Multiscale Biomimetic Study of the Mechanics of Fish Scales

该奖项的研究目标是开发一种方法学，以研究用于仿生应用的鱼鳞状皮肤的变形和失效机制。这种保护系统可以抵抗渗透，这要归功于由纳米矿物/胶原蛋白复合材料制成的极其坚韧的鳞片。此外，鳞片皮肤超轻、超薄、顺应。这项拟议的研究将采用广泛的实验和建模技术来研究这个复杂的系统，并确定哪些结构特征是其性能的关键。更具体地说，该项目的目标是(I)表征几个长度的鱼皮系统的微观结构，(Ii)测量其机械性能并评估其变形和失效机制，(Iii)为其失效开发多尺度连续损伤模型，以及(Iv)使用这些模型来建立纤维增强复合材料和比例结构的仿生设计指南。这种以生物为灵感的材料将复制鱼鳞中的关键机制，同时使用不同的成分。如果成功，这项研究的结果将在全身装甲系统、高性能防护涂层或变形飞机皮肤中得到应用。该奖项的一个成果将是一种计算工具，它将指导生物启发材料的设计，使它们在由不同的积木制成的同时再现生物材料的高性能。该方法将通过构建一个人造鱼鳞结构的原型来测试。这项研究将是一种途径，通过本科生的研究经验，让本科生接触到工程学中生物灵感的潜力。此外，通过麦吉尔大学(加拿大)和科罗拉多大学博尔德分校之间的强有力的研究合作，将为该项目带来国际化的维度，使学生能够拓宽他们的研究经验。

The research objective of this award is to develop a methodology to investigate the deformation and failure mechanisms of the scaled skin of fish for biomimetic applications. This protective system resists penetration thanks to extremely tough scales made of a nanostructured mineral/collagen composite material. In addition, scaled skin is ultra-light, ultra-thin and compliant. The proposed research will deploy a wide array of experimental and modeling techniques to investigate this complex system and to pinpoint which structural features are key to its performance. More specifically, the objectives of the project are (i) to characterize the microstructure of the fish skin system across several lengths, (ii) to measure its mechanical properties and assess its deformation and failure mechanisms, (iii) to develop multiscale continuum damage models for their failure and (iv) to use these models to establish guidelines for the biomimetic design of fiber-reinforced composite and scaled-structures. Such a bio-inspired material will duplicate the key mechanisms found in fish-scales while using different components.If successful, the results of this research will find applications in full body personal armor systems, high-performance protective coating or morphing aircraft skins. A deliverable of this award will be a computational tool that will guide the design of bio-inspired material, such that they reproduce the high-performance of biological materials while made of different building blocks. The methodology will be tested by constructing a prototype of a synthetic fish-scale structure. This research will be an avenue to expose undergraduate engineering students to the potential of bio-inspiration in engineering through undergraduate research experiences. In addition, an international dimension will be brought to the project through a strong research collaboration between McGill University (Canada) and CU-Boulder, allowing students broaden their research experience.