BIOMIMETICS: NANOMECHANICAL DESIGN OF MATERIALS THROUGH BIOLOGY

Abstract eng:
Biological hard tissues, composites of inorganic materials (such as ceramics) and organic matrices (such as proteins), have unusual engineering mechanical properties compared to those of synthetic materials with similar phase compositions. These biocomposites may serve as guides for the design of technological materials with practical applications. Biomimetics is investigation of biologically synthesized materials to obtain lessons for design of novel engineering systems. Three biological hard tissues are discussed here: (i) A sponge spicule, fibrous, glassy silica with a concentrically-layered structure that has both useful mechanical and optical properties; (ii) Nacre, “mother-of-pearl”, of mollusk shells, a segmented layered structure with an excellent combination of strength and toughness; and (iii) Dentin-enamel junction that demonstrates coupling of structurally and functionally different hard tissues in mammalian teeth.

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