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...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | en_US |
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Nature Publishing Group
2015
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/97046 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4173-9659 |
| _version_ | 1826198807760601088 |
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| author | Qin, Zhao Compton, Brett G. Lewis, Jennifer A. Buehler, Markus J |
| author2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Center for Computational Engineering |
| author_facet | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Center for Computational Engineering Qin, Zhao Compton, Brett G. Lewis, Jennifer A. Buehler, Markus J |
| author_sort | Qin, Zhao |
| collection | MIT |
| 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-09-23T11:10:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | mit-1721.1/97046 |
| institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| language | en_US |
| last_indexed | 2024-09-23T11:10:00Z |
| publishDate | 2015 |
| publisher | Nature Publishing Group |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | mit-1721.1/970462022-10-01T01:44:40Z Structural optimization of 3D-printed synthetic spider webs for high strength Qin, Zhao Compton, Brett G. Lewis, Jennifer A. Buehler, Markus J Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Center for Computational Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics Qin, Zhao Buehler, Markus J. 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. BASF-NORA United States. Office of Naval Research (N000141010562) United States. Army Research Office 2015-05-21T13:37:33Z 2015-05-21T13:37:33Z 2015-05 2014-11 Article http://purl.org/eprint/type/JournalArticle 2041-1723 http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/97046 Qin, Zhao, Brett G. Compton, Jennifer A. Lewis, and Markus J. Buehler. “Structural Optimization of 3D-Printed Synthetic Spider Webs for High Strength.” Nature Communications 6 (May 15, 2015): 7038. © 2015 Macmillan Publishers Limited https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4173-9659 en_US http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms8038 Nature Communications Creative Commons Attribution http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ application/pdf Nature Publishing Group Nature |
| spellingShingle | 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 |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/97046 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4173-9659 |
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