Novel High-Performance Bio-inspired Architectured Materials

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Hybrid materials combine at least two components with distinct properties which complement each other and lead to attractive combinations of properties. Hybrid materials are categorized into (i) fiber and particulate composites, (ii) sandwich, (iii) lattice and (iv) segmented hybrids (also called architectured materials). While the first three types of hybrid materials are now reaching technological maturity, architectured materials remains largely underexplored. These unusual materials are made of building blocks of well defined size and shape, arranged in two or three dimensions. Interestingly, natural materials such as bone, teeth and mollusk demonstrate how material architecture can lead to remarkably high structural performance properties despite of weak building blocks. The concept of making materials from building blocks is also particularly well-suited to bottom-up fabrication, sustainability, material repair and multi-functionalities. In this work we will optimize material architectures for stiffness, hardness and toughness, which are properties that are difficult to achieve simultaneously in monolithic materials. Stiffness and hardness will be provided by the building blocks, while toughness will be provided by controlled failure mechanisms at the interfaces. For example, under mechanical stress cracks the building blocks will be designed to slide, rotate, separate or interlock collectively, generating unique deformation and failure mechanisms leading to attractive macroscale properties. The specific objectives of this program are to (i) establish general design guidelines to achieve attractive combinations of stiffness, strength and toughness in architectured materials; (ii) tailor the interfaces between the building blocks so they provide cohesion, toughness and energy dissipation and (iii) explore pathways to cost- and energy-effective fabrication of architectured materials. We will achieve these goals through structural modeling and optimization, interface mechanics, fracture testing and innovative fabrication approaches including self-assembly and laser engraving. This innovative program will involve four PhD students and one Masters student, and is expected to make original scientific contributions to the field of materials science.