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The Mechanics of Biomaterials subgroup focuses on the
study of biological structural materials.
Because of severe design constraints (for example nature does not use metals as
structural components) natural materials use alternative approaches to achieve
mechanical performance. Most natural structural materials are composite materials
(several materials are combined to take advantage of their different properties).
Nature builds these composites from the bottom up, starting from nanoscopic
elements to macroscopic components. Each of the scales from nano to macro
contributes to the overall performance of the material: their structure is said to
be hierarchical. Moreover, these materials have been put to mechanical tests for
millions of years, and through evolution their microstructure has been tailored
and optimized for the type and magnitude of loading they must experience.
A better understanding of how the microstructure of these materials is related to
their mechanical performance has the potential to inspire new material designs
(biomimetics).
Current Projects:
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