ÐBy incorporating the e€ects of interfacial adhesion in the mechanics of rounded contact between two bodies, a new approach is proposed for the quantitative analysis of a wide variety of contact fatigue situations involving cyclic normal, tangential or torsional loading. In this method, conditions of ``strong'' and ``weak'' adhesion are identi®ed by relating contact mechanics and fracture mecha...

Parameterised finite element models of the human hip have the potential to allow controlled analysis of the effect of individual geometric features on the contact mechanics of the joint. However, the challenge lies in defining a set of parameters which sufficiently capture the joint geometry in order to distinguish between individuals. In this study, a simple set of parameters to describe the g...

We report the fabrication of a sticky superhydrophobic paper surface with extremely high contact angle hysteresis: advancing contact angle ∼150◦ (superhydrophobic) and receding contact angle ∼10◦ (superhydrophilic). In addition, we report the controlled tunability of the contact angle hysteresis from 149.8 ± 5.8◦ to 3.5 ± 1.1◦, while maintaining superhydrophobicity, as defined through an advanc...

Using a range of atomic force microscope techniques we have explored biological function across a broad range of systems and length scales. To this end we have utilized imaging, force-extension curves, indentation, and in some cases, AFM combined with fluorescence microscopy. Our measurements have included model systems investigated at the submolecular level, for example, to understand interact...

We survey new extensions of continuum mechanics incorporating spontaneous violations of the Second Law (SL), which involve the viscous flow and heat conduction. First, following an account of the Fluctuation Theorem (FT) of statistical mechanics that generalizes the SL, the irreversible entropy is shown to evolve as a submartingale. Next, a stochastic thermomechanics is formulated consistent wi...

During micro-assembly processes, surface forces influence the behavior of micro-objects more than volumic forces. Generally contacts happen between a microgripper and a micro-objet or a substrate and a micro-object. The pull-off force which represents the force required to break a contact is one of the predominant problem in micro-assembly. Now, current force measurements are mostly focused on ...

Recent developments of meshfree and particle methods and their applications in applied mechanics are surveyed. Three major methodologies have been reviewed. First, smoothed particle hydrodynamics ~SPH! is discussed as a representative of a non-local kernel, strong form collocation approach. Second, mesh-free Galerkin methods, which have been an active research area in recent years, are reviewed...

Plasmonic lithography with a contact probe records nano-meter scale features and has high-throughput owing to its capability to scan in contact mode. The probe is commonly based on a micrometer-scale cantilever, which leads to the tip-positioning problem due to force-deflection that induces lateral tip displacement. We propose a geometrically modified probe to achieve high positioning accuracy....