Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are a new generation material which exhibits unique nonlinear deformations due to a phase transformation which allows it to return to its original shape after removal of stress or a change in temperature. It shows a shape memory effect (martensitic condition) and pseudoelasticity (austenitic condition) properties depends on various heat treatment conditions. The reason for these properties depends on phase transformation through temperature changes or applied stress. Many technological applications of austenite SMAs involve cyclical mechanical loading and unloading in order to take advantage of pseudoelasticity, but are limited due to poor fatigue life. In this thesis, I investigated two important mechanical feature to fatigue behavior in pseudoelastic NiTi SMA wires using high energy synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction (SR-XRD). The first of these involved simple bending and the second of these involved relaxation during compression loading. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was performed to identify the phase transformation temperatures. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were collected for the initial condition of the NiTi SMA wires and during simple bending, SEM revealed that micro-cracks in compression regions of the wire propagate with increasing bend angle, while tensile regions tend to not exhibit crack propagation. SR-XRD patterns were analyzed to study the phase transformation and investigate micromechanical properties. By observing the various diffraction peaks such as the austenite (200) and the martensite (100), (110), and (101) planes, intensities and residual strain values exhibit strong anisotropy depending upon whether the sample is in compression or tension during simple bending. This research provides insight into two specific mechanical features in pseudoelastic NiTi SMA wires.

<p>Commercial sheets, strips and wires are currently produced from aluminum alloys by multi-step deformation processing involving rolling and drawing. These processes typically require 10 to 20 steps of deformation, since the plastic strain or reduction that can be imposed in a single step is limited by material workability and process mechanics. In this work, a fundamentally different, single-step approach is demonstrated for producing these aluminum products using machining-based deformation that also enables higher material workability in the formed product. Two process routes are proposed: 1) chip formation by Free Machining (FM), and 2) constrained chip formation by Hybrid Cutting Extrusion (HCE).</p><p>Using the very soft and highly ductile commercially pure aluminum alloys as representative systems, various material flow transitions in response to the concentrated shear deformation are observed in FM including plastic instabilities. The flow instabilities usually manifested as folds of varying amplitudes on the unconstrained surface of the chips, are features that limit the desirability of the chip and potential use for strip applications. To suppress these instabilities, two strategies both involving deformation geometry design are outlined: 1) By using large positive rake angle, the flow can be transformed to be more laminar and thus reduces to a substantial amount, the flow instabilities. This also makes it possible for light rolling/drawing reductions to be adopted to smoothen the residual surface folds to improve the strip finish. 2) By using a constraining tool coupled with the cutting tool in what is referred to as HCE, the initial instability that leads to plastic buckling of the material is suppressed, thereby making the flow laminar and thus improve the quality of the strips.</p><p>Key property attributes of the chips produced by the shear-based deformation processes such as improved mechanical properties and in the case of HCE, superior surface finish compared to conventional processes of rolling/drawing are highlighted. Implications for commercial manufacture of sheet, strip and wire products are discussed.</p>

O objetivo principal do estudo é comparar o teste em 3 pontos com braquetes com o teste de resistência ao deslizamento utilizando um novo dispositivo que realiza a mensuração simultânea do coeficiente de atrito, das forças e dos momentos nos braquetes de ancoragem e da força de desativação no braquete desalinhado, exercidos por fios ortodônticos. Os objetivos secundários foram desenvolver o dispositivo e comparar, no teste em 3 pontos: (i) a influência, nas grandezas e no coeficiente de atrito cinético, da variação da simetria nas distâncias inter-braquetes, do tipo de braquete de ancoragem (canino ou 2º pré-molar), do deslocamento (3 ou 5mm) do braquete central, do sentido do desalinhamento (vestibular ou lingual) do braquete central e da marca de fio-braquete; (ii) as 3 formas de cálculo do coeficiente de atrito cinético; (iii) os 10 ciclos, para vestibular ou lingual, para verificar se eles são semelhantes ou não entre si. Foram utilizados braquetes autoligáveis (dentes 13, 14 e 15) e fios 0.014\'\' NiTi e CuNiTi das marcas Aditek e Ormco. O teste de resistência ao deslizamento foi realizado no desalinhamento lingual, nos dois deslocamentos e na configuração simétrica. O teste em 3 pontos com braquetes foi realizado no desalinhamento lingual e vestibular, nos dois deslocamentos e na configuração simétrica e assimétrica. Por meio da ANOVA, foram comparados, entre os dois tipos de teste: (A) as grandezas e o coeficiente de atrito e (B) o coeficiente de atrito gerado apenas no braquete de 2º pré-molar. Utilizando-se do mesmo teste estatístico foram comparados, no teste em 3 pontos com braquetes: (A) na configuração simétrica, algumas grandezas e o coeficiente de atrito advindos da variação da marca de fio-braquete, do deslocamento, do desalinhamento e do tipo de braquete; (B) algumas grandezas e o coeficiente de atrito gerados na configuração simétrica e assimétrica; (C) os valores das 3 formas de cálculo do coeficiente de atrito na configuração simétrica; e (D) algumas grandezas e o coeficiente de atrito encontrados nos 10 ciclos. Resultados: (A) a maioria dos valores das grandezas e do coeficiente de atrito gerados pelos dois tipos de teste foram diferentes estatisticamente; (B) o braquete de 2º pré-molar apresentou valores de coeficiente de atrito diferentes entre os dois tipos de teste; (C) na configuração simétrica, as variáveis foram estatisticamente significantes na maioria dos casos para as grandezas analisadas e para o coeficiente de atrito; (D) houve diferença entre a configuração simétrica e assimétrica; (E) o coeficiente de atrito baseado nas duas normais e na força de atrito se aproximou mais da realidade clínica e foi sensível à variação da geometria da relação fio-braquete; e (F) os 10 ciclos para lingual foram semelhantes entre si em 70% dos casos e os 10 ciclos para vestibular foram diferentes em 57% dos casos. Conclusões: o teste em 3 pontos com braquetes é diferente do teste de resistência ao deslizamento; a variação das configurações geométricas e da marca de fio-braquete pode influenciar nos valores das grandezas e do coeficiente de atrito cinético; os 10 ciclos para lingual foram mais semelhantes entre si que os 10 ciclos para vestibular. / The main objective of the study is to compare the three-bracket bending test with the resistance to sliding test using a new device that performs simultaneous measurement of coefficient of friction, the forces and moments on the anchor brackets and deactivation force in misaligned bracket, exercised by orthodontic wires. Secondary objectives were to develop the device and compare, in the three-bracket bending test: (i) the influence, on the physical quantities and on the kinetic friction coefficient, of the variation of the symmetry in the inter-bracket distance, of the type of anchor bracket (canine or 2nd premolar), of displacement (3 or 5mm) and misalignment (buccal or lingual) of the central bracket, and of the wire and bracket brand; (ii) the three ways to calculate the coefficient of kinetic friction; (iii) the 10 cycles, for buccal or lingual, to see if they are similar or not. Self-ligating brackets were used (teeth 13, 14 and 15) and wires 0.014 \'\' NiTi and CuNiTi of Aditek and Ormco brands. The resistance to sliding test was conducted on the lingual misalignment, on both displacements and on symmetrical configuration. The three-bracket bending test was held at the lingual and vestibular misalignment, at both displacements and at the symmetrical and asymmetrical configuration. Through ANOVA, were compared, between the two types of tests: (A) the quantities and the coefficient of friction and (B) the coefficient of friction generated only in the second premolar bracket. Using the same statistical test were compared, in three-bracket bending test: (A) in symmetrical configuration, the quantities and the coefficient of friction arising from the variation in the wire and bracket brands, displacement, misalignment and the type of bracket; (B) the quantities and the coefficient of friction generated by the symmetric and asymmetric configuration; (C) the values of the three ways of calculating friction coefficient; and (D) the quantities and the coefficient of friction encountered in 10 cycles. Results: (A) most of the values of the quantities and the coefficient of friction generated by the two types of test were statistically different; (B) the 2nd premolar bracket showed different friction coefficient values between the two types of test; (C) in the symmetrical configuration, the variables were statistically significant in the most of cases for quantities and the friction coefficient; (D) was found difference between symmetric and asymmetric configuration; (E) the friction coefficient based on both normal forces and frictional force was closer to the clinical reality and was sensitive to variations in the geometry of the wire-bracket relationship; and (F) the 10 cycles for lingual were similar in 70% of cases and the 10 cycles for buccal desalignment were different in 57% of cases. Conclusions: The three-bracket bending test is different from the resistance to sliding test; the variation of geometric configurations and wire and bracket brands may influence the values of the quantities and the coefficient of kinetic friction; the 10 cycles for lingual were more similar to each other than the 10 cycles for buccal.

Submitted by Johnny Rodrigues (johnnyrodrigues@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-04-05T19:25:23Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ALESSANDRO FERREIRA DO NASCIMENTO - DISSERTAÇÃO PPG-CEMat 2014..pdf: 1766148 bytes, checksum: 9952d3c1d40fa2b65189b5ac5fa3540f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-05T19:25:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ALESSANDRO FERREIRA DO NASCIMENTO - DISSERTAÇÃO PPG-CEMat 2014..pdf: 1766148 bytes, checksum: 9952d3c1d40fa2b65189b5ac5fa3540f (MD5) Previous issue date: 24-07-16 / Os fios para sutura cirúrgica são considerados produtos médicos invasivos utilizados para aproximação de tecido biológico e, devido ao contato com a pele, vasculatura e outros tecidos, são considerados um produto crítico. O presente trabalho propõe a avaliação de um dos fios com maior número de queixas técnicas notificadas à ANVISA, o fio de sutura de polipropileno, que é empregado em diversas intervenções cirúrgicas que requerem material inerte ao tecido e suporte mecânico, assim, uma avaliação da natureza físico-química do material empregado em amostras comerciais é importante para nortear um processo de certificação sanitária visando minimizar o risco aos pacientes. O fio de polipropileno foi adotado como modelo de análise , sendo escolhido o fio de número cirúrgico 0(zero) com 75cm de comprimento; foram selecionadas 4 amostras de fios de sutura de polipropileno de acordo com o padrão de notificações recebidas pela área de tecnovigilância da ANVISA como modelo para a execução de ensaios de difração de raio X, microscopia ótica, microscopia eletrônica de varredura com mapeamento por EDS, FTIR, microscopia de força atômica, análise termogravimétrica e ensaios mecânicos. Os resultados apresentados demonstraram perfis distintos nos aspectos morfológicos e mecânicos dos fios de sutura selecionados, suscitando a construção de um conjunto de análises distintas daquelas atualmente preconizadas para o registro desses produtos, assim como o estabelecimento de um processo certificador que seria realizado harmonizando parâmetros de ensaios mecânicos e caracterização morfológica dos fios de sutura, capaz de assegurar maior homogeneidade nos fios de sutura disponíveis comercialmente. / The suture threads are considered invasive medical products used for approximation of biological tissue and, due to contact with the skin, vasculature and other tissues, are considered a critical product. This paper proposes an evaluation of one of the wires with the largest number of technical complaints notified to ANVISA, the suture of polypropylene, which is used in various surgical procedures which require inert mechanical support to the tissue and thus a substantive assessment of the nature physical chemistry of the material used in commercial samples is important to guide a process of health certification in order to minimize the risk to patients. The polypropylene suture was used as the analysis model, being selected the surgical wire number 0 (zero) to 75cm long; 4 samples of polypropylene sutures were selected according to the pattern of notifications received by the area of technical surveillance of ANVISA as a model for the implementation of the testing of X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, scanning with EDS mapping by electron microscopy, FTIR, atomic force microscopy, thermal analysis and mechanical testing. The results presented demonstrated distinct profiles on the morphological and mechanical suture wires of selected aspects, prompting the construction of a set of analyzes of those currently recommended for the registration of these products, as well as the establishment of a certification process that would be done by harmonizing testing parameters morphological and mechanical characterization of the suture capable of ensuring a greater homogeneity in the commercially available suture threads.

O objetivo principal do estudo é comparar o teste em 3 pontos com braquetes com o teste de resistência ao deslizamento utilizando um novo dispositivo que realiza a mensuração simultânea do coeficiente de atrito, das forças e dos momentos nos braquetes de ancoragem e da força de desativação no braquete desalinhado, exercidos por fios ortodônticos. Os objetivos secundários foram desenvolver o dispositivo e comparar, no teste em 3 pontos: (i) a influência, nas grandezas e no coeficiente de atrito cinético, da variação da simetria nas distâncias inter-braquetes, do tipo de braquete de ancoragem (canino ou 2º pré-molar), do deslocamento (3 ou 5mm) do braquete central, do sentido do desalinhamento (vestibular ou lingual) do braquete central e da marca de fio-braquete; (ii) as 3 formas de cálculo do coeficiente de atrito cinético; (iii) os 10 ciclos, para vestibular ou lingual, para verificar se eles são semelhantes ou não entre si. Foram utilizados braquetes autoligáveis (dentes 13, 14 e 15) e fios 0.014\'\' NiTi e CuNiTi das marcas Aditek e Ormco. O teste de resistência ao deslizamento foi realizado no desalinhamento lingual, nos dois deslocamentos e na configuração simétrica. O teste em 3 pontos com braquetes foi realizado no desalinhamento lingual e vestibular, nos dois deslocamentos e na configuração simétrica e assimétrica. Por meio da ANOVA, foram comparados, entre os dois tipos de teste: (A) as grandezas e o coeficiente de atrito e (B) o coeficiente de atrito gerado apenas no braquete de 2º pré-molar. Utilizando-se do mesmo teste estatístico foram comparados, no teste em 3 pontos com braquetes: (A) na configuração simétrica, algumas grandezas e o coeficiente de atrito advindos da variação da marca de fio-braquete, do deslocamento, do desalinhamento e do tipo de braquete; (B) algumas grandezas e o coeficiente de atrito gerados na configuração simétrica e assimétrica; (C) os valores das 3 formas de cálculo do coeficiente de atrito na configuração simétrica; e (D) algumas grandezas e o coeficiente de atrito encontrados nos 10 ciclos. Resultados: (A) a maioria dos valores das grandezas e do coeficiente de atrito gerados pelos dois tipos de teste foram diferentes estatisticamente; (B) o braquete de 2º pré-molar apresentou valores de coeficiente de atrito diferentes entre os dois tipos de teste; (C) na configuração simétrica, as variáveis foram estatisticamente significantes na maioria dos casos para as grandezas analisadas e para o coeficiente de atrito; (D) houve diferença entre a configuração simétrica e assimétrica; (E) o coeficiente de atrito baseado nas duas normais e na força de atrito se aproximou mais da realidade clínica e foi sensível à variação da geometria da relação fio-braquete; e (F) os 10 ciclos para lingual foram semelhantes entre si em 70% dos casos e os 10 ciclos para vestibular foram diferentes em 57% dos casos. Conclusões: o teste em 3 pontos com braquetes é diferente do teste de resistência ao deslizamento; a variação das configurações geométricas e da marca de fio-braquete pode influenciar nos valores das grandezas e do coeficiente de atrito cinético; os 10 ciclos para lingual foram mais semelhantes entre si que os 10 ciclos para vestibular. / The main objective of the study is to compare the three-bracket bending test with the resistance to sliding test using a new device that performs simultaneous measurement of coefficient of friction, the forces and moments on the anchor brackets and deactivation force in misaligned bracket, exercised by orthodontic wires. Secondary objectives were to develop the device and compare, in the three-bracket bending test: (i) the influence, on the physical quantities and on the kinetic friction coefficient, of the variation of the symmetry in the inter-bracket distance, of the type of anchor bracket (canine or 2nd premolar), of displacement (3 or 5mm) and misalignment (buccal or lingual) of the central bracket, and of the wire and bracket brand; (ii) the three ways to calculate the coefficient of kinetic friction; (iii) the 10 cycles, for buccal or lingual, to see if they are similar or not. Self-ligating brackets were used (teeth 13, 14 and 15) and wires 0.014 \'\' NiTi and CuNiTi of Aditek and Ormco brands. The resistance to sliding test was conducted on the lingual misalignment, on both displacements and on symmetrical configuration. The three-bracket bending test was held at the lingual and vestibular misalignment, at both displacements and at the symmetrical and asymmetrical configuration. Through ANOVA, were compared, between the two types of tests: (A) the quantities and the coefficient of friction and (B) the coefficient of friction generated only in the second premolar bracket. Using the same statistical test were compared, in three-bracket bending test: (A) in symmetrical configuration, the quantities and the coefficient of friction arising from the variation in the wire and bracket brands, displacement, misalignment and the type of bracket; (B) the quantities and the coefficient of friction generated by the symmetric and asymmetric configuration; (C) the values of the three ways of calculating friction coefficient; and (D) the quantities and the coefficient of friction encountered in 10 cycles. Results: (A) most of the values of the quantities and the coefficient of friction generated by the two types of test were statistically different; (B) the 2nd premolar bracket showed different friction coefficient values between the two types of test; (C) in the symmetrical configuration, the variables were statistically significant in the most of cases for quantities and the friction coefficient; (D) was found difference between symmetric and asymmetric configuration; (E) the friction coefficient based on both normal forces and frictional force was closer to the clinical reality and was sensitive to variations in the geometry of the wire-bracket relationship; and (F) the 10 cycles for lingual were similar in 70% of cases and the 10 cycles for buccal desalignment were different in 57% of cases. Conclusions: The three-bracket bending test is different from the resistance to sliding test; the variation of geometric configurations and wire and bracket brands may influence the values of the quantities and the coefficient of kinetic friction; the 10 cycles for lingual were more similar to each other than the 10 cycles for buccal.

This thesis presents the work done on electronic transport in various interacting and non-interacting systems in one and two dimensions. The systems under study are: an interacting quantum dot [1], a non-interacting quantum wire and a ring in which time-dependent potentials are applied [2], an interacting quantum wire and networks of multiple quantum wires with resistive regions [3, 4], one-dimensional edge stages of a two-dimensional topological insulator [5], and a hybrid system of two-dimensional surface states of a three-dimensional topological insulator and a superconductor [6]. In the first chapter, we introduce a number of concepts which are used in the rest of the thesis, such as scattering theory, Landauer conductance formula, quantum wires, bosonization, topological insulators and superconductor. In the second chapter, we study transport through a quantum dot with interacting electrons which is connected to two reservoirs. The quantum dot is modeled by two sites within a tight-binding model with spinless electrons. Using the Lippman-Schwinger method, we write down an exact two-particle wave function for the dot-reservoir system with the interaction localized in the region of the dot. We discuss the phenomena of two-particle resonance and rectification. In the third chapter, we study pumping in two kinds of one-dimensional systems: (i) an infinite line connected to reservoirs at the two ends, and (ii) an isolated ring. The infinite line is modeled by the Dirac equation with two time-independent point-like backscatterers that create a resonant barrier. We demonstrate that even if the reservoirs are at the same chemical potential, a net current can be driven through the channel by the application of one or more time-dependent point-like potentials. When the left-right symmetry is broken, a net current can be pumped from one reservoir to the other by applying a time-varying potential at only one site. For a finite ring, we model the system by a tight-binding model. The ring is isolated in the sense that it is not connected to any reservoir or environment. The system is driven by one or more time-varying on-site potentials. We develop an exact method to calculate the current averaged over an infinite amount of time by converting it to the calculation of the current carried by certain states averaged over just one time period. Using this method, we demonstrate that an oscillating potential at only one site cannot pump charge, and oscillating potentials at two or more sites are necessary to pump charge. Further we study the dependence of the pumped current on the phases and the amplitudes of the oscillating potentials at two sites. In the fourth chapter, we study the effect of resistances present in an extended region in a one-dimensional quantum wire described by a Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid model. We combine the concept of a Rayleigh dissipation function with the technique of bosonization to model the dissipative region. In the DC limit, we find that the resistance of the dissipative patch adds in series to the contact resistance. Using a current splitting matrix M to describe junctions, we study in detail the conductances of: a three-wire junction with resistances and a parallel combination of resistances. The conductance and power dissipated in these networks depend in general on the resistances and the current splitting matrices that make up the network. We also show that the idea of a Rayleigh dissipation function can be extended to couple two wires; this gives rise to a finite transconductance analogous to the Coulomb drag. In the fifth chapter, we study the effect of a Zeeman field coupled to the edge states of a two-dimensional topological insulator. These edge states form two one-dimensional channels with spin-momentum locking which are protected by time-reversal symmetry. We study what happens when time-reversal symmetry is broken by a magnetic field which is Zeeman-coupled to the edge states. We show that a magnetic field over a finite region leads to Fabry-P´erot type resonances and the conductance can be controlled by changing the direction of the magnetic field. We also study the effect of a static impurity in the patch that can backscatter electrons in the presence of a magnetic field. In the sixth chapter, we use the Blonder-Tinkham-Klapwijk formalism to study trans-port across a line junction lying between two orthogonal topological insulator surfaces and a superconductor (which can have either s-wave or p-wave pairing). The charge and spin conductances across such a junction and their behaviors as a function of the bias voltage applied across the junction and various junction parameters are studied. Our study reveals that in addition to the zero conductance bias peak, there is a non-zero spin conductance for some particular spin states of the triplet Cooper pairs. We also find an unusual satellite peak (in addition to the usual zero bias peak) in the spin conductance for a p-wave symmetry of the superconductor order parameter.

ZnO nanowires were grown using carbothermal reduction and convective vapor phase transport in a tube furnace. Si <100> substrates that were 20 mm x 76.2 mm were sputter coated with 2 nm to 50 nm gold which formed nanoparticles on the order of 50 nm in diameter through a process of Ostwald ripening upon being heated. Growth temperatures were varied from 800ºC to 1000ºC, flow rates were varied from 24 sccm to 3300 sccm, and growth durations were varied from 8 minutes to 5 hours. Vapor phase Zn, CO, and CO2, produced by carbothermal reduction and suspended in an Ar atmosphere, were flowed over the Si substrates. The Au nanoparticles formed an eutectic alloy with Zn, causing them to become liquid nanodroplets which catalyzed vapor-liquid-solid nanowire growth. The nanowires were also synthesized by self-catalyzing vapor-solid growth in some cases. Using the tube furnace never resulted in more than 50% of the substrate being covered by nanowires. It was found that a bench-top furnace could achieve nearly 100% nanowire coverage by placing the 20 mm x 76.2 mm sample face down in a quartz boat less than 2 mm above the source powder. This was because minimizing the distance between the sample and the source powder was critical to achieve macroscopically uniform growth consistently. / text

This thesis describes supramolecular approaches to porphyrin nanorings. Cyclic porphyrin arrays resemble natural light harvesting systems, and it is of interest to probe the photophysical effects of bending the porphyrin aromatic π-system. A general overview of the synthesis and photophysical properties of porphyrins and their arrays is carried out in Chapter 1. The electronic structure of porphyrins is examined, and how conformational effects in oligomers, such as inter-porphyrin torsional angle and backbone bending influence the π-conjugation pathway. The structures of light harvesting complexes are discussed. Chapter 2 describes the design and synthesis of a complementary 12-armed template designed to coordinate linear porphyrin oligomers in the correct conformation for cyclisation to give a cyclic porphyrin dodecamer. Chapter 3 demonstrates two approaches to a cyclic porphyrin dodecamer ring. Firstly, a classical templating approach using the 12-armed template is described. The limitations of this approach in the quest for larger nanorings are discussed. Vernier templating, which utilises a mismatch in the number of binding sites between a ligand and its receptor is introduced as a general strategy to the synthesis of large nanorings. This is demonstrated by the synthesis of cyclic dodecamer from a linear porphyrin tetramer and a hexadentate template via a figure-of-eight intermediate. The general utility of the Vernier method to large nanorings is explored in Chapter 4 with steps towards the synthesis of a cyclic tetracosamer, consisting of 24 porphyrin subunits. In preliminary experiments, an improved route to the cyclic porphyrin octamer is described. Finally, the photophysical properties of the nanoring series are explored in Chapter 5 as a function of size and conformation. Femtosecond photoluminescence spectroscopy shows that even in cyclic dodecamer, exciton delocalisation over the entire porphyrin backbone occurs on a sub-picosecond timescale, and parallels are drawn with the dynamics of natural light harvesting complexes.

The hands and feet account for half of the complexity of the musculoskeletal system, while the skin of the hand is specialised with many important structures. Much of the subtlety of the mechanism of the hand lies in the soft tissues, and the tactile and proprioceptive sensitivity depends on the large number of mechanoreceptors embedded in specific structures of the soft tissues. This thesis investigates synthetic materials and manufacturing techniques to enable building robots that reproduce the biomechanics and tactile sensitivity of vertebrates – histomimetic robotics. The material and mechanical anatomy of the hand is reviewed, highlighting difficulty of numerical measurement in soft-tissue anatomy, and the predictive nature of descriptive anatomical knowledge. The biomechanical mechanisms of the hand and their support of sensorimotor control are presented. A palate of materials and layup techniques are identified for emulating ligaments, joint surfaces, tendon networks, sheaths, soft matrices, and dermal structures. A method for thermoplastically drawing fine elastic fibres, with liquid metal amalgam cores, for connecting embedded sensors is demonstrated. The performance requirements of skeletal muscles are identified. Two classes of muscle-like bulk MEMS electrostatic actuators are shown theoretically to be capable of meeting these requirements. Means to manufacture them, and their additional application as mechanoreceptors are described. A novel machine perception algorithm is outlined as a solution to the problem of measuring soft tissue anatomy, CAD/CAE/CNC for layup of histomimetic robots, and sensory perception by such robots. The results of the work support the view that histomimetic robotics is a viable approach, and identify a number of areas for further investigation including: polymer modification by graft-polymerisation, automated layup tools, and machine perception.

PROPOSIÇÃO: O objetivo desta pesquisa foi apresentar a magnitude e a constância das forças liberadas por fios ortodônticos de níquel-titânio, usados para a correção dos apinhamentos dentários. Outro objetivo foi comparar os dois meios mais utilizados de avaliação da deflexão elástica destes fios: o teste de 3 pontos e o dispositivo de simulação clínica. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 11 grupos de fios de liga predominantemente de níquel-titânio, calibre 0,014, de 6 marcas diferentes (Abzil convencional e termoativado; GAC convencional e termoativado; Morelli convencional e termoativado; Ormco CuNiTi; Orthometric convencional e termoativado e Orthosource convencional e termoativado), em teste de deflexão elástica, nas deflexões de 0,5; 1; 2 e 3mm. Uma máquina de ensaio universal INSTRON 3342, com célula de carga de 10N foi utilizada e, como protocolo, foi seguida a norma ISO 15.841. Para a análise estatística dos resultados foram utilizados os testes: Kolmogorov-Smirnov, para conferir se havia normalidade; teste t independente, para comparação dos resultados do teste de 3 pontos e dos resultados do dispositivo; e o teste ANOVA seguido do teste de Tukey, para comparações entre grupos. RESULTADOS: Houve diferença estatística entre os resultados gerados pelo teste de 3 pontos e os gerados pelo dispositivo. Por ser o teste indicado pela norma ISO citada, somente os resultados do teste de 3 pontos foram considerados. Todos os fios estudados apresentaram pseudoelasticidade em uma faixa de variação de força de até 40cN. Os grupos Abzil convencional, GAC convencional, Morelli termoativado, Ormco CuNiTi e Orthometric convencional apresentaram força dentro de uma faixa considerada ótima para a indução da movimentação dentária (50cN-100cN). Os fios termoativados liberaram forças mais leves que seus pares convencionais. CONCLUSÕES: Dentre os grupos estudados, aqueles que apresentaram pseudoelasticidade, forças dentro de uma faixa considerada ótima e homogeneidade de amostra, foram os grupos Morelli termoativado e Ormco CuNiTi. / OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to present the magnitude and the constancy of the forces released by nickel-titanium orthodontic wires, used to treat dental crowding. Another purpose was to compare the most usual types of bending tests used to evaluate these wires: 3-point test and clinical simulation device. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eleven groups of orthodontic nickel-titanium wires, caliber 0.014, of 6 different brands (Abzil conventional and heat-activated; GAC conventional and heat-activated; Morelli conventional and heat-activated; Ormco CuNiTi; Orthometric conventional and heat-activated and Orthosource conventional and heat-activated) were tested by bending test, at deflections of 0.5; 1; 2 and 3mm. A universal testing machine INSTRON 3342 with a 10N load cell was used and, in order to standardize the tests, the ISO 15.841 regulation was followed. Statistical analysis was performed using the subsequent tests: Kolmogorov-Smirnov to verify normality; independent t test to compare the results of the 3-point test and the results derived from the device, and ANOVA followed by the Tukey test for intergroup comparisons. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the results of the 3-point test and the device. As indicated by the ISO regulation, only the results from the 3-point bending test were considered. All groups were classified as pseudoelastic, within a load range of 40cN, at maximum. The groups Abzil conventional, GAC conventional, Morelli heat-activated, Ormco CuNiTi and Orthometric conventional released load within optimum range (50cN-100cN). Heatactivated wires released lower load compared to conventional wire of the same brand. CONCLUSIONS: Among the groups evaluated those that presented pseudoelasticity, load within a range considered optimal, in a homogeneous manner, were Morelli heat-activated and Ormco CuNiTi.