Materials World Network: Structural Design and Micromechanical Properties of Mechanotransducing Biological Materials

本材料世界网络项目的重点是理解自然振动受体的原理，以及在材料水平上用蜘蛛缝生物感觉系统检测机械信号的机制。结合微束小角度x射线同步加速器散射、动态纳米压痕和表面力谱等技术，研究蜘蛛应力传感缝隙传感器角质层形态、层次结构组织和微力学性能空间分布之间的直接空间相关性，将是这一高度跨学科的生物材料项目的关键。pi将以高空间分辨率探索嵌入蜘蛛外骨骼中的这些机械受体的时间依赖性微力学特性，并将这些发现与这些器官作为敏感和选择性振动过滤器的功能联系起来。PIs将角质层的微观力学特性（依赖于蛋白质纤维的排列和取向）作为裂隙压缩时的力学响应和外部机械刺激的有效透射率的关键参数。最终，这些知识可以用于未来设计和开发仿生机械响应和自适应纳米结构材料。材料世界网络项目侧重于从形态和物理力学特性的角度对大型蜘蛛中的生物振动受体进行更深入的了解。最终，这些知识可以用于未来的仿生开发，具有定制振动和弹性特性的响应和自适应合成材料，如智能机械过滤器，抗振动垫，软机械臂和压敏胶。通过加强对研究生和本科生的培训，重点是他们早期参与跨学科研究，并通过与德国和奥地利的研究人员的密切合作，促进宝贵的国际研究经验，预计该项目将产生更广泛的影响。为了进一步加强这种教育，首席研究员将进一步开发一门关于先进软纳米材料的本科课程。本项目由生物材料项目和材料研究部特别项目办公室支持。

TECHICAL SUMMARYThis Materials World Network project focuses on the understanding of principles found in natural vibrational receptors and on the mechanism of mechanical signal detection with the spider slit biosensory system at the material level. The investigation of the direct spatial correlation among cuticule morphology, hierarchical structural organization and spatial distribution of micromechanical properties in spider stress-sensing slit-sensilla as studied with a combination of microbeam small angle X-ray synchrotron scattering, dynamic nanoindentation, and surface force spectroscopy will be a crucial point of this highly cross-disciplinary biomaterial project. The PIs will explore the time-dependent micromechanical properties of these mechano-receptors embedded in the spider exoskeleton with high spatial resolution and relate the findings to the function of these organs as sensitive and selective vibration filters. The PIs consider the micromechanical properties of the cuticle, which are dependent on the protein fiber arrangement and orientation as key parameters for the mechanical response during slit compression and the efficient transmittance of external mechanical stimuli. Ultimately, this knowledge can be utilized in the future design and development of bio-inspired mechanoresponsive and adaptive nanostructured materials.NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY The Materials World Network project focuses on deeper understanding of biological vibrational receptors found in large spiders from prospective of their morphology and physical mechanical properties. Ultimately, this knowledge can be utilized in the future biomimetic development of responsive and adaptive synthetic materials with tailored vibrational and elastic properties as smart mechanical filters, anti-vibrational pads, soft robotic arms, and pressure-sensitive glues. The broader impact of this project is anticipated through the enhanced training of graduate and undergraduate students with an emphasis on their early involvement in interdisciplinary research and invaluable international research experience which is facilitated by an intensive collaboration with researchers from Germany and Austria. To further enhance this education, the lead researcher will further develop an undergraduate course on advanced soft nanomaterials.This project is supported by the Biomaterials program and the Office of Special Programs in the Division of Materials Research.