Languages in Contact I: Creating New Words for Maori

The following article is based on a seminar presented at the Stout Research Centre on the 14 June, the first of two seminars looking at the contact between languages of Maori and New Zealand English. In this seminar Mary Boyce discussed the effects on Maori language of this contact. In the second seminar Winifred Bauer looked at issues surrounding the use of Maori words in English - an article based on this seminar is on page 19

Mana Aha? Exploring the Use of Mana in the Legal Māori Corpus

The Legal Māori Corpus (LMC) is one of several major outputs of the Legal Māori Project, and provides the core evidence for the compilation of the Legal Māori Dictionary, due to be completed in 2012. To our knowledge it is the largest publicly available corpus of te reo Māori. The LMC is comprised of 8 million words of running text, compiled from printed legal texts in te reo Māori spanning from the 1820s to the current day. The pre-1910 text collection (5.2 million words) from the LMC is now publicly available on the Victoria University of Wellington Law Faculty website. Those remaining texts (1.8 million words printed from 1910 onwards) that are able to be cleared of copyright and confidentiality restrictions will be released in 2012. This paper briefly outlines the context of the Legal Māori Project, describes the compilation and structure of the LMC, and then focuses in detail on the use of the word mana in the corpus. It identifies the common collocations and phrases that contain mana, and looks at their distribution over time

Mechanics of bioinspired flexible composites: experiments, -simulations, and analytical solutions

Motivated by designing bioinspired flexible armor, we study deformable layered materials reminiscent of the structures present on teleost fish species (e.g., zebrafish Danio rerio and Arapaima gigas) [1]. These materials comprise soft matrix and stiff layers. The overlapping stiff scales are embedded in a soft tissue such that the composite material can provide protection while also undergoing large deformations when subjected to a penetrating loading (such as a bullet, knife, or a powerful animal bite). Moreover, the layered materials hold a great potential for a large variety of applications including noise reduction [2] and actuation [3]. Here, we analyze the influence of microstructure parameters on the performance of the composites. We derive an analytical solution for the multilayered -structure accounting for large deformations. The solution predicts the mechanical response of the media as a function of the layer inclination angle, constituent volume fractions and properties [1]. To capture the effects of localized deformation (e.g., in case of penetrating loading), we develop a finite element numerical model of the structure and loading conditions. Physical prototypes of the composites are fabricated by 3D printing. The prototypes are subjected to mechanical loadings and the local deformation mechanics of the layered structure are measured using digital image correlation. The measured mechanical response, macroscopic as well as local, is found to be in good agreement with the simulations as well as with analytical predictions. Moreover, the results provide a detailed picture of the composite deformation mechanisms, which consist of matrix shear, stiff plate rotation and bending, depending on the microstructural parameters and loadings. Understanding the key mechanisms and parameters is an important step towards designing materials with a large variety of functionalities. REFERENCES [1] Rudykh, S., Boyce, M.C. Analysis of elasmoid fish imbricated layered scale-tissue systems and their bioinspired analogues at finite strains and bending. IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics. 2014a (in press). DOI: 10.1093/imamat/hxu005 [2] Rudykh, S., Boyce, M.C. Transforming wave propagation in layered media via instability-induced wrinkling interfacial layer. Physical Review Letters. 2014b, 112, 034301 [3] Rudykh, S., Boyce, M.C. Transforming small localized loading into large rotational motion in soft anisotropically-structured materials. Advanced Engineering Materials. 2014c (in press)

Transforming small localized loading into large rotational motion in soft anisotropically-structured materials

Actuation of rotational motion in machines and robotics is generally achieved through highly engineered mechanical or electromechanical devices. As the field of soft robotics develops, there is an emerging and expanding need for novel actuation mechanisms. Here, we show the ability to transform small localized loading into large rotational motion via the design of soft anisotropically structured composite materials. The transformation mechanism governing the rotational actuation capitalizes on the underlying coupling of shear and normal modes of stress and strain in anisotropic materials together with the ability of the soft material to locally undergo large deformation [1, 2]. The transformation behavior is further shown to be highly tuneable through selection of the microstructure as demonstrated through simulations and through experiments on multimaterial 3D-printed prototypes of soft composite materials with layered microstructures [2]. The study provides guidelines for designing soft anisotropic materials with tailored performance. The mechanisms of large controllable actuation can be used for macro-, micro- and nanoactuators and sensors. The findings can be also used for developing simple techniques for obtaining information on anisotropy, and microstructures of materials at small scales. REFERENCES: [1] Rudykh, S., Boyce, M.C. Analysis of Elasmoid fish imbricated layered scale-tissue systems and their bioinspired analogues at finite strains and bending. IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics. 2014 (in press). DOI: 10.1093/imamat/hxu005 [2] Rudykh, S., Boyce, M.C. Transforming small localized loading into large rotational motion in soft anisotropically-structured materials. Advanced Engineering Materials. 2014 (in press)

Enhancing Relevant Curriculum Engagement in the Applied and Analytical Chemistry Course

At ECU, Curriculum Engagement and Workplace Integrated Learning (WIL) are key elements in the University’s strategic direction and significant features of many undergraduate courses. There are several forms of Engagement in course design and units that deepen students’ skills and knowledge of practice in realistic workplace and community contexts; develop their employability and generic skills; and contribute to graduate work and career readiness. This partnership project between two academics, one in Centre of Learning Development (CLD) and one teaching in the School of Natural Sciences, aims to increase Curriculum Engagement in the Bachelor of Science (Applied and Analytical Chemistry). Reflecting on current programs and teaching practices while focusing on these strategic priorities reveal potential key actions to embed Engaged teaching and learning. Stories of success from other courses and units serve to illustrate the definitions and practices, providing a snapshot of progress. An overview of enabling and impeding factors in the tactical implementation of Engaged teaching and learning is provided. Discussion will enable audience members to comment on their experiences in developing and measuring effectiveness of sustainable Curriculum Engagement. We expect that this session will generate useful ideas to be applied in other courses, particularly Natural Sciences courses

Tunable phononic crystals via instability-induced interfacial wrinkling

We present a method to control wave propagation in highly deformable layered media by utilizing elastic instability-induced wrinkling of interfacial layers. The onset of a wrinkling instability in initially straight interfacial layers occurs when a critical compressive strain or stress is achieved [1]. Further compression beyond the critical strain leads to an increase in the wrinkle amplitude of the interfacial layer. This, in turn, gives rise to the formation of a system of periodic scatterers, which reflect and interfere with wave propagation. We demonstrate that the topology of wrinkling interfacial layers can be controlled by deformation and used to produce band-gaps in wave propagation and, hence, to selectively filter frequencies [2]. Remarkably, the mechanism of frequency filtering is effective even for composites with similar or identical densities, such as polymer–polymer composites. Because the microstructure change is reversible, the mechanism can be used for tuning and controlling wave propagation by deformation. REFERENCES [1] Li, Y., Kaynia, N., Rudykh, S., Boyce, M.C. Wrinkling of interfacial layers in stratified composites. Advanced Engineering Materials. 2013, 15(10), 921–926. [2] Rudykh, S., Boyce, M.C. Transforming wave propagation in layered media via instability-induced interfacial wrinkling. Physical Review Letters. 2014, 112, 034301

The Ever-Shifting Internet Population

Presents findings from surveys conducted between March and May 2002. Takes a new look at Internet access and the digital divide. Explores factors of cost, lack of technology skills, and physical access (particularly for persons with disabilities)