Interdependence of Structure and Function in Biological Materials (SoSe 2021)

Interdependence of Structure and Mechanical Function in Biological Materials

Biological materials adapt their structure to functional needs. The lectures introduce relevant structural features from molecular to macroscopic scales using examples for materials based on proteins [1] or on polysaccharides, in particular cellulose [2] and chitin [3]. Some biological materials– like bone – are reinforced with minerals [4]. The importance of hierarchical assemblies [5] of building blocks, such as fibers [1] and tessellations [6] will be discussed. The lectures will be addressed to a pluridisciplinary audience, including sciences, design and cultural studies, and all required basics from biophysics and biochemistry to mechanics will be provided.

Materials:

[1] Harrington, M. J.; Fratzl, P.: Natural load-bearing protein materials. Progress in Materials Science(2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmatsci.2020.100767

[2] Eder, M.; Schäffner, W.; Burgert, I.; Fratzl, P.; Wood and the Activity of Dead Tissue. Advanced Materials (2020).https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202001412

[3] Politi, Y.; Bertinetti, L.; Fratzl, P.; Barth, F.G. The spider cuticle: A remarkable material toolbox for functional diversity (2021)

[4] Reznikov, N.; Steele, J. A. M.; Fratzl, P.; Stevens, M. M.: A materials science vision of extracellular matrix mineralization. Nature Reviews Materials1, 16041 (2016). https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/natrevmats.2016.41

[5] Fratzl, P.; Weinkamer, R.: Nature's hierarchical materials. Progress in Materials Science52, 1263 - 1334 (2007). https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pmatsci.2007.06.001

[6] Fratzl, P.; Kolednik, O.; Fischer, F. D.; Dean, M. N.: The mechanics of tessellations – bioinspired strategies for fracture resistance.Chemical Society Reviews45, 252 - 267 (2016). https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C5CS00598A