1
|
Momeni Bashusqeh S, Pugno NM. Development of mechanically-consistent coarse-grained molecular dynamics model: case study of mechanics of spider silk. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19316. [PMID: 37935753 PMCID: PMC10630411 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46376-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding mechanics of spider silk holds immense importance due to its potential to drive innovation in the development of materials with exceptional mechanical characteristics suited for a wide range of applications. Coarse-grained (CG) molecular simulations plays a particularly valuable role in this endeavor, allowing for the efficient investigation of spider silk's mechanical properties. Our research is centered on the examination of spider silk, which comprises major ampullate silk protein (MaSp1). To achieve this, we developed a CG molecular dynamics model. Our investigation began with a focus on MaSp1 chains subjected to uniaxial tensile load, with comparisons made between the CG model results and all-atom simulations. Subsequently, we extended our simulations to encompass more extensive systems, including fully-ordered MaSp1 bundles undergoing uniaxial static stretching. Through comparison with existing literature, we assess how well the CG model reproduces the mechanical properties of spider silk in highly ordered structures. Furthermore, we explored a scenario where MaSp1 bundles were randomly positioned and stretched, providing valuable insights into silk behavior when the initial structure lacks order. Another simulation involved random positioning, but with some degree of orientation in the loading direction, allowing for a closer examination of the initial structure's influence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Momeni Bashusqeh
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123, Trento, Italy
| | - N M Pugno
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123, Trento, Italy.
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hauck M, Saure LM, Zeller-Plumhoff B, Kaps S, Hammel J, Mohr C, Rieck L, Nia AS, Feng X, Pugno NM, Adelung R, Schütt F. Overcoming Water Diffusion Limitations in Hydrogels via Microtubular Graphene Networks for Soft Actuators. Adv Mater 2023; 35:e2302816. [PMID: 37369361 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202302816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogel-based soft actuators can operate in sensitive environments, bridging the gap of rigid machines interacting with soft matter. However, while stimuli-responsive hydrogels can undergo extreme reversible volume changes of up to ≈90%, water transport in hydrogel actuators is in general limited by their poroelastic behavior. For poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) the actuation performance is even further compromised by the formation of a dense skin layer. Here it is shown, that incorporating a bioinspired microtube graphene network into a PNIPAM matrix with a total porosity of only 5.4% dramatically enhances actuation dynamics by up to ≈400% and actuation stress by ≈4000% without sacrificing the mechanical stability, overcoming the water transport limitations. The graphene network provides both untethered light-controlled and electrically powered actuation. It is anticipated that the concept provides a versatile platform for enhancing the functionality of soft matter by combining responsive and 2D materials, paving the way toward designing soft intelligent matter.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margarethe Hauck
- Functional Nanomaterials, Department of Materials Science, Kiel University, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Lena M Saure
- Functional Nanomaterials, Department of Materials Science, Kiel University, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Berit Zeller-Plumhoff
- Institute of Metallic Biomaterials, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany
- Kiel Nano, Surface and Interface Science KiNSIS, Kiel University, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sören Kaps
- Functional Nanomaterials, Department of Materials Science, Kiel University, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jörg Hammel
- Institute of Materials Physics, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Caprice Mohr
- Functional Nanomaterials, Department of Materials Science, Kiel University, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Lena Rieck
- Institute of Metallic Biomaterials, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Ali Shaygan Nia
- Department of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed), Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics, Weinberg 2, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | - Xinliang Feng
- Department of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed), Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics, Weinberg 2, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, via Mesiano 77, Trento, I-38123, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Rainer Adelung
- Functional Nanomaterials, Department of Materials Science, Kiel University, 24143, Kiel, Germany
- Kiel Nano, Surface and Interface Science KiNSIS, Kiel University, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Fabian Schütt
- Functional Nanomaterials, Department of Materials Science, Kiel University, 24143, Kiel, Germany
- Kiel Nano, Surface and Interface Science KiNSIS, Kiel University, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Greco G, Schmuck B, Jalali SK, Pugno NM, Rising A. Influence of experimental methods on the mechanical properties of silk fibers: A systematic literature review and future road map. Biophys Rev (Melville) 2023; 4:031301. [PMID: 38510706 PMCID: PMC10903380 DOI: 10.1063/5.0155552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Spider silk fibers are of scientific and industrial interest because of their extraordinary mechanical properties. These properties are normally determined by tensile tests, but the values obtained are dependent on the morphology of the fibers, the test conditions, and the methods by which stress and strain are calculated. Because of this, results from many studies are not directly comparable, which has led to widespread misconceptions in the field. Here, we critically review most of the reports from the past 50 years on spider silk mechanical performance and use artificial spider silk and native silks as models to highlight the effect that different experimental setups have on the fibers' mechanical properties. The results clearly illustrate the importance of carefully evaluating the tensile test methods when comparing the results from different studies. Finally, we suggest a protocol for how to perform tensile tests on silk and biobased fibers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - S. K. Jalali
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta, Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | | | - Anna Rising
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu Y, Lott M, Seyyedizadeh SF, Corvaglia I, Greco G, Dal Poggetto VF, Gliozzi AS, Mussat Sartor R, Nurra N, Vitale-Brovarone C, Pugno NM, Bosia F, Tortello M. Multiscale static and dynamic mechanical study of the Turritella terebra and Turritellinella tricarinata seashells. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20230321. [PMID: 37528678 PMCID: PMC10394405 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Marine shells are designed by nature to ensure mechanical protection from predators and shelter for molluscs living inside them. A large amount of work has been done to study the multiscale mechanical properties of their complex microstructure and to draw inspiration for the design of impact-resistant biomimetic materials. Less is known regarding the dynamic behaviour related to their structure at multiple scales. Here, we present a combined experimental and numerical study of the shells of two different species of gastropod sea snail belonging to the Turritellidae family, featuring a peculiar helicoconic shape with hierarchical spiral elements. The proposed procedure involves the use of micro-computed tomography scans for the accurate determination of geometry, atomic force microscopy and nanoindentation to evaluate local mechanical properties, surface morphology and heterogeneity, as well as resonant ultrasound spectroscopy coupled with finite element analysis simulations to determine global modal behaviour. Results indicate that the specific features of the considered shells, in particular their helicoconic and hierarchical structure, can also be linked to their vibration attenuation behaviour. Moreover, the proposed investigation method can be extended to the study of other natural systems, to determine their structure-related dynamic properties, ultimately aiding the design of bioinspired metamaterials and of structures with advanced vibration control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y Liu
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - M Lott
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - S F Seyyedizadeh
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - I Corvaglia
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - G Greco
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta, Materials & Mechanics, Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale e Meccanica, Università di Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - V F Dal Poggetto
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta, Materials & Mechanics, Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale e Meccanica, Università di Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - A S Gliozzi
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - R Mussat Sartor
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta, Materials & Mechanics, Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale e Meccanica, Università di Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - N Nurra
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi (DBIOS), Università degli Studi di Torino, 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - C Vitale-Brovarone
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - N M Pugno
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta, Materials & Mechanics, Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale e Meccanica, Università di Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi (DBIOS), Università degli Studi di Torino, 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - F Bosia
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - M Tortello
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yaqoob B, Dottore ED, Mondini A, Rodella A, Mazzolai B, Pugno NM. Towards the optimization of passive undulatory locomotion on land: mathematical and physical models. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20230330. [PMID: 37553994 PMCID: PMC10410216 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The current study investigates the body-environment interaction and exploits the passive viscoelastic properties of the body to perform undulatory locomotion. The investigations are carried out using a mathematical model based on a dry frictional environment, and the results are compared with the performance obtained using a physical model. The physical robot is a wheel-based modular system with flexible joints moving on different substrates. The influence of the spatial distribution of body stiffness on speed performance is also investigated. Our results suggest that the environment affects the performance of undulatory locomotion based on the distribution of body stiffness. While stiffness may vary with the environment, we have established a qualitative constitutive law that holds across environments. Specifically, we expect the stiffness distribution to exhibit either an ascending-descending or an ascending-plateau pattern along the length of the object, from head to tail. Furthermore, undulatory locomotion showed sensitivity to contact mechanics: solid-solid or solid-viscoelastic contact produced different locomotion kinematics. Our results elucidate how terrestrial limbless animals achieve undulatory locomotion performance by exploiting the passive properties of the environment and the body. Application of the results obtained may lead to better performing long-segmented robots that exploit the suitability of passive body dynamics and the properties of the environment in which they need to move.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Basit Yaqoob
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento 38122, Italy
- Laboratory of Bioinspired Soft Robotics, Center for Convergent Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Emanuela Del Dottore
- Laboratory of Bioinspired Soft Robotics, Center for Convergent Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Alessio Mondini
- Laboratory of Bioinspired Soft Robotics, Center for Convergent Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Andrea Rodella
- Department of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00184, Italy
| | - Barbara Mazzolai
- Laboratory of Bioinspired Soft Robotics, Center for Convergent Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Nicola M. Pugno
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento 38122, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cecchini L, Mariani S, Ronzan M, Mondini A, Pugno NM, Mazzolai B. 4D Printing of Humidity-Driven Seed Inspired Soft Robots. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2023; 10:e2205146. [PMID: 36725304 PMCID: PMC10037692 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202205146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Geraniaceae seeds represent a role model in soft robotics thanks to their ability to move autonomously across and into the soil driven by humidity changes. The secret behind their mobility and adaptivity is embodied in the hierarchical structures and anatomical features of the biological hygroscopic tissues, geometrically designed to be selectively responsive to environmental humidity. Following a bioinspired approach, the internal structure and biomechanics of Pelargonium appendiculatum (L.f.) Willd seeds are investigated to develop a model for the design of a soft robot. The authors exploit the re-shaping ability of 4D printed materials to fabricate a seed-like soft robot, according to the natural specifications and model, and using biodegradable and hygroscopic polymers. The robot mimics the movement and performances of the natural seed, reaching a torque value of ≈30 µN m, an extensional force of ≈2.5 mN and it is capable to lift ≈100 times its own weight. Driven by environmental humidity changes, the artificial seed is able to explore a sample soil, adapting its morphology to interact with soil roughness and cracks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Cecchini
- Bioinspired Soft Robotics LaboratoryIstituto Italiano di TecnologiaVia Morego 30Genova16163Italy
- Laboratory for BioinspiredBionicNanoMeta Materials and MechanicsDepartment of CivilEnvironmental and Mechanical EngineeringUniversity di TrentoVia Mesiano 77Trento38123Italy
| | - Stefano Mariani
- Bioinspired Soft Robotics LaboratoryIstituto Italiano di TecnologiaVia Morego 30Genova16163Italy
| | - Marilena Ronzan
- Bioinspired Soft Robotics LaboratoryIstituto Italiano di TecnologiaVia Morego 30Genova16163Italy
| | - Alessio Mondini
- Bioinspired Soft Robotics LaboratoryIstituto Italiano di TecnologiaVia Morego 30Genova16163Italy
| | - Nicola M. Pugno
- Laboratory for BioinspiredBionicNanoMeta Materials and MechanicsDepartment of CivilEnvironmental and Mechanical EngineeringUniversity di TrentoVia Mesiano 77Trento38123Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials ScienceQueen Mary University of LondonMile End RoadLondonE1 4NSUK
| | - Barbara Mazzolai
- Bioinspired Soft Robotics LaboratoryIstituto Italiano di TecnologiaVia Morego 30Genova16163Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Yaqoob B, Rodella A, Del Dottore E, Mondini A, Mazzolai B, Pugno NM. Mechanics and optimization of undulatory locomotion in different environments, tuning geometry, stiffness, damping and frictional anisotropy. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20220875. [PMID: 36751930 PMCID: PMC9905976 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the oldest yet most common modalities of locomotion known among limbless animals is undulatory, also recognized for its stability compared to legged locomotion. Multiple forms of active mechanisms, e.g. active gait control, and passive mechanisms, e.g. body morphology and material properties, have adapted to different environments. The current research explores the passive role of body stiffness and internal losses in meeting terrain requirements. Furthermore, it addresses the influence of the environment on the resultant gait and how the interplay between various environments and body properties can lead to different speeds. We modelled undulatory locomotion in a dry friction environment where frictional anisotropy determines propulsion. We found that the body stiffness, the moment of inertia, the dry frictional coefficient ratio between normal and tangential frictional constants, and the internal damping of the body play an essential role in optimizing speed and animal adaptability to external conditions. Furthermore, we demonstrate that various known gaits like swimming, crawling and polychaete-like locomotion are achieved as a result of the interaction between body and environment parameters. Moreover, we validated the model by retrieving a corn snake's speed using data from the literature. This study demonstrates that the dependence between morphology, body material properties and environment can be exploited to design long-segmented robots to perform in specialized situations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Basit Yaqoob
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, 38122 Trento, Italy
- Laboratory of Bioinspired Soft Robotics, Center for Convergent Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Rodella
- Department of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuela Del Dottore
- Laboratory of Bioinspired Soft Robotics, Center for Convergent Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Alessio Mondini
- Laboratory of Bioinspired Soft Robotics, Center for Convergent Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Barbara Mazzolai
- Laboratory of Bioinspired Soft Robotics, Center for Convergent Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Nicola M. Pugno
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, 38122 Trento, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lauro E, Corridori I, Luciani L, Di Leo A, Sartori A, Andreuccetti J, Trojan D, Scudo G, Motta A, Pugno NM. Stapled fascial suture: ex vivo modeling and clinical implications. Surg Endosc 2022; 36:8797-8806. [PMID: 35578046 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-022-09304-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, in the field of abdominal wall repair surgery, some minimally invasive procedures introduced the use of staplers to provide a retromuscular prosthetic repair. However, to the knowledge of the authors, there are little data in the literature about the outcomes of stapled sutures adoption for midline reconstruction. This study aims to investigate the biomechanics of stapled sutures, simple (stapled), or oversewn (hybrid), in comparison with handsewn suture. From the results obtained, we tried to draw indications for their use in a clinical context. METHODS Human cadaver fascia lata specimens, sutured (handsewn, stapled, or hybrid) or not, underwent tensile tests. The data on strength (maximal stress), ultimate strain (deformability), Young's modulus (rigidity), and dissipated specific energy (ability to absorb mechanical energy up to the breaking point) were recorded for each type of specimens and analyzed. RESULTS Stapled and hybrid suture showed a significantly higher strength (handsewn 0.83 MPa, stapled 2.10 MPa, hybrid 2.68 MPa) and a trend toward a lower ultimate strain as compared to manual sutures (handsewn 344%, stapled 249%, hybrid 280%). Stapled and hybrid sutures had fourfold higher Young's modulus as compared to handsewn sutures (handsewn 1.779 MPa, stapled 7.374 MPa, hybrid 6.964 MPa). Handsewn and hybrid sutures showed significantly higher dissipated specific energy (handsewn 0.99 mJ-mm3, stapled 0.73 mJ-mm3, hybrid 1.35 mJ-mm3). CONCLUSION Stapled sutures can resist high loads, but are less deformable and rigid than handsewn suture. This suggests a safer employment in case of small defects or diastasis (< W1 in accord to EHS classification), where the presumed tissutal displacement is minimal. Oversewing a stapled suture improves its efficiency, becoming crucial in case of larger defects (> W1 in accord to EHS classification) where the expected tissutal displacement is maximal. Hybrid sutures seem to be a good compromise.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Lauro
- Department of General Surgery, St. Maria Del Carmine Hospital, Rovereto, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Corridori
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
- BIOtech Center for Biomedical Technologies, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Luciani
- Robotic Unit and Department of Urology, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy
| | - Alberto Di Leo
- Department of General Surgery, San Camillo Hospital, Trento, Italy
| | - Alberto Sartori
- Department of General Surgery, Montebelluna-Castelfranco Veneto Hospital, Treviso, Italy
| | - Jacopo Andreuccetti
- Department of General Surgery 2^, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Diletta Trojan
- Fondazione Banca dei Tessuti Treviso FBTV, Treviso, Italy
| | - Giovanni Scudo
- Department of General Surgery, St. Maria Del Carmine Hospital, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Antonella Motta
- BIOtech Center for Biomedical Technologies, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.
- School of Engineering and Material Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Dal Poggetto VF, Pugno NM, Arruda JRDF. Bioinspired periodic panels optimized for acoustic insulation. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci 2022; 380:20210389. [PMID: 36209809 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2021.0389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The design of structures that can yield efficient sound insulation performance is a recurring topic in the acoustic engineering field. Special attention is given to panels, which can be designed using several approaches to achieve considerable sound attenuation. Previously, we have presented the concept of thickness-varying periodic plates with optimized profiles to inhibit flexural wave energy propagation. In this work, motivated by biological structures that present multiple locally resonant elements able to cause acoustic cloaking, we extend our shape optimization approach to design panels that achieve improved acoustic insulation performance using either thickness-varying profiles or locally resonant attachments. The optimization is performed using numerical models that combine the Kirchhoff plate theory and the plane wave expansion method. Our results indicate that panels based on locally resonant mechanisms have the advantage of being robust against variation in the incidence angle of acoustic excitation and, therefore, are preferred for single-leaf applications. This article is part of the theme issue 'Wave generation and transmission in multi-scale complex media and structured metamaterials (part 2)'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vinícius F Dal Poggetto
- Laboratory for Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory for Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - José Roberto de F Arruda
- Department of Computational Mechanics, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Arakawa K, Kono N, Malay AD, Tateishi A, Ifuku N, Masunaga H, Sato R, Tsuchiya K, Ohtoshi R, Pedrazzoli D, Shinohara A, Ito Y, Nakamura H, Tanikawa A, Suzuki Y, Ichikawa T, Fujita S, Fujiwara M, Tomita M, Blamires SJ, Chuah JA, Craig H, Foong CP, Greco G, Guan J, Holland C, Kaplan DL, Sudesh K, Mandal BB, Norma-Rashid Y, Oktaviani NA, Preda RC, Pugno NM, Rajkhowa R, Wang X, Yazawa K, Zheng Z, Numata K. 1000 spider silkomes: Linking sequences to silk physical properties. Sci Adv 2022; 8:eabo6043. [PMID: 36223455 PMCID: PMC9555773 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo6043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Spider silks are among the toughest known materials and thus provide models for renewable, biodegradable, and sustainable biopolymers. However, the entirety of their diversity still remains elusive, and silks that exceed the performance limits of industrial fibers are constantly being found. We obtained transcriptome assemblies from 1098 species of spiders to comprehensively catalog silk gene sequences and measured the mechanical, thermal, structural, and hydration properties of the dragline silks of 446 species. The combination of these silk protein genotype-phenotype data revealed essential contributions of multicomponent structures with major ampullate spidroin 1 to 3 paralogs in high-performance dragline silks and numerous amino acid motifs contributing to each of the measured properties. We hope that our global sampling, comprehensive testing, integrated analysis, and open data will provide a solid starting point for future biomaterial designs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuharu Arakawa
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0017, Japan
- Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-8520, Japan
- Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-8520, Japan
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Kono
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0017, Japan
- Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-8520, Japan
| | - Ali D. Malay
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Ayaka Tateishi
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Department of Material Chemistry, Kyoto University, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Nao Ifuku
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hiroyasu Masunaga
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5198, Japan
| | - Ryota Sato
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Spiber Inc., Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0052, Japan
| | - Kousuke Tsuchiya
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Department of Material Chemistry, Kyoto University, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Rintaro Ohtoshi
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Spiber Inc., Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0052, Japan
| | | | | | - Yusuke Ito
- Spiber Inc., Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0052, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nakamura
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Spiber Inc., Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0052, Japan
| | - Akio Tanikawa
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Yayoi, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Yuya Suzuki
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
- The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Takeaki Ichikawa
- Kokugakuin Kugayama High School, Suginami, Tokyo 168-0082, Japan
| | - Shohei Fujita
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Saga University, Saga 840-8502, Japan
| | - Masayuki Fujiwara
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0017, Japan
| | - Masaru Tomita
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0017, Japan
- Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-8520, Japan
- Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-8520, Japan
| | - Sean J. Blamires
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Jo-Ann Chuah
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hamish Craig
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Choon P. Foong
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Department of Material Chemistry, Kyoto University, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Gabriele Greco
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, I-38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Juan Guan
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Chris Holland
- Natural Materials Group, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK
| | - David L. Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Kumar Sudesh
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
| | - Biman B. Mandal
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG), Guwahati, 781 039 Assam, India
- Center for Nanotechnology, IITG, Guwahati, 781 039 Assam, India
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, IITG, Guwahati, 781 039 Assam, India
| | - Y. Norma-Rashid
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nur A. Oktaviani
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Rucsanda C. Preda
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Nicola M. Pugno
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, I-38123 Trento, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS London, UK
| | - Rangam Rajkhowa
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Xiaoqin Wang
- College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Kenjiro Yazawa
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Zhaozhu Zheng
- College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Keiji Numata
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Department of Material Chemistry, Kyoto University, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Del Bianco L, Spizzo F, Yang Y, Greco G, Gatto ML, Barucca G, Pugno NM, Motta A. Silk fibroin films with embedded magnetic nanoparticles: evaluation of the magneto-mechanical stimulation effect on osteogenic differentiation of stem cells. Nanoscale 2022; 14:14558-14574. [PMID: 36149382 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr03167a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We report about a biomaterial in the form of film ∼10 μm thick, consisting of a silk fibroin matrix with embedded iron oxide superparamagnetic nanoparticles, for prospective applications as bioactive coating in regenerative medicine. Films with different load of magnetic nanoparticles are produced (nanoparticles/silk fibroin nominal ratio = 5, 0.5 and 0 wt%) and the structural, mechanical and magnetic properties are studied. The nanoparticles form aggregates in the silk fibroin matrix and the film stiffness, as tested by nanoindentation, is spatially inhomogeneous, but the protein structure is not altered. In vitro biological tests are carried out on human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells cultured on the films up to 21 days, with and without an applied static uniform magnetic field. The sample with the highest nanoparticles/silk fibroin ratio shows the best performance in terms of cell proliferation and adhesion. Moreover, it promotes a faster and better osteogenic differentiation, particularly under magnetic field, as indicated by the gene expression level of typical osteogenic markers. These findings are explained in light of the results of the physical characterization, combined with numerical calculations. It is established that the applied magnetic field triggers a virtuous magneto-mechanical mechanism in which dipolar magnetic forces between the nanoparticle aggregates give rise to a spatial distribution of mechanical stresses in the silk fibroin matrix. The film with the largest nanoparticle load, under cell culture conditions (i.e. in aqueous environment), undergoes matrix deformations large enough to be sensed by the seeded cells as mechanical stimuli favoring the osteogenic differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Del Bianco
- Department of Physics and Earth Science, University of Ferrara, I-44122 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Federico Spizzo
- Department of Physics and Earth Science, University of Ferrara, I-44122 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Yuejiao Yang
- BIOtech Research Center, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, I-38123 Trento, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Greco
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta, Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, I-38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Gatto
- Department SIMAU, Università Politecnica delle Marche, I-60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Gianni Barucca
- Department SIMAU, Università Politecnica delle Marche, I-60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta, Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, I-38123 Trento, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Antonella Motta
- BIOtech Research Center, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, I-38123 Trento, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Berardo A, Fattoruso V, Mazzoni V, Pugno NM. Coupling computational vibrational models and experimental biotremology to develop a green pest control strategy against the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum. J R Soc Interface 2022; 19:20220311. [PMID: 36285437 PMCID: PMC9597177 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In applied biotremology, vibrational signals or cues are exploited to manipulate the target species behaviour. To develop an efficient pest control strategy, other than a detailed investigation into the pest biology and behaviour, the role of the substrate used to transmit the signal is an important feature to be considered, since it may affect vibrations spreading and effective signal transmission and perception. Therefore, we used a multi-disciplinary approach to develop a control technique against the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum. First, an ad hoc vibrational disruptive noise has been developed, based on the acquired knowledge about the mating behaviour and vibrational communication of the mated species. Subsequently, we employed finite-element models to investigate a growing tomato plant response to the aforesaid noise. Modelling how vibrations spread along the plant allowed us to set up a greenhouse experiment to assess the efficacy in terms of insect population of the vibrational treatment, which was administrated through vibrational plates. The green methodology applied in this study represents an innovative, environmentally sound alternative to the usage of synthetic pesticides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alice Berardo
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Valeria Fattoruso
- C3A Centro Agricoltura, Alimenti e Ambiente, University of Trento, 38122 Trento, Italy
| | - Valerio Mazzoni
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Nicola M. Pugno
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Residori S, Greco G, Pugno NM. The mechanical characterization of the legs, fangs, and prosoma in the spider Harpactira curvipes (Pocock 1897). Sci Rep 2022; 12:13056. [PMID: 35906448 PMCID: PMC9338270 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16307-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The exoskeleton of spiders is the primary structure that interacts with the external mechanical stimuli, thus playing a crucial role in spider life. In particular, fangs, legs, and prosoma are the main rigid structures of the exoskeleton and their properties must be measured to better understand their mechanical behaviours. Here we investigate, by means of nanoindentation, the mechanical properties of the external sclerotized cuticles of such parts in the spider Harpactira curvipes. Interestingly, the results show that the leg’s cuticle is stiffer than the prosoma and has a stiffness similar to the one of the tip fangs. This could be explained by the legs’ function in perceiving vibrations that could be facilitated by higher stiffness. From a broader perspective, this characterization could help to understand how the same basic material (the cuticle, i.e. mainly composed of chitin) can be tuned to achieve different mechanical functions, which improves the animal’s adaptation to specific evolutive requirements. We, thus, hope that this work stimulates further comparative analysis. Moreover, these results may also be potentially important to inspire the design of graded materials with superior mechanical properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Residori
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, 38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Gabriele Greco
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, 38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, 38123, Trento, Italy. .,School of Engineering and Material Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zaffaroni-Caorsi V, Nieri R, Pugno NM, Mazzoni V. Effect of vibrational mating disruption on flight activity and oviposition to control the grapevine pest, Scaphoideustitanus. Arthropod Struct Dev 2022; 69:101173. [PMID: 35636340 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2022.101173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The increasing demand for safe and sustainably produced food is leading to the development of strategies of pest control alternative to chemicals. One innovative method is Vibrational Mating Disruption (VMD) to disrupt insect communication in plants. VMD was proven effective in preventing mating of the grapevine pest Scaphoideus titanus, vector of flavescence dorée. However, the stress induced by VMD on the target species has the potential to influence other crucial aspects of the insect biology and ethology. Therefore, the goal of this study was to understand side effects of VMD on the flight activity and oviposition of S. titanus. The results of our experiments conducted in the greenhouse showed that in the presence of a receptive female, males fly more if exposed to vibrations than in the silent control but not differently from singles males in silence. Surprisingly, we found that also females subjected to VMD fly more than in the silence. Regarding oviposition, we found that mated females exposed to vibrations and single females (unmated) laid significantly fewer eggs than mated females in silence. In conclusion, this study shows the potential of VMD to interfere, besides with mating, with other important biological aspects of the pest species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachele Nieri
- Laboratory of Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, I-38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory of Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, I-38123, Trento, Italy; School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - Valerio Mazzoni
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via Edmund Mach, 1, 38098, San Michele All'Adige, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Arndt T, Greco G, Schmuck B, Bunz J, Shilkova O, Francis J, Pugno NM, Jaudzems K, Barth A, Johansson J, Rising A. Engineered Spider Silk Proteins for Biomimetic Spinning of Fibers with Toughness Equal to Dragline Silks. Adv Funct Mater 2022; 32:2200986. [PMID: 36505976 PMCID: PMC9720699 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202200986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Spider silk is the toughest fiber found in nature, and bulk production of artificial spider silk that matches its mechanical properties remains elusive. Development of miniature spider silk proteins (mini-spidroins) has made large-scale fiber production economically feasible, but the fibers' mechanical properties are inferior to native silk. The spider silk fiber's tensile strength is conferred by poly-alanine stretches that are zipped together by tight side chain packing in β-sheet crystals. Spidroins are secreted so they must be void of long stretches of hydrophobic residues, since such segments get inserted into the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. At the same time, hydrophobic residues have high β-strand propensity and can mediate tight inter-β-sheet interactions, features that are attractive for generation of strong artificial silks. Protein production in prokaryotes can circumvent biological laws that spiders, being eukaryotic organisms, must obey, and the authors thus design mini-spidroins that are predicted to more avidly form stronger β-sheets than the wildtype protein. Biomimetic spinning of the engineered mini-spidroins indeed results in fibers with increased tensile strength and two fiber types display toughness equal to native dragline silks. Bioreactor expression and purification result in a protein yield of ≈9 g L-1 which is in line with requirements for economically feasible bulk scale production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tina Arndt
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska InstitutetNeoHuddinge14183Sweden
| | - Gabriele Greco
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta, Materials & MechanicsDepartment of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of TrentoVia Mesiano 77Trento38123Italy
- Department of AnatomyPhysiology and BiochemistrySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUppsala75007Sweden
| | - Benjamin Schmuck
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska InstitutetNeoHuddinge14183Sweden
- Department of AnatomyPhysiology and BiochemistrySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUppsala75007Sweden
| | - Jessica Bunz
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska InstitutetNeoHuddinge14183Sweden
- Present address:
Spiber Technologies ABAlbaNova University CenterSE‐10691StockholmSweden
| | - Olga Shilkova
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska InstitutetNeoHuddinge14183Sweden
| | - Juanita Francis
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska InstitutetNeoHuddinge14183Sweden
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta, Materials & MechanicsDepartment of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of TrentoVia Mesiano 77Trento38123Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials SciencesQueen Mary University of LondonMile End RoadLondonE1 4NSUK
| | - Kristaps Jaudzems
- Department of Physical Organic ChemistryLatvian Institute of Organic SynthesisRigaLV‐1006Latvia
| | - Andreas Barth
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsThe Arrhenius Laboratories for Natural SciencesStockholm UniversityStockholm10691Sweden
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska InstitutetNeoHuddinge14183Sweden
| | - Anna Rising
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska InstitutetNeoHuddinge14183Sweden
- Department of AnatomyPhysiology and BiochemistrySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUppsala75007Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Pedrielli A, Trevisanutto PE, Monacelli L, Garberoglio G, Pugno NM, Taioli S. Understanding anharmonic effects on hydrogen desorption characteristics of Mg nH 2n nanoclusters by ab initio trained deep neural network. Nanoscale 2022; 14:5589-5599. [PMID: 35344577 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr08359g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Magnesium hydride (MgH2) has been widely studied for effective hydrogen storage. However, its bulk desorption temperature (553 K) is deemed too high for practical applications. Besides doping, a strategy to decrease such reaction energy for releasing hydrogen is the use of MgH2-based nanoparticles (NPs). Here, we investigate first the thermodynamic properties of MgnH2n NPs (n < 10) from first-principles, in particular by assessing the anharmonic effects on the enthalpy, entropy and thermal expansion by means of the stochastic self consistent harmonic approximation (SSCHA). This method goes beyond previous approaches, typically based on molecular mechanics and the quasi-harmonic approximation, allowing the ab initio calculation of the fully-anharmonic free energy. We find an almost linear dependence on temperature of the interatomic bond lengths - with a relative variation of few percent over 300 K - alongside with a bond distance decrease of the Mg-H bonds. In order to increase the size of MgnH2n NPs toward experiments of hydrogen desorption we devise a computationally effective machine learning model trained to accurately determine the forces and total energies (i.e. the potential energy surfaces), integrating the latter with the SSCHA model to fully include the anharmonic effects. We find a significative decrease of the H-desorption temperature for sub-nanometric clusters MgnH2n with n ≤ 10, with a non-negligible, although little effect due to anharmonicities (up to 10%).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pedrielli
- European Centre for Theoretical Studies in Nuclear Physics and Related Areas (ECT*-Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Trento, Italy.
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Italy
| | - Paolo E Trevisanutto
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Unità di Ricerca di Fisica non lineare e Modelli matematici, Università Campus Bio-Medico, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, Roma, 00154, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Garberoglio
- European Centre for Theoretical Studies in Nuclear Physics and Related Areas (ECT*-Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Trento, Italy.
- Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications (TIFPA-INFN), Italy
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, UK
| | - Simone Taioli
- European Centre for Theoretical Studies in Nuclear Physics and Related Areas (ECT*-Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Trento, Italy.
- Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications (TIFPA-INFN), Italy
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Luo D, Choe M, Bizao RA, Wang M, Su H, Huang M, Jin S, Li Y, Kim M, Pugno NM, Ren B, Lee Z, Ruoff RS. Folding and Fracture of Single-Crystal Graphene Grown on a Cu(111) Foil. Adv Mater 2022; 34:e2110509. [PMID: 35134267 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202110509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A single-crystal graphene film grown on a Cu(111) foil by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has ribbon-like fold structures. These graphene folds are highly oriented and essentially parallel to each other. Cu surface steps underneath the graphene are along the <110> and <211> directions, leading to the formation of the arrays of folds. The folds in the single-layer graphene (SLG) are not continuous but break up into alternating patterns. A "joint" (an AB-stacked bilayer graphene) region connects two neighboring alternating regions, and the breaks are always along zigzag or armchair directions. Folds formed in bilayer or few-layer graphene are continuous with no breaks. Molecular dynamics simulations show that SLG suffers a significantly higher compressive stress compared to bilayer graphene when both are under the same compression, thus leading to the rupture of SLG in these fold regions. The fracture strength of a CVD-grown single-crystal SLG film is simulated to be about 70 GPa. This study greatly deepens the understanding of the mechanics of CVD-grown single-crystal graphene and such folds, and sheds light on the fabrication of various graphene origami/kirigami structures by substrate engineering. Such oriented folds can be used in a variety of further studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Da Luo
- Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials (CMCM), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Myeonggi Choe
- Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials (CMCM), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Rafael A Bizao
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, via Mesiano, 77, Trento, 38123, Italy
| | - Meihui Wang
- Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials (CMCM), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Haisheng Su
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Ming Huang
- Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials (CMCM), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637457, Singapore
| | - Sunghwan Jin
- Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials (CMCM), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunqing Li
- Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials (CMCM), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Minhyeok Kim
- Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials (CMCM), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, via Mesiano, 77, Trento, 38123, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Bin Ren
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Zonghoon Lee
- Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials (CMCM), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Rodney S Ruoff
- Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials (CMCM), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Bäcklund FG, Schmuck B, Miranda GHB, Greco G, Pugno NM, Rydén J, Rising A. An Image-Analysis-Based Method for the Prediction of Recombinant Protein Fiber Tensile Strength. Materials (Basel) 2022; 15:ma15030708. [PMID: 35160653 PMCID: PMC8915176 DOI: 10.3390/ma15030708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Silk fibers derived from the cocoon of silk moths and the wide range of silks produced by spiders exhibit an array of features, such as extraordinary tensile strength, elasticity, and adhesive properties. The functional features and mechanical properties can be derived from the structural composition and organization of the silk fibers. Artificial recombinant protein fibers based on engineered spider silk proteins have been successfully made previously and represent a promising way towards the large-scale production of fibers with predesigned features. However, for the production and use of protein fibers, there is a need for reliable objective quality control procedures that could be automated and that do not destroy the fibers in the process. Furthermore, there is still a lack of understanding the specifics of how the structural composition and organization relate to the ultimate function of silk-like fibers. In this study, we develop a new method for the categorization of protein fibers that enabled a highly accurate prediction of fiber tensile strength. Based on the use of a common light microscope equipped with polarizers together with image analysis for the precise determination of fiber morphology and optical properties, this represents an easy-to-use, objective non-destructive quality control process for protein fiber manufacturing and provides further insights into the link between the supramolecular organization and mechanical functionality of protein fibers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fredrik G. Bäcklund
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 14186 Huddinge, Sweden; (B.S.); (A.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Benjamin Schmuck
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 14186 Huddinge, Sweden; (B.S.); (A.R.)
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gisele H. B. Miranda
- Division of Computational Science and Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 10044 Stockholm, Sweden;
- BioImage Informatics Facility, Science for Life Laboratory, 17165 Solna, Sweden
| | - Gabriele Greco
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta, Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, 38123 Trento, Italy; (G.G.); (N.M.P.)
| | - Nicola M. Pugno
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta, Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, 38123 Trento, Italy; (G.G.); (N.M.P.)
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Jesper Rydén
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Anna Rising
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 14186 Huddinge, Sweden; (B.S.); (A.R.)
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Dal Poggetto VF, Bosia F, Greco G, Pugno NM. Prey Impact Localization Enabled by Material and Structural Interaction in Spider Orb Webs. Advcd Theory and Sims 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/adts.202100282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vinícius F. Dal Poggetto
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering University of Trento Trento 38123 Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Greco
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering University of Trento Trento 38123 Italy
| | - Nicola M. Pugno
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering University of Trento Trento 38123 Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science Queen Mary University of London Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Caorsi V, Cornara D, Wells KE, Moser D, Berardo A, Miselli R, Torriani M, Pugno NM, Tasin M, Maistrello L, Mazzoni V. Design of ideal vibrational signals for stinkbug male attraction through vibrotaxis experiments. Pest Manag Sci 2021; 77:5498-5508. [PMID: 34357680 PMCID: PMC9292951 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many groups of insects utilize substrate-borne vibrations for intraspecific communication. This characteristic makes them a suitable model for exploring the use of vibrations as a tool for pest control as an alternative to the use of chemicals. Detailed knowledge of species communication is a prerequisite to select the best signals to use. This study explored the use of substrate-borne vibrations for pest control of the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys Stål (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). For this purpose, we first identified the spectral and temporal characteristics that best elicit male responsiveness. Bioassays were conducted with artificial signals that mimicked the natural female calling signal. Second, we used the acquired knowledge to synthesize new signals endowed with different degrees of attractiveness in single- and two-choice bioassays using a wooden custom-made T stand. RESULTS The results from this study showed that males were attracted to female signals along a high range of amplitudes, especially starting from a threshold of 100 μm s-1 , a high pulse repetition time (1 s) and frequency peak corresponding to the first harmonic (76 Hz). This resulted in an "optimal" signal for use to attract males, while the choice test in the T arena showed that this signal elicits searching behavior and attracts BMSB males towards a stimulation point. CONCLUSION We confirm the use of vibrational signals as a strong tool for behavioral manipulation of male BMSB and suggest its possible use in the development of field traps and further management of this pest. © 2021 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Caorsi
- Research and Innovation CentreFondazione Edmund MachSan Michele all'AdigeItaly
- C3A Centro Agricoltura, Alimenti e AmbienteUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Daniele Cornara
- International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies – Institute of Bari (CIHEAM‐Bari)ValenzanoItaly
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and ManagementUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCAUSA
| | - Karen E Wells
- Research and Innovation CentreFondazione Edmund MachSan Michele all'AdigeItaly
| | - Damiano Moser
- Department of Chemical SciencesUniversity of PaduaPaduaItaly
| | - Alice Berardo
- Laboratory of Bio‐Inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
- Present address:
Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural EngineeringUniversity of PadovaPaduaItaly
| | - Roberto Miselli
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Michele Torriani
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio‐Inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
- School of Engineering and Materials ScienceQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Marco Tasin
- Department of Chemical SciencesUniversity of PaduaPaduaItaly
| | - Lara Maistrello
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Valerio Mazzoni
- Research and Innovation CentreFondazione Edmund MachSan Michele all'AdigeItaly
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Mescola A, Paolicelli G, Ogilvie SP, Guarino R, McHugh JG, Rota A, Iacob E, Gnecco E, Valeri S, Pugno NM, Gadhamshetty V, Rahman MM, Ajayan P, Dalton AB, Tripathi M. Graphene Confers Ultralow Friction on Nanogear Cogs. Small 2021; 17:e2104487. [PMID: 34676978 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202104487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Friction-induced energy dissipation impedes the performance of nanomechanical devices. Nevertheless, the application of graphene is known to modulate frictional dissipation by inducing local strain. This work reports on the nanomechanics of graphene conformed on different textured silicon surfaces that mimic the cogs of a nanoscale gear. The variation in the pitch lengths regulates the strain induced in capped graphene revealed by scanning probe techniques, Raman spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulation. The atomistic visualization elucidates asymmetric straining of CC bonds over the corrugated architecture resulting in distinct friction dissipation with respect to the groove axis. Experimental results are reported for strain-dependent solid lubrication which can be regulated by the corrugation and leads to ultralow frictional forces. The results are applicable for graphene covered corrugated structures with movable components such as nanoelectromechanical systems, nanoscale gears, and robotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Mescola
- CNR-Istituto Nanoscienze - Centro S3, Via Campi 213, Modena, 41125, Italy
| | - Guido Paolicelli
- CNR-Istituto Nanoscienze - Centro S3, Via Campi 213, Modena, 41125, Italy
| | - Sean P Ogilvie
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9RH, UK
| | - Roberto Guarino
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Swiss Plasma Center (SPC), Villigen PSI, CH-5232, Switzerland
| | - James G McHugh
- Department of Chemistry, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK
| | - Alberto Rota
- CNR-Istituto Nanoscienze - Centro S3, Via Campi 213, Modena, 41125, Italy
- Department of Physics, Informatics and Mathematics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213, Modena, 41125, Italy
| | - Erica Iacob
- Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Sensors and Devices, via Sommarive 18, Trento, 38123, Italy
| | - Enrico Gnecco
- Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Lojasiewicza 11, Krakow, 30-348, Poland
| | - Sergio Valeri
- CNR-Istituto Nanoscienze - Centro S3, Via Campi 213, Modena, 41125, Italy
- Department of Physics, Informatics and Mathematics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213, Modena, 41125, Italy
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta, Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, Trento, 38123, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Venkataramana Gadhamshetty
- Department Civil and Environmental Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, SD, 57701, USA
| | - Muhammad M Rahman
- Department of Materials Science and Nanoengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 7705, USA
| | - Pulickel Ajayan
- Department of Materials Science and Nanoengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 7705, USA
| | - Alan B Dalton
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9RH, UK
| | - Manoj Tripathi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9RH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Florio G, Pugno NM, Buehler MJ, Puglisi G. A coarse-grained mechanical model for folding and unfolding of tropoelastin with possible mutations. Acta Biomater 2021; 134:477-489. [PMID: 34303013 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
We propose a simple general framework to predict folding, native states, energy barriers, protein unfolding, as well as mutation induced diseases and other protein structural analyses. The model should not be considered as an alternative to classical approaches (Molecular Dynamics or Monte Carlo) because it neglects low scale details and rather focuses on global features of proteins and structural information. We aim at the description of phenomena that are out of the range of classical molecular modeling approaches due to the large computational cost: multimolecular interactions, cyclic behavior under variable external interactions, and similar. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach in a real case, we focus on the folding and unfolding behavior of tropoelastin and its mutations. Specifically, we derive a discrete mechanical model whose structure is deduced based on a coarse graining approach that allows us to group the amino acids sequence in a smaller number of `equivalent' masses. Nearest neighbor energy terms are then introduced to reproduce the interaction of such amino acid groups. Nearest and non-nearest neighbor energy terms, inter and intra functional blocks are phenomenologically added in the form of Morse potentials. As we show, the resulting system reproduces important properties of the folding-unfolding mechanical response, including the monotonic and cyclic force-elongation behavior, representing a physiologically important information for elastin. The comparison with the experimental behavior of mutated tropoelastin confirms the predictivity of the model. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Classical approaches to the study of phenomena at the molecular scale such as Molecular Dynamics (MD) represent an incredible tool to unveil mechanical and conformational properties of macromolecules, in particular for biological and medical applications. On the other hand, due to the computational cost, the time and spatial scales are limited. Focusing of the real case of tropoelastin, we propose a new approach based on a careful coarse graining of the system, able to describe the overall properties of the macromolecule and amenable of extension to larger scale effects (protein bundles, protein-protein interactions, cyclic loading). The comparison with tropoelastin behavior, also for mutations, is very promising.
Collapse
|
23
|
Pedrielli A, de Vera P, Trevisanutto PE, Pugno NM, Garcia-Molina R, Abril I, Taioli S, Dapor M. Electronic excitation spectra of cerium oxides: from ab initio dielectric response functions to Monte Carlo electron transport simulations. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:19173-19187. [PMID: 34357365 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp01810h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Nanomaterials made of cerium oxides CeO2 and Ce2O3 have a broad range of applications, from catalysts in automotive, industrial or energy operations to promising materials to enhance hadrontherapy effectiveness in oncological treatments. To elucidate the physico-chemical mechanisms involved in these processes, it is of paramount importance to know the electronic excitation spectra of these oxides, which are obtained here through high-accuracy linear-response time-dependent density functional theory calculations. In particular, the macroscopic dielectric response functions of both bulk CeO2 and Ce2O3 are derived, which compare remarkably well with the available experimental data. These results stress the importance of appropriately accounting for local field effects to model the dielectric function of metal oxides. Furthermore, we reckon the energy loss functions Im(-1/) of the materials, including the accurate evaluation of the momentum transfer dispersion from first-principles calculations. In this respect, by using Mermin-type parametrization we are able to model the contribution of different electronic excitations to the dielectric loss function. Finally, from the knowledge of the electron inelastic mean free path, together with the elastic mean free path provided by the relativistic Mott theory, we carry out statistical Monte Carlo (MC) electron transport simulations to reproduce the major features of the reported experimental reflection electron energy loss (REEL) spectra of cerium oxides. The good agreement with REEL experimental data strongly supports our approach based on MC modelling, whose main inputs were obtained using ab initio calculated electronic excitation spectra in a broad range of momentum and energy transfers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pedrielli
- European Centre for Theoretical Studies in Nuclear Physics and Related Areas (ECT*-Bruno Kessler Foundation) and Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications (TIFPA-INFN), Trento, Italy. .,Laboratory of Bio-Inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Italy
| | - Pablo de Vera
- European Centre for Theoretical Studies in Nuclear Physics and Related Areas (ECT*-Bruno Kessler Foundation) and Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications (TIFPA-INFN), Trento, Italy.
| | | | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Italy.,School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, UK
| | - Rafael Garcia-Molina
- Departamento de Física, Centro de Investigación en Óptica y Nanofísica, Universidad de Murcia, Spain
| | - Isabel Abril
- Departament de Física Aplicada, Universitat d'Alacant, Spain
| | - Simone Taioli
- European Centre for Theoretical Studies in Nuclear Physics and Related Areas (ECT*-Bruno Kessler Foundation) and Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications (TIFPA-INFN), Trento, Italy. .,Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Russia
| | - Maurizio Dapor
- European Centre for Theoretical Studies in Nuclear Physics and Related Areas (ECT*-Bruno Kessler Foundation) and Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications (TIFPA-INFN), Trento, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Abstract
Living systems are built of multiscale-composites: materials formed of components with different properties that are assembled in complex micro- and nano-structures. Such biological multiscale-composites often show outstanding physical properties that are unachieved by artificial materials. A major scientific goal is thus to understand the assembly processes and the relationship between structure and function in order to reproduce them in a new generation of biomimetic high-performance materials. Here, we tested how the assembly of spider silk nano-fibres (i.e. glue coated 0.5 μm thick fibres produced by so-called piriform glands) into different micro-structures correlates with mechanical performance by empirically and numerically exploring the mechanical behaviour of line anchors in an orb weaver, a hunting spider and two ancient web builders. We demonstrate that the anchors of orb weavers exhibit outstanding mechanical robustness with minimal material use by the indirect attachment of the silk line to the substrate through a soft domain ('bridge'). This principle can be used to design new artificial high-performance attachment systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas O Wolff
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Machado LD, Bizao RA, Pugno NM, Galvão DS. Controlling Movement at Nanoscale: Curvature Driven Mechanotaxis. Small 2021; 17:e2100909. [PMID: 34302438 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202100909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Locating and manipulating nano-sized objects to drive motion is a time and effort consuming task. Recent advances show that it is possible to generate motion without direct intervention, by embedding the source of motion in the system configuration. In this work, an alternative manner to controllably displace nano-objects without external manipulation is demonstrated, by employing spiral-shaped carbon nanotube (CNT) and graphene nanoribbon structures (GNR). The spiral shape contains smooth gradients of curvature, which lead to smooth gradients of bending energy. It is shown that these gradients as well as surface energy gradients can drive nano-oscillators. An energy analysis is also carried out by approximating the carbon nanotube to a thin rod and how torsional gradients can be used to drive motion is discussed. For the nanoribbons, the role of layer orientation is also analyzed. The results show that motion is not sustainable for commensurate orientations, in which AB stacking occurs. For incommensurate orientations, friction almost vanishes, and in this instance, the motion can continue even if the driving forces are not very high. This suggests that mild curvature gradients, which can already be found in existing nanostructures, could provide mechanical stimuli to direct motion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo D Machado
- Departamento de Física Teórica e Experimental, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal-RN, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - Rafael A Bizao
- Institute of Mathematics and Computer Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13566-590, Brazil
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, 38123, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Douglas S Galvão
- Instituto de Física "Gleb Wataghin,", Universidade Estadual de Campinas, C. P. 6165, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Isotta E, Syafiq U, Ataollahi N, Chiappini A, Malerba C, Luong S, Trifiletti V, Fenwick O, Pugno NM, Scardi P. Thermoelectric properties of CZTS thin films: effect of Cu-Zn disorder. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:13148-13158. [PMID: 34075978 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp01327k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Cu-Zn disorder is known to deeply affect kesterite (Cu2ZnSnS4, CZTS) due to the low temperature order-disorder phase transition, leading to a random occupation of the two cations in the shared crystallographic planes. This defect complex has been extensively studied in the thin film photovoltaic sector, with considerable efforts in developing methods to quantify disorder. In this study, a preliminary investigation of thermoelectric properties in temperature for thin film CZTS is presented. It is found that Cu-Zn disorder enhances both electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient. This can positively affect the thermoelectric performance, showing a mechanism of potential interest for a broad class of quaternary chalcogenides. The order-disorder transition is clearly visible in the electronic properties. This feature is repeatable, with samples from different preparations and groups showing consistent results, qualitatively suggesting electronic measurements as possible methods to quantify disorder. Furthermore, the reversibility of the transition allows the electronic properties to be tuned via specific thermal treatments, pointing to interesting applications in tunable electronics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Isotta
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.
| | - U Syafiq
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy. and Solar Energy Research Institute, National University of Malaysia (SERI-UKM), 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - N Ataollahi
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.
| | - A Chiappini
- IFN-CNR CSMFO Lab. and FBK Photonics Unit, Trento, Italy
| | - C Malerba
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Rome, Italy
| | - S Luong
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - V Trifiletti
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - O Fenwick
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - N M Pugno
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy. and School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK and Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - P Scardi
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Pantano MF, Pavlou C, Pastore Carbone MG, Galiotis C, Pugno NM, Speranza G. Highly Deformable, Ultrathin Large-Area Poly(methyl methacrylate) Films. ACS Omega 2021; 6:8308-8312. [PMID: 33817490 PMCID: PMC8015101 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a glassy engineering polymer that finds extensive use in a number of applications. Over the past decade, thin films of PMMA were combined with graphene or other two-dimensional materials for applications in the area of nanotechnology. However, the effect of size upon the mechanical behavior of this thermoplastic polymer has not been fully examined. In this work, we adopted a homemade nanomechanical device to assess the yielding and fracture characteristics of freestanding, ultrathin (180-280 nm) PMMA films of a loaded area as large as 0.3 mm2. The measured values of Young's modulus and yield strength were found to be broadly similar to those measured in the bulk, but in contrast, all specimens exhibited a quite surprisingly high strain at failure (>20%). Detailed optical examination of the specimens during tensile loading showed clear evidence of craze development which however did not lead to premature fracture. This work may pave the way for the development of glassy thermoplastic films with high ductility at ambient temperatures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria F. Pantano
- Department
of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Christos Pavlou
- Institute
of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation
of Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT), Stadiou Street, Platani, 26504 Patras, Greece
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Maria Giovanna Pastore Carbone
- Institute
of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation
of Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT), Stadiou Street, Platani, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Costas Galiotis
- Institute
of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation
of Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT), Stadiou Street, Platani, 26504 Patras, Greece
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Nicola M. Pugno
- Laboratory
of Bio-Inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department
of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy
- School
of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen
Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, U.K.
| | - Giorgio Speranza
- Centre
for Materials and Microsystems, Fondazione
Bruno Kessler, via Sommarive 18, I-38123 Trento, Italy
- Istituto
di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie & Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
IFN—CNR, via alla
Cascata 56/C Povo, I-38123 Trento, Italy
- Department
of Industrial Engineering, University of
Trento, via Sommarive
9, I-38123 Trento, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Bucciarelli A, Greco G, Corridori I, Pugno NM, Motta A. A Design of Experiment Rational Optimization of the Degumming Process and Its Impact on the Silk Fibroin Properties. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:1374-1393. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Bucciarelli
- Microsystem Technology Group, Center for Materials and Microsystems, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Via Sommarive 9, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Gabriele Greco
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corridori
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Nicola M. Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, Trento 38123, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E14NS London, United Kingdom
| | - Antonella Motta
- Department of Industrial Engieneering, University of Trento, Via Delle Regole 101, Trento 38123, Italy
- BIOTech Research Center and European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Via Delle Regole 101, Trento 38123, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Greco G, Pugno NM. How spiders hunt heavy prey: the tangle web as a pulley and spider's lifting mechanics observed and quantified in the laboratory. J R Soc Interface 2021; 18:20200907. [PMID: 33530858 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2020.0907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The spiders of Theridiidae's family display a peculiar behaviour when they hunt extremely large prey. They lift the quarry, making it unable to escape, by attaching pre-tensioned silk threads to it. In this work, we analysed for the first time in the laboratory the lifting hunting mechanism and, in order to quantify the phenomenon, we applied the lifting mechanics theory. The comparison between the experiments and the theory suggests that, during the process, spiders do not stretch the silk too much by keeping it in the linear elastic regime. We thus report here further evidence for the strong role of silk in spiders' evolution, especially how spiders can stretch and use it as an external tool to overcome their muscles' limits and capture prey with large mass, e.g. 50 times the spider's mass.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Greco
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, 38123 Trento, Italy.,School of Engineering and Material Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Santi S, Corridori I, Pugno NM, Motta A, Migliaresi C. Injectable Scaffold-Systems for the Regeneration of Spinal Cord: Advances of the Past Decade. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:983-999. [PMID: 33523634 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, whenever is possible and as an alternative to open spine surgery, minimally invasive procedures are preferred to treat spinal cord injuries (SCI), with percutaneous injections or small incisions, that are faster, less traumatic, and require less recovery time. Injectable repair systems are based on materials that can be injected in the lesion site, can eventually be loaded with drugs or even cells, and act as scaffolds for the lesion repair. The review analyzes papers written from 2010 onward on injectable materials/systems used/proposed for the regenerative and combinatorial therapies of SCI and discusses the in vivo models that have been used to validate them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Santi
- BIOTech Research Center and European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University of Trento, Via delle Regole 101, 38123 Trento, Italy.,Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corridori
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy.,School of Engineering and Material Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS London, United Kingdom
| | - Antonella Motta
- BIOTech Research Center and European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University of Trento, Via delle Regole 101, 38123 Trento, Italy.,Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Claudio Migliaresi
- BIOTech Research Center and European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University of Trento, Via delle Regole 101, 38123 Trento, Italy.,Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Sgouros AP, Androulidakis C, Tsoukleri G, Kalosakas G, Delikoukos N, Signetti S, Pugno NM, Parthenios J, Galiotis C, Papagelis K. Efficient Mechanical Stress Transfer in Multilayer Graphene with a Ladder-like Architecture. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2021; 13:4473-4484. [PMID: 33432814 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c18774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We report that few graphene flakes embedded into polymer matrices can be mechanically stretched to relatively large deformation (>1%) in an efficient way by adopting a particular ladder-like morphology consisting of consecutive mono-, bi-, tri-, and four-layer graphene units. In this type of flake architecture, all of the layers adhere to the surrounding polymer inducing similar deformation on the individual graphene layers, preventing interlayer sliding and optimizing the strain transfer efficiency. We have exploited Raman spectroscopy to quantify this effect from a mechanical standpoint. The finite element method and molecular dynamics simulations have been used to interpret the above experimental findings. The results suggest that a step pyramid-like architecture of a flake can be ideal for efficient loading of layered materials embedded into a polymer and that there are two prevailing mechanisms that govern axial stress transfer, namely, interfacial shear transfer and axial transmission through the ends. This concept can be easily applied to other two-dimensional materials and related van der Waals heterostructures fabricated either by mechanical exfoliation or chemical vapor deposition by appropriate patterning. This work opens new perspectives in numerous applications, including high volume fraction composites, flexible electronics, and straintronic devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aristotelis P Sgouros
- School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Athens 15780, Greece
| | - Charalampos Androulidakis
- Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT), Patras 26504, Greece
| | - Georgia Tsoukleri
- Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT), Patras 26504, Greece
| | - George Kalosakas
- Department of Materials Science, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece
| | - Nikos Delikoukos
- Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT), Patras 26504, Greece
| | - Stefano Signetti
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, via Mesiano 77, I-38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, via Mesiano 77, I-38123 Trento, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - John Parthenios
- Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT), Patras 26504, Greece
| | - Costas Galiotis
- Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT), Patras 26504, Greece
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Papagelis
- Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT), Patras 26504, Greece
- School of Physics, Department of Solid State Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Kundanati L, Das P, Pugno NM. Prey Capturing Dynamics and Nanomechanically Graded Cutting Apparatus of Dragonfly Nymph. Materials (Basel) 2021; 14:ma14030559. [PMID: 33503962 PMCID: PMC7865395 DOI: 10.3390/ma14030559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Aquatic predatory insects, like the nymphs of a dragonfly, use rapid movements to catch their prey and it presents challenges in terms of movements due to drag forces. Dragonfly nymphs are known to be voracious predators with structures and movements that are yet to be fully understood. Thus, we examine two main mouthparts of the dragonfly nymph (Libellulidae: Insecta: Odonata) that are used in prey capturing and cutting the prey. To observe and analyze the preying mechanism under water, we used high-speed photography and, electron microscopy. The morphological details suggest that the prey-capturing labium is a complex grasping mechanism with additional sensory organs that serve some functionality. The time taken for the protraction and retraction of labium during prey capture was estimated to be 187 ± 54 ms, suggesting that these nymphs have a rapid prey mechanism. The Young’s modulus and hardness of the mandibles were estimated to be 9.1 ± 1.9 GPa and 0.85 ± 0.13 GPa, respectively. Such mechanical properties of the mandibles make them hard tools that can cut into the exoskeleton of the prey and also resistant to wear. Thus, studying such mechanisms with their sensory capabilities provides a unique opportunity to design and develop bioinspired underwater deployable mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lakshminath Kundanati
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy;
| | - Prashant Das
- Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave., Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada;
| | - Nicola M. Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy;
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Isotta E, Syafiq U, Ataollahi N, Chiappini A, Malerba C, Luong S, Trifiletti V, Fenwick O, Pugno NM, Scardi P. Correction: Thermoelectric properties of CZTS thin films: effect of Cu-Zn disorder. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:14109. [PMID: 34151327 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp90124a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Correction for 'Thermoelectric properties of CZTS thin films: effect of Cu-Zn disorder' by E. Isotta et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2021, DOI: 10.1039/d1cp01327k.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Isotta
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.
| | - U Syafiq
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy. and Solar Energy Research Institute, National University of Malaysia (SERI-UKM), 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - N Ataollahi
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.
| | - A Chiappini
- IFN-CNR CSMFO Lab. and FBK Photonics Unit, Trento, Italy
| | - C Malerba
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Rome, Italy
| | - S Luong
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - V Trifiletti
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - O Fenwick
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - N M Pugno
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy. and School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK and Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - P Scardi
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Magnabosco G, Pantano MF, Rapino S, Di Giosia M, Valle F, Taxis L, Sparla F, Falini G, Pugno NM, Calvaresi M. A Plant Bioreactor for the Synthesis of Carbon Nanotube Bionic Nanocomposites. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:560349. [PMID: 33251194 PMCID: PMC7676904 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.560349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bionic composites are an emerging class of materials produced exploiting living organisms as reactors to include synthetic functional materials in their native and highly performing structures. In this work, single wall carboxylated carbon nanotubes (SWCNT-COOH) were incorporated within the roots of living plants of Arabidopsis thaliana. This biogenic synthetic route produced a bionic composite material made of root components and SWCNT-COOH. The synthesis was possible exploiting the transport processes existing in the plant roots. Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) measurements showed that SWCNT-COOH entered the vascular bundles of A. thaliana roots localizing within xylem vessels. SWCNT-COOH preserved their electrical properties when embedded inside the root matrix, both at a microscopic level and a macroscopic level, and did not significantly affect the mechanical properties of A. thaliana roots.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Magnabosco
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician," Alma mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria F Pantano
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Stefania Rapino
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician," Alma mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Di Giosia
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician," Alma mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Valle
- Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati (CNR-ISMN), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ludovic Taxis
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Francesca Sparla
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Falini
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician," Alma mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.,School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matteo Calvaresi
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician," Alma mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Kundanati L, Guarino R, Menegon M, Pugno NM. Mechanics of snake biting: Experiments and modelling. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2020; 112:104020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.104020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
36
|
Kundanati L, Chahare NR, Jaddivada S, Karkisaval AG, Sridhar R, Pugno NM, Gundiah N. Cutting mechanics of wood by beetle larval mandibles. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2020; 112:104027. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.104027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
37
|
Tripathi M, Valentini L, Rong Y, Bittolo Bon S, Pantano MF, Speranza G, Guarino R, Novel D, Iacob E, Liu W, Micheli V, Dalton AB, Pugno NM. Free-Standing Graphene Oxide and Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Papers with Enhanced Electrical and Mechanical Performance and Their Synergy in Polymer Laminates. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228585. [PMID: 33202571 PMCID: PMC7696645 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Hybrid nanomaterials fabricated by the heterogeneous integration of 1D (carbon nanotubes) and 2D (graphene oxide) nanomaterials showed synergy in electrical and mechanical properties. Here, we reported the infiltration of carboxylic functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (C-SWNT) into free-standing graphene oxide (GO) paper for better electrical and mechanical properties than native GO. The stacking arrangement of GO sheets and its alteration in the presence of C-SWNT were comprehensively explored through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction. The C-SWNTs bridges between different GO sheets produce a pathway for the flow of electrical charges and provide a tougher hybrid system. The nanoscopic surface potential map reveals a higher work function of the individual functionalised SWNTs than surrounded GO sheets showing efficient charge exchange. We observed the enhanced conductivity up to 50 times and capacitance up to 3.5 times of the hybrid structure than the GO-paper. The laminate of polystyrene composites provided higher elastic modulus and mechanical strength when hybrid paper is used, thus paving the way for the exploitation of hybrid filler formulation in designing polymer composites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Tripathi
- Department of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QH, UK; (Y.R.); (A.B.D.)
- Correspondence: (M.T.); (N.M.P.)
| | - Luca Valentini
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Perugia and INSTM Research Unit, Strada di Pentima 4, 05100 Terni, Italy; (L.V.); (S.B.B.)
| | - Yuanyang Rong
- Department of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QH, UK; (Y.R.); (A.B.D.)
| | - Silvia Bittolo Bon
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Perugia and INSTM Research Unit, Strada di Pentima 4, 05100 Terni, Italy; (L.V.); (S.B.B.)
| | - Maria F. Pantano
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy; (M.F.P.); (R.G.); (D.N.)
| | - Giorgio Speranza
- Centre for Materials and Microsystems, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, via Sommarive 18, 38123 Trento, Italy; (G.S.); (E.I.); (W.L.); (V.M.)
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
- Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie, IFN-CNR, via alla Cascata 56/C, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Roberto Guarino
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy; (M.F.P.); (R.G.); (D.N.)
| | - David Novel
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy; (M.F.P.); (R.G.); (D.N.)
- Centre for Materials and Microsystems, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, via Sommarive 18, 38123 Trento, Italy; (G.S.); (E.I.); (W.L.); (V.M.)
| | - Erica Iacob
- Centre for Materials and Microsystems, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, via Sommarive 18, 38123 Trento, Italy; (G.S.); (E.I.); (W.L.); (V.M.)
| | - Wei Liu
- Centre for Materials and Microsystems, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, via Sommarive 18, 38123 Trento, Italy; (G.S.); (E.I.); (W.L.); (V.M.)
| | - Victor Micheli
- Centre for Materials and Microsystems, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, via Sommarive 18, 38123 Trento, Italy; (G.S.); (E.I.); (W.L.); (V.M.)
| | - Alan B. Dalton
- Department of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QH, UK; (Y.R.); (A.B.D.)
| | - Nicola M. Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy; (M.F.P.); (R.G.); (D.N.)
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
- Correspondence: (M.T.); (N.M.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Piorkowski D, Liao CP, Joel AC, Wu CL, Doran N, Blamires SJ, Pugno NM, Tso IM. Adhesion of spider cribellate silk enhanced in high humidity by mechanical plasticization of the underlying fiber. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2020; 114:104200. [PMID: 33214109 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.104200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The disruptive nature of water presents a significant challenge when designing synthetic adhesives that maintain functionality in wet conditions. However, many animal adhesives can withstand high humidity or underwater conditions, and some are even enhanced by them. An understudied mechanism in such systems is the influence of material plasticization by water to induce adhesive work through deformation. Cribellate silk is a dry adhesive used by particular spiders to capture moving prey. It presents as a candidate for testing the water plasticization model as it can remain functional at high humidity despite lacking an aqueous component. We performed herein tensile and adhesion tests on cribellate threads from the spider, Hickmania troglodytes; a spider that lives within wet cave environments. We found that the work of adhesion of its cribellate threads increased as the axial fibre deformed during pull-off experiments. This effect was enhanced when the silk was wetted and as spider body size increased. Dry threads on the other hand were stiff with low adhesion. We rationalized our experiments by a series of scaling law models. We concluded that these cribellate threads operate best when the nanofibrils and axial fibers both contribute to adhesion. Design of future synthetic materials could draw inspiration from how water facilitates, rather than diminishes, cribellate silk adhesion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dakota Piorkowski
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, 40704, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Pan Liao
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, 40704, Taiwan; Department of Biology, National Museum of Natural Science, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Anna-Christin Joel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia; Institute of Biology II, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Chung-Lin Wu
- Center for Measurement Standards, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | | | - Sean J Blamires
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Bionic, Nano Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, I-38123, Trento, Italy; School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University, Mile End Rd, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - I-Min Tso
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, 40704, Taiwan; Center for Tropical Ecology and Biodiversity, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
D'Alessandro L, Krushynska AO, Ardito R, Pugno NM, Corigliano A. A design strategy to match the band gap of periodic and aperiodic metamaterials. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16403. [PMID: 33009435 PMCID: PMC7532198 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73299-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The focus of this paper is on elastic metamaterials characterised by the presence of wide sub-wavelength band gap. In most cases, such mechanical property is strictly connected to the periodic repetition of the unit cell. Nonetheless, the strict periodicity requirement could represent a drawback. In this paper, we present a design strategy for aperiodic elastic metamaterials in order to achieve the same performances as for the periodic counterparts. This is done by exploiting the concept of separation of modes for different building blocks, arranged in aperiodic fashion. A theoretical explanation is provided, as well as numerical simulations; the concept is validated by means of a set of experimental tests on prototypes that are realized via additive manufacturing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca D'Alessandro
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Anastasiia O Krushynska
- Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen, Department of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen, 9747AG, The Netherlands
| | - Raffaele Ardito
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, 38123, Trento, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Alberto Corigliano
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, 20133, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Greco G, Francis J, Arndt T, Schmuck B, G. Bäcklund F, Barth A, Johansson J, M. Pugno N, Rising A. Properties of Biomimetic Artificial Spider Silk Fibers Tuned by PostSpin Bath Incubation. Molecules 2020; 25:E3248. [PMID: 32708777 PMCID: PMC7397010 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25143248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficient production of artificial spider silk fibers with properties that match its natural counterpart has still not been achieved. Recently, a biomimetic process for spinning recombinant spider silk proteins (spidroins) was presented, in which important molecular mechanisms involved in native spider silk spinning were recapitulated. However, drawbacks of these fibers included inferior mechanical properties and problems with low resistance to aqueous environments. In this work, we show that ≥5 h incubation of the fibers, in a collection bath of 500 mM NaAc and 200 mM NaCl, at pH 5 results in fibers that do not dissolve in water or phosphate buffered saline, which implies that the fibers can be used for applications that involve wet/humid conditions. Furthermore, incubation in the collection bath improved the strain at break and was associated with increased β-sheet content, but did not affect the fiber morphology. In summary, we present a simple way to improve artificial spider silk fiber strain at break and resistance to aqueous solvents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Greco
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta, Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy;
| | - Juanita Francis
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 14186 Huddinge, Sweden; (J.F.); (T.A.); (B.S.); (F.G.B.); (J.J.)
| | - Tina Arndt
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 14186 Huddinge, Sweden; (J.F.); (T.A.); (B.S.); (F.G.B.); (J.J.)
| | - Benjamin Schmuck
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 14186 Huddinge, Sweden; (J.F.); (T.A.); (B.S.); (F.G.B.); (J.J.)
| | - Fredrik G. Bäcklund
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 14186 Huddinge, Sweden; (J.F.); (T.A.); (B.S.); (F.G.B.); (J.J.)
| | - Andreas Barth
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The Arrhenius Laboratories for Natural Sciences, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 14186 Huddinge, Sweden; (J.F.); (T.A.); (B.S.); (F.G.B.); (J.J.)
| | - Nicola M. Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta, Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy;
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Anna Rising
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 14186 Huddinge, Sweden; (J.F.); (T.A.); (B.S.); (F.G.B.); (J.J.)
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Abstract
Spider silks present extraordinary mechanical properties, which have attracted the attention of material scientists in recent decades. In particular, the strength and the toughness of these protein-based materials outperform the ones of many man-made fibers. Unfortunately, despite the huge interest, there is an absence of statistical investigation on the mechanical properties of spider silks and their related size effects due to the length of the fibers. Moreover, several spider silks have never been mechanically tested. Accordingly, in this work, we measured the mechanical properties and computed the Weibull parameters for different spider silks, some of them unknown in the literature. We also measured the mechanical properties at different strain rates for the dragline of the species Cupiennius salei. For the same species, we measured the strength and Weibull parameters at different fiber lengths. In this way, we obtained the spider silk scaling laws directly and according to Weibull's prediction. Both length and strain rates affect the mechanical properties of spider silk, as rationalized by Weibull's statistics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Greco
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, 38123 Trento, Italy;
| | - Nicola M. Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, 38123 Trento, Italy;
- Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Rd, London E1 4NS, UK
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Bosia F, Pugno NM. Editorial: Bioinspired wet and dry adhesion. Bioinspir Biomim 2020; 15:040401. [PMID: 32342924 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/ab805b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Bosia
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Greco G, Bosia F, Tramacere F, Mazzolai B, Pugno NM. The role of hairs in the adhesion of octopus suckers: a hierarchical peeling approach. Bioinspir Biomim 2020; 15:035006. [PMID: 32018231 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/ab72da] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Organisms like the octopus or the clingfish are a precious source of inspiration for the design of innovative adhesive systems based on suction cups, but a complete mechanical description of their attachment process is still lacking. In this paper, we exploit the recent discovery of the presence of hairs in the acetabulum roof of octopus suction cups to revise the current model for its adhesion to the acetabulum wall. We show how this additional feature, which can be considered an example of a hierarchical structure, can lead to an increase of adhesive strength, based on the analysis of the cases of a simple tape and an axisymmetrical membrane adhering to a substrate. Using peeling theory, we discuss in both cases the influence of hierarchical structure and the resulting variation of geometry on the adhesive energy, highlighting how an increase in number of hierarchical levels contributes to its increment, with a corresponding improvement in functionality for the octopus suckers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Greco
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, 38123 Trento, Italy. Center for Micro-BioRobotics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera, Italy
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Schütt F, Zapf M, Signetti S, Strobel J, Krüger H, Röder R, Carstensen J, Wolff N, Marx J, Carey T, Schweichel M, Terasa MI, Siebert L, Hong HK, Kaps S, Fiedler B, Mishra YK, Lee Z, Pugno NM, Kienle L, Ferrari AC, Torrisi F, Ronning C, Adelung R. Conversionless efficient and broadband laser light diffusers for high brightness illumination applications. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1437. [PMID: 32188852 PMCID: PMC7080714 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14875-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Laser diodes are efficient light sources. However, state-of-the-art laser diode-based lighting systems rely on light-converting inorganic phosphor materials, which strongly limit the efficiency and lifetime, as well as achievable light output due to energy losses, saturation, thermal degradation, and low irradiance levels. Here, we demonstrate a macroscopically expanded, three-dimensional diffuser composed of interconnected hollow hexagonal boron nitride microtubes with nanoscopic wall-thickness, acting as an artificial solid fog, capable of withstanding ~10 times the irradiance level of remote phosphors. In contrast to phosphors, no light conversion is required as the diffuser relies solely on strong broadband (full visible range) lossless multiple light scattering events, enabled by a highly porous (>99.99%) non-absorbing nanoarchitecture, resulting in efficiencies of ~98%. This can unleash the potential of lasers for high-brightness lighting applications, such as automotive headlights, projection technology or lighting for large spaces.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Schütt
- Functional Nanomaterials, Institute for Materials Science, Kiel University, Kaiserstr. 2, 24143, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Maximilian Zapf
- Institute for Solid State Physics, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Stefano Signetti
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, via Mesiano 77, I-38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Julian Strobel
- Synthesis and Real Structure, Institute for Materials Science, Kiel University, Kaiserstr. 2, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Helge Krüger
- Functional Nanomaterials, Institute for Materials Science, Kiel University, Kaiserstr. 2, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Robert Röder
- Institute for Solid State Physics, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Jürgen Carstensen
- Functional Nanomaterials, Institute for Materials Science, Kiel University, Kaiserstr. 2, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Niklas Wolff
- Synthesis and Real Structure, Institute for Materials Science, Kiel University, Kaiserstr. 2, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Janik Marx
- Institute of Polymers and Composites, Hamburg University of Technology, Denickestr. 15, 21073, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tian Carey
- Cambridge Graphene Centre, University of Cambridge, 9, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0FA, UK
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Marleen Schweichel
- Functional Nanomaterials, Institute for Materials Science, Kiel University, Kaiserstr. 2, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Maik-Ivo Terasa
- Functional Nanomaterials, Institute for Materials Science, Kiel University, Kaiserstr. 2, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Leonard Siebert
- Functional Nanomaterials, Institute for Materials Science, Kiel University, Kaiserstr. 2, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Hyo-Ki Hong
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Sören Kaps
- Functional Nanomaterials, Institute for Materials Science, Kiel University, Kaiserstr. 2, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Bodo Fiedler
- Institute of Polymers and Composites, Hamburg University of Technology, Denickestr. 15, 21073, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yogendra Kumar Mishra
- SDU NanoSYD, Mads Clausen Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Alsion 2, 6400, Sønderborg, Denmark
| | - Zonghoon Lee
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
- Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, via Mesiano 77, I-38123, Trento, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road E1 4NS, London, UK
- Ket-Lab, Edoardo Amaldi Foundation, via del Politecnico snc, I-00133, Roma, Italy
| | - Lorenz Kienle
- Synthesis and Real Structure, Institute for Materials Science, Kiel University, Kaiserstr. 2, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Andrea C Ferrari
- Cambridge Graphene Centre, University of Cambridge, 9, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0FA, UK
| | - Felice Torrisi
- Cambridge Graphene Centre, University of Cambridge, 9, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0FA, UK
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Carsten Ronning
- Institute for Solid State Physics, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Rainer Adelung
- Functional Nanomaterials, Institute for Materials Science, Kiel University, Kaiserstr. 2, 24143, Kiel, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Pradhan S, Ventura L, Agostinacchio F, Xu M, Barbieri E, Motta A, Pugno NM, Yadavalli VK. Biofunctional Silk Kirigami With Engineered Properties. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2020; 12:12436-12444. [PMID: 32096397 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b20691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The fabrication of multifunctional materials that interface with living environments is a problem of great interest. A variety of structural design concepts have been integrated with functional materials to form biodevices and surfaces for health monitoring. In particular, approaches based on kirigami-inspired cuts can engineer flexibility in materials through the creation of patterned defects. Here, the fabrication of a biodegradable and biofunctional "silk kirigami" material is demonstrated. Mechanically flexible, free-standing, optically transparent, large-area biomaterial sheets with precisely defined and computationally designed microscale cuts can be formed using a single-step photolithographic process. Using modeling techniques, it is shown how cuts can generate remarkable "self-shielding" leading to engineered elastic behavior and deformation. As composites with conducting polymers, flexible, intrinsically electroactive sheets can be formed. Importantly, the silk kirigami sheets are biocompatible, can serve as substrates for cell culture, and be proteolytically resorbed. The unique properties of silk kirigami suggest a host of applications as transient, "green", functional biointerfaces, and flexible bioelectronics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sayantan Pradhan
- Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, 601 W Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23284, United States
| | - Leonardo Ventura
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Agostinacchio
- BIOtech Research Center, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, 38122 Trento, Italy
| | - Meng Xu
- Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, 601 W Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23284, United States
| | - Ettore Barbieri
- Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Center for Mathematical Science and Advanced Technology, Computational Science and Engineering Group, 3173-25, Showa-machi, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0001, Japan
| | - Antonella Motta
- BIOtech Research Center, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, 38122 Trento, Italy
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, 38122 Trento, Italy
- Fondazione Edoardo Amaldi, Via del Politecnico snc, 00133 Rome, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - Vamsi K Yadavalli
- Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, 601 W Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23284, United States
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Wu Y, Okesola BO, Xu J, Korotkin I, Berardo A, Corridori I, di Brocchetti FLP, Kanczler J, Feng J, Li W, Shi Y, Farafonov V, Wang Y, Thompson RF, Titirici MM, Nerukh D, Karabasov S, Oreffo ROC, Carlos Rodriguez-Cabello J, Vozzi G, Azevedo HS, Pugno NM, Wang W, Mata A. Disordered protein-graphene oxide co-assembly and supramolecular biofabrication of functional fluidic devices. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1182. [PMID: 32132534 PMCID: PMC7055247 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14716-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Supramolecular chemistry offers an exciting opportunity to assemble materials with molecular precision. However, there remains an unmet need to turn molecular self-assembly into functional materials and devices. Harnessing the inherent properties of both disordered proteins and graphene oxide (GO), we report a disordered protein-GO co-assembling system that through a diffusion-reaction process and disorder-to-order transitions generates hierarchically organized materials that exhibit high stability and access to non-equilibrium on demand. We use experimental approaches and molecular dynamics simulations to describe the underlying molecular mechanism of formation and establish key rules for its design and regulation. Through rapid prototyping techniques, we demonstrate the system's capacity to be controlled with spatio-temporal precision into well-defined capillary-like fluidic microstructures with a high level of biocompatibility and, importantly, the capacity to withstand flow. Our study presents an innovative approach to transform rational supramolecular design into functional engineering with potential widespread use in microfluidic systems and organ-on-a-chip platforms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanhao Wu
- Institute of Bioengineering, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK
| | - Babatunde O Okesola
- Institute of Bioengineering, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Jing Xu
- Institute of Bioengineering, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Ivan Korotkin
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
- Mathematical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Alice Berardo
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Università di Trento, via Mesiano, 77, I-38123, Trento, Italy
- C3A - Center Agriculture Food Environment, University of Trento/Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via Edmund Mach, 1 - 38010, San Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy
| | - Ilaria Corridori
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Università di Trento, via Mesiano, 77, I-38123, Trento, Italy
| | | | - Janos Kanczler
- Bone and Joint Research Group, Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Jingyu Feng
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Weiqi Li
- Institute of Bioengineering, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Yejiao Shi
- Institute of Bioengineering, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Vladimir Farafonov
- Department of Physical Chemistry, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Svobody Sq. 4, Kharkiv, 61022, Ukraine
| | - Yiqiang Wang
- United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, OX14 3DB, UK
| | - Rebecca F Thompson
- The Astbury Biostructure Laboratory, Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Maria-Magdalena Titirici
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Dmitry Nerukh
- Systems Analytics Research Institute, Department of Mathematics, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | - Sergey Karabasov
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Richard O C Oreffo
- Bone and Joint Research Group, Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | | | - Giovanni Vozzi
- Research Center'E. Piaggio' & Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Informazione, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino, 256126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Helena S Azevedo
- Institute of Bioengineering, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Università di Trento, via Mesiano, 77, I-38123, Trento, Italy
- KET Labs, Edoardo Amaldi Foundation, Via del Politecnico snc, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Wen Wang
- Institute of Bioengineering, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Alvaro Mata
- Institute of Bioengineering, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK.
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK.
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK.
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK.
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Xi L, De Falco P, Barbieri E, Karunaratne A, Bentley L, Esapa CT, Davis GR, Terrill NJ, Cox RD, Pugno NM, Thakker RV, Weinkamer R, Wu WW, Fang DN, Gupta HS. Reduction of fibrillar strain-rate sensitivity in steroid-induced osteoporosis linked to changes in mineralized fibrillar nanostructure. Bone 2020; 131:115111. [PMID: 31726107 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2019.115111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
As bone is used in a dynamic mechanical environment, understanding the structural origins of its time-dependent mechanical behaviour - and the alterations in metabolic bone disease - is of interest. However, at the scale of the mineralized fibrillar matrix (nanometre-level), the nature of the strain-rate dependent mechanics is incompletely understood. Here, we investigate the fibrillar- and mineral-deformation behaviour in a murine model of Cushing's syndrome, used to understand steroid induced osteoporosis, using synchrotron small- and wide-angle scattering/diffraction combined with in situ tensile testing at three strain rates ranging from 10-4 to 10-1 s-1. We find that the effective fibril- and mineral-modulus and fibrillar-reorientation show no significant increase with strain-rate in osteoporotic bone, but increase significantly in normal (wild-type) bone. By applying a fibril-lamellar two-level structural model of bone matrix deformation to fit the results, we obtain indications that altered collagen-mineral interactions at the nanoscale - along with altered fibrillar orientation distributions - may be the underlying reason for this altered strain-rate sensitivity. Our results suggest that an altered strain-rate sensitivity of the bone matrix in osteoporosis may be one of the contributing factors to reduced mechanical competence in such metabolic bone disorders, and that increasing this sensitivity may improve biomechanical performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Xi
- Institute of Advanced Structure Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China; School of Engineering and Material Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK.
| | - P De Falco
- School of Engineering and Material Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK; Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, D-14424 Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
| | - E Barbieri
- School of Engineering and Material Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK; Department of Mathematical Science and Advanced Technology (MAT), Yokohama Institute for Earth Sciences (YES) 3173-25, Showa-machi, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-city, Japan.
| | - A Karunaratne
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.
| | - L Bentley
- MRC Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre, MRC Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, OX11 0RD, UK.
| | - C T Esapa
- MRC Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre, MRC Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, OX11 0RD, UK; Academic Endocrine Unit, Radcliffe Department of Clinical Medicine, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (OCDEM), University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7JL, UK.
| | - G R Davis
- Dental Physical Sciences Unit, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK.
| | - N J Terrill
- Beamline I22, Diamond Light Source Ltd., Diamond House, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - R D Cox
- MRC Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre, MRC Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, OX11 0RD, UK.
| | - N M Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired & Graphene Nanomechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, 38123, Trento, Italy; School of Engineering and Material Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK; Ket Lab, Edoardo Amaldi Foundation, Via del Politecnico snc, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - R V Thakker
- Academic Endocrine Unit, Radcliffe Department of Clinical Medicine, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (OCDEM), University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7JL, UK.
| | - R Weinkamer
- Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, D-14424 Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
| | - W W Wu
- Institute of Advanced Structure Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - D N Fang
- Institute of Advanced Structure Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China; State Key Laboratory for Turbulence and Complex Systems, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - H S Gupta
- School of Engineering and Material Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Kundanati L, Guarino R, Pugno NM. Stag Beetle Elytra: Localized Shape Retention and Puncture/Wear Resistance. Insects 2019; 10:insects10120438. [PMID: 31817427 PMCID: PMC6955947 DOI: 10.3390/insects10120438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Beetles are by far one of the most successful groups of insects, with large diversity in terms of number of species. A part of this success is attributed to their elytra, which provide various functions such as protection to their bodies from mechanical forces. In this study, stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) elytra were first examined for their overall flexural properties and were observed to have a localized shape-retaining snap-through mechanism, which may play a possible role in partly absorbing impact energy, e.g., during battles and falls from heights. The snap-through mechanism was validated using theoretical calculations and also finite element simulations. Elytra were also characterized to examine their puncture and wear resistance. Our results show that elytra have a puncture resistance that is much higher than that of mandible bites. The measured values of modulus and hardness of elytra exocuticle were 10.3 ± 0.8 GPa and 0.7 ± 0.1 GPa, respectively. Using the hardness-to-modulus ratio as an indicator of wear resistance, the estimated value was observed to be in the range of wear-resistant biological material such as blood worms (Glyrcera dibranchiata). Thus, our study demonstrates different mechanical properties of the stag beetle elytra, which can be explored to design shape-retaining bio-inspired composites with enhanced puncture and wear resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lakshminath Kundanati
- Laboratory of Bio- Inspired & Graphene Nanomechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, via Mesiano, 77, 38123 Trento, Italy; (L.K.); (R.G.)
| | - Roberto Guarino
- Laboratory of Bio- Inspired & Graphene Nanomechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, via Mesiano, 77, 38123 Trento, Italy; (L.K.); (R.G.)
| | - Nicola M. Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio- Inspired & Graphene Nanomechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, via Mesiano, 77, 38123 Trento, Italy; (L.K.); (R.G.)
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
- Ket Lab, Edoardo Amaldi Foundation, Via del Politecnico snc, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Dellaquila A, Greco G, Campodoni E, Mazzocchi M, Mazzolai B, Tampieri A, Pugno NM, Sandri M. Optimized production of a high‐performance hybrid biomaterial: biomineralized spider silk for bone tissue engineering. J Appl Polym Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/app.48739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Dellaquila
- ISTEC CNR—Institute of Science and Technology for CeramicsNational Research Council, Via Granarolo 64 Faenza 48018 Italy
| | - Gabriele Greco
- Laboratory of Bio‐inspired & Graphene Nanomechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Trento, Via Mesiano 77 Trento 38123 Italy
- Center for Micro‐BioRobotics@SSSAIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34 Pontedera I‐56025 Italy
| | - Elisabetta Campodoni
- ISTEC CNR—Institute of Science and Technology for CeramicsNational Research Council, Via Granarolo 64 Faenza 48018 Italy
| | - Mauro Mazzocchi
- ISTEC CNR—Institute of Science and Technology for CeramicsNational Research Council, Via Granarolo 64 Faenza 48018 Italy
| | - Barbara Mazzolai
- Center for Micro‐BioRobotics@SSSAIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34 Pontedera I‐56025 Italy
| | - Anna Tampieri
- ISTEC CNR—Institute of Science and Technology for CeramicsNational Research Council, Via Granarolo 64 Faenza 48018 Italy
| | - Nicola M. Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio‐inspired & Graphene Nanomechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Trento, Via Mesiano 77 Trento 38123 Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials ScienceQueen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS London United Kingdom
- Ket‐LabEdoardo Amaldi Foundation, Via del Politecnico snc Rome 00133 Italy
| | - Monica Sandri
- ISTEC CNR—Institute of Science and Technology for CeramicsNational Research Council, Via Granarolo 64 Faenza 48018 Italy
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Brely L, Bosia F, Palumbo S, Fraldi M, Dhinojwala A, Pugno NM. Competition between delamination and tearing in multiple peeling problems. J R Soc Interface 2019; 16:20190388. [PMID: 31771420 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2019.0388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adhesive attachment systems consisting of multiple tapes or strands are commonly found in nature, for example in spider web anchorages or in mussel byssal threads, and their structure has been found to be ingeniously architected in order to optimize mechanical properties: in particular, to maximize dissipated energy before full detachment. These properties emerge from the complex interplay between mechanical and geometric parameters, including tape stiffness, adhesive energy, attached and detached lengths and peeling angles, which determine the occurrence of three main mechanisms: elastic deformation, interface delamination and tape fracture. In this paper, we introduce a formalism to evaluate the mechanical performance of multiple tape attachments in different parameter ranges, where an optimal (not maximal) adhesion energy emerges. We also introduce a numerical model to simulate the multiple peeling behaviour of complex structures, illustrating its predictions in the case of the staple-pin architecture. Finally, we present a proof-of-principle experiment to illustrate the predicted behaviour. We expect the presented formalism and the numerical model to provide important tools for the design of bioinspired adhesive systems with tuneable or optimized detachment properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Brely
- Department of Physics and 'Nanostructured Interfaces and Surfaces' Inter-Departmental Centre, Università di Torino, Via P. Giuria 1, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Federico Bosia
- Department of Physics and 'Nanostructured Interfaces and Surfaces' Inter-Departmental Centre, Università di Torino, Via P. Giuria 1, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Stefania Palumbo
- Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Fraldi
- Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Ali Dhinojwala
- Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-3909, USA
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired and Graphene Nanomechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Università di Trento, via Mesiano, 77, I-38123 Trento, Italy.,School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK.,Fondazione E. Amaldi, Ket Lab, Via del Politecnico snc, 00133 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|