Materials Evolution by Programmed Twisting: a DNA-Inspired Ultrastrong Supercoiled Conformational Fiber for Energy-Storage and Buffering.

Abstract

The conformational folding/unfolding behaviors of DNA supercoils serve as a fundamental mechanism governing ultradense bio-information storage and precise genetic transcription. Mimicking those nanoscale dynamic conformational behaviors for macroscopic materials to achieve unusual functionalities will be of great interest but remains unexplored. Herein, a DNA-inspired materials evolution paradigm is presented to create multifunctional supercoiled conformational fibers (SCFs) by programmed twisting controlled self-buckling. Through the programmed twist-stress modulation, a low-density polyethylene strip is transformed into high-performance DNA-like SCF through a unique multiscale microstructure evolution process. This DNA-like SCF exhibits five hallmark characteristics unattainable before, including ultra-large elastic deformability (900 ± 50%), metal-level mechanical strength (330 ± 30 MPa), unprecedented torsional energy-storage density (16.1 ± 0.6 kJ kg^-1), torsional energy release upon appropriate stimulations, and impact buffering through conformation-mediated energy-dissipation. Characterization reveals that these unexpected energy-related properties mainly are contributed by the multiscale twisting-reinforced microstructures and conformation mechanics. Potential applications of the SCFs are demonstrated finally by harvest-and-storage of wind energy and soft-landing. The DNA-like SCFs indicate a general platform for materials evolution with extraordinary mechanics and functions.