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Uncovering Nature's Design Strategies through Parametric Modeling, Multi‐Material 3D Printing, and Mechanical Testing
Author(s) -
Frølich Simon,
Weaver James C.,
Dean Mason N.,
Birkedal Henrik
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
advanced engineering materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.938
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1527-2648
pISSN - 1438-1656
DOI - 10.1002/adem.201600848
Subject(s) - biological materials , computer science , 3d printing , systems engineering , function (biology) , parametric statistics , nanotechnology , material design , biochemical engineering , biomimetics , architecture , mechanical engineering , materials science , engineering , statistics , mathematics , evolutionary biology , world wide web , biology , art , visual arts
Nature produces a multitude of composite materials with intricate architectures that in many instances far exceed the performance of their modern engineering analogs. Despite significant investigations into structure‐function relationships of complex biological materials, there is typically a lack of critical information regarding the specific functional roles of many of their components. To help resolve this issue, the authors present here a framework for investigating biological design principles that combines parametric modeling, multi‐material 3D printing, and direct mechanical testing to efficiently examine very large parameter spaces of biological design. Using the brick and mortar‐like architecture of mollusk nacre as a model system, the authors show that this approach can be used to effectively examine the structural complexity of biological materials and harvest design principles not previously accessible.