Natural materials have extraordinary mechanical properties, which are based on sophisticated arrangements and combinations of multiple building blocks. One key aspect of today's materials research ...

Modern industry requires multi-dimensional performance design of protective structural materials. In nature, many organisms maintain the mechanical strength required for defense and achieve camouflage ...

Nacre-mimetics hold great promise as mechanical high-performance and functional materials. Here we demonstrate large progress of mechanical and functional properties of self-assembled polymer/nanoclay ...

Researchers have finally figured out how nacre – also known as mother of pearl – forms its perfect structure. As one of the strongest naturally-occurring materials known to science, nacre is coveted ...

“If we can engineer concrete to resist crack propagation, we can make it tougher, safer and more durable.” To make their nacre-like composite material, the researchers created hexagonal tablets from ...

Strong, tough but light is the rare but desired combination of properties for numerous artificial materials. Now a new material is similar to natural mother-of-pearl, but twice as strong. Nacre, or ...

The iridescent gleam of mother-of-pearl couldn’t come from more milquetoast materials. Mollusks make the stuff, also known as nacre, from calcium carbonate and a smattering of organic matter. Despite ...

(Nanowerk Spotlight) The remarkable properties of some natural materials have motivated many researchers to synthesize biomimetic nanocomposites that attempt to reproduce Nature’s achievements and to ...

Look down at the sidewalk under your feet and you are staring at one of the most important materials in human history. Concrete built the Roman aqueducts, the Hoover Dam, the highways stitching this ...