Spinal fixation systems using pedicular screws have gained popularity in manging the damaged spine. However, the loading to which individual components of a fixator are exposed are largely unknown. This thesis describes the use of a Corpectomy injury model to investigate the mechanical response of a commercial internal spinal fixator and the resultant loads acting on its rods and screws, under four separatelo ading regimens. The fixator was instrumentedw ith strain gaugesa nd tested using specially designed jigs. The results were then compared to theoretical models and any differences highlighted. An evaluation was also performed on a range of transpedicular screw designs under tensile loads. An increase in the tightening torque of the fixator clamps, ranging from 5 to 15Nm, and the inclusion of transverse elements across its vertical rods produced a combined increase in overall torsional rigidity of 89%. However, no such changes were found under axial compression and both simulated flexion and extension tests. The relative ineffectivenesso f the transversee lementsu nder sagittal loads was probably due to their spatial relationship with the fixator. The results from the instrumented fixator indicated several load response pathways, as predicted by the theoretical analysis. These pathways were influenced by several factors including, the screw angulation, the boundary conditions of the test and the addition of the transverse elements. Clamp design was critical in minimising rotational slippage of both screws and transverse elements. The results from the instrumented fixator revealed that the transpedicular screws were exposed to complex loads under each of the tests. Under tensile loads, both the increasei n screw insertion depth and a decreasein screw pitch were found to be the important parameters which affect screw performance. Analysis showed the state of stress and strain along the thread was the overriding factor in the tensile performance of these screws. This work hase mphasisedth e importance of a full biornechanicale valuation of any future designs of spinal fixators.

Compression-after-impact testing is widely used to assist in the development and selection of materials for aircraft applications. Presently, there are no standard test methods in existence. The most widely used industrial tests require large specimens which are expensive to manufacture and test. The results of an experimental study of the compression-after-impact test are reported. A miniaturised testing arrangement was used to investigate the effects of specimen width, thickness and lay-up on the measured compression strength of undamaged and impact damaged specimens. A toughened carbon I epoxy was used for the above work. In addition three other materials were tested (a carbon / polyetheretherketone (APC), a glass I epoxy (GRP) and another carbon / epoxy). The in-plane extent of delamination damage after impact was measured using an ultrasonic C-scanning method. The carbon and glass reinforced epoxy materials had similar resistance to the initiation and propagation of impact damage. The APC was much more resistant to the formation of impact damage. The measured strength of undamaged specimens was dependent upon specimen geometry, decreasing with width increase and increasing with thickness increase. The strength of impact damaged specimens was independent of width. Increasing the thickness increased the incident impact energy required to initiate damage and, therefore, delayed the onset of residual strength reductions. The strength of undamaged quasi-isotropic and 0/90 laminates was very similar and higher than for ±45 laminates. After impact the 0/90 material was strongest. The residual strength of the quasi-isotropic and ±45 materials were very similar. The APC retained the highest proportion of its initial strength over a range of incident impact energies. This was attributed to its resistance to the formation of impact damage. The GRP was the most damage tolerant material.

In materials science, the traditional methodological framework is the identification of the composition-processing-structure-property causal pathways that link hierarchical structure to properties. However, all the properties of materials can be derived ultimately from structure and bonding, and so the properties of a material are interrelated to varying degrees. The work presented in this thesis, employed artificial neural networks (ANNs) to explore the correlations of different material properties with several examples in different fields. Those including 1) to verify and quantify known correlations between physical parameters and solid solubility of alloy systems, which were first discovered by Hume-Rothery in the 1930s. 2) To explore unknown crossproperty correlations without investigating complicated structure-property relationships, which is exemplified by i) predicting structural stability of perovskites from bond-valence based tolerance factors tBV, and predicting formability of perovskites by using A-O and B-O bond distances; ii) correlating polarizability with other properties, such as first ionization potential, melting point, heat of vaporization and specific heat capacity. 3) In the process of discovering unanticipated relationships between combination of properties of materials, ANNs were also found to be useful for highlighting unusual data points in handbooks, tables and databases that deserve to have their veracity inspected. By applying this method, massive errors in handbooks were found, and a systematic, intelligent and potentially automatic method to detect errors in handbooks is thus developed. Through presenting these four distinct examples from three aspects of ANN capability, different ways that ANNs can contribute to progress in materials science has been explored. These approaches are novel and deserve to be pursued as part of the newer methodologies that are beginning to underpin material research.

This thesis comprises studies of size effects in the plasticity of metals and ceramics at length scales of the order of micrometres and includes both experimental work and theoretical development. Experimental results are presented for foil flexure (nickel and copper)and nanoindentation (ceramics and hard metals).These studies were conducted because existing data does not cover a range broad enough or with sufficient precision to test various theories. With the developed bending technique more accurate data is obtained covering a wide range of strain, especially around the key region of the elastic-plastic transition. Moreover, the interaction between grain and thickness size effect is successfully studied by varying the ratio of grain size over thickness of the foils. After carefully calibrating the indenters, the macroscopic indentation yield strength for ceramics and high strength metals is determined in a direct way by using spherical nanoindentation. The magnitude of size effect is significantly different between metals and ceramics. By comparing the Berkovich and spherical indentation size effect, the results implies that the contact size, a, is the most fundamental length scale in the indentation size effect, independent of the indenter shape. The indentation strength is found to be inversely scaled with the square root of a. The slip-distance theory (based on (Conrad et al, 1967)) with an effective length scale reconciling intrinsic and extrinsic size effects appears able to account for the size effects in all contexts, without requiring strain gradient plasticity theory or an implicit characteristic length.

This thesis aims to explore the effect of pre-strain on the viscoelastic behaviour of rubber materials. There are various conflicting theories in the literature regarding the strain dependence and resulting anisotropy of the viscoelastic behaviour. This thesis seeks to measure the behaviour and to study the possibility of using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to predict the static behaviour of a rubber cylinder in combined torsion-tension and also the viscoelastic behaviour of rubber under various complex loadings using a Bergstrom-Boyce model1-4. To measure the induced anisotropy, a rubber test piece is subjected to a simple extension l and then it is subjected to small strain oscillations in the direction of the pre-extension or in shear. These two different deformations will allow the extent of the anisotropy in the viscoelastic behaviour induced by the pre-extension to be measured. Kuhn and Kunzle5 found that the loss factor resulting from a small oscillation decreased as a function of the static pre-strain. They and many others have interpreted this as a lowering of internal viscosity due to chain orientation. However, a simple analysis shows that this effect is due to geometric changes alone and that the essential viscoelastic behaviour expressed in terms of the deformed dimension after the application of the pre-strain as the loss modulus for an unfilled rubber is constant with strain up to an extension ratio of 2. It is also isotropic in behaviour for filled rubber compounds such as carbon black. For fumed silica filled rubber, the picture is more complex. For a moderately carbon black (25 phr) filled rubber, the loss modulus is still independent of the pre-strain for normal working strains but at highly filler contents (above 50 phr), the loss modulus increases with pre-strain at extension ratios somewhat less than 2. With silica, the coupling agent dominates the viscoelastic behaviour. For filled rubber, the change in loss modulus with strain can in part be explained by strain amplification, slippage of rubber around the filler, and shape factor effects. This approach can help to further understand the mechanism of filler reinforcement in rubber materials. Another complex loading is also used to validate these results with a static pure shear superimposed with simple shear oscillation. The results confirm the loss modulus is independent of the pre-strain for unfilled rubber and lightly filled rubber but for the most highly filled rubber, the test is unsuitable as the smallest oscillating strains were too great for linear viscoelastic behaviour. The Finite Element Analysis (FEA) shows that a rubber cylinder in combined torsion-tension test can be modelled accurately as an elastic component provided that the appropriate strain energy function (SEF) and geometry are used in the model. The correct torque and the second order effect whereby a reduction in the axial force resulting from the torsion of a pre-strained rod can both be accurately represented. The viscoelastic behaviour under various complex loadings was modelled using the Bergstrom and Boyce model1. The results show that this model can predict behaviour for uniaxial but in a complex loading the model was inappropriate.

Composite integral armour plays an important role in future combat system. Despite numerous experimental studies there are still disadvantages such as complex manufacturing process, relatively big damage area, difficult to repair and limit shape etc. Composite integral armour without all these problems is essential for the success of future main battle tank which has a total weight of only 20 tons. 3D fabrics are seen as potential solution to poor impact damage tolerance of textile composites. Binder yarns in through-thickness direction can bridge cracks and stop crack tip growth resulting very good impact damage tolerance. The major purple of this work is to incorporate new materials and new configuration into composite integral armour. The underlying premise is that ballistic performance of new armour is judged mainly by single hit ballistic limit followed by damage resistance which in turn followed by energy absorption in high energy low velocity impact. Computer simulation of 3D textile composites and damage mechanism study were used through-out the study for analysing and explaining experimental results. Judged by these properties, conclusions regarding to ballistic performance of eight 3D texile composties were made. The benefit of the work will be a new explanation of composite armour research. This will help the success of future combat system.

The conventional materials discovery is a kind of empirical (“trial and error”) science that of handling one sample at a time in the processes of synthesis and characterization. However, combinatorial methodologies present the possibility of a vastly increased rate of discovery of novel materials which will require a great deal of conventional laboratory work. The work presented in this thesis, involved the practice of a conceptual framework of combinatorial research on BaTiO3-based positive temperature coefficient resistor (PTCR) materials. Those including (i) fabrication of green BaTiO3 base discs via high-throughput dip-pen printing method. Preparation and formulation of BaTiO3 inks (selection of dispersant and binder/volume fraction) were studied. The shape of drying residues and the morphogenesis control of droplet drying were discussed. (ii) investigation of a fast droplet-doping method, which induced the dopant precursor solution infiltrating into the porous BT base disc. Various characterization methods were used to examine the dopant distribution in the body of disc. (iii) devising a high-throughput electrical measurement system including an integrated unit of temperature control and automatic measurement operation, and an arrayed multichannel jig. (iv) synthesis of donor-doped BaTiO3 libraries, which involved lanthanum, erbium, yttrium as donor elements and manganese as an acceptor dopant element respectively. Their temperature dependant resistivities were also explored. The work successfully developed an integrated tool including high-throughput synthesis of a large batch of libraries and high-throughput electrical property measurement for combinatorial research on BaTiO3-based PTCR ceramics. The Abstract ii combinatorial method, thus validated, has the potential to deliver dopant-doped BTbased PTCR libraries rapidly with a very wide range of dopant mixtures and concentrations for electrical property measurement and deserves to be applied to other low level dopant ceramic systems. These approaches are novel and paving the way for other new materials selection and materials research.

Microextrusion freeforming of ceramic lattices from high solids ceramic pastes is a method for forming complex multi-scale hierarchical porous structures. It has the advantages of low shrinkage stress, high sintered density and environmental compatibility. A user friendly graphical user interface (GUI) was created so that the micro-extrusion freeforming worktable could be made very easy to manipulate even for a beginner. A solvent-based approach to paste preparation for extrusion freeforming was established, involving selection of solvent, polymer and dispersant. The parameters in the process such as solid fraction in the paste, paste viscosity, extrusion rate, X, Y table velocity, filament diameter and the volatilization of the solvent were studied. A substrate material which provided sufficient adhesion to resist shrinkage efficiently and also allowed the extruded lattice to be easily detachable was selected. The extrusion pressure in the alumina paste was monitored and was found to be useful in predicting and optimizing the extrusion behaviour. Hydroxyapatite (HA)/ tricalcium phosphateTCP and alumina lattices were directly fabricated using 80-500 μm diameter filaments. This thesis reports the implementation of design and fabrication of these scaffolds for tissue engineering, band gap materials and micro-fluidic devices. Multi-scale hierarchical void structures were fabricated and tested in vivo for regenerative medical applications. A co-extrusion nozzle assemble was design to produce tubular alumina lattice.

Soft tissue breakdown occurs in association with biochemical changes that can be attributed to a reduction in blood and lymph flow to a localised tissue area in response to applied pressure. The resulting ischaemia can lead to a reduction in available oxygen and accumulation of waste products. Tissue breakdown leading to the development of pressure sores afflicts patients who are already debilitated, although not all patients appear to be equally susceptible. Measurement of sweat biochemistry and blood gas tensions may reflect the biochemical process in the underlying tissues and provide a simple and non-invasive method of investigating the status of soft tissues. The potential of specific sweat metabolites to act as markers of soft tissue status during and following loading has been investigated at a clinically relevant site in healthy volunteers, and in two clinically relevant patient groups. A range of validation procedures were undertaken and a series of parameters derived to investigate the temporal profile of sweat biochemistry, and identify various modes of gas tension response. Investigations at the loaded sacrum of healthy individuals showed a statistically significant increase in sweat lactate, urea, urate and chloride concentrations which were dependent upon the level of externally applied pressure. Mean increases of between 10%-60% were demonstrated for sweat metabolite concentrations at the loaded site compared to the control site for applied pressures in the range 40-120 mmHg. Similar increases were demonstrated in sweat collected from highly loaded tissue areas within the stump socket of lower limb amputees. A threshold value for P02 tension was identified, amounting to a 60% reduction from the unloaded value, which was associated with elevated tissue carbon dioxide levels as well as increased sweat metabolite concentrations in the loaded phase. This finding may provide a useful predictor of soft tissue status during prolonged loading. No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit. Helen Adams

The room temperature polymerising heterocyclic polymer system, poly(ethyl methacrylate)/tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate (PEM/THFM) has been shown previously to be biocompatible and supported tissue repair, specifically for bone and cartilage, and biologically inert when in contact with the dental pulp. It proved more effective, than other glassy methacrylates in the release of active species. The PEM/THFM system is a rigid material. The aim of this study was to develop and characterise the use of this system as a flexible patch, for application and retention to the buccal mucosa, thus facilitating sustained regulated release. Model species, dextrans, were used to represent macromolecular drugs whereby the effect of molecular weight could be studied. N-methyl pyrrolidone was added to the polymer system as a biocompatible plasticiser to enhance molecular mobility, and hence the transport of species. The effect of the addition of chitosan was also studied, due to its bioadhesiveness and permeation enhancing ability. A range of systems was investigated both in terms of water and species release. The release of the agent was measured by a fluorometer, the leachable components by HPLC and Confocal microscopy demonstrated the transport of water and active species through the system. Immunological and viability studies established whether the leachants or released components of the polymeric systems had an inflammatory or irritant action on `in vitro' stratified epithelium. The addition of N-methyl pyrrolidone, dextran and chitosan substantially increased water uptake, thus affecting the release kinetics. Analysis of the kinetics of water uptake showed Case I, combination of Case I and Case II, and Case II kinetics, depending on the systems studied. Dextran release was largely diffusion controlled, from which diffusion coefficients were calculated; the amount released varied between the systems studied.