Advanced Composites Inspired by Biological Structures and Functions in Nature: Architecture Design, Strengthening Mechanisms, and Mechanical‐Functional Responses

Abstract

The natural design and coupling of biological structures are the root of realizing the high strength, toughness, and unique functional properties of biomaterials. Advanced architecture design is applied to many materials, including metal materials, inorganic nonmetallic materials, polymer materials, and so on. To improve the performance of advanced materials, the designed architecture can be enhanced by bionics of biological structure, optimization of structural parameters, and coupling of multiple types of structures. Herein, the progress of structural materials is reviewed, the strengthening mechanisms of different types of structures are highlighted, and the impact of architecture design on the performance of advanced materials is discussed. Architecture design can improve the properties of materials at the micro level, such as mechanical, electrical, and thermal conductivity. The synergistic effect of structure makes traditional materials move toward advanced functional materials, thus enriching the macroproperties of materials. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of structural innovation of advanced materials in improving material properties are discussed.

Programmable and Shape–Color Synchronous Dual-Response Wood with Thermal Stimulus

“…Two-dimensional nonlinear finite element analysis (2D-FEA) simulation (Figure e and Video S1) revealed the toughening mechanism of stabilized crack growth stemming from the highly anisotropic layered structures. During a three-point bending test on a 2D-FEA model, the branches, deflections, and bridged cracks were clearly observed, reminiscent of high-performance natural materials, such as nacre or bone. − The thin vitrimers strips could be pulled out, resulting in friction between adjacent strips, which could lead to dissipating energy loading. Compared with pure vitrimers where the stress concentration occurred around the crack tip, the tortuous crack in SRW and SRW-TC effectively reduced stress concentration, contributing to enhanced fracture toughness (Figure S11).…”

Three-Dimensional Printing of Multifunctional Composites: Fabrication, Applications, and Biodegradability Assessment

“…The most commonly cited example in the literature is the water-soluble salt NaCl. It is an ideal additive for non-aqueous systems, including thermosetting/thermoplastic polymers, photocurable resins, silicone rubber, and other polymers [2,137,138]. Various thermosetting polymers, including PCL, poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS), PU, and epoxy resins filled with NaCl particles, were printed and then immersed in distilled water to obtain porous structures.…”

Fabrication of mechanically robust nanoporous ZrSiO4 ceramics at low temperature with a low doping level of Mn dopant

“…The two following strengthening mechanisms might contribute to the high strength of the .5Mn-HIP: first, the sizes of ZrSiO 4 grains in the .5Mn-HIP (∼300 nm, Figure 2C) were much smaller than those of ZrSiO 4 grains in the conventional ZrSiO 4 ceramics (a few micrometers). It is well known that materials with nano grains typically showed higher strength than their counterparts with micro grains due to GB strengthening, which is known as Hall-Petch effect 29,30 ; second, the formation of nanoporosity could, to some extent, not only avoid the stress concentration during loading, 31 but also deflect microcrack propagation, 19 which synergistically improve the strength of the .5Mn-HIP. The strength of 1.0Mn-HIP, 2.0MN-HIP, and 1.0Mn-PS was within the range of conventional ZrSiO 4 .…”