Development of bioinspired structure with impact absorption capability: a study of case

Abstract

The development of new materials is crucial for the advancement of engineering, architecture, and design fields. This is because new materials can offer significant benefits compared to traditional materials in terms of their structural, physical, and chemical properties. In architecture and design, new materials can be used to create more durable, sustainable, aesthetically pleasing, lightweight, and resilient products. Through biomimicry, this study conducted an analysis on the structures of four tropical fruits - orange, passion fruit, cocoa, and pomegranate - to generate a new structure with damping and energy dissipation properties, aided by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), computerized microtomography (Micro-CT), and computerized three-dimensional reconstruction. As a result, a bioinspired structure was developed based on the arrangements of cell walls found in the albedo (mesocarp) of the orange - Citrus sinensis. Using this developed structure, computational tests were performed and a resin prototype was created through digital fabrication. Therefore, the development of bioinspired materials for improved impact absorption and damping is important as it can enhance the safety and effectiveness of a wide range of products, from sports equipment to medical devices, while also contributing to sustainability and energy efficiency, which are significant interests in various fields of knowledge.