Mechanical Properties and Morphological Correlates of Fragile Skin in Gekkonid Lizards

1989 ◽  
Vol 145 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
AARON M. BAUER ◽  
ANTHONY P. RUSSELL ◽  
ROBERT E. SHADWICK

The mechanical properties of gekkonid lizard skin are investigated for the first time. Although the skin of certain geckos, such as Gekko gecko, behaves in ‘typical’ vertebrate fashion, that of others, such as Ailuronyx seychellensis, exhibits unusual properties associated with identifiable morphological specializations. Light and scanning electron microscopy reveal that Ailuronyx dermis is functionally bilayered; the stratum compactum is divided into inner and outer layers by intervening loose connective tissue. The inner layer is strong and tough and does not differ significantly in its properties from that of Gekko gecko whole skin. The much thicker outer layer, however, is only 1/20 as strong and 1/50 as tough as the inner layer, and exhibits preformed zones of weakness. In nature, Ailuronyx parts with considerable portions of the outer components of the skin as an antipredator escape mechanism. Skin samples from 17 additional gecko species varied considerably in their strength, stiffness and toughness. None of the forms with tough skin employs regional integumentary loss as a predator escape strategy. Weak skin alone is not sufficient to permit regional integumentary loss, as the capability to lose the skin involves not only inherent properties of the tissue, but also features of the mechanical interaction of skin layers with one another and with the underlying body wall.

Author(s):  
А.С. Гращенко ◽  
С.А. Кукушкин ◽  
А.В. Осипов ◽  
А.В. Редьков

The mechanical properties of composite coatings made of silicon carbide on graphite are studied for the first time. For the deposition of coatings, a new method of annealing the initial graphite was used, which was in contact with a silicon melt in an atmosphere of carbon monoxide.The samples were studied by nanoindentation and scanning electron microscopy. It is shown that the formed coating consists of a continuous film of monocrystalline silicon carbide lying on the surface, dendrites and crystalline druses, with roots going deep into the sample through a system of pores. It is shown that the coating significantly increases the mechanical characteristics of the graphite surface, including the microhardness.


2008 ◽  
Vol 47-50 ◽  
pp. 1221-1224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Qing Zhao ◽  
Kin Tak Lau ◽  
Hu Lin Li

A novel nanocomposite based on nanodiamond (ND) powder and Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) for potential bio-engineered applications was fabricated for the first time by using melting compound methods. Its structure and mechanical properties were investigated by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and tensile property test. The results showed that as compared with pure PLA, ND/PLA nanocomposites possessed higher modulus, higher strength and comparable elongation at break, in other words, the mechanical properties of PLA were significantly improved by incorporating ND powder into it. This is presumably due to homogeneous dispersion of ND cluster, good interfacial bonding and unique ND bridge structures in the ND/PLA nanocomposites.


Author(s):  
Li Li-Sheng ◽  
L.F. Allard ◽  
W.C. Bigelow

The aromatic polyamides form a class of fibers having mechanical properties which are much better than those of aliphatic polyamides. Currently, the accepted morphology of these fibers as proposed by M.G. Dobb, et al. is a radial arrangement of pleated sheets, with the plane of the pleats parallel to the axis of the fiber. We have recently obtained evidence which supports a different morphology of this type of fiber, using ultramicrotomy and ion-thinning techniques to prepare specimens for transmission and scanning electron microscopy.


Author(s):  
Mamaeva S.N. ◽  
Vinokurov R.R. ◽  
Munkhalova Ya.A. ◽  
Dyakonova D.P. ◽  
Platonova V.A. ◽  
...  

Currently, due to the intensive development of high-tech science-intensive medical and research devices, more and more attention is paid to the development of diagnostics of rare and difficult to diagnose diseases. It is known that among numerous nephropathies, hematuria may be the only symptom of kidney and urinary tract diseases, which complicates their diagnosis and treatment. In order to develop new approaches for the diagnosis of nephropathies, the authors have been studying the morphology of red blood cells in the blood and urine of children and adults using a scanning electron microscope for several years. The paper presents the results of studies of children with various kidney diseases, including IgA-nephropathy, and chronic glomerulonephritis. Scanning electron microscopy was used for the first time to detect nanoparticles on the surface of red blood cells, the size of which is comparable to the size of viruses, which became the basis for one of the authors ' assumptions, namely, the possible transport of certain types of viruses by red blood cells. Thus, some kidney diseases could be considered virus-associated. This paper presents for the first time the results of determining the glomerular filtration rate of both kidneys separately in the study of separate kidney function and of the study of urine smears obtained during catheterization of the ureters in patients with hydronephrosis of one of the kidneys by scanning electron microscopy. As in previous studies, nanoparticles were found on the surface of red blood cells, which leads to the conclusion about the possible viral nature of the disease of the considered patient. In addition, smear images obtained using a microscope showed a significant difference in the elements of the right and left kidneys urine, which did not contradict the data on the study of glomerular filtration rate. According to the authors, the capabilities of the scanning electron microscope can be applied in fundamental research of kidney diseases at the cellular and molecular levels, forming new ideas about their origin, as well as on the basis of which new methods of non-invasive diagnostics can be built.


2020 ◽  
Vol 307 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mytnik Joanna ◽  
Davies L. Kevin ◽  
Narajczyk Magdalena ◽  
Łuszczek Dorota ◽  
Kubiak Joanna ◽  
...  

AbstractPolystachya is a large, pantropical orchid genus of 200 species, most of which occur as epiphytes in sub-saharan Africa. The three-lobed labellum of most Polystachya species possesses a fleshy callus and various types of trichomes and papillae. In this paper, we present the results of micromorphological studies on the labellum of 20 species, representing eight of the 13 sections in the genus, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Our results show the scale of infrageneric diversity of trichomes and papillae relative to the sampled sections. They also demonstrate the taxonomic value of labellar micromorphology at the sectional level. The study revealed seven types of papillae and five types of trichomes (uni- and multi-cellular) in Polystachya, some of which, are described here for the first time. Clavate trichomes are the most common and are present in 60% of the species studied. Moniliform trichomes mainly occur in sect. Polystachya and are strongly characteristic of the section. Pseudopollen is formed by fragmentation of moniliform trichomes or the detachment of other trichomes as bicellular units. We provide, for the first time, evidence for the detachment of the terminal cells of capitate trichomes.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 2174
Author(s):  
Diana Gregor-Svetec ◽  
Mirjam Leskovšek ◽  
Blaž Leskovar ◽  
Urška Stanković Elesini ◽  
Urška Vrabič-Brodnjak

Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the most suitable materials for 3D printing. Blending with nanoparticles improves some of its properties, broadening its application possibilities. The article presents a study of composite PLA matrix filaments with added unmodified and lignin/polymerised lignin surface-modified nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC). The influence of untreated and surface-modified NFC on morphological, mechanical, technological, infrared spectroscopic, and dynamic mechanical properties was evaluated for different groups of samples. As determined by the stereo and scanning electron microscopy, the unmodified and surface-modified NFCs with lignin and polymerised lignin were present in the form of plate-shaped agglomerates. The addition of NFC slightly reduced the filaments’ tensile strength, stretchability, and ability to absorb energy, while in contrast, the initial modulus slightly improved. By adding NFC to the PLA matrix, the bending storage modulus (E’) decreased slightly at lower temperatures, especially in the PLA samples with 3 wt% and 5 wt% NFC. When NFC was modified with lignin and polymerised lignin, an increase in E’ was noticed, especially in the glassy state.


Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 652
Author(s):  
Divine Sebastian ◽  
Chun-Wei Yao ◽  
Lutfun Nipa ◽  
Ian Lian ◽  
Gary Twu

In this work, a mechanically durable anticorrosion superhydrophobic coating is developed using a nanocomposite coating solution composed of silica nanoparticles and epoxy resin. The nanocomposite coating developed was tested for its superhydrophobic behavior using goniometry; surface morphology using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy; elemental composition using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy; corrosion resistance using atomic force microscopy; and potentiodynamic polarization measurements. The nanocomposite coating possesses hierarchical micro/nanostructures, according to the scanning electron microscopy images, and the presence of such structures was further confirmed by the atomic force microscopy images. The developed nanocomposite coating was found to be highly superhydrophobic as well as corrosion resistant, according to the results from static contact angle measurement and potentiodynamic polarization measurement, respectively. The abrasion resistance and mechanical durability of the nanocomposite coating were studied by abrasion tests, and the mechanical properties such as reduced modulus and Berkovich hardness were evaluated with the aid of nanoindentation tests.


2012 ◽  
Vol 476-478 ◽  
pp. 1031-1035
Author(s):  
Wei Min Liu ◽  
Xing Ai ◽  
Jun Zhao ◽  
Yong Hui Zhou

Al2O3-TiC-ZrO2ceramic composites (ATZ) were fabricated by hot-pressed sintering. The phases and microstructure of the composites were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The relative density and mechanical properties (flexural strength, fracture toughness and Vicker’s hardness) of the composites were tested. The results show that the microstructure of the composites was the gray core-white rim. With the increase of sintering temperature, the relative density and mechanical properties of the composites increased first and then decreased. The composite sintered at 1705°C has the highest synthetical properties, and its relative density, flexural strength, fracture toughness and Vickers hardness are 98.3%,970MPa,6.0 MPa•m1/2and 20.5GPa, respectively.


2021 ◽  
pp. 095400832110055
Author(s):  
Yang Wang ◽  
Yuhui Zhang ◽  
Yuhan Xu ◽  
Xiucai Liu ◽  
Weihong Guo

The super-tough bio-based nylon was prepared by melt extrusion. In order to improve the compatibility between bio-based nylon and elastomer, the elastomer POE was grafted with maleic anhydride. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) were used to study the compatibility and micro-distribution between super-tough bio-based nylon and toughened elastomers. The results of mechanical strength experiments show that the 20% content of POE-g-MAH has the best toughening effect. After toughening, the toughness of the super-tough nylon was significantly improved. The notched impact strength was 88 kJ/m2 increasing by 1700%, which was in line with the industrial super-tough nylon. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) were used to study the crystallization behavior of bio-based PA56, and the effect of bio-based PA56 with high crystallinity on mechanical properties was analyzed from the microstructure.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1004-1005 ◽  
pp. 148-153
Author(s):  
Min Hao ◽  
Ji Gang Ru ◽  
Ming Liu ◽  
Kun Zhang ◽  
Liang Wang ◽  
...  

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were utilized to study the microstructure and mechanical behavior of an Al-Cu-Mg alloy after tensile test at 125°C, 150°C, 175°C and 200 °C, respectively. The yield strength and ultimate tensile strength decreased with the increase of temperature, while the elongation increased firstly and then decreased. The S and S′ precipitate after tension at elevated temperatures. When the temperature was higher than 175°C, the precipitate coarsens rapidly. The alloys displayed a shear fracture features at elevated temperature. The larger S′ and S phase coarsened and dropped which forming crack in the grain boundaries and precipitate interfaces, resulting in the decrease of the elongation of the alloy.


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