumented indentation was used to evaluate the local response of Kevlar fibers with respect to orientation and contact size. For radial indentation, modifications to the traditional indentation analysis were developed to account for fiber curvature and finite size effects. A critical contact size was established above which the fiber response was independent of indenter size. This "homogeneous" response was used to estimate the local material properties of the Kevlar fibers through the application of an analytical model for indentation of a transversely isotropic material. The local properties of both fibers differed from their previously measured bulk properties, which was likely due, at least in part, to the deformation mechanisms of the fiber microstructure during indentation. Nanoindentation and nanoscratch tests were then conducted to study the deformation mechanisms of the fiber microstructure associated with a nano- to micrometer sized gouge of the fiber surface. Relationships between the observed mechanisms and the measured friction and energy were developed, resulting in new insights into the relevant energy dissipation processes of the particle-fiber interface. The level of apparent friction increased with increasing levels of strain imparted on the fiber surface, reaching values of up to ˜300% of the previously reported Kevlar yarn-yarn friction. Increased levels of friction during impact of a fabric have been shown to increase the energy required for the relative yarn translations, increasing the number of fibers strained and failed in tension. The energy of a single gouge made using probes exhibiting contact geometries similar to a particle-fiber contact was on the order of just 1% of the energy required to fail a fiber in tension (calculated based on a particle gouge and fiber tensile strain over one particle diameter). In the case of multiple particles distributed within a fabric, an impact event will involve energy dissipation from particle gouging, transverse fiber compression, and fiber tensile failure, where the ratio of the total energies associated with each of these processes was estimated to be on the order of 0.2:1:1 (assuming a limit at a transverse compressive strain of 0.3). Therefore, both the energy and the friction associated with particle gouging can increase the energy dissipative capabilities of a fabric, where the maximum contribution of the particle-fiber interface is likely related to the fabric's energy dissipative mechanisms that depend on friction.

Mapping of elasticity and damping in an α + β titanium alloy through atomic force acoustic microscopy

PubMed Central

Phani, M Kalyan; Kumar, Anish; Jayakumar, T; Samwer, Konrad

2015-01-01

Summary The distribution of elastic stiffness and damping of individual phases in an α + β titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) measured by using atomic force acoustic microscopy (AFAM) is reported in the present study. The real and imaginary parts of the contact stiffness k * are obtained from the contact-resonance spectra and by using these two quantities, the maps of local elastic stiffness and the damping factor are derived. The evaluation of the data is based on the mass distribution of the cantilever with damped flexural modes. The cantilever dynamics model considering damping, which was proposed recently, has been used for mapping of indentation modulus and damping of different phases in a metallic structural material. The study indicated that in a Ti-6Al-4V alloy the metastable β phase has the minimum modulus and the maximum damping followed by α′- and α-phases. Volume fractions of the individual phases were determined by using a commercial material property evaluation software and were validated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD) studies on one of the heat-treated samples. The volume fractions of the phases and the modulus measured through AFAM are used to derive average modulus of the bulk sample which is correlated with the bulk elastic properties obtained by ultrasonic velocity measurements. The average modulus of the specimens estimated by AFAM technique is found to be within 5% of that obtained by ultrasonic velocity measurements. The effect of heat treatments on the ultrasonic attenuation in the bulk sample could also be understood based on the damping measurements on individual phases using AFAM. PMID:25977847

Mapping of elasticity and damping in an α + β titanium alloy through atomic force acoustic microscopy.

PubMed

Phani, M Kalyan; Kumar, Anish; Jayakumar, T; Arnold, Walter; Samwer, Konrad

2015-01-01

The distribution of elastic stiffness and damping of individual phases in an α + β titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) measured by using atomic force acoustic microscopy (AFAM) is reported in the present study. The real and imaginary parts of the contact stiffness k (*) are obtained from the contact-resonance spectra and by using these two quantities, the maps of local elastic stiffness and the damping factor are derived. The evaluation of the data is based on the mass distribution of the cantilever with damped flexural modes. The cantilever dynamics model considering damping, which was proposed recently, has been used for mapping of indentation modulus and damping of different phases in a metallic structural material. The study indicated that in a Ti-6Al-4V alloy the metastable β phase has the minimum modulus and the maximum damping followed by α'- and α-phases. Volume fractions of the individual phases were determined by using a commercial material property evaluation software and were validated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD) studies on one of the heat-treated samples. The volume fractions of the phases and the modulus measured through AFAM are used to derive average modulus of the bulk sample which is correlated with the bulk elastic properties obtained by ultrasonic velocity measurements. The average modulus of the specimens estimated by AFAM technique is found to be within 5% of that obtained by ultrasonic velocity measurements. The effect of heat treatments on the ultrasonic attenuation in the bulk sample could also be understood based on the damping measurements on individual phases using AFAM.

AtomicJ: An open source software for analysis of force curves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hermanowicz, Paweł; Sarna, Michał; Burda, Kvetoslava; Gabryś, Halina

2014-06-01

We present an open source Java application for analysis of force curves and images recorded with the Atomic Force Microscope. AtomicJ supports a wide range of contact mechanics models and implements procedures that reduce the influence of deviations from the contact model. It generates maps of mechanical properties, including maps of Young's modulus, adhesion force, and sample height. It can also calculate stacks, which reveal how sample's response to deformation changes with indentation depth. AtomicJ analyzes force curves concurrently on multiple threads, which allows for high speed of analysis. It runs on all popular operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Macintosh.

Control of Precision Grip Force in Lifting and Holding of Low-Mass Objects

PubMed Central

Kimura, Daisuke; Kadota, Koji; Ito, Taro

2015-01-01

Few studies have investigated the control of grip force when manipulating an object with an extremely small mass using a precision grip, although some related information has been provided by studies conducted in an unusual microgravity environment. Grip-load force coordination was examined while healthy adults (N = 17) held a moveable instrumented apparatus with its mass changed between 6 g and 200 g in 14 steps, with its grip surface set as either sandpaper or rayon. Additional measurements of grip-force-dependent finger-surface contact area and finger skin indentation, as well as a test of weight discrimination, were also performed. For each surface condition, the static grip force was modulated in parallel with load force while holding the object of a mass above 30 g. For objects with mass smaller than 30 g, on the other hand, the parallel relationship was changed, resulting in a progressive increase in grip-to-load force (GF/LF) ratio. The rayon had a higher GF/LF force ratio across all mass levels. The proportion of safety margin in the static grip force and normalized moment-to-moment variability of the static grip force were also elevated towards the lower end of the object mass for both surfaces. These findings indicate that the strategy of grip force control for holding objects with an extremely small mass differs from that with a mass above 30 g. The data for the contact area, skin indentation, and weight discrimination suggest that a decreased level of cutaneous feedback signals from the finger pads could have played some role in a cost function in efficient grip force control with low-mass objects. The elevated grip force variability associated with signal-dependent and internal noises, and anticipated inertial force on the held object due to acceleration of the arm and hand, could also have contributed to the cost function. PMID:26376484

Atmospheric-pressure plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of a-SiCN:H films: Role of precursors on the film growth and properties

DOE PAGES

Guruvenket, Srinivasan; Andrie, Steven; Simon, Mark; ...

2012-09-14

Atmospheric pressure plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (AP-PECVD) using Surfx Atomflow TM 250D APPJ was utilized to synthesize amorphous silicon carbonitride coatings using tetramethyldisilizane (TMDZ) and hexamethyldisilizane (HMDZ) as the single source precursors. The effect of precursor chemistry and the substrate temperature (T s) on the properties of a-SiCN:H films were evaluated, while nitrogen was used as the reactive gas. Surface morphology of the films was evaluated using atomic force microscopy (AFM); chemical properties were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR); thickness and optical properties were determined using spectroscopic ellipsometry and mechanical properties were determined using nano-indentation. In generalmore » films deposited at substrate temperature (T s) <200 °C contained organic moieties, while the films deposited at T s >200 oC depicted strong Si-N and Si-CN absorption. Refractive indices (n) of the thin films showed values between 1.5 -2.0 depending on the deposition parameters. Mechanical properties of the films determined using nano-indentation revealed that these films have hardness between 0.5 GPa to 15 GPa depending on the Ts. AFM evaluation of the films showed high roughness (R a) values of 2-3 nm for the films grown at low T s (< 250 °C), while the films grown at T s ≥ 300 °C exhibited atomically smooth surface with R a of ~ 0.5 nm. Furthermore, based on the gas phase (plasma) chemistry, precursor chemistry and the other experimental observations, a possible growth model that prevails in the AP-PECVD of a-SiCN:H thin films is proposed.« less

Comparison of breaking tests for the characterization of the interfacial strength of bilayer tablets.

PubMed

Castrati, Luca; Mazel, Vincent; Busignies, Virginie; Diarra, Harona; Rossi, Alessandra; Colombo, Paolo; Tchoreloff, Pierre

2016-11-20

The bilayer tableting technology is gaining more acceptance in the drug industry, due to its ability to improve the drug delivery strategies. It is currently assessed by the European Pharmacopoeia, that the mechanical strength of tablets can be evaluated using a diametral breaking tester. This device applies a force diametrically, and records the tablet breaking point. This approach has been used to measure the structural integrity of single layer tablets as well as bilayer (and multi-layer) tablets. The latter ones, however, have a much complex structure. Therefore, testing a bilayer tablet with the currently used breaking test methodology might not be appropriate. The aim of this work was to compare results from several tests that have been proposed to quantify the interfacial strength of bilayer tablets. The obtained results would provide an indication on which tests are appropriate to evaluate the robustness of a bilayer tablet. Bilayer tablets were fabricated using a model formulation: Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) for the first layer, and spray dried lactose (SDLac) as second layer. Each set of tablets were tested using the following tests: Diametral Test, Shear Test and Indentation Test. The tablets were examined before and after the breaking test using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). When a bilayer tablet was subjected to shearing or indentation, it showed signs of clear delamination. Differently, using the diametral test system, the tablets showed no clear difference, before and after the testing. However, when examining each layer via SEM, it was clear that a fracture occurred in the layer made of SDLac. Thus, the diametral test is a measure of the strength of one of the two layers and therefore it is not suited to test the mechanical strength of bilayer tablets. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tactual discrimination of softness.

PubMed

Srinivasan, M A; LaMotte, R H

1995-01-01

1. We investigated the ability of humans to tactually discriminate the softness of objects, using novel elastic objects with deformable and rigid surfaces. For objects with deformable surfaces, we cast transparent rubber specimens with variable compliances. For objects with rigid surfaces ("spring cells") we fabricated telescoping hollow cylinders with the inner cylinder supported by several springs. To measure the human discriminability and to isolate the associated information-processing mechanisms, we performed psychophysical experiments under three conditions: 1) active touch with the normal finger, where both tactile and kinesthetic information was available to the subject: 2) active touch with local cutaneous anesthesia, so that only kinesthetic information was available; and 3) passive touch, where a computer-controlled mechanical stimulator brought down the compliant specimens onto the passive fingerpad of the subject, who therefore had only tactile information. 2. We first characterized the mechanical behavior of the human fingerpad and the test objects by determining the relationship between the depth and force of indentation during constant-velocity indentations by a rigid probe. The fingerpad exhibited a pronounced nonlinear behavior in the indentation depth versus force trace such that compliance, as indicated by the local slope of the trace, decreased with increases in indentation depth. The traces for all the rubber specimens were approximately linear, indicating a constant but distinct value of compliance for each specimen. The fingerpad was more compliant than each of the rubber specimens. 3. All the human subjects showed excellent softness discriminability in ranking the rubber specimens by active touch, and the subjective perception of softness correlated one-to-one with the objectively measured compliance. The ability of subjects to discriminate the compliance of spring cells was consistently poorer compared with that of the rubber specimens. 4. For pairwise discrimination of a selected set of rubber specimens, kinesthetic information alone was insufficient. However, tactile information alone was sufficient, even when the velocities and forces of specimen application were randomized. In contrast, for discriminating pairs of spring cells, tactile information alone was insufficient, and both tactile and kinesthetic information were found to be necessary. 5. The differences in the sufficiency of tactile information for the discrimination of the two types of objects can be explained by the mechanics of contact of the fingerpad and its effect on tactile information. For objects with deformable surfaces, the spatial pressure distribution within the contact region depends on both the force applied and the specimen compliance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influence of PCL on mechanical properties and bioactivity of ZrO2-based hybrid coatings synthesized by sol-gel dip coating technique.

PubMed

Catauro, Michelina; Bollino, Flavia; Veronesi, Paolo; Lamanna, Giuseppe

2014-06-01

The biological properties of medical implants can be enhanced through surface modifications such as to provide a firm attachment of the implant. In this study, organic-inorganic hybrid coatings have been synthesized via sol-gel dip coating. They consist of an inorganic ZrO2 matrix in which different amounts of poly(ε-caprolactone) have been entrapped to improve the mechanical properties of the films. The influence of the PCL amount on the microstructural, biological and mechanical properties of the coating has been investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses have shown that the hybrids used for the coating are homogenous and totally amorphous materials; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) has demonstrated that hydrogen bonds arise between the organic and inorganic phases. SEM and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have highlighted the nanostructured nature of the film. SEM and EDS analyses, after soaking the samples in a simulated body fluid (SBF), have pointed out the apatite formation on the coating surface, which proves the bone-bonding ability of the nanocomposite bioactive films. Scratch and nano-indentation tests have shown that the coating hardness, stiffness and Young's modulus decrease in the presence of large amounts of the organic phase. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Service life of counter-current chromatography coils.

PubMed

Conway, Walter D

2007-06-01

A multilayer coil of PTFE tubing, which failed after being used each workday for about 3 years in a type J centrifuge, was examined. Two types of defects were found. One, called crazes, occurs throughout the coil and does not leak initially, but may eventually lead to a short, axially oriented slit. Another, called indentations, is seen primarily in the innermost and other nearby layers. They are elongated, about 5 mm, indentations, usually on the central side of the tubing. These eventually crack and leak. PTFE tubing is permeable to air and hexane and expands by more than 1% when immersed in hexane, heptane or chloroform for a few days. It is suggested that the crazes result from exposure of the somewhat flexible tubing to the undulating centripetal force field in the coil-planet centrifuge, especially when further softened by solvent absorption. The indentations may result from carriage of the excess tubing length, created by solvent absorption, from the coil periphery to the coil center by the centripetal force field, which continuously travels from the peripheral tail to the central head of the coil. A 1% increase in coil length creates 74 cm of excess tubing in the 160-ml coils examined in this study. It is suggested that fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) tubing, especially when etched on the outside, may provide more stable CCC coils, since its expansion when exposed to organic solvents is 0.1 or less than that of PTFE.

Ultra-high field diffusion tensor imaging of articular cartilage correlated with histology and scanning electron microscopy.

PubMed

Raya, José G; Arnoldi, Andreas P; Weber, Daniel L; Filidoro, Lucianna; Dietrich, Olaf; Adam-Neumair, Silvia; Mützel, Elisabeth; Melkus, Gerd; Putz, Reinhard; Reiser, Maximilian F; Jakob, Peter M; Glaser, Christian

2011-08-01

To investigate the relationship of the different diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters (ADC, FA, and first eigenvector (EV)) to the constituents (proteoglycans and collagen), the zonal arrangement of the collagen network, and mechanical loading of articular cartilage. DTI of eight cartilage-on-bone samples of healthy human patellar cartilage was performed at 17.6 T. Three samples were additionally imaged under indentation loading. After DTI, samples underwent biomechanical testing, safranin-O staining for semiquantitative proteoglycan estimation, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for depicting collagen architecture. From the articular surface to the bone-cartilage interface, ADC continuously decreased and FA increased. Cartilage zonal heights calculated from EVs strongly correlated with SEM-derived zonal heights (P < 0.01, r (2)=0.87). Compression reduced ADC in the superficial 30% of cartilage and increased FA in the superficial 5% of cartilage. Reorientation of the EVs indicative of collagen fiber reorientation under the indenter was observed. No significant correlation was found between ADC, FA, and compressive stiffness. Correlating ADC and FA with proteoglycan and collagen content suggests that diffusion is dominated by different depth-dependent mechanisms within cartilage. Knowledge of the spatial distribution of the DTI parameters and their variation contributes to form a database for future analysis of defective cartilage.

Accurate Characterization of Benign and Cancerous Breast Tissues: Aspecific Patient Studies using Piezoresistive Microcantilevers

PubMed Central

PANDYA, HARDIK J.; ROY, RAJARSHI; CHEN, WENJIN; CHEKMAREVA, MARINA A.; FORAN, DAVID J.; DESAI, JAYDEV P.

2014-01-01

Breast cancer is the largest detected cancer amongst women in the US. In this work, our team reports on the development of piezoresistive microcantilevers (PMCs) to investigate their potential use in the accurate detection and characterization of benign and diseased breast tissues by performing indentations on the micro-scale tissue specimens. The PMCs used in these experiments have been fabricated using laboratory-made silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, which significantly reduces the fabrication costs. The PMCs are 260 μm long, 35 μm wide and 2 μm thick with resistivity of order 1.316 X 10−3 Ω-cm obtained by using boron diffusion technique. For indenting the tissue, we utilized 8 μm thick cylindrical SU-8 tip. The PMC was calibrated against a known AFM probe. Breast tissue cores from seven different specimens were indented using PMC to identify benign and cancerous tissue cores. Furthermore, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) of benign and cancerous specimens showed marked differences in the tissue morphology, which further validates our observed experimental data with the PMCs. While these patient aspecific feasibility studies clearly demonstrate the ability to discriminate between benign and cancerous breast tissues, further investigation is necessary to perform automated mechano-phenotyping (classification) of breast cancer: from onset to disease progression. PMID:25128621

Nanoscopic Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Intertubular and Peritubular Dentin

PubMed Central

Ryou, Heon; Romberg, Elaine; Pashley, David H.; Tay, Franklin R.; Arola, Dwayne

2011-01-01

An experimental evaluation of intertubular and peritubular dentin was performed using nanoindentation and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The objective of the investigation was to evaluate the differences in dynamic mechanical behavior of these two constituents and to assess if their response is frequency dependent. Specimens of hydrated coronal dentin were evaluated by DMA using single indents over a range in parametric conditions and using scanning probe microscopy. The complex (E*), storage (E’) and loss moduli (E”) of the intertubular and peritubular dentin were evaluated as a function of the dynamic loading frequency and static load in the fully hydrated condition. The mean complex E* (19.6 GPa) and storage E’ (19.2 GPa) moduli of the intertubular dentin were significantly lower than those quantities of peritubular dentin (E* = 31.1 GPa, p< 0.05; E’ = 30.3 GPa, p< 0.05). There was no significant influence of dynamic loading frequency on these measures. Though there was no significant difference in the loss modulus (E”) between the two materials (p> 0.05), both constituents exhibited a significant increase in E” with dynamic load frequency and reduction in the quasi-static component of indentation load. The largest difference in dynamic behavior of the two tissues was noted at small quasi-static indentation loads and the highest frequency. PMID:22340680

Surface deformation and friction characteristic of nano scratch at ductile-removal regime for optical glass BK7.

PubMed

Li, Chen; Zhang, Feihu; Ding, Ye; Liu, Lifei

2016-08-20

Nano scratch for optical glass BK7 based on the ductile-removal regime was carried out, and the influence rule of scratch parameters on surface deformation and friction characteristic was analyzed. Experimental results showed that, with increase of normal force, the deformation of burrs in the edge of the scratch was more obvious, and with increase of the scratch velocity, the deformation of micro-fracture and burrs in the edge of the scratch was more obvious similarly. The residual depth of the scratch was measured by atomic force microscope. The experimental results also showed that, with increase of normal force, the residual depth of the scratch increased linearly while the elastic recovery rate decreased. Furthermore, with increase of scratch velocity, the residual depth of the scratch decreased while the elastic recovery rate increased. The scratch process of the Berkovich indenter was divided into the cutting process of many large negative rake faces based on the improved cutting model, and the friction characteristic of the Berkovich indenter and the workpiece was analyzed. The analysis showed that the coefficient of friction increased and then tended to be stable with the increase of normal force. Meanwhile, the coefficient of friction decreased with the increase of scratch velocity, and the coefficients, k ln(v) and μ₀, were introduced to improve the original formula of friction coefficient.

Insertion of Vertically Aligned Nanowires into Living Cells by Inkjet Printing of Cells.

PubMed

Lee, Donggyu; Lee, Daehee; Won, Yulim; Hong, Hyeonaug; Kim, Yongjae; Song, Hyunwoo; Pyun, Jae-Chul; Cho, Yong Soo; Ryu, Wonhyoung; Moon, Jooho

2016-03-01

Effective insertion of vertically aligned nanowires (NWs) into cells is critical for bioelectrical and biochemical devices, biological delivery systems, and photosynthetic bioenergy harvesting. However, accurate insertion of NWs into living cells using scalable processes has not yet been achieved. Here, NWs are inserted into living Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells (Chlamy cells) via inkjet printing of the Chlamy cells, representing a low-cost and large-scale method for inserting NWs into living cells. Jetting conditions and printable bioink composed of living Chlamy cells are optimized to achieve stable jetting and precise ink deposition of bioink for indentation of NWs into Chlamy cells. Fluorescence confocal microscopy is used to verify the viability of Chlamy cells after inkjet printing. Simple mechanical considerations of the cell membrane and droplet kinetics are developed to control the jetting force to allow penetration of the NWs into cells. The results suggest that inkjet printing is an effective, controllable tool for stable insertion of NWs into cells with economic and scale-related advantages. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Manufacturing process of nanofluidics using afm probe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karingula, Varun Kumar

A new process for fabricating a nano fluidic device that can be used in medical application is developed and demonstrated. Nano channels are fabricated using a nano tip in indentation mode on AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy). The nano channels are integrated between the micro channels and act as a filter to separate biomolecules. Nano channels of 4 to7 m in length, 80nm in width, and at varying depths from 100nm to 850 nm allow the resulting device to separate selected groups of lysosomes and other viruses. Sharply developed vertical micro channels are produced from a deep reaction ion etching followed by deposition of different materials, such as gold and polymers, on the top surface, allowing the study of alternative ways of manufacturing a nanofluidic device. PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) bonding is performed to close the top surface of the device. An experimental setup is used to test and validate the device by pouring fluid through the channels. A detailed cost evaluation is conducted to compare the economical merits of the proposed process. It is shown that there is a 47:7% manufacturing time savings and a 60:6% manufacturing cost savings.

Strain rate dependence in the nanoindentation-induced deformation of Mg-Al intermetallic compounds produced by packed powder diffusion coating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Haiwei; Lu, Mingyuan; Zhang, Mingxing; Atrens, Andrej; Huang, Han

2015-09-01

Nanoindentation was performed on τ-Mg32(Al, Zn)49 and β-Mg17Al12 intermetallic coatings and on a AZ91E Mg alloy substrate using loading rates of 0.03 to 30 mNs-1. Pop-in phenomenon was observed during loading in the two intermetallic coatings and in the substrate. Both the magnitude of the pop-ins and the time interval between two consecutive pop-ins increased with increasing loads. The phenomenon was attributed to plastic instability, which is known as the Portevin-Le Châtelier effect. The morphologies of the indent impressions at different strain rates on the t phase, the β phase and the substrate were also investigated using atomic force microscopy. Pile-up occurred in the τ and β phases and was found independent of the strain rate; no obvious pile-up occurred on the AZ91E substrate. The AZ91E substrate exhibited creep rates greater than those of the intermetallic phases, and all of the creep rates increased with the loading rate.

Simultaneous topography imaging and broadband nanomechanical mapping on atomic force microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Tianwei; Zou, Qingze

2017-12-01

In this paper, an approach is proposed to achieve simultaneous imaging and broadband nanomechanical mapping of soft materials in air by using an atomic force microscope. Simultaneous imaging and nanomechanical mapping are needed, for example, to correlate the morphological and mechanical evolutions of the sample during dynamic phenomena such as the cell endocytosis process. Current techniques for nanomechanical mapping, however, are only capable of capturing static elasticity of the material, or the material viscoelasticity in a narrow frequency band around the resonant frequency(ies) of the cantilever used, not competent for broadband nanomechanical mapping, nor acquiring topography image of the sample simultaneously. These limitations are addressed in this work by enabling the augmentation of an excitation force stimuli of rich frequency spectrum for nanomechanical mapping in the imaging process. Kalman-filtering technique is exploited to decouple and split the mixed signals for imaging and mapping, respectively. Then the sample indentation generated is quantified online via a system-inversion method, and the effects of the indentation generated and the topography tracking error on the topography quantification are taken into account. Moreover, a data-driven feedforward-feedback control is utilized to track the sample topography. The proposed approach is illustrated through experimental implementation on a polydimethylsiloxane sample with a pre-fabricated pattern.

Static and kinetic frictional forces of silica-insert ceramic brackets with coated archwires in artificial saliva.

PubMed

Shahabi, Mostafa; Salari, Soheil; Poosti, Maryam; Abtahi, Mostafa

2017-01-01

During sliding mechanics, the frictional force (FF) is an important counterforce to orthodontic tooth movement. The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the static and kinetic FFs of S silica-insert ceramic (SIC) brackets with Teflon-coated (TC) and conventional S stainless steel (SS) archwires. The target group of this study included 80 maxillary canine 0.022 inch slot SIC brackets. Forty SS brackets were used as the control. TC and conventional uncoated SS archwires of different dimensions (0.016, 0.018, 0.016 × 0.022, and 0.018 × 0.025 inch) were examined. All tests were carried out under artificial saliva injected condition. Scanning Electron Micrographs were prepared for two samples of coated and uncoated archwires. Analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc tests were used for statistical purposes (level of significance P < 0.05). SIC brackets showed significantly lower levels of FFs than SS brackets. TC archwires had greater frictional values than conventional uncoated ones. They also exhibited an unusual behavior of increasing kinetic FFs with time. Indentation and delamination of coating were obvious under scanning electron microscopy observations. From the standpoint of friction, SIC brackets may serve well, even better than SS brackets, in sliding mechanics. The coating layer of the archwires may delaminate and lost, causing an impediment to tooth movement.

Static and kinetic frictional forces of silica-insert ceramic brackets with coated archwires in artificial saliva

PubMed Central

Shahabi, Mostafa; Salari, Soheil; Poosti, Maryam; Abtahi, Mostafa

2017-01-01

Background: During sliding mechanics, the frictional force (FF) is an important counterforce to orthodontic tooth movement. The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the static and kinetic FFs of S silica-insert ceramic (SIC) brackets with Teflon-coated (TC) and conventional S stainless steel (SS) archwires. Materials and Methods: The target group of this study included 80 maxillary canine 0.022 inch slot SIC brackets. Forty SS brackets were used as the control. TC and conventional uncoated SS archwires of different dimensions (0.016, 0.018, 0.016 × 0.022, and 0.018 × 0.025 inch) were examined. All tests were carried out under artificial saliva injected condition. Scanning Electron Micrographs were prepared for two samples of coated and uncoated archwires. Analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc tests were used for statistical purposes (level of significance P < 0.05). Results: SIC brackets showed significantly lower levels of FFs than SS brackets. TC archwires had greater frictional values than conventional uncoated ones. They also exhibited an unusual behavior of increasing kinetic FFs with time. Indentation and delamination of coating were obvious under scanning electron microscopy observations. Conclusion: From the standpoint of friction, SIC brackets may serve well, even better than SS brackets, in sliding mechanics. The coating layer of the archwires may delaminate and lost, causing an impediment to tooth movement. PMID:29238380

Numerical and Experimental Studies on the Explosive Welding of Tungsten Foil to Copper

PubMed Central

Zhou, Qiang; Feng, Jianrui; Chen, Pengwan

2017-01-01

This work verifies that the W foil could be successfully welded on Cu through conventional explosive welding, without any cracks. The microstructure was observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). The W/Cu interface exhibited a wavy morphology, and no intermetallic or transition layer was observed. The wavy interface formation, as well as the distributions of temperature, pressure and plastic strain at the interface were studied through numerical simulation with Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH). The welding mechanism of W/Cu was analyzed according to the numerical results and experimental observation, which was in accordance with the indentation mechanism proposed by Bahrani. PMID:28832527

Mechanical and microwave absorbing properties of carbon-filled polyurethane.

PubMed

Kucerová, Z; Zajícková, L; Bursíková, V; Kudrle, V; Eliás, M; Jasek, O; Synek, P; Matejková, J; Bursík, J

2009-01-01

Polyurethane (PU) matrix composites were prepared with various carbon fillers at different filler contents in order to investigate their structure, mechanical and microwave absorbing properties. As fillers, flat carbon microparticles, carbon microfibers and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were used. The microstructure of the composite was examined by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Mechanical properties, namely universal hardness, plastic hardness, elastic modulus and creep were assessed by means of depth sensing indentation test. Mechanical properties of PU composite filled with different fillers were investigated and the composite always exhibited higher hardness, elastic modulus and creep resistance than un-filled PU. Influence of filler shape, content and dispersion was also investigated.

Non-contact, Ultrasound-based Indentation Method for Measuring Elastic Properties of Biological Tissues Using Harmonic Motion Imaging (HMI)

PubMed Central

Vappou, Jonathan; Hou, Gary Y.; Marquet, Fabrice; Shahmirzadi, Danial; Grondin, Julien; Konofagou, Elisa E.

2015-01-01

Noninvasive measurement of mechanical properties of biological tissues in vivo could play a significant role in improving the current understanding of tissue biomechanics. In this study, we propose a method for measuring elastic properties non-invasively by using internal indentation as generated by Harmonic Motion Imaging (HMI). In HMI, an oscillating acoustic radiation force is produced by a focused ultrasound transducer at the focal region, and the resulting displacements are estimated by tracking RF signals acquired by an imaging transducer. In this study, the focal spot region was modeled as a rigid cylindrical piston that exerts an oscillatory, uniform internal force to the underlying tissue. The HMI elastic modulus EHMI was defined as the ratio of the applied force to the axial strain measured by 1D ultrasound imaging. The accuracy and the precision of the EHMI estimate were assessed both numerically and experimentally in polyacrylamide tissue-mimicking phantoms. Initial feasibility of this method in soft tissues was also shown in canine liver specimens in vitro. Very good correlation and agreement was found between the actual Young’s modulus and the HMI modulus in the numerical study (r2>0.99, relative error <10%) and on polyacrylamide gels (r2=0.95, relative error <24%). The average HMI modulus on five liver samples was found to EHMI=2.62±0.41 kPa, compared to EMechTesting=4.2±2.58 kPa measured by rheometry. This study has demonstrated for the first time the initial feasibility of a non-invasive, model-independent method to estimate local elastic properties of biological tissues at a submillimeter scale using an internal indentation-like approach. Ongoing studies include in vitro experiments in a larger number of samples and feasibility testing in in vivo models as well as pathological human specimens. PMID:25776065

Non-contact, ultrasound-based indentation method for measuring elastic properties of biological tissues using harmonic motion imaging (HMI).

PubMed

Vappou, Jonathan; Hou, Gary Y; Marquet, Fabrice; Shahmirzadi, Danial; Grondin, Julien; Konofagou, Elisa E

2015-04-07

Noninvasive measurement of mechanical properties of biological tissues in vivo could play a significant role in improving the current understanding of tissue biomechanics. In this study, we propose a method for measuring elastic properties non-invasively by using internal indentation as generated by harmonic motion imaging (HMI). In HMI, an oscillating acoustic radiation force is produced by a focused ultrasound transducer at the focal region, and the resulting displacements are estimated by tracking radiofrequency signals acquired by an imaging transducer. In this study, the focal spot region was modeled as a rigid cylindrical piston that exerts an oscillatory, uniform internal force to the underlying tissue. The HMI elastic modulus EHMI was defined as the ratio of the applied force to the axial strain measured by 1D ultrasound imaging. The accuracy and the precision of the EHMI estimate were assessed both numerically and experimentally in polyacrylamide tissue-mimicking phantoms. Initial feasibility of this method in soft tissues was also shown in canine liver specimens in vitro. Very good correlation and agreement was found between the measured Young's modulus and the HMI modulus in the numerical study (r(2) > 0.99, relative error <10%) and on polyacrylamide gels (r(2) = 0.95, relative error <24%). The average HMI modulus on five liver samples was found to EHMI = 2.62  ±  0.41 kPa, compared to EMechTesting = 4.2  ±  2.58 kPa measured by rheometry. This study has demonstrated for the first time the initial feasibility of a non-invasive, model-independent method to estimate local elastic properties of biological tissues at a submillimeter scale using an internal indentation-like approach. Ongoing studies include in vitro experiments in a larger number of samples and feasibility testing in in vivo models as well as pathological human specimens.

Mechanical Anisotropy and Pressure Induced Structural Changes in Piroxicam Crystals Probed by In Situ Indentation and Raman Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manimunda, Praveena; Hintsala, Eric; Asif, Syed; Mishra, Manish Kumar

2017-01-01

The ability to correlate mechanical and chemical characterization techniques in real time is both lacking and powerful tool for gaining insights into material behavior. This is demonstrated through use of a novel nanoindentation device equipped with Raman spectroscopy to explore the deformation-induced structural changes in piroxicam crystals. Mechanical anisotropy was observed in two major faces ( 0bar{1}1 ) and (011), which are correlated to changes in the interlayer interaction from in situ Raman spectra recorded during indentation. The results of this study demonstrate the considerable potential of an in situ Raman nanoindentation instrument for studying a variety of topics, including stress-induced phase transformation mechanisms, mechanochemistry, and solid state reactivity under mechanical forces that occur in molecular and pharmaceutical solids.

Simple display system of mechanical properties of cells and their dispersion.

PubMed

Shimizu, Yuji; Kihara, Takanori; Haghparast, Seyed Mohammad Ali; Yuba, Shunsuke; Miyake, Jun

2012-01-01

The mechanical properties of cells are unique indicators of their states and functions. Though, it is difficult to recognize the degrees of mechanical properties, due to small size of the cell and broad distribution of the mechanical properties. Here, we developed a simple virtual reality system for presenting the mechanical properties of cells and their dispersion using a haptic device and a PC. This system simulates atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanoindentation experiments for floating cells in virtual environments. An operator can virtually position the AFM spherical probe over a round cell with the haptic handle on the PC monitor and feel the force interaction. The Young's modulus of mesenchymal stem cells and HEK293 cells in the floating state was measured by AFM. The distribution of the Young's modulus of these cells was broad, and the distribution complied with a log-normal pattern. To represent the mechanical properties together with the cell variance, we used log-normal distribution-dependent random number determined by the mode and variance values of the Young's modulus of these cells. The represented Young's modulus was determined for each touching event of the probe surface and the cell object, and the haptic device-generating force was calculated using a Hertz model corresponding to the indentation depth and the fixed Young's modulus value. Using this system, we can feel the mechanical properties and their dispersion in each cell type in real time. This system will help us not only recognize the degrees of mechanical properties of diverse cells but also share them with others.

Simple Display System of Mechanical Properties of Cells and Their Dispersion

PubMed Central

Shimizu, Yuji; Kihara, Takanori; Haghparast, Seyed Mohammad Ali; Yuba, Shunsuke; Miyake, Jun

2012-01-01

The mechanical properties of cells are unique indicators of their states and functions. Though, it is difficult to recognize the degrees of mechanical properties, due to small size of the cell and broad distribution of the mechanical properties. Here, we developed a simple virtual reality system for presenting the mechanical properties of cells and their dispersion using a haptic device and a PC. This system simulates atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanoindentation experiments for floating cells in virtual environments. An operator can virtually position the AFM spherical probe over a round cell with the haptic handle on the PC monitor and feel the force interaction. The Young's modulus of mesenchymal stem cells and HEK293 cells in the floating state was measured by AFM. The distribution of the Young's modulus of these cells was broad, and the distribution complied with a log-normal pattern. To represent the mechanical properties together with the cell variance, we used log-normal distribution-dependent random number determined by the mode and variance values of the Young's modulus of these cells. The represented Young's modulus was determined for each touching event of the probe surface and the cell object, and the haptic device-generating force was calculated using a Hertz model corresponding to the indentation depth and the fixed Young's modulus value. Using this system, we can feel the mechanical properties and their dispersion in each cell type in real time. This system will help us not only recognize the degrees of mechanical properties of diverse cells but also share them with others. PMID:22479595

Experimentally validated 3D MD model for AFM-based tip-based nanomanufacturing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Promyoo, Rapeepan

In order to control AFM-based TBN to produce precise nano-geometry efficiently, there is a need to conduct a more focused study of the effects of different parameters, such as feed, speed, and depth of cut on the process performance and outcome. This is achieved by experimentally validating a MD simulation model of nanomachining, and using it to conduct parametric studies to guide AFM-based TBN. A 3D MD model with a larger domain size was developed and used to gain a unique insight into the nanoindentation and nanoscratching processes such as the effect of tip speed (e.g. effect of tip speed on indentation force above 10 nm of indentation depth). The model also supported a more comprehensive parametric study (than other published work) in terms of number of parameters and ranges of values investigated, as well as a more cost effective design of experiments. The model was also used to predict material properties at the nanoscale (e.g. hardness of gold predicted within 6% error). On the other hand, a comprehensive experimental parametric study was conducted to produce a database that is used to select proper machining conditions for guiding the fabrication of nanochannels (e.g. scratch rate = 0.996 Hz, trigger threshold = 1 V, for achieving a nanochannel depth = 50 nm for the case of gold device). Similar trends for the variation of indentation force with depth of cut, pattern of the material pile-up around the indentation mark or scratched groove were found. The parametric studies conducted using both MD model simulations and AFM experiments showed the following: Normal forces for both nanoindentation and nanoscratching increase as the depth of cut increases. The indentation depth increases with tip speed, but the depth of scratch decrease with increasing tip speed. The width and depth of scratched groove also depend on the scratch angle. The recommended scratch angle is at 90°. The surface roughness increases with step over, especially when the step over is larger than the tip radius. The depth of cut also increases as the step over decreases. Additional study is conducted using the MD model to understand the effect of crystal structure and defects in material when subjected to a stress. Several types of defects, including vacancies and Shockley partial dislocation loops, can be observed during the MD simulation for the case of gold, copper and aluminum. Finally, AFM-based TBN is used with photolithography to fabricate a nano-fluidic device for medical application. In fact, the photolithography process is used to create microchannels on top of a silicon wafer, and AFM-based TBN is applied to fabricate nanochannels between the microchannels that connect to the reservoirs. Fluid flow test was conducted on the devices to ensure that the nanochannel was open and the bonding sealed.

Fabrication and Properties of Novel NiWFeB Amorphous Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Jiajia; Liu, Wensheng; Ma, Yunzhu; Ye, Xiaoshan; Wu, Yayu

2017-09-01

In this work, we reported the successful synthesis of four quaternary NiWFeB amorphous alloys (Ni53.9W4.3Fe24.2B17.6, Ni49.7W9.7Fe22.3B18.3, Ni46.2W14.1Fe20.8B18.9 and Ni42.2W19.2Fe18.9B19.7 in at.%) via melt spinning method. The synthesized amorphous alloys are characterized by x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimeter, scanning electron microscopy and Vickers indenters. The results showed that the crystallization temperatures T x1 of four amorphous alloys with increased W contents, derived from the exothermic peaks in DSC, were 705, 715, 851, and 965 K, respectively. The Vickers hardness ( H v) of the corresponding four amorphous alloys at room temperature was 8.5, 9.8, 10.3, and 11.4 GPa, respectively. The much finer shear bands in the deformation region underneath the Vickers indenter were observed as the tungsten content increases. All the results showed a tendency that the higher the tungsten content, the greater the thermal stability and hardness. The results indicated the NiWFeB amorphous alloys could be easier fabricated by continuing to increase the tungsten content, and those NiWFeB amorphous alloys would have a promising application in nuclear energies and military defenses.

Spatial Distribution of Amorphization Intensity in Boron Carbide During Rate-Dependent Indentation and Impact Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parsard, Gregory G.

Boron carbide is a lightweight ceramic commonly used in applications requiring high hardness. At sufficiently high stresses, the material experiences a localized phase transformation (amorphization) which seemingly weakens its structure. Raman spectroscopy is used to distinguish these transformed regions from crystalline material based on the evolution of new peaks in collected Raman spectra. Vickers indentations of various loads were created at quasistatic and dynamic strain rates to trigger amorphization. The resulting imprints and subsurface regions were scanned with Raman spectroscopy to map amorphization intensity at several depths to generate three-dimensional representations of the amorphized zones, which were analyzed to determine the influence of load and strain rate upon amorphized zone characteristics. The square of amorphized zone depth beneath Vickers indentations increases linearly with load and shows little to no strain rate dependence. Sudden decreases in amorphization intensity at certain depths coincided with the presence of lateral cracks, suggesting that lateral cracks may lead to a loss of amorphized material during mechanical polishing. Experimental results were compared against finite element simulations to estimate critical values of stress and strain associated with amorphization. Raman spectra were also analyzed to determine the indentation-induced residual compressive pressure in crystalline boron carbide. In unstressed crystalline boron carbide, a peak exists near 1088 cm-1 which shifts to higher wavenumbers with the application of compressive pressure. The change in position of this crystalline peak was tracked across surfaces at various depths beneath the indentations and then converted into pressure using the piezospectroscopic coefficient of boron carbide. Residual compressive pressures on the order of gigapascals were found near the indentations, with stress relaxation near regions affected by radial cracks, spall, and graphitic inclusions. These measured residual compressive pressures were consistently higher than those predicted by finite element simulations at various loads, suggesting that amorphization, which was not accounted for by the simulations, may increase compressive residual stress in the crystalline material. Amorphization may cause affected regions to expand relative to their formerly crystalline state and exerting radial compressive forces upon the surrounding crystalline regions and circumferential tension along its boundary, thus promoting crack propagation within the amorphized region.

Protection of cortex by overlying meninges tissue during dynamic indentation of the adolescent brain.

PubMed

MacManus, David B; Pierrat, Baptiste; Murphy, Jeremiah G; Gilchrist, Michael D

2017-07-15

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has become a recent focus of biomedical research with a growing international effort targeting material characterization of brain tissue and simulations of trauma using computer models of the head and brain to try to elucidate the mechanisms and pathogenesis of TBI. The meninges, a collagenous protective tri-layer, which encloses the entire brain and spinal cord has been largely overlooked in these material characterization studies. This has resulted in a lack of accurate constitutive data for the cranial meninges, particularly under dynamic conditions such as those experienced during head impacts. The work presented here addresses this lack of data by providing for the first time, in situ large deformation material properties of the porcine dura-arachnoid mater composite under dynamic indentation. It is demonstrated that this tissue is substantially stiffer (shear modulus, μ=19.10±8.55kPa) and relaxes at a slower rate (τ 1 =0.034±0.008s, τ 2 =0.336±0.077s) than the underlying brain tissue (μ=6.97±2.26kPa, τ 1 =0.021±0.007s, τ 2 =0.199±0.036s), reducing the magnitudes of stress by 250% and 65% for strains that arise during indentation-type deformations in adolescent brains. We present the first mechanical analysis of the protective capacity of the cranial meninges using in situ micro-indentation techniques. Force-relaxation tests are performed on in situ meninges and cortex tissue, under large strain dynamic micro-indentation. A quasi-linear viscoelastic model is used subsequently, providing time-dependent mechanical properties of these neural tissues under loading conditions comparable to what is experienced in TBI. The reported data highlights the large differences in mechanical properties between these two tissues. Finite element simulations of the indentation experiments are also performed to investigate the protective capacity of the meninges. These simulations show that the meninges protect the underlying brain tissue by reducing the overall magnitude of stress by 250% and up to 65% for strains. Copyright © 2017 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Elemental, microstructural, and mechanical characterization of high gold orthodontic brackets after intraoral aging.

PubMed

Hersche, Sepp; Sifakakis, Iosif; Zinelis, Spiros; Eliades, Theodore

2017-02-01

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the elemental composition, the microstructure, and the selected mechanical properties of high gold orthodontic brackets after intraoral aging. Thirty Incognito™ (3M Unitek, Bad Essen, Germany) lingual brackets were studied, 15 brackets as received (control group) and 15 brackets retrieved from different patients after orthodontic treatment. The surface of the wing area was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Backscattered electron imaging (BEI) was performed, and the elemental composition was determined by X-ray EDS analysis (EDX). After appropriate metallographic preparation, the mechanical properties tested were Martens hardness (HM), indentation modulus (EIT), elastic index (ηIT), and Vickers hardness (HV). These properties were determined employing instrumented indentation testing (IIT) with a Vickers indenter. The results were statistically analyzed by unpaired t-test (α=0.05). There were no statistically significant differences evidenced in surface morphology and elemental content between the control and the experimental group. These two groups of brackets showed no statistically significant difference in surface morphology. Moreover, the mean values of HM, EIT, ηIT, and HV did not reach statistical significance between the groups (p>0.05). Under the limitations of this study, it may be concluded that the surface elemental content and microstructure as well as the evaluated mechanical properties of the Incognito™ lingual brackets remain unaffected by intraoral aging.

Graded Microstructure and Mechanical Performance of Ti/N-Implanted M50 Steel with Polyenergy.

PubMed

Jie, Jin; Shao, Tianmin

2017-10-19

M50 bearing steels were alternately implanted with Ti⁺ and N⁺ ions using solid and gas ion sources of implantation system, respectively. N-implantation was carried out at an energy of about 80 keV and a fluence of 2 × 10 17 ions/cm², and Ti-implantation at an energy of about 40-90 keV and a fluence of 2 × 10 17 ions/cm². The microstructures of modification layers were analyzed by grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction, auger electron spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the gradient structure was formed under the M50 bearing steel subsurface, along the ion implantation influence zone composed of amorphous, nanocrystalline, and gradient-refinement phases. A layer of precipitation compounds like TiN is formed. In addition, nano-indentation hardness and tribological properties of the gradient structure subsurface were examined using a nano-indenter and a friction and wear tester. The nano-indentation hardness of N + Ti-co-implanted sample is above 12 GPa, ~1.3 times than that of pristine samples. The friction coefficient is smaller than 0.2, which is 22.2% of that of pristine samples. The synergism between precipitation-phase strengthening and gradient microstructure is the main mechanism for improving the mechanical properties of M50 materials.

Graded Microstructure and Mechanical Performance of Ti/N-Implanted M50 Steel with Polyenergy

PubMed Central

Jie, Jin; Shao, Tianmin

2017-01-01

M50 bearing steels were alternately implanted with Ti+ and N+ ions using solid and gas ion sources of implantation system, respectively. N-implantation was carried out at an energy of about 80 keV and a fluence of 2 × 1017 ions/cm2, and Ti-implantation at an energy of about 40–90 keV and a fluence of 2 × 1017 ions/cm2. The microstructures of modification layers were analyzed by grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction, auger electron spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the gradient structure was formed under the M50 bearing steel subsurface, along the ion implantation influence zone composed of amorphous, nanocrystalline, and gradient-refinement phases. A layer of precipitation compounds like TiN is formed. In addition, nano-indentation hardness and tribological properties of the gradient structure subsurface were examined using a nano-indenter and a friction and wear tester. The nano-indentation hardness of N + Ti-co-implanted sample is above 12 GPa, ~1.3 times than that of pristine samples. The friction coefficient is smaller than 0.2, which is 22.2% of that of pristine samples. The synergism between precipitation-phase strengthening and gradient microstructure is the main mechanism for improving the mechanical properties of M50 materials. PMID:29048360

Effect of Co doping on structural and mechanical properties of CeO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiwari, Saurabh; Balasubramanian, Nivedha; Biring, Sajal; Sen, Somaditya

2018-05-01

Sol-gel synthesized nanocrystalline Co doped CeO2 powders [(Ce1-xCoxO2; x=0, 0.03)] were made into cylindrical discs by uniaxial pressing and sintered at 1500°C for 24h to measure mechanical properties. The pure phase formation of undoped and Co doped samples were confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Raman analysis. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for observing the microstructure of sintered samples to investigate density, porosity, and grain size. The grains size observed for 1500°C sintered samples 5-8 µm. Vickers indentation method used for investigating the micro-hardness. For undoped CeO2 micro-hardness was found 6.2 GPa which decreased with Co doping. It was found that samples follow indentation size effect (ISE) and follow elastic than plastic deformation. Enhanced ductile nature with Co doping in CeO2 made it more promising material for optoelectronic device applications.

Mechanical Properties of Shock Treated Aluminium Alloy Al 2024-T4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joshi, K. D.; Mukhopadhyay, A. K.; Dey, A.; Rav, Amit S.; Biswas, S.; Gupta, Satish C.

2012-07-01

Plate impact experiment has been carried out on Al 2024-T4 alloy using single stage gas gun. The dynamic yield strength and spall strength of Al 2024-T4 sample has been determined to be 0.35 GPa and 1.43 GPa, respectively, from free surface velocity history measured using VISAR. The sample recovered after unloading from peak shock pressure of 4.4 GPa along with an unshocked sample is analyzed for mechanical properties using nano-indentation and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The nano-indentation measurements reveal that the hardness and Young's modulus for unshocked sample remains unchanged as a function of load (equivalently depth), however, the same for shocked sample decreases monotonically with increase of load up to ~40 mN and on further increase of load it remains unchanged, suggesting the (i) increase in hardness of shock loaded sample; (ii) the increase in hardness is limited to certain depth, which in our case is 845.12 ± 43.16 nm.

Mechanical properties and microstructural change of W–Y2O3 alloy under helium irradiation

PubMed Central

Tan, Xiaoyue; Luo, Laima; Chen, Hongyu; Zhu, Xiaoyong; Zan, Xiang; Luo, Guangnan; Chen, Junling; Li, Ping; Cheng, Jigui; Liu, Dongping; Wu, Yucheng

2015-01-01

A wet-chemical method combined with spark plasma sintering was used to prepare a W–Y2O3 alloy. High-temperature tensile tests and nano-indentation microhardness tests were used to characterize the mechanical properties of the alloy. After He-ion irradiation, fuzz and He bubbles were observed on the irradiated surface. The irradiation embrittlement was reflected by the crack indentations formed during the microhardness tests. A phase transformation from α-W to γ-W was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Polycrystallization and amorphization were also observed in the irradiation damage layer. The W materials tended to exhibit lattice distortion, amorphization, polycrystallization and phase transformation under He-ion irradiation. The transformation mechanism predicted by the atomic lattice model was consistent with the available experimental observations. These findings clarify the mechanism of the structural transition of W under ion irradiation and provide a clue for identifying materials with greater irradiation resistance. PMID:26227480

Preliminary Microstructural and Microscratch Results of Ni-Cr-Fe and Cr3C2-NiCr Coatings on Magnesium Substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Istrate, B.; Munteanu, C.; Lupescu, S.; Benchea, M.; Vizureanu, P.

2017-06-01

Thermal coatings have a large scale application in aerospace and automotive field, as barriers improving wear mechanical characteristics and corrosion resistance. In present research, there have been used two types of coatings, Ni-Cr-Fe, respectively Cr3C2-NiCr which were deposited on magnesium based alloys (pure magnesium and Mg-30Y master alloy). There have been investigated the microstructural aspects through scanning electronic microscopy and XRD analysis and also a series of mechanical characteristics through microscratch and indentation determinations. The results revealed the formation of some adherent layers resistant to the penetration of the metallic indenter, the coatings did not suffer major damages. Microstructural analysis highlighted the formation of Cr3C2, Cr7C3, Cr3Ni2, Cr7Ni3, FeNi3, Cr-Ni phases. Also, the apparent coefficient of friction for Ni-Cr-Fe coatings presents superior values than Cr3C2-NiCr coatings.

Initial Examination of Low Velocity Sphere Impact of Glass Ceramics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Morrissey, Timothy G; Fox, Ethan E; Wereszczak, Andrew A

This report summarizes US Army TARDEC sponsored work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) involving low velocity (< 30 m/s or < 65 mph) sphere impact testing of two materials from the lithium aluminosilicate family reinforced with different amounts of ceramic particulate, i.e., glass-ceramic materials, SCHOTT Resistan{trademark}-G1 and SCHOTT Resistan{trademark}-L. Both materials are provided by SCHOTT Glass (Duryea, PA). This work is a follow-up to similar sphere impact studies completed by the authors on PPG's Starphire{reg_sign} soda-lime silicate glass and SCHOTT BOROFLOAT{reg_sign} borosilicate glass. A gas gun or a sphere-drop test setup was used to produce controlled velocity delivery ofmore » silicon nitride (Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}) spheres against the glass ceramic tile targets. Minimum impact velocities to initiate fracture in the glass-ceramics were measured and interpreted in context to the kinetic energy of impact and the elastic property mismatch between sphere and target material. Quasistatic spherical indentation was also performed on both glass ceramics and their contact damage responses were compared to those of soda-lime silicate and borosilicate glasses. Lastly, variability of contact damage response was assessed by performing spherical indentation testing across the area of an entire glass ceramic tile. The primary observations from this low velocity (< 30 m/s or < 65 mph) testing were: (1) Resistan{trademark}-L glass ceramic required the highest velocity of sphere impact for damage to initiate. Starphire{reg_sign} soda-lime silicate glass was second best, then Resistan{trademark}-G1 glass ceramic, and then BOROFLOAT{reg_sign} borosilicate glass. (2) Glass-ceramic Resistan{trademark}-L also required the largest force to initiate ring crack from quasi-static indentation. That ranking was followed, in descending order, by Starphire{reg_sign} soda-lime silicate glass, Resistan{trademark}-G1 glass ceramic, and BOROFLOAT{reg_sign} borosilicate glass. (3) Spheres with a lower elastic modulus require less force to initiate fracture in Resistan{trademark}-G1 from quasi-static spherical indentation. This indicates that friction is affecting ring crack initiation in Resistan{trademark}-G1. Friction also affected ring crack initiation in Starphire{reg_sign} soda-lime silicate and BOROFLOAT{reg_sign} borosilicate glasses. Among these three materials, friction was the most pronounced (largest slope in the RCIF-elastic modulus graph) in the Starphire{reg_sign} and least pronounced in the BOROFLOAT{reg_sign}. The reason for this is not understood, but differences in deformation behavior under high contact stresses could be a cause or contributor to this. (4) The force necessary to initiate contact-induced fracture is higher under dynamic conditions than it is under quasi-static conditions in Resistan{trademark}-L and Resistan{trademark}-G1 glass ceramics. This is a trend observed too in Starphire{reg_sign} and BOROFLOAT{reg_sign}. (5) There is a subtle indication there was intra-tile differences in spherical indentation-induced ring crack initiation forces. This is not a material property nor is it exclusive to glass-ceramic Resistan{trademark}-G1 glass ceramic, rather, it is a statistical mechanical response to an accumulated history of processing and handling of that specific tile.« less

Finite element analysis of stresses in Berkovich, Vickers and Knoop indentation for densifying and non-densifying glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Kanghua

2002-08-01

A constitutive law for fused silica accounting for its permanent densification under large compressive stresses is presented. The implementation of the constitutive equations in the general-purpose finite element code ABAQUS via user subroutine is proposed and carefully verified. The three-dimensional indentation mechanics under Berkovich, Vickers and Knoop indenters is extensively investigated based on the proposed constitutive relation. The results of stress distribution and plastic zone for both densifying and non-densifying optical glasses are systematically compared. These numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental observations of optical manufacturing. That is, fused silica shows lower material removal rate, smaller surface roughness and subsurface damage in contrast to non-densifying optical glasses under the same grinding condition. Material densification of fused silica is thoroughly studied through numerical simulations of indentation mechanics. The exact amount of densification and shear strain of fused silica under Berkovich indentation is calculated to show the deformation mechanism of glass materials under three-dimensional indentations. The surface profiles show the material "pile-up" around the indenter tip for non-densifying glasses and "sink-in" for fused silica after the indentation load is removed. An important inverse problem is studied: estimation of abrasive size and indentation load through the examination of residual indentation footprints. A series of 2D axisymmetric spherical indentation simulations generate a wide range of relationships among the indentation load, indenter size, residual indentation depth and size of residual indentation zone for the five selected brittle materials: glass fused silica (FS), BK7, semiconductor Si, laser glass LHG8, and optical crystal CaF2.. The application of the inverse problem is verified by the good agreement between the estimated abrasive size and the actual abrasive size found during a material removal experiment of magnetorheological finishing (MRF) of fused silica. The explanation of indentation size effect (ISE) is attempted using numerical indentation simulations. Vickers indentation simulations on the five selected brittle materials (FS, BK7, Si, LHG8 and CaF2.) show no size dependence of Vickers hardness when the material is modeled as elastic-perfectly plastic (with or without densification). The simulation results on axisymmetric conical indentation also indicate that the bluntness of the indenter tip is not the reason for the indentation size effect. A new constitutive model accounting for the material length scale is needed in order to explain the well-observed indentation size effect during indentation tests.

Interaction of Cracks Between Two Adjacent Indents in Glass

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choi, S. R.; Salem, J. A.

1993-01-01

Experimental observations of the interaction behavior of cracks between two adjacent indents were made using an indentation technique in soda-lime glass. It was specifically demonstrated how one indent crack initiates and propagates in the vicinity of another indent crack. Several types of crack interactions were examined by changing the orientation and distance of one indent relative to the other. It was found that the residual stress field produced by elastic/plastic indentation has a significant influence on controlling the mode of crack interaction. The interaction of an indent crack with a free surface was also investigated for glass and ceramic specimens.

Impact of brushing force on abrasion of acid-softened and sound enamel.

PubMed

Wiegand, A; Köwing, L; Attin, T

2007-11-01

The study aimed to analyse the effects of different brushing loads on abrasion of acid-softened and sound enamel surfaces. Sound and acid-softened surfaces of each 10 human enamel samples were submitted to brushing abrasion in an automatic brushing machine at 1.5 N (A), 2.5 N (B), 3.5 N (C) or 4.5 N (D) brushing load. Prior to abrasion, demineralisation of half of each enamel surface was performed by storage in hydrochloric acid (pH 2.0) for 60s. Brushing was carried out (1000 strokes) using a manual toothbrush and toothpaste slurry in a ratio of 1:3. Enamel loss was measured after 10, 20, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350 and 1000 brushing strokes (BS). Pre- and post-brushing values of Knoop indentation length (5 indentations each sample) were measured and mean enamel loss was calculated from the change in indentation depth. Within- and between-group comparisons were performed by ANOVA and t-test followed by Bonferroni-correction. Enamel loss of acid-softened surfaces was significantly influenced by the brushing load applied and was mostly significantly higher in group D (10-1000 BS: 225-462 nm) compared to A (10-1000 BS: 164-384), B (10-1000 BS: 175-370 nm) and C (10-1000 BS: 191-396 nm). Abrasion of acid-softened enamel was fourfold higher compared to sound surfaces. Sound enamel was significantly influenced by the brushing force at 20-200 brushing strokes only, but revealed no significant differences between groups A-D. Brushing load influences abrasion of briefly eroded enamel, but might be of minor importance for abrasion of sound enamel surfaces.

Carbon Nanotubules: Building Blocks for Nanometer-Scale Engineering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sinnott, Susan B.

1997-01-01

Proximal probe technology has provided researchers with new ways to investigate and manipulate matter on the nanometer scale. We have studied, through molecular dynamics simulations, using a many-body empirical potential, the indentation of a hydrogen-terminated, diamond (111 ) surface, with a proximal probe tip that consists of an open, hydrogen-terminated, (10,10) carbon nanotubule. The simulations showed that upon indenting 1.8 A, the tubule deforms but returns to its original shape upon retraction. The Young's modulus of the tubule was determined using the predicted Euler buckling force and was found to be comparable to measured and calculated values. In a second series of simulations, an open (10, 10) nanotubule was heated to 4500 K and allowed to close. We find that at this temperature the resulting cap contains numerous imperfections, including some not mentioned previously in the literature.

Metrological Characterization of the Vickers Hardness Primary Standard Machine Established at CSIR-NPL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Titus, S. Seelakumar; Vikram; Girish; Jain, Sushil Kumar

2018-06-01

CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) is the National Metrological Institute (NMI) of India, which has the mandate for the realization of SI units of measurements and dissemination of the same to the user organizations. CSIR-NPL has established a hardness standardizing machine for realizing the Vickers hardness scale as per ISO 6507-3 standard for providing national traceability in hardness measurement. Direct verification of the machine has been carried out by measuring the uncertainty in the generated force, the indenter geometry and the indentation measuring system. From these measurements, it is found that the machine exhibits a calibration and measurement capability (CMC) of ±1.5% for HV1-HV3 scales and ±1.0% for HV5-HV50 scales and ±0.8% for HV100 scale.

Roughness encoding in human and biomimetic artificial touch: spatiotemporal frequency modulation and structural anisotropy of fingerprints.

PubMed

Oddo, Calogero Maria; Beccai, Lucia; Wessberg, Johan; Wasling, Helena Backlund; Mattioli, Fabio; Carrozza, Maria Chiara

2011-01-01

The influence of fingerprints and their curvature in tactile sensing performance is investigated by comparative analysis of different design parameters in a biomimetic artificial fingertip, having straight or curved fingerprints. The strength in the encoding of the principal spatial period of ridged tactile stimuli (gratings) is evaluated by indenting and sliding the surfaces at controlled normal contact force and tangential sliding velocity, as a function of fingertip rotation along the indentation axis. Curved fingerprints guaranteed higher directional isotropy than straight fingerprints in the encoding of the principal frequency resulting from the ratio between the sliding velocity and the spatial periodicity of the grating. In parallel, human microneurography experiments were performed and a selection of results is included in this work in order to support the significance of the biorobotic study with the artificial tactile system.

Relationship between thin-film bond strength as measured by a scratch test, and indentation hardness for bonding agents.

PubMed

Kusakabe, Shusuke; Rawls, H Ralph; Hotta, Masato

2016-03-01

To evaluate thin-film bond strength between a bonding agent and human dentin, using a scratch test, and the characteristics and accuracy of measurement. One-step bonding agents (BeautiBond; Bond Force; Adper Easy Bond; Clearfil tri-S Bond) and two-step bonding agents (Cleafil SE Bond; FL-Bond II) were investigated in this study. Flat dentin surfaces were prepared for extracted human molars. The dentin surfaces were ground and bonding agents were applied and light cured. The thin-film bond strength test of the specimens was evaluated by the critical load at which the coated bonding agent failed and dentin appeared. The scratch mark sections were then observed under a scanning electron microscope. Indentation hardness was evaluated by the variation in depth under an applied load of 10gf. Data were compared by one-way ANOVA with the Scheffé's post hoc multiple comparison test (p<0.05). In addition, thin-film bond strength and indentation hardness were analyzed using analysis of correlation and covariance. The thin-film bond strength of two-step bonding agents were found to be significantly higher than that of one-step bonding agents with small standard deviations. Scratch marks consistently showed adhesive failure in the vicinity of the bonding agent/dentin interface. The indentation hardness showed a trend that two-step bonding agents have greater hardness than one-step bonding agents. A moderately significant correlation (r(2)=0.31) was found between thin-film bond strength and indentation hardness. Thin-film bond strength test is a valid and reliable means of evaluating bond strength in the vicinity of the adhesive interface and is more accurate than other methods currently in use. Further, the thin-film bond strength is influenced by the hardness of the cued bonding agent. Copyright © 2015 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Empirical Measurements of Biomechanical Anisotropy of the Human Vocal Fold Lamina Propria

PubMed Central

Kelleher, Jordan E.; Siegmund, Thomas; Du, Mindy; Naseri, Elhum; Chan, Roger W.

2013-01-01

The vocal folds are known to be mechanically anisotropic due to the microstructural arrangement of fibrous proteins such as collagen and elastin in the lamina propria. Even though this has been known for many years, the biomechanical anisotropic properties have rarely been experimentally studied. We propose that an indentation procedure can be used with uniaxial tension in order to obtain an estimate of the biomechanical anisotropy within a single specimen. Experiments were performed on the lamina propria of three male and three female human vocal folds dissected from excised larynges. Two experiments were conducted: each specimen was subjected to cyclic uniaxial tensile loading in the longitudinal (i.e. anterior-posterior) direction, and then to cyclic indentation loading in the transverse (i.e. medial-lateral) direction. The indentation experiment was modeled as contact on a transversely isotropic half-space using the Barnett-Lothe tensors. The longitudinal elastic modulus EL was computed from the tensile test, and the transverse elastic modulus ET and longitudinal shear modulus GL were obtained by inverse analysis of the indentation force-displacement response. It was discovered that the average of EL/ET was 14 for the vocal ligament and 39 for the vocal fold cover specimens. Also, the average of EL/GL, a parameter important for models of phonation, was 28 for the vocal ligament and 54 for the vocal fold cover specimens. These measurements of anisotropy could contribute to more accurate models of fundamental frequency regulation and provide potentially better insights into the mechanics of vocal fold vibration. PMID:22886592

Computational mechanics of viral capsids.

PubMed

Gibbons, Melissa M; Perotti, Luigi E; Klug, William S

2015-01-01

Viral capsids undergo significant mechanical deformations during their assembly, maturation, and infective life-span. In order to characterize the mechanics of viral capsids, their response to applied external forces is analyzed in several experimental studies using, for instance, Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) indentation experiments. In recent years, a broader approach to study the mechanics of viral capsids has leveraged the theoretical tools proper of continuum mechanics. Even though the theory of continuum elasticity is most commonly used to study deformable bodies at larger macroscopic length scales, it has been shown that this very rich theoretical field can still offer useful insights into the mechanics of viral structures at the nanometer scale. Here we show the construction of viral capsid continuum mechanics models starting from different forms of experimental data. We will discuss the kinematics assumptions, the issue of the reference configuration, the material constitutive laws, and the numerical discretization necessary to construct a complete Finite Element capsid mechanical model. Some examples in the second part of the chapter will show the predictive capabilities of the constructed models and underline useful practical aspects related to efficiency and accuracy. We conclude each example by collecting several key findings discovered by simulating AFM indentation experiments using the constructed numerical models.

Emergent Strain Stiffening in Interlocked Granular Chains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dumont, Denis; Houze, Maurine; Rambach, Paul; Salez, Thomas; Patinet, Sylvain; Damman, Pascal

2018-02-01

Granular chain packings exhibit a striking emergent strain-stiffening behavior despite the individual looseness of the constitutive chains. Using indentation experiments on such assemblies, we measure an exponential increase in the collective resistance force F with the indentation depth z and with the square root of the number N of beads per chain. These two observations are, respectively, reminiscent of the self-amplification of friction in a capstan or in interleaved books, as well as the physics of polymers. The experimental data are well captured by a novel model based on these two ingredients. Specifically, the resistance force is found to vary according to the universal relation log F ˜μ √{N }Φ11 /8z /b , where μ is the friction coefficient between two elementary beads, b is their size, and Φ is the volume fraction of chain beads when semidiluted in a surrounding medium of unconnected beads. Our study suggests that theories normally confined to the realm of polymer physics at a molecular level can be used to explain phenomena at a macroscopic level. This class of systems enables the study of friction in complex assemblies, with practical implications for the design of new materials, the textile industry, and biology.

Emergent Strain Stiffening in Interlocked Granular Chains.

PubMed

Dumont, Denis; Houze, Maurine; Rambach, Paul; Salez, Thomas; Patinet, Sylvain; Damman, Pascal

2018-02-23

Granular chain packings exhibit a striking emergent strain-stiffening behavior despite the individual looseness of the constitutive chains. Using indentation experiments on such assemblies, we measure an exponential increase in the collective resistance force F with the indentation depth z and with the square root of the number N of beads per chain. These two observations are, respectively, reminiscent of the self-amplification of friction in a capstan or in interleaved books, as well as the physics of polymers. The experimental data are well captured by a novel model based on these two ingredients. Specifically, the resistance force is found to vary according to the universal relation logF∼μsqrt[N]Φ^{11/8}z/b, where μ is the friction coefficient between two elementary beads, b is their size, and Φ is the volume fraction of chain beads when semidiluted in a surrounding medium of unconnected beads. Our study suggests that theories normally confined to the realm of polymer physics at a molecular level can be used to explain phenomena at a macroscopic level. This class of systems enables the study of friction in complex assemblies, with practical implications for the design of new materials, the textile industry, and biology.

Competition between Bending and Internal Pressure Governs the Mechanics of Fluid Nanovesicles.

PubMed

Vorselen, Daan; MacKintosh, Fred C; Roos, Wouter H; Wuite, Gijs J L

2017-03-28

Nanovesicles (∼100 nm) are ubiquitous in cell biology and an important vector for drug delivery. Mechanical properties of vesicles are known to influence cellular uptake, but the mechanism by which deformation dynamics affect internalization is poorly understood. This is partly due to the fact that experimental studies of the mechanics of such vesicles remain challenging, particularly at the nanometer scale where appropriate theoretical models have also been lacking. Here, we probe the mechanical properties of nanoscale liposomes using atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation. The mechanical response of the nanovesicles shows initial linear behavior and subsequent flattening corresponding to inward tether formation. We derive a quantitative model, including the competing effects of internal pressure and membrane bending, that corresponds well to these experimental observations. Our results are consistent with a bending modulus of the lipid bilayer of ∼14k b T. Surprisingly, we find that vesicle stiffness is pressure dominated for adherent vesicles under physiological conditions. Our experimental method and quantitative theory represents a robust approach to study the mechanics of nanoscale vesicles, which are abundant in biology, as well as being of interest for the rational design of liposomal vectors for drug delivery.

Comparison of the Identation and Elasticity of E.coli and its Spheroplasts by AFM

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sullivan, Claretta J; Venkataraman, Sankar; Retterer, Scott T

2007-01-01

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) provides a unique opportunity to study live individual bacteria at the nanometer scale. In addition to providing accurate morphological information, AFM can be exploited to investigate membrane protein localization and molecular interactions on the surface of living cells. A prerequisite for these studies is the development of robust procedures for sample preparation. While such procedures are established for intact bacteria, they are only beginning to emerge for bacterial spheroplasts. Spheroplasts are useful research models for studying mechanosensitive ion channels, membrane transport, lipopolysaccharide translocation, solute uptake, and the effects of antimicrobial agents on membranes. Furthermore, given themore » similarities between spheroplasts and cell wall-deficient (CWD) forms of pathogenic bacteria, spheroplast research could be relevant in biomedical research. In this paper, a new technique for immobilizing spheroplasts on mica pretreated with aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and glutaraldehyde is described. Using this mounting technique, the indentation and cell elasticity of glutaraldehyde-fixed and untreated spheroplasts of E. coli in liquid were measured. These values are compared to those of intact E. coli. Untreated spheroplasts were found to be much softer than the intact cells and the silicon nitride cantilevers used in this study.« less

Dilatational band formation in bone

PubMed Central

Poundarik, Atharva A.; Diab, Tamim; Sroga, Grazyna E.; Ural, Ani; Boskey, Adele L.; Gundberg, Caren M.; Vashishth, Deepak

2012-01-01

Toughening in hierarchically structured materials like bone arises from the arrangement of constituent material elements and their interactions. Unlike microcracking, which entails micrometer-level separation, there is no known evidence of fracture at the level of bone’s nanostructure. Here, we show that the initiation of fracture occurs in bone at the nanometer scale by dilatational bands. Through fatigue and indentation tests and laser confocal, scanning electron, and atomic force microscopies on human and bovine bone specimens, we established that dilatational bands of the order of 100 nm form as ellipsoidal voids in between fused mineral aggregates and two adjacent proteins, osteocalcin (OC) and osteopontin (OPN). Laser microdissection and ELISA of bone microdamage support our claim that OC and OPN colocalize with dilatational bands. Fracture tests on bones from OC and/or OPN knockout mice (OC−/−, OPN−/−, OC-OPN−/−;−/−) confirm that these two proteins regulate dilatational band formation and bone matrix toughness. On the basis of these observations, we propose molecular deformation and fracture mechanics models, illustrating the role of OC and OPN in dilatational band formation, and predict that the nanometer scale of tissue organization, associated with dilatational bands, affects fracture at higher scales and determines fracture toughness of bone. PMID:23129653

Indentation size effects in single crystal copper as revealed by synchrotron x-ray microdiffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, G.; Budiman, A. S.; Nix, W. D.; Tamura, N.; Patel, J. R.

2008-08-01

For a Cu single crystal, we find that indentation hardness increases with decreasing indentation depth, a phenomenon widely observed before and called the indentation size effect (ISE). To understand the underlying mechanism, we measure the lattice rotations in indentations of different sizes using white beam x-ray microdiffraction (μXRD); the indentation-induced lattice rotations are directly measured by the streaking of x-ray Laue spots associated with the indentations. The magnitude of the lattice rotations is found to be independent of indentation size, which is consistent with the basic tenets of the ISE model. Using the μXRD data together with an ISE model, we can estimate the effective radius of the indentation plastic zone, and the estimate is consistent with the value predicted by a finite element analysis. Using these results, an estimate of the average dislocation densities within the plastic zones has been made; the findings are consistent with the ISE arising from a dependence of the dislocation density on the depth of indentation.

Biological and nano-indentation properties of polybenzoxazine-based composites reinforced with zirconia particles as a novel biomaterial.

PubMed

Lotfi, L; Javadpour, J; Naimi-Jamal, M R

2018-01-01

The biological and mechanical properties of substances are relevant to their application as biomaterials and there are many efforts to enhance biocompatibility and mechanical properties of bio-medical materials. In this study, to achieve a low rate of shrinkage during polymerization, good mechanical properties, and excellent biocompatibility, benzoxazine based composites were synthesized. Benzoxazine monomer was synthesized using a solventless method. FTIR and DSC analysis were carried out to determine the appropriate polymerization temperature. The low viscosity of the benzoxazine monomer at 70°C attract us to use in situ polymerization after high speed ball milling of the benzoxazine and it mixture with different weight fractions of zirconia particles. Dispersion and adhesion between the ceramic and polymer components were evaluate by SEM. To evaluate the biological properties and toxicity of the polybenzoxazine-based composite samples reinforced with zirconia particles, 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was conducted. The micromechanical properties of each composite were evaluated by more than 20 nanoindentation tests and 3 nanoscratching tests. Surface topography of scratched regions was investigated using Atomic Force Microscopy. Shrinkage was simulated by Materials Studio software. SEM images showed good dispersion and adhesion between the ceramic and polymer components. Biocompatibility assay showed excellent in vitro biocompatibility. Nano-indentation force-displacement curves showed matrix, reinforcement and interphase regions in specimens and excellent homogeneity in mechanical properties. The nanoindentation results showed that the addition of zirconia particles to the polybenzoxazine matrix increased the modulus and hardness of the neat polybenzoxazine; however, by adding more than an optimum level of reinforcement particles, the mechanical properties decreased due to the agglomeration of reinforcement particles and weak interphase that cause inappropriate load transferring between matrix and reinforcement particles. Results of nano-scratching tests showed effects of zirconia particles as reinforcement on the coeffiecient of friction of the synthesized composites. Shrinkage simulation showed a low rate of shrinkage for polybenzoxazine in comparison with other low shrinkage polymers, such as Bis-GMA. Polybenzoxazine based composites that reinforced with an optimum amount of zirconia particles (60% wt micro and 10% wt nano-particles) could be used as a novel biomaterial duo to its excellent biocompatibility, good mechanical properties, appropriate viscosity and low rate of polymeization shrinkage.

Study of mechanical behavior of AFM silicon tips under mechanical load

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kopycinska-Mueller, M.; Gluch, J.; Köhler, B.

2016-11-01

In this paper we address critical issues concerning calibration of AFM based methods used for nanoscale mechanical characterization of materials. It has been shown that calibration approaches based on macroscopic models for contact mechanics may yield excellent results in terms of the indentation modulus of the sample, but fail to provide a comprehensive and actual information concerning the tip-sample contact radius or the mechanical properties of the tip. Explanations for the severely reduced indentation modulus of the tip included the inadequacies of the models used for calculations of the tip-sample contact stiffness, discrepancies in the actual and ideal shape of the tip, presence of the amorphous silicon phase within the silicon tip, as well as negligence of the actual size of the stress field created in the tip during elastic interactions. To clarify these issues, we investigated the influence of the mechanical load applied to four AFM silicon tips on their crystalline state by exposing them to systematically increasing loads, evaluating the character of the tip-sample interactions via the load-unload stiffness curves, and assessing the state of the tips from HR-TEM images. The results presented in this paper were obtained in a series of relatively simple and basic atomic force acoustic microscopy (AFAM) experiments. The novel combination of TEM imaging of the AFM tips with the analysis of the load-unload stiffness curves gave us a detailed insight into their mechanical behavior under load conditions. We were able to identify the limits for the elastic interactions, as well as the hallmarks for phase transformation and dislocation formation and movement. The comparison of the physical dimensions of the AFM tips, geometry parameters determined from the values of the contact stiffness, and the information on the crystalline state of the tips allowed us a better understanding of the nanoscale contact.

Indentation experiments and simulation of ovine bone using a viscoelastic-plastic damage model

PubMed Central

Zhao, Yang; Wu, Ziheng; Turner, Simon; MacLeay, Jennifer; Niebur, Glen L.; Ovaert, Timothy C.

2015-01-01

Indentation methods have been widely used to study bone at the micro- and nanoscales. It has been shown that bone exhibits viscoelastic behavior with permanent deformation during indentation. At the same time, damage due to microcracks is induced due to the stresses beneath the indenter tip. In this work, a simplified viscoelastic-plastic damage model was developed to more closely simulate indentation creep data, and the effect of the model parameters on the indentation curve was investigated. Experimentally, baseline and 2-year postovariectomized (OVX-2) ovine (sheep) bone samples were prepared and indented. The damage model was then applied via finite element analysis to simulate the bone indentation data. The mechanical properties of yielding, viscosity, and damage parameter were obtained from the simulations. The results suggest that damage develops more quickly for OVX-2 samples under the same indentation load conditions as the baseline data. PMID:26136623

Influence of speed on wear and cutting forces in end-milling nickel alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Estrems, M.; Sánchez, H. T.; Kurfess, T.; Bunget, C.

2012-04-01

The effect of speed on the flank wear of the cutting tool when a nickel alloy is milled is studied. From the analysis of the measured forces, a dynamic semi-experimental model is developed based on the parallelism between the curve of the thrust forces of the unworn tool and the curves when the flank of the tool is worn. Based on the change in the geometry of the contact in the flank worrn face, a theory of indentation of the tool on the workpiece is formulated in such a way that upon applying equations of contact mechanics, a good approximation of the experimental results is obtained.

Biomechanical Strengthening of the Human Cornea Induced by Nanoplatform-Based Transepithelial Riboflavin/UV-A Corneal Cross-Linking.

PubMed

Labate, Cristina; Lombardo, Marco; Lombardo, Giuseppe; De Santo, Maria Penelope

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical stiffening effect induced by nanoplatform-based transepithelial riboflavin/UV-A cross-linking protocol using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Twelve eye bank donor human sclerocorneal tissues were investigated using a commercial atomic force microscope operated in force spectroscopy mode. Four specimens underwent transepithelial corneal cross-linking using a hypotonic solution of 0.1% riboflavin with biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin plus enhancers (trometamol and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and UV-A irradiation with a 10 mW/cm2 device for 9 minutes. After treatment, the corneal epithelium was removed using the Amoils brush, and the Young's modulus of the most anterior stroma was quantified as a function of scan rate by AFM. The results were compared with those collected from four specimens that underwent conventional riboflavin/UV-A corneal cross-linking and four untreated specimens. The average Young's modulus of the most anterior stroma after the nanoplatform-based transepithelial and conventional riboflavin/UV-A corneal cross-linking treatments was 2.5 times (P < 0.001) and 1.7 times (P < 0.001) greater than untreated controls respectively. The anterior stromal stiffness was significantly different between the two corneal cross-linking procedures (P < 0.001). The indentation depth decreased after corneal cross-linking treatments, ranging from an average of 2.4 ± 0.3 μm in untreated samples to an average of 1.2 ± 0.1 μm and 1.8 ± 0.1 μm after nanoplatform-based transepithelial and conventional cross-linking, respectively. The present nanotechnology-based transepithelial riboflavin/UV-A corneal cross-linking was effective to improve the biomechanical strength of the most anterior stroma of the human cornea.

A representative-sandwich model for simultaneously coupled mechanical-electrical-thermal simulation of a lithium-ion cell under quasi-static indentation tests

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Chao; Santhanagopalan, Shriram; Sprague, Michael A.; ...

2015-08-29

The safety behavior of lithium-ion batteries under external mechanical crush is a critical concern, especially during large scale deployment. We previously presented a sequentially coupled mechanical-electrical-thermal modeling approach for studying mechanical abuse induced short circuit. Here in this work, we study different mechanical test conditions and examine the interaction between mechanical failure and electrical-thermal responses, by developing a simultaneous coupled mechanical-electrical-thermal model. The present work utilizes a single representative-sandwich (RS) to model the full pouch cell with explicit representations for each individual component such as the active material, current collector, separator, etc. Anisotropic constitutive material models are presented to describemore » the mechanical properties of active materials and separator. The model predicts accurately the force-strain response and fracture of battery structure, simulates the local failure of separator layer, and captures the onset of short circuit for lithium-ion battery cell under sphere indentation tests with three different diameters. Electrical-thermal responses to the three different indentation tests are elaborated and discussed. Lastly, numerical studies are presented to show the potential impact of test conditions on the electrical-thermal behavior of the cell after the occurrence of short circuit.« less

Indentation analysis of active viscoelastic microplasmodia of P. polycephalum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fessel, Adrian; Oettmeier, Christina; Wechsler, Klaus; Döbereiner, Hans-Günther

2018-01-01

Simple organisms like Physarum polycephalum realize complex behavior, such as shortest path optimization or habituation, via mechanochemical processes rather than by a network of neurons. A full understanding of these phenomena requires detailed investigation of the underlying mechanical properties. To date, micromechanical measurements on P. polycephalum are sparse and lack reproducibility. This prompts study of microplasmodia, a reproducible and homogeneous form of P. polycephalum that resembles the plasmodial ectoplasm responsible for mechanical stability and generation of forces. We combine investigation of ultra-structure and dimension of P. polycephalum with the analysis of data obtained by indentation of microplasmodia, employing a novel nonlinear viscoelastic scaling model that accounts for finite dimension of the sample. We identify the multi-modal distribution of parameters such as Young’s moduls, Poisson’s ratio, and relaxation times associated with viscous processes that cover five orders of magnitude. Results suggest a characterization of microplasmodia as porous, compressible structures that act like elastic solids with high Young’s modulus on short time scales, whereas on long time-scales and upon repeated indentation viscous behavior dominates and the effective modulus is significantly decreased. Furthermore, Young’s modulus is found to oscillate in phase with shape of microplasmodia, emphasizing that modeling P. polycephalum oscillations as a driven oscillator with constant moduli is not practicable.

A representative-sandwich model for simultaneously coupled mechanical-electrical-thermal simulation of a lithium-ion cell under quasi-static indentation tests

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Chao; Santhanagopalan, Shriram; Sprague, Michael A.

The safety behavior of lithium-ion batteries under external mechanical crush is a critical concern, especially during large scale deployment. We previously presented a sequentially coupled mechanical-electrical-thermal modeling approach for studying mechanical abuse induced short circuit. Here in this work, we study different mechanical test conditions and examine the interaction between mechanical failure and electrical-thermal responses, by developing a simultaneous coupled mechanical-electrical-thermal model. The present work utilizes a single representative-sandwich (RS) to model the full pouch cell with explicit representations for each individual component such as the active material, current collector, separator, etc. Anisotropic constitutive material models are presented to describemore » the mechanical properties of active materials and separator. The model predicts accurately the force-strain response and fracture of battery structure, simulates the local failure of separator layer, and captures the onset of short circuit for lithium-ion battery cell under sphere indentation tests with three different diameters. Electrical-thermal responses to the three different indentation tests are elaborated and discussed. Lastly, numerical studies are presented to show the potential impact of test conditions on the electrical-thermal behavior of the cell after the occurrence of short circuit.« less

Size Effects in Impact Damage of Composite Sandwich Panels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dobyns, Alan; Jackson, Wade

2003-01-01

Panel size has a large effect on the impact response and resultant damage level of honeycomb sandwich panels. It has been observed during impact testing that panels of the same design but different panel sizes will show large differences in damage when impacted with the same impact energy. To study this effect, a test program was conducted with instrumented impact testing of three different sizes of sandwich panels to obtain data on panel response and residual damage. In concert with the test program. a closed form analysis method was developed that incorporates the effects of damage on the impact response. This analysis method will predict both the impact response and the residual damage of a simply-supported sandwich panel impacted at any position on the panel. The damage is incorporated by the use of an experimental load-indentation curve obtained for the face-sheet/honeycomb and indentor combination under study. This curve inherently includes the damage response and can be obtained quasi-statically from a rigidly-backed specimen or a specimen with any support conditions. Good correlation has been obtained between the test data and the analysis results for the maximum force and residual indentation. The predictions can be improved by using a dynamic indentation curve. Analyses have also been done using the MSC/DYTRAN finite element code.

Traceability in hardness measurements: from the definition to industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Germak, Alessandro; Herrmann, Konrad; Low, Samuel

2010-04-01

The measurement of hardness has been and continues to be of significant importance to many of the world's manufacturing industries. Conventional hardness testing is the most commonly used method for acceptance testing and production quality control of metals and metallic products. Instrumented indentation is one of the few techniques available for obtaining various property values for coatings and electronic products in the micrometre and nanometre dimensional scales. For these industries to be successful, it is critical that measurements made by suppliers and customers agree within some practical limits. To help assure this measurement agreement, a traceability chain for hardness measurement traceability from the hardness definition to industry has developed and evolved over the past 100 years, but its development has been complicated. A hardness measurement value not only requires traceability of force, length and time measurements but also requires traceability of the hardness values measured by the hardness machine. These multiple traceability paths are needed because a hardness measurement is affected by other influence parameters that are often difficult to identify, quantify and correct. This paper describes the current situation of hardness measurement traceability that exists for the conventional hardness methods (i.e. Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers and Knoop hardness) and for special-application hardness and indentation methods (i.e. elastomer, dynamic, portables and instrumented indentation).

Roughness Encoding in Human and Biomimetic Artificial Touch: Spatiotemporal Frequency Modulation and Structural Anisotropy of Fingerprints

PubMed Central

Oddo, Calogero Maria; Beccai, Lucia; Wessberg, Johan; Wasling, Helena Backlund; Mattioli, Fabio; Carrozza, Maria Chiara

2011-01-01

The influence of fingerprints and their curvature in tactile sensing performance is investigated by comparative analysis of different design parameters in a biomimetic artificial fingertip, having straight or curved fingerprints. The strength in the encoding of the principal spatial period of ridged tactile stimuli (gratings) is evaluated by indenting and sliding the surfaces at controlled normal contact force and tangential sliding velocity, as a function of fingertip rotation along the indentation axis. Curved fingerprints guaranteed higher directional isotropy than straight fingerprints in the encoding of the principal frequency resulting from the ratio between the sliding velocity and the spatial periodicity of the grating. In parallel, human microneurography experiments were performed and a selection of results is included in this work in order to support the significance of the biorobotic study with the artificial tactile system. PMID:22163915

A viscoelastic analysis of the P56 mouse brain under large-deformation dynamic indentation.

PubMed

MacManus, David B; Pierrat, Baptiste; Murphy, Jeremiah G; Gilchrist, Michael D

2017-01-15

The brain is a complex organ made up of many different functional and structural regions consisting of different types of cells such as neurons and glia, as well as complex anatomical geometries. It is hypothesized that the different regions of the brain exhibit significantly different mechanical properties which may be attributed to the diversity of cells within individual brain regions. The regional viscoelastic properties of P56 mouse brain tissue, up to 70μm displacement, are presented and discussed in the context of traumatic brain injury, particularly how the different regions of the brain respond to mechanical loads. Force-relaxation data obtained from micro-indentation measurements were fit to both linear and quasi-linear viscoelastic models to determine the time and frequency domain viscoelastic response of the pons, cortex, medulla oblongata, cerebellum, and thalamus. The damping ratio of each region was also determined. Each region was found to have a unique mechanical response to the applied displacement, with the pons and thalamus exhibiting the largest and smallest force-response, respectively. All brain regions appear to have an optimal frequency for the dissipation of energies which lies between 1 and 10Hz. We present the first mechanical characterization of the viscoelastic response for different regions of mouse brain. Force-relaxation tests are performed under large strain dynamic micro-indentation, and viscoelastic models are used subsequently, providing time-dependent mechanical properties of brain tissue under loading conditions comparable to what is experienced in TBI. The unique mechanical properties of different brain regions are highlighted, with substantial variations in the viscoelastic properties and damping ratio of each region. Cortex and pons were the stiffest regions, while the thalamus and medulla were most compliant. The cerebellum and thalamus had highest damping ratio values and those of the medulla were lowest. The reported material parameters can be implemented into finite element computer models of the mouse to investigate the effects of trauma on individual brain regions. Copyright © 2016 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Investigation of Quasi-Static Indentation Response of Inkjet Printed Sandwich Structures under Various Indenter Geometries

PubMed Central

Dikshit, Vishwesh; Nagalingam, Arun Prasanth; Yap, Yee Ling; Sing, Swee Leong; Yeong, Wai Yee; Wei, Jun

2017-01-01

The objective of this investigation was to determine the quasi-static indentation response and failure mode in three-dimensional (3D) printed trapezoidal core structures, and to characterize the energy absorbed by the structures. In this work, the trapezoidal sandwich structure was designed in the following two ways. Firstly, the trapezoidal core along with its facesheet was 3D printed as a single element comprising a single material for both core and facesheet (type A); Secondly, the trapezoidal core along with facesheet was 3D printed, but with variation in facesheet materials (type B). Quasi-static indentation was carried out using three different indenters, namely standard hemispherical, conical, and flat indenters. Acoustic emission (AE) technique was used to capture brittle cracking in the specimens during indentation. The major failure modes were found to be brittle failure and quasi-brittle fractures. The measured indentation energy was at a maximum when using a conical indenter at 9.40 J and 9.66 J and was at a minimum when using a hemispherical indenter at 6.87 J and 8.82 J for type A and type B series specimens respectively. The observed maximum indenter displacements at failure were the effect of material variations and composite configurations in the facesheet. PMID:28772649

Investigation of Quasi-Static Indentation Response of Inkjet Printed Sandwich Structures under Various Indenter Geometries.

PubMed

Dikshit, Vishwesh; Nagalingam, Arun Prasanth; Yap, Yee Ling; Sing, Swee Leong; Yeong, Wai Yee; Wei, Jun

2017-03-14

The objective of this investigation was to determine the quasi-static indentation response and failure mode in three-dimensional (3D) printed trapezoidal core structures, and to characterize the energy absorbed by the structures. In this work, the trapezoidal sandwich structure was designed in the following two ways. Firstly, the trapezoidal core along with its facesheet was 3D printed as a single element comprising a single material for both core and facesheet (type A); Secondly, the trapezoidal core along with facesheet was 3D printed, but with variation in facesheet materials (type B). Quasi-static indentation was carried out using three different indenters, namely standard hemispherical, conical, and flat indenters. Acoustic emission (AE) technique was used to capture brittle cracking in the specimens during indentation. The major failure modes were found to be brittle failure and quasi-brittle fractures. The measured indentation energy was at a maximum when using a conical indenter at 9.40 J and 9.66 J and was at a minimum when using a hemispherical indenter at 6.87 J and 8.82 J for type A and type B series specimens respectively. The observed maximum indenter displacements at failure were the effect of material variations and composite configurations in the facesheet.

Non-contact lateral force microscopy.

PubMed

Weymouth, A J

2017-08-16

The goal of atomic force microscopy (AFM) is to measure the short-range forces that act between the tip and the surface. The signal recorded, however, includes long-range forces that are often an unwanted background. Lateral force microscopy (LFM) is a branch of AFM in which a component of force perpendicular to the surface normal is measured. If we consider the interaction between tip and sample in terms of forces, which have both direction and magnitude, then we can make a very simple yet profound observation: over a flat surface, long-range forces that do not yield topographic contrast have no lateral component. Short-range interactions, on the other hand, do. Although contact-mode is the most common LFM technique, true non-contact AFM techniques can be applied to perform LFM without the tip depressing upon the sample. Non-contact lateral force microscopy (nc-LFM) is therefore ideal to study short-range forces of interest. One of the first applications of nc-LFM was the study of non-contact friction. A similar setup is used in magnetic resonance force microscopy to detect spin flipping. More recently, nc-LFM has been used as a true microscopy technique to systems unsuitable for normal force microscopy.

Local density measurement of additive manufactured copper parts by instrumented indentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santo, Loredana; Quadrini, Fabrizio; Bellisario, Denise; Tedde, Giovanni Matteo; Zarcone, Mariano; Di Domenico, Gildo; D'Angelo, Pierpaolo; Corona, Diego

2018-05-01

Instrumented flat indentation has been used to evaluate local density of additive manufactured (AM) copper samples with different relative density. Indentations were made by using tungsten carbide (WC) flat pins with 1 mm diameter. Pure copper powders were used in a selective laser melting (SLM) machine to produce samples to test. By changing process parameters, samples density was changed from the relative density of 63% to 71%. Indentation tests were performed on the xy surface of the AM samples. In order to make a correlation between indentation test results and sample density, the indentation pressure at fixed displacement was selected. Results show that instrumented indentation is a valid technique to measure density distribution along the geometry of an SLM part. In fact, a linear trend between indentation pressure and sample density was found for the selected density range.

Optimization of the arthroscopic indentation instrument for the measurement of thin cartilage stiffness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyyra-Laitinen, Tiina; Niinimäki, Mia; Töyräs, Juha; Lindgren, Reijo; Kiviranta, Ilkka; Jurvelin, Jukka S.

1999-10-01

Structural alterations associated with early, mostly reversible, degeneration of articular cartilage induce tissue softening, generally preceding fibrillation and, thus, visible changes of the cartilage surface. We have already developed an indentation instrument for measuring arthroscopic stiffness of cartilage with typical thickness >2 mm. The aim of this study was to extend the applicability of the instrument for the measurement of thin (<2 mm) cartilage stiffness. Variations in cartilage thickness, which will not be known during arthroscopy, can nonetheless affect the indentation measurement, and therefore optimization of the indenter dimensions is necessary. First, we used theoretical and finite element models to compare plane-ended and spherical-ended indenters and, then, altered the dimensions to determine the optimal indenter for thin cartilage measurements. Finally, we experimentally validated the optimized indenter using bovine humeral head cartilage. Reference unconfined compression measurements were carried out with a material testing device. The spherical-ended indenter was more insensitive to the alterations in cartilage thickness (20% versus 39% in the thickness range 1.5-5 mm) than the plane-ended indenter. For thin cartilage, the optimal dimensions for the spherical-ended indenter were 0.5 mm for diameter and 0.1 mm for height. The experimental stiffness measurements with this indenter correlated well with the reference measurements (r = 0.811, n = 31, p<0.0001) in the cartilage thickness range 0.7-1.8 mm. We conclude that the optimized indenter is reliable and well suited for the measurement of thin cartilage stiffness.

Actin cytoskeleton stiffness grades metastatic potential of ovarian carcinoma Hey A8 cells via nanoindentation mapping.

PubMed

Zhou, Z L; Sun, X X; Ma, J; Tong, M H; To, S K Y; Wong, A S T; Ngan, A H W

2017-07-26

Recent studies have indicated that the nanoindentation measured stiffness of carcinoma adherent cells is in general lower than normal cells, thus suggesting that cell stiffness may serve as a bio-marker for carcinoma. However, the proper establishment of such a conclusion would require biophysical understanding of the underlying mechanism of the cell stiffness. In this work, we compared the elastic moduli of the actin cytoskeletons of Hey A8 ovarian carcinoma cells with and without metastasis (HM and NM), as measured by 2D atomic force microscopy (AFM) with low-depth nanoindentation via a rate-jump method. The results indicate clearly that HM cells showed lower actin cytoskeleton stiffness atop of their nucleus position and higher actin cytoskeleton stiffness at their rims, compared to NM cells, suggesting that the local stiffness on the cytoskeleton can reflect actin filament distribution. Immunofluorescence staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) also indicated that the difference in stiffness in Hey A8 cells with different metastasis is associated with their F-actin rearrangement. Finite-element modelling (FEM) shows that a migrating cell would have its actin filaments bundled together to form stress fibers, which would exhibit lower indentation stiffness than the less aligned arrangement of filaments in a non-migrating cell. The results here indicate that the actin cytoskeleton stiffness can serve as a reliable marker for grading the metastasis of adherent carcinoma cells due to their cytoskeleton change and potentially predicting the migration direction of the cells. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

On the relationship between indentation hardness and modulus, and the damage resistance of biological materials.

PubMed

Labonte, David; Lenz, Anne-Kristin; Oyen, Michelle L

2017-07-15

The remarkable mechanical performance of biological materials is based on intricate structure-function relationships. Nanoindentation has become the primary tool for characterising biological materials, as it allows to relate structural changes to variations in mechanical properties on small scales. However, the respective theoretical background and associated interpretation of the parameters measured via indentation derives largely from research on 'traditional' engineering materials such as metals or ceramics. Here, we discuss the functional relevance of indentation hardness in biological materials by presenting a meta-analysis of its relationship with indentation modulus. Across seven orders of magnitude, indentation hardness was directly proportional to indentation modulus. Using a lumped parameter model to deconvolute indentation hardness into components arising from reversible and irreversible deformation, we establish criteria which allow to interpret differences in indentation hardness across or within biological materials. The ratio between hardness and modulus arises as a key parameter, which is related to the ratio between irreversible and reversible deformation during indentation, the material's yield strength, and the resistance to irreversible deformation, a material property which represents the energy required to create a unit volume of purely irreversible deformation. Indentation hardness generally increases upon material dehydration, however to a larger extent than expected from accompanying changes in indentation modulus, indicating that water acts as a 'plasticiser'. A detailed discussion of the role of indentation hardness, modulus and toughness in damage control during sharp or blunt indentation yields comprehensive guidelines for a performance-based ranking of biological materials, and suggests that quasi-plastic deformation is a frequent yet poorly understood damage mode, highlighting an important area of future research. Instrumented indentation is a widespread tool for characterising the mechanical properties of biological materials. Here, we show that the ratio between indentation hardness and modulus is approximately constant in biological materials. A simple elastic-plastic series deformation model is employed to rationalise part of this correlation, and criteria for a meaningful comparison of indentation hardness across biological materials are proposed. The ratio between indentation hardness and modulus emerges as the key parameter characterising the relative amount of irreversible deformation during indentation. Despite their comparatively high hardness to modulus ratio, biological materials are susceptible to quasiplastic deformation, due to their high toughness: quasi-plastic deformation is hence hypothesised to be a frequent yet poorly understood phenomenon, highlighting an important area of future research. Copyright © 2017 Acta Materialia Inc. All rights reserved.

Intrinsic material properties of cortical bone.

PubMed

Lopez Franco, Gloria E; Blank, Robert D; Akhter, Mohammed P

2011-01-01

The G171V mutation (high bone mass, HBM) is autosomal dominant and is responsible for high bone mass in humans. Transgenic HBM mice in which the human LRP5 G171V gene is inserted also show a similar phenotype with greater bone mass and biomechanical performance than wild-type mice, as determined by whole bone testing. Whole bone mechanics, however, depend jointly on bone mass, architecture, and intrinsic bone tissue mechanical properties. To determine whether the HBM mutation affects tissue-level biomechanical performance, we performed nano-indentation testing of unembedded cortical bone from HBM mice and their nontransgenic (NTG) littermates. Femora from 17-week-old mice (female, 8 mice/genotype) were subjected to nano-indentation using a Triboscope (Hysitron, Minneapolis, MN, USA). For each femoral specimen, approximately 10 indentations were made on the midshaft anterior surface with a target force of either 3 or 9 mN at a constant loading rate of 400 mN/s. The load-displacement data from each test were used to calculate indentation modulus and hardness for bone tissue. The intrinsic material property that reflected the bone modulus was greater (48%) in the HBM as compared to the NTG mice. Our results of intrinsic properties are consistent with the published structural and material properties of the midshaft femur in HBM and NTG mice. The greater intrinsic modulus in HBM reflects greater bone mineral content as compared to NTG (wild-type, WT) mice. This study suggests that the greater intrinsic property of cortical bone is derived from the greater bone mineral content and BMD, resulting in greater bone strength in HBM as compared to NTG (WT) mice.

Indentation studies on Y[sub 2]O[sub 3]-stabilized ZrO[sub 2]; 1: Development of indentation-induced cracks

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kaliszewski, M.S.; Behrens, G.; Heuer, A.H.

1994-05-01

The development of Vickers indent-induced cracks with increasing indent load has been studied in two Y[sub 2]O[sub 3]-stabilized ZrO[sub 2] ceramics. Such cracks form as radial or Palmqvist cracks at low loads, assume kidney'' shapes at intermediate loads, and finally form median (half-penny) cracks at high loads. The plastic zone directly beneath the indent is uncracked; a significant portion of the plasticity induced by indentation occurs by martensitic transformation.

A miniaturized test method for the mechanical characterization of structural materials for fusion reactors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gondi, P.; Donato, A.; Montanari, R.; Sili, A.

1996-10-01

This work deals with a non-destructive method for mechanical tests which is based on the indentation of materials at a constant rate by means of a cylinder with a small radius and penetrating flat surface. The load versus penetration depth curves obtained using this method have shown correspondences with those of tensile tests and have given indications about the mechanical properties on a reduced scale. In this work penetration tests have been carried out on various kinds of Cr martensitic steels (MANET-2, BATMAN and modified F82H) which are of interest for first wall and structural applications in future fusion reactors. The load versus penetration depth curves have been examined with reference to data obtained in tensile tests and to microhardness measurements. Penetration tests have been performed at various temperature (from -180 to 100°C). Conclusions, which can be drawn for the ductile to brittle transition, are discussed for MANET-2 steel. Preliminary results obtained on BATMAN and modified F82H steels are reported. The characteristics of the indenter imprints have been studied by scanning electron microscopy.

Elastic and mechanical softening in boron-doped diamond

PubMed Central

Liu, Xiaobing; Chang, Yun-Yuan; Tkachev, Sergey N.; Bina, Craig R.; Jacobsen, Steven D.

2017-01-01

Alternative approaches to evaluating the hardness and elastic properties of materials exhibiting physical properties comparable to pure diamond have recently become necessary. The classic linear relationship between shear modulus (G) and Vickers hardness (HV), along with more recent non-linear formulations based on Pugh’s modulus extending into the superhard region (HV > 40 GPa) have guided synthesis and identification of novel superabrasives. These schemes rely on accurately quantifying HV of diamond-like materials approaching or potentially exceeding the hardness of the diamond indenter, leading to debate about methodology and the very definition of hardness. Elasticity measurements on such materials are equally challenging. Here we used a high-precision, GHz-ultrasonic interferometer in conjunction with a newly developed optical contact micrometer and 3D optical microscopy of indentations to evaluate elasticity-hardness relations in the ultrahard range (HV > 80 GPa) by examining single-crystal boron-doped diamond (BDD) with boron contents ranging from 50–3000 ppm. We observe a drastic elastic-mechanical softening in highly doped BDD relative to the trends observed for superhard materials, providing insight into elasticity-hardness relations for ultrahard materials. PMID:28233808

Characterization of plastic deformation in a disk bend test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Byun, T. S.; Lee, E. H.; Hunn, J. D.; Farrell, K.; Mansur, L. K.

2001-04-01

A disk bend test technique has been developed to study deformation mechanisms as well as mechanical properties. In the disk bend test, a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) disk size specimen of 3 mm diameter ×0.25 mm thick is clamped around its rim in a circular holder and indented with a tungsten carbide ball of 1 mm diameter on its back face. AISI 316LN austenitic stainless steel and 9Cr-2WVTa ferritic/martensitic steel were selected as test materials. A model was developed to determine the average plastic strain and surface plastic strain in the disk bend test. The deformation regimes of the plastic strain versus deflection curves corresponded to those of the load versus deflection curves. The stress state of the disk bend deformation was analyzed for the two test materials and compared with those of other mechanical tests such as uniaxial tensile, compact tension, and ball indentation tests. Slip line features at the deformed surface and the corresponding TEM microstructures were examined for both tensile and disk bend specimens. Differences and similarities in deformation between the disk bend and the tensile tests are described.

Elastic and mechanical softening in boron-doped diamond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xiaobing; Chang, Yun-Yuan; Tkachev, Sergey N.; Bina, Craig R.; Jacobsen, Steven D.

2017-02-01

Alternative approaches to evaluating the hardness and elastic properties of materials exhibiting physical properties comparable to pure diamond have recently become necessary. The classic linear relationship between shear modulus (G) and Vickers hardness (HV), along with more recent non-linear formulations based on Pugh’s modulus extending into the superhard region (HV > 40 GPa) have guided synthesis and identification of novel superabrasives. These schemes rely on accurately quantifying HV of diamond-like materials approaching or potentially exceeding the hardness of the diamond indenter, leading to debate about methodology and the very definition of hardness. Elasticity measurements on such materials are equally challenging. Here we used a high-precision, GHz-ultrasonic interferometer in conjunction with a newly developed optical contact micrometer and 3D optical microscopy of indentations to evaluate elasticity-hardness relations in the ultrahard range (HV > 80 GPa) by examining single-crystal boron-doped diamond (BDD) with boron contents ranging from 50-3000 ppm. We observe a drastic elastic-mechanical softening in highly doped BDD relative to the trends observed for superhard materials, providing insight into elasticity-hardness relations for ultrahard materials.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pathak, S.; Li, N.; Maeder, X.

We investigated the mechanical response of physical vapor deposited Cu–TiN nanolayered composites of varying layer thicknesses from 5 nm to 200 nm. Both the Cu and TiN layers were found to consist of single phase nanometer sized grains. The grain sizes in the Cu and TiN layers, measured using transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, were found to be comparable to or smaller than their respective layer thicknesses. Indentation hardness testing revealed that the hardness of such nanolayered composites exhibits a weak dependence on the layer thickness but is more correlated to their grain size.

Evolution of radiation defect and radiation hardening in heat treated SA508 Gr3 steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Hyung-Ha; Kwon, Junhyun; Shin, Chansun

2014-01-01

The formation of radiation defects and corresponding radiation hardening in heat-treated SA508 Gr3 steel after Fe ion irradiation were investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy and a nano-indentation technique. As the residual dislocation density is increased in the matrix, the formation of radiation defects is considerably weakened. Comparison between the characteristics of the radiation defect and an evaluation of radiation hardening indicates that a large dislocation loop contributes little to the radiation hardening in the heat-treated SA508 Gr3 steel.

Indentation cracking of composite matrix materials.

PubMed

Baran, G; Shin, W; Abbas, A; Wunder, S

1994-08-01

Composite restorative materials wear by a fatigue mechanism in the occlusal contact area. Here, tooth cusps and food debris cyclically indent the restoration. Modeling this phenomenon requires an understanding of material response to indentation. The question in this study was whether material response depends on indenter size and geometry, and also, whether polymers used in restorative materials should be considered elastic and brittle, or plastic and ductile for modeling purposes. Three resins used as matrices in proprietary restorative composites were the experimental materials. To ascertain the influence of glass transition temperature, liquid sorption, and small amounts of filler on indentation response, we prepared materials with various degrees of cure; some samples were soaked in a 50/50 water/ethanol solution, and 3 vol% silica was added in some cases. Indentation experiments revealed that no cracking occurred in any material after indentation by Vickers pyramid or spherical indenters with diameters equal to or smaller than 0.254 mm. Larger spherical indenters induced subsurface median and surface radial and/or ring cracks. Critical loads causing subsurface cracks were measured. Indentation with suitably large spherical indenters provoked an elastoplastic response in polymers, and degree of cure and Tg had less influence on critical load than soaking in solution. Crack morphology was correlated with yield strain. Commonly held assumptions regarding the brittle elastic behavior of composite matrix materials may be incorrect.

Influence of strain rate on indentation response of porcine brain.

PubMed

Qian, Long; Zhao, Hongwei; Guo, Yue; Li, Yuanshang; Zhou, Mingxing; Yang, Liguo; Wang, Zhiwei; Sun, Yifan

2018-06-01

Knowledge of brain tissue mechanical properties may be critical for formulating hypotheses about some specific diseases mechanisms and its accurate simulations such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) and tumor growth. Compared to traditional tests (e.g. tensile and compression), indentation shows superiority by virtue of its pinpoint and nondestructive/quasi-nondestructive. As a viscoelastic material, the properties of brain tissue depend on the strain rate by definition. However most efforts focus on the aspect of velocity in the field of brain indentation, rather than strain rate. The influence of strain rate on indentation response of brain tissue is taken little attention. Further, by comparing different results from literatures, it is also obvious that strain rate rather than velocity is more appropriate to characterize mechanical properties of brain. In this paper, to systematically characterize the influence of strain rate, a series of indentation-relaxation tests n = 210) are performed on the cortex of porcine brain using a custom-designed indentation device. The mechanical response that correlates with indenter diameters, depths of indentation and velocities, is revealed for the indentation portion, and elastic behavior of brain tissue is analyzed as the function of strain rate. Similarly, a linear viscoelastic model with a Prony series is employed for the indentation-relaxation portion, wherein the brain tissue shows more viscous and responds more quickly with increasing strain rate. Understanding the effect of strain rate on mechanical properties of brain indentation may be far-reaching for brain injury biomechanics and accurate simulations, but be important for bridging between indentation results of different literatures. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Optical properties and indentation hardness of thin-film acrylated epoxidized oil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahman, Mohammad Syuhaimi Ab.; Shaktur, Khaled Mohamed; Mohammad, Rahmah; Zalikha, Wan Aimi; Nawi, Norwimie; Mohd, Ahmad Faiza

2012-02-01

Epoxy acrylate has been widely used as optical resin for applications such as cladding, the core of a waveguide, and other photonic devices. In this study, sustainable resin from edible oil was used as an alternative to epoxy acrylate. Structural features and the transmission of planar thin-film resin from an ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS) spectrometer were investigated upon UV exposure. It was found that high transmission still persists for all samples with and without an UV absorber for exposed and unexposed samples. The film was found to absorb strongly below 400 nm. A change in the cut-off wavelength was observed upon exposure. Thin-film hardness and its dynamic indentation in the load-unload mode with different test forces were evaluated. Vickers hardness and the elastic modulus were determined for unacrylated epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) and acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO). It was found that the AESO has a higher Vickers hardness and elastic modulus than those of unacrylated thin film. The Vickers hardness and elastic modulus were found to increase as the applied test force increased. The refractive index, thickness, and modes present were characterized from a spin-coated planar thin film. The refractive index in the transverse electric mode (TE) and transverse magnetic mode (TM) were determined and compared for unacrylated and acrylated epoxidized oil.

A mathematical method for quantifying in vivo mechanical behaviour of heel pad under dynamic load.

PubMed

Naemi, Roozbeh; Chatzistergos, Panagiotis E; Chockalingam, Nachiappan

2016-03-01

Mechanical behaviour of the heel pad, as a shock attenuating interface during a foot strike, determines the loading on the musculoskeletal system during walking. The mathematical models that describe the force deformation relationship of the heel pad structure can determine the mechanical behaviour of heel pad under load. Hence, the purpose of this study was to propose a method of quantifying the heel pad stress-strain relationship using force-deformation data from an indentation test. The energy input and energy returned densities were calculated by numerically integrating the area below the stress-strain curve during loading and unloading, respectively. Elastic energy and energy absorbed densities were calculated as the sum of and the difference between energy input and energy returned densities, respectively. By fitting the energy function, derived from a nonlinear viscoelastic model, to the energy density-strain data, the elastic and viscous model parameters were quantified. The viscous and elastic exponent model parameters were significantly correlated with maximum strain, indicating the need to perform indentation tests at realistic maximum strains relevant to walking. The proposed method showed to be able to differentiate between the elastic and viscous components of the heel pad response to loading and to allow quantifying the corresponding stress-strain model parameters.

Effects of Power-Law Plasticity on Deformation Fields underneath Vickers Indenter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chollacoop, Nuwong; Srikant, Gollapudi; Ramamurty, Upadrasta

The effects of power-law plasticity (yield strength σy and strain hardening exponent n) on the plastic strain distribution underneath a Vickers indenter was explicitly investigated by recourse to macro- and micro-indentation experiments on heat-treated Al-Zn-Mg alloy. With carefully designed aging profile, Al alloy can achieve similar σy with different n, and vice versa. Using the Vickers tip, the samples were macro-indented, sectioned and micro-indented to construct the sub-surface strain distribution. Thus, the effects of σy and n on stain distribution underneath Vickers indenter were revealed.

Dielectrophoretic immobilization of proteins: Quantification by atomic force microscopy.

PubMed

Laux, Eva-Maria; Knigge, Xenia; Bier, Frank F; Wenger, Christian; Hölzel, Ralph

2015-09-01

The combination of alternating electric fields with nanometer-sized electrodes allows the permanent immobilization of proteins by dielectrophoretic force. Here, atomic force microscopy is introduced as a quantification method, and results are compared with fluorescence microscopy. Experimental parameters, for example the applied voltage and duration of field application, are varied systematically, and the influence on the amount of immobilized proteins is investigated. A linear correlation to the duration of field application was found by atomic force microscopy, and both microscopical methods yield a square dependence of the amount of immobilized proteins on the applied voltage. While fluorescence microscopy allows real-time imaging, atomic force microscopy reveals immobilized proteins obscured in fluorescence images due to low S/N. Furthermore, the higher spatial resolution of the atomic force microscope enables the visualization of the protein distribution on single nanoelectrodes. The electric field distribution is calculated and compared to experimental results with very good agreement to atomic force microscopy measurements. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Nanoscale Roughness of Faults Explained by the Scale-Dependent Yield Stress of Geologic Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thom, C.; Brodsky, E. E.; Carpick, R. W.; Goldsby, D. L.; Pharr, G.; Oliver, W.

2017-12-01

Despite significant differences in their lithologies and slip histories, natural fault surfaces exhibit remarkably similar scale-dependent roughness over lateral length scales spanning 7 orders of magnitude, from microns to tens of meters. Recent work has suggested that a scale-dependent yield stress may result in such a characteristic roughness, but experimental evidence in favor of this hypothesis has been lacking. We employ an atomic force microscope (AFM) operating in intermittent-contact mode to map the topography of the Corona Heights fault surface. Our experiments demonstrate that the Corona Heights fault exhibits isotropic self-affine roughness with a Hurst exponent of 0.75 +/- 0.05 at all wavelengths from 60 nm to 10 μm. If yield stress controls roughness, then the roughness data predict that yield strength varies with length scale as λ-0.25 +/ 0.05. To test the relationship between roughness and yield stress, we conducted nanoindentation tests on the same Corona Heights sample and a sample of the Yair Fault, a carbonate fault surface that has been previously characterized by AFM. A diamond Berkovich indenter tip was used to indent the samples at a nominally constant strain rate (defined as the loading rate divided by the load) of 0.2 s-1. The continuous stiffness method (CSM) was used to measure the indentation hardness (which is proportional to yield stress) and the elastic modulus of the sample as a function of depth in each test. For both samples, the yield stress decreases with increasing size of the indents, a behavior consistent with that observed for many engineering materials and recently for other geologic materials such as olivine. The magnitude of this "indentation size effect" is best described by a power-law with exponents of -0.12 +/- 0.06 and -0.18 +/- 0.08 for the Corona Heights and Yair Faults, respectively. These results demonstrate a link between surface roughness and yield stress, and suggest that fault geometry is the physical manifestation of a scale-dependent yield stress.

In situ spectroscopic study of the plastic deformation of amorphous silicon under nonhydrostatic conditions induced by indentation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gerbig, Yvonne B.; Michaels, C. A.; Bradby, Jodie E.

Indentation-induced plastic deformation of amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin films was studied by in situ Raman imaging of the deformed contact region of an indented sample, employing a Raman spectroscopy-enhanced instrumented indentation technique (IIT). The occurrence and evolving spatial distribution of changes in the a-Si structure caused by processes, such as polyamorphization and crystallization, induced by indentation loading were observed. Furthermore, the obtained experimental results are linked with previously published work on the plastic deformation of a-Si under hydrostatic compression and shear deformation to establish a model for the deformation behavior of a-Si under indentation loading.

In situ spectroscopic study of the plastic deformation of amorphous silicon under nonhydrostatic conditions induced by indentation

DOE PAGES

Gerbig, Yvonne B.; Michaels, C. A.; Bradby, Jodie E.; ...

2015-12-17

Indentation-induced plastic deformation of amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin films was studied by in situ Raman imaging of the deformed contact region of an indented sample, employing a Raman spectroscopy-enhanced instrumented indentation technique (IIT). The occurrence and evolving spatial distribution of changes in the a-Si structure caused by processes, such as polyamorphization and crystallization, induced by indentation loading were observed. Furthermore, the obtained experimental results are linked with previously published work on the plastic deformation of a-Si under hydrostatic compression and shear deformation to establish a model for the deformation behavior of a-Si under indentation loading.

Deformation field heterogeneity in punch indentation

PubMed Central

Murthy, Tejas G.; Saldana, Christopher; Hudspeth, Matthew; M'Saoubi, Rachid

2014-01-01

Plastic heterogeneity in indentation is fundamental for understanding mechanics of hardness testing and impression-based deformation processing methods. The heterogeneous deformation underlying plane-strain indentation was investigated in plastic loading of copper by a flat punch. Deformation parameters were measured, in situ, by tracking the motion of asperities in high-speed optical imaging. These measurements were coupled with multi-scale analyses of strength, microstructure and crystallographic texture in the vicinity of the indentation. Self-consistency is demonstrated in description of the deformation field using the in situ mechanics-based measurements and post-mortem materials characterization. Salient features of the punch indentation process elucidated include, among others, the presence of a dead-metal zone underneath the indenter, regions of intense strain rate (e.g. slip lines) and extent of the plastic flow field. Perhaps more intriguing are the transitions between shear-type and compression-type deformation modes over the indentation region that were quantified by the high-resolution crystallographic texture measurements. The evolution of the field concomitant to the progress of indentation is discussed and primary differences between the mechanics of indentation for a rigid perfectly plastic material and a strain-hardening material are described. PMID:24910521

Scanning and transmission electron microscopic analysis of ampullary segment of oviduct during estrous cycle in caprines.

PubMed

Sharma, R K; Singh, R; Bhardwaj, J K

2015-01-01

The ampullary segment of the mammalian oviduct provides suitable milieu for fertilization and development of zygote before implantation into uterus. It is, therefore, in the present study, the cyclic changes in the morphology of ampullary segment of goat oviduct were studied during follicular and luteal phases using scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Topographical analysis revealed the presence of uniformly ciliated ampullary epithelia, concealing apical processes of non-ciliated cells along with bulbous secretory cells during follicular phase. The luteal phase was marked with decline in number of ciliated cells with increased occurrence of secretory cells. The ultrastructure analysis has demonstrated the presence of indented nuclear membrane, supranuclear cytoplasm, secretory granules, rough endoplasmic reticulum, large lipid droplets, apically located glycogen masses, oval shaped mitochondria in the secretory cells. The ciliated cells were characterized by the presence of elongated nuclei, abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum, oval or spherical shaped mitochondria with crecentric cristae during follicular phase. However, in the luteal phase, secretory cells were possessing highly indented nucleus with diffused electron dense chromatin, hyaline nucleosol, increased number of lipid droplets. The ciliated cells had numerous fibrous granules and basal bodies. The parallel use of scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques has enabled us to examine the cyclic and hormone dependent changes occurring in the topography and fine structure of epithelium of ampullary segment and its cells during different reproductive phases that will be great help in understanding major bottle neck that limits success rate in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer technology. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A poroelastic finite element model of the bone-cartilage unit to determine the effects of changes in permeability with osteoarthritis.

PubMed

Stender, Michael E; Regueiro, Richard A; Ferguson, Virginia L

2017-02-01

The changes experienced in synovial joints with osteoarthritis involve coupled chemical, biological, and mechanical processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the consequences of increasing permeability in articular cartilage (AC), calcified cartilage (CC), subchondral cortical bone (SCB), and subchondral trabecular bone (STB) as observed with osteoarthritis. Two poroelastic finite element models were developed using a depth-dependent anisotropic model of AC with strain-dependent permeability and poroelastic models of calcified tissues (CC, SCB, and STB). The first model simulated a bone-cartilage unit (BCU) in uniaxial unconfined compression, while the second model simulated spherical indentation of the AC surface. Results indicate that the permeability of AC is the primary determinant of the BCU's poromechanical response while the permeability of calcified tissues exerts no appreciable effect on the force-indentation response of the BCU. In spherical indentation simulations with osteoarthritic permeability properties, fluid velocities were larger in magnitude and distributed over a smaller area compared to normal tissues. In vivo, this phenomenon would likely lead to chondrocyte death, tissue remodeling, alterations in joint lubrication, and the progression of osteoarthritis. For osteoarthritic and normal tissue permeability values, fluid flow was predicted to occur across the osteochondral interface. These results help elucidate the consequences of increases in the permeability of the BCU that occur with osteoarthritis. Furthermore, this study may guide future treatments to counteract osteoarthritis.

Changes in tissue water and indentation resistance of lymphedematous limbs accompanying low level laser therapy (LLLT) of fibrotic skin.

PubMed

Mayrovitz, H N; Davey, S

2011-12-01

Our goal was to determine effects of low-level-laser-therapy (LLLT) on skin water and tissue indentation resistance (TIR) in patients with arm (N = 38) or leg (N = 38) lymphedema. Skin water was determined from tissue dielectric constant (TDC) measurements and TIR determined from measurements of force resulting from tissue indentations of 3-4 mm. A limb-location with fibrosis was identified by palpation and treated with an LLLT device for one minute at each of five points within a 3 cm2 area. TDC and TIR at these sites and corresponding sites on the contralateral limb were measured prior to LLLT (pre-LLLT), immediately after LLLT (post-LLLT) and after a manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) session (post-MLD). Results, from arms and legs, showed that post-LLLT values of TIR and TDC were significantly less than pre-LLLT. TIR values remained significantly reduced at post-MLD whereas TDC values were not significantly different from pre-LLLT values. On follow-up visit, 17 previously LLLT treated legs were sham treated with an inactive LLLT unit and measurements replicated. A TIR and TDC change-pattern similar to that obtained with the active LLLT was obtained, but sham-related reductions in TIR and TDC immediately post sham-treatment were significantly less than achieved with the prior active LLLT treatment.

In situ measurement and modeling of biomechanical response of human cadaveric soft tissues for physics-based surgical simulation.

PubMed

Lim, Yi-Je; Deo, Dhanannjay; Singh, Tejinder P; Jones, Daniel B; De, Suvranu

2009-06-01

Development of a laparoscopic surgery simulator that delivers high-fidelity visual and haptic (force) feedback, based on the physical models of soft tissues, requires the use of empirical data on the mechanical behavior of intra-abdominal organs under the action of external forces. As experiments on live human patients present significant risks, the use of cadavers presents an alternative. We present techniques of measuring and modeling the mechanical response of human cadaveric tissue for the purpose of developing a realistic model. The major contribution of this paper is the development of physics-based models of soft tissues that range from linear elastic models to nonlinear viscoelastic models which are efficient for application within the framework of a real-time surgery simulator. To investigate the in situ mechanical, static, and dynamic properties of intra-abdominal organs, we have developed a high-precision instrument by retrofitting a robotic device from Sensable Technologies (position resolution of 0.03 mm) with a six-axis Nano 17 force-torque sensor from ATI Industrial Automation (force resolution of 1/1,280 N along each axis), and used it to apply precise displacement stimuli and record the force response of liver and stomach of ten fresh human cadavers. The mean elastic modulus of liver and stomach is estimated as 5.9359 kPa and 1.9119 kPa, respectively over the range of indentation depths tested. We have also obtained the parameters of a quasilinear viscoelastic (QLV) model to represent the nonlinear viscoelastic behavior of the cadaver stomach and liver over a range of indentation depths and speeds. The models are found to have an excellent goodness of fit (with R (2) > 0.99). The data and models presented in this paper together with additional ones based on the principles presented in this paper would result in realistic physics-based surgical simulators.

Invited Article: Indenter materials for high temperature nanoindentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wheeler, J. M.; Michler, J.

2013-10-01

As nanoindentation at high temperatures becomes increasingly popular, a review of indenter materials for usage at high temperatures is instructive for identifying appropriate indenter-sample materials combinations to prevent indenter loss or failure due to chemical reactions or wear during indentation. This is an important consideration for nanoindentation as extremely small volumes of reacted indenter material will have a significant effect on measurements. The high temperature hardness, elastic modulus, thermal properties, and chemical reactivities of diamond, boron carbide, silicon carbide, tungsten carbide, cubic boron nitride, and sapphire are discussed. Diamond and boron carbide show the best elevated temperature hardness, while tungsten carbide demonstrates the lowest chemical reactivity with the widest array of elements.

Axisymmetric indentation of curved elastic membranes by a convex rigid indenter

PubMed Central

Pearce, S.P.; King, J.R.; Holdsworth, M.J.

2011-01-01

Motivated by applications to seed germination, we consider the transverse deflection that results from the axisymmetric indentation of an elastic membrane by a rigid body. The elastic membrane is fixed around its boundary, with or without an initial pre-stretch, and may be initially curved prior to indentation. General indenter shapes are considered, and the load–indentation curves that result for a range of spheroidal tips are obtained for both flat and curved membranes. Wrinkling may occur when the membrane is initially curved, and a relaxed strain-energy function is used to calculate the deformed profile in this case. Applications to experiments designed to measure the mechanical properties of seed endosperms are discussed. PMID:22298913

Indentation property and corrosion resistance of electroless nickel-phosphorus coatings deposited on austenitic high-Mn TWIP steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamada, A. S.; Sahu, P.; Porter, D. A.

2015-11-01

A multilayer coating using electroless nickel-phosphorus (Ni-P) was applied on a twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steel containing nominally 25 wt.% Mn and 3 wt.% Al to improve the indentation hardness and corrosion properties. Microindentation tests with two different indenters, namely, a three-sided pyramidal Berkovich indenter and a ball indenter were performed to study the mechanical response, the indentation hardness and elastic modulus of the coatings in conditions: as-plated, and post treated (PT) at 350 °C and 700 °C for 1 h. The deformation morphology underneath the indenters was examined using a scanning laser microscope. The results showed that Ni-P coatings could significantly enhance the surface hardness of the TWIP steel. Significant improvement in the corrosion resistance could be observed in a sulfuric acid solution for the Ni-P coated steel compared to the uncoated substrate TWIP steel.

Deformation behavior of micro-indentation defects under uniaxial and biaxial loads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Zhichao; Zhao, Hongwei; Lu, Shuai; Li, Hailian; Liu, Changyi; Liu, Xianhua

2015-09-01

The microdefects of structure frequently act as the source to generate initial cracks and lead to the fracture failure. Study on the deformation behaviors of embedded defects would be conducive to better understand the failure mechanisms of structural materials. Micro-indentation technique was applied to prepare the initial indentations as embedded surface defects at the gauge length section and central section of a cross-shaped AZ31B magnesium alloy specimen. A novel in situ biaxial tensile device was developed to apply the synchronous biaxial loads. Via the observation by an optical microscope with three-dimensional imaging and measurement functions, the changing laws of the indentation topographies under uniaxial and biaxial tensile loads were discussed. Compared with the gauge length section, the increasing trend of the indentation length of the central section was relatively flat, and the decreasing trend of the indentation depth was more significant. The changes of indentation topographies were explained by the Poisson effect, and the significant plastic tensile stress has led to the releasing of the residual stress around the indentation location and also promoted the planarization of the pileup.

Deformation behavior of micro-indentation defects under uniaxial and biaxial loads.

PubMed

Ma, Zhichao; Zhao, Hongwei; Lu, Shuai; Li, Hailian; Liu, Changyi; Liu, Xianhua

2015-09-01

The microdefects of structure frequently act as the source to generate initial cracks and lead to the fracture failure. Study on the deformation behaviors of embedded defects would be conducive to better understand the failure mechanisms of structural materials. Micro-indentation technique was applied to prepare the initial indentations as embedded surface defects at the gauge length section and central section of a cross-shaped AZ31B magnesium alloy specimen. A novel in situ biaxial tensile device was developed to apply the synchronous biaxial loads. Via the observation by an optical microscope with three-dimensional imaging and measurement functions, the changing laws of the indentation topographies under uniaxial and biaxial tensile loads were discussed. Compared with the gauge length section, the increasing trend of the indentation length of the central section was relatively flat, and the decreasing trend of the indentation depth was more significant. The changes of indentation topographies were explained by the Poisson effect, and the significant plastic tensile stress has led to the releasing of the residual stress around the indentation location and also promoted the planarization of the pileup.

Mechanical properties of metastatic breast cancer cells invading into collagen I matrices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ros, Robert

2014-03-01

Mechanical interactions between cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) are critical to the metastasis of cancer cells. To investigate the mechanical interplay between the cells and ECM during invasion, we created thin bovine collagen I hydrogels ranging from 0.1-5 kPa in Young's modulus that were seeded with highly metastatic MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Significant population fractions invaded the matrices either partially or fully within 24 h. We then combined confocal fluorescence microscopy and indentation with an atomic force microscope to determine the Young's moduli of individual embedded cells and the pericellular matrix using novel analysis methods for heterogeneous samples. In partially embedded cells, we observe a statistically significant correlation between the degree of invasion and the Young's modulus, which was up to an order of magnitude greater than that of the same cells measured in 2D. ROCK inhibition returned the cells' Young's moduli to values similar to 2D and diminished but did not abrogate invasion. This provides evidence that Rho/ROCK-dependent acto-myosin contractility is employed for matrix reorganization during initial invasion, and suggests the observed cell stiffening is due to an attendant increase in actin stress fibers. This work was supported by the National Cancer Institute under the grant U54 CA143862.

Mechanical Properties of Stable Glasses Using Nanoindentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wolf, Sarah; Liu, Tianyi; Jiang, Yijie; Ablajan, Keyume; Zhang, Yue; Walsh, Patrick; Turner, Kevin; Fakhraai, Zahra

Glasses with enhanced stability over ordinary, liquid quenched glasses have been formed via the process of Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) by using a sufficiently slow deposition rate and a substrate temperature slightly below the glass transition temperature. These stable glasses have been shown to exhibit higher density, lower enthalpy, and better kinetic stability over ordinary glass, and are typically optically birefringent, due to packing and orientational anisotropy. Given these exceptional properties, it is of interest to further investigate how the properties of stable glasses compare to those of ordinary glass. In particular, the mechanical properties of stable glasses remain relatively under-investigated. While the speed of sound and elastic moduli have been shown to increase with increased stability, little is known about their hardness and fracture toughness compared to ordinary glasses. In this study, glasses of 9-(3,5-di(naphthalen-1-yl)phenyl)anthracene were deposited at varying temperatures relative to their glass transition temperature, and their mechanical properties measured by nanoindentation. Hardness and elastic modulus of the glasses were compared across substrate temperatures. After indentation, the topography of these films were studied using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) in order to further compare the relationship between thermodynamic and kinetic stability and mechanical failure. Z.F. and P.W. acknowledge funding from NSF(DMREF-1628407).

Biomechanics of Single Cortical Neurons

PubMed Central

Bernick, Kristin B.; Prevost, Thibault P.; Suresh, Subra; Socrate, Simona

2011-01-01

This study presents experimental results and computational analysis of the large strain dynamic behavior of single neurons in vitro with the objective of formulating a novel quantitative framework for the biomechanics of cortical neurons. Relying on the atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique, novel testing protocols are developed to enable the characterization of neural soma deformability over a range of indentation rates spanning three orders of magnitude – 10, 1, and 0.1 μm/s. Modified spherical AFM probes were utilized to compress the cell bodies of neonatal rat cortical neurons in load, unload, reload and relaxation conditions. The cell response showed marked hysteretic features, strong non-linearities, and substantial time/rate dependencies. The rheological data were complemented with geometrical measurements of cell body morphology, i.e. cross-diameter and height estimates. A constitutive model, validated by the present experiments, is proposed to quantify the mechanical behavior of cortical neurons. The model aimed to correlate empirical findings with measurable degrees of (hyper-) elastic resilience and viscosity at the cell level. The proposed formulation, predicated upon previous constitutive model developments undertaken at the cortical tissue level, was implemented into a three-dimensional finite element framework. The simulated cell response was calibrated to the experimental measurements under the selected test conditions, providing a novel single cell model that could form the basis for further refinements. PMID:20971217

Ag implantation-induced modification of Ni-Ti shape memory alloy thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, V.; Singhal, R.; Vishnoi, R.; Banerjee, M. K.; Sharma, M. C.; Asokan, K.; Kumar, M.

2017-08-01

Nanocrystalline thin films of Ni-Ti shape memory alloy are deposited on an Si substrate by the DC-magnetron co-sputtering technique and 120 keV Ag ions are implanted at different fluences. The thickness and composition of the pristine films are determined by Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS). X-Ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and four-point probe resistivity methods have been used to study the structural, morphological and electrical transport properties. XRD analysis has revealed the existence of martensitic and austenite phases in the pristine film and also evidenced the structural changes in Ag-implanted Ni-Ti films at different fluences. AFM studies have revealed that surface roughness and grain size of Ni-Ti films have decreased with an increase in ion fluence. The modifications in the mechanical behaviour of implanted Ni-Ti films w.r.t pristine film is determined by using a Nano-indentation tester at room temperature. Higher hardness and the ratio of higher hardness (H) to elastic modulus (Er) are observed for the film implanted at an optimized fluence of 9 × 1015 ions/cm2. This improvement in mechanical behaviour could be understood in terms of grain refinement and dislocation induced by the Ag ion implantation in the Ni-Ti thin films.

TGF-β induces changes in breast cancer cell deformability.

PubMed

Kulkarni, Ankur; Chatterjee, Aritra; Kondaiah, Paturu; Gundiah, Namrata

2018-05-10

Mechanical properties of cells regulate cell behaviors which lead to phenotypic changes that may aid in the development and progression of disease. In this study, we used atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation with a spherical probe to characterize the elastic and viscoelastic properties of invasive (MDA-MB-231) and noninvasive (MCF-7) breast cancer cells treated with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). We also used confocal fluorescence imaging to investigate the sub-membrane cytoskeletal structure of the cells. Results showed significant alterations in moduli of both cell types after 24 hour TGF-β treatment which had a context dependent response; moduli for MDA-MB-231 decreased whereas MCF-7 demonstrated stiffening response. Viscoelastic characterization using stress relaxation tests showed increased fluid-like nature of MDA-MB-231 following TGF-β treatment and lower fluidity for MCF-7 cells. We also observed significant alterations in the expression and orientation of actin stress fibers with TGF-β treatment which correlated with the changes in cell mechanics. The less invasive MCF-7 cells had a delayed overall increase in cell deformability after 48 hour exposure to TGF-β; a similar trend was observed for MDA-MB cells. These changes may be important to facilitate migration, for instance, during metastasis of cancer cells through submicron sized spaces. © 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Evaluation of barely visible indentation damage (BVID) in CF/EP sandwich composites using guided wave signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mustapha, Samir; Ye, Lin; Dong, Xingjian; Alamdari, Mehrisadat Makki

2016-08-01

Barely visible indentation damage after quasi-static indentation in sandwich CF/EP composites was assessed using ultrasonic guided wave signals. Finite element analyses were conducted to investigate the interaction between guided waves and damage, further to assist in the selection process of the Lamb wave sensitive modes for debonding identification. Composite sandwich beams and panels structures were investigated. Using the beam structure, a damage index was defined based on the change in the peak magnitude of the captured wave signals before and after the indentation, and the damage index was correlated with the residual deformation (defined as the depth of the dent), that was further correlated with the amount of crushing within the core. Both A0 and S0 Lamb wave modes showed high sensitivity to the presence of barely visible indentation damage with residual deformation of 0.2 mm. Furthermore, barely visible indentation damage was assessed in composite sandwich panels after indenting to 3 and 5 mm, and the damage index was defined, based on (a) the peak magnitude of the wave signals before and after indentation or (b) the mismatch between the original and reconstructed wave signals based on a time-reversal algorithm, and was subsequently applied to locate the position of indentation.

Multidirectional In Vivo Characterization of Skin Using Wiener Nonlinear Stochastic System Identification Techniques.

PubMed

Parker, Matthew D; Jones, Lynette A; Hunter, Ian W; Taberner, A J; Nash, M P; Nielsen, P M F

2017-01-01

A triaxial force-sensitive microrobot was developed to dynamically perturb skin in multiple deformation modes, in vivo. Wiener static nonlinear identification was used to extract the linear dynamics and static nonlinearity of the force-displacement behavior of skin. Stochastic input forces were applied to the volar forearm and thenar eminence of the hand, producing probe tip perturbations in indentation and tangential extension. Wiener static nonlinear approaches reproduced the resulting displacements with variances accounted for (VAF) ranging 94-97%, indicating a good fit to the data. These approaches provided VAF improvements of 0.1-3.4% over linear models. Thenar eminence stiffness measures were approximately twice those measured on the forearm. Damping was shown to be significantly higher on the palm, whereas the perturbed mass typically was lower. Coefficients of variation (CVs) for nonlinear parameters were assessed within and across individuals. Individual CVs ranged from 2% to 11% for indentation and from 2% to 19% for extension. Stochastic perturbations with incrementally increasing mean amplitudes were applied to the same test areas. Differences between full-scale and incremental reduced-scale perturbations were investigated. Different incremental preloading schemes were investigated. However, no significant difference in parameters was found between different incremental preloading schemes. Incremental schemes provided depth-dependent estimates of stiffness and damping, ranging from 300 N/m and 2 Ns/m, respectively, at the surface to 5 kN/m and 50 Ns/m at greater depths. The device and techniques used in this research have potential applications in areas, such as evaluating skincare products, assessing skin hydration, or analyzing wound healing.

Investigation of PDMS based bi-layer elasticity via interpretation of apparent Young's modulus.

PubMed

Sarrazin, Baptiste; Brossard, Rémy; Guenoun, Patrick; Malloggi, Florent

2016-02-21

As the need of new methods for the investigation of thin films on various kinds of substrates becomes greater, a novel approach based on AFM nanoindentation is explored. Substrates of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coated by a layer of hard material are probed with an AFM tip in order to obtain the force profile as a function of the indentation. The equivalent elasticity of those composite systems is interpreted using a new numerical approach, the Coated Half-Space Indentation Model of Elastic Response (CHIMER), in order to extract the thicknesses of the upper layer. Two kinds of coating are investigated. First, chitosan films of known thicknesses between 30 and 200 nm were probed in order to test the model. A second type of samples is produced by oxygen plasma oxidation of the PDMS substrate, which results in the growth of a relatively homogeneous oxide layer. The local nature of this protocol enables measurements at long oxidation time, where the apparition of cracks prevents other kinds of measurements.

Self-assembly of suspended graphene wrinkles with high pre-tension and elastic property

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Liusi; Niu, Tianxiao; Zhang, Hui; Xu, Wenjing; Zou, Mingchu; Xu, Lu; Cao, Guoxin; Cao, Anyuan

2017-12-01

Wrinkles exist universally in graphene-based structures, yet their controlled fabrication remains challenging; most graphene wrinkles have been produced either in attachment to elastic substrates or limited in small single sheets. Here, we utilize the phenomenon of gel-cracking to generate uniaxial strains locally on solution-precipitated graphene oxide (GO) sheets, thus creating suspended and aligned wrinkles over the trenches between cracked TiO2 islands. In particular, those GO wrinkles are subjected to a high pre-tension, which is important for making stable suspended configuration, as confirmed by theoretical calculations based on the wrinkle geometry and measured spring constants, respectively. As a result, in situ atomic force microscope indentation reveals elastic deformation with tunable spring constants depending on the gap width. We further obtain chemically reduced GO wrinkles with enhanced spring constants and reversible behavior after 1000 indentation cycles. Our suspended and aligned graphene wrinkles have potential applications in many areas such as sensors, actuators, and micro/nano electromechanical systems.

Apparent Yield Strength of Hot-Pressed SiCs

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Daloz, William L; Wereszczak, Andrew A; Jadaan, Osama M.

2008-01-01

Apparent yield strengths (YApp) of four hot-pressed silicon carbides (SiC-B, SiC-N,SiC-HPN, and SiC-SC-1RN) were estimated using diamond spherical or Hertzian indentation. The von Mises and Tresca criteria were considered. The developed test method was robust, simple and quick to execute, and thusly enabled the acquisition of confident sampling statistics. The choice of indenter size, test method, and method of analysis are described. The compressive force necessary to initiate apparent yielding was identified postmortem using differential interference contrast (or Nomarski) imaging with an optical microscope. It was found that the YApp of SiC-HPN (14.0 GPa) was approximately 10% higher than themore » equivalently valued YApp of SiC-B, SiC-N, and SiC-SC-1RN. This discrimination in YApp shows that the use of this test method could be insightful because there were no differences among the average Knoop hardnesses of the four SiC grades.« less

On the origins of hardness of Cu–TiN nanolayered composites

DOE PAGES

Pathak, S.; Li, N.; Maeder, X.; ...

2015-07-18

We investigated the mechanical response of physical vapor deposited Cu–TiN nanolayered composites of varying layer thicknesses from 5 nm to 200 nm. Both the Cu and TiN layers were found to consist of single phase nanometer sized grains. The grain sizes in the Cu and TiN layers, measured using transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, were found to be comparable to or smaller than their respective layer thicknesses. Indentation hardness testing revealed that the hardness of such nanolayered composites exhibits a weak dependence on the layer thickness but is more correlated to their grain size.

A method to separate and quantify the effects of indentation size, residual stress and plastic damage when mapping properties using instrumented indentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, X. D.; Jennett, N. M.

2017-11-01

Instrumented indentation is a convenient and increasingly rapid method of high resolution mapping of surface properties. There is, however, significant untapped potential for the quantification of these properties, which is only possible by solving a number of serious issues that affect the absolute values for mechanical properties obtained from small indentations. The three most pressing currently are the quantification of: the indentation size effect (ISE), residual stress, and pile-up and sink-in—which is itself affected by residual stress and ISE. Hardness based indentation mapping is unable to distinguish these effects. We describe a procedure that uses an elastic modulus as an internal reference and combines the information available from an indentation modulus map, a hardness map, and a determination of the ISE coefficient (using self-similar geometry indentation) to correct for the effects of stress, pile up and the indentation size effect, to leave a quantified map of plastic damage and grain refinement hardening in a surface. This procedure is used to map the residual stress in a cross-section of the machined surface of a previously stress free metal. The effect of surface grinding is compared to milling and is shown to cause different amounts of work hardening, increase in residual stress, and surface grain size reduction. The potential use of this procedure for mapping coatings in cross-section is discussed.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kolopus, James A.; Boatner, Lynn A.

Nanoindenters are commonly used for measuring the mechanical properties of a wide variety of materials with both industrial and scientific applications. Typically, these instruments employ an indenter made of a material of suitable hardness bonded to an appropriate shaft or holder to create an indentation on the material being tested. While a variety of materials may be employed for the indenter, diamond and boron carbide are by far the most common materials used due to their hardness and other desirable properties. However, as the increasing complexity of new materials demands a broader range of testing capabilities, conventional indenter materials exhibitmore » significant performance limitations. Among these are the inability of diamond indenters to perform in-situ measurements at temperatures above 600oC in air due to oxidation of the diamond material and subsequent degradation of the indenters mechanical properties. Similarly, boron carbide also fails at high temperature due to fracture. [1] Transition metal carbides possess a combination of hardness and mechanical properties at high temperatures that offer an attractive alternative to conventional indenter materials. Here we describe the technical aspects for the growth of single-crystal tungsten carbide (WC) for use as a high-temperature indenter material, and we examine a possible approach to brazing these crystals to a suitable mount for grinding and attachment to the indenter instrument. The use of a by-product of the recovery process is also suggested as possibly having commercial value.« less

Study of Damage and Fracture Toughness Due to Influence of Creep and Fatigue of Commercially Pure Copper by Monotonic and Cyclic Indentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghosh, Sabita; Prakash, Raghu V.

2013-01-01

Fracture toughness is the ability of a component containing a flow to resist fracture. In the current study, the Ball indentation (BI) test technique, which is well acknowledged as an alternative approach to evaluate mechanical properties of materials due to its semi-nondestructive, fast, and high accurate qualities is used to estimate damage and the fracture toughness for copper samples subjected to varying levels of creep and fatigue. The indentation fracture toughness shows the degradation of Cu samples when they are subjected to different creep conditions. Axial fatigue cycling increases the strength at the mid-gauge section compared to other regions of the samples due to initial strain hardening. The advancement of indentation depth with indentation fatigue cycles experiences transient stage, i.e., jump in indentation depth has been observed, which may be an indication of failure and followed by a steady state with almost constant depth propagation with indentation cycles.

Quantification of surface displacements and electromechanical phenomena via dynamic atomic force microscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Balke, Nina; Jesse, Stephen; Yu, Pu

Detection of dynamic surface displacements associated with local changes in material strain provides access to a number of phenomena and material properties. Contact resonance-enhanced methods of atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been shown capable of detecting ~1–3 pm-level surface displacements, an approach used in techniques such as piezoresponse force microscopy, atomic force acoustic microscopy, and ultrasonic force microscopy. Here, based on an analytical model of AFM cantilever vibrations, we demonstrate a guideline to quantify surface displacements with high accuracy by taking into account the cantilever shape at the first resonant contact mode, depending on the tip–sample contact stiffness. The approachmore » has been experimentally verified and further developed for piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) using well-defined ferroelectric materials. These results open up a way to accurate and precise measurements of surface displacement as well as piezoelectric constants at the pm-scale with nanometer spatial resolution and will allow avoiding erroneous data interpretations and measurement artifacts. Furthermore, this analysis is directly applicable to all cantilever-resonance-based scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques.« less

Quantification of surface displacements and electromechanical phenomena via dynamic atomic force microscopy

DOE PAGES

Balke, Nina; Jesse, Stephen; Yu, Pu; ...

2016-09-15

Detection of dynamic surface displacements associated with local changes in material strain provides access to a number of phenomena and material properties. Contact resonance-enhanced methods of atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been shown capable of detecting ~1–3 pm-level surface displacements, an approach used in techniques such as piezoresponse force microscopy, atomic force acoustic microscopy, and ultrasonic force microscopy. Here, based on an analytical model of AFM cantilever vibrations, we demonstrate a guideline to quantify surface displacements with high accuracy by taking into account the cantilever shape at the first resonant contact mode, depending on the tip–sample contact stiffness. The approachmore » has been experimentally verified and further developed for piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) using well-defined ferroelectric materials. These results open up a way to accurate and precise measurements of surface displacement as well as piezoelectric constants at the pm-scale with nanometer spatial resolution and will allow avoiding erroneous data interpretations and measurement artifacts. Furthermore, this analysis is directly applicable to all cantilever-resonance-based scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques.« less

A study of the micro- and nanoscale deformation behavior of individual austenitic dendrites in a FeCrMoVC cast alloy using micro- and nanoindentation experiments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zeisig, J., E-mail: j.zeisig@ifw-dresden.de; Hufenbach, J.; Wendrock, H.

2016-04-04

Micro- and nanoindentation experiments were conducted to investigate the deformation mechanisms in a Fe79.4Cr13Mo5V1C1.6 (wt. %) cast alloy. This alloy consists of an as cast microstructure mainly composed of austenite, martensite, and a complex carbide network. During microhardness testing, metastable austenite transforms partially into martensite confirmed by electron backscatter diffraction. For nanoindentation tests, two different indenter geometries were applied (Berkovich and cube corner type). Load-displacement curves of nanoindentation in austenitic dendrites depicted pop-ins after transition into plastic deformation for both nanoindenters. Characterizations of the region beneath a nanoindent by transmission electron microscopy revealed a martensitic transformation as an activated deformationmore » mechanism and suggest a correlation with the pop-in phenomena of the load-displacement curves. Furthermore, due to an inhomogeneous chemical composition within the austenitic dendrites, more stabilized regions deform by mechanical twinning. This additional deformation mechanism was only observed for the cube corner indenter with the sharper geometry since higher shear stresses are induced beneath the contact area.« less

Separating the influence of electric charges in magnetic force microscopy images of inhomogeneous metal samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arenas, Mónica P.; Lanzoni, Evandro M.; Pacheco, Clara J.; Costa, Carlos A. R.; Eckstein, Carlos B.; de Almeida, Luiz H.; Rebello, João M. A.; Deneke, Christoph F.; Pereira, Gabriela R.

2018-01-01

In this study, we investigate artifacts arising from electric charges present in magnetic force microscopy images. Therefore, we use two austenitic steel samples with different microstructural conditions. Furthermore, we examine the influence of the surface preparation, like etching, in magnetic force images. Using Kelvin probe force microscopy we can quantify the charges present on the surface. Our results show that electrical charges give rise to a signature in the magnetic force microscopy, which is indistinguishable from a magnetic signal. Our results on two differently aged steel samples demonstrate that the magnetic force microscopy images need to be interpreted with care and must be corrected due to the influence of electrical charges present. We discuss three approaches, how to identify these artifacts - parallel acquisition of magnetic force and electric force images on the same position, sample surface preparation to decrease the presence of charges and inversion of the magnetic polarization in two succeeding measurement.

A transmission electron microscopy study of the deformation behavior underneath nanoindents in nanoscale Al-TiN multilayered composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhattacharyya, D.; Mara, N. A.; Dickerson, P.; Hoagland, R. G.; Misra, A.

2010-05-01

Nanoscale multilayered Al-TiN composites were deposited using the dc magnetron sputtering technique in two different layer thickness ratios, Al : TiN = 1 : 1 and Al : TiN = 9 : 1. The Al layer thickness varied from 2 nm to 450 nm. The hardness of the samples was tested by nanoindentation using a Berkovich tip. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was carried out on samples extracted with focused ion beam from below the nanoindents. The results of the hardness tests on the Al-TiN multilayers with two different thickness ratios are presented, together with observations from the cross-sectional TEM studies of the regions underneath the indents. These studies revealed remarkable strength in the multilayers, as well as some very interesting deformation behavior in the TiN layers at extremely small length scales, where the hard TiN layers undergo co-deformation with the Al layers.

[Bone Cell Biology Assessed by Microscopic Approach. Micro- and nanomechanical analysis of bone].

PubMed

Saito, Masami; Hongo, Hiromi

2015-10-01

For Stiffness, we have several ways, Vicker's, Nano Indentor and NanoIndentation with AFM. Recent study needs several nm, tens of nm scale lateral resolution. For this request, AFM supply new technology, PeakForce QNM®, is only way to measure sub molecular level modulus mapping. In this article, introduce several data and specially talk about bone modulus near osteocytic lacunae treated with PTH which is considering to resolve bone matrix around the osteocytic lacunae.

Analysis of the Material Removal Rate in Magnetic Abrasive Finishing of Thin Film Coated Pyrex Glass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Hee Hwan; Lee, Seoung Hwan

The material removal rate (MRR) during precision finishing/polishing is a key factor, which dictates the process performance. Moreover, the MRR or wear rate is closely related to the material/part reliability. For nanoscale patterning and/or planarization on nano-order thickness coatings, the prediction and in-process monitoring of the MRR is necessary, because the process is not characterizable due to size effects and material property/process condition variations as a result of the coating/substrate interactions. The purpose of this research was to develop a practical methodology for the prediction and in-process monitoring of MRR during nanoscale finishing of coated surfaces. Using a specially designed magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF) and acoustic emission (AE) monitoring setup, experiments were carried out on indium-zinc-oxide (IZO) coated Pyrex glasses. After a given polishing time interval, AFM indentation was conducted for each workpiece sample to measure the adhesion force variations of the coating layers (IZO), which are directly related to the MRR changes. The force variation and AE monitoring data were compared to the MRR calculated form the surface measurement (Nanoview) results. The experimental results demonstrate strong correlations between AFM indentation and MRR measurement data. In addition, the monitored AE signals show sensitivity of the material structure variations of the coating layer, as the polishing progresses.

Experimental observations of shear band nucleation and propagation in a bulk metallic glass using wedge-like cylindrical indentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antoniou, Antonia Maki

2006-12-01

Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs), or amorphous metal alloys, have a unique combination of properties such as high strength, large elastic strain limit (up to 2%), corrosion resistance and formability. These unique properties make them candidates for precision mechanical elements, hinge supports, contact surfaces as well as miniaturized systems (MEMS). However, their limited ductility hinders further realizations of their industrial potential. Under uniaxial tension tests, metallic glass fails in a brittle manner with unstable propagation of a single shear band. There is a need to understand the conditions for shear band nucleation and propagation in order to achieve a superior material system with adequate toughness to ensure in-service reliability. This dissertation focuses on understanding the nucleation and propagation mechanisms of shear bands in BMGs under constrained deformation. The nature of the work is primarily experimental with integrated finite element simulations to elucidate the observed trends. Wedge indentation with a circular profile of different radii is used to provide a stable loading path for in situ monitoring of shear band nucleation, propagation in Vitreloy-1. Detailed analyses of the in-plane finite deformation fields are carried out using digital image correlation. The incremental surface analysis showed that multiple shear bands are developed beneath the indenter. The observed pattern closely follow the traces of slip line field for a pressure sensitive material. The first shear bands initiate in the bulk beneath the indenter when a critical level of mean pressure is achieved. Two distinct shear band patterns are developed, that conform to either the alpha or beta lines for each sector. The deformation zones developed under indenters with different radii were found to be self-similar. The evolution of shear bands beneath the indenter is also characterized into two different categories. A set of primary bands is identified to evolve with the process zone front and presents an included angle of 78°-80°. The other set of bands evolves at a later stage of loading within the originally formed ones but with consistently higher included angle of around 87°. The band spacing is found to scale with the local average of maximum in-plane shear strain such that the local strain energy is minimized. The measurements shed light on the critical shear strain needed to initiate these bands. The richness of the shear band network establishes a basis for calibration of constitutive models. Experimental in-plane deformation maps show the amount of total strain that builds prior to the initiation of localized deformation. Furthermore, the maps help examine the change imposed on the surrounding strain field by the appearance of shear bands. It was verified that shear bands relax the asymptotic field by changing the order of singularity. Finally, it was seen that the shear bands are not the only accumulation of permanent deformation but that the surrounding material can accrue relatively high level of inelastic deformation (up to 5%). To rationalize these findings, the Johnson cavity expansion model is adapted and modified to account for pressure-dependent yielding conditions. The elasto-plastic boundary from such analysis is used to scale the experimental measurements for all indenter radii, loading level and spatial position beneath the indenter. The continuum finite element simulations have shown that the macroscopic measurements of force-depth indentation curves would predict a lower value of the pressure sensitivity than those observed from the detailed microscopic measurements. Moreover, a transition from pressure insensitive response to progressive pressure sensitivity is observed by decreasing the indenter radius, or in effect by increasing the level of hydrostatic pressure under the indenter. This leads to the belief that the BMG's pressure sensitivity parameter is in itself dependent on the level of the applied pressure. These observations give detailed insight on the post-yield behavior of BMGs, which cannot be obtained from macroscopic uniaxial tension or compression tests. Despite the richness of the shear band details, the current framework has provided several notable results. First, the macroscopic trends, force-indentation depth response and the extent of deformation zones are well captured for this constrained deformation mode by continuum models that address only the onset of yielding. Second, the apparent pressure dependence of the shear band angle on the macroscopic measurements is minimal. Third, the initiation point, and not the shear band development is of critical importance. These findings would formulate the basis for simulation of shear band nucleation, propagation and interactions. They would also elucidate the role of secondary particle inclusion for toughening. Another form of inhomogeneous deformation in the form of shear bands is also studied in constrained layer of ductile metal subjected to shearing deformation. The material system utilized was comprised of a ductile layer of tin based solder, encapsulated within relatively hard copper shoulders. The experimental configuration provides pure shear state within the constrained solder layer. Different Pb/Sn compositions are tested with grain size approaching the film thickness. The in-plane strain distribution within the joint thickness is measured by a microscopic digital image correlation system. The toughness evolution within such highly gradient deformation field is monitored qualitatively through a 2D surface scan with a nanoindenter. The measurements showed a highly inhomogeneous deformation field within the film with discreet shear bands of concentrated strain. The localized shear bands showed long-range correlations of the order of 2-3 grain diameter. A size-dependent macroscopic response on the layer thickness is observed. However, the corresponding film thickness is approximately 100-1000 times larger than those predicted by non-local continuum theories and discreet dislocation.

Formation of protective deposits by anti-erosive toothpastes-A microscopic study on enamel with artificial defects.

PubMed

Bradna, Pavel; Vrbova, Radka; Fialova, Vlasta; Housova, Devana; Gojisova, Eva

2016-09-01

This study investigated formation of protective deposits on the enamel surface after application of several anti-erosive toothpastes with different active ingredients. NaF-containing Sensodyne Pronamel, SnCl 2 /F-based Elmex Erosion Protection and calcium phosphate-based BioRepair Plus Sensitivity Control, SensiShield and Enamel Care toothpastes with claimed anti-erosive properties were tested. Artificial saliva and Elmex Erosion Protection mouth rinse served as control groups. The toothpastes were applied 30 times by a toothbrush for 2 min per day, mouth rinse for 30 s on polished enamel of thirty five human molars (n = 5) with series of five rhomboid-shaped indents of various length prepared by a Knoop indentor. After 15 and 30 applications, the shape of the indents and surface morphology was characterised using light and scanning electron microscopy. At the end of treatment, the samples were exposed to 0.2 wt. % citric acid (pH 3.30) to test resistance of the treated enamel to erosion. Pronounced differences were observed between protective properties of the toothpastes. While Sensodyne Pronamel and BioRepair Plus Sensitivity Control did not produce any protective deposits, Enamel Care formed a compact layer of deposits which protected the enamel surface against erosion. With Elmex Erosion Protection and SensiShield fractured indent edges and scratches on the treated enamel suggested that their abrasive properties prevailed over ability of active ingredients to form deposits. These results revealed that toothpastes with strong potential to form acid-resistant deposits on the enamel surface and of low abrasivity should be used for effective prevention of enamel erosion. SCANNING 38:380-388, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Development and initial validation of a novel smoothed-particle hydrodynamics-based simulation model of trabecular bone penetration by metallic implants.

PubMed

Kulper, Sloan A; Fang, Christian X; Ren, Xiaodan; Guo, Margaret; Sze, Kam Y; Leung, Frankie K L; Lu, William W

2018-04-01

A novel computational model of implant migration in trabecular bone was developed using smoothed-particle hydrodynamics (SPH), and an initial validation was performed via correlation with experimental data. Six fresh-frozen human cadaveric specimens measuring 10 × 10 × 20 mm were extracted from the proximal femurs of female donors (mean age of 82 years, range 75-90, BV/TV ratios between 17.88% and 30.49%). These specimens were then penetrated under axial loading to a depth of 10 mm with 5 mm diameter cylindrical indenters bearing either flat or sharp/conical tip designs similar to blunt and self-tapping cancellous screws, assigned in a random manner. SPH models were constructed based on microCT scans (17.33 µm) of the cadaveric specimens. Two initial specimens were used for calibration of material model parameters. The remaining four specimens were then simulated in silico using identical material model parameters. Peak forces varied between 92.0 and 365.0 N in the experiments, and 115.5-352.2 N in the SPH simulations. The concordance correlation coefficient between experimental and simulated pairs was 0.888, with a 95%CI of 0.8832-0.8926, a Pearson ρ (precision) value of 0.9396, and a bias correction factor Cb (accuracy) value of 0.945. Patterns of bone compaction were qualitatively similar; both experimental and simulated flat-tipped indenters produced dense regions of compacted material adjacent to the advancing face of the indenter, while sharp-tipped indenters deposited compacted material along their peripheries. Simulations based on SPH can produce accurate predictions of trabecular bone penetration that are useful for characterizing implant performance under high-strain loading conditions. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1114-1123, 2018. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effects of high-temperature gas dealkalization on surface mechanical properties of float glass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Senturk, Ufuk

The surface topography, and the near-surface structure and mechanical property changes on float glass, that was treated in atmospheres containing SOsb2, HCl, and 1,1 difluoroethane (DFE) gases, at temperatures in the glass transition region, were studied. Structure was investigated using surface sensitive infrared spectroscopy techniques (attenuated total reflectance (ATR) and diffuse reflectance (DRIFT)) and the topography was evaluated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results obtained from the two FTIR methods were in agreement with each other. Mechanical property characteristics of the surface were determined by measuring microhardness using a recording microindentation set-up. A simple analysis performed on the three hardness calculation methods-LVH, LVHsb2, and Lsb2VH-indicated that LVH and LVHsb2 are less effected by measurement errors and are better suited for the calculation of hardness. Contact damage characteristics of the treated glass was also studied by monitoring the crack initiation behavior during indentation, using acoustic emission. The results of the studies, aiming for the understanding of the structure, topography, and hardness property changes indicate that the treatment parameters-temperature, time, and treatment atmosphere conditions-are significant factors influencing these properties. The analysis of these results suggest a relation to exist between the three properties. This relation is used in understanding the surface mechanical properties of the treated float glasses. The difference in the thermal expansion coefficients between the dealkalized surface and bulk, the nature of surface structure changes, structural relaxation, surface water content, and glass transformation temperature are identified as the major factors having an influence on the properties. A model connecting these features is suggested. A difference in the structure, hardness, and topography on the air and tin sides of float glass is also shown to exist. The contact damage behavior of the treated surfaces is shown to differ from those of untreated surfaces, for SOsb2-treated float glass, where the crack initiation characteristics indicate crack formation from the surface and the indenter tip, different than the expected anomalous deformation. This behavior resembles that of a silica glass deformation on the surface, which is in agreement with the other foundations in this study.

Investigation of the Efficacy of Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation Versus Irrigation with Reciprocating Activation: An Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopic Study.

PubMed

Kato, Augusto Shoji; Cunha, Rodrigo Sanches; da Silveira Bueno, Carlos Eduardo; Pelegrine, Rina Andrea; Fontana, Carlos Eduardo; de Martin, Alexandre Sigrist

2016-04-01

The objective of this ex vivo study was to compare the efficacy of passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) versus a new activation system using reciprocating motion (EasyClean [EC]; Easy Equipamentos Odontológicos, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) to remove debris from the root canal walls at 6 predetermined apical levels using environmental scanning electron microscopy. Mesiobuccal root canals of 10 mandibular molars were prepared with a 30/.05 final instrument. The specimens were embedded in flasks containing heavy body silicone, cleaved longitudinally, and 6 round indentations were made into the apical region of the buccal half at 1-mm intervals. The same specimens were used to prepare a blank control group (no debris), a negative control group (completely covered by debris), and 2 experimental groups: PUI and irrigation with reciprocating activation. Standardized images of the indentations were obtained under environmental scanning electron microscopy and assessed by 2 examiners. The amount of debris was then classified using a 4-category scoring system. The kappa test was applied to determine interexaminer agreement, whereas the Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn, and Friedman tests were used to compare scores. The EC group had results statistically similar to those of the blank control group for all 6 root levels examined. The PUI group had results statistically similar to those of the negative control group for the 3 most apical levels and similar to those of the blank control group for the 3 most cervical levels. Activating the irrigant with a reciprocating system (EC) promoted more effective debris removal from the more apical regions of the root canal when compared with PUI. Copyright © 2016 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Indentation-induced solid-state dewetting of thin Au(Fe) films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kosinova, Anna; Schwaiger, Ruth; Klinger, Leonid; Rabkin, Eugen

2017-07-01

We studied the effect of local plastic deformation on the thermal stability and solid-state dewetting of thin homogeneous Au(Fe) films deposited on sapphire substrates. The films with ordered square arrays of indents produced by nanoindentation were annealed at the temperature of 700 °C in a forming gas atmosphere. The behavior of the film in the region of shallow indents (reaching a depth up to one half of the film thickness) was very different from the one in the region of deep indents (with depths greater than one half of the film thickness). In the first case, the grain growth in indented and unperturbed regions of the film proceeded quite similarly, and nearly complete healing of the indents was observed. In the latter case, a recrystallization process in the vicinity of the indents resulted in the formation of small new grains with misorientation angles that were not present in the as-deposited film. The thermal grooving along the corresponding new high-energy grain boundaries caused an increase of the depth of the indents and the formation of the dewetting holes. The morphology of these holes and their size were different compared to the holes formed randomly in the unperturbed regions of the same films. In particular, the interaction between the individual indents of an array led to the preferential formation of holes at the periphery of the arrays. These findings shed a new light on the process of nucleation of the solid-state dewetting in thin films.

Influence and evolution mechanism of different sharpness contact forms to mechanical property of cortical bone by nanoindentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Xingdong; Guo, Yue; Li, Lijia; Liu, Zeyang; Wu, Di; Shi, Dong; Zhao, Hongwei; Zhang, Shizhong

2018-03-01

Based on different damage forms of various contact forms to bone, the mechanical response and mechanism were investigated by nanoindentation under different sharpness contact forms. For the purpose of simulating the different sharpness contact forms, two kinds of indenters were used in experiments and finite elements simulations. Through nanoindentation experiments, it was concluded that the residual depth of sharp indenter was bigger than that of blunt indenter with small penetration depth. However, the contrary law was obtained with bigger penetration depth. There was a turning point of transition from blunt tendency to sharp tendency. By calculation, it was concluded that the sharper the indenter was, the bigger the proportion of plastic energy in total energy was. Basically, results of finite elements simulation could correspond with the experimental conclusions. By the observation of FE-SEM, the surface of cortical bone compressed was more seriously directly below the blunt indenter than the lateral face. For the berkovich indenter, the surface of indentation compressed was less directly below the indenter, but seriously on three lateral faces. This research may provide some new references to the studies of bone fracture mechanism in different load patterns in the initial press-in stage and offer new explanation for bone trauma diagnosis in clinical treatment and criminal investigation.

Magnetoelectric force microscopy based on magnetic force microscopy with modulated electric field.

PubMed

Geng, Yanan; Wu, Weida

2014-05-01

We present the realization of a mesoscopic imaging technique, namely, the Magnetoelectric Force Microscopy (MeFM), for visualization of local magnetoelectric effect. The basic principle of MeFM is the lock-in detection of local magnetoelectric response, i.e., the electric field-induced magnetization, using magnetic force microscopy. We demonstrate MeFM capability by visualizing magnetoelectric domains on single crystals of multiferroic hexagonal manganites. Results of several control experiments exclude artifacts or extrinsic origins of the MeFM signal. The parameters are tuned to optimize the signal to noise ratio.

Evaluation and comparison of indentation ultrasound biomicroscopy gonioscopy in relative pupillary block, peripheral anterior synechia, and plateau iris configuration.

PubMed

Matsunaga, Koichi; Ito, Kunio; Esaki, Koji; Sugimoto, Kota; Sano, Toru; Miura, Katsuya; Sasoh, Mikio; Uji, Yukitaka

2004-12-01

To evaluate and compare the findings and changes of the anterior chamber angle configuration with indentation ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) gonioscopy in relative pupillary block (RPB), peripheral anterior synechia (PAS), and plateau iris configuration (PIC). This study included 73 eyes of 52 patients with RPB (n = 26), PAS (n = 21), or PIC (n = 26). First, a conventional UBM scan was performed using a normal size standard eye cup before indentation. Then, for indentation UBM gonioscopy, scans were performed using a new eye cup that we designed. For evaluation of the angle, angle opening distance 500 and angle recess area were recorded and evaluated with regard to the effect of expansion on the anterior chamber angle. Indentation UBM gonioscopy showed the characteristic images in each of the eyes. The angle of all examined eyes was significantly widened with indentation (P < 0.01). The angle changes in eyes with RPB were significantly greater than in eyes with PAS or PIC (P < 0.01). Indentation UBM gonioscopy is a very useful method for observing the angle and diagnosis of RPB, PAS, and PIC.

Indentation Size Effect on Ag Nanoparticle-Modified Graphene/Sn-Ag-Cu Solders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, L. Y.; Zhang, S. T.; Jing, H. Y.; Wang, L. X.; Wei, J.; Kong, X. C.; Han, Y. D.

2018-01-01

This paper presents the results for the indentation size effect (ISE) on the creep stress exponent and hardness of 0.03 wt.% Ag-modified graphene nanosheet Sn-Ag-Cu solder alloys, using constant loading/holding and multi-cycle (CMC) loading methods, respectively. At each maximum load, with increasing indentation depth, the creep exponent first decreased and then increased. At the same strain rate, the stress exponent also showed the same tendency, increasing as the indentation depth (peak load) increased and then decreased. The hardness was measured continuously with increasing indentation depth by the CMC loading method. The hardness did not exhibit a decrease as the indentation depth increased, which differs from the classical description of the ISE. After an initial decrease, the hardness then increased and finally decreased as the indentation depth increased. This study reviews the existing theories and formulations describing ISE with hardening effects. The experimental results fit well with the empirical formulation. The phenomenon of ISE accompanied by hardening effects has been explained physically via the interaction between geometrically necessary dislocations and grain boundaries.

Simulation of Magnetic Field Assisted Finishing (MFAF) Process Utilizing Smart MR Polishing Tool

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barman, Anwesa; Das, Manas

2017-02-01

Magnetic field assisted finishing process is an advanced finishing process. This process is capable of producing nanometer level surface finish. In this process magnetic field is applied to control the finishing forces using magnetorheological polishing medium. In the current study, permanent magnet is used to provide the required magnetic field in the finishing zone. The working gap between the workpiece and the magnet is filled with MR fluid which is used as the polishing brush to remove surface undulations from the top surface of the workpiece. In this paper, the distribution of magnetic flux density on the workpiece surface and behaviour of MR polishing medium during finishing are analyzed using commercial finite element packages (Ansys Maxwell® and Comsol®). The role of magnetic force in the indentation of abrasive particles on the workpiece surface is studied. A two-dimensional simulation study of the steady, laminar, and incompressible MR fluid flow behaviour during finishing process is carried out. The material removal and surface roughness modelling of the finishing process are also presented. The indentation force by a single active abrasive particle on the workpiece surface is modelled during simulation. The velocity profile of MR fluid with and without application of magnetic field is plotted. It shows non-Newtonian property without application of magnetic field. After that the total material displacement due to one abrasive particle is plotted. The simulated roughness profile is in a good agreement with the experimental results. The conducted study will help in understanding the fluid behavior and the mechanism of finishing during finishing process. Also, the modelling and simulation of the process will help in achieving better finishing performance.

Tensile and Microindentation Stress-Strain Curves of Al-6061

DOE Data Explorer

Weaver, Jordan S [Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States). Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT); Khosravani, Ali [Georgia Inst. of Technology, Atlanta, GA (United States); Castillo, Andrew [Georgia Inst. of Technology, Atlanta, GA (United States); Kalidind, Surya R [Georgia Inst. of Technology, Atlanta, GA (United States)

2016-07-13

Recent spherical microindentation stress-strain protocols were developed and validated on Al-6061 (DOI: 10.1186/s40192-016-0054-3). The scaling factor between the uniaxial yield strength and the indentation yield strength was determined to be about 1.9. The microindentation stress-strain protocols were then applied to a microstructurally graded sample in an effort to extract high throughput process-property relationships. The tensile and microindentation force-displacement and stress-strain data are presented in this data set.

Scanning Probe Microscopy for Identifying the Component Materials of a Nanostripe Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mizuno, Akira; Ando, Yasuhisa

2010-08-01

The authors prepared a nanostripe structure in which two types of metal are arranged alternately, and successfully identified the component materials using scanning probe microscopy (SPM) to measure the lateral force distribution image. The nanostripe structure was prepared using a new method developed by the authors and joint development members. The lateral force distribution image was measured in both friction force microscopy (FFM) and lateral modulation friction force microscopy (LM-FFM) modes. In FFM mode, the effect of slope angle appeared in the lateral force distribution image; therefore, no difference in the type of material was observed. On the other hand, in LM-FFM mode, the effect of surface curvature was observed in the lateral force distribution image. A higher friction force on chromium than on gold was identified, enabling material identification.

Mechanical indentation improves cerebral blood oxygenation signal quality of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during breath holding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vogt, William C.; Romero, Edwin; LaConte, Stephen M.; Rylander, Christopher G.

2013-03-01

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a well-known technique for non-invasively measuring cerebral blood oxygenation, and many studies have demonstrated that fNIRS signals can be related to cognitive function. However, the fNIRS signal is attenuated by the skin, while scalp blood content has been reported to influence cerebral oxygenation measurements. Mechanical indentation has been shown to increase light transmission through soft tissues by causing interstitial water and blood flow away from the compressed region. To study the effects of indentation on fNIRS, a commercial fNIRS system with 16 emitter/detector pairs was used to measure cerebral blood oxygenation at 2 Hz. This device used diffuse reflectance at 730 nm and 850 nm to calculate deoxy- and oxy-hemoglobin concentrations. A borosilicate glass hemisphere was epoxied over each sensor to function as both an indenter and a lens. After placing the indenter/sensor assembly on the forehead, a pair of plastic bands was placed on top of the fNIRS headband and strapped to the head to provide uniform pressure and tightened to approx. 15 N per strap. Cerebral blood oxygenation was recorded during a breath holding regime (15 second hold, 15 second rest, 6 cycles) in 4 human subjects both with and without the indenter array. Results showed that indentation increased raw signal intensity by 85 +/- 35%, and that indentation increased amplitude of hemoglobin changes during breath cycles by 313% +/- 105%. These results suggest that indentation improves sensing of cerebral blood oxygenation, and may potentially enable sensing of deeper brain tissues.

Residual stress in glass: indentation crack and fractography approaches.

PubMed

Anunmana, Chuchai; Anusavice, Kenneth J; Mecholsky, John J

2009-11-01

To test the hypothesis that the indentation crack technique can determine surface residual stresses that are not statistically significantly different from those determined from the analytical procedure using surface cracks, the four-point flexure test, and fracture surface analysis. Soda-lime-silica glass bar specimens (4 mm x 2.3 mm x 28 mm) were prepared and annealed at 650 degrees C for 30 min before testing. The fracture toughness values of the glass bars were determined from 12 specimens based on induced surface cracks, four-point flexure, and fractographic analysis. To determine the residual stress from the indentation technique, 18 specimens were indented under 19.6N load using a Vickers microhardness indenter. Crack lengths were measured within 1 min and 24h after indentation, and the measured crack lengths were compared with the mean crack lengths of annealed specimens. Residual stress was calculated from an equation developed for the indentation technique. All specimens were fractured in a four-point flexure fixture and the residual stress was calculated from the strength and measured crack sizes on the fracture surfaces. The results show that there was no significant difference between the residual stresses calculated from the two techniques. However, the differences in mean residual stresses calculated within 1 min compared with those calculated after 24h were statistically significant (p=0.003). This study compared the indentation technique with the fractographic analysis method for determining the residual stress in the surface of soda-lime-silica glass. The indentation method may be useful for estimating residual stress in glass.

Residual stress in glass: indentation crack and fractography approaches

PubMed Central

Anunmana, Chuchai; Anusavice, Kenneth J.; Mecholsky, John J.

2009-01-01

Objective To test the hypothesis that the indentation crack technique can determine surface residual stresses that are not statistically significantly different from those determined from the analytical procedure using surface cracks, the four-point flexure test, and fracture surface analysis. Methods Soda-lime-silica glass bar specimens (4 mm × 2.3 mm × 28 mm) were prepared and annealed at 650 °C for 30 min before testing. The fracture toughness values of the glass bars were determined from 12 specimens based on induced surface cracks, four-point flexure, and fractographic analysis. To determine the residual stress from the indentation technique, 18 specimens were indented under 19.6 N load using a Vickers microhardness indenter. Crack lengths were measured within 1 min and 24 h after indentation, and the measured crack lengths were compared with the mean crack lengths of annealed specimens. Residual stress was calculated from an equation developed for the indentation technique. All specimens were fractured in a four-point flexure fixture and the residual stress was calculated from the strength and measured crack sizes on the fracture surfaces. Results The results show that there was no significant difference between the residual stresses calculated from the two techniques. However, the differences in mean residual stresses calculated within 1 min compared with those calculated after 24 h were statistically significant (p=0.003). Significance This study compared the indentation technique with the fractographic analysis method for determining the residual stress in the surface of soda-lime silica glass. The indentation method may be useful for estimating residual stress in glass. PMID:19671475

Mechanical characterization of Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy at multiple length scales using spherical indentation stress-strain measurements

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Weaver, Jordan S.; Kalidindi, Surya R.

Recent advances in spherical indentation stress-strain protocols and analyses have demonstrated the capability for measuring reliably the local mechanical responses in polycrystalline metal samples at different length scales, ranging from sub-micron (regions within individual grains) to several hundreds of microns (regions covering several grains). These recent advances have now made it possible to study systematically the mechanical behavior of a single material system at different length scales, with tremendous potential to obtain new insights into the role of individual phases, interfaces, and other microscale constituents on the macroscale mechanical response of the material. In this paper, we report spherical indentationmore » stress-strain measurements with different indenter sizes (microns to millimeters) on Ti-6Al-4V (Ti-64) which capture the mechanical response of single phase alpha-Ti-64, single colony (alpha-beta), few colonies, and many colonies of Ti-64. The results show that the average mechanical response (indentation modulus and yield strength) from multiple indentations remains relatively unchanged from single phase alpha to many colonies of Ti-64, while the variance in the response decreases with indenter size. In conclusion, the work-hardening response in indentation tests follows a similar behavior up to indentation zones of many colonies, which shows significantly higher work hardening rates.« less

Further damage induced by water in micro-indentations in phosphate laser glass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Jiaxin; Jian, Qingyun; Yuan, Weifeng; Gu, Bin; Ji, Fang; Huang, Wen

2014-02-01

Using a microhardness tester, artificial flaws were made by micro-indentation in N31 Nd-doped phosphate laser glass. Indentation fracture toughness, KIC, was estimated as 0.45-0.53 MPa m1/2 from these indentations. The glasses with indentations were then immersed in ultrapure water to investigate further water-induced damage of these indentations. Stress-enhanced hydrolysis leads to the propagations of radial crack, lateral cracks and microcracks in the subsurface. These crack propagations therefore cause deformation in subsurface to form annular reflections regions around the indentations and further material collapse within imprints. After the residual stresses are exhausted, the leaching plays a more dominated role in glass corrosion in the further immersion. After immersion, the material structure slackens around micro-indentation, which decreases the contact stiffness and results in a lower nano-hardness. For the surface far away from flaws, water immersion presents a weak effect on the near-surface mechanical since the matrix leaching in phosphate glass restricts the formation of hydration layer. During first 20 min immersion, due to higher chemical activity and lower fracture toughness, the radial cracks show a faster propagation in phosphate glass compared with that in K9 silicate glass. For further immersion, crack healing occurs in silicate glass but not in phosphate glass. Analysis shows that the formation of hydration layer on crack walls plays an important role in crack healing in glasses.

Mechanical characterization of Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy at multiple length scales using spherical indentation stress-strain measurements

DOE PAGES

Weaver, Jordan S.; Kalidindi, Surya R.

2016-12-01

Recent advances in spherical indentation stress-strain protocols and analyses have demonstrated the capability for measuring reliably the local mechanical responses in polycrystalline metal samples at different length scales, ranging from sub-micron (regions within individual grains) to several hundreds of microns (regions covering several grains). These recent advances have now made it possible to study systematically the mechanical behavior of a single material system at different length scales, with tremendous potential to obtain new insights into the role of individual phases, interfaces, and other microscale constituents on the macroscale mechanical response of the material. In this paper, we report spherical indentationmore » stress-strain measurements with different indenter sizes (microns to millimeters) on Ti-6Al-4V (Ti-64) which capture the mechanical response of single phase alpha-Ti-64, single colony (alpha-beta), few colonies, and many colonies of Ti-64. The results show that the average mechanical response (indentation modulus and yield strength) from multiple indentations remains relatively unchanged from single phase alpha to many colonies of Ti-64, while the variance in the response decreases with indenter size. In conclusion, the work-hardening response in indentation tests follows a similar behavior up to indentation zones of many colonies, which shows significantly higher work hardening rates.« less

The Acinar Cage: Basement Membranes Determine Molecule Exchange and Mechanical Stability of Human Breast Cell Acini.

PubMed

Gaiko-Shcherbak, Aljona; Fabris, Gloria; Dreissen, Georg; Merkel, Rudolf; Hoffmann, Bernd; Noetzel, Erik

2015-01-01

The biophysical properties of the basement membrane that surrounds human breast glands are poorly understood, but are thought to be decisive for normal organ function and malignancy. Here, we characterize the breast gland basement membrane with a focus on molecule permeation and mechanical stability, both crucial for organ function. We used well-established and nature-mimicking MCF10A acini as 3D cell model for human breast glands, with ether low- or highly-developed basement membrane scaffolds. Semi-quantitative dextran tracer (3 to 40 kDa) experiments allowed us to investigate the basement membrane scaffold as a molecule diffusion barrier in human breast acini in vitro. We demonstrated that molecule permeation correlated positively with macromolecule size and intriguingly also with basement membrane development state, revealing a pore size of at least 9 nm. Notably, an intact collagen IV mesh proved to be essential for this permeation function. Furthermore, we performed ultra-sensitive atomic force microscopy to quantify the response of native breast acini and of decellularized basement membrane shells against mechanical indentation. We found a clear correlation between increasing acinar force resistance and basement membrane formation stage. Most important native acini with highly-developed basement membranes as well as cell-free basement membrane shells could both withstand physiologically relevant loads (≤ 20 nN) without loss of structural integrity. In contrast, low-developed basement membranes were significantly softer and more fragile. In conclusion, our study emphasizes the key role of the basement membrane as conductor of acinar molecule influx and mechanical stability of human breast glands, which are fundamental for normal organ function.

Understanding of the Viscoelastic Response of the Human Corneal Stroma Induced by Riboflavin/UV-A Cross-Linking at the Nano Level

PubMed Central

Labate, Cristina; De Santo, Maria Penelope; Lombardo, Giuseppe; Lombardo, Marco

2015-01-01

Purpose To investigate the viscoelastic changes of the human cornea induced by riboflavin/UV-A cross-linking using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) at the nano level. Methods Seven eye bank donor corneas were investigated, after gently removing the epithelium, using a commercial AFM in the force spectroscopy mode. Silicon cantilevers with tip radius of 10 nm and spring elastic constants between 26- and 86-N/m were used to probe the viscoelastic properties of the anterior stroma up to 3 µm indentation depth. Five specimens were tested before and after riboflavin/UV-A cross-linking; the other two specimens were chemically cross-linked using glutaraldehyde 2.5% solution and used as controls. The Young’s modulus (E) and the hysteresis (H) of the corneal stroma were quantified as a function of the application load and scan rate. Results The Young’s modulus increased by a mean of 1.1-1.5 times after riboflavin/UV-A cross-linking (P<0.05). A higher increase of E, by a mean of 1.5-2.6 times, was found in chemically cross-linked specimens using glutaraldehyde 2.5% (P<0.05). The hysteresis decreased, by a mean of 0.9-1.5 times, in all specimens after riboflavin/UV-A cross-linking (P<0.05). A substantial decrease of H, ranging between 2.6 and 3.5 times with respect to baseline values, was observed in glutaraldehyde-treated corneas (P<0.05). Conclusions The present study provides the first evidence that riboflavin/UV-A cross-linking induces changes of the viscoelastic properties of the cornea at the scale of stromal molecular interactions. PMID:25830534

Alternate approach for calculating hardness based on residual indentation depth: Comparison with experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ananthakrishna, G.; K, Srikanth

2018-03-01

It is well known that plastic deformation is a highly nonlinear dissipative irreversible phenomenon of considerable complexity. As a consequence, little progress has been made in modeling some well-known size-dependent properties of plastic deformation, for instance, calculating hardness as a function of indentation depth independently. Here, we devise a method of calculating hardness by calculating the residual indentation depth and then calculate the hardness as the ratio of the load to the residual imprint area. Recognizing the fact that dislocations are the basic defects controlling the plastic component of the indentation depth, we set up a system of coupled nonlinear time evolution equations for the mobile, forest, and geometrically necessary dislocation densities. Within our approach, we consider the geometrically necessary dislocations to be immobile since they contribute to additional hardness. The model includes dislocation multiplication, storage, and recovery mechanisms. The growth of the geometrically necessary dislocation density is controlled by the number of loops that can be activated under the contact area and the mean strain gradient. The equations are then coupled to the load rate equation. Our approach has the ability to adopt experimental parameters such as the indentation rates, the geometrical parameters defining the Berkovich indenter, including the nominal tip radius. The residual indentation depth is obtained by integrating the Orowan expression for the plastic strain rate, which is then used to calculate the hardness. Consistent with the experimental observations, the increasing hardness with decreasing indentation depth in our model arises from limited dislocation sources at small indentation depths and therefore avoids divergence in the limit of small depths reported in the Nix-Gao model. We demonstrate that for a range of parameter values that physically represent different materials, the model predicts the three characteristic features of hardness, namely, increase in the hardness with decreasing indentation depth, and the linear relation between the square of the hardness and the inverse of the indentation depth, for all but 150 nm, deviating for smaller depths. In addition, we also show that it is straightforward to obtain optimized parameter values that give good fit to the hardness data for polycrystalline cold worked copper and single crystals of silver.

Low Velocity Sphere Impact of a Borosilicate Glass

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Morrissey, Timothy G; Ferber, Mattison K; Wereszczak, Andrew A

2012-05-01

This report summarizes US Army TARDEC sponsored work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) involving low velocity (< 30 m/s or < 65 mph) ball impact testing of Borofloat borosilicate glass, and is a follow-up to a similar study completed by the authors on Starphire soda-lime silicate glass last year. The response of the borosilicate glass to impact testing at different angles was also studied. The Borofloat glass was supplied by the US Army Research Laboratory and its tin-side was impacted or indented. The intent was to better understand low velocity impact response in the Borofloat. Seven sphere materials weremore » used whose densities bracket that of rock: borosilicate glass, soda-lime silicate glass, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, carbon steel, and a chrome steel. A gas gun or a ball-drop test setup was used to produce controlled velocity delivery of the spheres against the glass tile targets. Minimum impact velocities to initiate fracture in the Borofloat were measured and interpreted in context to the kinetic energy of impact and the elastic property mismatch between the seven sphere-Borofloat-target combinations. The primary observations from this low velocity (< 30 m/s or < 65 mph) testing were: (1) BS glass responded similarly to soda-lime silicate glass when spherically indented but quite differently under sphere impact conditions; (2) Frictional effects contributed to fracture initiation in BS glass when it spherically indented. This effect was also observed with soda-lime silicate glass; (3) The force necessary to initiate fracture in BS glass under spherical impact decreases with increasing elastic modulus of the sphere material. This trend is opposite to what was observed with soda-lime silicate glass. Friction cannot explain this trend and the authors do not have a legitimate explanation for it yet; (4) The force necessary to initiate contact-induced fracture is higher under dynamic conditions than under quasi-static conditions. That difference decreases with increasing elastic modulus mismatch between the sphere material and borosilicate This trend was opposite in soda-lime silicate glass; (5) Fracture in borosilicate glass occurs at lower velocities (i.e., easier) at 24{sup o} than at 0{sup o} (orthogonal) and 46{sup o} of impact for the same probability of failure. Though not analyzed yet, this suggests that a convolution of kinetic energy and friction is contributing to that trend; (6) There is a subtle indication there was intra-tile differences in spherical indentation RCIF. This likely is not a material property nor exclusive to borosilicate glass, rather, it is a statistical response of a combination of local, surface-located flaw and imposed tensile stress. Understanding of the surface flaw population and flaw positioning can likely enable prediction of spherical indentation RCIF; and (7) Contact-induced fracture did not initiate in the Borofloat BS for impact kinetic energies up to {approx} 20 mJ. For kinetic energies between {approx} 20-150 mJ, fracture sometimes initiated. Contact-induced fracture would always occur for impact energies > 150 mJ. The energy values, and their boundaries, were much lower for BS glass than they were for soda-lime silicate glass.« less

Intermolecular and interfacial forces: Elucidating molecular mechanisms using chemical force microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashby, Paul David

Investigation into the origin of forces dates to the early Greeks. Yet, only in recent decades have techniques for elucidating the molecular origin of forces been developed. Specifically, Chemical Force Microscopy uses the high precision and nanometer scale probe of Atomic Force Microscopy to measure molecular and interfacial interactions. This thesis presents the development of many novel Chemical Force Microscopy techniques for measuring equilibrium and time-dependant force profiles of molecular interactions, which led to a greater understanding of the origin of interfacial forces in solution. In chapter 2, Magnetic Feedback Chemical Force Microscopy stiffens the cantilever for measuring force profiles between self-assembled monolayer (SAM) surfaces. Hydroxyl and carboxyl terminated SAMs produce long-range interactions that extend one or three nanometers into the solvent, respectively. In chapter 3, an ultra low noise AFM is produced through multiple modifications to the optical deflection detection system and signal processing electronics. In chapter 4, Brownian Force Profile Reconstruction is developed for accurate measurement of steep attractive interactions. Molecular ordering is observed for OMCTS, 1-nonanol, and water near flat surfaces. The molecular ordering of the solvent produces structural or solvation forces, providing insight into the orientation and possible solidification of the confined solvent. Seven molecular layers of OMCTS are observed but the oil remains fluid to the last layer. 1-nonanol strongly orders near the surface and becomes quasi-crystalline with four layers. Water is oriented by the surface and symmetry requires two layers of water (3.7 A) to be removed simultaneously. In chapter 5, electronic control of the cantilever Q (Q-control) is used to obtain the highest imaging sensitivity. In chapter 6, Energy Dissipation Chemical Force Microscopy is developed to investigate the time dependence and dissipative characteristics of SAM interfacial interactions in solution. Long-range adhesive forces for hydroxyl and carboxyl terminated SAM surfaces arise from solvent, not ionic, interactions. Exclusion of the solvent and contact between the SAM surfaces leads to rearrangement of the SAM headgroups. The isolation of the chemical and physical interfacial properties from the topography by Energy Dissipation Chemical Force Microscopy produces a new quantitative high-sensitivity imaging mode.

Statolith action by the numbers: Physics and feasbility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Todd, Paul; Yoder, Thomas; Staehelin, L. Andrew

2016-07-01

All modern (and ancient) studies make it clear that statolith motion is required for gravisensing, and some evidence indicates a role for statolith-microfilament interaction. In this study two components of statolith action are considered quantitatively: (1) the movement of statoliths through the columella cell cytoplasm and (2) forces at the site of action of the statolith. (1) Statoliths move through the cytoplasm in the presence of viscous and elastic forces that may be considered separately. The viscous component may be characterized as a solution with a viscosity of approximately 40 centiPoise. Statoliths are deflected from perfectly vertical trajectories by various obstacles, including actin filaments, and their velocities are influenced by interactions between statoliths. Channeling flow is commonly observed, but this cannot be due to the breaking of actin filaments by the force of the sedimenting statolith, as about 600 pN force is required to break a filament, and the force due to gravity on the amyloplast is about 0.07 pN. Under least viscous conditions the randomly-directed Brownian diffusion velocity of the amyloplast is about 10% the sedimentation velocity. (2) Intimate association of statoliths with the cortical ER region requiring gravitational force is postulated. Thin-section micrographs clearly show an interface between the cortex and the central cytoplasm of the columella cell in vascular plant species that have been studied. Whether or not an exchange of chemical components is required, experiments, including observations in low gravity, have demonstrated that the statolith is shallowly embedded in this cortical region to the extent that deformation occurs consistent with Newton's third law. Relieving the gravitational force results in instantaneous motion of the amyloplast away from the cortex. The following inquiry was made concerning the physics at the interface between the statolith and the material of the cortical ER region. How much force does the statolith exert on the interface between the ER cortex and inner cytoplasm? What is the origin of the elastic force that opposes the penetration of the statolith and that causes it to rebound when the gravitational force is relieved? Candidates considered included actin filaments, endoplasmic membrane, an immiscible-phase interface, and a miscible-phase interface. Forces estimated to produce a 300nm indentation in such interfaces were 100, 30, 0.3, and <1 pN, respectively. The gravitational force on a single statolith is typically 0.1 pN or less. These numbers suggest that the statolith is interacting with an aqueous-aqueous interface with low interfacial tension (<1 μN/m). Further quantitative testing of these notions should be performed on forthcoming low-gravity sub-orbital crewed flights on which dynamic microscopy can be performed during several seconds of increased g-loading followed by some ten minutes of reduced gravity.

In situ spectroscopic study of the plastic deformation of amorphous silicon under non-hydrostatic conditions induced by indentation

PubMed Central

Gerbig, Y.B; Michaels, C.A.; Bradby, J.E.; Haberl, B.; Cook, R.F.

2016-01-01

Indentation-induced plastic deformation of amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin films was studied by in situ Raman imaging of the deformed contact region of an indented sample, employing a Raman spectroscopy-enhanced instrumented indentation technique. Quantitative analyses of the generated in situ Raman maps provide unique, new insight into the phase behavior of as-implanted a-Si. In particular, the occurrence and evolving spatial distribution of changes in the a-Si structure caused by processes, such as polyamorphization and crystallization, induced by indentation loading were measured. The experimental results are linked with previously published work on the plastic deformation of a-Si under hydrostatic compression and shear deformation to establish a sequence for the development of deformation of a-Si under indentation loading. The sequence involves three distinct deformation mechanisms of a-Si: (1) reversible deformation, (2) increase in coordination defects (onset of plastic deformation), and (3) phase transformation. Estimated conditions for the occurrence of these mechanisms are given with respect to relevant intrinsic and extrinsic parameters, such as indentation stress, volumetric strain, and bond angle distribution (a measure for the structural order of the amorphous network). The induced volumetric strains are accommodated solely by reversible deformation of the tetrahedral network when exposed to small indentation stresses. At greater indentation stresses, the increased volumetric strains in the tetrahedral network lead to the formation of predominately five-fold coordination defects, which seems to mark the onset of irreversible or plastic deformation of the a-Si thin film. Further increase in the indentation stress appears to initiate the formation of six-fold coordinated atomic arrangements. These six-fold coordinated arrangements may maintain their amorphous tetrahedral structure with a high density of coordination defects or nucleate as a new crystalline β-tin phase within the a-Si network. PMID:26924926

TOPICAL REVIEW: Aspects of scanning force microscope probes and their effects on dimensional measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yacoot, Andrew; Koenders, Ludger

2008-05-01

The review will describe the various scanning probe microscopy tips and cantilevers used today for scanning force microscopy and magnetic force microscopy. Work undertaken to quantify the properties of cantilevers and tips, e.g. shape and radius, is reviewed together with an overview of the various tip-sample interactions that affect dimensional measurements.

Ultra High Strain Rate Nanoindentation Testing.

PubMed

Sudharshan Phani, Pardhasaradhi; Oliver, Warren Carl

2017-06-17

Strain rate dependence of indentation hardness has been widely used to study time-dependent plasticity. However, the currently available techniques limit the range of strain rates that can be achieved during indentation testing. Recent advances in electronics have enabled nanomechanical measurements with very low noise levels (sub nanometer) at fast time constants (20 µs) and high data acquisition rates (100 KHz). These capabilities open the doors for a wide range of ultra-fast nanomechanical testing, for instance, indentation testing at very high strain rates. With an accurate dynamic model and an instrument with fast time constants, step load tests can be performed which enable access to indentation strain rates approaching ballistic levels (i.e., 4000 1/s). A novel indentation based testing technique involving a combination of step load and constant load and hold tests that enables measurement of strain rate dependence of hardness spanning over seven orders of magnitude in strain rate is presented. A simple analysis is used to calculate the equivalent uniaxial response from indentation data and compared to the conventional uniaxial data for commercial purity aluminum. Excellent agreement is found between the indentation and uniaxial data over several orders of magnitude of strain rate.

A simple model for indentation creep

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ginder, Ryan S.; Nix, William D.; Pharr, George M.

2018-03-01

A simple model for indentation creep is developed that allows one to directly convert creep parameters measured in indentation tests to those observed in uniaxial tests through simple closed-form relationships. The model is based on the expansion of a spherical cavity in a power law creeping material modified to account for indentation loading in a manner similar to that developed by Johnson for elastic-plastic indentation (Johnson, 1970). Although only approximate in nature, the simple mathematical form of the new model makes it useful for general estimation purposes or in the development of other deformation models in which a simple closed-form expression for the indentation creep rate is desirable. Comparison to a more rigorous analysis which uses finite element simulation for numerical evaluation shows that the new model predicts uniaxial creep rates within a factor of 2.5, and usually much better than this, for materials creeping with stress exponents in the range 1 ≤ n ≤ 7. The predictive capabilities of the model are evaluated by comparing it to the more rigorous analysis and several sets of experimental data in which both the indentation and uniaxial creep behavior have been measured independently.

Indentation of a floating elastic sheet: geometry versus applied tension

PubMed Central

Box, Finn; Style, Robert W.; Neufeld, Jerome A.

2017-01-01

The localized loading of an elastic sheet floating on a liquid bath occurs at scales from a frog sitting on a lily pad to a volcano supported by the Earth’s tectonic plates. The load is supported by a combination of the stresses within the sheet (which may include applied tensions from, for example, surface tension) and the hydrostatic pressure in the liquid. At the same time, the sheet deforms, and may wrinkle, because of the load. We study this problem in terms of the (relatively weak) applied tension and the indentation depth. For small indentation depths, we find that the force–indentation curve is linear with a stiffness that we characterize in terms of the applied tension and bending stiffness of the sheet. At larger indentations, the force–indentation curve becomes nonlinear and the sheet is subject to a wrinkling instability. We study this wrinkling instability close to the buckling threshold and calculate both the number of wrinkles at onset and the indentation depth at onset, comparing our theoretical results with experiments. Finally, we contrast our results with those previously reported for very thin, highly bendable membranes. PMID:29118662

Single-molecule force spectroscopy: optical tweezers, magnetic tweezers and atomic force microscopy

PubMed Central

Neuman, Keir C.; Nagy, Attila

2012-01-01

Single-molecule force spectroscopy has emerged as a powerful tool to investigate the forces and motions associated with biological molecules and enzymatic activity. The most common force spectroscopy techniques are optical tweezers, magnetic tweezers and atomic force microscopy. These techniques are described and illustrated with examples highlighting current capabilities and limitations. PMID:18511917

Observation of DNA Molecules Using Fluorescence Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ito, Takashi

2008-01-01

This article describes experiments for an undergraduate instrumental analysis laboratory that aim to observe individual double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) molecules using fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). dsDNA molecules are observed under several different conditions to discuss their chemical and physical properties. In…

Rotary ultrasonic machining of CFRP: a mechanistic predictive model for cutting force.

PubMed

Cong, W L; Pei, Z J; Sun, X; Zhang, C L

2014-02-01

Cutting force is one of the most important output variables in rotary ultrasonic machining (RUM) of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites. Many experimental investigations on cutting force in RUM of CFRP have been reported. However, in the literature, there are no cutting force models for RUM of CFRP. This paper develops a mechanistic predictive model for cutting force in RUM of CFRP. The material removal mechanism of CFRP in RUM has been analyzed first. The model is based on the assumption that brittle fracture is the dominant mode of material removal. CFRP micromechanical analysis has been conducted to represent CFRP as an equivalent homogeneous material to obtain the mechanical properties of CFRP from its components. Based on this model, relationships between input variables (including ultrasonic vibration amplitude, tool rotation speed, feedrate, abrasive size, and abrasive concentration) and cutting force can be predicted. The relationships between input variables and important intermediate variables (indentation depth, effective contact time, and maximum impact force of single abrasive grain) have been investigated to explain predicted trends of cutting force. Experiments are conducted to verify the model, and experimental results agree well with predicted trends from this model. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Subpiconewton intermolecular force microscopy.

PubMed

Tokunaga, M; Aoki, T; Hiroshima, M; Kitamura, K; Yanagida, T

1997-02-24

We refined scanning probe force microscopy to improve the sensitivity of force detection and control of probe position. Force sensitivity was increased by incorporating a cantilever with very low stiffness, 0.1 pN/ nm, which is over 1000-fold more flexible than is typically used in conventional atomic force microscopy. Thermal bending motions of the cantilever were reduced to less than 1 nm by exerting feed-back positioning with laser radiation pressure. The system was tested by measuring electrostatic repulsive forces or hydrophobic attractive forces in aqueous solutions. Subpiconewton intermolecular forces were resolved at controlled gaps in the nanometer range between the probe and a material surface. These levels of force and position sensitivity meet the requirements needed for future investigations of intermolecular forces between biological macromolecules such as proteins, lipids and DNA.

Artificial Roughness Encoding with a Bio-inspired MEMS- based Tactile Sensor Array

PubMed Central

Oddo, Calogero Maria; Beccai, Lucia; Felder, Martin; Giovacchini, Francesco; Carrozza, Maria Chiara

2009-01-01

A compliant 2×2 tactile sensor array was developed and investigated for roughness encoding. State of the art cross shape 3D MEMS sensors were integrated with polymeric packaging providing in total 16 sensitive elements to external mechanical stimuli in an area of about 20 mm2, similarly to the SA1 innervation density in humans. Experimental analysis of the bio-inspired tactile sensor array was performed by using ridged surfaces, with spatial periods from 2.6 mm to 4.1 mm, which were indented with regulated 1N normal force and stroked at constant sliding velocity from 15 mm/s to 48 mm/s. A repeatable and expected frequency shift of the sensor outputs depending on the applied stimulus and on its scanning velocity was observed between 3.66 Hz and 18.46 Hz with an overall maximum error of 1.7%. The tactile sensor could also perform contact imaging during static stimulus indentation. The experiments demonstrated the suitability of this approach for the design of a roughness encoding tactile sensor for an artificial fingerpad. PMID:22412304

Methods and instruments for materials testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hansma, Paul (Inventor); Drake, Barney (Inventor); Rehn, Douglas (Inventor); Adams, Jonathan (Inventor); Lulejian, Jason (Inventor)

2011-01-01

Methods and instruments for characterizing a material, such as the properties of bone in a living human subject, using a test probe constructed for insertion into the material and a reference probe aligned with the test probe in a housing. The housing is hand held or placed so that the reference probe contacts the surface of the material under pressure applied either by hand or by the weight of the housing. The test probe is inserted into the material to indent the material while maintaining the reference probe substantially under the hand pressure or weight of the housing allowing evaluation of a property of the material related to indentation of the material by the probe. Force can be generated by a voice coil in a magnet structure to the end of which the test probe is connected and supported in the magnet structure by a flexure, opposing flexures, a linear translation stage, or a linear bearing. Optionally, a measurement unit containing the test probe and reference probe is connected to a base unit with a wireless connection, allowing in the field material testing.

Development of Thin Films as Potential Structural Cathodes to Enable Multifunctional Energy-Storage Structural Composite Batteries for the U.S. Army’s Future Force

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-01

glancing angle X - ray diffraction (GAXRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical...Emission SEM FWHM full width at half maximum GAXRD glancing angle X - ray diffraction H3COCH2CH2OH 2-methoxyethanol LiMn2O4 lithium manganese oxide...were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X - ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In addition,

Optimization of BI test parameters to investigate mechanical properties of Grade 92 steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barbadikar, Dipika R.; Vincent, S.; Ballal, Atul R.; Peshwe, Dilip R.; Mathew, M. D.

2018-04-01

The ball indentation (BI) testing is used to evaluate the tensile properties of materials namely yield strength, strength coefficient, ultimate tensile strength, and strain hardening exponent. The properties evaluated depend on a number of BI test parameters. These parameters include the material constants like yield slope (YS), constraint factor (CF), yield offset parameter (YOP). Number of loading/unloading cycles, preload, indenter size and depth of penetration of indenter also affects the properties. In present investigation the effect of these parameters on the stress-strain curve of normalized and tempered Grade 92 steel is evaluated. Grade 92 is a candidate material for power plant application over austenitic stainless steel and derives its strength from M23C6, MX precipitates and high dislocation density. CF, YS and YOP changed the strength properties considerably. Indenter size effect resulted in higher strength for smaller indenter. It is suggested to use larger indenter diameter and higher number of loading cycles for GRADE 92 steel to get best results using BI technique.

Means and method for nonuniform poling of piezoelectric transducers

DOEpatents

Hsu, David K.; Margetan, Frank J.; Hasselbusch, Michael D.; Wormley, Samuel J.; Hughes, Michael S.; Thompson, Donald O.

1990-10-09

An apparatus and method for nonuniform poling of piezoelectric transducers includes machining one or more indentation into an end of a piezoelectric rod and cutting the rod to present a thickened disk shape. Highly electrically conductive material is deposited on at least the indentations in the one end and on at least portions of the opposite face of the member. One or more electrodes are configured to matingly fit within the indentations on the one face of the disk, with a like number of electrodes being positionable on the opposite face of the material. Electrical power is then applied to the electrodes in desired amounts, polarity, and duration. The indentations vary the electrical field produced within the piezoelectric material to produce nonuniform poling in the material. The thick disk is then cut to remove the indentations and to present a thin, flat two sided disk for installation in a conventional piezoelectric transducer probe. The indentations are selected to produce poling in accordance with desired transducer response profiles such as Gaussian or Bessel functions.

Investigation of the influence of the concentrations of Sn in electrochemically deposited CuSn alloy films on their mechanical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cherneva, S.; Iankov, R.; Stoychev, D.

2015-10-01

Mechanical properties of thin CuSn alloy films containing different content of Sn (0.06 - 67.5 wt.%) were investigated by means of nanoindentation experiments, using Nanoindenter G200 (Agilent Technologies), equipped with Berkovich indenter tip. The films were electrochemically deposited on screen-intermediate Ni film with thickness about 3 µm electrodeposited on Cu or brass (Cu66Zn34) substrates with thickness respectively 300 µm and 500 µm. The thicknesses of investigated CuSn films varied from 0.138 to 5.47 µm. Mechanical properties of the Cu and brass substrates were investigated too. As a result of nanoindentation experiments, load-displacement curves were obtained and two mechanical characteristics of the substrate and investigated films - indentation hardness (HIT) and indentation modulus (EIT) - were calculated using Oliver & Pharr approximation method. Dependence of indentation modulus and indentation hardness on the depth of indentation, content of Sn, structure and phase composition of the alloy films was investigated and discussed.

Deformation Microstructures Near Vickers Indentations in SNO2/SI Coated Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daria, G.; Evghenii, H.; Olga, S.; Zinaida, D.; Iana, M.; Victor, Z.

The micromechanical properties (hardness and brittleness) of the hard-on-hard SnO2 / Si-coated system (CS) and their modification depending the on load value has been studied. A nonmonotonic changing of microhardness with load growth was detected. The brittle/plastic behavior of the rigid/hard-on-hard SnO2 / Si CS and its response to concentrated load action explains it.A specific evolution of the indentation-deformed zone vs. load value attributed to the change in the internal stress redistribution between film and substrate was detected. It results in a brittleness indentation size effect (BISE) of the SnO2 / Si CS revealed in this experiment.It was shown that the greater portion of internal stresses under indentation is concentrated in the coating layer at small loads. This fact causes a strong elastic-plastic relaxation in the film and its delamination from substrate. The increase of brittle failure in the indentation-deformed zone with a decrease of indentation load was revealed.

Indentation fracture assessment of residual stress in Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wu, K.H.; Liu, K.C.; Sentella, M.

1996-12-31

The measurement of residual stress in Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} ceramics was examined using the indentation technique while a bar specimen with a square cross-section was loaded in tension, and an indentation was created by means of a Vicker`s indenter. The stress applied to the specimen ranged from 0 to 98.8 MPa. The crack length and the shape of the crack were measured by both optical and scanning electron microscopes. Results of the tests indicate that the indentation fracture method can be used to accurately determine the residual stress existing in the material as well as to predict the K{sub c}more » value of the material. The indentation load must be higher than a critical value in order to develop a well-defined penny-shaped crack. For the Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} this critical load is approximately 3 kg. A geometric constant is an important factor for the calculation of the residual stress.« less

Analytical Model of the Nonlinear Dynamics of Cantilever Tip-Sample Surface Interactions for Various Acoustic-Atomic Force Microscopies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cantrell, John H., Jr.; Cantrell, Sean A.

2008-01-01

A comprehensive analytical model of the interaction of the cantilever tip of the atomic force microscope (AFM) with the sample surface is developed that accounts for the nonlinearity of the tip-surface interaction force. The interaction is modeled as a nonlinear spring coupled at opposite ends to linear springs representing cantilever and sample surface oscillators. The model leads to a pair of coupled nonlinear differential equations that are solved analytically using a standard iteration procedure. Solutions are obtained for the phase and amplitude signals generated by various acoustic-atomic force microscope (A-AFM) techniques including force modulation microscopy, atomic force acoustic microscopy, ultrasonic force microscopy, heterodyne force microscopy, resonant difference-frequency atomic force ultrasonic microscopy (RDF-AFUM), and the commonly used intermittent contact mode (TappingMode) generally available on AFMs. The solutions are used to obtain a quantitative measure of image contrast resulting from variations in the Young modulus of the sample for the amplitude and phase images generated by the A-AFM techniques. Application of the model to RDF-AFUM and intermittent soft contact phase images of LaRC-cp2 polyimide polymer is discussed. The model predicts variations in the Young modulus of the material of 24 percent from the RDF-AFUM image and 18 percent from the intermittent soft contact image. Both predictions are in good agreement with the literature value of 21 percent obtained from independent, macroscopic measurements of sheet polymer material.

Plant cell wall extensibility: connecting plant cell growth with cell wall structure, mechanics, and the action of wall-modifying enzymes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cosgrove, Daniel J.

The advent of user-friendly instruments for measuring force/deflection curves of plant surfaces at high spatial resolution has resulted in a recent outpouring of reports of the ‘Young's modulus’ of plant cell walls. The stimulus for these mechanical measurements comes from biomechanical models of morphogenesis of meristems and other tissues, as well as single cells, in which cell wall stress feeds back to regulate microtubule organization, auxin transport, cellulose deposition, and future growth directionality. In this article I review the differences between elastic modulus and wall extensibility in the context of cell growth. Some of the inherent complexities, assumptions, and potentialmore » pitfalls in the interpretation of indentation force/deflection curves are discussed. Reported values of elastic moduli from surface indentation measurements appear to be 10- to >1000-fold smaller than realistic tensile elastic moduli in the plane of plant cell walls. Potential reasons for this disparity are discussed, but further work is needed to make sense of the huge range in reported values. The significance of wall stress relaxation for growth is reviewed and connected to recent advances and remaining enigmas in our concepts of how cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectins are assembled to make an extensible cell wall. A comparison of the loosening action of α-expansin and Cel12A endoglucanase is used to illustrate two different ways in which cell walls may be made more extensible and the divergent effects on wall mechanics.« less

Nanoindentation investigation of the stress exponent for the creep of dung beetle (Copris ochus Motschulsky) cuticle

PubMed Central

Zhang, Zhijun; Jia, Honglei; Sun, Jiyu; Tong, Jin

2016-01-01

ABSTACT With the rapid development of bionic science, especially the progress that has been made in the fields of biomaterials and biomimetics, there is now great interest in the surface and internal mechanical properties of biological materials at the micro- and nanoscale. The study of micro- and nanoscale biomaterial mechanical properties could enable interdisciplinary applications in materials science, biological science and bionic science. Dung beetle (Copris ochus Motschulsky) cuticle is a viscoelastic material that is both viscous and flexible via elastic deformation under external forces; where stress σ, strain ε and elastic modulus E are related in the following way: σ = Eε. In addition, as σ is related to the rate of strain, time is also a factor. The stress-strain relationships of various parts of dung beetle cuticle were investigated in this paper. As time increased, the stress and strain of the material were found to decrease and increase, respectively, indicating that when the material was indented for a certain period, the interaction force between the indenter and the material gradually achieved a state of dynamic equilibrium. However, strain continued to occur until reaching a point of equilibrium because of the creep phenomenon. The stress-strain curves showed a strong character in each holding time condition: the longer the holding time, the more flattened the stress-strain curve. These findings will be useful in the advanced design of strong, lightweight, and biomimetic composites. PMID:27710435

Detection of percolating paths in polyhedral segregated network composites using electrostatic force microscopy and conductive atomic force microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waddell, J.; Ou, R.; Capozzi, C. J.; Gupta, S.; Parker, C. A.; Gerhardt, R. A.; Seal, K.; Kalinin, S. V.; Baddorf, A. P.

2009-12-01

Composite specimens possessing polyhedral segregated network microstructures require a very small amount of nanosize filler, <1 vol %, to reach percolation because percolation occurs by accumulation of the fillers along the edges of the deformed polymer matrix particles. In this paper, electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) and conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) were used to confirm the location of the nanosize fillers and the corresponding percolating paths in polymethyl methacrylate/carbon black composites. The EFM and C-AFM images revealed that the polyhedral polymer particles were coated with filler, primarily on the edges as predicted by the geometric models provided.

Multi-scale analysis of bone chemistry, morphology and mechanics in the oim model of osteogenesis imperfecta.

PubMed

Bart, Zachary R; Hammond, Max A; Wallace, Joseph M

2014-08-01

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a congenital disease commonly characterized by brittle bones and caused by mutations in the genes encoding Type I collagen, the single most abundant protein produced by the body. The oim model has a natural collagen mutation, converting its heterotrimeric structure (two α1 and one α2 chains) into α1 homotrimers. This mutation in collagen may impact formation of the mineral, creating a brittle bone phenotype in animals. Femurs from male wild type (WT) and homozygous (oim/oim) mice, all at 12 weeks of age, were assessed using assays at multiple length scales with minimal sample processing to ensure a near-physiological state. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) demonstrated detectable differences in the organization of collagen at the nanoscale that may partially contribute to alterations in material and structural behavior obtained through mechanical testing and reference point indentation (RPI). Changes in geometric and chemical structure obtained from µ-Computed Tomography and Raman spectroscopy indicate a smaller bone with reduced trabecular architecture and altered chemical composition. Decreased tissue material properties in oim/oim mice are likely driven by changes in collagen fibril structure, decreasing space available for mineral nucleation and growth, as supported by a reduction in mineral crystallinity. Multi-scale analyses of this nature offer much in assessing how molecular changes compound to create a degraded, brittle bone phenotype.

Influence of growth temperature on laser molecular beam epitaxy and properties of GaN layers grown on c-plane sapphire

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dixit, Ripudaman; Tyagi, Prashant; Kushvaha, Sunil Singh; Chockalingam, Sreekumar; Yadav, Brajesh Singh; Sharma, Nita Dilawar; Kumar, M. Senthil

2017-04-01

We have investigated the influence of growth temperature on the in-plane strain, structural, optical and mechanical properties of heteroepitaxially grown GaN layers on sapphire (0001) substrate by laser molecular beam epitaxy (LMBE) technique in the temperature range 500-700 °C. The GaN epitaxial layers are found to have a large in-plane compressive stress of about 1 GPa for low growth temperatures but the strain drastically reduced in the layer grown at 700 °C. The nature of the in-plane strain has been analyzed using high resolution x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. From AFM, a change in GaN growth mode from grain to island is observed at the high growth temperature above 600 °C. A blue shift of 20-30 meV in near band edge PL emission line has been noticed for the GaN layers containing the large in-plane strain. These observations indicate that the in-plane strain in the GaN layers is dominated by a biaxial strain. Using nanoindentation, it is found that the indentation hardness and Young's modulus of the GaN layers increases with increasing growth temperature. The results disclose the critical role of growth mode in determining the in-plane strain and mechanical properties of the GaN layers grown by LMBE technique.

Indentation versus Rolling: Dependence of Adhesion on Contact Geometry for Biomimetic Structures.

PubMed

Moyle, Nichole; He, Zhenping; Wu, Haibin; Hui, Chung-Yuen; Jagota, Anand

2018-04-03

Numerous biomimetic structures made from elastomeric materials have been developed to produce enhancement in properties such as adhesion, static friction, and sliding friction. As a property, one expects adhesion to be represented by an energy per unit area that is usually sensitive to the combination of shear and normal stresses at the crack front but is otherwise dependent only on the two elastic materials that meet at the interface. More specifically, one would expect that adhesion measured by indentation (a popular and convenient technique) could be used to predict adhesion hysteresis in the more practically important rolling geometry. Previously, a structure with a film-terminated fibrillar geometry exhibited dramatic enhancement of adhesion by a crack-trapping mechanism during indentation with a rigid sphere. Roughly isotropic structures such as the fibrillar geometry show a strong correlation between adhesion enhancement in indentation versus adhesion hysteresis in rolling. However, anisotropic structures, such as a film-terminated ridge-channel geometry, surprisingly show a dramatic divergence between adhesion measured by indentation versus rolling. We study this experimentally and theoretically, first comparing the adhesion of the anisotropic ridge-channel structure to the roughly isotropic fibrillar structure during indentation with a rigid sphere, where only the isotropic structure shows adhesion enhancement. Second, we examine in more detail the anomalous anisotropic film-terminated ridge-channel structure during indentation with a rigid sphere versus rolling to show why these structures show a dramatic adhesion enhancement for the rolling case and no adhesion enhancement for indentation.

Onset of detachment in adhesive contact of an elastic half-space and flat-ended punches with non-circular shape: analytic estimates and comparison with numeric analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Qiang; Argatov, Ivan; Popov, Valentin L.

2018-04-01

A recent paper by Popov, Pohrt and Li (PPL) in Friction investigated adhesive contacts of flat indenters in unusual shapes using numerical, analytical and experimental methods. Based on that paper, we analyze some special cases for which analytical solutions are known. As in the PPL paper, we consider adhesive contact in the Johnson-Kendall-Roberts approximation. Depending on the energy balance, different upper and lower estimates are obtained in terms of certain integral characteristics of the contact area. The special cases of an elliptical punch as well as a system of two circular punches are considered. Theoretical estimations for the first critical force (force at which the detachment process begins) are confirmed by numerical simulations using the adhesive boundary element method. It is shown that simpler approximations for the pull-off force, based both on the Holm radius of contact and the contact area, substantially overestimate the maximum adhesive force.

Investigation of the Rock Fragmentation Process by a Single TBM Cutter Using a Voronoi Element-Based Numerical Manifold Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Quansheng; Jiang, Yalong; Wu, Zhijun; Xu, Xiangyu; Liu, Qi

2018-04-01

In this study, a two-dimensional Voronoi element-based numerical manifold method (VE-NMM) is developed to analyze the granite fragmentation process by a single tunnel boring machine (TBM) cutter under different confining stresses. A Voronoi tessellation technique is adopted to generate the polygonal grain assemblage to approximate the microstructure of granite sample from the Gubei colliery of Huainan mining area in China. A modified interface contact model with cohesion and tensile strength is embedded into the numerical manifold method (NMM) to interpret the interactions between the rock grains. Numerical uniaxial compression and Brazilian splitting tests are first conducted to calibrate and validate the VE-NMM models based on the laboratory experiment results using a trial-and-error method. On this basis, numerical simulations of rock fragmentation by a single TBM cutter are conducted. The simulated crack initiation and propagation process as well as the indentation load-penetration depth behaviors in the numerical models accurately predict the laboratory indentation test results. The influence of confining stress on rock fragmentation is also investigated. Simulation results show that radial tensile cracks are more likely to be generated under a low confining stress, eventually coalescing into a major fracture along the loading axis. However, with the increase in confining stress, more side cracks initiate and coalesce, resulting in the formation of rock chips at the upper surface of the model. In addition, the peak indentation load also increases with the increasing confining stress, indicating that a higher thrust force is usually needed during the TBM boring process in deep tunnels.

Effect of tooth bleaching agents on protein content and mechanical properties of dental enamel.

PubMed

Elfallah, Hunida M; Bertassoni, Luiz E; Charadram, Nattida; Rathsam, Catherine; Swain, Michael V

2015-07-01

This study investigated the effect of two bleaching agents, 16% carbamide peroxide (CP) and 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP), on the mechanical properties and protein content of human enamel from freshly extracted teeth. The protein components of control and treated enamel were extracted and examined on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Marked reduction of the protein matrix and random fragmentation of the enamel proteins after bleaching treatments was found. The mechanical properties were analyzed with Vickers indentations to characterize fracture toughness, and nanoindentation to establish enamel hardness, elastic modulus and creep deformation. Results indicate that the hardness and elastic modulus of enamel were significantly reduced after treatment with CP and HP. After bleaching, the creep deformation at maximum load increased and the recovery upon unloading reduced. Crack lengths of CP and HP treated enamel were increased, while fracture toughness decreased. Additionally, the microstructures of fractured and indented samples were examined with field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) showing distinct differences in the fracture surface morphology between pre- and post-bleached enamel. In conclusion, tooth bleaching agents can produce detrimental effects on the mechanical properties of enamel, possibly as a consequence of damaging or denaturing of its protein components. Copyright © 2015 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Shear band evolution in zirconium/hafnium-based bulk metallic glasses under static and dynamic indentations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Hongwen

In this thesis, a detailed investigation of thermal stability and mechanical deformation behavior of Zr/Hf-based Bulk Metallic Glasses is conducted. First, systematic studies had been implemented to understand the influence of relative compositions of Zr and Hf on thermal stability and mechanical property evolution. Second, shear band evolution under indentations were investigated experimentally and theoretically. It was found in the present work that gradually replacing Zr by Hf remarkably increases the density and improves the mechanical properties. However, a slight decrease in glass forming ability with increasing Hf content has also been identified through thermodynamic analysis although all the materials in the current study were still found to be amorphous. Many indentation studies have revealed only a few shear bands surrounding the indent on the top surface of the specimen. This small number of shear bands cannot account for the large plastic deformation beneath the indentations. Therefore, a bonded interface technique has been used to observe the slip-steps due to shear band evolution. Vickers indentations were performed along the interface of the bonded split specimen at increasing loads. At small indentation loads, the plastic deformation was primarily accommodated by semi-circular primary shear bands surrounding the indentation. At higher loads, secondary and tertiary shear bands were formed inside this plastic zone. A modified expanding cavity model was then used to predict the plastic zone size characterized by the shear bands and to identify the stress components responsible for the evolution of the various types of shear bands. The applicability of various hardness - yield-strength (H-sigma y) relationships currently available in the literature for bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) is also investigated. Experimental data generated on ZrHf-based BMGs in the current study and those available elsewhere on other BMG compositions were used to validate the models. A modified expanding-cavity model, employed in earlier work, was extended to propose a new H-sigmay relationship. Unlike previous models, the proposed model takes into account not only the indenter geometry and the material properties, but also the pressure sensitivity index of the BMGs. The influence of various model parameters is systematically analyzed. It is shown that there is a good correlation between the model predictions and the experimental data for a wide range of BMG compositions. Under dynamic Vickers indentation, a decrease in indentation hardness at high loading rate was observed compared to static indentation hardness. It was observed that at equivalent loads, dynamic indentations produced more severe deformation features on the loading surface than static indentations. Different from static indentation, two sets of widely spaced semi-circular shear bands with two different curvatures were observed. The observed shear band pattern and the strain rate softening in indentation hardness were rationalized based on the variations in the normal stress on the slip plane, the strain rate of shear and the temperature rise associated with the indentation deformation. Finally, a coupled thermo-mechanical model is proposed that utilizes a momentum diffusion mechanism for the growth and evolution of the final spacing of shear bands. The influence of strain rate, confinement pressure and critical shear displacement on the shear band spacing, temperature rise within the shear band, and the associated variation in flow stress have been captured and analyzed. Consistent with the known pressure sensitive behavior of BMGs, the current model clearly captures the influence of the normal stress in the formation of shear bands. The normal stress not only reduces the time to reach critical shear displacement but also causes a significant temperature rise during the shear band formation. Based on this observation, the variation of shear band spacing in a typical dynamic indentation test has been rationalized. The temperature rise within a shear band can be in excess of 2000K at high strain rate and high confinement pressure conditions. The associated drop in viscosity and flow stress may explain the observed decrease in fracture strength and indentation hardness. The above investigations provide valuable insight into the deformation behavior of BMGs under static and dynamic loading conditions. The shear band patterns observed in the above indentation studies can be helpful to understand and model the deformation features under complex loading scenarios such as the interaction of a penetrator with armor. Future work encompasses (1) extending and modifying the coupled thermo-mechanical model to account for the temperature rise in quasistatic deformation; and (2) expanding this model to account for the microstructural variation-crystallization and free volume migration associated with the deformation. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Occurrence of spherical ceramic debris in indentation and sliding contact

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miyoshi, K.; Buckley, D. H.

1982-01-01

Indenting experiments were conducted with the silicon carbide (0001) surface in contact with a spherical diamond indenter in air. Sliding friction experiments were also conducted with silicon carbide in contact with iron and iron-based binary alloys at room temperature and 800 C. Fracture pits with a spherical particle and spherical wear debris were observed as a result of indenting and sliding. Spherical debris may be produced by a mechanism that involves a spherical-shaped fracture along the circular or spherical stress trajectories under the inelastic deformation zone.

Contact problem for a solid indenter and a viscoelastic half-space described by the spectrum of relaxation and retardation times

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stepanov, F. I.

2018-04-01

The mechanical properties of a material which is modeled by an exponential creep kernel characterized by a spectrum of relaxation and retardation times are studied. The research is carried out considering a contact problem for a solid indenter sliding over a viscoelastic half-space. The contact pressure, indentation depth of the indenter, and the deformation component of the friction coefficient are analyzed with respect to the case of half-space material modeled by single relaxation and retardation times.

A 200 W Hall thruster with hollow indented anode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Yongjie; Sun, Hezhi; Wei, Liqiu; Li, Peng; Su, Hongbo; Peng, Wuji; Yu, Daren

2017-10-01

A hollow indented anode is proposed for increasing the neutral gas density in a discharge channel, in order to improve the performance of the thruster. The experimental results show that a hollow indented anode structure can effectively improve the performance, compared to a hollow straight anode under similar operating conditions, in terms of thrust, propellant utilization, ionization rate, and anode efficiency. Furthermore, simulations show that the indented anode can effectively increase the neutral gas density in a discharge channel and on the centerline of the channel, compared to a hollow straight anode. In addition, it can increase the ionization rate in the channel and the pre-ionization in the anode. Therefore, the hollow indented anode could be considered as an important design idea for improving thruster performance.

In-situ Observation of Cross-Sectional Microstructural Changes and Stress Distributions in Fracturing TiN Thin Film during Nanoindentation.

PubMed

Zeilinger, Angelika; Todt, Juraj; Krywka, Christina; Müller, Martin; Ecker, Werner; Sartory, Bernhard; Meindlhumer, Michael; Stefenelli, Mario; Daniel, Rostislav; Mitterer, Christian; Keckes, Jozef

2016-03-07

Load-displacement curves measured during indentation experiments on thin films depend on non-homogeneous intrinsic film microstructure and residual stress gradients as well as on their changes during indenter penetration into the material. To date, microstructural changes and local stress concentrations resulting in plastic deformation and fracture were quantified exclusively using numerical models which suffer from poor knowledge of size dependent material properties and the unknown intrinsic gradients. Here, we report the first in-situ characterization of microstructural changes and multi-axial stress distributions in a wedge-indented 9 μm thick nanocrystalline TiN film volume performed using synchrotron cross-sectional X-ray nanodiffraction. During the indentation, needle-like TiN crystallites are tilted up to 15 degrees away from the indenter axis in the imprint area and strongly anisotropic diffraction peak broadening indicates strain variation within the X-ray nanoprobe caused by gradients of giant compressive stresses. The morphology of the multiaxial stress distributions with local concentrations up to -16.5 GPa correlate well with the observed fracture modes. The crack growth is influenced decisively by the film microstructure, especially by the micro- and nano-scopic interfaces. This novel experimental approach offers the capability to interpret indentation response and indenter imprint morphology of small graded nanostructured features.

The nano-epsilon dot method for strain rate viscoelastic characterisation of soft biomaterials by spherical nano-indentation.

PubMed

Mattei, G; Gruca, G; Rijnveld, N; Ahluwalia, A

2015-10-01

Nano-indentation is widely used for probing the micromechanical properties of materials. Based on the indentation of surfaces using probes with a well-defined geometry, the elastic and viscoelastic constants of materials can be determined by relating indenter geometry and measured load and displacement to parameters which represent stress and deformation. Here we describe a method to derive the viscoelastic properties of soft hydrated materials at the micro-scale using constant strain rates and stress-free initial conditions. Using a new self-consistent definition of indentation stress and strain and corresponding unique depth-independent expression for indentation strain rate, the epsilon dot method, which is suitable for bulk compression testing, is transformed to nano-indentation. We demonstrate how two materials can be tested with a displacement controlled commercial nano-indentor using the nano-espilon dot method (nano-ε̇M) to give values of instantaneous and equilibrium elastic moduli and time constants with high precision. As samples are tested in stress-free initial conditions, the nano-ε̇M could be useful for characterising the micro-mechanical behaviour of soft materials such as hydrogels and biological tissues at cell length scales. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Puncture mechanics of soft elastomeric membrane with large deformation by rigid cylindrical indenter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Junjie; Chen, Zhe; Liang, Xueya; Huang, Xiaoqiang; Mao, Guoyong; Hong, Wei; Yu, Honghui; Qu, Shaoxing

2018-03-01

Soft elastomeric membrane structures are widely used and commonly found in engineering and biological applications. Puncture is one of the primary failure modes of soft elastomeric membrane at large deformation when indented by rigid objects. In order to investigate the puncture failure mechanism of soft elastomeric membrane with large deformation, we study the deformation and puncture failure of silicone rubber membrane that results from the continuous axisymmetric indentation by cylindrical steel indenters experimentally and analytically. In the experiment, effects of indenter size and the friction between the indenter and the membrane on the deformation and puncture failure of the membrane are investigated. In the analytical study, a model within the framework of nonlinear field theory is developed to describe the large local deformation around the punctured area, as well as to predict the puncture failure of the membrane. The deformed membrane is divided into three parts and the friction contact between the membrane and indenter is modeled by Coulomb friction law. The first invariant of the right Cauchy-Green deformation tensor I1 is adopted to predict the puncture failure of the membrane. The experimental and analytical results agree well. This work provides a guideline in designing reliable soft devices featured with membrane structures, which are present in a wide variety of applications.

Determination Plastic Properties of a Material by Spherical Indentation Base on the Representative Stress Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Budiarsa, I. N.; Gde Antara, I. N.; Dharma, Agus; Karnata, I. N.

2018-04-01

Under an indentation, the material undergoes a complex deformation. One of the most effective ways to analyse indentation has been the representative method. The concept coupled with finite element (FE) modelling has been used successfully in analysing sharp indenters. It is of great importance to extend this method to spherical indentation and associated hardness system. One particular case is the Rockwell B test, where the hardness is determined by two points on the P-h curve of a spherical indenter. In this case, an established link between materials parameters and P-h curves can naturally lead to direct hardness estimation from the materials parameters (e.g. yield stress (y) and work hardening coefficients (n)). This could provide a useful tool for both research and industrial applications. Two method to predict p-h curve in spherical indentation has been established. One is use method using C1-C2 polynomial equation approach and another one by depth approach. Both approach has been successfully. An effective method in representing the P-h curves using a normalized representative stress concept was established. The concept and methodology developed is used to predict hardness (HRB) values of materials through direct analysis and validated with experimental data on selected samples of steel.

The structure of [MnIII6 CrIII]3+ single-molecule magnets deposited in submono-layers and monolayers on surfaces studied by means of molecular resolved atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy in UHV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heinzmann, U.; Gryzia, A.; Volkmann, T.; Brechling, A.; Hoeke, V.; Glaser, T.

2014-04-01

Single molecule magnets (SMM) deposited in submonolayers and monolayers have been analyzed with respect to their structures by means of non-contact AFM (topographic as well as damping mode) and Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy with molecular resolution.

Scanning ion-conductance and atomic force microscope with specialized sphere-shaped nanopippettes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhukov, M. V.; Sapozhnikov, I. D.; Golubok, A. O.; Chubinskiy-Nadezhdin, V. I.; Komissarenko, F. E.; Lukashenko, S. Y.

2017-11-01

A scanning ion-conductance microscope was designed on the basis of scanning probe microscope NanoTutor. The optimal parameters of nanopipettes fabrication were found according to scanning electron microscopy diagnostics, current-distance I (Z) and current-voltage characteristics. A comparison of images of test objects, including biological samples, was carried out in the modes of optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy and scanning ion-conductance microscopy. Sphere-shaped nanopippettes probes were developed and tested to increase the stability of pipettes, reduce invasiveness and improve image quality of atomic force microscopy in tapping mode. The efficiency of sphere-shaped nanopippettes is shown.

High Frequency Acoustic Microscopy for the Determination of Porosity and Young's Modulus in High Burnup Uranium Dioxide Nuclear Fuel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marchetti, Mara; Laux, Didier; Cappia, Fabiola; Laurie, M.; Van Uffelen, P.; Rondinella, V. V.; Wiss, T.; Despaux, G.

2016-06-01

During irradiation UO2 nuclear fuel experiences the development of a non-uniform distribution of porosity which contributes to establish varying mechanical properties along the radius of the pellet. Radial variations of both porosity and elastic properties in high burnup UO2 pellet can be investigated via high frequency acoustic microscopy. For this purpose ultrasound waves are generated by a piezoelectric transducer and focused on the sample, after having travelled through a coupling liquid. The elastic properties of the material are related to the velocity of the generated Rayleigh surface wave (VR). A UO2 pellet with a burnup of 67 GWd/tU was characterized using the acoustic microscope installed in the hot cells of the JRC-ITU at a 90 MHz frequency, with methanol as coupling liquid. VR was measured at different radial positions. A good agreement was found, when comparing the porosity values obtained via acoustic microscopy with those determined using SEM image analysis, especially in the areas close to the centre. In addition, Young's modulus was calculated and its radial profile was correlated to the corresponding burnup profile and to the hardness radial profile data obtained by Vickers micro-indentation.

The Ufa indenter: stratigraphic and geophysic evidences for an actual indentation of the Southern Urals by the East European craton

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lefort, Jean-Pierre; Danukalova, Guzel

2014-07-01

Study of the altitudes of the lowest part of the Upper Cretaceous-Eocene and Aktschagylian-Quaternary stratigraphic ensembles known on the western slope of the Southern Urals evidences the existence of an East-West elongated dome which follows the N53° latitude. This ridge is superimposed at depth with the remnants of the Sernovodsk-Abdulino Aulacogen and with the Belaya tear fault, which support the existence of a recent rejuvenation of these old structures. North of these disruptions the Southern Urals display a clear bent towards the East. Detailed microstructural studies show that this curvature is associated with a typical stress pattern which suggests the existence of an indentation of the fold belt by the East European craton. The hypothesis of an Ufa indenter is not supported by an equivalent East-West deep fault north of the bend. However, a long N100° magnetic anomaly, interpreted as a shear zone, suggests that the indenter is a reality. Quaternary uplift and crustal thickening at its front as well as seismological data support our interpretation. It is not stressed that the curvature of the Urals observed at 56° latitude results solely from this recent indentation. It is only assumed that the actual indentation is rejuvenating a former unevenness which existed before in the East European craton. Study of the inner part of the indenter shows that this type of structure is not necessarily rigid and undeformed. Some of the structures described on the URSEIS deep seismic line could be much younger than previously expected.

A Simple Kinetic Model for the Growth of Fe2B Layers on AISI 1026 Steel During the Powder-pack Boriding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flores-Rentería, M. A.; Ortiz-Domínguez, M.; Keddam, M.; Damián-Mejía, O.; Elias-Espinosa, M.; Flores-González, M. A.; Medina-Moreno, S. A.; Cruz-Avilés, A.; Villanueva-Ibañez, M.

2015-02-01

This work focused on the determination of boron diffusion coefficient through the Fe2B layers on AISI 1026 steel using a mathematical model. The suggested model solves the mass balance equation at the (Fe2B/substrate) interface. This thermochemical treatment was carried out in the temperature range of 1123-1273 K for a treatment time ranging from 2 to 8 h. The generated boride layers were characterized by different experimental techniques such as light optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, XRD analysis and the Daimler-Benz Rockwell-C indentation technique. As a result, the boron activation energy for AISI 1026 steel was estimated as 178.4 kJ/mol. Furthermore, this kinetic model was validated by comparing the experimental Fe2B layer thickness with the predicted one at a temperature of 1253 K for 5 h of treatment. A contour diagram relating the layer thickness to the boriding parameters was proposed to be used in practical applications.

Response to lead pollution: mycorrhizal Pinus sylvestris forms the biomineral pyromorphite in roots and needles.

PubMed

Bizo, Maria L; Nietzsche, Sandor; Mansfeld, Ulrich; Langenhorst, Falko; Majzlan, Juraj; Göttlicher, Jörg; Ozunu, Alexandru; Formann, Steffi; Krause, Katrin; Kothe, Erika

2017-06-01

The development of mycorrhized pine seedlings grown in the presence of lead was assessed in order to investigate how higher plants can tolerate lead pollution in the environment. Examination with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that Pb uptake was prominent in the roots, while a smaller amount was found in pine needles, which requires symplastic uptake and root-to-shoot transfer. Lead was concentrated in nanocrystalline aggregates attached to the cell wall and, according to elemental microanalyses, is associated with phosphorus and chlorine. The identification of the nanocrystalline phase in roots and needles was performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and synchrotron X-ray micro-diffraction (μ-XRD), revealing the presence of pyromorphite, Pb 5 [PO 4 ] 3 (Cl, OH), in both roots and needles. The extracellular embedding of pyromorphite within plant cell walls, featuring an indented appearance of the cell wall due to a callus-like outcrop of minerals, suggests a biogenic origin. This biomineralization is interpreted as a defense mechanism of the plant against lead pollution.

Effect of aluminum contents on sputter deposited CrAlN thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vyas, A.; Zhou, Z. F.; Shen, Y. G.

2018-02-01

Pure CrN and CrAlN films with varied Al concentrations were prepared onto Si(100) substrates by an unbalanced reactive dc-magnetron sputtering system. The crystal structure, chemical states, and microstructure of the films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy whereas mechanical properties were determined by nano-indentation measurements. XRD results showed a prominent (200) reflection in both CrN and CrAlN films. Results demonstrate that CrAlN films formed a solid solution and doping of Al atoms replace the Cr atoms affecting the lattice parameter and crystallization of the films. All Al doped films were of B1 NaCl-type structure, demonstrating that CrAlN films primarily crystallized in cubic structure. Microstructural investigation by TEM for a CrAlN film containing Al content of 24.1 at.%, revealed that there exists an amorphous/nanocrystalline domains (grains of about ∼ 11 nm) and hardness increases 22% when compared with pure CrN film.

Large area scanning probe microscope in ultra-high vacuum demonstrated for electrostatic force measurements on high-voltage devices.

PubMed

Gysin, Urs; Glatzel, Thilo; Schmölzer, Thomas; Schöner, Adolf; Reshanov, Sergey; Bartolf, Holger; Meyer, Ernst

2015-01-01

The resolution in electrostatic force microscopy (EFM), a descendant of atomic force microscopy (AFM), has reached nanometre dimensions, necessary to investigate integrated circuits in modern electronic devices. However, the characterization of conducting or semiconducting power devices with EFM methods requires an accurate and reliable technique from the nanometre up to the micrometre scale. For high force sensitivity it is indispensable to operate the microscope under high to ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions to suppress viscous damping of the sensor. Furthermore, UHV environment allows for the analysis of clean surfaces under controlled environmental conditions. Because of these requirements we built a large area scanning probe microscope operating under UHV conditions at room temperature allowing to perform various electrical measurements, such as Kelvin probe force microscopy, scanning capacitance force microscopy, scanning spreading resistance microscopy, and also electrostatic force microscopy at higher harmonics. The instrument incorporates beside a standard beam deflection detection system a closed loop scanner with a scan range of 100 μm in lateral and 25 μm in vertical direction as well as an additional fibre optics. This enables the illumination of the tip-sample interface for optically excited measurements such as local surface photo voltage detection. We present Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) measurements before and after sputtering of a copper alloy with chromium grains used as electrical contact surface in ultra-high power switches. In addition, we discuss KPFM measurements on cross sections of cleaved silicon carbide structures: a calibration layer sample and a power rectifier. To demonstrate the benefit of surface photo voltage measurements, we analysed the contact potential difference of a silicon carbide p/n-junction under illumination.

The influence of tip shape on bending force during needle insertion

PubMed Central

van de Berg, Nick J.; de Jong, Tonke L.; van Gerwen, Dennis J.; Dankelman, Jenny; van den Dobbelsteen, John J.

2017-01-01

Steering of needles involves the planning and timely modifying of instrument-tissue force interactions to allow for controlled deflections during the insertion in tissue. In this work, the effect of tip shape on these forces was studied using 10 mm diameter needle tips. Six different tips were selected, including beveled and conical versions, with or without pre-bend or pre-curve. A six-degree-of-freedom force/torque sensor measured the loads during indentations in tissue simulants. The increased insertion (axial) and bending (radial) forces with insertion depth — the force-displacement slopes — were analyzed. Results showed that the ratio between radial and axial forces was not always proportional. This means that the tip load does not have a constant orientation, as is often assumed in mechanics-based steering models. For all tip types, the tip-load assumed a more radial orientation with increased axial load. This effect was larger for straight tips than for pre-bent or pre-curved tips. In addition, the force-displacement slopes were consistently higher for (1) increased tip angles, and for (2) beveled tips compared to conical tips. Needles with a bent or curved tip allow for an increased bending force and a decreased variability of the tip load vector orientation. PMID:28074939

Atomic force microscopy as a tool for the investigation of living cells.

PubMed

Morkvėnaitė-Vilkončienė, Inga; Ramanavičienė, Almira; Ramanavičius, Arūnas

2013-01-01

Atomic force microscopy is a valuable and useful tool for the imaging and investigation of living cells in their natural environment at high resolution. Procedures applied to living cell preparation before measurements should be adapted individually for different kinds of cells and for the desired measurement technique. Different ways of cell immobilization, such as chemical fixation on the surface, entrapment in the pores of a membrane, or growing them directly on glass cover slips or on plastic substrates, result in the distortion or appearance of artifacts in atomic force microscopy images. Cell fixation allows the multiple use of samples and storage for a prolonged period; it also increases the resolution of imaging. Different atomic force microscopy modes are used for the imaging and analysis of living cells. The contact mode is the best for cell imaging because of high resolution, but it is usually based on the following: (i) image formation at low interaction force, (ii) low scanning speed, and (iii) usage of "soft," low resolution cantilevers. The tapping mode allows a cell to behave like a very solid material, and destructive shear forces are minimized, but imaging in liquid is difficult. The force spectroscopy mode is used for measuring the mechanical properties of cells; however, obtained results strongly depend on the cell fixation method. In this paper, the application of 3 atomic force microscopy modes including (i) contact, (ii) tapping, and (iii) force spectroscopy for the investigation of cells is described. The possibilities of cell preparation for the measurements, imaging, and determination of mechanical properties of cells are provided. The applicability of atomic force microscopy to diagnostics and other biomedical purposes is discussed.

Indentations and Starting Points in Traveling Sales Tour Problems: Implications for Theory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MacGregor, James N.

2012-01-01

A complete, non-trivial, traveling sales tour problem contains at least one "indentation", where nodes in the interior of the point set are connected between two adjacent nodes on the boundary. Early research reported that human tours exhibited fewer such indentations than expected. A subsequent explanation proposed that this was because…

Means and method for nonuniform poling of piezoelectric transducers

DOEpatents

Hsu, D.K.; Margetan, F.J.; Hasselbusch, M.D.; Wormley, S.J.; Hughes, M.S.; Thompson, D.O.

1990-10-09

An apparatus and method are disclosed for nonuniform poling of piezoelectric transducers includes machining one or more indentation into an end of a piezoelectric rod and cutting the rod to present a thickened disk shape. Highly electrically conductive material is deposited on at least the indentations in the one end and on at least portions of the opposite face of the member. One or more electrodes are configured to matingly fit within the indentations on the one face of the disk, with a like number of electrodes being positionable on the opposite face of the material. Electrical power is then applied to the electrodes in desired amounts, polarity, and duration. The indentations vary the electrical field produced within the piezoelectric material to produce nonuniform poling in the material. The thick disk is then cut to remove the indentations and to present a thin, flat two sided disk for installation in a conventional piezoelectric transducer probe. The indentations are selected to produce poling in accordance with desired transducer response profiles such as Gaussian or Bessel functions. 14 figs.

Method to determine the optimal constitutive model from spherical indentation tests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Tairui; Wang, Shang; Wang, Weiqiang

2018-03-01

The limitation of current indentation theories was investigated and a method to determine the optimal constitutive model through spherical indentation tests was proposed. Two constitutive models, the Power-law and the Linear-law, were used in Finite Element (FE) calculations, and then a set of indentation governing equations was established for each model. The load-depth data from the normal indentation depth was used to fit the best parameters in each constitutive model while the data from the further loading part was compared with those from FE calculations, and the model that better predicted the further deformation was considered the optimal one. Moreover, a Yang's modulus calculation model which took the previous plastic deformation and the phenomenon of pile-up (or sink-in) into consideration was also proposed to revise the original Sneddon-Pharr-Oliver model. The indentation results on six materials, 304, 321, SA508, SA533, 15CrMoR, and Fv520B, were compared with tensile ones, which validated the reliability of the revised E calculation model and the optimal constitutive model determination method in this study.

Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance of Metal Nanodot Nanowire Arrays Studied by Far-Field and Near-Field Optical

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-09-05

microscope, nanoholes or nanogrooves can be created on the film. After coating a thin Au film by electron beam evaporation and soaking the sample in acetone...SNOM. III. Results and Discussion: (a) LSPR of Au Nanodots With the use of an indentation force of 3.8 μN, a nanohole array was generated on the...images of (a) a nanohole array on PMMA and (b) the corresponding Au nanodot array after lift-off. SEM images of (c) a Au nanodot pattern “NANO” on

Spherical indentation of a freestanding circular membrane revisited: Analytical solutions and experiments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jin, Congrui; Davoodabadi, Ali; Li, Jianlin

Because of the development of novel micro-fabrication techniques to produce ultra-thin materials and increasing interest in thin biological membranes, in recent years, the mechanical characterization of thin films has received a significant amount of attention. To provide a more accurate solution for the relationship among contact radius, load and deflection, the fundamental and widely applicable problem of spherical indentation of a freestanding circular membrane have been revisited. The work presented here significantly extends the previous contributions by providing an exact analytical solution to the governing equations of Föppl–Hecky membrane indented by a frictionless spherical indenter. In this study, experiments ofmore » spherical indentation has been performed, and the exact analytical solution presented in this article is compared against experimental data from existing literature as well as our own experimental results.« less

Spherical indentation of a freestanding circular membrane revisited: Analytical solutions and experiments

DOE PAGES

Jin, Congrui; Davoodabadi, Ali; Li, Jianlin; ...

2017-01-11

Because of the development of novel micro-fabrication techniques to produce ultra-thin materials and increasing interest in thin biological membranes, in recent years, the mechanical characterization of thin films has received a significant amount of attention. To provide a more accurate solution for the relationship among contact radius, load and deflection, the fundamental and widely applicable problem of spherical indentation of a freestanding circular membrane have been revisited. The work presented here significantly extends the previous contributions by providing an exact analytical solution to the governing equations of Föppl–Hecky membrane indented by a frictionless spherical indenter. In this study, experiments ofmore » spherical indentation has been performed, and the exact analytical solution presented in this article is compared against experimental data from existing literature as well as our own experimental results.« less

Do the mechanical and chemical properties of InvisalignTM appliances change after use? A retrieval analysis.

PubMed

Gerard Bradley, T; Teske, Lauren; Eliades, George; Zinelis, Spiros; Eliades, Theodore

2016-02-01

To investigate the mechanical and chemical alterations of Invisalign appliances after intraoral aging. Samples of Invisalign appliances (Align Technology, San Jose, California, USA) were collected following routine treatment for a mean period of 44±15 days (group INV), whereas unused aligners of the same brand were used as reference (group REF). A small sample from the central incisors region was cut from each appliance and the buccal surface was analysed by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy (n = 5). Then the appliances were cut (n = 25) and embedded in acrylic resin, ground/polished in a grinding polishing machine, and the prepared surfaces were subjected to Instrumented Indentation Testing under 4.9 N load. Force-indentation depth curves were recorded for each group and the following parameters were calculated according to ISO 14577-1; 2002 specification: indentation modulus (E IT ), elastic to total work ratio also known as elastic index (η IT ), Martens Hardness (HM), and indentation creep (C IT ) The mean values of the mechanical properties were statistically analysed by unpaired t-test (a = 0.05). ATR-FTIR analysis confirmed the urethane based structure of the appliances, without important chemical differences attributed to the aging process. INV group showed significantly lower E IT (REF: 2466±20, INV: 2216±168MPa), HM (REF: 119±1, INV: 110±6 N mm -2 ) and higher η IT (REF: 40.0±0.3, INV: 41.5±1.2%), and C IT (REF: 3.7±0.2 INV: 4.0±0.1%). The increase in η IT indicates that INV is a more brittle than REF, whereas the increase in C IT , a decrease in creep resistance. Despite the lack of detectable chemical changes, intraoral aging adversely affected the mechanical properties of the Invisalign appliance. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Orthodontic Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Communication—indentation of Li-ion pouch cell: Effect of material homogenization on prediction of internal short circuit

DOE PAGES

Kumar, A.; Kalnaus, Sergiy; Simunovic, Srdjan; ...

2016-09-12

We performed finite element simulations of spherical indentation of Li-ion pouch cells. Our model fully resolves different layers in the cell. The results of the layer resolved models were compared to the models available in the literature that treat the cell as an equivalent homogenized continuum material. Simulations were carried out for different sizes of the spherical indenter. Here, we show that calibration of a failure criterion for the cell in the homogenized model depends on the indenter size, whereas in the layer-resoled model, such dependency is greatly diminished.

An Approximate Solution to the Plastic Indentation of Circular Sandwich Panels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Z.

2018-05-01

The plastic indentation response of circular sandwich panels loaded by the flat end of a cylinder is investigated employing a velocity field model. Using the principles of virtual velocities and minimum work, an expression for the indenter load in relation to the indenter displacement and displacement field of the deformed face sheet is derived. The analytical solutions obtained are in good agreement with those found by simulations using the ABAQUS code. The radial tensile strain of the deformed face sheet and the ratio of energy absorption rate of the core to that of the face sheet are discussed.

Substantiation of the ratio of the sample thickness to the indentation depth in hardness measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matyunin, V. M.; Marchenkov, A. Yu.; Terent'ev, E. V.; Demidov, A. N.

2016-12-01

The depths to which plastic deformation occurs under ball indentation of a steel plate at various loads is determined. It is established that the ratio of the depth that plastic deformation reaches to the indentation depth is constant (approximately 15) independently of the indentation load. This finding allows us to conclude that this ratio should be held no less than 15 in hardness measurements. Experiments demonstrate that the lower the hardness of the metal substrate, the larger the decrease in the measured hardness when the ratio is lower than 15.

Fatigue Life of Postbuckled Structures with Indentation Damage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davila, Carlos G.; Bisagni, Chiara

2016-01-01

The fatigue life of composite stiffened panels with indentation damage was investigated experimentally using single stringer compression specimens. Indentation damage was induced on one of the two flanges of the stringer. The experiments were conducted using advanced instrumentation, including digital image correlation, passive thermography, and in-situ ultrasonic scanning. Specimens with initial indentation damage lengths of 37 millimeters to 56 millimeters were tested in fatigue and the effects of cyclic load amplitude and damage size were studied. A means of comparison of the damage propagation rates and collapse loads based on a stress intensity measure and the Paris law is proposed.

Controlled crack shapes for indentation fracture of soda-lime glass

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Smith, S.M.; Scattergood, R.O.

1992-01-01

Radial cracks for indented soda-lime glass aged in distilled water were highly elliptical because of truncation by lateral cracks. Indentation in silicone oil minimized radial/lateral crack interaction but still produced cracks having nominally constant ellipticity during bend testing. Analysis of applied stress/indentation crack length data using stress intensity factors based on half-penny crack shape resulted in apparent R-curve behavior and/or overestimation of the fracture toughness. Incorporation of elliptical shape factors eliminated the R-curve behavior and reduced measured toughness to near the accepted value for soda-lime glass.

Interpretation of frequency modulation atomic force microscopy in terms of fractional calculus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sader, John E.; Jarvis, Suzanne P.

2004-07-01

It is widely recognized that small amplitude frequency modulation atomic force microscopy probes the derivative of the interaction force between tip and sample. For large amplitudes, however, such a physical connection is currently lacking, although it has been observed that the frequency shift presents a quantity intermediate to the interaction force and energy for certain force laws. Here we prove that these observations are a universal property of large amplitude frequency modulation atomic force microscopy, by establishing that the frequency shift is proportional to the half-fractional integral of the force, regardless of the force law. This finding indicates that frequency modulation atomic force microscopy can be interpreted as a fractional differential operator, where the order of the derivative/integral is dictated by the oscillation amplitude. We also establish that the measured frequency shift varies systematically from a probe of the force gradient for small oscillation amplitudes, through to the measurement of a quantity intermediate to the force and energy (the half-fractional integral of the force) for large oscillation amplitudes. This has significant implications to measurement sensitivity, since integrating the force will smooth its behavior, while differentiating it will enhance variations. This highlights the importance in choice of oscillation amplitude when wishing to optimize the sensitivity of force spectroscopy measurements to short-range interactions and consequently imaging with the highest possible resolution.

Actuatable capacitive transducer for quantitative nanoindentation combined with transmission electron microscopy

DOEpatents

Warren, Oden L.; Asif, S. A. Syed; Cyrankowski, Edward; Kounev, Kalin

2010-09-21

An actuatable capacitive transducer including a transducer body, a first capacitor including a displaceable electrode and electrically configured as an electrostatic actuator, and a second capacitor including a displaceable electrode and electrically configured as a capacitive displacement sensor, wherein the second capacitor comprises a multi-plate capacitor. The actuatable capacitive transducer further includes a coupling shaft configured to mechanically couple the displaceable electrode of the first capacitor to the displaceable electrode of the second capacitor to form a displaceable electrode unit which is displaceable relative to the transducer body, and an electrically-conductive indenter mechanically coupled to the coupling shaft so as to be displaceable in unison with the displaceable electrode unit.-

Actuatable capacitive transducer for quantitative nanoindentation combined with transmission electron microscopy

DOEpatents

Warren, Oden L; Asif, Syed Amanula Syed; Cyrankowski, Edward; Kounev, Kalin

2013-06-04

An actuatable capacitive transducer including a transducer body, a first capacitor including a displaceable electrode and electrically configured as an electrostatic actuator, and a second capacitor including a displaceable electrode and electrically configured as a capacitive displacement sensor, wherein the second capacitor comprises a multi-plate capacitor. The actuatable capacitive transducer further includes a coupling shaft configured to mechanically couple the displaceable electrode of the first capacitor to the displaceable electrode of the second capacitor to form a displaceable electrode unit which is displaceable relative to the transducer body, and an electrically-conductive indenter mechanically coupled to the coupling shaft so as to be displaceable in unison with the displaceable electrode unit.

In-situ Observation of Cross-Sectional Microstructural Changes and Stress Distributions in Fracturing TiN Thin Film during Nanoindentation

PubMed Central

Zeilinger, Angelika; Todt, Juraj; Krywka, Christina; Müller, Martin; Ecker, Werner; Sartory, Bernhard; Meindlhumer, Michael; Stefenelli, Mario; Daniel, Rostislav; Mitterer, Christian; Keckes, Jozef

2016-01-01

Load-displacement curves measured during indentation experiments on thin films depend on non-homogeneous intrinsic film microstructure and residual stress gradients as well as on their changes during indenter penetration into the material. To date, microstructural changes and local stress concentrations resulting in plastic deformation and fracture were quantified exclusively using numerical models which suffer from poor knowledge of size dependent material properties and the unknown intrinsic gradients. Here, we report the first in-situ characterization of microstructural changes and multi-axial stress distributions in a wedge-indented 9 μm thick nanocrystalline TiN film volume performed using synchrotron cross-sectional X-ray nanodiffraction. During the indentation, needle-like TiN crystallites are tilted up to 15 degrees away from the indenter axis in the imprint area and strongly anisotropic diffraction peak broadening indicates strain variation within the X-ray nanoprobe caused by gradients of giant compressive stresses. The morphology of the multiaxial stress distributions with local concentrations up to −16.5 GPa correlate well with the observed fracture modes. The crack growth is influenced decisively by the film microstructure, especially by the micro- and nano-scopic interfaces. This novel experimental approach offers the capability to interpret indentation response and indenter imprint morphology of small graded nanostructured features. PMID:26947558

Hardening Effect Analysis by Modular Upper Bound and Finite Element Methods in Indentation of Aluminum, Steel, Titanium and Superalloys

PubMed Central

Bermudo, Carolina; Sevilla, Lorenzo; Martín, Francisco; Trujillo, Francisco Javier

2017-01-01

The application of incremental processes in the manufacturing industry is having a great development in recent years. The first stage of an Incremental Forming Process can be defined as an indentation. Because of this, the indentation process is starting to be widely studied, not only as a hardening test but also as a forming process. Thus, in this work, an analysis of the indentation process under the new Modular Upper Bound perspective has been performed. The modular implementation has several advantages, including the possibility of the introduction of different parameters to extend the study, such as the friction effect, the temperature or the hardening effect studied in this paper. The main objective of the present work is to analyze the three hardening models developed depending on the material characteristics. In order to support the validation of the hardening models, finite element analyses of diverse materials under an indentation are carried out. Results obtained from the Modular Upper Bound are in concordance with the results obtained from the numerical analyses. In addition, the numerical and analytical methods are in concordance with the results previously obtained in the experimental indentation of annealed aluminum A92030. Due to the introduction of the hardening factor, the new modular distribution is a suitable option for the analysis of indentation process. PMID:28772914

Final Technical Report for Award DESC0011912, "Trimodal Tapping Mode Atomic Force Microscopy: Simultaneous 4D Mapping of Conservative and Dissipative Probe-Sample Interactions of Energy-Relevant Materials”

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Solares, Santiago D.

The final project report covering the period 7/1/14-6/30/17 provides an overview of the technical accomplishments in the areas of (i) fundamental viscoelasticity, (ii) multifrequency atomic force microscopy, and (iii) characterization of energy-relevant materials with atomic force microscopy. A list of publications supported by the project is also provided.

Nanoscale Visualization of Elastic Inhomogeneities at TiN Coatings Using Ultrasonic Force Microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hidalgo, J. A.; Montero-Ocampo, C.; Cuberes, M. T.

2009-12-01

Ultrasonic force microscopy has been applied to the characterization of titanium nitride coatings deposited by physical vapor deposition dc magnetron sputtering on stainless steel substrates. The titanium nitride layers exhibit a rich variety of elastic contrast in the ultrasonic force microscopy images. Nanoscale inhomogeneities in stiffness on the titanium nitride films have been attributed to softer substoichiometric titanium nitride species and/or trapped subsurface gas. The results show that increasing the sputtering power at the Ti cathode increases the elastic homogeneity of the titanium nitride layers on the nanometer scale. Ultrasonic force microscopy elastic mapping on titanium nitride layers demonstrates the capability of the technique to provide information of high value for the engineering of improved coatings.

Mechanical characterization of soft materials using transparent indenter testing system and finite element simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xuan, Yue

Background. Soft materials such as polymers and soft tissues have diverse applications in bioengineering, medical care, and industry. Quantitative mechanical characterization of soft materials at multiscales is required to assure that appropriate mechanical properties are presented to support the normal material function. Indentation test has been widely used to characterize soft material. However, the measurement of in situ contact area is always difficult. Method of Approach. A transparent indenter method was introduced to characterize the nonlinear behaviors of soft materials under large deformation. This approach made the direct measurement of contact area and local deformation possible. A microscope was used to capture the contact area evolution as well as the surface deformation. Based on this transparent indenter method, a novel transparent indentation measurement systems has been built and multiple soft materials including polymers and pericardial tissue have been characterized. Seven different indenters have been used to study the strain distribution on the contact surface, inner layer and vertical layer. Finite element models have been built to simulate the hyperelastic and anisotropic material behaviors. Proper material constants were obtained by fitting the experimental results. Results.Homogeneous and anisotropic silicone rubber and porcine pericardial tissue have been examined. Contact area and local deformation were measured by real time imaging the contact interface. The experimental results were compared with the predictions from the Hertzian equations. The accurate measurement of contact area results in more reliable Young's modulus, which is critical for soft materials. For the fiber reinforced anisotropic silicone rubber, the projected contact area under a hemispherical indenter exhibited elliptical shape. The local surface deformation under indenter was mapped using digital image correlation program. Punch test has been applied to thin films of silicone rubber and porcine pericardial tissue and results were analyzed using the same method. Conclusions. The transparent indenter testing system can effectively reduce the material properties measurement error by directly measuring the contact radii. The contact shape can provide valuable information for the anisotropic property of the material. Local surface deformation including contact surface, inner layer and vertical plane can be accurately tracked and mapped to study the strain distribution. The potential usage of the transparent indenter measurement system to investigate biological and biomaterials was verified. The experimental data including the real-time contact area combined with the finite element simulation would be powerful tool to study mechanical properties of soft materials and their relation to microstructure, which has potential in pathologies study such as tissue repair and surgery plan. Key words: transparent indenter, large deformation, soft material, anisotropic.

In situ frustum indentation of nanoporous copper thin films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Ran; Pathak, Siddhartha; Mook, William M.

Mechanical properties of thin films are often obtained solely from nanoindentation. At the same time, such measurements are characterized by a substantial amount of uncertainty, especially when mean pressure or hardness are used to infer uniaxial yield stress. In this paper we demonstrate that indentation with a pyramidal flat tip (frustum) indenter near the free edge of a sample can provide a significantly better estimate of the uniaxial yield strength compared to frequently used Berkovich indenter. This is first demonstrated using a numerical model for a material with an isotropic pressure sensitive yield criterion. Numerical simulations confirm that the indentermore » geometry provides a clear distinction of the mean pressure at which a material transitions to inelastic behavior. The mean critical pressure is highly dependent on the plastic Poisson ratio ν p so that at the 1% offset of normalized indent depth, the critical pressure p m c normalized to the uniaxial yield strength σ 0 is 1 < p m c/σ 0 < 1.3 for materials with 0 < ν p < 0.5. Choice of a frustum over Berkovich indenter reduces uncertainty in hardness by a factor of 3. These results are used to interpret frustum indentation experiments on nanoporous (NP) Copper with struts of typical diameter of 45 nm. An estimate of the yield strength of NP Copper is obtained 230 MPa < σ 0 < 300 MPa. Edge indentation further allows one to obtain in-plane strain maps near the critical pressure. Finally, comparison of the experimentally obtained in-plane strain maps of NP Cu during deformation and the strain field for different plastic Poisson ratios suggest that this material has a plastic Poisson ratio of the order of 0.2–0.3. However, existing constitutive models may not adequately capture post-yield behavior of NP metals.« less

Atomistic simulation study of influence of Al2O3-Al interface on dislocation interaction and prismatic loop formation during nano-indentation on Al2O3-coated aluminum.

PubMed

Mishra, Srishti; Meraj, Md; Pal, Snehanshu

2018-06-19

A large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of nano-indentation was carried out to provide insight into the influence of the Al-Al 2 O 3 interface on dislocation evolution and deformation behavior of Al substrate coated with Al 2 O 3 thin film. Adaptive common neighbor analysis (a-CNA), centro-symmetry parameter (CSP) estimation, and dislocation extraction algorithm (DXA) were implemented to represent structural evolution during nano-indentation deformation. The absence of elastic regime was observed in the P-h curve for this simulated nano-indentation test of Al 2 O 3 thin film coated Al specimen. The displacement of oxygen atoms from Al 2 O 3 to Al partly through the interface greatly influences the plastic deformation behavior of the specimen during nano-indentation. Prismatic dislocation loops, which are formed due to pinning of Shockley partials (1/6 < 112>) by Stair-rod (1/6 < 110>) and Hirth dislocation (1/3 < 001>), were observed in all cases studied in this work. Pile-up of atoms was also observed and the extent of the pile-up was found to vary with the test temperature. A distorted stacking fault tetrahedron (SFT) is formed when a nano-indentation test is carried out at 100 K. The presence of a prismatic dislocation loop, SFT and dislocation forest caused strain hardening and, consequently, there is an increase in hardness as indentation depth increases. Graphical abstract Figure illustrates nano-indentation model set up along with load vs. depth curve and distorted stacking fault tetrahedron.

In situ frustum indentation of nanoporous copper thin films

DOE PAGES

Liu, Ran; Pathak, Siddhartha; Mook, William M.; ...

2017-07-24

Mechanical properties of thin films are often obtained solely from nanoindentation. At the same time, such measurements are characterized by a substantial amount of uncertainty, especially when mean pressure or hardness are used to infer uniaxial yield stress. In this paper we demonstrate that indentation with a pyramidal flat tip (frustum) indenter near the free edge of a sample can provide a significantly better estimate of the uniaxial yield strength compared to frequently used Berkovich indenter. This is first demonstrated using a numerical model for a material with an isotropic pressure sensitive yield criterion. Numerical simulations confirm that the indentermore » geometry provides a clear distinction of the mean pressure at which a material transitions to inelastic behavior. The mean critical pressure is highly dependent on the plastic Poisson ratio ν p so that at the 1% offset of normalized indent depth, the critical pressure p m c normalized to the uniaxial yield strength σ 0 is 1 < p m c/σ 0 < 1.3 for materials with 0 < ν p < 0.5. Choice of a frustum over Berkovich indenter reduces uncertainty in hardness by a factor of 3. These results are used to interpret frustum indentation experiments on nanoporous (NP) Copper with struts of typical diameter of 45 nm. An estimate of the yield strength of NP Copper is obtained 230 MPa < σ 0 < 300 MPa. Edge indentation further allows one to obtain in-plane strain maps near the critical pressure. Finally, comparison of the experimentally obtained in-plane strain maps of NP Cu during deformation and the strain field for different plastic Poisson ratios suggest that this material has a plastic Poisson ratio of the order of 0.2–0.3. However, existing constitutive models may not adequately capture post-yield behavior of NP metals.« less

Quantifying Grain Level Stress-Strain Behavior for AM40 via Instrumented Microindentation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cheng, Guang; Barker, Erin I.; Stephens, Elizabeth V.

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Microindentation is performed on hot isostatic pressed (HIP) Mg-Al (AM40) alloy samples produced by high-pressure die cast (HPDC) process for the purpose of quantifying the mechanical properties of the α-Mg grains. The process of obtaining elastic modulus and hardness from indentation load-depth curves is well established in the literature. A new inverse method is developed to extract plastic properties in this study. The method utilizes empirical yield strength-hardness relationship reported in the literature together with finite element modeling of the individual indentation. Due to the shallow depth of the indentation, indentation size effect (ISE) is taken into account whenmore » determining plastic properties. The stress versus strain behavior is determined for a series of indents. The resulting average values and standard deviations are obtained for future use as input distributions for microstructure-based property prediction of AM40.« less

In-situ Indentation and Correlated Precession Electron Diffraction Analysis of a Polycrystalline Cu Thin Film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Qianying; Thompson, Gregory B.

2018-04-01

In-situ TEM nanoindentation of a polycrystalline Cu film was cross-correlated with precession electron diffraction (PED) to quantify the microstructural evolution. The use of PED is shown to clearly reveal features, such as grain size, that are easily masked by diffraction contrast created by the deformation. Using PED, the accompanying grain refinement and change in texture as well as the preservation of specific grain boundary structures, including a ∑3 boundary, under the indent impression were quantified. The nucleation of dislocations, evident in low-angle grain boundary formations, was also observed under the indent. PED quantification of texture gradients created by the indentation process linked well to bend contours observed in the bright-field images. Finally, PED enabled generating a local orientation spread map that gave an approximate estimation of the spatial distribution of strain created by the indentation impression.

Determination of the Mechanical Properties of Plasma-Sprayed Hydroxyapatite Coatings Using the Knoop Indentation Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasan, Md. Fahad; Wang, James; Berndt, Christopher

2015-06-01

The microhardness and elastic modulus of plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite coatings were evaluated using Knoop indentation on the cross section and on the top surface. The effects of indentation angle, testing direction, measurement location and applied load on the microhardness and elastic modulus were investigated. The variability and distribution of the microhardness and elastic modulus data were statistically analysed using the Weibull modulus distribution. The results indicate that the dependence of microhardness and elastic modulus on the indentation angle exhibits a parabolic shape. Dependence of the microhardness values on the indentation angle follows Pythagoras's theorem. The microhardness, Weibull modulus of microhardness and Weibull modulus of elastic modulus reach their maximum at the central position (175 µm) on the cross section of the coatings. The Weibull modulus of microhardness revealed similar values throughout the thickness, and the Weibull modulus of elastic modulus shows higher values on the top surface compared to the cross section.

Evaluation of eyes with relative pupillary block by indentation ultrasound biomicroscopy gonioscopy.

PubMed

Matsunaga, Koichi; Ito, Kunio; Esaki, Koji; Sugimoto, Kota; Sano, Toru; Miura, Katsuya; Sasoh, Mikio; Uji, Yukitaka

2004-03-01

To investigate changes in anterior chamber angle configuration with indentation ultrasound biomicroscopy gonioscopy of relative pupillary block (RPB). Cross-sectional study. This study included 26 eyes of 26 patients with RPB. We determined angle opening distance 500 and angle recess area using indentation ultrasound biomicroscopy gonioscopy and compared a small-sized standard eye cup with a new eye cup with an area for inducing pressure. Indentation ultrasound biomicroscopy images documented concavity of the iris in eyes with RPB. Both the new and the small standard eye cups widened the anterior chamber angle significantly (P <.0001) without causing corneal damage. Angle changes were significantly greater for the new eye cup design. Indentation ultrasound biomicroscopy gonioscopy is a useful technique for observation and diagnosis of RPB. Using a small standard or the newly designed eye cup, the procedure can be performed easily and without causing corneal damage.

Indentation Size Effect on the Creep Behavior of a SnAgCu Solder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Y. D.; Jing, H. Y.; Nai, S. M. L.; Xu, L. Y.; Tan, C. M.; Wei, J.

In the present study, nanoindentation studies of the 95.8Sn-3.5Ag-0.7Cu lead-free solder were conducted over a range of maximum loads from 20 mN to 100 mN, under a constant ramp rate of 0.05 s-1. The indentation scale dependence of creep behavior was investigated. The results revealed that the creep rate, creep strain rate and indentation stress are all dependent on the indentation depth. As the maximum load increased, an increasing trend in the creep rate was observed, while a decreasing trend in creep strain rate and indentation stress were observed. On the contrary, for the case of stress exponent value, no trend was observed and the values were found to range from 6.16 to 7.38. Furthermore, the experimental results also showed that the creep mechanism of the lead-free solder is dominated by dislocation climb.

On the Measurement of Power Law Creep Parameters from Instrumented Indentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sudharshan Phani, P.; Oliver, W. C.; Pharr, G. M.

2017-11-01

Recently the measurement of the creep response of materials at small scales has received renewed interest largely because the equipment required to perform high-temperature nanomechanical testing has become available to an increasing number of researchers. Despite that increased access, there remain several significant experimental and modeling challenges in small-scale mechanical testing at elevated temperatures that are as yet unresolved. In this regard, relating the creep response observed with high-temperature instrumented indentation experiments to macroscopic uniaxial creep response is of great practical value. In this review, we present an overview of various methods currently being used to measure creep with instrumented indentation, with a focus on geometrically self-similar indenters, and their relative merits and demerits from an experimental perspective. A comparison of the various methods to use those instrumented indentation results to predict the uniaxial power law creep response of a wide range of materials will be presented to assess their validity.

Nanoscale Etching and Indentation of Silicon Surfaces with Carbon Nanotubes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dzegilenko, Fedor N.; Srivastava, Deepak; Saini, Subhash

1998-01-01

The possibility of nanolithography of silicon and germanium surfaces with bare carbon nanotube tips of scanning probe microscopy devices is considered with large scale classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations employing Tersoff's reactive many-body potential for heteroatomic C/Si/Ge system. Lithography plays a key role in semiconductor manufacturing, and it is expected that future molecular and quantum electronic devices will be fabricated with nanolithographic and nanodeposition techniques. Carbon nanotubes, rolled up sheets of graphene made of carbon, are excellent candidates for use in nanolithography because they are extremely strong along axial direction and yet extremely elastic along radial direction. In the simulations, the interaction of a carbon nanotube tip with silicon surfaces is explored in two regimes. In the first scenario, the nanotubes barely touch the surface, while in the second they are pushed into the surface to make "nano holes". The first - gentle scenario mimics the nanotube-surface chemical reaction induced by the vertical mechanical manipulation of the nanotube. The second -digging - scenario intends to study the indentation profiles. The following results are reported in the two cases. In the first regime, depending on the surface impact site, two major outcomes outcomes are the selective removal of either a single surface atom or a surface dimer off the silicon surface. In the second regime, the indentation of a silicon substrate by the nanotube is observed. Upon the nanotube withdrawal, several surface silicon atoms are adsorbed at the tip of the nanotube causing significant rearrangements of atoms comprising the surface layer of the silicon substrate. The results are explained in terms of relative strength of C-C, C-Si, and Si-Si bonds. The proposed method is very robust and does not require applied voltage between the nanotube tips and the surface. The implications of the reported controllable etching and hole-creating for nanolithography on silicon are discussed in detail.

Evaluation of fracture toughness of ZrO 2 and Si 3N 4 engineering ceramics following CO 2 and fibre laser surface treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shukla, P. P.; Lawrence, J.

2011-02-01

The fracture toughness property ( K1C) of Si 3N 4 and ZrO 2 engineering ceramics was investigated by means of CO 2 and a fibre laser surface treatment. Near surface modifications in the hardness were investigated by employing the Vickers indentation method. Crack lengths and the crack geometry were then measured by using the optical microscopy. A co-ordinate measuring machine was used to investigate the diamond indentations and to measure the lengths of the cracks. Thereafter, computational and analytical methods were employed to determine the K1C. An increase in the K1C of both ceramics was found by the CO 2 and the fibre laser surface treatment in comparison to the as-received surfaces. The K1C of the CO 2 laser radiated surface of the Si 3N 4 was over 3% higher in comparison to that of the fibre laser treated surface. This was by softening of the near surface layer of the Si 3N 4 which comprised of lowering of hardness, which in turn increased the crack resistance. The effects were not similar in ZrO 2 ceramic to that of the Si 3N 4 as the fibre laser radiation in this case had produced an increase of 34% compared to that of the CO 2 laser radiation. This occurred due to propagation of lower crack resulting from the Vickers indentation test during the fibre laser surface treatment which inherently affected the end K1C through an induced compressive stress layer. The K1C modification of the two ceramics treated by the CO 2 and the fibre laser was also believed to be influenced by the different laser wavelength and its absorption co-efficient, the beam delivery system as well as the differences in the brightness of the two lasers used.

Analysis of the mechanical response of biomimetic materials with highly oriented microstructures through 3D printing, mechanical testing and modeling.

PubMed

de Obaldia, Enrique Escobar; Jeong, Chanhue; Grunenfelder, Lessa Kay; Kisailus, David; Zavattieri, Pablo

2015-08-01

Many biomineralized organisms have evolved highly oriented nanostructures to perform specific functions. One key example is the abrasion-resistant rod-like microstructure found in the radular teeth of Chitons (Cryptochiton stelleri), a large mollusk. The teeth consist of a soft core and a hard shell that is abrasion resistant under extreme mechanical loads with which they are subjected during the scraping process. Such remarkable mechanical properties are achieved through a hierarchical arrangement of nanostructured magnetite rods surrounded with α-chitin. We present a combined biomimetic approach in which designs were analyzed with additive manufacturing, experiments, analytical and computational models to gain insights into the abrasion resistance and toughness of rod-like microstructures. Staggered configurations of hard hexagonal rods surrounded by thin weak interfacial material were printed, and mechanically characterized with a cube-corner indenter. Experimental results demonstrate a higher contact resistance and stiffness for the staggered alignments compared to randomly distributed fibrous materials. Moreover, we reveal an optimal rod aspect ratio that lead to an increase in the site-specific properties measured by indentation. Anisotropy has a significant effect (up to 50%) on the Young's modulus in directions parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rods, and 30% on hardness and fracture toughness. Optical microscopy suggests that energy is dissipated in the form of median cracks when the load is parallel to the rods and lateral cracks when the load is perpendicular to the rods. Computational models suggest that inelastic deformation of the rods at early stages of indentation can vary the resistance to penetration. As such, we found that the mechanical behavior of the system is influenced by interfacial shear strain which influences the lateral load transfer and therefore the spread of damage. This new methodology can help to elucidate the evolutionary designs of biomineralized microstructures and understand the tolerance to fracture and damage of chiton radular teeth. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dynamic-force spectroscopy measurement with precise force control using atomic-force microscopy probe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takeuchi, Osamu; Miyakoshi, Takaaki; Taninaka, Atsushi; Tanaka, Katsunori; Cho, Daichi; Fujita, Machiko; Yasuda, Satoshi; Jarvis, Suzanne P.; Shigekawa, Hidemi

2006-10-01

The accuracy of dynamic-force spectroscopy (DFS), a promising technique of analyzing the energy landscape of noncovalent molecular bonds, was reconsidered in order to justify the use of an atomic-force microscopy (AFM) cantilever as a DFS force probe. The advantages and disadvantages caused, for example, by the force-probe hardness were clarified, revealing the pivotal role of the molecular linkage between the force probe and the molecular bonds. It was shown that the feedback control of the loading rate of tensile force enables us a precise DFS measurement using an AFM cantilever as the force probe.

Determining the Elastic Modulus of Compliant Thin Films Supported on Substrates from Flat Punch Indentation Measurements

Treesearch

M.J. Wald; J.M. Considine; K.T. Turner

2013-01-01

Instrumented indentation is a technique that can be used to measure the elastic properties of soft thin films supported on stiffer substrates, including polymer films, cellulosic sheets, and thin layers of biological materials. When measuring thin film properties using indentation, the effect of the substrate must be considered. Most existing models for determining the...

A novel sample preparation method to avoid influence of embedding medium during nano-indentation

Treesearch

Yujie Meng; Siqun Wang; Zhiyong Cai; Timothy M. Young; Guanben Du; Yanjun Li

2012-01-01

The effect of the embedding medium on the nano-indentation measurements of lignocellulosic materials was investigated experimentally using nano-indentation. Both the reduced elastic modulus and the hardness of nonembedded cell walls were found to be lower than those of the embedded samples, proving that the embedding medium used for specimen preparation on cellulosic...

Indentability of conventional and negative Poisson's ratio foams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lakes, R. S.; Elms, K.

1992-01-01

The indentation resistance of foams, both of conventional structure and of reentrant structure giving rise to negative Poisson's ratio, is studied using holographic interferometry. In holographic indentation tests, reentrant foams had higher yield strength and lower stiffness than conventional foams of the same original relative density. Calculated energy absorption for dynamic impact is considerably higher for reentrant foam than conventional foam.

Upper motor neurone modulation of the structure of the terminal cisternae in rat skeletal muscle fibres.

PubMed

Dulhunty, A F; Gage, P W; Valois, A A

1981-12-23

There are fewer indentations on the flat surfaces of terminal cisternae in soleus (slow-twitch) than in extensor digitorum longus (EDL, fast-twitch) muscle fibres of rats. Following mid-thoracic spinal cord transection, there is an increase in the number of indentations in soleus fibres but no change in EDL fibres. The increase in the numbers of indentations after spinal cord transections is correlated with changes in the contractile and charge movement properties of the soleus fibres so that they resemble normal EDL fibres. The indentations appear to have an important role in excitation-contraction coupling.

Fatigue Life of Postbuckled Structures with Indentation Damages

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davila, Carlos G.; Bisagni, Chiara

2016-01-01

The fatigue life of composite stiffened panels with indentation damage was investigated experimentally using single stringer compression specimens. Indentation damage was induced on one of the two flanges of each stringer. The experiments were conducted using advanced instrumentation, including digital image correlation, passive thermography, and in-situ ultrasonic scanning. Specimens with initial indentation damage lengths of 32 millimeters to 56 millimeters were tested quasi-statically and in fatigue, and the effects of cyclic load amplitude and damage size were studied. A means of comparison of the damage propagation rates and collapse loads based on a stress intensity measure and the Paris law is proposed.

Theory for measurements of penetration depth in magnetic superconductors by magnetic force microscopy and scanning SQUID microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Shi-Zeng; Bulaevskii, Lev N.

2012-07-01

The working principle of magnetic force microscopy and scanning SQUID microscopy is introducing a magnetic source near a superconductor and measuring the magnetic field distribution near the superconductor, from which one can obtain the penetration depth. We investigate the magnetic field distribution near the surface of a magnetic superconductor when a magnetic source is placed close to the superconductor, which can be used to extract both the penetration depth λL and magnetic susceptibility χ by magnetic force microscopy or scanning SQUID microscopy. When the magnetic moments are parallel to the surface, one extracts λL/1-4πχ. When the moments are perpendicular to the surface, one obtains λL. By changing the orientation of the crystal, one thus is able to extract both χ and λL.

Surface Biology of DNA by Atomic Force Microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hansma, Helen G.

2001-10-01

The atomic force microscope operates on surfaces. Since surfaces occupy much of the space in living organisms, surface biology is a valid and valuable form of biology that has been difficult to investigate in the past owing to a lack of good technology. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) of DNA has been used to investigate DNA condensation for gene therapy, DNA mapping and sizing, and a few applications to cancer research and to nanotechnology. Some of the most exciting new applications for atomic force microscopy of DNA involve pulling on single DNA molecules to obtain measurements of single-molecule mechanics and thermodynamics.

Nanomechanical mapping of hydrated rat tail tendon collagen I fibrils.

PubMed

Baldwin, Samuel J; Quigley, Andrew S; Clegg, Charlotte; Kreplak, Laurent

2014-10-21

Collagen fibrils play an important role in the human body, providing tensile strength to connective tissues. These fibrils are characterized by a banding pattern with a D-period of 67 nm. The proposed origin of the D-period is the internal staggering of tropocollagen molecules within the fibril, leading to gap and overlap regions and a corresponding periodic density fluctuation. Using an atomic force microscope high-resolution modulus maps of collagen fibril segments, up to 80 μm in length, were acquired at indentation speeds around 10(5) nm/s. The maps revealed a periodic modulation corresponding to the D-period as well as previously undocumented micrometer scale fluctuations. Further analysis revealed a 4/5, gap/overlap, ratio in the measured modulus providing further support for the quarter-staggered model of collagen fibril axial structure. The modulus values obtained at indentation speeds around 10(5) nm/s are significantly larger than those previously reported. Probing the effect of indentation speed over four decades reveals two distinct logarithmic regimes of the measured modulus and point to the existence of a characteristic molecular relaxation time around 0.1 ms. Furthermore, collagen fibrils exposed to temperatures between 50 and 62°C and cooled back to room temperature show a sharp decrease in modulus and a sharp increase in fibril diameter. This is also associated with a disappearance of the D-period and the appearance of twisted subfibrils with a pitch in the micrometer range. Based on all these data and a similar behavior observed for cross-linked polymer networks below the glass transition temperature, we propose that collagen I fibrils may be in a glassy state while hydrated.

Crustal structure of the North Iberian continental margin from seismic refraction/wide-angle reflection profiles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruiz, M.; Díaz, J.; Pedreira, D.; Gallart, J.; Pulgar, J. A.

2017-10-01

The structure and geodynamics of the southern margin of the Bay of Biscay have been investigated from a set of 11 multichannel seismic reflection profiles, recorded also at wide angle offsets in an onshore-offshore network of 24 OBS/OBH and 46 land sites. This contribution focuses on the analysis of the wide-angle reflection/refraction data along representative profiles. The results document strong lateral variations of the crustal structure along the margin and provide an extensive test of the crustal models previously proposed for the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula. Offshore, the crust has a typical continental structure in the eastern tip of the bay, which disappears smoothly towards the NW to reach crustal thickness close to 10 km at the edge of the studied area ( 45°N, 6°W). The analysis of the velocity-depth profiles, altogether with additional information provided by the multichannel seismic data and magnetic surveys, led to the conclusion that the crust in this part of the bay should be interpreted as transitional from continental to oceanic. Typical oceanic crust has not been imaged in the investigated area. Onshore, the new results are in good agreement with previous results and document the indentation of the Bay of Biscay crust into the Iberian crust, forcing its subduction to the North. The interpreted profiles show that the extent of the southward indentation is not uniform, with an Alpine root less developed in the central and western sector of the Basque-Cantabrian Basin. N-S to NE-SW transfer structures seem to control those variations in the indentation degree.

Twyman effect mechanics in grinding and microgrinding.

PubMed

Lambropoulos, J C; Xu, S; Fang, T; Golini, D

1996-10-01

In the Twyman effect (1905), when one side of a thin plate with both sides polished is ground, the plate bends: The ground side becomes convex and is in a state of compressive residual stress, described in terms of force per unit length (Newtons per meter) induced by grinding, the stress (Newtons per square meter) induced by grinding, and the depth of the compressive layer (micrometers). We describe and correlate experiments on optical glasses from the literature in conditions of loose abrasive grinding (lapping at fixed nominal pressure, with abrasives 4-400 μm in size) and deterministic microgrinding experiments (at a fixed infeed rate) conducted at the Center for Optics Manufacturing with bound diamond abrasive tools (with a diamond size of 3-40 μm, embedded in metallic bond) and loose abrasive microgrinding (abrasives of less than 3 μm in size). In brittle grinding conditions, the grinding force and the depth of the compressive layer correlate well with glass mechanical properties describing the fracture process, such as indentation crack size. The maximum surface residual compressive stress decreases, and the depth of the compressive layer increases with increasing abrasive size. In lapping conditions the depth of the abrasive grain penetration into the glass surface scales with the surface roughness, and both are determined primarily by glass hardness and secondarily by Young's modulus for various abrasive sizes and coolants. In the limit of small abrasive size (ductile-mode grinding), the maximum surface compressive stress achieved is near the yield stress of the glass, in agreement with finite-element simulations of indentation in elastic-plastic solids.

Suprapubic track pressure and force--deformation measurements in a (live) human subject and in animal models post-mortem.

PubMed

Coveney, V A; Gepi-Attee, S; Gröver, D; Painter, D

2001-01-01

Tests have been performed on animal models shortly post-mortem and on a healthy human subject in order to obtain estimates of the forces which act on suprapubic urinary catheters and similar devices and to develop an abdominal wall simulator. Such data and test methods are required for the systematic design of suprapubic devices because of the dual need to maintain the functionality of devices and to avoid excessive pressure on soft body tissue which could lead to ischaemia and in turn necrosis. In the post-mortem animal models, electrical excitation was applied to the abdominal wall in order to stimulate muscle activity. Two types of transducers were used: a soft membrane transducer (SMT) for pressure measurement and novel instrumented 'tongs' to determine indentation stiffness characteristics in the suprapubic track or artificial pathway created for a device. The SMT has been extensively used in the urethras and bladders of human subjects while the tongs were built specifically for these tests. Only the well-established SMT was used with the human subject; a peak pressure of 22 kPa was obtained. In the animal models the pressure profile given by the SMT had a peak whose position corresponded well with the estimated location of the rectus muscle measured on the fixed tissue section. The peak value was 5.5 kPa, comparable with values likely to cause necrosis if maintained for more than 1 day. Remarkably consistent indentation stiffness values were obtained with the instrumented tongs; all values were close to 0.45 N/mm (33 kPa/mm).

Elastic layer under axisymmetric indentation and surface energy effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Intarit, Pong-in; Senjuntichai, Teerapong; Rungamornrat, Jaroon

2018-04-01

In this paper, a continuum-based approach is adopted to investigate the contact problem of an elastic layer with finite thickness and rigid base subjected to axisymmetric indentation with the consideration of surface energy effects. A complete Gurtin-Murdoch surface elasticity is employed to consider the influence of surface stresses. The indentation problem of a rigid frictionless punch with arbitrary axisymmetric profiles is formulated by employing the displacement Green's functions, derived with the aid of Hankel integral transform technique. The problem is solved by assuming the contact pressure distribution in terms of a linear combination of admissible functions and undetermined coefficients. Those coefficients are then obtained by employing a collocation technique and an efficient numerical quadrature scheme. The accuracy of proposed solution technique is verified by comparing with existing solutions for rigid indentation on an elastic half-space. Selected numerical results for the indenters with flat-ended cylindrical and paraboloidal punch profiles are presented to portray the influence of surface energy effects on elastic fields of the finite layer. It is found that the presence of surface stresses renders the layer stiffer, and the size-dependent behavior of elastic fields is observed in the present solutions. In addition, the surface energy effects become more pronounced with smaller contact area; thus, the influence of surface energy cannot be ignored in the analysis of indentation problem especially when the indenter size is very small such as in the case of nanoindentation.

Characterizing white matter tissue in large strain via asymmetric indentation and inverse finite element modeling.

PubMed

Feng, Yuan; Lee, Chung-Hao; Sun, Lining; Ji, Songbai; Zhao, Xuefeng

2017-01-01

Characterizing the mechanical properties of white matter is important to understand and model brain development and injury. With embedded aligned axonal fibers, white matter is typically modeled as a transversely isotropic material. However, most studies characterize the white matter tissue using models with a single anisotropic invariant or in a small-strain regime. In this study, we combined a single experimental procedure - asymmetric indentation - with inverse finite element (FE) modeling to estimate the nearly incompressible transversely isotropic material parameters of white matter. A minimal form comprising three parameters was employed to simulate indentation responses in the large-strain regime. The parameters were estimated using a global optimization procedure based on a genetic algorithm (GA). Experimental data from two indentation configurations of porcine white matter, parallel and perpendicular to the axonal fiber direction, were utilized to estimate model parameters. Results in this study confirmed a strong mechanical anisotropy of white matter in large strain. Further, our results suggested that both indentation configurations are needed to estimate the parameters with sufficient accuracy, and that the indenter-sample friction is important. Finally, we also showed that the estimated parameters were consistent with those previously obtained via a trial-and-error forward FE method in the small-strain regime. These findings are useful in modeling and parameterization of white matter, especially under large deformation, and demonstrate the potential of the proposed asymmetric indentation technique to characterize other soft biological tissues with transversely isotropic properties. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Improved force prediction model for grinding Zerodur based on the comprehensive material removal mechanism.

PubMed

Sun, Guoyan; Zhao, Lingling; Zhao, Qingliang; Gao, Limin

2018-05-10

There have been few investigations dealing with the force model on grinding brittle materials. However, the dynamic material removal mechanisms have not yet been sufficiently explicated through the grain-workpiece interaction statuses while considering the brittle material characteristics. This paper proposes an improved grinding force model for Zerodur, which contains ductile removal force, brittle removal force, and frictional force, corresponding to the ductile and brittle material removal phases, as well as the friction process, respectively. The critical uncut chip thickness a gc of brittle-ductile transition and the maximum uncut chip thickness a gmax of a single abrasive grain are calculated to identify the specified material removal mode, while the comparative result between a gmax and a gc can be applied to determine the selection of effective grinding force components. Subsequently, indentation fracture tests are carried out to acquire accurate material mechanical properties of Zerodur in establishing the brittle removal force model. Then, the experiments were conducted to derive the coefficients in the grinding force prediction model. Simulated through this model, correlations between the grinding force and grinding parameters can be predicted. Finally, three groups of grinding experiments are carried out to validate the mathematical grinding force model. The experimental results indicate that the improved model is capable of predicting the realistic grinding force accurately with the relative mean errors of 6.04% to the normal grinding force and 7.22% to the tangential grinding force, respectively.

Study of electromechanical and mechanical properties of bacteria using force microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reukov, Vladimir; Thompson, Gary; Nikiforov, Maxim; Guo, Senli; Ovchinnikov, Oleg; Jesse, Stephen; Kalinin, Sergei; Vertegel, Alexey

2010-03-01

The application of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) to biological systems has evolved over the past decade into a multimodal and spectroscopic instrument that provides multiple information channels at each spatial pixel acquired. Recently, functional recognition imaging based on differing electromechanical properties between Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria was achieved using artificial neural network analysis of band excitation piezoresponse force microscopy (BEPFM) data. The immediate goal of this project was to study mechanical and electromechanical properties of bacterial systems physiologically-relevant solutions using Band-width Excitation Piezoresponce Force Microscopy (BE PFM) in combination with Force Mapping. Electromechanical imaging in physiological environments will improve the versatility of functional recognition imaging and open the way for application of the rapid BEPFM line mode method to other living cell systems.

Methods to improve the PVD coatability of brass by using diffusion barriers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Langer, Bernd

Previous work involving PVD coatings on brass has used a combination of multilayers consisting of electroplated films like nickel or chromium and deposited decorative PVD coatings like TiN, TiAIN or ZrN systems. The disadvantages of these systems are the combination of wet electrochemistry and high tech vacuum processes. Furthermore the allergic reaction to nickel and the toxic nature of Cr(VI) must be considered.There is a need for intermediate layers to 'seal-off the brass in order to avoid the evaporation of zinc in vacuum using a diffusion barrier. Furthermore the intermediate layers are required to act as a corrosion barrier.This thesis reports on the development of PVD coatings on heat sensitive brass substrate materials utilising ABS technology with Al, CuAl8 and Nb targets as vapour sources.The brass pretreatment includes careful grinding, polishing and cleaning steps as well as steered arc metal ion etching using the above target materials. The coatings are produced at temperatures between 100 and 250°C in the unbalanced magnetron mode, including layers made from Al, Al-Nb, CuA18, CuAl8-Nb and Nb.Scratch adhesion and Rockwell indentation tests are found not to be directly applicable to the system of soft brass and ductile coating(s). Therefore a new classification for both scratch and indentation tests was defined. The best adhesion was shown by the CuA18 coatings on brass. Corrosion tests showed good results for the Al coatings and poor results for the pure Nb coatings directly applied on brass. The best corrosion result was obtained with a CuAl8-Nb layer system. This layer system also offers very good barrier behaviour concerning Zn diffusion.Other investigations like Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy (GDOES), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) imaging, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) were undertaken to characterise the new coating systems for brass.

Mineral and water content of A. gigas scales determine local micromechanical properties and energy dissipation mechanisms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Troncoso, Omar P.; Gigos, Florian; Torres, Fernando G.

2017-11-01

Arapaima gigas scales are natural laminated composite materials made of individual layers with different degrees of mineralization, accompanied of varying mechanical properties. This natural design provides scales with hardness and flexibility, and can serve as a source of inspiration for the development of new layered composites with a hard surface and flexible base. In this paper, we have carried out cyclic micro-indentation tests on both; the internal and the highly mineralized external surface of air dried and wet scales, in order to assess the variation of their local micromechanical properties with regard to the mineral and water content. The load-penetration (P-h) curves showed that creep takes place throughout the application of a constant force during the micro-indentation tests, confirming the time dependent response of A. gigas scales. A model that accounted for the elastic, plastic and viscous responses of the samples was used to fit the experimental results. The penetration depth during loading and creep, as well as the energy dissipated are dependent on the water content. The used model suggests that the viscous response of the internal layer increases with the water content.

The structure and mechanical properties of articular cartilage are highly resilient towards transient dehydration.

PubMed

Boettcher, K; Kienle, S; Nachtsheim, J; Burgkart, R; Hugel, T; Lieleg, O

2016-01-01

Articular cartilage is a mechanically highly challenged material with very limited regenerative ability. In contrast to elastic cartilage, articular cartilage is exposed to recurring partial dehydration owing to ongoing compression but maintains its functionality over decades. To extend our current understanding of the material properties of articular cartilage, specifically the interaction between the fluid and solid phase, we here analyze the reversibility of tissue dehydration. We perform an artificial dehydration that extends beyond naturally occurring levels and quantify material recovery as a function of the ionic strength of the rehydration buffer. Mechanical (indentation, compression, shear, and friction) measurements are used to evaluate the influence of de- and rehydration on the viscoelastic properties of cartilage. The structure and composition of native and de/rehydrated cartilage are analyzed using histology, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy along with a 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) assay. A broad range of mechanical and structural properties of cartilage can be restored after de- and rehydration provided that a physiological salt solution is used for rehydration. We detect only minor alterations in the microarchitecture of rehydrated cartilage in the superficial zone and find that these alterations do not interfere with the viscoelastic and tribological properties of the tissue. We here demonstrate the sturdiness of articular cartilage towards changes in fluid content and show that articular cartilage recovers a broad range of its material properties after dehydration. We analyze the reversibility of tissue dehydration to extend our current understanding of how the material properties of cartilage are established, focusing on the interaction between the fluid and solid phase. Our findings suggest that the high resilience of the tissue minimizes the risk of irreversible material failure and thus compensates, at least in part, its poor regenerative abilities. Tissue engineering approaches should thus not only reproduce the correct tissue mechanics but also its pronounced sturdiness to guarantee a similar longevity. Copyright © 2015 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cyclic Fatigue of Brittle Materials with an Indentation-Induced Flaw System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choi, Sung R.; Salem, Jonathan A.

1996-01-01

The ratio of static to cyclic fatigue life, or 'h ratio', was obtained numerically for an indentation flaw system subjected to sinusoidal loading conditions. Emphasis was placed on developing a simple, quick lifetime prediction tool. The solution for the h ratio was compared with experimental static and cyclic fatigue data obtained from as-indented 96 wt.% alumina specimens tested in room-temperature distilled water.

Investigation of thermally activated deformation in amorphous PMMA and Zr-Cu-Al bulk metallic glasses with broadband nanoindentation creep

Treesearch

J.B. Puthoff; J.E. Jakes; H. Cao; D.S. Stone

2009-01-01

The development of nanoindentation test systems with high data collection speeds has made possible a novel type of indentation creep test: broadband nanoindentation creep (BNC). Using the high density of data points generated and analysis techniques that can model the instantaneous projected indent area at all times during a constant-load indentation experiment, BNC...

Electrical characterization of grain boundaries of CZTS thin films using conductive atomic force microscopy techniques

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Muhunthan, N.; Singh, Om Pal; Toutam, Vijaykumar, E-mail: toutamvk@nplindia.org

2015-10-15

Graphical abstract: Experimental setup for conducting AFM (C-AFM). - Highlights: • Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} (CZTS) thin film was grown by reactive co-sputtering. • The electronic properties were probed using conducting atomic force microscope, scanning Kelvin probe microscopy and scanning capacitance microscopy. • C-AFM current flow mainly through grain boundaries rather than grain interiors. • SKPM indicated higher potential along the GBs compared to grain interiors. • The SCM explains that charge separation takes place at the interface of grain and grain boundary. - Abstract: Electrical characterization of grain boundaries (GB) of Cu-deficient CZTS (Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide) thin films wasmore » done using atomic force microscopic (AFM) techniques like Conductive atomic force microscopy (CAFM), Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and scanning capacitance microscopy (SCM). Absorbance spectroscopy was done for optical band gap calculations and Raman, XRD and EDS for structural and compositional characterization. Hall measurements were done for estimation of carrier mobility. CAFM and KPFM measurements showed that the currents flow mainly through grain boundaries (GB) rather than grain interiors. SCM results showed that charge separation mainly occurs at the interface of grain and grain boundaries and not all along the grain boundaries.« less

Exposure to Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase toxin affects integrin-mediated adhesion and mechanics in alveolar epithelial cells.

PubMed

Angely, Christelle; Nguyen, Ngoc-Minh; Andre Dias, Sofia; Planus, Emmanuelle; Pelle, Gabriel; Louis, Bruno; Filoche, Marcel; Chenal, Alexandre; Ladant, Daniel; Isabey, Daniel

2017-08-01

The adenylate cyclase (CyaA) toxin is a major virulent factor of Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough. CyaA toxin is able to invade eukaryotic cells where it produces high levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) affecting cellular physiology. Whether CyaA toxin can modulate cell matrix adhesion and mechanics of infected cells remains largely unknown. In this study, we use a recently proposed multiple bond force spectroscopy (MFS) with an atomic force microscope to assess the early phase of cell adhesion (maximal detachment and local rupture forces) and cell rigidity (Young's modulus) in alveolar epithelial cells (A549) for toxin exposure <1 h. At 30 min of exposure, CyaA toxin has a minimal effect on cell viability (>95%) at CyaA concentration of 0.5 nM, but a significant effect (≈81%) at 10 nM. MFS performed on A549 for three different concentrations (0.5, 5 and 10 nM) demonstrates that CyaA toxin significantly affects both cell adhesion (detachment forces are decreased) and cell mechanics (Young's modulus is increased). CyaA toxin (at 0.5 nM) assessed at three indentation/retraction speeds (2, 5 and 10 μm/s) significantly affects global detachment forces, local rupture events and Young modulus compared with control conditions, while an enzymatically inactive variant CyaAE5 has no effect. These results reveal the loading rate dependence of the multiple bonds newly formed between the cell and integrin-specific coated probe as well as the individual bond kinetics which are only slightly affected by the patho-physiological dose of CyaA toxin. Finally, theory of multiple bond force rupture enables us to deduce the bond number N which is reduced by a factor of 2 upon CyaA exposure (N ≈ 6 versus N ≈ 12 in control conditions). MFS measurements demonstrate that adhesion and mechanical properties of A549 are deeply affected by exposure to the CyaA toxin but not to an enzymatically inactive variant. This indicates that the alteration of cell mechanics triggered by CyaA is a consequence of the increase in intracellular cAMP in these target cells. These results suggest that mechanical and adhesion properties of the cells appear as pertinent markers of cytotoxicity of CyaA toxin. © 2017 Société Française des Microscopies and Société de Biologie Cellulaire de France. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Recycle polymer characterization and adhesion modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holbery, James David

Contaminants from paper product producers that adversely affect fiber yield have been collected from mills located in three North American geographic regions. Samples have been fractionated using a modified solvent extraction process and subsequently quantitatively characterized and it was found that agglomerates were comprised of the following: approximately 30% extractable polymeric material, 25--35% fiber, 12--15% inorganic material, 15% non-extractable high molecular-weight polyethylene or cross-linked polymers, and 2--4% starch residue. Three representative polymers, paraffin, low-molecular weight polyethylene, and a commercial hot-melt adhesive were selected for further analysis to model the attractive and repulsive behavior using Scanning Probe Microscopy in an aqueous cell. Scanning force probes were characterized using an original technique utilizing a nano-indentation apparatus that is non-destructive and is accurate to within 10% for probes with force constants as low as 1 N/m. Surface force measurements were performed between a Poly (Styrene/30% Butyl Methacrylate) sphere and substrates produced from paraffin, polyethylene, and a commercial hot-melt adhesive in solutions ranging in NaF ionic concentrations from 0.001M to 1M. Reasonable theoretical agreement with experimental data has been shown between a combined model applying van der Waals force contributions using the Derjaguin approximation and electrostatic contributions as predicted by a Debye-Huckel linearization of the Poisson-Boltzmann equation utilizing Hamaker constants derived from critical surface energies determined from Zisman and Lifshitz-van der Waals energy approaches. This model has been applied to measured data and indicates the strength of adhesion for the hot-melt to be 0.14 nN while that of paraffin is 1.9 nN and polyethylene 2.8 nN. Paraffin and polyethylene are 13.5 and 20 times greater in attraction than the hot-melt adhesive. Hot-melt adhesive repulsion is predicted to be 220 pN while for paraffin it is 9.1 nN and polyethylene 12.2 nN, a factor of 41 and 55 greater for paraffin and polyethylene, respectively. Decay lengths for repulsion is fit to be 2.3 nm for hotmelt indicating, approximately one-third that of paraffin and polyethylene. Johnson-Kendall-Roberts contact mechanic theory for viscoelastic materials has been applied with reasonable accuracy, particularly in experiments performed in solutions, to model the approach snap-in magnitude and detachment forces between sphere and substrate. Two representative commercial agglomeration formulations have been analyzed to determine the impact on adhesion and detachment forces although at room temperature, no measurable effect was identified.

Microhardness of anodic aluminum oxide formed in an alkaline electrolyte

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanygina, O. N.; Filyak, M. M.

2017-04-01

The microhardness of anodic aluminum oxide formed by anodizing of aluminum sheet in electrolyte on the basis of sodium hydroxide has been determined experimentally. The microhardness of the hard film/soft substrate system has been estimated by three approaches: indentation geometry (length of diagonals) in film surfaces, the sum of the hardnesses of the film and the surface with allowance for the indentation surface area and geometry, and with allowance for the indentation depth. It is demonstrated that the approach accounting for the indentation depth makes it possible to eliminate the influence of the substrate. It is established that the microhardness of the films formed in alkaline electrolytes is comparable with that formed in acid electrolytes.

Master-slave robotic system for needle indentation and insertion.

PubMed

Shin, Jaehyun; Zhong, Yongmin; Gu, Chengfan

2017-12-01

Bilateral control of a master-slave robotic system is a challenging issue in robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery. It requires the knowledge on contact interaction between a surgical (slave) robot and soft tissues. This paper presents a master-slave robotic system for needle indentation and insertion. This master-slave robotic system is able to characterize the contact interaction between the robotic needle and soft tissues. A bilateral controller is implemented using a linear motor for robotic needle indentation and insertion. A new nonlinear state observer is developed to online monitor the contact interaction with soft tissues. Experimental results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed master-slave robotic system for robotic needle indentation and needle insertion.

An elastic failure model of indentation damage. [of brittle structural ceramics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liaw, B. M.; Kobayashi, A. S.; Emery, A. F.

1984-01-01

A mechanistically consistent model for indentation damage based on elastic failure at tensile or shear overloads, is proposed. The model accommodates arbitrary crack orientation, stress relaxation, reduction and recovery of stiffness due to crack opening and closure, and interfacial friction due to backward sliding of closed cracks. This elastic failure model was implemented by an axisymmetric finite element program which was used to simulate progressive damage in a silicon nitride plate indented by a tungsten carbide sphere. The predicted damage patterns and the permanent impression matched those observed experimentally. The validation of this elastic failure model shows that the plastic deformation postulated by others is not necessary to replicate the indentation damage of brittle structural ceramics.

A study approach on ferroelectric domains in BaTiO{sub 3}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rocha, L.S.R.; Cavalcanti, C.S.

Atomic Force Acoustic Microscopy (AFAM) and Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (PFM) were used to study local elastic and electromechanical response in BaTiO{sub 3} ceramics. A commercial multi-mode Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) and AFAM mode to image contact stiffness were employed to accomplish the aforementioned purposes. Stiffness parameters along with Young's moduli and piezo coefficients were quantitatively determined. PFM studies were based on electrostatic and electromechanical response from localized tip-surface contact. Comparison was made regarding the Young's moduli obtained by AFAM and PFM. In addition, phase and amplitude images were analyzed based on poling behavior, obtained via the application of − 10more » V to + 10 V local voltage. - Highlights: •Nanoscale behavior of piezo domains in BaTiO{sub 3} ferroelectric materials •Use of Atomic Force Acoustic Microscopy (AFAM) and Piezo Force Microscopy (PFM) •Local elastic and electromechanical response in BaTiO{sub 3} ceramics •The young's moduli obtained from AFAM and PFM.« less

Grid indentation analysis of mechanical properties of composite electrodes in Li-ion batteries

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vasconcelos, Luize Scalco de; Xu, Rong; Li, Jianlin

We report that electrodes in commercial rechargeable batteries are microscopically heterogeneous materials. The constituent components, including active materials, polymeric binders, and porous conductive matrix, often have large variation in their mechanical properties, making the mechanical characterization of composite electrodes a challenging task. In a model system of LiNi 0.5Mn 0.3Co 0.2O 2 cathode, we employ the instrumented grid indentation to determine the elastic modulus and hardness of the constituent phases. The approach relies on a large array of nanoindentation experiments and statistical analysis of the resulting data provided that the maximum indentation depth is carefully chosen. The statistically extracted propertiesmore » of the active particles and the surrounding medium are in good agreement with the tests of targeted indentation at selected sites. Lastly, the combinatory technique of grid indentation and statistical deconvolution represents a fast and reliable route to quantify the mechanical properties of composite electrodes that feed the parametric input for the mechanics models.« less

On the failure load and mechanism of polycrystalline graphene by nanoindentation

PubMed Central

Sha, Z. D.; Wan, Q.; Pei, Q. X.; Quek, S. S.; Liu, Z. S.; Zhang, Y. W.; Shenoy, V. B.

2014-01-01

Nanoindentation has been recently used to measure the mechanical properties of polycrystalline graphene. However, the measured failure loads are found to be scattered widely and vary from lab to lab. We perform molecular dynamics simulations of nanoindentation on polycrystalline graphene at different sites including grain center, grain boundary (GB), GB triple junction, and holes. Depending on the relative position between the indenter tip and defects, significant scattering in failure load is observed. This scattering is found to arise from a combination of the non-uniform stress state, varied and weakened strengths of different defects, and the relative location between the indenter tip and the defects in polycrystalline graphene. Consequently, the failure behavior of polycrystalline graphene by nanoindentation is critically dependent on the indentation site, and is thus distinct from uniaxial tensile loading. Our work highlights the importance of the interaction between the indentation tip and defects, and the need to explicitly consider the defect characteristics at and near the indentation site in polycrystalline graphene during nanoindentation. PMID:25500732

Grid indentation analysis of mechanical properties of composite electrodes in Li-ion batteries

DOE PAGES

Vasconcelos, Luize Scalco de; Xu, Rong; Li, Jianlin; ...

2016-03-09

We report that electrodes in commercial rechargeable batteries are microscopically heterogeneous materials. The constituent components, including active materials, polymeric binders, and porous conductive matrix, often have large variation in their mechanical properties, making the mechanical characterization of composite electrodes a challenging task. In a model system of LiNi 0.5Mn 0.3Co 0.2O 2 cathode, we employ the instrumented grid indentation to determine the elastic modulus and hardness of the constituent phases. The approach relies on a large array of nanoindentation experiments and statistical analysis of the resulting data provided that the maximum indentation depth is carefully chosen. The statistically extracted propertiesmore » of the active particles and the surrounding medium are in good agreement with the tests of targeted indentation at selected sites. Lastly, the combinatory technique of grid indentation and statistical deconvolution represents a fast and reliable route to quantify the mechanical properties of composite electrodes that feed the parametric input for the mechanics models.« less

Nanoindentation study of the mechanical behavior of TiO2 nanotube arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Y. N.; Liu, M. N.; Wang, M. C.; Oloyede, A.; Bell, J. M.; Yan, C.

2015-10-01

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotube arrays are attracting increasing attention for use in solar cells, lithium-ion batteries, and biomedical implants. To take full advantage of their unique physical properties, such arrays need to maintain adequate mechanical integrity in applications. However, the mechanical performance of TiO2 nanotube arrays is not well understood. In this work, we investigate the deformation and failure of TiO2 nanotube arrays using the nanoindentation technique. We found that the load-displacement response of the arrays strongly depends on the indentation depth and indenter shape. Substrate-independent elastic modulus and hardness can be obtained when the indentation depth is less than 2.5% of the array height. The deformation mechanisms of TiO2 nanotube arrays by Berkovich and conical indenters are closely associated with the densification of TiO2 nanotubes under compression. A theoretical model for deformation of the arrays under a large-radius conical indenter is also proposed.

Dislocation formation in seed crystals induced by feedstock indentation during growth of quasimono crystalline silicon ingots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trempa, M.; Beier, M.; Reimann, C.; Roßhirth, K.; Friedrich, J.; Löbel, C.; Sylla, L.; Richter, T.

2016-11-01

In this work the dislocation formation in the seed crystal induced by feedstock indentation during the growth of quasimono (QM) silicon ingots for photovoltaic application was investigated. It could be shown by special laboratory indentation experiments that the formed dislocations propagate up to several millimeters deep into the volume of the seed crystal in dependence on the applied pressure of the feedstock particles on the surface of the seed crystal. Further, it was demonstrated that these dislocations if they were not back-melted during the seeding process grow further into the silicon ingot and drastically reduce its material quality. An estimation of the apparent pressure values in a G5 industrial crucible/feedstock setup reveals that the indentation phenomenon is a critical issue for the industrial production of QM silicon ingots. Therefore, some approaches to avoid/reduce the indentation events were tested with the result, that the most promising solution should be the usage of suitable feedstock particles as coverage of the seed.

Model-based traction force microscopy reveals differential tension in cellular actin bundles.

PubMed

Soiné, Jérôme R D; Brand, Christoph A; Stricker, Jonathan; Oakes, Patrick W; Gardel, Margaret L; Schwarz, Ulrich S

2015-03-01

Adherent cells use forces at the cell-substrate interface to sense and respond to the physical properties of their environment. These cell forces can be measured with traction force microscopy which inverts the equations of elasticity theory to calculate them from the deformations of soft polymer substrates. We introduce a new type of traction force microscopy that in contrast to traditional methods uses additional image data for cytoskeleton and adhesion structures and a biophysical model to improve the robustness of the inverse procedure and abolishes the need for regularization. We use this method to demonstrate that ventral stress fibers of U2OS-cells are typically under higher mechanical tension than dorsal stress fibers or transverse arcs.

Model-based Traction Force Microscopy Reveals Differential Tension in Cellular Actin Bundles

PubMed Central

Soiné, Jérôme R. D.; Brand, Christoph A.; Stricker, Jonathan; Oakes, Patrick W.; Gardel, Margaret L.; Schwarz, Ulrich S.

2015-01-01

Adherent cells use forces at the cell-substrate interface to sense and respond to the physical properties of their environment. These cell forces can be measured with traction force microscopy which inverts the equations of elasticity theory to calculate them from the deformations of soft polymer substrates. We introduce a new type of traction force microscopy that in contrast to traditional methods uses additional image data for cytoskeleton and adhesion structures and a biophysical model to improve the robustness of the inverse procedure and abolishes the need for regularization. We use this method to demonstrate that ventral stress fibers of U2OS-cells are typically under higher mechanical tension than dorsal stress fibers or transverse arcs. PMID:25748431

Indentability of conventional and negative Poisson's ratio foams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lakes, R. S.; Elms, K.

1992-01-01

The indentation resistance of foams, both of conventional structure and of re-entrant structure giving rise to negative Poisson's ratio, is studied using holographic interferometry. In holographic indentation tests, re-entrant foams had higher yield strengths sigma(sub y) and lower stiffness E than conventional foams of the same original relative density. Calculated energy absorption for dynamic impact is considerably higher for re-entrant foam than conventional foam.

Sensitivity of indentation testing to step-off edges and interface integrity in cartilage repair.

PubMed

Bae, Won C; Law, Amanda W; Amiel, David; Sah, Robert L

2004-03-01

Step-off edges and tissue interfaces are prevalent in cartilage injury such as after intra-articular fracture and reduction, and in focal defects and surgical repair procedures such as osteochondral graft implantation. It would be useful to assess the function of injured or donor tissues near such step-off edges and the extent of integration at material interfaces. The objective of this study was to determine if indentation testing is sensitive to the presence of step-off edges and the integrity of material interfaces, in both in vitro simulated repair samples of bovine cartilage defect filled with fibrin matrix, and in vivo biological repair samples from a goat animal model. Indentation stiffness decreased at locations approaching a step-off edge, a lacerated interface, or an integrated interface in which the distal tissue was relatively soft. The indentation stiffness increased or remained constant when the site of indentation approached an integrated interface in which the distal tissue was relatively stiff or similar in stiffness to the tissue being tested. These results indicate that indentation testing is sensitive to step-off edges and interface integrity, and may be useful for assessing cartilage injury and for following the progression of tissue integration after surgical treatments.

Changing patterns of exhumation and denudation in front of an advancing crustal indenter, Tauern Window (Eastern Alps)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Favaro, S.; Handy, M. R.; Scharf, A.; Schuster, R.

2017-06-01

The changing shape of indenting crustal blocks during northward motion of the Adriatic microplate induced migration of Miocene doming and orogen-parallel extension of orogenic crust in the Tauern Window. New structural and kinematic data indicate that initial shortening of the Penninic nappe pile in the Tauern Window by upright folding and strike-slip faulting was transitional to coeval north-south shortening and east-west extension; the latter was accommodated by normal faulting at the eastern and western margins of the window. Retrodeforming these post-nappe structures in map view yields a map-view reconstruction of the orogenic crust back to 30 Ma, including the onset of pronounced indentation at 21 Ma. This model supports the notion that indentation involved approximately equal amounts of north-south shortening and orogen-parallel stretching and extrusion toward the Pannonian Basin, as measured from the indenter tip to the European foreland in the north and Austroalpine units in the east. Comparison of areal denudation of the orogenic crust before and after indentation indicates that erosion associated with upright folding was the primary agent of denudation, whereas extensional unroofing and limited erosion along normal faults at the eastern and western ends of the Tauern Window accounted for only about a third of the total denudation.