3D-printing and mechanics of bio-inspired articulated and multi-material structures. (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Porter, Michael M.; Ravikumar, Nakul; Barthelat, Francois; Martini, Roberto
• Is Part Of: Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials. Volume 73(2017)
• Page Start: 114
• Page End: 126
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: Dermal armor -- Fish scale -- Shark skin -- Boxfish carapace -- Seahorse tail -- Biomimetics; Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials -- Mechanical properties -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials; Biomedical materials -- Mechanical properties; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2016.12.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-6161

Abstract

Abstract: 3D-printing technologies allow researchers to build simplified physical models of complex biological systems to more easily investigate their mechanics. In recent years, a number of 3D-printed structures inspired by the dermal armors of various fishes have been developed to study their multiple mechanical functionalities, including flexible protection, improved hydrodynamics, body support, or tail prehensility. Natural fish armors are generally classified according to their shape, material and structural properties as elasmoid scales, ganoid scales, placoid scales, carapace scutes, or bony plates. Each type of dermal armor forms distinct articulation patterns that facilitate different functional advantages. In this paper, we highlight recent studies that developed 3D-printed structures not only to inform the design and application of some articulated and multi-material structures, but also to explain the mechanics of the natural biological systems they mimic.