Research Catalog

Title

Hierarchical structures in biology as a guide for new materials technology / Committee on Synthetic Hierarchical Structures, National Materials Advisory Board, Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems, National Research Council.

Publication

Washington, D.C. : National Academy Press, 1994.

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Holdings

Details

Additional Authors

• Tirrell, David A.
• National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Synthetic Hierarchical Structures.

Description

xii, 130 pages : illustrations; 23 cm.

Summary

• Hierarchical structures are assemblages of molecular units or their aggregates that are embedded or intertwined with other phases, which in turn are similarly organized at increasing size levels. The multilevel architectures are capable of conferring unique properties to the structure. Hierarchical structures are found in practically all complex systems, particularly naturally occurring ones.
• Synthetic hierarchical structures can be prepared from metals, ceramics, or polymers, or from hybrids of various classes of these materials.
• The Committee on Synthetic Hierarchical Structures made an assessment of the opportunities to prepare hierarchical structures that possess useful and unusual physical properties for civilian and military applications. It conducted case-studies by selecting natural material systems to be used as models for synthetic efforts. It reviewed the state of the art of synthetic techniques and processes for assembling synthetic hierarchical structures.
• The committee also characterized properties, unusual characteristics, and potential end-use applications for these synthetic systems. Finally, the committee recommended research directions to expedite the understanding of the complex phenomena involved, lead to increased coordination among disciplines, and provide direction for future activities in the field.

Series Statement

NMAB ; 464

Uniform Title

Publication NMAB ; 464.

Subjects

• Materials > Research
• Hierarchies
• Morphology

Note

• "This study ... was conducted under Contract No. MDA 972-92-C-0028 with the U.S. Department of Defense and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration"--t.p. verso.
• "David A. Tirrell, chair"--p. iii.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. 111-122).

Contents

1. Introduction -- 2. Natural Hierarchical Materials. Recurrent Use of Molecular Constituents. Controlled Orientation. Durable Interfaces Between Hard and Soft Materials. The Role of Water. Property Variation in Response to Changing Performance Requirements. Fatigue Resistance and Self-Repair. Shape Control -- 3. Synthetic Hierarchical Systems. One-Dimensional Hierarchy. Two-Dimensional Hierarchy. Three-Dimensional Hierarchy. Adjustable Variables and Their Influence on Mechanical Behavior of Synthetic Materials -- 4. Fabrication of Hierarchical Systems. Synthetic Processing. Biologically Inspired Processing -- 5. Conclusions and Recommendations: Scientific and Technological Opportunities. Materials. Processing. Design and Analysis. Scientific Opportunities. Technological Opportunities.

ISBN

0309046386

LCCN

94069232

OCLC

ocm31686397

Owning Institutions

Columbia University Libraries