Non-Linear Mechanics and Self-Repair in Macromolecular Networks (B11)

我们的目标是更好地了解复杂的流变特性和自我修复行为中发现的生物网络，如生物膜和细胞骨架网络。使用自上而下的方法，化学修饰来自各种细菌来源的细菌生物膜网络。此外，自下而上的策略将开发生物启发的聚合物网络，这些网络通过独特的化学方法交联，以调节交联剂的密度和寿命。这两种类型的网络将测试其复杂的流变行为和自我修复能力，以确定大分子和交联的最小组合，从而在同一网络中产生应变硬化和自我修复。

We aim to better understand the complex rheological properties and self-healing behavior found in biological networks such as biofilms and cytoskeletal networks. A top-down approach is used that chemically modifies bacterial biofilm networks form various bacterial sources. Moreover, a bottom-up strategy will develop bioinspired polymer networks which are crosslinked by unique chemistry to tune the cross-linker density and their lifetime. The two types of networks will be tested for their complex rheological behavior and self-healing abilities in order to identify minimal combinations of macromolecules and cross-links that give rise to both strain-hardening and self-healing in the very same network.