Mechanical buckling induced periodic kinking/stripe microstructures in mechanically peeled graphite fla es from HOPG

Mechanical exfoliation is a widely used method to isolate high quality graphene layers from bulk graphite. In our recent experiments, some ordered microstructures, consisting of a periodic alternation of kinks and stripes, were observed in thin graphite flakes that were mechanically peeled from highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. In this paper, a theoretical model is presented to attribute the formation of such ordered structures to the alternation of two mechanical processes during the exfoliation： （1） peeling of a graphite flake and （2） mechanical buckling of the flake being sub- jected to bending. In this model, the width of the stripes L is determined by thickness h of the flakes, surface energy Y, and critical buckling strain ecr. Using some appropriate values of y and ecr that are within the ranges determined by other inde- pendent experiments and simulations, the predicted relations between the stripe width and the flake thickness agree reason- ably well with our experimental measurements. Conversely, measuring the L-h relations of the periodic microstructures in thin graphite flakes could help determine the critical mechan- ical buckling strain εcr and the interface energy γ.

Construction and manipulation of origami-inspired tubular structures with controlled mechanical buckling for collection and transportation of microspheres based on optically induced electrokinetics

The development of microengineered hydrogels has opened up unlimited possibilities for designing complex structures at the microscale. In this study, we constructed an origami-inspired tubular structure with controlled mechanical buckling based on optically induced electrokinetics(OEK). By inducing a stress gradient in the thickness, a tubular structure can be formed from a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate(PEGDA) hydrogel film of various shapes that have been custom fabricated. To achieve an ideal three-dimensional(3D) structure, the amplitude of the tubular structure can be controlled by adjusting the aspect ratios or polymerization time. Furthermore, the tubular structure can be manipulated for the collection and transportation of microspheres.In summary, we provide an effective method for designing 3D structures at the micro-nano scale. This forming method holds great potential for achieving various functions in tissue engineering, drug packaging, and transportation in the future.

Interactive buckling of an inflated envelope under mechanical and thermal loads

This paper elucidates the interactive buckling behaviors of an inflated envelope under coupled mechanical and thermal loads, especially the longitudinal wrinkling bifurcation and hoop ovalization buckling. The longitudinal bending buckling process of the inflated envelope can be divided into three continuous stages, which are global buckling, interactive global-local buckling, and kink. A variety of hoop ovalization buckling modes are observed under coupled mechanical-thermal load. Unlike the mechanical case, thermal load leads to a hoop negative ovalization buckling. In addition, it can accelerate the longitudinal coupled bifurcation and resist the hoop coupled ovalization buckling. Moreover, the bending resistance of the inflated envelope will be improved when the length of the structure is increased, resulting in the difficulty of it to become wrinkled. These results provide a new insight into the buckling behaviors of an inflated envelope under coupled external loads, and give a reference for the design of the inflated envelope.

Crack buckling in soft gels under compression

Recent interest in designing soft gels with high fracture toughness has called for simple and robust methods to test fracture behavior. The conventional method of applying tension to a gel sample suffers from a difficulty of sample gripping. In this paper, we study a possible fracture mechanism of soft gels under uni-axial compression. We show that the surfaces of a pre-existing crack, oriented parallel to the loading axis, can buckle at a critical compressive stress. This buckling instability can open the crack surfaces and cre- ate highly concentrated stress fields near the crack tip, which can lead to crack growth. We show that the onset of crack buckling can be deduced by a dimensional argument com- bined with an analysis to determine the critical compression needed to induce surface instabilities of an elastic half space. The critical compression for buckling was verified for a neo- Hookean material model using finite element simulations.

Mechanical properties of lattice grid composites

An equivalent continuum method only considering the stretching deformation of struts was used to study the in-plane stiffness and strength of planar lattice grid com- posite materials. The initial yield equations of lattices were deduced. Initial yield surfaces were depicted separately in different 3D and 2D stress spaces. The failure envelope is a polyhedron in 3D spaces and a polygon in 2D spaces. Each plane or line of the failure envelope is corresponding to the yield or buckling of a typical bar row. For lattices with more than three bar rows, subsequent yield of the other bar row after initial yield made the lattice achieve greater limit strength. The importance of the buckling strength of the grids was strengthened while the grids were relative sparse. The integration model of the method was used to study the nonlinear mechanical properties of strain hardening grids. It was shown that the integration equation could accurately model the complete stress-strain curves of the grids within small deformations.

Application of the coal mine floor rating(CMFR)to assess the floor stability in a Central Appalachian Coal Mine

Estimating the overall floor stability in a coal mine using deterministic methods which require complex engineering properties of floor strata is desirable,but generally it is impractical due to the difficulty of gathering essential input data.However,applying a quantitative methodology to describe floor quality with a single number provides a practical estimate for preliminary assessment of floor stability.The coal mine floor rating(CMFR)system,developed by the University of New South Wales(UNSW),is a rockmass classification system that provides an indicator for the competence of floor strata.The most significant components of the CMFR are uniaxial compressive strength and discontinuity intensity of floor strata.In addition to the competence of the floor,depth of cover and stress notch angle are input parameters used to assess the preliminary floor stability.In this study,CMFR methodology was applied to a Central Appalachian Coal Mine that intermittently experienced floor heave.Exploratory drill core data,overburden maps,and mine plans were utilized for the study.Additionally,qualitative data(failure/non-failure)on floor conditions of the mine entries near the core holes was collected and analyzed so that the floor quality and its relation to entry stability could be estimated by statistical methods.It was found that the current CMFR classification system is not directly applicable in assessing the floor stability of the Central Appalachian Coal Mine.In order to extend the applicability of the CMFR classification system,the methodology was modified.A calculation procedure of one of the CMFR classification system’s components,the horizontal stress rating(HSR),was changed and new parameters were added to the HSR.

Buckling of 2D-FG Cylindrical Shells under Combined External Pressure and Axial Compression

This paper presents the stability of two-dimensional functionally graded(2D-FG)cylindrical shells subjected to combined external pressure and axial compression loads,based on classical shell theory.The material properties of functionally graded cylindrical shell are graded in two directional(radial and axial)and determined by the rule of mixture.The Euler’s equation is employed to derive the stability equations,which are solved by GDQ method to obtain the critical mechanical buckling loads of the 2D-FG cylindrical shells.The effects of shell geometry,the mechanical properties distribution in radial and axial direction on the critical buckling load are studied and compared with a cylindrical shell made of 1D-FGM.The numerical results reveal that the 2D-FGM has a significant effect on the critical buckling load.

Leaf morphogenesis:The multifaceted roles of mechanics

Plants produce a rich diversity of biological forms,and the diversity of leaves is especially notable.Mechanisms of leaf morphogenesis have been studied in the past two decades,with a growing focus on the interactive roles of mechanics in recent years.Growth of plant organs involves feedback by mechanical stress:growth induces stress,and stress affects growth and morphogenesis.Although much attention has been given to potential stress-sensing mechanisms and cellular responses,the mechanical principles guiding morphogenesis have not been well understood.Here we synthesize the overarching roles of mechanics and mechanical stress in multilevel and multiple stages of leaf morphogenesis,encompassing leaf primordium initiation,phyllotaxis and venation patterning,and the establishment of complex mature leaf shapes.Moreover,the roles of mechanics at multiscale levels,from subcellular cytoskeletal molecules to single cells to tissues at the organ scale,are articulated.By highlighting the role of mechanical buckling in the formation of three-dimensional leaf shapes,this review integrates the perspectives of mechanics and biology to provide broader insights into the mechanobiology of leaf morphogenesis.