Mechanical links between locomotion and respiration are inherently appealing because they may lower the cost of respiration, but they may also limit the ability to adapt ventilation appropriately to physiological needs. Although correlative evidence supports several linkage mechanisms, mechanical links contribute <20% of the tidal volume in exercising animals. Observations of consistent integer...

Mechanical properties of relaxed lower leg muscles were assessed by torque measurements during imposed constant velocity dorsiflexion-plantarflexion cycles. At low angular velocities, they exhibited an elastic and an energy-consuming, velocity-independent (plastic) resistance. In most patients with long-standing spasticity, both of these were enhanced. The results support the hypothesis of seco...

A smart window is fabricated from a composite consisting of elastomeric poly(dimethylsiloxane) embedded with a thin layer of quasi-amorphous silica nanoparticles. The smart window can be switched from the initial highly transparent state to opaqueness and displays angle-independent structural color via mechanical stretching. The switchable optical property can be fully recovered after 1000 stre...

Exposed geo−infrastructures filled with compacted soils experience cyclic wetting–drying effects due to environment and underground water fluctuations. Soil physical mechanical behaviors are prone deterioration a great extent, e.g., swelling, collapse, or even slope failure, resulting in huge losses human life, safety, engineering construction. In this paper, hydraulic loading tests of cycles w...

This thesis explores the dynamics of two mechanical systems capable of performing their tasks without the use of active control. The first system is an autobalancer, which can continuously balance rotating machinery. This is accomplished by using compensating masses that move in a viscous media about the axis of rotation. The second system is a passive bipedal walker, capable of human like gait...

Lithium-ion batteries with a Si anode can drive large mechanical actuation by utilizing the dramatic volume changes of the electrode during the charge/discharge cycles. A large loading of more than 10 MPa can be actuated by a LiFePO4 ||Si full battery with a rapid response while the driving voltage is lower than 4 V.

The mechanical properties of concrete pavement were studied under the various frost-salt conditions using Capillary Suction of De-icing Chemicals and Freeze-thaw Test Method (CDF method). The test results show that: with the increasing of freeze-thaw cycles, concrete surface damage has a tendency to accelerate. The concrete which is in a 5% concentration chloride snow-thawing agent solution has...

Paper is a complex material consisting of network cellulose fibres at the micro-level. During manufacturing, dried under restraint conditions due to tension in paper web machine direction. This gives rise internal strains that are stored produced sheet. Upon exposure moisture cycle, these may be released. results permanent shrinkage cause instabilities such as curl or waviness The prime objecti...