New strengthening mechanisms of nacre in the abalone shell. (2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sullivan, MariAnne; Chen, Yan; Prorok, Bart
• Is Part Of: International journal of experimental and computational biomechanics. Volume 3:Number 3(2015)
• Page Start: 236
• Page End: 249
• Publication Date: 2015
• Subjects: nanoindentation -- abalone shells -- biomimetics -- mother-of-pearl -- nacre -- elastic modulus -- nanoscale testing -- bio-inspired structures -- protective applications -- strengthening mechanisms -- mesolayer -- abalones -- temperature fluctuations -- protection; Human mechanics -- Periodicals; Biomechanics -- Computer simulation -- Periodicals; Biomechanics -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 612.76
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-8735

Abstract

Abalone shells have been studied extensively because of their unique nacre structure. Colloquially known as mother-of-pearl, this material is surprisingly strong because of a biomineralised composite structure. There is a separate component of the structure that has not been well-addressed, termed as a mesolayer. These are found in wild abalones, and not typically in abalones from a farm-raised environment. Growth of the abalone shells was controlled in the laboratory setting in order to induce a change in structure with temperature fluctuations. The main goal was to induce a mesolayer with a temperature decrease, with the aim of replicating the shell architecture found in wild abalones. These findings will help shape new material architectures for protective applications.