Hierarchical considerations in materials design and characterization

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Objectives*New materials characterization tools continue to illuminate new structural features, often ever smaller. But our understanding of materials properties will not necessarily come from achieving nanometre or femtosecond resolution, but in linking behaviour (structure, formation, properties) across length and time scales. In other words, we must consider the hierarchical structure (and its emergence) and not just the component features. **Synergy and communication across length scales lead to unique properties, such as the balance of mechanical and optical response in a butterfly wing. Our hierarchical approach to materials design and characterization has already yielded new materials in our laboratory with interesting biological and optical properties, as well as a deeper appreciation of heterogeneity in synthetic and natural materials.**Long-term program*We are continuing to develop new materials and seek out new applications, with the fundamental long-term goal of understanding how structure and properties propagate and connect across length scales. On the applied side, we have long-term goals for new types of tissue scaffold and cell culture materials, and new materials for optical chemosensors and biosensors.**Short-term objectives (5 years)*In this next grant cycle we will address a number of key characterization questions, particularly focusing on capturing the role of heterogeneity (nonuniform structure and composition) by mapping properties of soft thin film materials.** - Nanomechanical mapping of natural tissue* - Correlating chemical heterogeneity with mechanical properties* - Connecting local and whole-film properties*** Novelty and Significance*The proposed work will lead to new characterization methods as well as a greater understanding of the connections between nanoscale and mesoscale chemical and mechanical heterogeneity. This research will impact the health and biotechnology sector in two ways: through improvements in bioscaffold design and through better understanding of the mechanics of pathological tissue. In addition to this direct benefit to the health of Canadians and the associated business opportunities, the new techniques and analyses which we develop will also advance Canadian and international efforts in soft materials research.