Title

Structural Biological Composites: An Overview

Structural Biological Composites: An Overview

Authorship

Meyers, Marc A.; Lin, Albert Y. M.; Seki, Yasuaki; Chen, Po-Yu; Kad, Bimal K.; Bodde, Sara

Meyers, Marc A.

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Lin, Albert Y. M.

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Seki, Yasuaki

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Chen, Po-Yu

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Kad, Bimal K.

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Bodde, Sara

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DOI

10.5151/2594-5327-0481

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Abstract

Biological materials are complex composites which are hierarchically structured and multifunctional. Their mechanical properties are often outstanding, considering the weak constituents from which they are assembled. They are for the most part composed of a brittle (often, mineral) and a ductile (organic) components. These complex structures, which have risen from millions of years of evolution, are inspiring Materials Scientists in the design of novel materials. We discuss the overall design principles in biological structural composites and illustrate them for five examples: sea spicules, the abalone shell, the conch shell, the toucan and hornbill beaks, and the sheep crab exoskeleton.

Biological materials are complex composites which are hierarchically structured and multifunctional. Their mechanical properties are often outstanding, considering the weak constituents from which they are assembled. They are for the most part composed of a brittle (often, mineral) and a ductile (organic) components. These complex structures, which have risen from millions of years of evolution, are inspiring Materials Scientists in the design of novel materials. We discuss the overall design principles in biological structural composites and illustrate them for five examples: sea spicules, the abalone shell, the conch shell, the toucan and hornbill beaks, and the sheep crab exoskeleton.

Keywords

Structural Biological.

Structural Biological.