Multiscale mechanics of noncovalent interface in graphene oxide layered nanocomposites

Noncovalent interfaces play a vital role in inelastic deformation and toughening mechanisms in layered nanocomposites due to their dynamical recoverability. When interfacial engineering is applied to design layered nanocomposites, shear-lag analysis is usually implemented to evaluate the capability of interfacial loading transfer. Here, we introduce a multiscale shear-lag model that correlates macroscale mechanical properties with the molecular mechanisms to quantify the effects of interfacial configuration in graphene oxide(GO) layered nanocomposites. By investigating the mechanical responses of commensurate and incommensurate interfaces, we identify that the commensurate interface exhibits a pronounced size effect due to the nucleation and propagation of interfacial defects, whereas the incommensurate interface displays uniform deformation. Our predictions are further validated through large-scale molecular dynamics simulations for GO layered nanocomposites. This work demonstrates how size effects and interfacial configurations can be exploited to fabricate layered nanocomposites with superior mechanical properties despite relying on weak noncovalent interfaces.

Tailoring the multiscale mechanics of tunable decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) for wound healing through immunomodulation

With the discovery of the pivotal role of macrophages in tissue regeneration through shaping the tissue immune microenvironment, various immunomodulatory strategies have been proposed to modify traditional biomaterials. Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) has been extensively used in the clinical treatment of tissue injury due to its favorable biocompatibility and similarity to the native tissue environment. However, most reported decellularization protocols may cause damage to the native structure of dECM, which undermines its inherent advantages and potential clinical applications. Here, we introduce a mechanically tunable dECM prepared by optimizing the freeze-thaw cycles. We demonstrated that the alteration in micromechanical properties of dECM resulting from the cyclic freeze-thaw process contributes to distinct macrophage-mediated host immune responses to the materials, which are recently recognized to play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of tissue regeneration. Our sequencing data further revealed that the immunomodulatory effect of dECM was induced via the mechnotrasduction pathways in macrophages. Next, we tested the dECM in a rat skin injury model and found an enhanced micromechanical property of dECM achieved with three freeze-thaw cycles significantly promoted the M2 polarization of macrophages, leading to superior wound healing. These findings suggest that the immunomodulatory property of dECM can be efficiently manipulated by tailoring its inherent micromechanical properties during the decellularization process. Therefore, our mechanics-immunomodulation-based strategy provides new insights into the development of advanced biomaterials for wound healing.

Nanoscale mechanical property variations concerning mineral composition and contact of marine shale

Mechanical properties of shales are key parameters influencing hydrocarbon production – impacting borehole stability, hydraulic fracture extension and microscale variations in in situ stress. We use Ordovician shale(Sichuan Basin, China) as a type-example to characterize variations in mineral particle properties at microscale including particle morphology, form of contact and spatial distribution via mineral liberation analysis(MLA) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). Deformation-based constitutive models are then built using finite element methods to define the impact of various architectures of fracture and mineral distributions at nanometer scale on the deformation characteristics at macroscale.Relative compositions of siliceous, calcareous and clay mineral particles are shown to be the key factors influencing brittleness. Shales with similar mineral composition show a spectrum of equivalent medium mechanical properties due to differing particle morphology and mineral heterogeneity. The predominance of small particles and/or point-point contacts are conducive to brittle failure, in general, and especially so when quartz-rich. Fracture morphology, length and extent of filling all influence shale deformability. High aspect-ratio fractures concentrate stress at fracture tips and are conducive to extension, as when part-filled by carbonate minerals. As fracture spacing increases, stress transfer between adjacent fractures weakens, stress concentrations are amplified and fracture extension is favored. The higher the fractal dimension of the fracture and heterogeneity of the host the more pervasive the fractures. Moreover, when fractures extend, their potential for intersection and interconnection contributes to a reduction in strength and the promotion of brittle failure. Thus, these results provide important theoretical insights into the role of heterogeneity on the deformability and strength of shale reservoirs with practical implications for their stimulation and in the recovery of hydrocarbons from them.

PERSPECTIVES IN MECHANICS OF HETEROGENEOUS SOLIDS

The Micro- and Nano-mechanics Working Group of the Chinese Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics organized a forum to discuss the perspectives, trends, and directions in mechanics of heterogeneous materials in January 2010. The international journal, Acta Mechanica Solida Sinica, is de- voted to all fields of solid mechanics and relevant disciplines in science, technology, and engineering, with a balanced coverage on analytical, experimental, numerical and applied investigations. On the occasion of the 30TM anniversary of Acta Mechanica Solida Sinica, its editor-in-chief, Professor Q.S. Zheng invited some of the forum participants to review the state-of-the-art of mechanics of heterogeneous solids, with a particular emphasis on the recent research development results of Chinese scientists. Their reviews are organized into five research areas as reported in different sections of this paper. ~I firstly brings in fo- cus on micro- and nano-mechanics, with regards to several selective topics, including multiscale coupled models and computational methods, nanocrystal superlattices, surface effects, micromechanical damage mechanics, and microstructural evolution of metals and shape memory alloys. ~II shows discussions on multifield coupled mechanical phenomena, e.g., multi-fields actuations of liquid crystal polymer networks, mechanical behavior of materials under radiations, and micromechanics of heterogeneous materials. In ~III, we mainly address the multiscale mechanics of biological nanocomposites, biological adhesive surface mechanics, wetting and dewetting phenomena on microstructured solid surfaces. The phononic crystals and manipulation of elastic waves were elaborated in ~IV. Finally, we conclude with a series of perspectives on solid mechanics. This review will set a primary goal of future science research and engineering application on solid mechanics with the effort of social and economic development.