Fig. 5.

Stacked bar graphs of the mean values and standard deviations of the relative deformation (%) undergone by the ATM (ε_T), lower gel layer (ε_L1), and upper gel layer (ε_L2), compared to total system deformation. Depicted here are the values for stacked gels in which an Ag₂₀ layer was paired with another agar layer (Ag₂₅, Ag₃₀, Ag₄₀, or Ag₆₀). Ag₂₀ was on top (layer L₂) in (a) and (b) and on bottom (layer L₁) in (c) and (d). Deformation at the end of compression step (t₁) is depicted in (a) and (c), and deformation at the end of holding step (t₂) is depicted in (b) and (d).