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We present a multimodal ferrule-top sensor designed to perform the integrated epidetection of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) depth-profiles and micron-scale indentation by all-optical detection. By scanning a sample under the probe, we can obtain structural cross-section images and identify a region-of-interest in a nonhomogeneous sample. Then, with the same probe and setup, we can immediately target that area with a series of spherical-indentation measurements, in which the applied load is known with a $\mu$N precision, the indentation depth with sub-$\mu$m precision and a maximum contact radius of 100$\mu$m. Thanks to the visualization of the internal structure of the sample, we can gain a better insight into the observed mechanical behavior. The ability to impart a small, confined load, and perform OCT $A$-scans at the same time, could lead to an alternative, high transverse resolution, Optical Coherence Elastography (OCE) sensor.

A method of improving the fatigue life and crack growth behavior of a center holed specimen was investigated. Local plastic deformation was applied around the hole by indentation to achieve the purpose. A series of fatigue tests was conducted on aluminum-alloy 2024-T3. Push-pull tests were performed under a stress ratio of R= -1 and a frequency of 10Hz. The observations of the crack initiation and growth were performed with a microscope, and hardness around the hole was measured by Vickers hardness testing machine. In the present study, the longest fatigue life was observed in the case of an indentation specimen with the highest load. The indentation was performed on both sides of the hole edges. The crack growth rate was decreased by indentation or expansion of the material around the hole. From the experimental results, it is found that the fatigue life and crack growth behavior of a holed or notched specimen can be improved by a simple technical method that is related to the local plastic working.

Using molecular mechanics (MM) simulations, the failure stress of bicrystalline graphene with different tilt angles is investigated using their free-standing indentation behaviour, in which two types of grain boundaries, including armchair (ac) and zigzag (zz) grain boundaries, and two types of indenter tip, including cylindrical and spherical tips are considered. For reference purposes, the corresponding results under inplane stretching are also examined. It is found that the failure stress of grain boundary (GB) in bicrystalline graphene decreases with the decrease of the GB tilt angle $\theta$, which is similar to that determined in inplane stretching. In indentation, the stress concentration under the indenter tip will decrease the failure stress of graphene; in addition, the out-of-plane deformation of graphene in indentation can partially release the pretension induced by the GB in bicrystalline graphene. For the GB with a small prestress, the effect of the former is larger than that of the latter; but for the GB with a larger prestress, the effect of the latter is larger than that of the former. Consequently, the effect of tilt angle $\theta$ on the GB strength of bicrystalline graphene is lower in indentation than that given by inplane stretching.