0000000000311194

AUTHOR

James A. Elliott

Stress Transfer within CNT Fibres: A FEA Approach

Abstract Carbon nanotube (CNT) fibres are characterized by extreme anisotropy in their structure and physical properties. These fibres have been shown to have high axial strength, but poor shear strength between carbon nanotubes; for this reason it is difficult to transfer stress uniformly acrossthe fibre cross section. Here, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is used to predict the stress distribution and the stress-strain curves of CNT fibres. The resultsdemonstrate that, in accordance with St. Venant principle,very considerable length-to-diameter ratios (> 10 3 ) are required to obtain a uniform stress distribution within the fibres even in the presence of low applied strain.

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Mechanical properties of carbon nanotube fibres: St Venant’s principle at the limit and the role of imperfections

Abstract Carbon nanotube (CNT) fibres, especially if perfect in terms of their purity and alignment, are extremely anisotropic. With their high axial strength but ready slippage between the CNTs, there is utmost difficulty in transferring uniformly any applied force. Finite element analysis is used to predict the stress distribution in CNT fibres loaded by grips attached to their surface, along with the resulting tensile stress–strain curves. This study demonstrates that, in accordance with St Venant’s principle, very considerable length-to-diameter ratios (∼103) are required before the stress becomes uniform across the fibre, even at low strains. It is proposed that lack of perfect orienta…

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Ancient proteins resolve the evolutionary history of Darwin's South American ungulates.

No large group of recently extinct placental mammals remains as evolutionarily cryptic as the approximately 280 genera grouped as 'South American native ungulates'. To Charles Darwin, who first collected their remains, they included perhaps the 'strangest animal[s] ever discovered'. Today, much like 180 years ago, it is no clearer whether they had one origin or several, arose before or after the Cretaceous/Palaeogene transition 66.2 million years ago, or are more likely to belong with the elephants and sirenians of superorder Afrotheria than with the euungulates (cattle, horses, and allies) of superorder Laurasiatheria. Morphology-based analyses have proved unconvincing because convergences…

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