FRG: Bioinspired Synthesis of Tough Laminates

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TECHNICAL: Abalone shell is tough and fracture resistant. The structure has a brick-and-mortar organization with calcium carbonate (aragonite) bricks surrounded by the organic mortar. The toughness is attributed to the organized arrangement of the aragonite platelets and nanoscale features present at the mineral/organic interface. These nanoscale features include mineral bridges, nanoasperities on the surface of the aragonite tiles and the viscoelastic/adhesive properties of the organic. The main objectives of this work are to fabricate model ceramic/polymer laminates, identify and quantify the contributions of microstructural features that have been attributed to the toughening of the shell. This work is expected to lead to a new class of bioinspired composite materials that are strong, hard and fracture resistant. Students will be cross-trained in biology, materials science and nanoscience.NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Bioinspired materials are emerging as a new class of synthetic structures. The abalone shell is tough and fracture resistant, despite being built from weak constituents: organic matter and a soft mineral (ceramic). Under magnification, the shell has a "brick-and-mortar" structure of mineral bricks and organic mortar. Bioinspired synthetic layered materials based on this structure are expected to have exceptional toughness and fracture resistance. Fabrication and testing of layered organic (polymer) / ceramic structures that duplicate the structure of the abalone shell is the main focus of research. This work is expected to lead to a new class of composite materials that are strong, hard and fracture resistant. Graduate, undergraduate and high school students will be cross-trained in biology, materials science and nanoscience. New classes will be introduced into the curriculum and outreach to underrepresented student populations is a part of this project.