Abstract
Biological structures integrate morphometry (shape-based rules) with materials design to maximize organism survival. The exoskeleton of the armored fish, Polypterus senegalus, balances flexibility with protection from predatory and territorial threats. Material properties of the exoskeleton are known; however, the geometric design rules underlying its anisotropic flexibility are uncharacterized. Here, we show how scale shape, articulation, and composite architecture produce anisotropic mechanics using bio-inspired, multi-material 3D-printed prototypes. Passive loading (draping) shows that compliant connections between the scales contribute to mechanical anisotropy. Simulated and experimental active loading (bending) show orientation-dependent stiffness ranging over orders of magnitude, including ‘mechanical invisibility’ of the scales where they do not add stiffness to the exoskeleton. The results illustrate how morphometry provides a powerful tool to tune flexibility in composite architectures independent of varying constituent materials composition. We anticipate that introducing morphometric design strategies will enable flexible, protective systems tuned to complex shapes and functions.
Highlights
Biological structures integrate morphometry with materials design to maximize organism survival
The individual scale geometry is complex with distinct features including the peg (P), socket (S), anterior process (AP), anterior shelf (AS), concave anterior margin (AM), and a thickened axial ridge (AR)
A hierarchy of shape- and materials-based design principles were translated from the biological exoskeleton of P. senegalus and integrated into the bioinspired flexible composite prototypes, including the complex shape of rigid scales, interscale joint articulation structure, assembly of scales into an armored surface, and soft connective components
Summary
Biological structures integrate morphometry (shape-based rules) with materials design to maximize organism survival. 1234567890():,; Many animals have evolved hard exoskeletons to resist predation or competitive attacks (e.g., crustaceans[1], insects[2], mollusks[3], turtles[4,5], seahorses[6,7], and bony fish[8,9,10]) These ‘natural armors’ combine micro- and nano-scale materials design (e.g., materials selection, crystallography, composite architecture, porosity, surface chemistry) with macroscale geometrical design rules[11,12,13,14,15] to provide additional functionalities[16] such as enhanced mechanical properties[17,18], transparency[19], or flexibility[20,21]. We anticipate that the introduction of geometric variation into synthetic prototypes will generate flexible, protective systems that are well adjusted to complex shapes, kinematics, and functional differentiations[33]
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