Hierarchical considerations in materials design and characterization

新的材料角色化工具继续照亮新的结构特征，通常越来越小。但我们对材料性质的理解不一定来自于达到纳米或飞秒的分辨率，而是来自于跨长度和时间尺度的连接行为(结构、形成、性能)。换句话说，我们必须考虑层级结构(及其出现)，而不仅仅是组件特征。 在长度尺度上的协同和沟通导致了独特的特性，例如蝴蝶翅膀中的机械和光学响应的平衡。我们对材料设计和表征的分层方法已经在我们的实验室产生了具有有趣的生物学和光学特性的新材料，以及对合成材料和天然材料的异质性的更深层次的理解。

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.