Structural Hierarchy in Materials: Processing and Property Optimization

摘要

A workshop on the role of hierarchy in the structural properties of materials was held at St. Christopher's Camp n Conference Center located in Charleston, South Carolina from May 31 through June 2, 1995. The Workshop participants focussed on three related topics: (1) The lessons to be learned from hierarchical structures in biological composites; (2) The application of theoretical modeling to structure-property relations in hierarchically structured materials; and (3) Synthesis and processing strategies for the fabrication of new synthetic materials. A goal of the workshop was to establish better communication among the many different disciplines working in the area of materials property research, especially those directly involved with biomimetic or biogenic systems. A previous NRC report highlighted the importance of this class of materials and recommended that 'the academic and industrial sectors of the materials community prepare for the development of hierarchical materials through implementation of appropriate educational and engineering programs...'. Technological and scientific opportunities identified in this report need to be pursued through collaborative research efforts between academia and the industry. While most of the discussions focused on lessons from biology, it was generally agreed that a more fundamental definition of structure-property optimization through structural hierarchy needs to be developed and that economically attractive synthesis and processing methods are needed to reduce these concepts to practice.