Mechanical Sciences

The development of numerical multibody system (MBS) dynamics is characterized by a steady increase of efficiency of simulationcodes and of the complexity captured by the MBS models. This allows for interactive real-time simulations and has established high fidelity simulations as integral partof analysis, design and control. In such a comfortable situation the fruits are hanging high, and current challenges in numerical MBS dynamics are to reach a realistic level of detail and to achieve seamless integration. Advanced numerical algorithms together with tailored mathematical models and modeling paradigms are the enabling factors to reach this goal. The unprecedented efficient large scale simulation capabilities also allow for a deeper understanding of the intrinsic dynamics of complex technical and biological systems facilitating reduced order modeling and the design of embedded model-based control systems.

This special issue of Mechanical Sciences is intended to provide a panoramic overview of recent advances and current trends in MBS dynamics. Contributions are solicited in all areas relevant to this topic including:

• MBS algorithms and modeling approaches;
• Flexible MBS, structure dynamics;
• Contact mechanics;
• Multi-disciplinary simulation;
• Low-Order Algorithms, Real-Time Methods;
• Visualization, Virtual Reality, Post Processing;
• Parallel computing, GPU and stream computing;
• Model reduction methods;
• Integration schemes for MBS, constraint reinforcement strategies;
• Optimization, optimal control;
• Nonlinear control, embedded Models;
• Applications: robotics, manipulation and machine tool, automotive engineering, aerospace systems, legged and humanoid systems, locomotion, biomechanics.

Our new journal Mechanical Sciences is committed to the open access model ensuring free and fast access to scientific knowledge for any anyone everywhere. Your paper will receive maximum attention. There will be no submission fee for this special issue.

The paramount role of mechanics in life has recently been the center of attention of many researchers. This special issue will therefore be focusing on the role of mechanics in the life of cells and tissues and their interactions with biomaterials.

Due to the highly hierarchical structure of tissues, the consequences of the mechanical forces and motions are transferred back and forth along several time and spatial scales. As a result, the mechanical behavior of tissues needs to be studied not only at the tissue scale but also in relation with cells and proteins in a multi-scale modeling scheme.

The environment in which cells and tissues live also plays an important role. The mechanical interactions between cells and tissues and their surrounding living entities (other cells and tissues) and/or synthetic biomaterials need to be considered as well. The synthetic biomaterials may have been used for replacement of some of the tissues (implants) or regeneration of tissues in the laboratory (scaffolds, etc.).

The topics of interest include (but are not limited to):

Tissue Mechanics

• Bone and cartilage mechanics;
• Soft tissue mechanics;
• Bone tissue adaptation and fracture healing;
• Tissue growth, adaptation, and differentiation including the mechanics of morphogenesis;
• Patient-specific finite element modeling of tissues;
• Characterization of soft and hard tissues including computational models developed for nanoindentation, scanning acoustic microscopy, etc.;
• Fracture of bone and other biological materials.

Cell Mechanics

• Cytoskeletal mechanics;
• Cell-biomaterial interactions;
• Multi-scale models.

Mechanics of Biomaterials

• The mechanics of tissue-implant complexes;
• Optimal design of biomaterials and implants;
• Mechanical characterization of biomaterials (static, fatigue, permeability, etc);
• Bio-adhesives, bio-interfaces, and their mechanical performance;
• Mechanics of active biomaterials.