Isotropic Structure Research Articles

Isotropic Structure and Polymer Interface Intensified Lithium-Ion Transmission in Spherical Graphite Tailings/Coke Composite Anode

Spherical graphite tailings (SGT) as the anode electrode for a lithium-ion battery not only improves the utilization value of SGT as solid waste, but also demonstrates the cleaner production of natural flake graphite (NG) compared with artificial graphite. However, SGT anodes present issues regarding rate performance and cycle stability due to the anisotropy structure and the instability of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI). In this work, a composite anode with isotropic structure was prepared by granulation of high-sulfur coal (HSC) and SGT, while an artificial SEI was prepared utilizing polyether amine/polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PEA/PVP) crosslinked polymer. Results showed that the coke from HSC pyrolysis enhanced the isotropy of the composite anode and improved its rate performance. Compared with SGT, the capacity retention rate of the sample (OSGT-50%OHSC) after oxidation - pyrolysis at a high current density of 5.0 A g−1 increased from 7.2% to 25.8%. Additionally, the PEA/PVP artificial SEI strengthened the cycle stability of the anode. After 1000 cycles, the capacity retention rate increased from 22.5% to 70.3%. The artificial SEI effectively avoided direct contact between the anode and the electrolyte, increasing the initial coulombic efficiency from 70.3% to 77.1%.

Transverse surface wave in non-planar layered nearly incompressible elastic structure having imperfect contact

The prime motive of the present work is to bring out the emphatic impacts of planar boundary and non-planar boundary as well as imperfectness of the interface on the displacement components and phase velocity of Love-type wave (LTW) propagating in the layered structure. The layered structure essentially incorporates two dissimilar nearly incompressible elastic materials bonded imperfectly to each other having non-planar boundaries at the free surface and at the common interface. A linear spring model has been adopted to describe the imperfect bonding at the interface. The solution methodology features the applicability of variable separable technique along with Taylor’s series expansion that leads to establish dispersion relation and displacement components of LTW. The displacement components and phase velocity of LTW have been numerically computed, and their dependence on wave number have been graphically manifested. As a special case of the study, the dispersion relations for incompressible and isotropic elastic layered structures have been deduced. A comparative analysis between compressible, nearly incompressible and incompressible layered structures comprised of Neo–Hookean material, and isotropic layered structure has been performed to trace out the impact of imperfect bonding parameter on the phase velocity of LTW. The established result of dispersion relation for the considered geometrical structure, as a particular deduction, concur well with the result present in the literature.

Novel baseline-free ultrasonic Lamb wave defect location method based on path amplitude matching

Ultrasonic Lamb wave detection technology constitutes a non-destructive evaluation approach extensively employed for the identification of flaws within plate-like structures. The conventional method for detecting and localizing defects in isotropic plate-like structures using ultrasonic Lamb waves relies on baseline signal data. However, the reliability of baseline data as a reference value is diminished due to varying working conditions of the structure. Therefore, to overcome the influence of mismatched baseline data, this paper proposes a novel non-baseline Lamb wave defect detection and localization method. Through simulation and experiment studies, it is discovered that defects at different positions have varied impacts on the amplitude of direct wave-packets under the same propagation path. By eliminating differences in the piezoelectric excitation characteristics of the sensing array (normalized through boundary reflect wave), the direct wave amplitude of multiple sensor pairs in the circular array can be compared and ranked. The paths closest to the location of the damage can be identified, enabling to obtain the defect location information. In this paper, the feasibility and effectiveness of this method has been verified by simulation and practical experiments. The experimental data and imaging results obtained over a four-month period demonstrate that, compared to the traditional baseline localization method, the baseline-free method proposed in this study exhibits a greater ability to resist interference caused by changes in environmental temperature. By increasing the number of sensors from 16 to 32, the positioning accuracy can be significantly improved, reducing the positioning deviation from 13 mm to 0.42 mm. This new non-baseline method based on path amplitude matching demonstrates enhanced practicality within the realm of engineering. Notably, this method holds the potential to be synergistically incorporated and applied in conjunction with various other measurement techniques.

Human muscle stem cell responses to mechanical stress into tunable 3D alginate matrices

Preclinical data acquired for human muscle stem (hMuStem) cells indicate their great repair capacity in the context of muscle injury. However, their clinical potential is limited by their moderate ability to survive after transplantation. To overcome these limitations, their encapsulation within protective environment would be beneficial. In this study, tunable calcium-alginate hydrogels obtained through molding method using external or internal gelation were investigated as a new strategy for hMuStem cell encapsulation. The mechanical properties of these hydrogels were characterized in their fully hydrated state by compression experiments using Atomic Force Microscopy. Measured elastic moduli strongly depended on the gelation mode and calcium/alginate concentrations. Values ranged from 1 to 12.5 kPa and 3.9 to 25 kPa were obtained for hydrogels prepared following internal and external gelation, respectively. Also, differences in mechanical properties of hydrogels resulted from their internal organization, with an isotropic structure for internal gelation, while external mode led to anisotropic one. It was further shown that viability, morphological and myogenic differentiation characteristics of hMuStem cells incorporated within alginate hydrogels were preserved after their release. These results highlight that hMuStem cells encapsulated in calcium-alginate hydrogels maintain their functionality, thus allowing to develop muscle regeneration protocols to improve their therapeutic efficacy.

A Road Map to the Structural Optimization of a Type-C Composite UAV

The present paper investigates the design process and the dimensioning of a tailless type-C composite sandwich unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The objective is to investigate an innovative aircraft configuration which exceeds the standard approach of ribs and spars and replaces them with a sandwich structure for future unmanned aerial systems. The necessity of carbon fiber-reinforced materials arose due to the weight constraint of a Class C UAV, i.e., the whole vehicle must be under 25 kg, which limits the mass of the structure to 9 kg. The structural design of composite structures differs from the one of traditional isotropic structures. The number of holes should be limited, as drilling down the composite aerostructure would conclude to the generation of delaminations. In addition, the joints between sections with different thicknesses could lead to stress concentrations and disbands. Therefore, the present report is crucial for the continuance of the present project as it has contributed both to the structural design and assessment of the UAV. This work focusses on the computation of loads, the process of structural sizing through a multi-disciplinary optimization approach, and the simulation-based structural proof. Particular attention is paid to the specifically developed semi-analytical method for predicting the aero-elastic load. Based on the detailed finite element model of the global structure, the applicability of the minimum number of bolts as a major structural joining variant is proven. The design process from single components to the assembly of the overall aircraft results in the realization of the demonstrator structure.

Characterization of complex stiffness and thickness of isotropic, viscoelastic plates using multi-modal Lamb waves

This paper presents an approach exploiting the sensitivity of Lamb waves for characterizing the mechanical and geometrical properties of plates. The analytical sensitivity functions are first derived in the case of an isotropic plate and are integrated into an iterative inverse problem to optimize its mechanical and geometrical properties based on a zero-finding approach (Gauss-Newton algorithm for a multivariable problem). This method is validated numerically for a viscoelastic plate and shows high accuracy and low computational cost when compared to existing methods. The design af an experimental setup based on dedicated air-coupled transducers is proposed by optimizing the shape and size of the transducers in order to increase sensitivity of the measred signals with respect to the mechanical parameters of the structure of insterest. Experimental validation demonstrates the ability of the methodto assess simultaneously the viscoelastic properties and the thickness of isotropic plate-like structures.

Frequency sweep study on the generation of dual-mode second harmonics (DMSH) on an isotropic nonlinear elastic cylindrical rod by T(0,1) mode

Nonlinear ultrasonic (NLU) guided wave (GW) measurements are more sensitive to microscale defects than linear measurements. This nonlinear phenomenon is helpful for early-stage damage detection in material for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) and structural health monitoring (SHM) applications. The amplitude of the higher harmonics generated in the material serves as the basis for the NLU measurement. Recent studies have reported the presence of dual-mode second harmonic (DMSH) on an isotropic nonlinear elastic plate and cylindrical structures. The fundamental non-dispersive mode shear horizontal SH0 and torsional T(0,1) modes can generate simultaneously propagating dual-mode second harmonic(DMSH) on plate and cylindrical guided media respectively. For the case of cylinders, at phase matching condition two dominant second harmonic fundamental longitudinal (l(0,1)) and orthogonal torsional (t(0,1)┴) mode are generated with significant amplitude. The particle vibration of the t(0,1)┴ mode was present in both orthogonal directions compared to conventional T(0,1) mode and hence called orthogonal torsional mode. The present work aims to study the behaviour of DMSH at different frequencies through a frequency sweep study on a weakly nonlinear elastic cylinder of circular cross-section via numerical simulations and validated experimentally for some selected cases. The wave propagation of the T(0,1) mode at several selected frequencies from 300 kHz to 2.2 MHz is chosen to explore the second harmonic mode for better understanding. At frequencies below 1.25 MHz, l(0,1) mode is faster than t(0,1)┴ mode; above 1.25 MHz, it was the other way around. The behaviour of harmonics was observed to be in accordance with the group and phase velocities at the corresponding frequencies in the dispersion curves. The evidence for the presence of DMSH was validated experimentally for some selected frequency cases at different propagation distances. The significance of DMSH is explored via numerical simulations and found that t(0,1)┴ mode is sensitive towards material degradation, while all other generated wave modes were not affected. Research shows that enough energy is available in the generated DMSH to be noticed experimentally and in numerical simulations. This improved understanding of the generation of DMSH across different frequencies would be helpful in new advanced NLU-based NDE and SHM applications.

Rate-dependent behaviour of additively manufactured topology optimised lattice structures

Lattice structures offer a wide range of tuneable qualities that cannot be achieved with bulk materials. While lattice structures offer a range of tuneable qualities, including isotropic properties achievable in bulk materials, the advent of additive manufacturing (AM) advances research in this domain. Although several studies have characterized the quasi-static mechanical properties of lattice structures, there is limited experimental data available on their rate-dependent behaviour. Additionally, most lattice structures are anisotropic, making them unsuitable for applications where loading directions are unknown. In this study, a topology-optimised unit cell with nearly perfect isotropic stiffness is investigated for its isotropic specific energy absorption under high strain rates. The dynamic response of the structure is evaluated using 3 different materials: CPTi, AlSi10Mg, and 316LSS, and both experimental and numerical methods are employed. The influence of topology and relative density on the mechanical properties of the structure are explored, and the specific energy absorption isotropy is determined by loading the lattices in various orientations numerically. This research fills the gap in knowledge regarding the rate-dependent behaviour of lattice structures and offers insight into the potential for isotropic lattice structures in engineering applications.

Enhancing the Thermal Performance of Shape Memory Polymers: Designing a Minichannel Structure.

This research proposes a numerical approach to improve the thermal performance of shape memory polymers (SMPs) while their mechanical properties remain intact. Sixteen different 3D minichannel structures were numerically designed to investigate the impact of embedded water flow in microchannel networks on the thermal response and shape recovery of SMPs. This work employs two approaches, each with different physics: approach A focuses on solid mechanics analysis and, accordingly, thermal analysis in solids without considering the fluid. approach B tackles solid and fluid mechanics analysis and thermal analysis in both solid and fluid subdomains, which inherently calls for fluid-structure coupling in a uniform procedure. Finally, the results of these two approaches are compared to predict the SMP's thermal and mechanical behavior. The structural designs are then analyzed in terms of their shape recovery speed, recovery ratio, and recovery parameters. The results indicate that isotropic structures thermally outperform their anisotropic counterparts, exhibiting improved thermal characteristics and faster shape recovery. Additionally, it was observed that polymeric structures with a low volume fraction of embedded branches thermally perform efficiently. The findings of this study predict that the geometrical angle between the main branch and sub-branches of SMP favorably impacts the enhancement of thermal characteristics of the structure, accelerating its shape recovery. Approach B accelerates the shape recovery rate in SMPs due to fluid flow and uniform heat transfer within the structures.

Local Structure of Atactic Polystyrene Investigated by Molecular Dynamics Method

Molecular dynamics computer simulation of three substances ethylbenzene (EB), pentastyrene (PS-5), and polystyrene-25 (PS-25) was performed to investigate the local order of the phenyl rings in monomers and side-chain polymers. Monomer molecules (EB) tend to be in T-configuration, which corresponds to isotropic local structure. Phenyl rings in chained molecules PS-5 and PS-25 partly cooperate in both parallel-displaced and “sandwich” configuration with π–π stacking. These configurations are locally anisotropic and lead to the increasing of Kerr constant K. Analysis of the local structure was performed by calculating the cylindrical distribution function.

Isotropic cellular structure design strategies based on triply periodic minimal surfaces

Isotropy is a desired characteristic in cellular structures for load bearing and energy absorption applications that must respond uniformly under external loads in all orientations. Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) cellular structures are attracting much attention for such applications due to their demonstrated high performance, tailorable properties, and open cell architecture. However, TPMS structures usually display stiffness anisotropy. In this work, new design strategies are presented for isotropic TPMS-based cellular structures, revealing a large available design space in terms of relative density and relative stiffness. The first design strategy arranges TPMS-based cells in a Simple-Cubic/Face-Centred Cubic inspired pattern, resulting in reduced elastic anisotropy. Two parametric optimisation approaches involving level-set mid-surface offsetting and the functional grading of relative density are then applied in a second step to eliminate any residual elastic anisotropy. Anisotropy is characterised through finite element analysis using the Zener ratio. Four families of cells are optimised, each based on a different TPMS unit cell, and then additively manufactured using the material extrusion process with polylactic acid. Finally, experimental quasi-static compressive tests are conducted to characterise stiffness, strength, and energy absorption properties. Optimised designs are tested in three crystal orientations ([001], [101] and [111]) and manufactured in three orthogonal print orientations. The Primitive TPMS-based design is the stiffest of the four designs reaching 64.4% of the Hashin-Shtrikman upper bound of bulk modulus at 20% relative density. Experimental results validate all four optimised cell designs for elastic isotropy and indicate that all the cell designs are also isotropic in terms of crushing strength and energy absorption.

A novel triple periodic minimal surface-like plate lattice and its data-driven optimization method for superior mechanical properties

Lattice structures can be designed to achieve unique mechanical properties and have attracted increasing attention for applications in high-end industrial equipment, along with the advances in additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. In this work, a novel design of plate lattice structures described by a parametric model is proposed to enrich the design space of plate lattice structures with high connectivity suitable for AM processes. The parametric model takes the basic unit of the triple periodic minimal surface (TPMS) lattice as a skeleton and adopts a set of generation parameters to determine the plate lattice structure with different topologies, which takes the advantages of both plate lattices for superior specific mechanical properties and TPMS lattices for high connectivity, and therefore is referred to as a TPMS-like plate lattice (TLPL). Furthermore, a data-driven shape optimization method is proposed to optimize the TLPL structure for maximum mechanical properties with or without the isotropic constraints. In this method, the genetic algorithm for the optimization is utilized for global search capability, and an artificial neural network (ANN) model for individual fitness estimation is integrated for high efficiency. A set of optimized TLPLs at different relative densities are experimentally validated by the selective laser melting (SLM) fabricated samples. It is confirmed that the optimized TLPLs could achieve elastic isotropy and have superior stiffness over other isotropic lattice structures.

Efficient electro-demulsification of O/W emulsions and simultaneous oil removal enabled by a multiscale porous biocarbon electrode

Emulsion wastewater contain substantial amounts of oil and various additives, which pose threats to the environment and human health. Demulsification is a crucial pretreatment stage for wastewater. This study aims to identify a novel electro-demulsification method with high oil removal efficiency and low energy consumption. Modified carbonized birch wood with a unique isotropic multiscale pore structure is used as a self-standing electrode to treat a toluene oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion. The electrode must have a highly porous structure to facilitate efficient water diffusion and oil adsorption. It must also have high electronic conductivity to expedite polarized molecular electrophoresis to realize penetration into the pores and, subsequently, demulsification. Guided by an applied electric field force, polarized O/W droplets are drawn toward the electrode, revealing electrical characteristics distinct from those of polarized organic molecules. This electric field force augments the capture and adhesion of droplets by the electric double layer at the electrode interface. Consequently, adsorbed droplets in close proximity to the electrode rupture due to the combined influence of the electric field force and the electrostatic effects stemming from the electrode's multiscale porous structure. This synergistic action enables demulsification to occur efficiently at low energy consumption levels. This study has revealed that electro-demulsification can effectively treat toluene emulsions stabilized by various surfactants and microemulsion containing toluene. Therefore, this electro-demulsification technology can be further developed for various types of water pollution.

Obtaining auxetic and isotropic metamaterials in counterintuitive design spaces: an automated optimization approach and experimental characterization

Recent advancements in manufacturing, finite element analysis (FEA), and optimization techniques have expanded the design possibilities for metamaterials, including isotropic and auxetic structures, known for applications like energy absorption due to their unique deformation mechanism and consistent behavior under varying loads. However, achieving simultaneous control of multiple properties, such as optimal isotropic and auxetic characteristics, remains challenging. This paper introduces a systematic design approach that combines modeling, FEA, genetic algorithm, and optimization to create tailored mechanical behavior in metamaterials. Through strategically arranging 8 distinct neither isotropic nor auxetic unit cell states, the stiffness tensor in a 5 × 5 × 5 cubic symmetric lattice structure is controlled. Employing the NSGA-II genetic algorithm and automated modeling, we yield metamaterial lattice structures possessing both desired isotropic and auxetic properties. Multiphoton lithography fabrication and experimental characterization of the optimized metamaterial highlights a practical real-world use and confirms the close correlation between theoretical and experimental data.

Analytical solution of multilayered structures with Green’s function

It is well known that for solving the problem of thin multilayered structures in complex working conditions, the calculation accuracy and efficiency of the finite element method are significantly inferior to those of the analytical solution. However, the prediction of road life requires precise and detailed mechanical performance analysis. To satisfy this requirement, this study first utilized the three-dimensional Green’s function adapted to transversely isotropic multilayered structures with arbitrary thicknesses based on the mirroring image principle. Then, the analytical solution of multilayered pavements subjected to multiple loadings without complex integral or inverse transformations was derived. Furthermore, an equivalent sliding interface model was proposed to simulate the imperfect interface or thin interlayer of multilayered pavements. Numerical examples verified the suitability and accuracy of the analytical solution thorough the comparison with the other theory and experimental results. Moreover, the key factors affecting the performance of pavements, such as the anisotropy and thickness of each layer, loading direction, and pavement friction coefficient, were investigated to provide reliable numerical and theoretical bases for the optimal design of pavement structures.

Design of Star‐Shaped Trimer Acceptors for High‐Performance (Efficiency > 19%), Photostable, and Mechanically Robust Organic Solar Cells

AbstractHigh power conversion efficiency (PCE), long‐term stability, and mechanical robustness are prerequisites for the commercial applications of organic solar cells (OSCs). In this study, a new star‐shaped trimer acceptor (TYT‐S) is developed and high‐performance OSCs with a PCE of 19.0%, high photo‐stability (t80% lifetime = 2600 h under 1‐sun illumination), and mechanical robustness with a crack‐onset strain (COS) of 21.6% are achieved. The isotropic molecular structure of TYT‐S affords efficient multi‐directional charge transport and high electron mobility. Furthermore, its amorphous structure prevents the formation of brittle crystal‐to‐crystal interfaces, significantly enhancing the mechanical properties of the OSC. As a result, the TYT‐S‐based OSCs demonstrate a significantly higher PCE (19.0%) and stretchability (COS = 21.6%) than the linear‐shaped trimer acceptor (TYT‐L)‐based OSCs (PCE = 17.5% and COS = 6.4%) and the small‐molecule acceptor (MYT)‐based OSCs (PCE = 16.5% and COS = 1.3%). In addition, the increased molecular size of TYT‐S, relative to that of MYT and dimer (DYT), suppresses the diffusion kinetics of the acceptor molecules, substantially improving the photostability of the OSCs. Finally, to effectively demonstrate the potential of TYT‐S, intrinsically stretchable (IS)‐OSCs are constructed. The TYT‐S‐based IS‐OSCs exhibit high device stretchability (strain at PCE80% = 31%) and PCE of 14.4%.

Stability of the chiral crystal phase and breakdown of the cholesteric phase in mixtures of active-passive chiral rods.

In this study, we aim to explore the effect of chirality on the phase behavior of active helical particles driven by two-temperature scalar activity. We first calculate the equation of state of soft helical particles of various intrinsic chiralities using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. In equilibrium, the emergence of various liquid crystal (LC) phases such as nematic (N), cholesteric , smectic (Sm) and crystal (K) crucially depends on the presence of walls that induce planar alignment. Next, we introduce activity through the two-temperature model: keep increasing the temperature of half of the helical particles (labeled as 'hot' particles) while maintaining the temperature of the other half at a lower value (labeled as 'cold' particles). Starting from a homogeneous isotropic (I) phase, we find the emergence of 2-TIPS: two temperature-induced phase separations between the hot and cold particles. We also observe that the cold particles undergo an ordering transition to various LC phases even in the absence of a wall. This observation reveals that the hot-cold interface in the active system plays the role of a wall in the equilibrium system by inducing an alignment direction for the cold particles. However, in the case of a cholesteric phase, we observe that activity destabilizes the phase by inducing smectic ordering in the cold zone while an isotropic structure in the hot zone. The smectic ordering in the cold zone eventually transforms to a chiral crystal phase with high enough activity.

Mechanical and sensing properties of three-dimensional, high-strength superflexible CMC/SA/MXene/CNT aerogels

The CSMC aerogel, with a 3D isotropic porous structure supported by 2D faces in X, Y and Z dimensions, shows 148.78 kPa compressive strength at 80% strain. As a sensor, it has high sensitivity (GF = 7.6, S = 894.8 kPa−1) and durability (10 000 cycles).

Crustal and Uppermost Mantle Azimuthal Seismic Anisotropy of Antarctica From Ambient Noise Tomography

AbstractSeismic anisotropy provides essential information for characterizing the orientation of deformation and flow in the crust and mantle. The isotropic structure of the Antarctic crust and upper mantle has been determined by previous studies, but the azimuthal anisotropy structure has only been constrained by mantle core phase (SKS) splitting observations. This study determines the azimuthal anisotropic structure of the crust and mantle beneath the central and West Antarctica based on 8—55 s Rayleigh wave phase velocities from ambient noise cross‐correlation. An anisotropic Rayleigh wave phase velocity map was created using a ray—based tomography method. These data are inverted using a Bayesian Monte Carlo method to obtain an azimuthal anisotropy model with uncertainties. The azimuthal anisotropy structure in most of the study region can be fit by a two‐layer structure, with one layer at depths of 0–15 km in the shallow crust and the other layer in the uppermost mantle. The azimuthal anisotropic layer in the shallow crust of West Antarctica, where it coincides with strong positive radial anisotropy quantified by the previous study, shows a fast direction that is subparallel to the inferred extension direction of the West Antarctic Rift System. Fast directions of upper mantle azimuthal anisotropy generally align with teleseismic shear wave splitting fast directions, suggesting a thin lithosphere or similar lithosphere‐asthenosphere deformation. However, inconsistencies in this exist in Marie Byrd Land, indicating differing ancient deformation patterns in the shallow mantle lithosphere sampled by the surface waves and deformation in the deeper mantle and asthenosphere sampled more strongly by splitting measurements.

High-areal capacity Si architecture as an on-chip anode for lithium-ion batteries

Silicon is one of the most promising anode materials for Li-ion batteries, especially to meet the growing demand for energy storage in the form of microbatteries for mobile and autonomous devices. However, the development of such batteries is hindered by mechanical and electrochemical failures resulting from massive Si volume expansion and continuous growth of the solid electrolyte interphase. In this study, we propose a novel on-chip anode architecture using rapid thermal annealing on porous silicon. The structure consists of a densified silicon layer on top of an isotropic structure of a porous layer. We demonstrate that this structure enhances both electrochemical and mechanical stabilities, achieving an areal capacity of 9 mAh cm−2 over more than 200 cycles with a high Coulombic efficiency near 100%.