Impact tolerance in mussel thread networks by heterogeneous material distribution

Qin, Zhao; Buehler, Markus J.

doi:10.1038/ncomms3187

Cited by 81 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…The combination of multiple phases provides several lines of defence to prevent catastrophic failure during repetitive high-energy loading events. Such clever combinations of material phases across scales are not isolated to stomatopods, or multiscale effects, but emergent mechanofunctionalities can also be attributed to a fine-tuned proportion of materials at a single scale as demonstrated by the impact tolerance of mussel thread networks 42 (Box 1).…”

Section: Multiscale and Multiphasic Organizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of mechanics in biological and bio-inspired systems

et al. 2015

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Natural systems frequently exploit intricate multiscale and multiphasic structures to achieve functionalities beyond those of man-made systems. Although understanding the chemical make-up of these systems is essential, the passive and active mechanics within biological systems are crucial when considering the many natural systems that achieve advanced properties, such as high strength-to-weight ratios and stimuli-responsive adaptability. Discovering how and why biological systems attain these desirable mechanical functionalities often reveals principles that inform new synthetic designs based on biological systems. Such approaches have traditionally found success in medical applications, and are now informing breakthroughs in diverse frontiers of science and engineering. N atural biological systems are constrained by a limited number of chemical building blocks, yet through practical material organization and mechanics 1 , fulfil the functional needs of diverse organisms by methods that often exceed what is currently achievable using man-made approaches 2 . Synthetic systems are often limited by trade-offs where improving one property comes at the expense of another, as observed when utilizing ceramics in place of metals where a higher elastic modulus is accompanied by lower fracture toughness. However, many natural systems and materials have evolved 3 solutions that result in a number of improved properties simultaneously (for example, high modulus with high fracture toughness), and often produce systems that fulfil multiple functions concurrently. For example, stomatopod dactyl clubs 4 tolerate exceptional amounts of damage through multiphasic material interfaces, and efficient blood-clotting mechanisms are achieved through platelet shape adaptability 5 . These intricate mechanics phenomena, relating material organization and adaptability, are implemented in a structurally minimalistic fashion that is difficult to emulate through artificial manufacturing approaches 6 . Such mechanical functions (that is, mechanofunctionality) of biological systems are not isolated cases-multiscale structural organization also contributes to the hardness of nacre 7 and toughness of toucan beaks 8 , while shape changing commonly drives behaviour in many sea creatures 9 and plants 10 . As such recurrent, mechanically based organizational features throughout biology are discovered and analysed, they provide insight for building exceptional mechanofunctionalities into synthetic, bio-inspired technologies.The survival of organisms is often heightened by structures and materials with favourable properties (for example, load-bearing capacity) or mechanofunctionalities that are passive

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Section: Multiscale and Multiphasic Organizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of mechanics in biological and bio-inspired systems

et al. 2015

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“…From the late 1990s, researchers also began to find that the threads contained high concentrations of transition metals, like iron and manganese, which interact with catechol groups to cross-link the byssal proteins and make them more cohesive (4). In July, researchers reported that the particular blend of hard and soft materials in the byssal threads helps the mussels to withstand dynamic forces that are nine-times as great as the static strength of the threads (5).…”

Section: Protein Soupmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mussels’ sticky feet lead to applications

Ornes¹

2013

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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“…Such features include the byssal threads, thin and extensible [7] collagen-reinforced fibres, connected to a flat and wide plaque into which the collagen microfibrils penetrate. Each plaque-thread system exhibits strong plaque-substrate adhesion with a detachment force approximately 2 N as measured upon quasi-static tension [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The microscopic network structure of mussel ( Mytilus ) adhesive plaques

Filippidi

DeMartini

Molina

et al. 2015

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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Marine mussels of the genus Mytilus live in the hostile intertidal zone, attached to rocks, bio-fouled surfaces and each other via collagen-rich threads ending in adhesive pads, the plaques. Plaques adhere in salty, alkaline seawater, withstanding waves and tidal currents. Each plaque requires a force of several newtons to detach. Although the molecular composition of the plaques has been well studied, a complete understanding of supra-molecular plaque architecture and its role in maintaining adhesive strength remains elusive. Here, electron microscopy and neutron scattering studies of plaques harvested from Mytilus californianus and Mytilus galloprovincialis reveal a complex network structure reminiscent of structural foams. Two characteristic length scales are observed characterizing a dense meshwork (approx. 100 nm) with large interpenetrating pores (approx. 1 mm). The network withstands chemical denaturation, indicating significant cross-linking. Plaques formed at lower temperatures have finer network struts, from which we hypothesize a kinetically controlled formation mechanism. When mussels are induced to create plaques, the resulting structure lacks a well-defined network architecture, showcasing the importance of processing over self-assembly. Together, these new data provide essential insight into plaque structure and formation and set the foundation to understand the role of plaque structure in stress distribution and toughening in natural and biomimetic materials.

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Impact tolerance in mussel thread networks by heterogeneous material distribution

Cited by 81 publications

References 28 publications

The role of mechanics in biological and bio-inspired systems

The role of mechanics in biological and bio-inspired systems

Mussels’ sticky feet lead to applications

The microscopic network structure of mussel ( Mytilus ) adhesive plaques

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