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The Biological Structure of Sea Sponges Served as the Basis for an Ultra-Resilient Material That Could Revolutionize Construction, Making Buildings Safer and More Sustainable
Marine sponges that live in the depths of the oceans hold a structural secret. Their lightweight lattice forms possess surprising strength. Inspired by these creatures, researchers at RMIT University in Australia have created a new structure to make building materials more resilient.
Inspiration in Nature
The scientists analyzed the double network structure found in the marine sponge Venus Flower Basket. This structure not only provides high strength but also a behavior called auxeticity.
This causes the material to contract when compressed, instead of expanding as conventional materials do.
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“While most materials get thinner when stretched or thicker when compressed, like rubber, auxetics do the opposite,” explained Dr. Jiaming Ma, a researcher of the study published in the journal Composite Structures in January.
According to him, this characteristic allows these materials to better absorb and distribute impact energy, making them more efficient.
Promising Results After the Study of Sponges
The team found that by combining networks in a pattern similar to those of deep-sea sponges, the material becomes more durable and absorbs impacts more effectively.
Tests showed that a new structure, called BLS (bioinspired lattice), offers 13 times more strength compared to existing auxetic materials, such as those used in cardiac stents.
Additionally, it can absorb 10% more energy and deform 60% more before starting to break.
The researchers printed a sample of the material in 3D using thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU 95A). The next step will be to produce steel versions and combine them with concrete to evaluate their performance in construction.
Applications in the Construction Sector
The scientists believe this technology could make construction more sustainable. “We are developing a more sustainable building material using the unique combination of our auxetic design, exceptional stiffness, and energy absorption to reduce the use of steel and cement in construction,” Ma explained. “Its auxetic and energy-absorbing features could also help dampen vibrations during earthquakes.”
Moreover, the structure can protect and dampen vibrations during earthquakes, making buildings safer.
The new technology could also be applied in different sectors. According to the researchers, the design of the BLS can be utilized in protective sports equipment and medical products.
The study advances the search for more efficient and reinforced materials by harnessing concepts from nature to improve man-made structures.
With information from New Atlas.
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