Conformational deformation of a multi-jointed elastic loop.

A new class of deformation is presented for a planar loop structure made up of slender elastic bodies and joints. In demonstrating the circumferential shortening of the multi-jointed elastic loop, diverse three-dimensional (3D) deformations emerge through piecewise deflections and discrete rotations. These 3D morphologies correspond to conformations of molecular ring systems.

Two-dimensional NaSiS as a promising anode material for rechargeable sodium-based batteries: ab initio material design.

The rapidly rising demand for energy storage systems presents an imperative need to develop sodium-ion batteries with high energy density, high conductivity, and low barrier energy. In this work, we present a Density Functional study on the properties of two-dimensional NaxSiS as a promising anode material for rechargeable sodium-ion batteries. Energetically stable structures of Na-adsorbed silicene sulfide NaxSiS with various Na contents were explored.

Diffusion mechanism of Na ion-polaron complex in potential cathode materials NaVOPO and VOPO for rechargeable sodium-ion batteries.

Using the density functional method, we investigated the crystal and electronic structures and the electrochemical properties of NaxVOPO4 (x = 0, 1) and explored the diffusion mechanism of Na ions in these materials. The van der Waals interaction was also taken into account to include the non-local electron correlation in the calculation of structural parameters and voltage. The diffusion of Na ions is treated as a process of the Na vacancy-positive small polaron complex in NaVOPO4 and the Na ion-negative small polaron complex in VOPO4, respectively.

Orthotropic Laminated Open-cell Frameworks Retaining Strong Auxeticity under Large Uniaxial Loading.

Anisotropic materials form inside living tissue and are widely applied in engineered structures, where sophisticated structural and functional design principles are essential to employing these materials. This paper presents a candidate laminated open-cell framework, which is an anisotropic material that shows remarkable mechanical performance. Using additive manufacturing, artificial frameworks are fabricated by lamination of in-plane orthotropic microstructures made of elbowed beam and column members; this fabricated structure features orthogonal anisotropy in three-dimensional space.

Effects of tensile strain on Ag(111) epitaxial growth by kinetic Monte Carlo simulations.

The effects of surface strain on epitaxial growth are studied using the kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) method. The strain dependences of the activation energy barrier and the attempt frequency of each elementary process are evaluated by the embedded atom method interatomic potential. KMC simulations of homoepitaxial growth on a Ag(111) surface with equibiaxial tensile strain are carried out and influences of the surface strain on the nucleation of islands and the surface morphology are investigated.