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Tuo Z, Shi Y, Sun X, Cui J, Yang K, Liang Y, Liu C, Lin Z, Han Z, Ren L. Study of the influence of macro-structure and micro-structure on the mechanical properties of stag beetle upper jaw. Acta Biomater 2024; 186:342-353. [PMID: 39097125 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.07.039] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Macrostructural control of stress distribution and microstructural influence on crack propagation is one of the strategies for obtaining high mechanical properties in stag beetle upper jaws. The maximum bending fracture force of the stag beetle upper jaw is approximately 154, 000 times the weight of the upper jaw. Here, we explore the macro and micro-structural characteristics of two stag beetle upper jaws and reveal the resulting differences in mechanical properties and enhancement mechanisms. At the macroscopic level, the elliptic and triangular cross-sections of the upper jaw of the two species of stag beetles have significant effects on the formation of cracks. The crack generated by the upper jaws with a triangular section grows slowly and deflects easily. At the microscopic level, the upper jaw of the two species is a chitin cross-layered structure, but the difference between the two adjacent fiber layers at 45° and 50° leads to different deflection paths of the cracks on the exoskeleton. The mechanical properties of the upper jaw of the two species of stag beetle were significantly different due to the interaction of macro-structure and micro-structure. In addition, a series of bionic samples with different cross-section geometries and different fiber cross angles were designed, and mechanical tests were carried out according to the macro-structure and micro-structure characteristics of the stag beetle upper jaw. The effects of cross-section geometry and fiber cross angle on the mechanical properties of bionic samples are compared and analyzed. This study provides new ideas for designing and optimizing highly loaded components in engineering. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The upper jaw of the stag beetle is composed of a complex arrangement of chitin and protein fibers, providing both rigidity and flexibility. This structure is designed to withstand various mechanical stresses, including impacts and bending forces, encountered during its burrowing activities and interactions with its environment. The study of the upper jaw of the stag beetle can provide an efficient structural design for engineering components that are subjected to high loads. Understanding the relationship between structure and mechanical properties in the stag beetle upper jaw holds significant implications for biomimetic design and engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Tuo
- The Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130025, China
| | - Yu Shi
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130025, China
| | - Xianyan Sun
- Department of General Practice, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Jiandong Cui
- The Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130025, China
| | - Kaisheng Yang
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130025, China
| | - Yunhong Liang
- The Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130025, China; National Key Laboratory of Automotive Chassis Integration and Bionics, Jilin University, Changchun 130025, China; Institute of Structured and Architected Materials, Liaoning Academy of Materials, Shenyang 110167, China.
| | - Changyi Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130025, China.
| | - Zhaohua Lin
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130025, China
| | - Zhiwu Han
- The Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130025, China; Institute of Structured and Architected Materials, Liaoning Academy of Materials, Shenyang 110167, China
| | - Luquan Ren
- The Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130025, China; Institute of Structured and Architected Materials, Liaoning Academy of Materials, Shenyang 110167, China
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Structure, mechanics and material properties of claw cuticle from mole cricket Gryllotalpaorientalis. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0222116. [PMID: 31491009 PMCID: PMC6730930 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Powerful shovel-like forelimbs with special shape, structure and biological materials enable mole cricket to digging efficiently. During digging, the tip of the claw needs to wedge into the soil, and the base needs to withstand considerable anti-shear force. In this study, we analysed the structural characteristics, material composition and mechanical properties of the claw teeth using scanning electron microscopy, plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, nanoindentation and finite element analysis. The results show that the tips of claw teeth have a dense and homogeneous structure and a higher hardness and contents of Mn and Zn compared with the base. The structure of the base of claw teeth has an obvious laminar structure and higher fracture resistance. Moreover, it is speculated from the simulation results that basal position of the claw teeth is tough enough to withstand high stress, and the presence of the ribs effectively improves the mechanical stability and load-bearing capacity of the teeth during excavation. The results of this study can provide inspiration for the design of efficient mechanical components and agricultural implements.
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Goyens J, Dirckx J, Aerts P. Jaw morphology and fighting forces in stag beetles. J Exp Biol 2016; 219:2955-2961. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.141614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The jaws of different species of stag beetles show a large variety of shapes and sizes. The male jaws are used as weapons in fights, and they may exert a very forceful bite in some species. We investigated in 16 species whether and how their forcefulness is reflected in their jaw morphology. We found a large range of maximal muscle forces (1.8N-33N; factor 18). Species investing in large bite muscles, also have disproportionately large jaw volumes. They use this additional jaw volume to elongate their jaws, increasing their winning chances in battles. The fact that this also decreases the mechanical advantage, is largely compensated by elongated in-levers. As a result, high muscle forces are correlated with elevated bite forces (0.27N-7.6N; factor 28). Despite the large difference in forcefulness, all investigated species experience similar Von Mises stresses in their jaws while biting (29MPa–114MPa; factor 4.0; calculated with Finite Element simulations). Hence, stag beetles have successfully adapted their jaw anatomy according to their bite force in fights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Goyens
- University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Functional Morphology, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Biophysics and BioMedical Physics, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Joris Dirckx
- University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Biophysics and BioMedical Physics, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Peter Aerts
- University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Functional Morphology, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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