Microscale modelling of dielectrophoresis assembly processes

This work presents a microscale approach for simulating the dielectrophoresis assembly of polarizable particles under an external electric field. The model is shown to capture interesting dynamical and topological features, such as the formation of chains of particles and their incipient aggregation into hierarchical structures. A quantitative characterization in terms of the number and size of these structures is also discussed. This computational model could represent a viable numerical tool to study the mechanical properties of particle-based hierarchical materials and suggest new strategies for enhancing their design and manufacture. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Progress in mesoscale methods for fluid dynamics simulation’.

A Computer Program for 3D Simulation of a Li-ion Half-Cell during Charging

This code provides computational facilities to simulate current versus time during the charging of Li-ion cells at desire constant voltage by considering multiscale physical phenomena. This code only considers a powder of active materials (at microscale or nanoscale) and a small part of electrolyte around it as a half cell. Then it is extended to a complete cell by applying correct boundary conditions. This code is very useful by modifying code parameters to understand the effect of the complex shape of active materials powder (surface area and powder size), kind of electrolyte, and the applied voltages on the charging response of Li-ion cell. As a summary, a microscale approach to the design of Li-ion cells has been provided via this code.

A Microscale Approach for Modelling Concrete Fatigue Damage-Mechanisms

A micro-scale-based approach for the numerical analysis of cement-based materials, subjected to low-and high-cycle fatigue actions, is presented in this paper. The constitutive model is aimed at describing the evolving microstructural changes caused by cyclic loading protocols. More specifically, statistically representative microscopic geometries are equipped with a fracture-based model combined with a continuous inelastic constitutive law accumulating damage induced by the cyclic stress. The plastic-damage-based model is formulated combining the concepts of fracture-energy theories and damage stiffness degradations, representing the key phenomena occurring in concrete under fatigue. The paper explores the potential of the technique for assessing fatigue microcracks formation and growth, and their influence on the macroscopic behavior.