Optimization design of lightweight structure inspired by glass sponges (Porifera, Hexacinellida) and its mechanical properties

Abstract

The glass sponge is a porous lightweight structure in the deep sea. It has high toughness, high strength, and high stability. In this work, a super-depth-of-field microscope was employed to observe the microstructure of the glass sponge. Based on its morphological characteristics, two novel bio-inspired lightweight structures were proposed, and the finite-element analyses (FEA) of the structures were carried out under compression, torsion, and bending loads, respectively. The structure samples were fabricated using stereolithography 3D-printing technology, and the dimension sizes of the samples were equal to those of the corresponding FEA models. Mechanical tests were performed on an electronic universal testing machine, and the results were used to demonstrate the reliability of the FEA. Additionally, lightweight numbers (LWN) were proposed to evaluate the lightweight efficiency, and a honeycomb structure was selected as the reference structure. The results indicate that the lightweight numbers of the novel bio-inspired structures are higher than those of the honeycomb structure, respectively. Finally, the proposed structures were optimized by the response surface, BP (Back Propagation) and GA-BP (Genetic Algorithm optimized Back Propagation) method. The results show that the GA-BP model after training has a high accuracy. These results can provide significant guidance for the design of tube-shaped, thin-walled structures in the engineering.

Modern scaffolding strategies based on naturally pre-fabricated 3D biomaterials of poriferan origin

“…One of the superior sources of inspiration in the development of novel 3D composites is the evolutionarily optimized 3D biosilica-based skeletons of glass sponges (Hexactinellida) [6,7] which represent a successful evolution in nature [8]. These hierarchically structured skeletons have been designed by living organisms over the last 600 Myr for efficient filtration of feed from surrounding seawater.…”

“…For the first time, Brown et al [13] reported that 3D data extracted from the µCT of the sponge skeleton can be used to create accurate FE models and replication through 3D printing. Recently, based on morphological characteristics of glass sponges, two novel bio-inspired thin-walled lightweight structures were proposed and manufactured employing stereolithography 3D printing technology by Li et al [8]. Such proposed structures, inspired by glass sponges, can be used to create lighter structures with less material maintaining, however, exceptional mechanical properties, which has a great potential for the engineering applications, such as aerospace [8].…”

“…Recently, based on morphological characteristics of glass sponges, two novel bio-inspired thin-walled lightweight structures were proposed and manufactured employing stereolithography 3D printing technology by Li et al [8]. Such proposed structures, inspired by glass sponges, can be used to create lighter structures with less material maintaining, however, exceptional mechanical properties, which has a great potential for the engineering applications, such as aerospace [8]. This definitively brings us closer to the biomimicry of hierarchical complex glass structures, but also clearly shows how nature is ahead of our most advanced technologies.…”

A Wide-Range Stiffness-Tunable Soft Actuator Inspired by Deep-Sea Glass Sponges

“…Its wall thickness is usually 1-2 mm, while the longest can grow to *2 m. Researchers have found the excellent mechanical properties mainly come from its special cage-like skeleton, which is composed of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal struts. [28][29][30] In Li et al 31 two structures are proposed based on the morphological characteristics of glass sponges, and their bending stiffness is higher than the same weight honeycomb structure. In Fernandes et al 32 the diagonal reinforcement strategy of the glass sponge is optimized to achieve the highest buckling resistance.…”

Challenges and Opportunities in Geometric Modeling of Complex Bio-Inspired Three-Dimensional Objects Designed for Additive Manufacturing

“…The structure is strong and flexible even though it is made of fragile glass. The reason is that the glass sponge has complex hierarchical and lightweight structures from nanometer to macroscopic length scales, and they have been evolving to overcome the brittleness of the glass material, which helps it achieve light weight combined with high strength [8]. material properties under a certain compression condition.…”