The two-dimensional visualization of validity for nanomechanical mapping in atomic force microscopy for sulphur cross-linked rubber is emphasized for accurately interpreting the nanoscale physical properties on the surface of the soft material.

The purpose of this study is to provide the alignment of whole spine in an automotive seated posture by analyzing image data acquired with an upright open MRI system. Five female and three male asymptomatic subjects were scanned in seated and supine postures, and midsagittal images were analyzed in the location of the center of vertebral body and the vertebral angle relative to lower adjacent vertebra from C2 to sacrum. Results showed that 1) females were more likely to have non-lordosis than males, 2) lumbar lordosis was larger for females than males, and sacrum slope was greater for males than females, 3) thoracic kyphosis and T1 slope were greater for the cervical lordotic type than kyphotic type in seated posture.

Objective: In 2020, the world's first crash compatibility rating test will be introduced in the European mobile progressive deformable barrier (MPDB) test. In this research, the quantitative change in partner protection performance of large vehicles in car-to-car (C2C) impacts was studied if these large vehicles were designed in future based on MPDB tests addressing crash compatibility ratings. Methods: Representative vehicles of the European fleet were selected and a Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) parameter study was conducted. In particular, by changing an indicator of structural interaction performance (SD; i.e., the degree of uniformity of barrier deformation)/mass/stiffness of large vehicles systematically in a step-by-step approach, the compatibility evaluation results of large vehicles in MPDB and the occupant injury score of small vehicles in C2C impacts were compared. The CAE result was evaluated compared to that of C2C physical impact tests. Results: The CAE parameter study showed that in the C2C impact condition, the effects on occupant injury in a small vehicle due to changes in the large vehicle were as follows: (1) SD change: The effect was minor except for small overlap condition. (2) Mass and stiffness change: The effect was relatively major. On the other hand, compatibility evaluation in the MPDB showed a tendency to overestimate the effect of SD change in comparison with the above-mentioned C2C impact condition. In addition, physical impact tests showed that, based on SD evaluation, the large vehicle with a relatively inferior compatibility rating compared to those with superior compatibility ratings showed a contradicting trend of better compatibility performance in the C2C test. Conclusions: The currently proposed compatibility evaluation method of the MPDB test showed some tendency to overestimate the effect of SD change and resulted in quantitatively inconsistent outcomes regarding occupant injury in the partner car in C2C impact conditions.

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Sulfur cross-linking reagents play critical roles not only in cross-linking rubber chains but also in controlling network morphology for reinforcement of rubber. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is clearly discovered as the main component for both roles. Especially, the importance of network inhomogeneity, which is significantly governed by the dispersion of ZnO particles, is emphasized for reinforcing rubber materials. Specifically, the formation of network domains and their continuous structures is discussed by combining the mechanical properties of the vulcanizates from the viewpoint of the reinforcement effect of rubber. Two continuous structures of network domains are termed as the network-domain cluster and network-domain network, which are observed by atomic force microscopy. The ZnO particles play a role as template for the formation of the continuous structures of network domains. The findings provide us with a practical hint for producing high-performance rubber materials.