Tough, aorta-inspired soft composites.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 35787051.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1073/pnas.2123497119 and PMC identifier 9282241.
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Abstract
Spatial variations in fiber alignment (and, therefore, in mechanical anisotropy) play a central role in the excellent toughness and fatigue characteristics of many biological materials. In this work, we examine the effect of fiber alignment in soft composites, including both "in-plane" and "out-of-plane" fiber arrangements. We take inspiration from the spatial variations of fiber alignment found in the aorta to three-dimensionally (3D) print soft, tough silicone composites with an excellent combination of stiffness, toughness, and fatigue threshold, regardless of the direction of loading. These aorta-inspired composites exhibit mechanical properties comparable to skin, with excellent combinations of stiffness and toughness not previously observed in synthetic soft materials.