Failure of Complex Biomechanical Structures

层结构在自然和人工的生物系统中都很丰富。此类系统的使用寿命问题对于老龄化社会的生活质量和经济福祉至关重要。 我们的项目将分析模拟牙冠结构的脆性层系统的损伤。 我们现在正处于了解这些结构如何失效的关键时刻，并开始做出实质性预测，以改进设计以延长使用寿命。 该项目通过美国国立卫生研究院 (NIH) 更广泛的项目与牙科界和国际牙冠材料制造商建立了联系。 该项目改进的材料和牙冠设计将对包括澳大利亚在内的世界各地产生影响。

Layer structures are replete in biological systems, both natural and artificial. Issues concerning the lifetime of such systems are paramount to the quality of life and economic well being of our aging society. Our project will analyse damage in brittle layer systems that simulate dental crown structures. We are now at a critical point in the understanding of how these structures fail, and are beginning to make substantive predictions to improve designs for prolonged life. The project is connected to the dental community and international crown material manufacturers through a broader NIH project in the USA. The improved materials and crown designs resulting from this project will have impact worldwide, including Australia.