Methodology

The interest in the problems of mechanics related to the structure and functioning of living systems, on the one hand, was due to purely practical needs associated with the need for more adequate and detailed knowledge of the structure and functions of the human body both in normal and in diseases, in order to be able to carry out various medical interventions in the most appropriate ways. On the other hand, the current level of development of the basic natural sciences has made it possible to begin systematic fundamental research aimed at identifying and understanding the basic laws (physical, chemical, mechanical, cybernetic in nature) of the structure, functioning and development of such highly sophisticated and highly reliable “machines” as living organisms, whose enormous diversity constitutes the Earth’s biosphere. Not as much is known about the workings of human, animal, and plant organisms, even the most common ones, as is usually thought, and this ignorance covers even the simplest, at first glance, questions. Often, the structure of an organ and its mechanical function are known in detail, but there is no detailed understanding of the mechanism of operation. It also happens that the structure of an organ and some of the processes that take place in it are known, but its general purpose is unclear. Finally, often due to experimental difficulties, the structure of an organ is poorly understood and, as a result, even the principle of its operation is unknown. Examples of such situations will be mentioned below.

Relationship to other sciences

While the application of natural sciences to the problems of modern engineering and technology has reached a high level of efficiency, and in fact, it comes down to the skilled use of well-understood primary laws, in biomechanics, it is necessary to first create a foundation for the development of fundamental knowledge, methodology and theoretical concepts, which will allow to bring the applied aspects to a corresponding high level. The theoretical methods of biomechanics are based on the achievements of modern mechanics, which studies mechanical motion itself in connection with physical, chemical and electromagnetic phenomena and using the appropriate mathematical apparatus and computer technology. Experimental biomechanics combines the methods of mechanics with those developed in biology and medicine. One of the most responsible and time-consuming aspects of biomechanics is the systematization and analysis of large amounts of observational data accumulated in biology, the translation of vague verbal descriptions into mechanical terms and, whenever possible, into formal mathematical constructions. The latter are needed not so much for quantitative calculations as for qualitative judgments. Biomechanics is closely related to other areas of life science; for example, to theoretical biology, bionics and bioengineering, biocybernetics, biotechnology, ergonomics, physiology, etc.

Organization of research

Research in biomechanics is conducted in all developed countries. Specialized research institutes operate in the United States, Germany, Japan, Canada, Italy, and a number of other countries. A wide network of biomechanics laboratories exists in most leading universities in the United States and European countries, in large industrial associations and clinics. Especially numerous are the research groups that provide physiological and medical programs of biomechanics. Such research has been significantly developed in Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, and Poland, where specialized research institutions have also been established. The International and European Societies of Biomechanics, a number of national societies and societies uniting biomechanics researchers of a narrower profile are actively functioning.

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Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor (DFOS) technology

DFOS is a new stage in the measurement of strains and stresses in materials. These fiber optic sensors are distributed over the surface of an object and provide high spatial resolution, making them valuable for real-time strain monitoring on complex structures such as composites and building structures.

Integrated sensors using nanomaterials

With advances in nanotechnology, integrated sensors based on nanomaterials are becoming more common. Graphene sensors, for example, have unique strain sensitivity, making them useful for measuring minute changes in the structure of materials.

Development of digital holography techniques

Digital holography provides the ability not only to measure strains but also to visualize three-dimensional shapes of objects in real time. This is important for analyzing the behavior of materials under load, as well as for developing more accurate numerical models.

Wireless technologies for data acquisition

The use of wireless sensors and data acquisition devices greatly simplifies the experimental measurement process. This is especially important when working with large structures or in environments where wiring is limited.

Microstructure research technologies

With the development of microscopy and image analysis techniques, researchers can now study the microstructures of materials at the micro level in greater detail. This allows data on internal strains and mechanical properties to be obtained at lower levels.

The application of machine learning techniques to analyze and process data opens new horizons in research. Algorithms can automatically identify patterns and relationships, improving the accuracy and speed of analyzing experimental data.

New tools and technologies in experimental mechanics are redrawing the picture of what we can achieve in engineering research. These innovations not only improve the accuracy of measurements, but also enhance the research capabilities in materials and structures. In the future, as technological advances increase, expect even more exciting developments that will continue to shape the future of experimental mechanics.

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Plastics are lightweight, economical, and preferred alternatives to metals in many applications. Plastics have low mechanical and wear properties compared to metals, so they are reinforced with fillers and fibers to improve their mechanical properties. Composite materials provide the ability to combine different properties and materials to design for applications that require multiple functionalities. As a result, there is a growing interest in the development of new polymeric materials, especially in improving their mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and tensile modulus. These properties can be further enhanced by reinforcement. The properties of such a composite can be influenced by the type of reinforcement, the shape of the reinforcement, and the distribution of the reinforcement in the polymer matrix. Nanocomposites are emerging as a new class of composite materials in which one of the reinforcing phases is in the range of 1-100 nm. Recent studies of nanocomposites have revealed significant improvements in mechanical, tribological, and thermal properties without increasing the density of the nanocomposite. The property improvements are due to the high strengthening efficiency of these nanoparticles due to the large aspect ratio and improved interaction between the nanoparticles and the matrix. A number of researchers have investigated the effect of zeolite on the mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites. The addition of 5 wt% nano-zeolite to polyurethane improved the tensile strength and Young’s modulus. Lv et al. investigated the effect of modified zeolite on the nucleation properties and mechanical properties of polypropylene. The results showed an increase in tensile and flexural strength and nucleation effect due to the addition of 0.3 wt.% zeolite to the base polymer. In addition, the addition of zeolite to high-density polyethylene (HDPE) increased the impact strength to failure.

Polyamide 6 (PA6) is widely used as an engineering plastic due to its excellent mechanical properties, tribological characteristics and chemical resistance. 12 polyamide 6 nanocomposites have been successfully fabricated and exhibit excellent mechanical properties. One of the main drawbacks of polyamides is their water absorption. Absorbed water in polyamide has a great impact on the mechanical properties and dimensional characteristics of molded parts. It can reduce the tensile modulus and strength. Adding glass fibers to PA6 resulted in an increase in water absorption resistance. However, the addition of glass fibers increases the melt viscosity, which can cause difficulties when molding thin-walled parts. Additionally, the abrasive nature of glass fiber can wear away at the screw and barrel of the injection molding machine. Therefore, the balance between the stiffness and toughness properties of the polymer has attracted the attention of researchers. The strategy of using rigid spherical nanoparticles as stiffening agents has been the topic of extensive research because it could strengthen and stiffen polymers at the same time. The addition of nano-CaCO3 particles to PA6 improved mechanical properties and reduced water absorption.

The incorporation of nano-zeolite as a spherical nanoparticle into the PA6 matrix can improve the stiffness and strength properties at the same time. The main objective of this study is to characterize PA6 without compromising the mechanical performance and ease of processing by blending PA6 with nanosealite particles.

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