Abstract

The mechanical properties of biological materials are of interest in a variety of structural contexts. Bones and cartilage have primarily mechanical functions in the body. Non-mammalian tissues such as seashells and eggshells are also mechanical entities. As materials, biological tissues are stiff and strong for their weight, a consequence of their composite microstructures. Further, the toughness of biological structures is often remarkable as fracture in nature is a rare event. Mimicry of biological materials is of interest in both biomedical and non-medical structural applications. This presentation will review our recent studies characterizing the deformation and fracture behavior of a number of different mechanically-important biological materials. The talk will conclude with mechanical implications for biomimetic materials fashioned on mineralized and non-mineralized tissues.