A testing system for causing a physical change in a crack tip region of a crack within a specimen. The testing system includes a load application system for applying a load to the specimen having the crack formed therein, an electrothermal system for applying an electrical current through the specimen and comprising a power supply and a controller operably coupled to the load application system and the electrothermal system. The load application system configured to perform a crack growth test on the specimen. A method of thermally influencing a crack tip region of a crack within a specimen includes applying at least one pulse of current to the specimen to generate flux tangentially around the crack within the specimen and at the crack tip region and causing the crack tip region of the crack within the specimen to reach a predetermined activation temperature.

Provided is a deformation tester where a specimen is deformed after starting and can be observed and analyzed in any deformation state without removal. The tester includes: a detachable part repeating a relative displacement cycle of a second part to a first part, two portions of the specimen attached to a first and a second attachment portion of the first and the second part, the specimen deformed from a first to a second shape state and back to the first shape state during the cycle; and a main body part the detachable part is detachably attached to; wherein state retaining means for fixing a relative position of the second to the first part in at least one shape state is freely attachable to the detachable part mounted on the main body part and the detachable part with the state retaining means is freely attachable to the main body part.

Provided is a deformation tester where a specimen is deformed after starting and can be observed and analyzed in any deformation state without removal. The tester includes: a detachable part repeating a relative displacement cycle of a second part to a first part, two portions of the specimen attached to a first and a second attachment portion of the first and the second part, the specimen deformed from a first to a second shape state and back to the first shape state during the cycle; and a main body part the detachable part is detachably attached to; wherein state retaining means for fixing a relative position of the second to the first part in at least one shape state is freely attachable to the detachable part mounted on the main body part and the detachable part with the state retaining means is freely attachable to the main body part.

A testing system for causing a physical change in a crack tip region of a crack within a specimen. The testing system includes a load application system for applying a load to the specimen having the crack formed therein, an electrothermal system for applying an electrical current through the specimen and comprising a power supply and a controller operably coupled to the load application system and the electrothermal system. The load application system configured to perform a crack growth test on the specimen. A method of thermally influencing a crack tip region of a crack within a specimen includes applying at least one pulse of current to the specimen to generate flux tangentially around the crack within the specimen and at the crack tip region and causing the crack tip region of the crack within the specimen to reach a predetermined activation temperature.

A testing system for causing a physical change in a crack tip region of a crack within a specimen. The testing system includes a load application system for applying a load to the specimen having the crack formed therein, an electrothermal system for applying an electrical current through the specimen and comprising a power supply and a controller operably coupled to the load application system and the electrothermal system. The load application system configured to perform a crack growth test on the specimen. A method of thermally influencing a crack tip region of a crack within a specimen includes applying at least one pulse of current to the specimen to generate flux tangentially around the crack within the specimen and at the crack tip region and causing the crack tip region of the crack within the specimen to reach a predetermined activation temperature.

The present invention relates to an in vitro system for automatic chewing of solid and semi-solid food intended to simulate the human chewing process of a food sample, comprising a lower toothed ring and an upper toothed ring; and further comprising a force lever consisting of an arm from which a lead weight hangs, which is moved along the arm via the traction exerted by an electric motor controlled by a microcontroller board, which is connected by a spindle to the upper toothed ring; and wherein the shearing action is provided by an electric motor controlled by a microprocessor board which is connected to the shaft of the upper toothed ring via a chain. A second objective of the invention comprises a method for automatic chewing with controlled force and a specific number of chewing cycles and shear angle.

The present invention relates to an in vitro system for automatic chewing of solid and semi-solid food intended to simulate the human chewing process of a food sample, comprising a lower toothed ring and an upper toothed ring; and further comprising a force lever consisting of an arm from which a lead weight hangs, which is moved along the arm via the traction exerted by an electric motor controlled by a microcontroller board, which is connected by a spindle to the upper toothed ring; and wherein the shearing action is provided by an electric motor controlled by a microprocessor board which is connected to the shaft of the upper toothed ring via a chain. A second objective of the invention comprises a method for automatic chewing with controlled force and a specific number of chewing cycles and shear angle.

A multiaxial fatigue machine comprising a rotational mechanism; a driven shaft arranged collinearly with a first power shaft of the rotational mechanism and a reciprocating mechanism. The rotational mechanism has a first motor and a first fastening element configured to be connected to a test element that can be also connected to a second fastening element of the driven shaft to transmit to said test element a rotational force produced by the first motor. The reciprocating mechanism has a second power shaft, a second motor, and a linear rotational transmission, wherein the reciprocating mechanism is configured to apply an alternating force on the test element.

A multiaxial fatigue machine comprising a rotational mechanism; a driven shaft arranged collinearly with a first power shaft of the rotational mechanism and a reciprocating mechanism. The rotational mechanism has a first motor and a first fastening element configured to be connected to a test element that can be also connected to a second fastening element of the driven shaft to transmit to said test element a rotational force produced by the first motor. The reciprocating mechanism has a second power shaft, a second motor, and a linear rotational transmission, wherein the reciprocating mechanism is configured to apply an alternating force on the test element.

A system is for determining a viscoelastic property of a flexible seal, such as for use in connection with a vessel having a junction formed between first and second rigid parts that serve to compress the seal in use. A magnetic material is coupled to the flexible seal, and a generator such as an electric coil is provided for generating a magnetic field for causing the magnetic material to output a signal representative of a dynamic mechanical response of the magnetic material. A sensor senses the signal. An analyzer may be provided for analyzing the signal to determine the viscoelastic property of the object. Flexible seals with one or more embedded permanent magnets are disclosed, as are a method and apparatus for manufacturing such a seal using superconductive levitation to position a magnetic material, such as a permanent magnet, in a mold cavity during injection of a molding material.