Biomimetic Silk Architectures Outperform Animal Horns in Strength and Toughness.

ABSTRACT: Structural biomimicry is an intelligent approach for developing lightweight, strong, and tough materials (LSTMs). Current fabrication technologies, such as 3D printing and two-photon lithography often face challenges in constructing complex interlaced structures, such as the sinusoidal crossed herringbone structure that contributes to the ultrahigh strength and fracture toughness of the dactyl club of peacock mantis shrimps. Herein, bioinspired LSTMs with laminated or herringbone structures is reported, by combining textile processing and silk fiber "welding" techniques. The resulting biomimetic silk LSTMs (BS-LSTMs) exhibit a remarkable combination of lightweight with a density of 0.6-0.9 g cm^-3 , while also being 1.5 times stronger and 16 times more durable than animal horns.

SUBMITTER: Liu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10582412 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature