Idalba A. Hidalgo A.^∗, Felipe Sojo^†, Francisco Arvelo^†, Marcos A. Sabino^∗,‡

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.10, No.2, pp. 85-105, 2013, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2013.010.085

Abstract The electrospinning technique is a method used to produce nano and microfibers using the influence of electrostatic forces. Porous three dimensional networks of continuous and interconnected fibers as scaffolds were obtained from a poly (lactic acid) solution. The concentration of the polymeric solution, 12.5% m/w, as well as the conditions of voltage (V=11kV) and tip-metallic collector distance (H=13cm) were established to develop these scaffolds through the electrospinning process. The characteristics of the scaffolds, such as fiber diameter, sintering and the biomimetics of the characteristics of a native extra cellular matrix were verified by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The orientation induced… More >

J.S. Ren^*

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.7, No.4, pp. 213-224, 2010, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2010.007.213

Abstract Dynamic analysis of an axially stretched arterial wall with collagen fibers distributed in two preferred directions under a suddenly applied constant internal pressure along with the possibility of the formation and rupture of aneurysm are examined within the framework of nonlinear dynamics. A two layer tube model with the fiber-reinforced composite-based incompressible anisotropic hyper-elastic material is employed to model the mechanical behavior of the arterial wall. The maximum amplitudes and the phase diagrams are given by numerical computation of the differential relation. It is shown that the arterial wall undergoes nonlinear periodic oscillation and no aneurysms are formed under the… More >

J. S. Ren^*

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.4, No.1, pp. 55-66, 2007, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2007.004.055

Abstract Formation and rupture of aneurysms due to the inflation of an artery with collagen fibers distributed in two preferred directions, subjected to internal pressure and axial stretch are examined within the framework of nonlinear elasticity. A two layer tube model with a fiber-reinforced composite based incompressible anisotropic hyperelastic constitutive material is employed to model the stress-strain behavior of the artery wall with distributed collagen fibers. The artery wall takes up a uniform inflation deformation, and there are no aneurysms in the artery under the normal condition. But an aneurysm may be formed in arteries when the stiffness of the fibers… More >

Hiroshi Yamada^∗,†, Hirokazu Ando^†

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.4, No.1, pp. 1-12, 2007, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2007.004.001

Abstract We investigated the response of apical and basal actin stress fibers (SFs) and its dependency on cell confluency for endothelial cells subjected to cyclic stretching. Porcine aortic endothelial cells from the 2^nd and 5^th passages were transferred to a fibronectin-coated silicone chamber with 5000–8000 cells/cm²(isolated condition), positioning the cells apart, or with 25,000–27,000 cells/cm²(subconfluent condition), allowing cell-to-cell contact. The substrate was stretched cyclically by 0.5 Hz for 2 h with a peak strain on the substrate that was 15% in the stretch direction and –4% in the transverse direction. The actin filaments (AFs) were stained with rhodamine phalloidin and their… More >

De-Shin Liu¹, Zhen-Wei Zhuang¹, Shaw-Ruey Lyu^2,3, Cho-Liang Chung⁴, Pai-Chen Lin¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.26, No.2, pp. 111-136, 2011, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2011.026.111

Abstract This study proposes a two-dimensional heterogeneous hybrid moisture element method (HHMEM) for modeling transient moisture diffusion in permeable fiber-reinforced polymer composites.
The HHMEM scheme is based on a heterogeneous hybrid moisture element(HHME), with properties determined through an equivalent hybrid moisture capacitance/conductance matrix. This matrix was calculated using the conventional finite element formulation in space discretization as well as the θ-method in time discretization with similar mass/stiffness properties and matrix condensing operations. A coupled HHME-FE scheme was developed and implemented in computer code MATLAB in order to analyze the transient moisture diffusion characteristics of composite materials containing multiple permeable fibers. The… More >

Ying Hu^1,2, Qinfei Ke¹, Zhe Li², Wanli Han³, Zhiyong Yan^2,*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.56, No.3, pp. 517-527, 2018, DOI: 10.3970/cmc.2018.03608

Abstract Cellulose nanofibers were synthesized by acetobacter xylinum (xylinum 1.1812). The cellulose nanofibers with 30-90 nm width constructed three-dimension network gel, which could be used as a wound dressing since it can provide moist environment to a wound. However, cellulose nanofibers have no antimicrobial activity to prevent wound infection. To achieve antimicrobial activity, the cellulose nanofibers can load cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) particles on the surface. The cuprous oxide is a kind of safe antibacterial material. The copper ions can be reduced into cuprous oxides by reducing agents such as glucose, N₂H₄ and sodium hypophosphite. The cellulose nanofibers network gel was soaked… More >

Louis C. Foucard¹, John Pellegrino¹, Franck J. Vernerey^1,2

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.98, No.1, pp. 101-127, 2014, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2014.098.101

Abstract Many colloidal-sized particles encountered in biological and membranebased separation applications can be characterized as soft vesicles such as cells, yeast, viruses and surfactant micelles. The deformation of these vesicles is expected to critically affect permeation by accommodating pore shapes and sizes or enhancing the adhesion with a pore surface. Numerical and theoretical modelings will be critical to fully understand these processes and thus design novel filtration membranes that target, not only size, but deformability as a selection criterion. The present paper therefore introduces a multiscale strategy that enables the determination of the permeability of a fibrous network with respect to… More >

P.P. Prochazka¹, M.J. Valek¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.87, No.3, pp. 207-224, 2012, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2012.087.207

Abstract In classical theories of homogenization and localization of composites the effect of shape of inclusions is not taken into account. This is probably done because of very small fibers in classical composites based on epoxy matrix. Applying more precise theoretical and numerical tools appears that the classical theories desire corrections in this direction. Today many types of materials their fiber are much bigger and with various material properties are used and behave as typical composites. They enable producers to create the fiber cross-sections and model them in various shapes, so that it is meaningful to carry out the optimization. In… More >

A.N. Guz¹, J.J.Rushchitsky¹, I.A.Guz²

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.26, No.3, pp. 139-156, 2008, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2008.026.139

Abstract The basic approach is offered for problems of nanocomposites and their mechanical properties, which includes a short review of modern problems in nanomechanics of materials. The fibrous carbon-polymer composites with carbon or graphite microfibers or carbon nanotubes are especially discussed. The basic model of the linear or nonlinear elastically deforming micro- and nanocomposites is considered. Within the framework of this model, the comparative computer modeling is performed. The modeling permits to observe the features in prediction of values of basic mechanical constants. These results are utilized on next step of modeling -- studying the peculiarities of wave propagation in particular… More >

A. N. Guz, V. A. Dekret¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.13, No.3, pp. 165-170, 2006, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2006.013.165

Abstract Stability problem of composite material reinforced by two parallel short fibers is solved. The problem is formulated with application of equations of linearized three-dimensional theory of stability. The composite is modeled as piecewise-homogeneous medium. The influence of geometrical and mechanical parameters of the material on critical strain is investigated. More >