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Electromechanical phase-field fracture modelling of piezoresistive CNT-based composites
This paper presents the first model capable of predicting the electromechanical and fracture behaviour of self-sensing carbon nanotube (CNT)-based composites. The model captures the nano-scale mechanisms and constitutive behaviour of CNTs using a mixed micromechanics formulation. This is combined with a coupled electrical-deformation-fracture finite element model. The resulting multi-scale and multi-physics computational model is then used to simulate deformation and fracture in piezo-resistive CNT-based composites. The presented numerical results showcase the efficiency and robustness of the computational framework,as well as its ability to model a large variety of structural configurations and damage patterns. The deformation-electrical-fracture finite element code developed is…
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Difference in Structure and Electronic Properties of Oxygen Vacancies in α-Quartz and α-Cristobalite Phases of SiO2
In this paper, we looked at the α-cristobalite phase of silica (SiO2) and compared it to the better-studied α-quartz phase. We did this to explore how these two different phases would change when an oxygen atom was removed from the structure and charge was introduced as a result of removing oxygen. We investigated how the structure, stability, and experimentally measurable properties would change. Looking at the two phases allowed us to understand and contrast the stability of different structures found when oxygen was removed. This led to us being able to characterize oxygen vacancies in cristobalite and conclude that some…
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Medium-density amorphous ice
Part of the set-up for creating medium-density amorphous ice: ordinary ice and steel balls in a jar. Credit: Christoph Salzmann