Collaborative Research: Controlling Surface Damage in Machining of Hierarchical Biological Composites

该合作研究奖的研究目标是开发加工骨和珍珠层等结构生物复合材料的能力，并将表面损伤降至最低。这些生物复合材料表现出从宏观到微观长度尺度的多层次结构和新颖的结构力学性能。该研究方法将利用新的诊断仪器来研究生物复合材料的变形/断裂，并利用高分辨率光学技术来分析机械加工中的变形。以有限元分析和移动热源理论为核心的建模将被用来预测由切割产生的复合材料表面的热机械状态。模型预测将与实验观测结果进行比较。通过整合这些结果，将提出改进切割程序的建议，以将这类结构生物材料的表面损伤降至最低。如果成功，结果将产生更广泛的影响，将为未来的仿生结构材料提供新的切割方法，并改进手术程序，将对骨骼和组织的损害降至最低。研究结果还将有助于理解未来复杂的仿生(结构)材料和软物质的变形和切割，以及继续开发生物复合材料的诊断仪器。作为这项研究的补充，还有一项教育和培训计划，其中包括为实习生和实习生开发骨切削试验台、学生实习、研讨会系列网络广播，以及适度关注在研究生学习中培养企业家精神。

The research objective of this Collaborative Research award is to develop capabilities for machining structural biological composites such as bone and nacre with minimal surface damage. These biological composites exhibit many levels of hierarchical structures from macroscopic to microscopic length scales, and novel structural mechanical properties. The research approach will utilize novel diagnostic instruments for studying deformation/fracture in biological composites and high-resolution optical techniques for analysis of deformation in machining. Modeling structured around finite element analysis and moving heat source theory will be used to predict the thermomechanical state of the composite surfaces created by cutting. Model predictions will be compared with the experimental observations. By integrating these results, recommendations will be developed for improved cutting procedures that will minimize surface damage in this class of structural bio-materials.If successful, the broader impact of the results will be new cutting methodologies for the bio-inspired structural materials of the future, and improved procedures for surgery that minimize damage to bone and tissue. The results will be of value also in understanding deformation and cutting of complex bio-inspired (structural) materials of the future and soft matter, and for continued development of diagnostic instrumentation for biological composites. Complementing the research is an education and training program that includes development of a bone cutting test-bed for practitioners and interns, student internships, seminar series webcast, and a modest focus on fostering entrepreneurship in graduate study.