1
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Mandin S, Metilli L, Karrouch M, Lancelon-Pin C, Putaux JL, Chèvremont W, Paineau E, Hengl N, Jean B, Pignon F. Chiral nematic nanocomposites with pitch gradient elaborated by filtration and ultraviolet curing of cellulose nanocrystal suspensions. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 337:122162. [PMID: 38710556 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
An innovative method combining frontal filtration with ultraviolet (UV) curing has been implemented to design cellulosic nanocomposite films with controlled anisotropic textures from nanometric to micrometric length scales. Namely, an aqueous suspension containing poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate polymer (PEGDA) as a photocurable polymer and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) at a 70/30 mass ratio was processed by frontal filtration, followed by in-situ UV-curing in a dedicated cell. This procedure allowed designing nanocomposite films with highly oriented and densely-packed CNCs, homogeneously distributed in a PEGDA matrix over a thickness of ca. 500 μm. The nanocomposite films were investigated with small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), by raster-scanning along their height with a 25 μm vertically-collimated X-ray beam. The CNCs exhibited a high degree of orientation, with their director aligned parallel to the membrane surface, combined with an increase in the degree of alignment as concentration increased towards the membrane surface. Scanning electron microscopy images of fractured films showed the presence of regularly spaced bands lying perpendicular to the applied transmembrane pressure, highlighting the presence of a chiral nematic (cholesteric) organization of the CNCs with a pitch gradient that increased from the membrane surface to the bulk.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mandin
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP (Institute of Engineering Univ. Grenoble Alpes), LRP, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - L Metilli
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CERMAV, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - M Karrouch
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP (Institute of Engineering Univ. Grenoble Alpes), LRP, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - C Lancelon-Pin
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CERMAV, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - J-L Putaux
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CERMAV, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - W Chèvremont
- ESRF, The European Synchrotron, CS 40220, F-38043 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - E Paineau
- Université Paris Saclay, CNRS, Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France
| | - N Hengl
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP (Institute of Engineering Univ. Grenoble Alpes), LRP, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - B Jean
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CERMAV, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - F Pignon
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP (Institute of Engineering Univ. Grenoble Alpes), LRP, F-38000 Grenoble, France.
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2
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Im SW, Zhang D, Han JH, Kim RM, Choi C, Kim YM, Nam KT. Investigating chiral morphogenesis of gold using generative cellular automata. NATURE MATERIALS 2024; 23:977-983. [PMID: 38693448 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-024-01889-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Homochirality is an important feature in biological systems and occurs even in inorganic nanoparticles. However, the mechanism of chirality formation and the key steps during growth are not fully understood. Here we identify two distinguishable pathways from achiral to chiral morphologies in gold nanoparticles by training an artificial neural network of cellular automata according to experimental results. We find that the chirality is initially determined by the nature of the asymmetric growth along the boundaries of enantiomeric high-index planes. The deep learning-based interpretation of chiral morphogenesis provides a theoretical understanding but also allows us to predict an unprecedented crossover pathway and the resulting morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Won Im
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dongsu Zhang
- Institute of New Media and Communications, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeong Hyun Han
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ryeong Myeong Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Changwoon Choi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Min Kim
- Institute of New Media and Communications, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Ki Tae Nam
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
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3
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Vittori M. Structural diversity of crustacean exoskeletons and its implications for biomimetics. Interface Focus 2024; 14:20230075. [PMID: 38618234 PMCID: PMC11008965 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2023.0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The crustacean cuticle is a biological composite material consisting of chitin-protein fibres in a mineralized matrix. Recent research has revealed a surprising range of fibre architectures and mineral compositions of crustacean skeletal structures adapted to various mechanical demands. It is becoming increasingly clear that the organic fibres in the cuticle may be organized in patterns differing from the standard twisted plywood model. Observed fibre architectures in protruding skeletal structures include longitudinal and circular parallel fibre arrays. Skeletal minerals often include calcium phosphates in addition to calcium carbonates. Furthermore, skeletal properties are affected by protein cross-linking, which replaces mineralization as a stiffening mechanism in some structures. Several common structural motifs, such as the stiffening of the outer skeletal layers, the incorporation of non-mineralized cuticle in exposed structures, and interchanging layers of parallel fibres and the twisted plywood structure, can be identified in skeletal elements with similar functions. These evolutionary solutions have the potential for biomimetic applications, particularly as manufacturing technologies advance. To make use of this potential, we need to understand the processes behind the formation of the crustacean exoskeleton and determine which features are truly adaptive and worth mimicking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miloš Vittori
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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4
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Wang T, Zhao J, Wu L, Liu W, Li Y, Yang Y. Polymer Network Film with Double Reflection Bands Prepared Using a Thermochromic Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Mixture. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:18001-18007. [PMID: 38530237 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c00865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Cholesteric liquid crystal polymer network (CLCN) films with a single reflection band have found applications for decoration and anticounterfeiting. The CLCN films with double reflection bands were more suitable for these applications. Herein, they were prepared by using thermochromic cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) through a two-step photopolymerization approach. At the first step, due to oxygen inhibition, the CLC monomers near the substrate surface were polymerized at a certain temperature. At the second step, those near the air were polymerized at another temperature. The wavelengths of these two reflection bands of the CLCN film were dominated by the two polymerization temperatures. Based on this approach, patterns with composite colors were prepared, which were suitably applied for decoration. Moreover, a double-layered CLCN film with a broad reflection band was prepared that could potentially be applied for displays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Wang
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Jinghua Zhao
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Limin Wu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, Jiangsu 224051, P. R. China
| | - Wei Liu
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yi Li
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yonggang Yang
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
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5
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Dang NTT, Le TQ, Duc Cuong N, Linh NLM, Le LS, Tran TD, Nguyen HP. Polythiophene-wrapped Chitosan Nanofibrils with a Bouligand Structure toward Electrochemical Macroscopic Membranes. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:13680-13691. [PMID: 38559940 PMCID: PMC10976385 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c07894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Exploring structural biomimicry is a great opportunity to replicate hierarchical frameworks inspired by nature in advanced functional materials for boosting new applications. In this work, we present the biomimetic integration of polythiophene into chitosan nanofibrils in a twisted Bouligand structure to afford free-standing macroscopic composite membranes with electrochemical functionality. By considering the integrity of the Bouligand structure in crab shells, we can produce large, free-standing chitosan nanofibril membranes with iridescent colors and flexible toughness. These unique structured features lead the chitosan membranes to host functional additives to mimic hierarchically layered composites. We used the iridescent chitosan nanofibrils as a photonic platform to investigate the host-guest combination between thiophene and chitosan through oxidative polymerization to fabricate homogeneous polythiophene-wrapped chitosan composites. This biomimetic incorporation fully retains the twisted Bouligand organization of nanofibrils in the polymerized assemblies, thus giving rise to free-standing macroscopic electrochemical membranes. Our further experiments are the modification of the biomimetic polythiophene-wrapped chitosan composites on a glassy carbon electrode to design a three-electrode system for simultaneous electrochemical detection of uric acid, xanthine, hypoxanthine, and caffeine at trace concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nhan Thi Thanh Dang
- Department
of Chemistry, Hue University of Education, Hue University, 34 Le Loi, Hue 530000, Vietnam
| | - Thang Quoc Le
- Department
of Chemistry, Hue University of Education, Hue University, 34 Le Loi, Hue 530000, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Duc Cuong
- Department
of Chemistry, Hue University of Education, Hue University, 34 Le Loi, Hue 530000, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Le My Linh
- Department
of Chemistry, Hue University of Education, Hue University, 34 Le Loi, Hue 530000, Vietnam
| | - Lam Son Le
- Department
of Chemistry, Hue University of Sciences, Hue University, 77 Nguyen
Hue, Hue 530000, Vietnam
| | - Tien Dong Tran
- Department
of Chemistry, Hue University of Education, Hue University, 34 Le Loi, Hue 530000, Vietnam
| | - Hai Phong Nguyen
- Department
of Chemistry, Hue University of Sciences, Hue University, 77 Nguyen
Hue, Hue 530000, Vietnam
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6
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Robin M, Djediat C, Bardouil A, Baccile N, Chareyron C, Zizak I, Fratzl P, Selmane M, Haye B, Genois I, Krafft J, Costentin G, Azaïs T, Artzner F, Giraud‐Guille M, Zaslansky P, Nassif N. Acidic Osteoid Templates the Plywood Structure of Bone Tissue. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2304454. [PMID: 38115757 PMCID: PMC10916609 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Bone is created by osteoblasts that secrete osteoid after which an ordered texture emerges, followed by mineralization. Plywood geometries are a hallmark of many trabecular and cortical bones, yet the origin of this texturing in vivo has never been shown. Nevertheless, extensive in vitro work revealed how plywood textures of fibrils can emerge from acidic molecular cholesteric collagen mesophases. This study demonstrates in sheep, which is the preferred model for skeletal orthopaedic research, that the deeper non-fibrillar osteoid is organized in a liquid-crystal cholesteric geometry. This basophilic domain, rich in acidic glycosaminoglycans, exhibits low pH which presumably fosters mesoscale collagen molecule ordering in vivo. The results suggest that the collagen fibril motif of twisted plywood matures slowly through self-assembly thermodynamically driven processes as proposed by the Bouligand theory of biological analogues of liquid crystals. Understanding the steps of collagen patterning in osteoid-maturation processes may shed new light on bone pathologies that emerge from collagen physico-chemical maturation imbalances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Robin
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Collège de FranceLaboratoire Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Paris (LCMCP)ParisF‐75005France
| | - Chakib Djediat
- Muséum National d'Histoire NaturelleUMR CNRS 7245, Bâtiment 39, CP 39, 57 rue CuvierParis75231France
| | - Arnaud Bardouil
- Université de Rennes, CNRSInstitut de Physique de Rennes (IPR)RennesF‐35000France
| | - Niki Baccile
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Collège de FranceLaboratoire Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Paris (LCMCP)ParisF‐75005France
| | - Camille Chareyron
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Collège de FranceLaboratoire Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Paris (LCMCP)ParisF‐75005France
| | - Ivo Zizak
- Helmholtz‐Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie – Speicherring BESSY IIAlbert‐Einstein Str. 15D‐12349BerlinGermany
| | - Peter Fratzl
- Department of BiomaterialsMax Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfacesam Mühlenberg 114476PotsdamGermany
| | - Mohamed Selmane
- Institut des Matériaux de Paris CentreSorbonne UniversitéParisF‐75005France
| | - Bernard Haye
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Collège de FranceLaboratoire Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Paris (LCMCP)ParisF‐75005France
| | - Isabelle Genois
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Collège de FranceLaboratoire Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Paris (LCMCP)ParisF‐75005France
| | - Jean‐Marc Krafft
- Sorbonne Université, CNRSLaboratoire Réactivité de Surface (LRS)ParisF‐75005France
| | - Guylène Costentin
- Sorbonne Université, CNRSLaboratoire Réactivité de Surface (LRS)ParisF‐75005France
| | - Thierry Azaïs
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Collège de FranceLaboratoire Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Paris (LCMCP)ParisF‐75005France
| | - Franck Artzner
- Université de Rennes, CNRSInstitut de Physique de Rennes (IPR)RennesF‐35000France
| | - Marie‐Madeleine Giraud‐Guille
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Collège de FranceLaboratoire Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Paris (LCMCP)ParisF‐75005France
| | - Paul Zaslansky
- Department for OperativePreventive and Pediatric DentistryCharité – Universitätsmedizin BerlinAßmannshauser Str. 4–614197BerlinGermany
| | - Nadine Nassif
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Collège de FranceLaboratoire Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Paris (LCMCP)ParisF‐75005France
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7
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Wang H, Cheng L, Yu J, Si Y, Ding B. Biomimetic Bouligand chiral fibers array enables strong and superelastic ceramic aerogels. Nat Commun 2024; 15:336. [PMID: 38184664 PMCID: PMC10771491 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44657-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Ceramic aerogels are often used when thermal insulation materials are desired; however, they are still plagued by poor mechanical stability under thermal shock. Here, inspired by the dactyl clubs of mantis shrimp found in nature, which form by directed assembly into hierarchical, chiral and Bouligand (twisted plywood) structure exhibiting superior mechanical properties, we present a compositional and structural engineering strategy to develop strong, superelastic and fatigue resistance ceramic aerogels with chiral fibers array resembling Bouligand architecture. Benefiting from the stress dissipation, crack torsion and mechanical reinforcement of micro-/nano-scale Bouligand array, the tensile strength of these aerogels (170.38 MPa) is between one and two orders of magnitude greater than that of state-of-the-art nanofibrous aerogels. In addition, the developed aerogels feature low density and thermal conductivity, good compressive properties with rapid recovery from 80 % strain, and thermal stability up to 1200 °C, making them ideal for thermal insulation applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxing Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Textiles, Donghua University, 201620, Shanghai, China
| | - Longdi Cheng
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Textiles, Donghua University, 201620, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianyong Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Textiles, Donghua University, 201620, Shanghai, China
- Innovation Center for Textile Science and Technology, Donghua University, 200051, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Si
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Textiles, Donghua University, 201620, Shanghai, China.
- Innovation Center for Textile Science and Technology, Donghua University, 200051, Shanghai, China.
| | - Bin Ding
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Textiles, Donghua University, 201620, Shanghai, China.
- Innovation Center for Textile Science and Technology, Donghua University, 200051, Shanghai, China.
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8
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Inoue T, Hara Y, Nakazato K. Mechanical Resistance of the Largest Denticle on the Movable Claw of the Mud Crab. Biomimetics (Basel) 2023; 8:602. [PMID: 38132541 PMCID: PMC10742142 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics8080602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Decapod crustaceans have tooth-like white denticles that are present only on the pinching side of the claws. In the mud crab, Scylla serrata, a huge denticle exists on the movable finger of the dominant claw. This is mainly used to crush the shells of the crab's staple food. The local mechanical properties, hardness (HIT) and elastic modulus (Er), of the peak and valley areas of the largest denticle were examined via a nanoindentation test. The microstructure and elemental composition were characterized using a scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The striation patterns originating from a twisted plywood structure parallel to the surface were visible over the entire denticle. Most of the largest denticle was occupied by a hard area without phosphorus, and there was a soft layer corresponding to the endocuticle with phosphorus in the innermost part. The HIT of the denticle valley was about 40% lower than that of the denticle peak, and the thickness of the soft endocuticle of the denticle valley was five times thicker than that of the denticle peak. The HIT-Er map showed that the abrasion resistance of the denticle surface was vastly superior and was in the top class among organisms. The claw denticles were designed with the necessary characteristics in the necessary places, as related to the ecology of the mud crab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadanobu Inoue
- National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1, Sengen, Tsukuba 305-0047, Japan; (Y.H.); (K.N.)
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9
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Frka-Petesic B, Parton TG, Honorato-Rios C, Narkevicius A, Ballu K, Shen Q, Lu Z, Ogawa Y, Haataja JS, Droguet BE, Parker RM, Vignolini S. Structural Color from Cellulose Nanocrystals or Chitin Nanocrystals: Self-Assembly, Optics, and Applications. Chem Rev 2023; 123:12595-12756. [PMID: 38011110 PMCID: PMC10729353 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Widespread concerns over the impact of human activity on the environment have resulted in a desire to replace artificial functional materials with naturally derived alternatives. As such, polysaccharides are drawing increasing attention due to offering a renewable, biodegradable, and biocompatible feedstock for functional nanomaterials. In particular, nanocrystals of cellulose and chitin have emerged as versatile and sustainable building blocks for diverse applications, ranging from mechanical reinforcement to structural coloration. Much of this interest arises from the tendency of these colloidally stable nanoparticles to self-organize in water into a lyotropic cholesteric liquid crystal, which can be readily manipulated in terms of its periodicity, structure, and geometry. Importantly, this helicoidal ordering can be retained into the solid-state, offering an accessible route to complex nanostructured films, coatings, and particles. In this review, the process of forming iridescent, structurally colored films from suspensions of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) is summarized and the mechanisms underlying the chemical and physical phenomena at each stage in the process explored. Analogy is then drawn with chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs), allowing for key differences to be critically assessed and strategies toward structural coloration to be presented. Importantly, the progress toward translating this technology from academia to industry is summarized, with unresolved scientific and technical questions put forward as challenges to the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Frka-Petesic
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
- International
Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter (WPI-SKCM), Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Thomas G. Parton
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Camila Honorato-Rios
- Department
of Sustainable and Bio-inspired Materials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Aurimas Narkevicius
- B
CUBE − Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Kevin Ballu
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Qingchen Shen
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Zihao Lu
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Yu Ogawa
- CERMAV-CNRS,
CS40700, 38041 Grenoble cedex 9, France
| | - Johannes S. Haataja
- Department
of Applied Physics, Aalto University School
of Science, P.O. Box
15100, Aalto, Espoo FI-00076, Finland
| | - Benjamin E. Droguet
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Richard M. Parker
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Vignolini
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
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10
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Griesshaber E, Checa AG, Salas C, Hoffmann R, Yin X, Neuser R, Rupp U, Schmahl WW. Biological light-weight materials: The endoskeletons of cephalopod mollusks. J Struct Biol 2023; 215:107988. [PMID: 37364762 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2023.107988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Structural biological hard tissues fulfill diverse tasks: protection, defence, locomotion, structural support, reinforcement, buoyancy. The cephalopod mollusk Spirula spirula has a planspiral, endogastrically coiled, chambered, endoskeleton consisting of the main elements: shell-wall, septum, adapical-ridge, siphuncular-tube. The cephalopod mollusk Sepia officinalis has an oval, flattened, layered-cellular endoskeleton, formed of the main elements: dorsal-shield, wall/pillar, septum, siphuncular-zone. Both endoskeletons are light-weight buoyancy devices that enable transit through marine environments: vertical (S. spirula), horizontal (S. officinalis). Each skeletal element of the phragmocones has a specific morphology, component structure and organization. The conjunction of the different structural and compositional characteristics renders the evolved nature of the endoskeletons and facilitates for Spirula frequent migration from deep to shallow water and for Sepia coverage over large horizontal distances, without damage of the buoyancy device. Based on Electron-Backscatter-Diffraction (EBSD) measurements and TEM, FE-SEM, laser-confocal-microscopy imaging we highlight for each skeletal element of the endoskeleton its specific mineral/biopolymer hybrid nature and constituent arrangement. We demonstrate that a variety of crystal morphologies and biopolymer assemblies are needed for enabling the endoskeleton to act as a buoyancy device. We show that all organic components of the endoskeletons have the structure of cholesteric-liquid-crystals and indicate which feature of the skeletal element yields the necessary mechanical property to enable the endoskeleton to fulfill its function. We juxtapose structural, microstructural, texture characteristics and benefits of coiled and planar endoskeletons and discuss how morphometry tunes structural biomaterial function. Both mollusks use their endoskeleton for buoyancy regulation, live and move, however, in distinct marine environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Griesshaber
- Department fur Geo- und Umweltwissenschaften, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Antonio G Checa
- Departamento de Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, CSIC-Universidad de Granada, 18100 Armilla, Spain
| | - Carmen Salas
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n, 29071-Málaga, Spain
| | - René Hoffmann
- Institute of Geology, Mineralogy, and Geophysics, Department of Earth Sciences, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstrasse 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Xiaofei Yin
- Department fur Geo- und Umweltwissenschaften, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Rolf Neuser
- Institute of Geology, Mineralogy, and Geophysics, Department of Earth Sciences, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstrasse 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - U Rupp
- Zentrale Einrichtung Elektronenmikroskopie, Universität Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Wolfgang W Schmahl
- Department fur Geo- und Umweltwissenschaften, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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11
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Zhao S, Zhang D, Yan Y, Yin X. Investigation of bionic composite laminates inspired by the natural impact-resistant helicoidal structure in the mandibles of trap-jaw ants. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2023; 18:056005. [PMID: 37531970 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/acece9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Many living organisms exhibit exceptional capabilities and have evolved effective strategies to synthesize impact-resistant and damage-tolerant structures. One such example can be observed in the rapid mandible strikes ofOdontomachus monticola, a species of trap-jaw ants from the ponerine subfamily. During trap-jaw strikes, the mandibles can achieve peak speeds of 35.42 m s-1, and the maximum acceleration can reach 71 729 g within an average duration of 0.18 ms. The extreme acceleration results in instantaneous mandible strike forces that can exceed 330 times the ant's body weight, withstanding thousands of impacts. A natural impact-resistant fibrous helicoidal structure is found in the mandibles of trap-jaw ants. This microstructure is characterized by periodic modulus oscillations that increase energy absorption and improve stress redistribution, offering added protection against damage from impact loading. A carbon fiber reinforced helicoidal composite is fabricated based on the microstructure of the trap-jaw ant's mandibles. The results show that the helicoidal composite with a 12° helical-fiber exhibits higher residual strength, making it more capable of withstanding strong collisions. The catastrophic propagation of damage along the thickness direction is prevented by in-plane spreading and redirection of cracks. This research provides useful references for fabricating bionic impact-resistant composites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shicai Zhao
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Bionic and Micro-Nano Systems, Beihang University, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
| | - Deyuan Zhang
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Bionic and Micro-Nano Systems, Beihang University, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
| | - Yupu Yan
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoming Yin
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Bionic and Micro-Nano Systems, Beihang University, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
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12
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Yu Z, Du X, Liu R, Xie Q, Zhang X, Zhu Q. Increasing the Compressive Strength of Helicoidal Laminates after Low-Velocity Impact upon Mixing with 0° Orientation Plies and Its Analysis. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:4599. [PMID: 37444913 DOI: 10.3390/ma16134599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
The helicoidal laminate is a kind of nature inspired fiber reinforced polymer, and the ply orientation affects their mechanical properties for engineering structural applications. A variety of helicoidal laminates with uniform and non-linear pitch angles mixed with additional 0° plies are fabricated to investigate the impact resistance through low-velocity impact and after-impact compression tests. Additionally, helicoidal laminates with constant pitch angles, quasi-isotropic laminate, and cross-ply laminates are also fabricated for a comparative study. The impact characteristics and the compressive strength are analyzed in view of the impact model, shear stress distribution, and fracture toughness. The results suggest that 10° or 20° are the better basic pitch angles before mixing 0° orientation plies. The 0° orientation plies may affect the contact stiffness, bending stiffness, damage extent, and compressive modulus. The compressive strength reaches the highest in tests on two samples with different percentages of 0° orientation plies and ply setups. Bending stiffness also dominates the impact response. The analysis on the laminate parameters provides ideas to improve the residual strength of helicoidal laminate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhefeng Yu
- Aerospace Structure Research Center, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xin Du
- Aerospace Structure Research Center, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Aerospace Structure Research Center, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Qiwu Xie
- Aerospace Structure Research Center, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiaojing Zhang
- Aerospace Structure Research Center, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Qiao Zhu
- Aerospace Structure Research Center, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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13
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Lu T, Shen HS, Wang H, Chen X, Feng M. Optimization Design and Nonlinear Bending of Bio-Inspired Helicoidal Composite Laminated Plates. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:4550. [PMID: 37444864 DOI: 10.3390/ma16134550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Inspired by the bionic Bouligand structure, helicoidal carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composite (CFRPC) laminates have been proven to own outstanding out-of-plane mechanical properties. This work aims to further explore the excellent bending characteristics of helicoidal CFRPC laminated plates and find out the optimal helicoidal layup patterns. The optimization design of laminated plates stacked with single-form and combination-form helicoidal layup sequences are carried out by using the finite element method (FEM) and adaptive simulated annealing (ASA) optimization algorithm on the Isight platform. Then, the nonlinear bending responses of optimal helicoidal CFRPC laminated plates are investigated via the FEM for the first time. The helicoidal CFRPC laminated plates under three different types of boundary conditions subjected to transverse uniformly distributed load are considered. The numerical results reveal that the combination-form helicoidal layup sequences can decrease the dimensionless bending deflection of laminated plates by more than 5% compared with the quasi-isotropic plate and enhance the out-of-plane bending characteristics of CFRPC laminated plates effectively. The boundary conditions can significantly influence the nonlinear bending responses of helicoidal CFRPC laminated plates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taoye Lu
- Zhe Jiang Key Laboratory of General Aviation Operation Technology, General Aviation Institute of Zhejiang Jiande, Jiande 311600, China
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- School of Ocean and Civil Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Hui-Shen Shen
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Hai Wang
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiuhua Chen
- Zhe Jiang Key Laboratory of General Aviation Operation Technology, General Aviation Institute of Zhejiang Jiande, Jiande 311600, China
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Miaolin Feng
- School of Ocean and Civil Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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14
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Parker RM, Parton TG, Chan CLC, Bay M, Frka-Petesic B, Vignolini S. Bioinspired Photonic Materials from Cellulose: Fabrication, Optical Analysis, and Applications. ACCOUNTS OF MATERIALS RESEARCH 2023; 4:522-535. [PMID: 37383657 PMCID: PMC10294254 DOI: 10.1021/accountsmr.3c00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Polysaccharides are a class of biopolymers that are widely exploited in living organisms for a diversity of applications, ranging from structural reinforcement to energy storage. Among the numerous types of polysaccharides found in the natural world, cellulose is the most abundant and widespread, as it is found in virtually all plants. Cellulose is typically organized into nanoscale crystalline fibrils within the cell wall to give structural integrity to plant tissue. However, in several species, such fibrils are organized into helicoidal nanostructures with a periodicity comparable to visible light (i.e., in the range 250-450 nm), resulting in structural coloration. As such, when taking bioinspiration as a design principle, it is clear that helicoidal cellulose architectures are a promising approach to developing sustainable photonic materials. Different forms of cellulose-derived materials have been shown to produce structural color by exploiting self-assembly processes. For example, crystalline nanoparticles of cellulose can be extracted from natural sources, such as cotton or wood, by strong acid hydrolysis. Such "cellulose nanocrystals" (CNCs) have been shown to form colloidal suspensions in water that can spontaneously self-organize into a cholesteric liquid crystal phase, mimicking the natural helicoidal architecture. Upon drying, this nanoscale ordering can be retained into the solid state, enabling the specific reflection of visible light. Using this approach, colors from across the entire visible spectrum can be produced, alongside striking visual effects such as iridescence or a metallic shine. Similarly, polymeric cellulose derivatives can also organize into a cholesteric liquid crystal. In particular, edible hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) is known to produce colorful mesophases at high concentrations in water (ca. 60-70 wt %). This solution state behavior allows for interesting visual effects such as mechanochromism (enabling its use in low-cost colorimetric pressure or strain sensors), while trapping the structure into the solid state enables the production of structurally colored films, particles and 3D printed objects. In this article, we summarize the state-of-the-art for CNC and HPC-based photonic materials, encompassing the underlying self-assembly processes, strategies to design their photonic response, and current approaches to translate this burgeoning green technology toward commercial application in a wide range of sectors, from packaging to cosmetics and food. This overview is supported by a summary of the analytical techniques required to characterize these photonic materials and approaches to model their optical response. Finally, we present several unresolved scientific questions and outstanding technical challenges that the wider community should seek to address to develop these sustainable photonic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chun Lam Clement Chan
- Yusuf Hamied Department of
Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Mélanie
M. Bay
- Yusuf Hamied Department of
Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Bruno Frka-Petesic
- Yusuf Hamied Department of
Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Vignolini
- Yusuf Hamied Department of
Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
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15
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Wei J, Pan F, Ping H, Yang K, Wang Y, Wang Q, Fu Z. Bioinspired Additive Manufacturing of Hierarchical Materials: From Biostructures to Functions. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 6:0164. [PMID: 37303599 PMCID: PMC10254471 DOI: 10.34133/research.0164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Throughout billions of years, biological systems have evolved sophisticated, multiscale hierarchical structures to adapt to changing environments. Biomaterials are synthesized under mild conditions through a bottom-up self-assembly process, utilizing substances from the surrounding environment, and meanwhile are regulated by genes and proteins. Additive manufacturing, which mimics this natural process, provides a promising approach to developing new materials with advantageous properties similar to natural biological materials. This review presents an overview of natural biomaterials, emphasizing their chemical and structural compositions at various scales, from the nanoscale to the macroscale, and the key mechanisms underlying their properties. Additionally, this review describes the designs, preparations, and applications of bioinspired multifunctional materials produced through additive manufacturing at different scales, including nano, micro, micro-macro, and macro levels. The review highlights the potential of bioinspired additive manufacturing to develop new functional materials and insights into future directions and prospects in this field. By summarizing the characteristics of natural biomaterials and their synthetic counterparts, this review inspires the development of new materials that can be utilized in various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjiang Wei
- Institute for Advanced Materials Deformation and Damage from Multi-Scale, Institute for Advanced Study,
Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, P. R. China
| | - Fei Pan
- Department of Chemistry,
University of Basel, Basel 4058, Switzerland
| | - Hang Ping
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing,
Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, P. R. China
| | - Kun Yang
- Institute for Advanced Materials Deformation and Damage from Multi-Scale, Institute for Advanced Study,
Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, P. R. China
| | - Yanqing Wang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering,
Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Qingyuan Wang
- Institute for Advanced Materials Deformation and Damage from Multi-Scale, Institute for Advanced Study,
Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, P. R. China
| | - Zhengyi Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing,
Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, P. R. China
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16
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Inoue T, Hara Y, Nakazato K. Mechanical Resistance and Tissue Structure of Claw Denticles of Various Sizes in the Mud Crab, Scylla serrata. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:ma16114114. [PMID: 37297250 DOI: 10.3390/ma16114114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Decapod crustaceans have tooth-like denticles on their claw fingers, which come into direct contact with predators and prey. Since the denticles are subject to more frequent and intense stress than other parts of the exoskeleton, they must be especially resistant to wear and abrasion. We clarified the mechanical resistance and tissue structure of the denticles arranged in a line on the fixed finger of the mud crab, which has huge claws. The denticles of the mud crab are small at the fingertip and become larger closer to the palm. The denticles have a twisted-plywood-pattern structure stacked parallel to the surface regardless of size, but the abrasion resistance strongly depends on the size of the denticles. Due to the dense tissue structure and calcification, the abrasion resistance increases as the denticle size increases, reaching its maximum at the denticle surface. The denticles of the mud crab have a tissue structure that prevents them from breaking when pinched. The high abrasion resistance of the large denticle surface is an essential feature for the frequent crushing of shellfish, which is the mud crab's staple food. The characteristics and tissue structure of the claw denticles on the mud crab may provide ideas for developing stronger, tougher materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadanobu Inoue
- National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1, Sengen, Tsukuba 305-0047, Japan
| | - Yuka Hara
- National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1, Sengen, Tsukuba 305-0047, Japan
| | - Koji Nakazato
- National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1, Sengen, Tsukuba 305-0047, Japan
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17
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Wang K, Wu X, An L, Li R, Li Z, Li G, Zhou Z. Crack modes and toughening mechanism of a bioinspired helicoidal recursive composite with nonlinear recursive rotation angle-based layups. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2023; 142:105866. [PMID: 37141743 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.105866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The rotation angle is an important parameter affecting the performance of helical structures, and helical structures with nonlinearly increasing rotation angles have been studied. The fracture behavior of a 3D-printed helicoidal recursive (HR) composite with nonlinear rotation angle-based layups was investigated by performing quasistatic three-point bending experiments and simulations. First, the crack propagation paths during the loading of the samples were observed, and the critical deformation displacements and fracture toughness were calculated. It was found that the crack path that propagated along the soft phase increased the critical failure displacement and toughness of the samples. Then, the deformation and interlayer stress distribution of the helical structure under static loading were obtained by finite element simulation. The results showed that the variation in the rotation angle between the layers caused different degrees of shear deformation at the interface between adjacent layers, resulting in different shear stress distributions and thus different crack modes of the HR structures. The mixed-mode I + II cracks induced crack deflection, which slowed the eventual failure of the sample and improved the fracture toughness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Wang
- College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China
| | - Xiaodong Wu
- College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China; Department of Nuclear Emergency and Safety, China Institute for Radiation Protection, Taiyuan, 030006, China.
| | - Lianhao An
- College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China
| | - Runzhi Li
- College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China
| | - Zhiqiang Li
- College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China
| | - Guoqiang Li
- Department of Nuclear Emergency and Safety, China Institute for Radiation Protection, Taiyuan, 030006, China
| | - Zhihui Zhou
- Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311100, China
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18
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Al-Qudsy L, Hu YW, Xu H, Yang PF. Mineralized Collagen Fibrils: An Essential Component in Determining the Mechanical Behavior of Cortical Bone. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:2203-2219. [PMID: 37075172 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c01377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Bone comprises mechanically different materials in a specific hierarchical structure. Mineralized collagen fibrils (MCFs), represented by tropocollagen molecules and hydroxyapatite nanocrystals, are the fundamental unit of bone. The mechanical characterization of MCFs provides the unique adaptive mechanical competence to bone to withstand mechanical load. The structural and mechanical role of MCFs is critical in the deformation mechanisms of bone and the marvelous strength and toughness possessed by bone. However, the role of MCFs in the mechanical behavior of bone across multiple length scales is not fully understood. In the present study, we shed light upon the latest progress regarding bone deformation at multiple hierarchical levels and emphasize the role of MCFs during bone deformation. We propose the concept of hierarchical deformation of bone to describe the interconnected deformation process across multiple length scales of bone under mechanical loading. Furthermore, how the deterioration of bone caused by aging and diseases impairs the hierarchical deformation process of the cortical bone is discussed. The present work expects to provide insights on the characterization of MCFs in the mechanical properties of bone and lays the framework for the understanding of the multiscale deformation mechanics of bone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luban Al-Qudsy
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
- Department of Medical Instrumentation Engineering Techniques, Electrical Engineering Technical College, Middle Technical University, 8998+QHJ Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Yi-Wei Hu
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Huiyun Xu
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Peng-Fei Yang
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
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19
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Chemo-mechanical-microstructural coupling in the tarsus exoskeleton of the scorpion Scorpio palmatus. Acta Biomater 2023; 160:176-186. [PMID: 36706852 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The multiscale structure of biomaterials enables their exceptional mechanical robustness, yet the impact of each constituent at their relevant length scale remains elusive. We used SAXD analysis to expose the intact chitin-fiber architecture within the exoskeleton on a scorpion's claw, revealing varying orientations, including Bouligand and unidirectional regions different from other arthropod species. We uncovered the contribution of individual components' constituent behavior to its mechanical properties from the micro- to the nanoscale. At the microscale, in-situ micromechanical experiments were used to determine site-specific stiffness, strength, and failure of the biocomposite due to fiber orientation, while metal-crosslinking of proteins is characterized via fluorescence maps. At the constituent level, combined with FEA simulations, we uncovered the behavior of fiber-matrix deformation with fiber diameter <53.7 nm and protein modulus in the range 1.4-11 MPa. The unveiled microstructure-mechanics relationship sheds light on the evolved structural functionalities and constituents' interactions within the scorpion cuticle. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The pincer exoskeleton is a fundamental part of the scorpion's body due to its multifunctionality. Precise structural and compositional analysis within the hierarchy is paramount to understand the fundamentals of the mechanical properties of the composite exoskeleton. Here, we expose the intact chitin-fiber architecture of the pincer exoskeleton using nondestructive analysis. In-situ mechanical characterization was performed at nanometer levels within the exoskeleton hierarchy, which complemented with simulations, uncovered the elastic modulus of the protein matrix. Our findings confirm the presence and distribution of metal ions and their role as reinforcements in the protein matrix via ligand coordinate bonds. In future work, these findings can be of great potential to inspire the design of composite materials.
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20
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Timin G, Milinkovitch MC. High-resolution confocal and light-sheet imaging of collagen 3D network architecture in very large samples. iScience 2023; 26:106452. [PMID: 37020961 PMCID: PMC10067766 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Although notoriously difficult, imaging collagen network architecture, a key element affecting tissue mechanical properties, is of paramount importance in developmental and cancer biology. Here, we introduce a simple and robust method of whole-mount collagen staining with the 'Fast Green' dye that provides unmatched visualization of collagen 3D network architecture, via confocal or light-sheet microscopy, compatible with solvent-based tissue clearing and immunostaining.
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21
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Patel ZS, Meza LR. Toughness Amplification via Controlled Nanostructure in Lightweight Nano-Bouligand Materials. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023:e2207779. [PMID: 36938897 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202207779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The enhanced properties of nanomaterials make them attractive for advanced high-performance materials, but their role in promoting toughness has been unclear. Fabrication challenges often prevent the proper organization of nanomaterial constituents, and inadequate testing methods have led to a poor knowledge of toughness at small scales. In this work, the individual roles of nanomaterials and nanoarchitecture on toughness are quantified by creating lightweight materials made from helicoidal polymeric nanofibers (nano-Bouligand). Unidirectional ( θ $\theta $ = 0°) and nano-Bouligand beams ( θ $\theta $ = 2°-90°) are fabricated using two-photon lithography and are designed in a micro-single edge notch bend (µ-SENB) configuration with relative densities ρ ¯ $\overline \rho $ between 48% and 81%. Experiments demonstrate two unique toughening mechanisms. First, size-enhanced ductility of nanoconfined polymer fibers increases specific fracture energy by 70% in the 0° unidirectional beams. Second, nanoscale stiffness heterogeneity created via inter-layer fiber twisting impedes crack growth and improves absolute fracture energy dissipation by 48% in high-density nano-Bouligand materials. This demonstration of size-enhanced ductility and nanoscale heterogeneity as coexisting toughening mechanisms reveals the capacity for nanoengineered materials to greatly improve mechanical resilience in a new generation of advanced materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zainab S Patel
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Lucas R Meza
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
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22
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Bond AT, Huffman DG. Nematode eggshells: A new anatomical and terminological framework, with a critical review of relevant literature and suggested guidelines for the interpretation and reporting of eggshell imagery. Parasite 2023; 30:6. [PMID: 36920277 PMCID: PMC10016204 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2023007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
A literature review for a recent ultrastructural study of a trichinelloid eggshell revealed consistently occurring errors in the literature on nematode eggshell anatomy. Examples included nematodes of medical, veterinary, and agricultural importance in several orders. Previous researchers had warned of some of these errors decades ago, but a comprehensive solution was not offered until 2012 when a clarifying new anatomical and developmental interpretation of nematode eggshells was proposed by members of the Caenorhabditis elegans Research Community. However, their findings were explained using arcane acronyms and technical jargon intended for an audience of experimental molecular geneticists, and so their papers have rarely been cited outside the C. elegans community. Herein we (1) provide a critical review of nematode eggshell literature in which we correct errors and relabel imagery in important historical reports; (2) describe common reporting errors and their causes using language familiar to researchers having a basic understanding of microscopy and nematode eggs; (3) recommend a new hexalaminar anatomical and terminological framework for nematode eggshells based on the 2012 C. elegans framework; and (4) recommend new unambiguous terms appropriate for the embryonated/larvated eggs regularly encountered by practicing nematodologists to replace ambiguous or ontogenetically restricted terms in the 2012 C. elegans framework. We also (5) propose a resolution to conflicting claims made by the C. elegans team versus classical literature regarding Layer #3, (6) extend the C. elegans hexalaminar framework to include the polar plugs of trichinelloids, and (7) report new findings regarding trichinelloid eggshell structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Thomas Bond
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia 180 E. Green St. Athens GA 30602 USA
| | - David George Huffman
- Department of Biology (Wildlife Ecology and Aquatic Resources), Freeman Aquatic Biology Bldg., Texas State University San Marcos TX 78666 USA
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23
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Abdennadher B, Iseli R, Steiner U, Saba M. Broadband circular dichroism in chiral plasmonic woodpiles. APPLIED PHYSICS. A, MATERIALS SCIENCE & PROCESSING 2023; 129:229. [PMID: 36876319 PMCID: PMC9977903 DOI: 10.1007/s00339-023-06481-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The circular dichroism (CD) of a material is the difference in optical absorption under left- and right-circularly polarized illumination. It is crucial for a number of applications, from molecular sensing to the design of circularly polarized thermal light sources. The CD in natural materials is typically weak, leading to the exploitation of artificial chiral materials. Layered chiral woodpile structures are well known to boost chiro-optical effects when realized as a photonic crystal or an optical metamaterial. We here demonstrate that light scattering at a chiral plasmonic woodpile, which is structured on the order of the wavelength of the light, can be well understood by considering the fundamental evanescent Floquet states within the structure. In particular, we report a broadband circular polarization bandgap in the complex band structure of various plasmonic woodpiles that spans the optical transparency window of the atmosphere between 3 and 4 μ m and leads to an average CD of up to 90% within this spectral range. Our findings could pave the way for an ultra-broadband circularly polarized thermal source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilel Abdennadher
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, Fribourg, 1700 Switzerland
| | - René Iseli
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, Fribourg, 1700 Switzerland
| | - Ullrich Steiner
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, Fribourg, 1700 Switzerland
| | - Matthias Saba
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, Fribourg, 1700 Switzerland
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Skopic BH, Koebley SR, Schniepp HC. Self-strengthening tape junctions inspired by recluse spider webs. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2022; 9:2581-2591. [PMID: 35904268 DOI: 10.1039/d2mh00403h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Adhesive tapes are versatile and widely used yet lack adhesion strength due to their tendency to fail via peeling, a weak failure mode. A tape with surprising adhesive properties is the recluse spider's 50 nm-thin silk ribbon with a 1 : 150 aspect ratio. Junctions of these microscopic sticky tapes can withstand the material's tensile failure stress of ≈1 GPa. We modeled these natural tape-tape junctions and revealed a bi-modal failure behavior, critically dependent on the two tapes' intersection angle. One mode leads to regular, low-strength peeling failure, while the other causes the junction to self-strengthen, eliminating the inherent weakness in peeling. This self-strengthening mechanism locks the two tapes together, increasing the junction strength by 550% and allowing some junctions to remain intact after tensile failure. This impressive adhesive strength of tapes has never before been observed or predicted. We found that recluse spiders make tape junctions with pre-stress to force the locked, high-strength failure mode. We used this approach to make junctions with synthetic adhesive tapes that overcame the weak peeling failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben H Skopic
- Applied Science Department, William & Mary, P.O. Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA, 23187-8795, USA.
| | - Sean R Koebley
- Applied Science Department, William & Mary, P.O. Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA, 23187-8795, USA.
| | - Hannes C Schniepp
- Applied Science Department, William & Mary, P.O. Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA, 23187-8795, USA.
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Hunter-Schreger Band configuration in human molars reveals more decussation in the lateral enamel of 'functional' cusps than 'guiding' cusps. Arch Oral Biol 2022; 142:105524. [PMID: 36029738 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2022.105524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Enamel prism decussation, which manifests as Hunter-Schreger Bands (HSB), is considered a mechanism to mitigate crack propagation. During the chewing cycle, the 'functional' cusps that are involved in Phase II crushing and grinding experience more complex patterns of stress than do those that 'guide' the molars into occlusion (Phase I). This study examines HSB configuration in the lateral enamel of human molars to identify potential differences between these cusps as predicted from their functional distinctions. DESIGN Measurements were recorded from scanning electron micrographs of sections through the mesial cusps of unworn permanent molars. For each section, HSB packing density and the relative thickness of decussated enamel were quantified in the cuspal and middle segments of lateral enamel over the guiding and functional cusps. RESULTS No clear trend from first to third molars in HSB configuration was found in either jaw. In maxillary molars, the functional cusp displays higher HSB packing density in the cuspal and middle segments, and relatively thicker decussated enamel in the cuspal segment than does the guiding cusp. In mandibular molars, the functional cusp displays higher HSB packing density in the middle segment than does the guiding cusp, but no difference in relative thickness was found between them. Enamel of mandibular molars shows weaker decussation than maxillary molars. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that guiding cusps are intrinsically more susceptible to crack propagation than functional cusps in human permanent molars. Structural factors such as enamel decussation should be considered when interpreting enamel chipping patterns in dietary contexts.
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Yamagata N, Randall G, Lavoie E, Arola D, Wang J. Microstructure, mechanical properties and elemental composition of the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare cuticle. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2022; 132:105299. [PMID: 35671667 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2022.105299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The exoskeletons of crustaceans are essential for providing protection from predators and other environmental threats. Understanding the structure and mechanical behavior of their natural armor could inspire the design of lightweight and high toughness synthetic materials. Most published work has focused on marine crustacea rather than their terrestrial counterparts, which are exposed to a multitude of unique threats. The interest in the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare (A. vulgare) has grown but the interrelationship between the microstructure, chemical composition, and mechanical properties has not been thoroughly investigated. Thus, this study aims to elucidate missing details concerning this biological mineralized composite. Exoskeleton specimens were fixated to preserve the intrinsic protein structure. We utilize scanning electron microscopy for microstructure analysis, Raman spectroscopy for elemental analysis, and nanoindentation property mapping to achieve mechanical characterization. The naturally fractured A. vulgare exoskeleton cross-section reveals four subregions with the repeating helicoidal 'Bouligand' arrangement most prominent in the endocuticle. The hardness and reduced modulus distributions exhibit a through-thickness exponential gradient with decreasing magnitudes from the outermost to the innermost layers of the exoskeleton. The Raman spectra show a graded spatial distribution of key constituents such as calcium carbonate across the thickness, some of which are consistent with the mechanical property gradient. Potential microstructure, elemental composition, and mechanical property relationships are discussed to explain how the hierarchical structure of this nanolaminate armor protects this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Yamagata
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Gillian Randall
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Ellen Lavoie
- Molecular Analysis Facility (MAF), MolES, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dwayne Arola
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Junlan Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
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Rumney BM, Morgan SR, Mosselmans JFW, Malik FT, Holden SJ, Parker AR, White N, Lewis PN, Albon J, Meek KM. Characterisation of carapace composition in developing and adult ostracods ( Skogsbergia lerneri) and its potential for biomaterials. MARINE BIOLOGY 2022; 169:78. [PMID: 35607419 PMCID: PMC9119885 DOI: 10.1007/s00227-022-04047-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The protective carapace of Skogsbergia lerneri, a marine ostracod, is scratch-resistant and transparent. The compositional and structural organisation of the carapace that underlies these properties is unknown. In this study, we aimed to quantify and determine the distribution of chemical elements and chitin within the carapace of adult ostracods, as well as at different stages of ostracod development, to gain insight into its composition. Elemental analyses included X-ray absorption near-edge structure, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction. Nonlinear microscopy and spectral imaging were performed to determine chitin distribution within the carapace. High levels of calcium (20.3%) and substantial levels of magnesium (1.89%) were identified throughout development. Amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) was detected in carapaces of all developmental stages, with the polymorph, aragonite, identified in A-1 and adult carapaces. Novel chitin-derived second harmonic generation signals (430/5 nm) were detected. Quantification of relative chitin content within the developing and adult carapaces identified negligible differences in chitin content between developmental stages and adult carapaces, except for the lower chitin contribution in A-2 (66.8 ± 7.6%) compared to A-5 (85.5 ± 10%) (p = 0.03). Skogsbergia lerneri carapace calcium carbonate composition was distinct to other myodocopid ostracods. These calcium polymorphs and ACC are described in other biological transparent materials, and with the consistent chitin distribution throughout S. lerneri development, may imply a biological adaptation to preserve carapace physical properties. Realisation of S. lerneri carapace synthesis and structural organisation will enable exploitation to manufacture biomaterials and biomimetics with huge potential in industrial and military applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin M. Rumney
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK
| | - Siân R. Morgan
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK
- Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - F. Tegwen Malik
- School of Management, Swansea University, Fabian Way, Swansea, SA1 8EN UK
| | - Simon J. Holden
- DSTL Physical Sciences Group, Platform Systems Division, DSTL Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JQ UK
| | - Andrew R. Parker
- Green Templeton College, University of Oxford, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 0HG UK
| | - Nick White
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK
- Vivat Scientia Bioimaging Labs, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK
| | - Philip N. Lewis
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK
- Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Julie Albon
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK
- Vivat Scientia Bioimaging Labs, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK
- Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Keith M. Meek
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK
- Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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Huang W, Montroni D, Wang T, Murata S, Arakaki A, Nemoto M, Kisailus D. Nanoarchitected Tough Biological Composites from Assembled Chitinous Scaffolds. Acc Chem Res 2022; 55:1360-1371. [PMID: 35467343 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.2c00110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
ConspectusOver hundreds of millions of years, organisms have derived specific sets of traits in response to common selection pressures that serve as guideposts for optimal biological designs. A prime example is the evolution of toughened structures in disparate lineages within plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates. Extremely tough structures can function much like armor, battering rams, or reinforcements that enhance the ability of organisms to win competitions, find mates, acquire food, escape predation, and withstand high winds or turbulent flow. From an engineering perspective, biological solutions are intriguing because they must work in a multifunctional context. An organism rarely can be optimally designed for only one function or one environmental condition. Some of these natural systems have developed well-orchestrated strategies, exemplified in the biological tissues of numerous animal and plant species, to synthesize and construct materials from a limited selection of available starting materials. The resulting structures display multiscale architectures with incredible fidelity and often exhibit properties that are similar, and frequently superior, to mechanical properties exhibited by many engineered materials. These biological systems have accomplished this feat through the demonstrated ability to tune size, morphology, crystallinity, phase, and orientation of minerals under benign processing conditions (i.e., near-neutral pH, room temperature, etc.) by establishing controlled synthesis and hierarchical 3D assembly of nano- to microscaled building blocks. These systems utilize organic-inorganic interactions and carefully controlled microenvironments that enable kinetic control during the synthesis of inorganic structures. This controlled synthesis and assembly requires orchestration of mineral transport and nucleation. The underlying organic framework, often consisting of polysaccharides and polypeptides, in these composites is critical in the spatial and temporal regulation of these processes. In fact, the organic framework is used not only to provide transport networks for mineral precursors to nucleation sites but also to precisely guide the formation and phase development of minerals and significantly improve the mechanical performance of otherwise brittle materials.Over the past 15 years, we have focused on a few of these extreme performing organisms, (Wang , Adv. Funct. Mater. 2013, 23, 2908; Weaver , Science 2012, 336, 1275; Huang , Nat. Mater. 2020, 19, 1236; Rivera , Nature 2020, 586, 543) investigating not only their ultrastructural features and mechanical properties but in some cases, how these assembled structures are mineralized. In specific instances, comparative analyses of multiscale structures have pinpointed which design principles have arisen convergently; when more than one evolutionary path arrives at the same solution, we have a good indication that it is the best solution. This is required for survival under extreme conditions. Indeed, we have found that there are specific architectural features that provide an advantage toward survival by enabling the ability to feed effectively or to survive against predatory attacks. In this Account, we describe 3 specific design features, nanorods, helicoids, and nanoparticles, as well as the interfaces in fiber-reinforced biological composites. We not only highlight their roles in the specific organisms but also describe how controlled syntheses and hierarchical assembly using organic (i.e., often chitinous) scaffolds lead to these integrated macroscale structures. Beyond this, we provide insight into multifunctionality: how nature leverages these existing structures to potentially add an additional dimension toward their utility and describe their translation to biomimetic materials used for engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Devis Montroni
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Taifeng Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Satoshi Murata
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Science, Institute of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Atsushi Arakaki
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Science, Institute of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Michiko Nemoto
- Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - David Kisailus
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
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Li S, Wang H, Wan Z, Guo Y, Chen C, Li D, Zhu M, Chen Y. Strong, Water-Resistant, and Ionic Conductive All-Chitosan Film with a Self-Locking Structure. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:23797-23807. [PMID: 35549029 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c01118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Renewable and biodegradable natural polymeric materials are attractive candidates for replacing nonbiodegradable plastics. However, it is challenging to fabricate polysaccharide-based materials (such as cellulose and chitin) that can be used in humid or even watery environments due to their inferior stability against water. Here, a self-locking structure is constructed to develop a strong, water-resistant, and ionic conductive all-chitosan film without other additives. The densely packed self-locking structure introduces strong interactions between chitosan nanofibers, preventing the fibers from disentangling even in watery environments. The resulting film exhibits outstanding tensile strength of ∼144 MPa, superior wet strength of ∼54.3 MPa, and high ionic conductivity of 0.0012 S/cm at 10-4 M KCl, which are significantly higher than those of conventional polysaccharide-based materials and many commercially used plastics. Additionally, it also possesses outstanding flexibility, excellent thermal stability, good antimicrobial ability, and biodegradability, which make it a promising eco-friendly alternative to plastics for many potential applications, such as packaging bags, drinking straws, and ion regulation membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suiyi Li
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials & Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Haohao Wang
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials & Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Zhangmin Wan
- Bioproducts Institute, Departments of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chemistry and Wood Science, The University of British Columbia, 2360 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Yang Guo
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials & Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Chuchu Chen
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Dagang Li
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Mingwei Zhu
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials & Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yanfeng Chen
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials & Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
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Mendoza CI, Reyes JA, Vázquez GJ. Band structure of a rotating helical phononic crystal. Phys Rev E 2022; 105:055002. [PMID: 35706304 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.105.055002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We consider an elastic helical medium whose tensor stiffness twirls uniformly along the helix axis. We are interested in analyzing the band structure when the whole material is externally forced to rotate around the helix axis to a fixed constant frequency. Departing from a general dynamic description of the elastic phenomena, we establish a set of equations for the displacement vector and the stress tensor. These equations allow us to calculate the band structure parametrized by the externally imposed rotating frequency. We find that the band structure strongly depends on the rotation frequency, and we show that backward and forward modes propagate differently, particularly for the longitudinal and right-polarized modes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos I Mendoza
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Materiales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - J Adrián Reyes
- Departamento de Física Química, Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gerardo J Vázquez
- Departamento de Física Química, Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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Spencer RKW, Ha BY, Saeidi N. Interplay between nematic and cholesteric interactions in self-consistent field theory. Phys Rev E 2022; 105:054501. [PMID: 35706232 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.105.054501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Chirality is a design feature of a number of biomolecules (e.g., collagen). In these molecules, cholesteric (chiral-nematic) behavior emerges from a combination of the tendency for the biopolymers to align (nematic interactions) and for the alignment direction to change with position, rotating around an axis normal to the alignment direction. This paper presents self-consistent field theory (SCFT) of chiral-nematic polymers, which takes into account polymer flexibility and the orientational degrees of freedom of polymer segments. Using the resulting SCFT, we construct a phase diagram showing regions of stability for isotropic, nematic, and cholesteric phases. Furthermore, we find that nematic interactions can stabilize the cholesteric phase, pushing the isotropic-cholesteric phase transition to lower cholesteric interaction strength, until the isotropic-nematic-cholesteric triple point is reached.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell K W Spencer
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Bae-Yeun Ha
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Nima Saeidi
- Department of Surgery, The Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
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Nguyen HQ, Hwang D, Park S, Nguyen MCT, Kang SS, Tran VT, Lee J. One-Pot Synthesis of Magnetoplasmonic Au@Fe xO y Nanowires: Bioinspired Bouligand Chiral Stack. ACS NANO 2022; 16:5795-5806. [PMID: 35311268 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c10904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
One-dimensional hybrid nanostructures composed of a plasmonic gold nanowire core covered by a shell of magnetic oxide nanoparticles (Au@FexOy NWs) were synthesized by a one-pot solvothermal synthesis process. The effects of reaction temperature, time, reducing agent, and precursor as well as postsynthesis treatment were optimized to produce highly uniform NWs with a diameter of 226 ± 25 nm and a plasmonic core aspect ratio of 25 to 82. By exploiting the interaction of NWs with an external magnetic field, precise arrangements into highly periodic photonic structures were achieved, which can generate distinctive structural colors that are vividly iridescent and polarization-sensitive. Furthermore, a Bouligand-type chiral nematic film consisting of multistacked unidirectional layers of achiral NWs was fabricated using a modified layer-by-layer deposition method, which displays circular dichroism (CD) and chiral sensing capability. The addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein analyte induced a concentration-dependent wavelength shift of CD peaks. These intriguing properties of magnetoplasmonic anisotropic NWs and their self-assemblies could be consequently valuable for developing nature-inspired structural color imprints as well as solid-state chiral sensing devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huu-Quang Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Dajeong Hwang
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Sejeong Park
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - My-Chi Thi Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Sohyun Sarah Kang
- Department of Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Van Tan Tran
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Environmental Engineering, Phenikaa University, Hanoi, 12116, Vietnam
| | - Jaebeom Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
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Spencer RKW, Ha BY, Saeidi N. Self-consistent field theory of chiral nematic worm-like chains. J Chem Phys 2022; 156:114902. [PMID: 35317576 PMCID: PMC8934192 DOI: 10.1063/5.0078937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Many macromolecules of biological and technological interest are both chiral and semi-flexible. DNA and collagen are good examples. Such molecules often form chiral nematic (or cholesteric) phases, as is well-documented in collagen and chitin. This work presents a method for studying cholesteric phases in the highly successful self-consistent field theory of worm-like chains, offering a new way of studying many biologically relevant molecules. The method involves an effective Hamiltonian with a chiral term inspired by the Oseen-Frank (OF) model of liquid crystals. This method is then used to examine the formation of cholesteric phases in chiral-nematic worm-like chains as a function of polymer flexibility, as well as the optimal cholesteric pitch and distribution of polymer segment orientations. Our approach not only allows for the determination of the isotropic-cholesteric transition and segment distributions, beyond what the OF model promises, but also explicitly incorporates polymer flexibility into the study of the cholesteric phase, offering a more complete understanding of the behavior of semiflexible chiral-nematic polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell K. W. Spencer
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Bae-Yeun Ha
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
| | - Nima Saeidi
- Department of Surgery, The Center for Engineering in Medicine (CEM), Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
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Wang W, Chen SJ, Chen W, Duan W, Lai JZ, Sagoe-Crentsil K. Damage-tolerant material design motif derived from asymmetrical rotation. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1289. [PMID: 35277518 PMCID: PMC8917193 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28991-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractMotifs extracted from nature can lead to significant advances in materials design and have been used to tackle the apparent exclusivity between strength and damage tolerance of brittle materials. Here we present a segmental design motif found in arthropod exoskeleton, in which asymmetrical rotational degree of freedom is used in damage control in contrast to the conventional interfacial shear failure mechanism of existing design motifs. We realise this design motif in a compression-resisting lightweight brittle material, demonstrating a unique progressive failure behaviour that preserves material integrity with 60–80% of load-bearing capacity at >50% of compressive strain. This rotational degree of freedom further enables a periodic energy absorbance pattern during failure yielding 200% higher strength than the corresponding cellular structure and up to 97.9% reduction of post-damage residual stress compared with ductile materials. Fifty material combinations covering 27 types of materials analysed display potential progressive failure behaviour by this design motif, thereby establishing a broad spectrum of potential applications of the design motif for advanced materials design, energy storage/conversion and architectural structures.
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Wang Z, Servio P, Rey A. Wrinkling pattern formation with periodic nematic orientation: From egg cartons to corrugated surfaces. Phys Rev E 2022; 105:034702. [PMID: 35428159 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.105.034702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Egg cartons, known as doubly sinusoidal surfaces, display a rich variety of saddles-cylinder-spherical patches organized with different spatial symmetries and connectivities. Egg carton surfaces, rich in functionalities, are observed in synthetic and biological materials, as well as across atomic and macroscopic scales. In this work we use the liquid crystal shape equation in the absence of elastic effects and normal stress jumps to predict and classify a family of uniaxial, equibiaxial, and biaxial egg cartons, according to the periodicities of the surface director field in nematic (N) and cholesteric (N*) liquid crystals under the presence of anisotropic surface tension (anchoring). Egg carton surface shape periodic solutions to the nonlinear and linearized liquid crystal shape equations predict that the mean curvature is a linear function of the orthogonal (along the surface normal) splay and bend contributions. Mixtures of egg carton surfaces (uniaxial, equibiaxial, and biaxial) emerge according to the symmetries of the nonsingular director field, and the spatial distributions of the director escape into the third dimension; pure uniaxial egg cartons emerge when the director escape has linelike geometries and mixtures of egg cartons arise under source or sink orientation lattices. Orientation symmetry and permutation analysis are incorporated into a full curvature (Casorati, shape parameter, mean curvature, and Gaussian curvature) characterization. Under a fixed anchoring parameter, conditions for maximal nanoscale curvedness and microscale maximal shape gradient diversity are identified. The present results contribute to various pathways to surface pattern formation using intrinsic anisotropic interfacial tension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziheng Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3A 0C5
| | - Phillip Servio
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3A 0C5
| | - Alejandro Rey
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3A 0C5
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Columnar Structure of Claw Denticles in the Coconut Crab, Birgus latro. MINERALS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/min12020274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Some decapod crustaceans have tooth-like white denticles that exist only on the pinching side of claws. We revealed the denticle microstructure in the coconut crab, Birgus latro, using optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and a focused ion beam (FIB)-SEM. Three-dimensional analysis and fracture surface observation were performed in order to clarify the microstructural differences in two mineralized layers—the exocuticle and the endocuticle. The denticles consist of a columnar structure normal to the surface and are covered with a very thin epicuticle and an exocuticle with a twisted plywood pattern structure. Due to abrasion, the exocuticle layer was lost in the wide area above the large denticles; conversely, these layers remained on the surface of the relatively small denticles and on the base of the denticle. The results showed that the mineralized exoskeleton of the crab’s claw is classified into three structures: a twisted plywood pattern structure stacked parallel to the surface for the exocuticle, a porous structure with many regularly arranged pores vertical to the surface for the endocuticle, and a columnar structure vertical to the surface for the denticle.
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Rumney BM, Malik FT, Morgan SR, Parker AR, Holden S, Albon J, Lewis PN, Meek KM. The ultrastructural development and 3D reconstruction of the transparent carapace of the ostracod Skogsbergia lerneri. MARINE BIOLOGY 2022; 169:35. [PMID: 35221378 PMCID: PMC8841342 DOI: 10.1007/s00227-021-04006-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The Skogsbergia lerneri is a marine ostracod which possesses a carapace that is both protective and transparent. Since development of this carapace and how it is maintained in the adult is not known, the aim of this investigation was to carry out an in-depth ultrastructural study of the ostracod carapace at different developmental stages. Standard transmission electron microscopy and novel serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) were undertaken to discern carapace ultrastructure in both two and three dimensions. Analysis revealed a carapace consisting of the same basic layer structure as other myodocopid ostracods, namely an epicuticle, exocuticle, endocuticle and membranous layer, but with a thinner adult carapace of mean thickness of 19.2 ± 1.78 µm, n = 5. The carapace layers, except for instar 1 ostracods, had similar relative proportions throughout development. The endocuticle and membranous layer thickened through advancing developmental stages due to an increase in calcified crystalline polyhedrons and a greater number of chitinous lamellae in the membranous layer. Crystalline polyhedron dimensions were significantly smaller near the boundary with the membranous layer. The borders between the carapace layers were indistinct; SBF-SEM revealed an abundance of epicuticle projections into the exocuticle and apparent gradual merging at the boundary of the exocuticle and the endocuticle. Here, we discuss how the S. lerneri carapace layer structure has evolved to serve a specific mechanical function, allowing surface protection and rigidity. In addition, we suggest that the lack of pigment and graduated layer boundaries contribute to the transparency of the carapace. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00227-021-04006-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin M. Rumney
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK
| | - F. Tegwen Malik
- Swansea University, School of Management, Swansea, SA1 8EN UK
| | - Siân R. Morgan
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK
| | - Andrew R. Parker
- Green, Templeton College, University of Oxford, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 0HG UK
| | - Simon Holden
- DSTL Physical Sciences Group, Platform Systems Division, DSTL Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JQ UK
| | - Julie Albon
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK
| | - Philip N. Lewis
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK
| | - Keith M. Meek
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK
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Improving Polysaccharide-Based Chitin/Chitosan-Aerogel Materials by Learning from Genetics and Molecular Biology. MATERIALS 2022; 15:ma15031041. [PMID: 35160985 PMCID: PMC8839503 DOI: 10.3390/ma15031041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Improved wound healing of burnt skin and skin lesions, as well as medical implants and replacement products, requires the support of synthetical matrices. Yet, producing synthetic biocompatible matrices that exhibit specialized flexibility, stability, and biodegradability is challenging. Synthetic chitin/chitosan matrices may provide the desired advantages for producing specialized grafts but must be modified to improve their properties. Synthetic chitin/chitosan hydrogel and aerogel techniques provide the advantages for improvement with a bioinspired view adapted from the natural molecular toolbox. To this end, animal genetics provide deep knowledge into which molecular key factors decisively influence the properties of natural chitin matrices. The genetically identified proteins and enzymes control chitin matrix assembly, architecture, and degradation. Combining synthetic chitin matrices with critical biological factors may point to the future direction with engineering materials of specific properties for biomedical applications such as burned skin or skin blistering and extensive lesions due to genetic diseases.
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Lee SR, Reichmanis E, Srinivasarao M. Anisotropic Responsive Microgels Based on the Cholesteric Phase of Chitin Nanocrystals. ACS Macro Lett 2022; 11:96-102. [PMID: 35574788 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.1c00675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Anisotropic stimuli-responsive microgels based upon the cholesteric phase of chitin nanocrystals and N-isopropylacrylamide were designed and synthesized. The cholesteric structure was interrogated, and the texture was shown to directly influence the microgel shape and anisotropy. Changes in the microgel volume led to changes in the texture, where microgels comprising up to six bands exhibited a twisted bipolar texture, while those with greater volumes displayed a concentric-packing structure. As designed, the imprinted cholesteric phase induced an asymmetric response to temperature, leading to a change in shape and optical properties. Furthermore, the cholesteric structure is able to deform, facilitating transport into a small channel. Access to synthetic structures having a self-assembled twisted texture derived from cholesterics embedded within a polymer matrix will provide guidelines for designing biopolymer composites with programmable motion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujin R. Lee
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Elsa Reichmanis
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Mohan Srinivasarao
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
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Rawat P, Liu P, Zhang C, Guo S, Jawad LA, Sadighzadeh Z, Zhu D. Hierarchical structure and mechanical properties of fish scales from Lutjanidae with different habitat depths. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2022; 100:242-252. [PMID: 34739135 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In recent days, many researchers are focusing on emerging a new class of bio-inspired architectured materials. The primary strategy of these architecture designs is directly dependent on the types of available literature based on higher-ordered species such as nacre and fish scales. In this study, the authors have investigated the microstructural features and mechanical properties of five different ray-finned fish scales from Lutjanidae family collected in Iran. It was found that habitat depth and habits may result in significant changes in scale's surface morphology and mechanical properties. Interestingly, the variations in cross-sectional microstructural features such as fibre orientation and layer thickness ratios in scales did not show noticeable differences. It has also been proved that the mechanical performance of fish scales is influenced by the shape, array pattern and compactness of strips on posterior edges in a scale. Moreover, the radii count at anterior positions is higher in fishes living in wide-ranging depth; it supports in achieving higher scale stiffness and flexibility during movement. Consideration of these factors may help in optimising the performance of newly designed architectured materials subjected to mechanical loadings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Rawat
- Key Laboratory for Green & Advanced Civil Engineering Materials and Application Technology of Hunan Province, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, P. R. China
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
- International Science Innovation Collaboration Base for Green & Advanced Civil Engineering Materials of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, P. R. China
| | - Peng Liu
- College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, P. R. China
| | - Chaohui Zhang
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Shuaicheng Guo
- Key Laboratory for Green & Advanced Civil Engineering Materials and Application Technology of Hunan Province, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, P. R. China
- International Science Innovation Collaboration Base for Green & Advanced Civil Engineering Materials of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, P. R. China
| | - Laith A Jawad
- School of Environmental and Animal Sciences, Unitec Institute of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Zahra Sadighzadeh
- Marine Biology Department, Graduate school of Marine Science and Technology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Deju Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Green & Advanced Civil Engineering Materials and Application Technology of Hunan Province, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, P. R. China
- International Science Innovation Collaboration Base for Green & Advanced Civil Engineering Materials of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, P. R. China
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Inoue T, Oka SI, Nakazato K, Hara T. Structural Changes and Mechanical Resistance of Claws and Denticles in Coconut Crabs of Different Sizes. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10121304. [PMID: 34943219 PMCID: PMC8698411 DOI: 10.3390/biology10121304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Understanding the diverse mechanisms by which organisms achieve exceptionally high mechanical properties may enable the development of unique, biologically inspired materials. We assessed the microstructure, composition, and mechanical resistance of the pinching side with denticles and of the outer side without denticles in robust claws of coconut crabs with body weight (BW) of 300 g to 1650 g. Surprisingly, they were independent of BW except for low hardness near the surface of the denticles of a small crab of 300 g. Although the microstructure of the denticles was clearly different from that of the exocuticle, their mechanical resistance indicated the same maximum value. The denticle can be regarded as a bulge of the cuticle without phosphorus. The design principles found in the exoskeleton provided promising opportunities for the research and development of novel structural materials. Abstract The exoskeleton of the pinching side of claws with denticles and of the outer side without them on the coconut crab, Birgus latro, which is a rare organism, were studied using a materials science approach. The mechanical resistance of three claws of different sizes was investigated along the exoskeleton thickness from the outer surface to the inner surface, and the results were compared, including the contribution of the microstructure and chemical compositions. Mechanical properties, hardness (H) and stiffness (Er), were probed through nanoindentation tests. The results showed the H, Er, microstructures, and chemical components of the exocuticle and endocuticle layers were almost the same, in a BW range of 300 g to 1650 g. At the same time, the H and Er near the surface of the denticles of a small coconut crab of 300 g were lower than those of other large coconut crabs. The microstructure of the denticles was clearly different from that of the exocuticle, but the maximum mechanical properties near their surface indicated almost the same values, Hmax = 4 GPa and Er(max) = 70 GPa, regardless of being on the pinching side or the outer side. A denticle can be regarded as a bulge of the cuticle without phosphorus and with high magnesium. The results provided novel information that expanded our knowledge about the claw microstructure of coconut crabs with different body sizes, and may be used in further studies
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadanobu Inoue
- National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1, Sengen, Tsukuba 305-0047, Japan; (K.N.); (T.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-29-859-2148; Fax: +81-29-859-2101
| | - Shin-ichiro Oka
- Okinawa Churashima Foundation, 888 Ishikawa, Motobu, Okinawa 905-0206, Japan;
| | - Koji Nakazato
- National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1, Sengen, Tsukuba 305-0047, Japan; (K.N.); (T.H.)
| | - Toru Hara
- National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1, Sengen, Tsukuba 305-0047, Japan; (K.N.); (T.H.)
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Yang F, Xie W, Meng S. Analysis and simulation of fracture behavior in naturally occurring Bouligand structures. Acta Biomater 2021; 135:473-482. [PMID: 34530141 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Through natural selection processes, refined biological materials could be created that adapt to various environments and exhibit specific functions. Such materials include typical Bouligand structures that can be widely observed in marine creatures that have hard shells. Consisting of a helicoidal arrangement of aligned fibrils, layered single-twisted Bouligand-type structures (SBS) display exceptional fracture and damage resistance. A much more primitive and rarer type of this formation, the double-twisted Bouligand-type structures (DBS), has been discovered in ancient fish scales, and this architecture could provide added rigidity and significantly contribute to toughness when facing fracture risk. In this work, we describe a computational modeling approach to investigating fracture behaviors and toughening mechanisms in Bouligand structures. To achieve qualitative insights into the fracture behaviors of DBS and SBS, we applied these two configurations, which were identified from corresponding biological materials, to analyze load-displacement responses during single edge notched (SEN) tensile testing; the toughening mechanism is also discussed further. The results clearly show that the arrangement of helix fibrils and interlaminar properties play a major role in the resulting fracture behaviors of Bouligand architectures. This is of interest for the future design of engineering materials and structures that require composites with enhanced toughness, and could deepen our understanding of the structure-property relationship of Bouligand-type structures in bionic design. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this work, a novel numerical modeling approach based on the extended finite element method (XFEM) has been established to evaluate the fracture behavior of a naturally-occurring Bouligand-type helicoidal structure subjected to the single edge notched (SEN) tensile loading. The roles of the biological features (i.e., layered arrangement of collagen fibrils and interbundle fibrils) on the fracture resistance and toughening mechanism of the Bouligand-type structures have been uncovered and analyzed quantitatively. This is of interest for future design of engineering materials and structures that require composites with enhanced toughness, and can deepen the understanding of the structure-property relationship of the Bouligand-type structure in bionic design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Yang
- Science and Technology on Advanced Composites in Special Environment Laboratory, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150080, China.
| | - Weihua Xie
- Science and Technology on Advanced Composites in Special Environment Laboratory, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150080, China
| | - Songhe Meng
- Science and Technology on Advanced Composites in Special Environment Laboratory, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150080, China
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Ma Y, Guo C, Dai N, Shen J, Guan J. Structural characterization and regulation of the mechanical properties of the carapace cuticle in tri-spine horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus). J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2021; 125:104954. [PMID: 34741983 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Horseshoe crab (order Xiphosura) has a large and thick carapace that has evolved as a protective tool to defend against predators and resist impacts from surf-zone turbulence. The naturally occurring spatial variation in the mechanical properties of the carapace cuticle need to be investigated to understand their regulatory mechanism and the underlying design strategies. In this work, we used a combination of high-resolution optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to evaluate the multiscale microstructure and elemental composition of the cuticle of tri-spine horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus). The moduli, ultimate strengths, and failure strains of the three individual layers and the entire cuticle were systematically characterized in both the dry and hydrated states. The failure behaviors and energy absorption of the cuticle involved stress stiffening, toughness mechanism and environmental adaptation were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively and then correlated with the morphological features in different cuticle regions. The mechanical properties are primarily influenced by the endocuticle thickness ratio; a higher thickness ratio corresponds to more stacking of the vertical lamellae, leading to a lower modulus, weaker strength, and greater elongation of the endocuticle. Radial energy is absorbed primarily by the endocuticle, with the energy absorbed in the radial direction being nearly twice that absorbed in the circumferential direction. This is attributed to the larger failure strain and relatively small decrease in the stress plateau in the radial direction. The findings provide a deeper understanding of how nature modulates the cuticle's mechanical properties and inspiration for developing high-performance synthetic composites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaopeng Ma
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, China; Institute of Bio-inspired Structure and Surface Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, China
| | - Ce Guo
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, China; Institute of Bio-inspired Structure and Surface Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, China.
| | - Ning Dai
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, China
| | - Jingyu Shen
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, China; Institute of Bio-inspired Structure and Surface Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, China
| | - Jigang Guan
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, China; Institute of Bio-inspired Structure and Surface Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, China
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Goh R, Danielsen SPO, Schaible E, McMeeking RM, Waite JH. Nanolatticed Architecture Mitigates Damage in Shark Egg Cases. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:8080-8085. [PMID: 34585939 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c02439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Structural versatility and multifunctionality of biological materials have resulted in countless bioinspired strategies seeking to emulate the properties of nature. The nanostructured egg case of swell sharks is one of the toughest permeable membranes known and, thus, presents itself as a model system for materials where the conflicting properties, strength and porosity, are desirable. The egg case possesses an intricately ordered structure that is designed to protect delicate embryos from the external environment while enabling respiratory and metabolic exchange, achieving a tactical balance between conflicting properties. Herein, structural analyses revealed an enabling nanolattice architecture that constitutes a Bouligand-like nanoribbon hierarchical assembly. Three distinct hierarchical architectural adaptations enhance egg case survival: Bouligand-like organization for in-plane isotropic reinforcement, noncylindrical nanoribbons maximizing interfacial stress distribution, and highly ordered nanolattices enabling permeability and lattice-governed toughening mechanisms. These discoveries provide fundamental insights for the improvement of multifunctional membranes, fiber-reinforced soft composites, and mechanical metamaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubayn Goh
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Scott P O Danielsen
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Eric Schaible
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Robert M McMeeking
- Mechanical Engineering Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - J Herbert Waite
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
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Buccino F, Martinoia G, Vergani LM. Torsion-Resistant Structures: A Nature Addressed Solution. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 14:5368. [PMID: 34576592 PMCID: PMC8472553 DOI: 10.3390/ma14185368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The complexity of torsional load, its three-dimensional nature, its combination with other stresses, and its disruptive impact make torsional failure prevention an ambitious goal. However, even if the problem has been addressed for decades, a deep and organized treatment is still lacking in the actual research landscape. For this reason, this review aims at presenting a methodical approach to address torsional issues starting from a punctual problem definition. Accidents and breaks due to torsion, which often occur in different engineering fields such as mechanical, biomedical, and civil industry are considered and critically compared. More in depth, the limitations of common-designed torsion-resistant structures (i.e., high complexity and increased weight) are highlighted, and emerge as a crucial point for a deeper nature-driven analysis of novel solutions. In this context, an accurate screening of torsion-resistant bio-inspired unit cells is presented, taking inspiration specifically from plants, that are often subjected to the torsional effect of winds. As future insights, the actual state of technology suggests an innovative transposition to the industry: these unit cells could be prominently implied to develop novel metamaterials that could be able to address the torsional issue with a multi-scale and tailored arrangement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Buccino
- Department of Mechanical Engineering (DMEC), Politecnico di Milano, Via La Masa 1, 20156 Milano, Italy
| | - Giada Martinoia
- Department of Mechanical Engineering (DMEC), Politecnico di Milano, Via La Masa 1, 20156 Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Maria Vergani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering (DMEC), Politecnico di Milano, Via La Masa 1, 20156 Milano, Italy
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Goto H, Komaba K, Kumai R. Sequential micro-Maltese cross array in the ground beetle Carabus insulicola. Micron 2021; 150:103136. [PMID: 34509885 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2021.103136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The exoskeleton of the ground beetle Carabus insulicola was observed using polarizing optical microscopy (POM) with simultaneous transmitted and reflected light. The surface showed iridescence owing to the periodic microstructure. A Maltese cross array of the inner layer of the elytra was observed. The matrix of the middle layer of the elytra is composed of protein with the arrangement of a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC)-like helical structure. The scanning electron microscopy observations revealed the layers structure of the exoskeleton of the ground beetle. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurement evaluated crystallinity of the exoskeleton. Morphology of the Maltese cross array of the beetle has similarity with synthetic chiral-CLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromasa Goto
- Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8573, Japan.
| | - Kyoka Komaba
- Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8573, Japan
| | - Reiji Kumai
- Photon Factory, Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0801, Japan
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Seidl B, Reisecker C, Neues F, Campanaro A, Epple M, Hild S, Ziegler A. The dorsal tergite cuticle of Helleria brevicornis: Ultrastructure, mineral distribution, calcite microstructure and texture. JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY-X 2021; 5:100051. [PMID: 34337383 PMCID: PMC8313847 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjsbx.2021.100051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Among the terrestrial Crustacea, isopods have most successfully established themselves in a large variety of terrestrial habitats. As in most Crustacea, their cuticle consists of a hierarchically organised organic phase of chitin-protein fibrils, containing calcium carbonate and some calcium phosphate. In previous studies, we examined the tergite cuticle of Tylos europaeus, which lives on seashores and burrows into moist sand. In this study, we investigate the closely related species Helleria brevicornis, which is completely terrestrial and lives in leaf litter and humus and burrows into the soil. To get deeper insights in relation between the structure of the organic and mineral phase in species living in diverse habitats, we have investigated the structure, and the chemical and crystallographic properties of the tergite cuticle using various preparation techniques, and microscopic and analytical methods. The results reveal long and short epicuticular sensilla with brushed tips on the tergite surface that do not occur in T. europaeus. As in T. europaeus a distal exocuticle, which contains a low number of organic fibres, contains calcite while the subjacent layers of the exo- and endocuticle contain amorphous calcium carbonate. The distal exocuticle contains a polygonal pattern of mineral initiation sites that correspond to interprismatic septa described for decapod crabs. The shape and position of calcite units do not follow the polygonal pattern of the septa. The results indicate that the calcite units form by crystallisation from an amorphous phase that progresses from both margins of the septa to the centres of the polygons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Seidl
- Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Christian Reisecker
- Department of Polymer Science, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenbergerstraße 69, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Frank Neues
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstrasse 5-7, 45117Essen, Germany
| | - Alessandro Campanaro
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Plant and Certification, Via di Lanciola 12/a, I-50125 Cascine del Riccio, Florence, Italy
| | - Matthias Epple
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstrasse 5-7, 45117Essen, Germany
| | - Sabine Hild
- Department of Polymer Science, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenbergerstraße 69, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Andreas Ziegler
- Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
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Li Q, Guo M, Liu D, Qiao H, Gustave W, Prempeh N, Cai Y, Peng J. Structure Color Tuners of Cholesteric Cellulose Nanocrystal. Ind Eng Chem Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.1c01223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qin Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, School of Environmental Science & Technology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Mengna Guo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, School of Environmental Science & Technology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Dagang Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, School of Environmental Science & Technology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Huanhuan Qiao
- Biomass Molecular Engineering Center, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, China
| | - Williamson Gustave
- The School of Chemistry, Environmental & Life Sciences, University of The Bahamas, New Providence, Nassau 999154, The Bahamas
| | - Nana Prempeh
- Department of Geographic Science, University of Energy and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 214, Sunyani, Ghana, West Africa
| | - Yongqing Cai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, School of Environmental Science & Technology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Jingnan Peng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, School of Environmental Science & Technology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
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Multi-scale design of the chela of the hermit crab Coenobita brevimanus. Acta Biomater 2021; 127:229-241. [PMID: 33866037 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The chela of the hermit crab protects its body against the attack from predators. Yet, a deep understanding of this mechanical defense is still lacking. Here, we investigate the chela of hermit crab, Coenobita brevimanus, and establish the relationships between the microstructures, chemical compositions and mechanical properties to gain insights into its biomechanical functions. We find that the chela is a multi-layered shell composed of five different layers with distinct features of the microstructures and chemical compositions, conferring different mechanical properties. Especially, an increase of the calcium carbonate content towards the layer furthest from the exterior, unlike the chemical gradients of many crustacean exoskeletons, provides a strong resistance to deformation. Nanoindentation measurements reveal that the overall gradient of the elastic modulus and hardness in the cross-section displays a sandwich profile, i.e., a soft core clamped by two stiff surface layers. Further mechanics modeling demonstrates that the high curvature and stiff innermost sublayer enhance the structural rigidity of the chela. In conjunction with the experimental observations, dynamic finite element analysis maps the time-spatial distribution of principal stress and indicates that fiber bridging might be the major mechanism against crack propagation at microscale. The lessons gained from the study of this multiphase biological composite could provide important insights into the design and fabrication of bioinspired materials for structural applications. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Multiple hierarchical structures have been discovered in a variety of exoskeletons. They are naturally designed to maintain the structural integrity and act as a protective layer for the animals. However, each kind of the hierarchical structures has its unique topology, chemical gradients as well as mechanical properties. We find that the chela is multi-layered shell composed of five different layers with distinct features of the microstructures and chemical compositions, conferring different mechanical properties. Especially, a large amount of helicoidal organic fibrils form highly organized 3D woven matrix in the innermost layer, providing a strong mechanical resistance to avoid catastrophic failure. The overall gradient of the elastic modulus and hardness in the cross-section display a sandwich profile, effectively minimizing the stress concentration and deformation. The lessons gained from the multiscale design strategy of the chela provide important insights into the design and fabrication of bioinspired materials.
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