CAREER: Multiscale Investigation and Mimicry of Naturally-Occurring Ultra-High Performance Composite Materials

这个教师早期职业发展（CAREER）项目通过计算/实验相结合的方法，研究了极其坚韧的生物复合材料的结构与性能的关系。它将特别关注几何形状和长度尺度的协同作用，通过研究在一些非常坚固的天然材料中观察到的微观结构和界面中的层次结构，周期性和图案化等具体特征。 研究方法包括：i）使用由专门设计的实验辅助的多尺度计算方法来探索、识别和量化天然复合材料的各个多尺度变形机制的贡献，ii）遵循采用先进3D打印技术的组合的计算和原型建模方法的仿生努力，以及iii）开发设计指南，随后通过构建包含（i）和（ii）中确定的最重要的微观结构特征的材料来验证。实现这些见解将揭示设计规则，以开发耐冲击和耐损伤材料。 对于设计和开发先进的高性能结构材料的新范例存在强烈的需求，所述结构材料具有高强度和耐久性、低成本和可再生性，并且具有特性和质量的新颖组合。我们将研究生物复合材料，通过控制纳米和微观结构特征，可以在不牺牲刚度和强度的情况下实现高韧性，从而显着改善脆性材料的机械性能。此外，这项研究将为开发高性能和多功能材料提供合理的力学框架，这些材料可用于能源，国防，国土安全，民用，工业安全，医学和汽车工业等领域的广泛技术相关应用。教育部分与研究紧密结合，通过其多学科性质激励和吸引学生进入STEM领域。本科生和研究生将在跨学科环境中接受指导。此外，研究与教育之间的整合将通过注入网络学习工具和实践经验，将生物学的组成部分纳入材料相关课程，从而改善工程本科和研究生教育。PI将介绍一个新的多学科课程，题为“材料和结构的灵感来自大自然的基础设施应用和超越”与特别嘉宾讲师从生物科学，化学，材料科学和其他工程学科。

This Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) project investigates the structure-property relationship of extremely tough biological composites through a combined computational/experimental methodology. It will particularly focus on the synergetic role of geometry and length scales by investigating specific features such as hierarchy, periodicity and patterning in the microstructure and interfaces observed in some extraordinarily strong natural materials. The research approach consists of: i) exploring, identifying and quantifying the contributions of the individual multiscale deformation mechanisms of the natural composites using a multiscale computational approach aided by specially designed experiments, ii) a biomimetic effort following a combined computational and prototype modeling approach that employs advanced 3D printing techniques, and iii) developing design guidelines, validated later by constructing materials that incorporate the most important microstructural features identified in (i) and (ii). Achieving these insights will uncover design rules to develop impact and damage tolerant materials. There is a strong demand for new paradigms of design and development of advanced high-performance structural materials with high strength and durability, low in cost and renewable with novel combinations of properties and qualities. We will study biological composite materials that can achieve high toughness without sacrificing stiffness and strength by control of nano- and microstructural features that significantly improve the mechanical performance of otherwise brittle materials. Additionally, this research will provide the rational mechanics framework for the development of high-performance and multifunctional materials for a wide range of technologically relevant applications in the areas of energy, defense, homeland security, civil, industrial safety, medicine and automotive industry. The educational component is closely integrated with the research, to inspire and attract students to the STEM field by its multidisciplinary nature. Undergraduate and graduate students will be mentored in an interdisciplinary setting. Additionally, the integration between research and education will improve engineering undergraduate and graduate education by including components of biology in material related courses through the infusion of cyberlearning tools and hands-on experience. The PI will introduce a new multidisciplinary course entitled "Materials and structures inspired by Nature for infrastructure applications and beyond" with special guest lecturers from Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Materials Science and other engineering disciplines.