Inversion handling for stable deformable modeling

In 3D deformable modeling approaches based on FEM, inverted tetrahedral elements can cause undesired visual artifacts and the breakdown of the simulation. As inversion can never be avoided and sometimes is even the correct behavior of elements, there is a strong need for stable inversion handling. In this paper, we propose a novel method to resolve inverted elements which is motivated by previous work of Irving et al. [6]. In combination with an efficient handling of degenerated elements, our approach yields a stable simulation of arbitrary deformations. Although we focus on the corotational formulation of linear FEM, the method can be implemented within arbitrary constitutive models.     

Protecting the Melatonin Rhythm through Circadian Healthy Light Exposure

Currently, in developed countries, nights are excessively illuminated (light at night), whereas daytime is mainly spent indoors, and thus people are exposed to much lower light intensities than under natural conditions. In spite of the positive impact of artificial light, we pay a price for the easy access to light during the night: disorganization of our circadian system or chronodisruption (CD), including perturbations in melatonin rhythm. Epidemiological studies show that CD is associated with an increased incidence of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, cognitive and affective impairment, premature aging and some types of cancer. Knowledge of retinal photoreceptors and the discovery of melanopsin in some ganglion cells demonstrate that light intensity, timing and spectrum must be considered to keep the biological clock properly entrained. Importantly, not all wavelengths of light are equally chronodisrupting. Blue light, which is particularly beneficial during the daytime, seems to be more disruptive at night, and induces the strongest melatonin inhibition. Nocturnal blue light exposure is currently increasing, due to the proliferation of energy-efficient lighting (LEDs) and electronic devices. Thus, the development of lighting systems that preserve the melatonin rhythm could reduce the health risks induced by chronodisruption. This review addresses the state of the art regarding the crosstalk between light and the circadian system.     

The maximum extent of reaction in gelled systems

Just how far reactions can go after gelation during the cure of telechelic prepolymers has been a debatable point for some time. Utilizing a recently devised method,⁷ the curing reactions of some telechelic prepolymers were followed after the gel point. Extents of reaction above 90% occurred only in systems of average functionality close to two, functionality being the average number of reactive groups per molecule. Among systems of higher functionality, maximum extents of reaction of about 70% were most common. The final extent of reaction was only a few per cent above the extent of reaction at the gel point. The maximum extent of reaction varied with the concentration of reactive species and the relationship was a linear one at each functionality of the system. The data were consistent with P_A²/r = {0.88/[(h ? 1)(j ? 1)]} + 0.10 where P_A is the fraction of prepolymer reactive groups initially present which have reacted, r is the ratio of the initial number of crosslinking groups to prepolymer reactive groups, and h and j are weighted average functionalities of the two reactants. It is suggested that the limiting factor in defining the final extent of reaction in these systems is the accessibility of reactive groups as determined by solid geometry rather than thermodynamics or reaction kinetics. The final extent of cure is regularly dependent on functionality and one cannot regard functionality and maximum extent of reaction as independent variables.     

Analysis of the temperature dependence of the fracture stress of sharp notched bending specimens of a structural steel with respect to intermediate transitions

The flow and fracture stresses, σ_y^g and σ_f^g (δ = crack tip displacement), of sharply notched bending specimens of a structural steel U St 37-1 are measured in the temperature range from full scale to small scale yielding. The best adaption of the experimental results for σ_f^g is obtained by a curve which exhibits an intermediate transition, i.e. which follows in a temperature range between an upper, T_tM¹ and a lower, T_tl¹, transition temperature to the curve σ_y^g(T) for the flow stress with a constant δ = δ₁. This transition corresponds to that of the slip to the twin nucleated fracture. Two analyses [3,5] according to the local fracture stress, σ_f^*, concept show that the amount and the temperature dependence of σ_f^* are somewhat different for both methods, but that both exhibit an increase of σ_f^* in the transition range. It is concluded that each transition in the nucleation mode of the fracture is connected with such a transition in the fracture stress. It may, however, become indistinct or even be covered by the scatter of the experimental points.     

Determination of the overall migration from silicone baking moulds into simulants and food using 1H-NMR techniques

Different silicone baking moulds (37 samples) were characterized with respect to potential migrating substances using ¹H-NMR, RP-HPLC–UV/ELSD and GC techniques. In all cases cyclic organosiloxane oligomers with the formula [Si(CH₃)₂–O] _n were identified (n = 6 … 50). Additionally, linear, partly hydroxyl-terminated organosiloxanes HO–[Si(CH₃)₂–O] _n –H (n = 7 … 20) were found in 13 samples. No substances other than siloxanes could be detected, meaning the migrants mainly consist of organopolysiloxanes. Based on this knowledge, a ¹H-NMR quantification method for siloxanes was established for the analysis of both simulants and foodstuffs. Validation of the ¹H-NMR method gave suitable performance characteristics: limit of detection 8.7 mg kg^–1 oil, coefficient of variation 7.8% (at a level of 1.0 mg kg^–1 food). Migration studies were carried out with simulants (olive oil, isooctane, ethanol (95%), Tenax) as well as preparation of different cakes. From the 1st to 10th experiment, siloxane migration into cakes only slightly decreased, with a significant dependence on fat content. Migration never exceeded a level of 21 mg kg^–1 (3 mg dm^–2) and was, therefore, well below the overall migration limit of 60 mg kg^–1 (10 mg dm^–2). However, migration behaviour into simulants differed completely from these results.     

Studies on acrylamide levels in roasting, storage and brewing of coffee

The content of acrylamide in coffee reaches a peak early in the roasting process, reflecting occurrence of both formation and destruction of acrylamide during roasting. Levels of acrylamide in the fully roasted product are a small fraction of the peak reached earlier. Glucose and moisture in green coffee do not show a significant correlation with acrylamide in roasted coffee. Pre-roasting levels of asparagine show a correlation only in Arabica coffee. The main factors affecting the level of acrylamide in roasted coffee appear to be the Arabica/Robusta ratio, with Robusta giving higher levels; time and degree of roast, with both shorter and lighter roasting at the edges of the normal roasting range giving higher levels; storage condition and time, with clear reduction at ambient storage. This storage reduction of acrylamide followed second order reaction kinetics with an activation energy of 73 KJ/mole. The acrylamide in roasted coffee is largely extracted into the brew and stable within usual time of consumption. As these four main factors also substantially affect the sensorial characteristics of the brew, and as modifications of the process have to comply with the consumer-accepted boundaries of taste profiles, only small effects on the acrylamide level are expected to be achievable.     

Modulation of Mechanical Interactions by Local Piezoelectric Effects

Piezoelectricity is a well‐established property of biological materials, yet its functional role has remained unclear. Here, a mechanical effect of piezoelectric domains resulting from collagen fibril organisation is demonstrated, and its role in tissue function and application to material design is described. Using a combination of scanning probe and nonlinear optical microscopy, a hierarchical structuring of piezoelectric domains in collagen‐rich tissues is observed, and their mechanical effects are explored in silico. Local electrostatic attraction and repulsion due to shear piezoelectricity in these domains modulate fibril interactions from the tens of nanometre (single fibril interactions) to the tens of micron (fibre interactions) level, analogous to modulated friction effects. The manipulation of domain size and organisation thus provides a capacity to tune energy storage, dissipation, stiffness, and damage resistance.     

Graphene–Mesoporous Si Nanocomposite as a Compliant Substrate for Heteroepitaxy

The ultimate performance of a solid state device is limited by the restricted number of crystalline substrates that are available for epitaxial growth. As a result, only a small fraction of semiconductors are usable. This study describes a novel concept for a tunable compliant substrate for epitaxy, based on a graphene–porous silicon nanocomposite, which extends the range of available lattice constants for epitaxial semiconductor alloys. The presence of graphene and its effect on the strain of the porous layer lattice parameter are discussed in detail and new remarkable properties are demonstrated. These include thermal stability up to 900 °C, lattice tuning up to 0.9 % mismatch, and compliance under stress for virtual substrate thicknesses of several micrometers. A theoretical model is proposed to define the compliant substrate design rules. These advances lay the foundation for the fabrication of a compliant substrate that could unlock the lattice constant restrictions for defect‐free new epitaxial semiconductor alloys and devices.