To understand the design principles and mechanical optimization strategies in selected biomaterials. Smart materials design may still be a challenge for us today, but Nature has been using it on a regular basis already ages ago. In spite of strictly limited resources and limitations imposed by environmental conditions, sophisticated biomaterials have evolved. They are specially adapted to fulfill specific tasks and are mechanically optimized. Even today, some of them still surpass artificially produced materials in many respects. In this course, selected biomaterials will be presented and their structure, mechanical properties and design strategies explained. A brief overview of experimental investigation methods and possibilities to use design principles from Nature shall be given as well.
· Elements of biomaterials · The making of - self-assembly and growth · Mechanical concepts in biomaterials · High-performance fibers: spider silk, keratin, collagen · Soft tissue - skin, cartilage, glue · Engineering with fibers: biological composite materials · Bioceramics - teeth, nacre · Art of hierarchical design 1: bone · Art of hierarchical design 2: wood · Intelligent materials - adaptive growth · Biomimetic and bio-inspired materials
Powerpoint slides will be made available online.
A printed and bound version is available at the Institut für Werkstoffwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnologie (E308).
