Symmetry, Asymmetry, and Anisotropy in the Design and Modeling of Advanced Materials

A special issue of Symmetry (ISSN 2073-8994). This special issue belongs to the section "Engineering and Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 1905

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Av. Universidad s/n, Cd. Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, Mexico
Interests: mechanical properties; 3D printing; viscoelastic materials; polymers

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Av. Universidad s/n, Cd. Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, Mexico
Interests: rheology; polymers; dielectrics; fractional calculus; mechanics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Understanding and controlling symmetry, asymmetry, and anisotropy in advanced materials are increasingly crucial for driving innovation in material science and engineering. These structural attributes not only define intrinsic properties but also open new pathways for optimizing mechanical strength, functional performance, and responsiveness in demanding applications. Recent advances in modeling, design, and characterization techniques have accelerated the ability to tailor materials at multiple scales, yet significant challenges remain.

This Special Issue aims to advance the theoretical and experimental exploration of anisotropic and symmetry-driven phenomena in the development of next-generation materials. It seeks to highlight innovative strategies that bridge fundamental scientific insights with practical engineering applications, addressing the evolving needs of emerging industrial and technological sectors.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and comprehensive reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: the design and modeling of anisotropic materials; the influence of symmetry and asymmetry on material properties; advanced manufacturing techniques; multiscale and computational modeling; experimental characterization methods; and applications in structural, electronic, and multifunctional materials.

Prof. Dr. Flor Y. Rentería-Baltiérrez
Prof. Dr. Jesús Puente-Córdova
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • symmetry-driven design
  • anisotropic materials
  • multiscale modeling
  • structural optimization
  • advanced manufacturing

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

20 pages, 1129 KB  
Article
Fractional Viscoelastic Modeling of Multi-Step Creep and Relaxation in an Aerospace Epoxy Adhesive
by Jesús Gabino Puente-Córdova, Flor Yanhira Rentería-Baltiérrez, José de Jesús Villalobos-Luna and Pedro López-Cruz
Symmetry 2026, 18(1), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym18010130 - 9 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 648
Abstract
Structural adhesives in aeronautical applications are routinely exposed to complex loading histories that generate time-dependent deformation, making accurate prediction of their viscoelastic response essential for reliable assessment of joint integrity. This work presents an integrated experimental and modeling study of the aerospace-grade epoxy [...] Read more.
Structural adhesives in aeronautical applications are routinely exposed to complex loading histories that generate time-dependent deformation, making accurate prediction of their viscoelastic response essential for reliable assessment of joint integrity. This work presents an integrated experimental and modeling study of the aerospace-grade epoxy adhesive 3M Scotch-Weld EC-2216 using multi-step creep and stress-relaxation tests performed at room temperature and controlled loading rates, combined with fractional viscoelastic modeling. Unlike traditional single-step characterizations, the multi-step protocol employed here captures the cumulative loading effects and fading-memory dynamics that govern the adhesive’s mechanical response. The experimental data were analyzed using fractional Maxwell, Voigt–Kelvin, and Zener formulations. Statistical evaluation based on the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) consistently identified the Fractional Zener Model (FZM) as the most robust representation of the stress-relaxation behavior, effectively capturing both the unrelaxed and relaxed modulus. The results demonstrate that EC-2216 exhibits hierarchical relaxation mechanisms and history-dependent viscoelasticity that cannot be accurately described by classical integer-order models. Overall, the study validates the use of fractional operators to represent the broad and hierarchical relaxation spectra typical of toughened aerospace epoxies and provides a rigorous framework for durability assessment and predictive modeling of adhesively bonded structures. Full article
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