Combining In Silico Design and Biomimetic Assembly: A New Approach for Developing High-Performance Dynamic Responsive Bio-Nanomaterials.

ABSTRACT: Major challenge remains in the design and fabrication of artificial hierarchical materials that mimic the structural and functional features of these natural materials. Here, a novel biomimetic strategy to assemble hierarchical materials from biological nanobuilding blocks is demonstrated. The constituents and structures of the materials are designed by multiscale modeling and then experimentally constructed by multiscale self-assembly. The resultant materials that consist of silk nanofibrils (SNFs), hydroxyapatite (HAP), and chitin nanofibrils (CNFs) show nacre-like structures with mechanical strength and toughness better than most natural nacre and nacre-like nanocomposites. In addition, these SNF/HAP:CNF nanocomposites can be programmed into "grab-and-release" actuators due to the gradi

SUBMITTER: Ling S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7189256 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature