Bioinspired cellular materials: Mimicking cuttlebone to resist compression

Chinese scientists have revealed the secret of compression resistance cuttlebone, which originates from its unique lamellar-septa-like cellular structure, separated by asymmetric, distorted S-shaped walls. They demonstrate possibility using 3D printing to engineer high-performance bioinspired materials that are beyond capabilities conventional mechanical metamaterials. Nature always provides sophisticated structures and mechanisms achieve high performance. Learning nature, human beings seek manufacture fulfill diverse requirements:1Sanchez C. Arribart H. Guille M.M.G. Biomimetism bioinspiration as tools for design innovative systems.Nat. Mater. 2005; 4: 277-288Crossref PubMed Scopus (1127) Google Scholar,2Wegst U.G. Bai Saiz E. Tomsia A.P. Ritchie R.O. Bioinspired structural materials.Nat. 2015; 14: 23-36Crossref (2408) Scholar example, lotus-leaf-inspired superhydrophobic materials, butterfly-wing-inspired photonic spider-silk-inspired water collection nacre-inspired materials.3Liu K. Jiang L. Bio-inspired multiscale function integration.Nano Today. 2011; 6: 155-175Crossref (586) Scholar, 4Liu M. Wang S. Nature-inspired superwettability Rev. 2017; 2: 17036Crossref (806) 5Zhao Zhang P. Zhou J. Qi Yamauchi Y. Shi R. Fang Ishida et al.Layered nanocomposites shear-flow-induced alignment nanosheets.Nature. 2020; 580: 210-215Crossref (130) 6Mao L.B. Gao H.L. Yao H.B. Liu Cölfen G. Chen S.M. Li S.K. Yan Y.X. Y.Y. Yu S.H. Synthetic nacre predesigned matrix-directed mineralization.Science. 2016; 354: 107-110Crossref (493) Mimicking nature has been motivating advance science. The cuttlefish is a typical deep-sea cephalopod can survive in great hydrostatic pressures ~20 atm. doing so intriguing type natural material exhibiting porosity (~90%) low overall density (~0.2 g cm−3). Even though lamellar septa walls already observed within cuttlebone,7Birchall J.D. Thomas N.L. On architecture bone.J. Sci. 1983; 18: 2081-2086Crossref (121) Scholar,8Yang T. Jia Z. Deng W. Mechanical highly porous cuttlebone: A bioceramic hard buoyancy tank cuttlefish.Proc. Natl. Acad. USA. 117: 23450-23459Crossref (15) role structure on needs be further clarified. Recently, al. Zhejiang University (in China) succeeded revealing underlying mechanism high-pressure studying cuttlebone they used cuttlebone-like with strength excellent energy-absorption capability (Figure 1).9Mao A. Zhao N. Liang Mechanically efficient inspired cuttlebone.Adv. 2021; 33: e2007348Crossref (19) Using reconstruction, authors found constructed like septa, distorted, at ventral side exhibit larger amplitude 30–50 μm, while dorsal smaller 10–30 μm. In addition, compressive tests show fractures zero Poisson’s ratio, successively one layer another, helping catastrophic attack. Further strain-stress curve indicates an elastic region (0%–15% strain) plateau (15%–70%), difficult inorganic content (90% CaCO3 cuttlebone). These results suggest layer-by-layer fracture attributed asymmetric structure. To confirm properties, series materials. Models different wall profiles symmetry were investigated shearing experiments along theoretical simulations. Results 3D-printed model (asymmetric walls) demonstrates higher than those straight symmetric walls, indicating vital cuttlebone. layered behavior was also verified. Cuttlebone-like several individual peaks corresponding number. comparison, other including octet-truss lattice, Kelvin foam, gyroid do not failure inferior specific energy absorption. For modulus 1.5 1.8 times lattice. Furthermore, compare structures. follows stretching/compression-dominated deformation mechanism. contrast, sandwich panel foam shows improved but deforms uniformly bending-dominated illustrate introduction largely enhance Interestingly, proof concept, tolerate load car, up about 50,000 own weight. Understanding mechanically It remains challenge replicate due complexity, effective approach. Nevertheless, replicating chemical complexity next issue address printing. Nature, mysterious treasure, important source develop new technologies. research work little stepping-stone way, will bring bright future advanced what metamaterials bring. would thank National Natural Science Foundation China ( 21972155 22035008 ), Key R&D Program 2019YFA0709300 International Partnership Academy Sciences 1A1111KYSB20200010 Postdoctoral 2019M660063 ) financial support.