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Hierarchical Biological Materials

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Marine Biological Materials of Invertebrate Origin

Part of the book series: Biologically-Inspired Systems ((BISY,volume 13))

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Abstract

Today bioinspiration stimulates the development of new generation of advanced functional materials and constructs with sophisticated architecture and exceptional properties. Due to large diversity, marine invertebrates (i.e. radiolarians; diatoms; molluscs; corals and sponges) are inexhaustible source of inspiration for development of different types of rigid; and flexible materials. Their biomineralized cellular tissues with anastomosing hierarchical complex microstructure combine high strength and stiffness with low weight. Cellular materials can be assumed as multiphase composites that comprise of the fluid and solid phases, while this fluid has gaseous nature. From the morphological point of view, these cellular composites can be divided into 2-D solids, like honeycomb structures comprising hexagonal cells, as well as 3-D foams, like sponges.

One of the main driving forces in studying biological materials from the viewpoint of Materials Science is to use the discovered natural structures and processes as inspiration for developing new materials.

Peter Fratzl

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Electronic and Sensor Materials, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Sachsen, Germany

    Hermann Ehrlich

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  1. Hermann Ehrlich
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Ehrlich, H. (2019). Hierarchical Biological Materials. In: Marine Biological Materials of Invertebrate Origin. Biologically-Inspired Systems, vol 13. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92483-0_5

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