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具有最小表面损伤的骨和珍珠等结构生物复合材料的加工能力。这些生物复合材料具有从宏观到微观的多层次结构，具有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加工中的变形。围绕有限元分析和移动热源理论建立的模型将用于预测切割产生的复合材料表面的热力学状态。模型预测将与实验观测进行比较。通过整合这些结果，将提出改进切割程序的建议，以最大限度地减少这类结构生物材料的表面损伤。如果成功，研究结果的广泛影响将是未来生物启发结构材料的新切割方法，并改进手术程序，以最大限度地减少对骨骼和组织的损害。研究结果对于理解未来和软物质的复杂生物启发（结构）材料的变形和切割，以及生物复合材料诊断仪器的持续发展也将具有价值。与研究相辅相成的是一项教育和培训计划，其中包括为从业人员和实习生开发一个切骨试验台、学生实习、系列研讨会网络广播，以及在研究生学习中适度关注培养创业精神。

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.