Materials World Network: Structural Design and Micromechanical Properties of Mechanotransducing Biological Materials

技术总结这个材料世界网络项目的重点是了解在天然振动感受器中发现的原理，以及在材料层面上利用蜘蛛缝隙生物传感系统检测机械信号的机制。利用微束小角X射线同步散射、动态纳米压痕和表面力光谱相结合的方法研究蜘蛛应力敏感缝隙感受器的角质层形态、层次结构组织和微观力学特性的空间分布之间的直接空间相关性将是这一高度交叉的生物材料项目的关键。PI将以高空间分辨率探索嵌入蜘蛛外骨骼中的这些机械感受器随时间变化的微机械特性，并将这些发现与这些器官作为敏感和选择性振动过滤器的功能联系起来。PIs认为角质层的微观机械性能取决于蛋白质纤维的排列和取向，是决定缝隙压缩过程中的机械响应和外部机械刺激的有效透过率的关键参数。最终，这些知识可以用于未来生物启发的机械响应和自适应纳米结构材料的设计和开发。非技术概述材料世界网络项目专注于从蜘蛛的形态和物理机械性能的角度更深入地了解大型蜘蛛中发现的生物振动感受器。最终，这些知识可以用于未来仿生开发具有量身定做的振动和弹性特性的响应性和适应性合成材料，如智能机械过滤器、防振垫、软机械臂和压敏胶。通过加强对研究生和本科生的培训，强调他们及早参与跨学科研究和宝贵的国际研究经验，预计该项目将产生更广泛的影响，这得益于与德国和奥地利研究人员的密切合作。为了进一步加强这一教育，首席研究员将进一步开发一门关于先进软纳米材料的本科课程。该项目得到了生物材料计划和材料研究部特别计划办公室的支持。

TECHICAL SUMMARYThis Materials World Network project focuses on the understanding of principles found in natural vibrational receptors and on the mechanism of mechanical signal detection with the spider slit biosensory system at the material level. The investigation of the direct spatial correlation among cuticule morphology, hierarchical structural organization and spatial distribution of micromechanical properties in spider stress-sensing slit-sensilla as studied with a combination of microbeam small angle X-ray synchrotron scattering, dynamic nanoindentation, and surface force spectroscopy will be a crucial point of this highly cross-disciplinary biomaterial project. The PIs will explore the time-dependent micromechanical properties of these mechano-receptors embedded in the spider exoskeleton with high spatial resolution and relate the findings to the function of these organs as sensitive and selective vibration filters. The PIs consider the micromechanical properties of the cuticle, which are dependent on the protein fiber arrangement and orientation as key parameters for the mechanical response during slit compression and the efficient transmittance of external mechanical stimuli. Ultimately, this knowledge can be utilized in the future design and development of bio-inspired mechanoresponsive and adaptive nanostructured materials.NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY The Materials World Network project focuses on deeper understanding of biological vibrational receptors found in large spiders from prospective of their morphology and physical mechanical properties. Ultimately, this knowledge can be utilized in the future biomimetic development of responsive and adaptive synthetic materials with tailored vibrational and elastic properties as smart mechanical filters, anti-vibrational pads, soft robotic arms, and pressure-sensitive glues. The broader impact of this project is anticipated through the enhanced training of graduate and undergraduate students with an emphasis on their early involvement in interdisciplinary research and invaluable international research experience which is facilitated by an intensive collaboration with researchers from Germany and Austria. To further enhance this education, the lead researcher will further develop an undergraduate course on advanced soft nanomaterials.This project is supported by the Biomaterials program and the Office of Special Programs in the Division of Materials Research.