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Structural optimization of 3D-printed synthetic spider webs for high strength

Spiders spin intricate webs that serve as sophisticated prey-trapping architectures that simultaneously exhibit high strength, elasticity and graceful failure. To determine how web mechanics are controlled by their topological design and material distribution, here we create spider-web mimics compos...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Qin, Zhao, Compton, Brett G., Lewis, Jennifer A., Buehler, Markus J.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Nature Pub. Group 2015
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4479035/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25975372
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms8038
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author Qin, Zhao
Compton, Brett G.
Lewis, Jennifer A.
Buehler, Markus J.
author_facet Qin, Zhao
Compton, Brett G.
Lewis, Jennifer A.
Buehler, Markus J.
author_sort Qin, Zhao
collection PubMed
description Spiders spin intricate webs that serve as sophisticated prey-trapping architectures that simultaneously exhibit high strength, elasticity and graceful failure. To determine how web mechanics are controlled by their topological design and material distribution, here we create spider-web mimics composed of elastomeric filaments. Specifically, computational modelling and microscale 3D printing are combined to investigate the mechanical response of elastomeric webs under multiple loading conditions. We find the existence of an asymptotic prey size that leads to a saturated web strength. We identify pathways to design elastomeric material structures with maximum strength, low density and adaptability. We show that the loading type dictates the optimal material distribution, that is, a homogeneous distribution is better for localized loading, while stronger radial threads with weaker spiral threads is better for distributed loading. Our observations reveal that the material distribution within spider webs is dictated by the loading condition, shedding light on their observed architectural variations.
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spelling pubmed-44790352015-06-29 Structural optimization of 3D-printed synthetic spider webs for high strength Qin, Zhao Compton, Brett G. Lewis, Jennifer A. Buehler, Markus J. Nat Commun Article Spiders spin intricate webs that serve as sophisticated prey-trapping architectures that simultaneously exhibit high strength, elasticity and graceful failure. To determine how web mechanics are controlled by their topological design and material distribution, here we create spider-web mimics composed of elastomeric filaments. Specifically, computational modelling and microscale 3D printing are combined to investigate the mechanical response of elastomeric webs under multiple loading conditions. We find the existence of an asymptotic prey size that leads to a saturated web strength. We identify pathways to design elastomeric material structures with maximum strength, low density and adaptability. We show that the loading type dictates the optimal material distribution, that is, a homogeneous distribution is better for localized loading, while stronger radial threads with weaker spiral threads is better for distributed loading. Our observations reveal that the material distribution within spider webs is dictated by the loading condition, shedding light on their observed architectural variations. Nature Pub. Group 2015-05-15 /pmc/articles/PMC4479035/ /pubmed/25975372 http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms8038 Text en Copyright © 2015, Nature Publishing Group, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited. All Rights Reserved. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in the credit line; if the material is not included under the Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission from the license holder to reproduce the material. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
spellingShingle Article
Qin, Zhao
Compton, Brett G.
Lewis, Jennifer A.
Buehler, Markus J.
Structural optimization of 3D-printed synthetic spider webs for high strength
title Structural optimization of 3D-printed synthetic spider webs for high strength
title_full Structural optimization of 3D-printed synthetic spider webs for high strength
title_fullStr Structural optimization of 3D-printed synthetic spider webs for high strength
title_full_unstemmed Structural optimization of 3D-printed synthetic spider webs for high strength
title_short Structural optimization of 3D-printed synthetic spider webs for high strength
title_sort structural optimization of 3d-printed synthetic spider webs for high strength
topic Article
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4479035/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25975372
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms8038
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