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Journal ArticleDOI

Biomaterial systems for mechanosensing and actuation

Peter Fratzl, +1 more
- 25 Nov 2009 - 
- Vol. 462, Iss: 7272, pp 442-448
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TLDR
Analysis of natural structures on this basis can provide insight into evolutionary constraints on structure–function relationships in living organisms and the variety of structural solutions that emerged from these constraints.
Abstract
Living organisms use composite materials for various functions, such as mechanical support, protection, motility and the sensing of signals. Although the individual components of these materials may have poor mechanical qualities, they form composites of polymers and minerals with a remarkable variety of functional properties. Researchers are now using these natural systems as models for artificial mechanosensors and actuators, through studying both natural structures and their interactions with the environment. In addition to inspiring the design of new materials, analysis of natural structures on this basis can provide insight into evolutionary constraints on structure-function relationships in living organisms and the variety of structural solutions that emerged from these constraints.

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Ultrasensitive mechanical crack-based sensor inspired by the spider sensory system

TL;DR: It is demonstrated that sensors based on nanoscale crack junctions and inspired by the geometry of a spider’s slit organ can attain ultrahigh sensitivity and serve multiple purposes, and that they are applicable to highly selective speech pattern recognition and the detection of physiological signals.
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Bio-Inspired Polymer Composite Actuator and Generator Driven by Water Gradients

TL;DR: In this article, a water-responsive polymer film was developed that can exchange water with the environment to induce film expansion and contraction, resulting in rapid and continuous locomotion, which can generate contractile stress up to 27 megapascals, lift objects 380 times heavier than itself, and transport cargo 10 times more than itself.
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Bio-inspired design of multiscale structures for function integration

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on recent research progress in some typical biological materials (such as lotus leaves, rice leaves, butterfly wings, water strider legs, insect compound eyes, fish scales, red rose petals, brittlestars, spider silks, nacre, glass sponges, gecko feet, mussels, and others) and the corresponding bio-inspired multiscale materials possessing function integration.

Bio-Inspired Polymer Composite Actuator and Generator Driven by Water Gradients

TL;DR: Strong and flexible polymer films were developed that can exchange water with the environment to induce film expansion and contraction, resulting in rapid and continuous locomotion, and a generator is assembled by associating this actuator with a piezoelectric element.
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Nature-Inspired Structural Materials for Flexible Electronic Devices

TL;DR: This review covers the smart designs of structural materials inspired by natural materials and their utility in the construction of flexible devices, and summarizes structural materials that accommodate mechanical deformations, which is the fundamental requirement for flexible devices to work properly in complex environments.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI

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TL;DR: A method is described which permits measurement of sap pressure in the xylem of vascular plants, and finds that in tall conifers there is a hydrostatic pressure gradient that closely corresponds to the height and seems surprisingly little influenced by the intensity of transpiration.
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Journal Article

Tough, bio-inspired hybrid materials

TL;DR: This work emulates nature's toughening mechanisms by combining two ordinary compounds, aluminum oxide and polymethyl methacrylate, into ice-templated structures whose toughness can be more than 300 times that of their constituents.
Journal ArticleDOI

Self‐Healing Materials

TL;DR: In this article, the design and generic principles of self-healing materials through a wide range of different material classes including metals, ceramics, concrete, and polymers are discussed and evaluated.
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