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Bioinspired design of flexible armor based on chiton scales

Author

Listed:
  • Matthew Connors

    (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Ting Yang

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)

  • Ahmed Hosny

    (Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School)

  • Zhifei Deng

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)

  • Fatemeh Yazdandoost

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)

  • Hajar Massaadi

    (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Douglas Eernisse

    (Department of Biological Science, California State University Fullerton)

  • Reza Mirzaeifar

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)

  • Mason N. Dean

    (Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces)

  • James C. Weaver

    (Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University)

  • Christine Ortiz

    (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Ling Li

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)

Abstract

Man-made armors often rely on rigid structures for mechanical protection, which typically results in a trade-off with flexibility and maneuverability. Chitons, a group of marine mollusks, evolved scaled armors that address similar challenges. Many chiton species possess hundreds of small, mineralized scales arrayed on the soft girdle that surrounds their overlapping shell plates. Ensuring both flexibility for locomotion and protection of the underlying soft body, the scaled girdle is an excellent model for multifunctional armor design. Here we conduct a systematic study of the material composition, nanomechanical properties, three-dimensional geometry, and interspecific structural diversity of chiton girdle scales. Moreover, inspired by the tessellated organization of chiton scales, we fabricate a synthetic flexible scaled armor analogue using parametric computational modeling and multi-material 3D printing. This approach allows us to conduct a quantitative evaluation of our chiton-inspired armor to assess its orientation-dependent flexibility and protection capabilities.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew Connors & Ting Yang & Ahmed Hosny & Zhifei Deng & Fatemeh Yazdandoost & Hajar Massaadi & Douglas Eernisse & Reza Mirzaeifar & Mason N. Dean & James C. Weaver & Christine Ortiz & Ling Li, 2019. "Bioinspired design of flexible armor based on chiton scales," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-13215-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13215-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiao Zhang & Kaijin Wu & Yong Ni & Linghui He, 2022. "Anomalous inapplicability of nacre-like architectures as impact-resistant templates in a wide range of impact velocities," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Marloes H. Bistervels & Balázs Antalicz & Marko Kamp & Hinco Schoenmaker & Willem L. Noorduin, 2023. "Light-driven nucleation, growth, and patterning of biorelevant crystals using resonant near-infrared laser heating," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.

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