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- Cellulose-based biomimetics and their applicationsPublication . Almeida, Ana; Canejo, João; Fernandes, Susete; Echeverria Zabala, Coro; Almeida, Pedro L.; Godinho, Maria HelenaNature has been producing cellulose since long before man walked the surface of the earth. Millions of years of natural design and testing have resulted in cellulose-based structures that are an inspiration for the production of synthetic materials based on cellulose with properties that can mimic natural designs, functions, and properties. Here, five sections describe cellulose-based materials with characteristics that are inspired by gratings that exist on the petals of the plants, structurally colored materials, helical filaments produced by plants, water-responsive materials in plants, and environmental stimuli-responsive tissues found in insects and plants. The synthetic cellulose-based materials described herein are in the form of fibers and films. Fascinating multifunctional materials are prepared from cellulose-based liquid crystals and from composite cellulosic materials that combine functionality with structural performance. Future and recent applications are outlined.
- Effect of cellulose nanocrystals in a cellulosic liquid crystal behaviour under low shear (regime I): structure and molecular dynamicsPublication . Echeverria, Coro; Fernandes, Susete; Almeida, Pedro L.; Godinho, Maria HelenaWe study the motion of a uniform thin rod released from rest, with the bottom end initially in contact with a horizontal surface. Our focus here is the motion of the bottom end as the rod falls. For small angles of release with respect to the horizontal, the rod falls without the bottom end slipping. For larger angles, the slipping direction depends on the static friction coefficient between the rod and the horizontal surface. Small friction coefficients cause the end to slip initially in one direction and then in the other, while for high coefficients, the end slips in one direction only. For intermediate values, depending on the angle of release, both situations can occur. We find the initial slipping direction to depend on a relation between the angle at which the rod slips, and a critical angle at which the frictional force vanishes. Comparison between experimental data and numerical simulations shows good agreement. (C) 2016 American Association of Physics Teachers.
- Mind the microgap in iridescent cellulose nanocrystal filmsPublication . Fernandes, Susete; Almeida, Pedro L.; Monge, Nuno; Aguirre, Luís E.; Reis, Dennys; Oliveira, Cristiano; Neto, António M. F.; Pieranski, Pawel; Godinho, Maria Helena