Dynamic response of clamped sandwich beams: analytical modeling

An improved analytical model is developed to predict the dynamic response of clamped lightweight sandwich beams with cellular cores subjected to shock loading over the entire span.The clamped face sheets are simplified as a single-degree-of-freedom(SDOF)system,and the core is idealized using the rigid-perfectly-plastic-locking(RPPL)model.Reflection of incident shock wave is considered by incorporating the bending/stretching resistance of the front face sheet and compaction of the core.The model is validated with existing analytical predictions and FE simulation results,with good agreement achieved.Compared with existing analytical models,the proposed model exhibits superiority in two aspects:the deformation resistance of front face sheet during shock wave reflection is taken into account;the effect of pulse shape is considered.The practical application range of the proposed model is therefore wider.

Volumetric response of an ellipsoidal liquid inclusion: implications for cell mechanobiology

Elastic composites containing liquid inclusions exist widely in nature and engineering fields. The volumetric response of liquid inclusions is important in many cases, such as an isolated cell embedded in an extracellular matrix and an oil pocket embedded within shale. In this study, we developed a model for describing the volumetric response of an ellipsoidal liquid inclusion. Specifically, we investigated the volumetric response of an ellipsoidal liquid inclusion embedded in a three-dimensional (3D) matrix through an analytical expression of the volumetric response. We performed parametric analysis and found that loading along the shortest axis can induce the most volume change, while loading along the longest axis can induce the least volume change. We also found that the volumetric response decreases with increasing Poisson ratio of the matrix. These results could be used to understand some cell behavior in a 3D matrix, for example, cell alignment under mechanical load.

Strength optimization of ultralight corrugated-channel-core sandwich panels

Novel ultralight sandwich panels, which are comprised of corrugated channel cores and are faced with two identical solid sheets,subjected to generalized bending are optimally designed for minimum mass. A combined analytical and numerical(finite element) investigation is carried out. Relevant failure mechanisms such as face yielding, face buckling, core yielding and core buckling are identified, the load for each failure mode derived, and the corresponding failure mechanism maps constructed. The analytically predicted failure loads and failure modes are validated against direct finite element simulations, with good agreement achieved. The optimized corrugated channel core is compared with competing topologies for sandwich construction including corrugations, honeycombs and lattice trusses, and the superiority of the proposed structure is demonstrated. Corrugated-channel-core sandwich panels hold great potential for multifunctional applications, i.e., simultaneous load bearing and active cooling.

Soft Fibrous Structures in Nature as Liquid Catcher

Past decades have witnessed the explosive growth of interest in the field of bioinspired materials,of which the structures and properties can be well utilized for industrial and bioengineering applications.Among these structures,the natural fibrous structures propose diverse strategies to adapt to their environment,offering inspirations for versatile applications,especially droplet manipulation.With various well-adapted soft structures and materials,these fibrous structures show good control over their interaction with liquids(e.g.,water),providing a database full of effective solutions to these droplet-related scientific and technical problems(e.g.,colloidal synthesis,single-cell gene sequencing,drug delivery and solution synthesis).In this review,the current achievements in water collection by multiple fibrous structures are highlighted;the structures,basic models,bio-inspired structures and their applications are presented;and the current challenges and future prospects for the development of bio-inspired fibrous structures are discussed.