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Sonego M, Morgenthal A, Fleck C, Pessan LA. Betholletia excelsa Fruit: Unveiling Toughening Mechanisms and Biomimetic Potential for Advanced Materials. Biomimetics (Basel) 2023; 8:509. [PMID: 37999150 PMCID: PMC10669686 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics8070509] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Dry fruits and nutshells are biological capsules of outstanding toughness and strength with biomimetic potential to boost fiber-reinforced composites and protective structures. The strategies behind the Betholletia excelsa fruit mechanical performance were investigated with C-ring and compression tests. This last test was monitored with shearography and simulated with a finite element model. Microtomography and digital and scanning electron microscopy evaluated crack development. The fruit geometry, the preferential orientation of fibers involved in foam-like sclereid cells, promoted anisotropic properties but efficient energy dissipating mechanisms in different directions. For instance, the mesocarp cut parallel to its latitudinal section sustained higher forces (26.0 ± 2.8 kN) and showed higher deformation and slower crack propagation. The main toughening mechanisms are fiber deflection and fiber bridging and pullout, observed when fiber bundles are orthogonal to the crack path. Additionally, the debonding of fiber bundles oriented parallel to the crack path and intercellular cracks through sclereid and fiber cells created a tortuous path.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilia Sonego
- Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering (PPGCEM), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil;
- Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI), Itajubá 37500-903, MG, Brazil
| | - Anneke Morgenthal
- Materials Science and Engineering, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany (C.F.)
| | - Claudia Fleck
- Materials Science and Engineering, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany (C.F.)
| | - Luiz Antonio Pessan
- Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering (PPGCEM), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil;
- Department of Materials Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil
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Lazarus BS, Leung V, Luu RK, Wong MT, Ruiz-Pérez S, Barbosa WT, Bezerra WBA, Barbosa JDV, Meyers MA. Jackfruit: Composition, structure, and progressive collapsibility in the largest fruit on the Earth for impact resistance. Acta Biomater 2023; 166:430-446. [PMID: 37121367 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The jackfruit is the largest fruit on the Earth, reaching upwards of 35 kg and falling from heights of 25 m. To survive such high energy impacts, it has evolved a unique layered configuration with a thorny exterior and porous tubular underlayer. During compression, these layers exhibit a progressive collapse mechanism where the tubules are first to deform, followed by the thorny exterior, and finally the mesocarp layer in between. The thorns are composed of lignified bundles which run longitudinally from the base of the thorn to the tip and are embedded in softer parenchymal cells, forming a fiber reinforced composite. The mesocarp contains more lignin than any of the other layers while the core appears to contain more pectin giving rise to variations in compressive and viscoelastic properties between the layers. The surface thorns provide a compelling impact-resistant feature for bioinspiration, with a cellular structure that can withstand large deformation without failing and wavy surface features which densify during compression without fracturing. Even the conical shape of the thorns is valuable, presenting a gradually increasing surface area during axial collapse. A simplified model of this mechanism is put forward to describe the force response of these features. The thorns also distribute damage laterally during impact and deflect cracks along their interstitial valleys. These phenomena were observed in 3D printed, jackfruit-inspired designs which performed markedly better than control prints with the same mass. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Many biological materials have evolved remarkable structures that enhance their mechanical performance and serve as sources of inspiration for engineers. Plants are often overlooked in this regard yet certain botanical components, like nuts and fruit, have shown incredible potential as blueprints for improved impact resistant designs. The jackfruit is the largest fruit on Earth and generates significant falling impact energies. Here, we explore the jackfruit's structure and its mechanical capabilities for the first time. The progressive failure imparted by its multilayered design and the unique collapse mode of the surface thorns are identified as key mechanisms for improving the fruit's impact resistance. 3D printing is used to show that these structure-property benefits can be successfully transferred to engineering materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin S Lazarus
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, USA.
| | - Victor Leung
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego, USA
| | - Rachel K Luu
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
| | - Matthew T Wong
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, USA
| | - Samuel Ruiz-Pérez
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Willams T Barbosa
- Department of Materials, University Center SENAI CIMATEC, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Wendell B Almeida Bezerra
- Department of Materials Science, Military Institute of Engineering-IME, Rio de Janeiro 22290270, Brazil
| | | | - Marc A Meyers
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, USA; Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego, USA; Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, USA
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Sonego M, Sciuti VF, Vargas R, Canto RB, Pessan LA. Composite design bioinspired by the mesocarp of Brazil nut ( Bertholletia excelsa). BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2022; 17:046011. [PMID: 35552274 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/ac6f37] [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: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The mesocarp ofBertholletia excelsais a rich source of inspiration for strong, stiff and damage-tolerant composites. The bioinspired composites developed here are composed of an epoxy matrix with a 3D printed polylactic acid reinforced with 30% of carbon fiber (PLA-30CF) inspired in fibers, and syntactic foam inspired by sclereids. Monotonic and cyclic four-point bending tests and compact tension fracture toughness tests were carried out assisted by digital image correlation (DIC) to evaluate flexural properties, damage tolerance, and theR-curve of the composite. Its microstructure and fracture surface were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical performance of the bioinspired composite is promising: density of 1.0 g cm-3, flexural apparent elastic modulus of 1.6 GPa, and flexural strength six times higher than the neat epoxy, i.e. 17 MPa. Although the PLA-30CF printed structure led to a risingR-curve, the syntactic foam needs optimization to have a synergistic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sonego
- Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering (PPGCEM), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, SP, Brazil
- Mechanical Engineering Institute, Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI), Itajubá, MG, Brazil
| | - V F Sciuti
- Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering (PPGCEM), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, SP, Brazil
- Department of Materials Engineering (DEMa), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - R Vargas
- Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering (PPGCEM), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, SP, Brazil
- Université Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec, ENS Paris-Saclay, CNRS, LMPS - Laboratoire de Mécanique Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - R B Canto
- Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering (PPGCEM), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, SP, Brazil
- Department of Materials Engineering (DEMa), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - L A Pessan
- Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering (PPGCEM), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, SP, Brazil
- Department of Materials Engineering (DEMa), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, SP, Brazil
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Lilargem Rocha D, Tambara Júnior LUD, Marvila MT, Pereira EC, Souza D, de Azevedo ARG. A Review of the Use of Natural Fibers in Cement Composites: Concepts, Applications and Brazilian History. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:2043. [PMID: 35631925 PMCID: PMC9144559 DOI: 10.3390/polym14102043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of natural lignocellulosic fibers has become popular all over the world, as they are abundant, low-cost materials that favor a series of technological properties when used in cementitious composites. Due to its climate and geographic characteristics, Brazil has an abundant variety of natural fibers that have great potential for use in civil construction. The objective of this work is to present the main concepts about lignocellulosic fibers in cementitious composites, highlighting the innovation and advances in this topic in relation to countries such as Brazil, which has a worldwide prominence in the production of natural fibers. For this, some common characteristics of lignocellulosic fibers will be observed, such as their source, their proportion of natural polymers (biological structure of the fiber), their density and other mechanical characteristics. This information is compared with the mechanical characteristics of synthetic fibers to analyze the performance of composites reinforced with both types of fibers. Despite being inferior in tensile and flexural strength, composites made from vegetable fibers have an advantage in relation to their low density. The interface between the fiber and the composite matrix is what will define the final characteristics of the composite material. Due to this, different fibers (reinforcement materials) were analyzed in the literature in order to observe their characteristics in cementitious composites. Finally, the different surface treatments through which the fibers undergo will determine the fiber-matrix interface and the final characteristics of the cementitious composite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Lilargem Rocha
- Advanced Materials Laboratory (LAMAV), UENF—State University of the Northern Rio de Janeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro 28013-602, Brazil; (D.L.R.); (L.U.D.T.J.); (M.T.M.); (E.C.P.); (D.S.)
| | - Luís Urbano Durlo Tambara Júnior
- Advanced Materials Laboratory (LAMAV), UENF—State University of the Northern Rio de Janeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro 28013-602, Brazil; (D.L.R.); (L.U.D.T.J.); (M.T.M.); (E.C.P.); (D.S.)
| | - Markssuel Teixeira Marvila
- Advanced Materials Laboratory (LAMAV), UENF—State University of the Northern Rio de Janeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro 28013-602, Brazil; (D.L.R.); (L.U.D.T.J.); (M.T.M.); (E.C.P.); (D.S.)
| | - Elaine Cristina Pereira
- Advanced Materials Laboratory (LAMAV), UENF—State University of the Northern Rio de Janeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro 28013-602, Brazil; (D.L.R.); (L.U.D.T.J.); (M.T.M.); (E.C.P.); (D.S.)
| | - Djalma Souza
- Advanced Materials Laboratory (LAMAV), UENF—State University of the Northern Rio de Janeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro 28013-602, Brazil; (D.L.R.); (L.U.D.T.J.); (M.T.M.); (E.C.P.); (D.S.)
| | - Afonso Rangel Garcez de Azevedo
- Civil Engineering Laboratory (LECIV), UENF—State University of the Northern Rio de Janeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro 28013-602, Brazil
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Ghimire A, Chen PY. Seed protection strategies of the brainy Elaeocarpus ganitrus endocarp: Gradient motif yields fracture tolerance. Acta Biomater 2022; 138:430-442. [PMID: 34728425 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.10.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Be it animals or plants, most of the organism's offspring come into existence after their embryos develop inside a protective shell. In plants, these hard protective shells are called endocarps. They serve the function of nourishing and protecting the seeds from external mechanical damage. Through evolution, endocarps of plants have developed various structural strategies to protect the enclosed seeds from external threats, and these strategies can vary according to the habitat or lifestyle of a particular plant. One such intriguing hard plant shell is the endocarp of the Elaeocarpus ganitrus fruit. It mostly grows in South Asia's mountainous forests, and its endocarps are known in the local communities as unbreakable and everlasting prayer beads. We report an in-depth investigation on microstructure, tomography, and mechanical properties to cast light on its performance and the underlying structure-property relation. The 3D structural quantifications by micro-CT demonstrate that the endocarp has gradient microarchitecture. In addition, the endocarp also exhibits gradient hardness and stiffness. The toughening mechanisms arising from the layered cellular structure enable the endocarps to withstand higher loads up to 5000 N before they fracture. Our findings provide experimental evidence of outstanding fracture tolerance and seed protection strategies developed by Elaeocarpus ganitrus endocarp that encourage the design of synthetic fracture tolerant structures. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Endocarps are low-density plant shells that exhibit remarkable fracture resistance and energy absorption when they encounter impact by falling from high trees and prolonged compression and abrasion by the predators. Such outstanding mechanical performance originates through structural design strategies developed to protect their seeds. Here we demonstrate previously undiscovered structural features and mechanical properties of Elaeocarpus ganitrus endocarp. We scrutinize the microstructure using high-resolution x-ray tomography scans and the 3D structural quantifications reveal a gradient microstructure which is in agreement with the gradient hardness and stiffness. The multiscale hierarchical structures combined with the gradient motif yield impressive fracture tolerance in Elaeocarpus ganitrus endocarp. These findings advance the knowledge of the structure-property relation in hard plant shells, and the procured structural design strategies can be utilized to design fracture-resistant structures.
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Sonego M, Madia M, Eder M, Fleck C, Pessan LA. Microstructural features influencing the mechanical performance of the Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) mesocarp. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2021; 116:104306. [PMID: 33513460 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.104306] [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: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) fruits are capable of resisting high mechanical forces when released from trees as tall as 50 m, as well as during animal dispersal by sharp-teethed rodents. Thick mesocarp plays a crucial part in seed protection. We investigated the role of microstructure and how sclereids, fibers, and voids affect nutshell performance using compression, tensile and fracture toughness tests. Fractured specimens were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microtomography (microCT). Mesocarp showed high deformability (strain at max. stress of ~30%) under compression loading, a critical tensile strength of ~24.9 MPa, a Weibull modulus of ~3, and an elastic modulus of ~2 GPa in the tensile test. The fracture toughness, estimated through the work of fracture of SENB tests, reached ~2 kJ/m2. The thick and strong walls of mesocarp cells, with a weaker boundary between them (compound middle lamella), promote a tortuous intercellular crack path. Several toughening mechanisms, such as crack deflection, breaking of fiber bundles, fiber pullout and bridging as well as crack branching, occur depending on how fiber bundles and voids are oriented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilia Sonego
- Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering (PPGCEM), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, 13.565-905, SP, Brazil.
| | - Mauro Madia
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und-prüfung (BAM), 12205, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michaela Eder
- Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Biomaterials, Am Mühlenberg 1, Potsdam, 14476, Germany
| | - Claudia Fleck
- Materials Science & Engineering, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, 10623, Germany
| | - Luiz A Pessan
- Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering (PPGCEM), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, 13.565-905, SP, Brazil; Department of Materials Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, via Washington Luiz, Km 235, 13565-905 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
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