Objective Brain tissue undergoes dramatic molecular and cellular remodeling at the implant-tissue interface that evolves over a period of weeks after implantation. The biomechanical impact of such remodeling on the interface remains unknown. In this study, we aim to assess the changes in mechanical properties of the brain-electrode interface after chronic implantation of a microelectrode. Approach Microelectrodes were implanted in the rodent cortex at a depth of 1 mm for different durations - 1 day (n=4), 10-14 days (n=4), 4 weeks (n=4), 6 - 8 weeks (n=7). After the initial duration of implantation, the microelectrodes were moved an additional 1 mm downward at a constant speed of 10 μm/sec. Forces experienced by the microelectrode were measured during movement and after termination of movement. The biomechanical properties of the interfacial brain tissue were assessed from measured force-displacement curves using two separate models — a 2-parameter Mooney-Rivlin hyperelastic model and a viscoelastic model with a 2nd order prony series. Main results Estimated shear moduli using a 2nd order viscoelastic model increased from 0.5 - 2.6 kPa (day 1 of implantation) to 25.7 - 59.3 kPa (4 weeks of implantation) and subsequently decreased to 0.8 - 7.9 kPa after 6-8 weeks of implantation in 6 of 7 animals. Estimated elastic moduli increased from 4.1-7.8 kPa on the day of implantation to 24 - 44.9 kPa after 4 weeks. The elastic moduli was estimated to be 6.8-33.3 kPa in 6 of 7 animals after 6-8 weeks of implantation. The above estimates suggest that the brain tissue surrounding the microelectrode evolves from a stiff matrix with maximal shear and elastic moduli after 4 weeks of implantation into a composite of two different layers with different mechanical properties – a stiff compact inner layer surrounded by softer brain tissue that is biomechanically similar to brain tissue during the first week of implantation. Tissue micromotion induced stresses on the microelectrode constituted 12-55% of the steady-state stresses on the microelectrode on the day of implantation (n=4), 2-21% of the steady-state stresses after 4 weeks of implantation (n=4), and 4 - 10% of the steady-state stresses after 6-8 weeks of implantation (n=7). Significance Understanding the biomechanical behavior at the brain-microelectrode interface is necessary for long-term success of implantable neuroprosthetics and microelectrode arrays. Such quantitative physical characterization of the dynamic changes in the electrode-tissue interface will (a) drive design and development of more mechanically optimal, chronic brain implants and (b) will lead to new insights into key cellular and molecular events such as neuronal adhesion, migration and function in the immediate vicinity of the brain implant.

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Phase Change Materials (PCMs) incorporated into cementitious systems have been well-studied with respect to energy efficiency of building envelopes. New applications of PCMs in infrastructural concrete, e.g., for mitigating early-age cracking and freeze-and-thaw induced damage, have been proposed. Hence this paper develops a detailed understanding of the characteristics of cementitious systems containing two different microencapsulated PCMs. The PCMs are evaluated using thermal analysis, vibrational (FTIR) spectroscopy, and electron microscopy, and their dispersion in cement pastes is quantified using X-ray Computed Microtomography (µCT). The influences of PCMs on cement hydration and pore structure are evaluated. The compressive strength of mortars containing PCMs is noted to be strongly dependent on the encapsulation properties. Finite element simulations carried out on cementitious microstructures are used to assess the influence of interface properties and inter-inclusion interactions.The outcomes provide insights on methods to tailor the component phase properties and PCM volume fraction so as to achieve desirable performance.

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