Zhang, K., Duan, H. L., Karihaloo, Bhushan Lal  ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0657-2678 and Wang, J.
2010.
Hierarchical, multilayered cell walls reinforced by recycled silk cocoons enhance the structural integrity of honeybee combs.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
107
(21)
, pp. 9502-9506.
10.1073/pnas.0912066107
|
Abstract
We reveal the sophisticated and hierarchical structure of honeybee combs and measure the elastic properties of fresh and old natural honeycombs at different scales by optical microscope, environmental scanning electron microscope, nano/microindentation, and by tension and shear tests. We demonstrate that the comb walls are continuously strengthened and stiffened without becoming fragile by the addition of thin wax layers reinforced by recycled silk cocoons reminiscent of modern fiber-reinforced composite laminates. This is done to increase its margin of safety against collapse due to a temperature increase. Artificial engineering honeycombs mimic only the macroscopic geometry of natural honeycombs, but have yet to achieve the microstructural sophistication of their natural counterparts. The natural honeycombs serve as a prototype of truly biomimetic cellular materials with hitherto unattainable improvement in stiffness, strength, toughness, and thermal stability.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Status: | Published |
| Schools: | Engineering |
| Subjects: | T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | biomimetic cellular solids; hierarchical structure; natural honeycombs; survivability; recycling |
| Publisher: | National Academy of Sciences |
| ISSN: | 0027-8424 |
| Last Modified: | 17 Oct 2022 10:30 |
| URI: | https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/8206 |
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