abstract: Solar energy is leading in renewable energy sources and the aspects surrounding the efforts to harvest light are gaining importance. One such aspect is increasing the light absorption, where heliotropism comes into play. Heliotropism, the ability to track the sun across the sky, can be integrated with solar cells for more efficient photon collection and other optoelectronic systems. Inspired by plants, which optimize incident sunlight in nature, several researchers have made artificial heliotropic and phototropic systems. This project aims to design, synthesize and characterize a material system and evaluate its application in a phototropic system. A gold nanoparticle (Au NP) incorporated poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogel was synthesized as a photo-thermo-responsive material in our phototropic system. The Au NPs generate heat from the incident via plasmonic resonance to induce a volume phase change of the thermo-responsive hydrogel PNIPAAm. PNIPAAm shrinks or swells at temperature above or below 32°C. Upon irradiation, the Au NP-PNIPAAm micropillar actuates, specifically bending toward the incident light and precisely following the varying incident angle. Swelling ratio tests, bending angle tests with a static incident light and bending tests with varying angles were carried out on hydrogel samples with varying Au NP concentrations. Swelling ratios ranging from 1.45 to 2.9 were recorded for pure hydrogel samples and samples with very low Au NP concentrations. Swelling ratios of 2.41 and 3.37 were calculated for samples with low and high concentrations of Au NPs, respectively. A bending of up to 88° was observed in Au NP-hydrogel pillars with a low Au NP concentration with a 90° incident angle. The light tracking performance was assessed by the slope of the pillar Bending angle (response angle) vs. Incident light angle plot. A slope of 1 indicates ideal tracking with top of the pillar being normal to the incident light, maximizing the photon absorption. Slopes of 0.82 and 0.56 were observed for the low and high Au NP concentration samples. The rapid and precise incident light tracking of our system has shown the promise in phototropic applications. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Materials Science and Engineering 2016

abstract: Craniofacial morphology in primates can vary on the basis of their diet because foods are often disparate in the amount and duration of force required to break them down. Therefore diet has the potential to exercise considerable selective pressure on the morphology of the masticatory system. The zygomatic arch is a known site of relatively high masticatory strain and yet the relationship between arch form and load type is relatively unknown in primates. While the relative position and robusticity of the arch is considered a key indicator of craniofacial adaptations to a mechanically challenging diet, and central to efforts to infer diet in past species, the relationships between morphology and diet type in this feature are not well established. This study tested hypotheses using two diet categorizations: total consumption percent and food material properties (FMPs). The first hypothesis that cortical bone area (CA) and section moduli (bone strength) are positively correlated with masticatory loading tests whether CA and moduli measures were greatest anteriorly and decreased posteriorly along the arch. The results found these measures adhered to this predicted pattern in the majority of taxa. The second hypothesis examines sutural complexity in the zygomaticotemporal suture as a function of dietary loading differences by calculating fractal dimensions as indices of complexity. No predictable pattern was found linking sutural complexity and diet in this primate sample, though hard object consumers possessed the most complex sutures. Lastly, cross-sectional geometric properties were measured to investigate whether bending and torsional resistance and cross-sectional shape are related to differences in masticatory loading. The highest measures of mechanical resistance tracked with areas of greatest strain in the majority of taxa. Cross-sectional shape differences do appear to reflect dietary differences. FMPs were not correlated with cross-sectional variables, however pairwise comparisons suggest taxa that ingest foods of greater stiffness experience relatively larger measures of bending and torsional resistance. The current study reveals that internal and external morphological factors vary across the arch and in conjunction with diet in primates. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating these mechanical differences in models of zygomatic arch mechanical behavior and primate craniofacial biomechanics. / Dissertation/Thesis / Appendix A / Appendix B / Appendix D / Doctoral Dissertation Anthropology 2017

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:37:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:56:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 01908.pdf: 6409813 bytes, checksum: a4da653568b2a1fde0228c02cc3838b9 (MD5) / Dissertacao (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

Em projetos de alvenaria estrutural é indispensável à verificação de elementos submetidos à flexão simples, como vigas, vergas, reservatórios e muros de arrimos. Neste trabalho foram analisados oito grupos de vigas, compostos por três exemplares cada um, diferenciando seu comprimento, altura, tipo da unidade (blocos de concreto e blocos cerâmicos) e taxa de armadura. Os traços de graute e argamassa foram mantidos. As vigas e as armaduras longitudinais foram instrumentadas para obtenção dos deslocamentos e deformações. A finalidade do trabalho foi realizar uma comparação dos resultados obtidos através de ensaios experimentais com os dimensionamentos propostos pelas normas ABNT NBR 15812-1:2010 e NBR 15961-1:2011. Foi possível observar que o dimensionamento proposto pelas normas é conservador, pois limita o comportamento à flexão das vigas em cargas baixas quando comparados com experimentais. Já com a retirada dos coeficientes de segurança pode ocorrer, em alguns casos, que a carga teórica prevista seja maior que a dos resultados experimentais. A formulação adaptada da NBR 6118:2007 para obter valores de deslocamentos apresentou uma boa correlação para as vigas de uma fiada. Já para as vigas de duas fiadas observou-se uma pior correlação entre valores teóricos e experimentais, sendo os deslocamentos teóricos menores que os valores medidos experimentalmente. / In structural masonry projects is essential to verify elements subjected to simple bending, such as beams, lintels, water tanks and retaining walls. In this study, an experimental parametric analysis was conducted. Eight groups of beams composed by three specimens were tested and the parameters varied were: length, height, unit type (concrete blocks and ceramic blocks) and reinforcement ratio. The proportion of grout and the mortar were fixed. The beams and longitudinal bars were instrumented to obtain the displacements and strains. The purpose of this study was to compare the results obtained through experimental analysis with the proposed methods presented on ABNT NBR 15812-1:2010 and NBR 15961-1:2011. In the comparison was observed that the proposed design method is conservative, due to the limit load obtained by the code prescriptions was lower than the experimental results. In some cases, the theoretical load results were greater than experimental results when the safety factors were removed. The adapted formulation of the NBR 6118:2007, to obtain displacement values, showed a good correlation to the beams of one row. Regarding to beams with two rows, the correlation between experimental and theoretical values was not suitable, the theoretical displacements presented smaller than the values measured in the tests.

The nature and scope of this thesis can be divided into four categories: • FORMING PARAMETERS • Identification of various laser forming parameters in order to produce specimens of similar dimension (radius of curvature). • TEMPERATURE AND MICROSTRUCTURE • To study the effect of maximum temperature reached during the forming operation on the microstructure of the various specimens. • FATIGUE LIFE • Compare the fatigue life of the specimens produced by various laser parameters to that of the original material, and also the fatigue life of mechanical formed specimens. • RESIDUAL STRESS PROFILE Determine if the laser forming process induces detrimental residual stress magnitudes in the specimens. The main objective of this thesis was to gain an understanding of the way in which laser forming affects the fatigue performance and residual stress magnitude / distribution of dual phase steel. Although lasers have been used successfully in various manufacturing processes (welding, cutting, marking, etc.), little information is available on the influence of laser forming on many automotive alloys such as dual phase steel. The first part of the work involved a literature review of the process and factors affecting the laser forming process. It became clear from the literature overview that laser forming of sheet material thicker than 1mm is complex in nature. The variables that can influence the process are complicated and their interaction with each other is not easily controlled. The main parameters that were thus controlled in this study are as follows: • Laser power (P) • Laser head travel speed (v) • Laser beam size (mm) The chapters that follow the literature review, deals with the laser forming process of dual phase steel and the production of fatigue specimens using various laser parameters. It was found that the following laser parameters resulted in specimens with approximately the same radius of curvature: Laser power KW Beam diameter mm Interval spacing % Overlap Scanning velocity m/min Line Energy J/m 5 20 10 50 2,5 2000 3,1 14 10,5 25 2 1550 1,5 7,5 7,5 0 1,2 1250 From the results obtained from fatigue testing specimens produced with the above settings, it is clear that the laser forming process has the potential to be employed as a production stage in the manufacture of wheel centre discs while maintaining adequate fatigue strength. Large beam diameters which cause heat penetration through the thickness of the specimen and hence microstructure breakdown should be avoided, since it was shown that these specimens exhibited impaired mechanical properties than those produced with a smaller laser beam diameter. The microstructural changes observed during the forming process needs to be considered since the mechanical properties of the material changes with a change in microstructure. A dramatic change in microstructure was observed; therefore it is of crucial importance that microstructural evaluation plays an important part in deciding optimum laser parameters for the forming process of ferrous alloys. During residual stress analysis, trends were observed between measurements taken at the same location of the samples; regardless whether measurements were taken on the laser irradiated side or the reverse side of the specimen. The only difference was the magnitude of the relieved residual stress. In most cases the obtained relieved residual stress was much smaller in magnitude than that of the original plate (in the bulk of the material). The surface indicated a slight tensile residual stress for most samples evaluated. A good correlation in distribution profile was obtained between microhardness and relieved residual stress distribution at the ‘middle of sample’ location. This indicates that an increase in hardness indicates an increase in residual stress magnitude for the laser formed specimens. In conclusion, this research has proved that it is possible to deform metal plate of a 3,5mm thickness with a CO2 laser system. The research also established the effect of process parameters on the final product’s shape/bend angle and characterised the effect of the laser forming process on the material’s mechanical properties and structural integrity.

A relação entre as propriedades mecânicas de fêmures de celhos obtidas nos ensaios de flexão em três pontos e impacto, e a orientação das fibras de colágeno foi estudada, bem como a relação entre a energia absorvida nos dois ensaios. O limite máximo, limite proporcional, rigidez, resiliência e tenacidade foram obtidos a partir de ensaio de flexão em três pontos de 20 fêmures esquerdos de coelhos. A energia absorvida (tenacidade) no impacto foi obtida utilizando os 20 fêmures direitos. A orientação das fibras de colágeno foi estimada utilizando a técnica de polarização da luz incidente. A análise de regressão mostrou que no ensaio de flexão, a rigidez teve correlação positiva (R=0,43) e a resiliência, correlação negativa (R=-0,46) com a orientação das fibras de colágeno. A energia absorvida no impacto não apresentou índice de correlação significativo (p<0,05). A energia absorvida no ensaio de impacto pelos fêmures foi 4,73 vezes a energia absorvida ensaio de flexão, havendo diferença significativa entre os dois valores / The relationship between the mechanical properties of rabbit femurs in three-point bending and impact tests and collagen fiber orientation was studied, as well as the proportion between absorbed energy in both tests. Maximum limit, proportional limit, stiffness and resiliency were measured in 20 left rabbit femurs by three point bending tests and the absorbed energy was measured in 20 right rabbit femurs by impact tests. Collagen fiber orientation was estimated using polarized light. Regression analysis showed that in bending, stiffness has significant positive correlation (R=0,43) and resiliency has significant negative correlation (R=-0,46) with collagen fiber orientation. Absorbed energy in impact showed no significant correlation with collagen fiber orientation. The absorbed energy in impact tests was 4,73 times the absorbed energy in three point bending tests, with significant difference between the two values

This study developed a reinforced steel rod bending machine for rods with diameters of up to 8 mm and annealed wire cutter for up to 5 kg for replacing manual intervention required to bend rods in reinforced concrete columns. This study aims to reduce the physical effort that could lead to occupational diseases, such as tenosynovitis, bursitis, muscle disorders. Clamp manufacturing possesses great risk for workers, who are exposed to injuries while using different cutting devices, such as grinders and electric saws. They also face potential problems such as muscular fatigue due to the nonergonomic and repetitive work positions. The proposed machine features a mechanical dragging and bending systems and manual shears. Additionally, the proposed machine has been designed theoretically and its effectiveness has been assessed through simulations conducted using the SolidWorks CAD software. A bending machine prototype for producing clamps is developed and its machine productivity is measured. Using this machine, approximately 300 clamps can be bent per hour without possessing any risk to the worker.

Cells are dynamic systems that generate and respond to forces through the complex interplay between biochemical and mechanical regulations. Since cellular processes often happen at the molecular level and are challenging to be observed under in vivo conditions due to limitations in optical microscopy, multiple analysis tools have been developed to gain insight into those processes. One of the ways to characterize these mechanical properties is by measuring their persistence length, the average length over which filaments stay straight. There are several approaches in the literature for measuring the persistence length of the filaments, including Fourier analysis of images obtained using fluorescence microscopy. Here, we show how curvature can be used to quantify local deformations of cell shape and cellular components. We develop a novel technique, called curvature analysis, to measure the stiffness of bio-filaments from fluorescent images. We test our predictions with Monte-Carlo generated filaments. We also apply our approach to microtubules and actin filaments obtained from in vitro gliding assay experiments with high densities of non-functional motors. The presented curvature analysis is significantly more accurate compared to existing approaches for small data sets. To study the effect of motors on filament deformations and velocities observed in gliding assays with functional and non-functional motors, we developed Langevin dynamics simulations of on glass and lipid surfaces. We found that generally the gliding velocity increases with an increase in motor density and a decrease in diffusion coefficient, and that motor density and diffusion coefficient have no clear effect on filament curvatures, except at a very low diffusion coefficients. Finally, we provide an ImageJ plugin to make curvature and persistence length measurements more accessible to everyone.

The thesis solves the design of the technology of manufacturing the furniture wheel holder from a sheet thickness of 11 321 with a thickness of 2 mm. On the basis of the variant cutting and bending solution, a production solution was chosen in a process proggressive die. As a blank, a sheet metal strip is selected from a 64.1 mm roll. After the technology evaluation, the distances of the openings from the edge of the part and the bend were adjusted and the technological calculations determined the necessary total forces, work and other parameters. On the basis of the previous calculations, the S 160 E eccentric press of Šmeral was chosen as the most suitable machine. The designed tool works in six steps and includes nine cutting and one bending section together with two viewers and one spring retainer. Economic recovery has shown profitable production of the given series where the total profit is CZK 999 310,61 and the reversal point occurs after production 58 382 pieces.

The thesis presents a proposal of production of a molded part from the aluminum alloy of group 2024 (dural). Based on the theoretical study and the requirements of the company was designed a cutting tool with a rounded edge for cutting the unfolded shape of the part on the eccentric press LEN 40 C. A new forming tool from textite material for fluid press Quintus QFC was designed. The parts of the cutting tool were designed primarily from normalized (purchased) parts. Manufactured punch and shearing die are made of commonly available tool steels and processed on the attached drawings. The result of the thesis is a recommendation to invest in a specialized workplace for the production of a unfolded shape and reduction of laboriousness adjusting after forming.