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E-Thesis 890 views 439 downloads

Bioinspired Investigation via X-Ray Microtomography / Laura E. North

Swansea University Author: Laura E. North

DOI (Published version): 10.23889/Suthesis.43706

Abstract

Biological materials and systems are increasingly studied to provide inspiration, through the correlation of structure and function, for the design of materials in areas such as technology, engineering and medicine. X-ray microtomography allows three dimensional and non-destructive visualisation of...

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Published: 2018
Institution: Swansea University
Degree level: Doctoral
Degree name: Ph.D
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa43706
first_indexed 2018-09-06T12:58:27Z
last_indexed 2025-04-04T04:16:16Z
id cronfa43706
recordtype RisThesis
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spelling 2025-04-03T12:24:52.9526547 v2 43706 2018-09-06 Bioinspired Investigation via X-Ray Microtomography a153e313d2c29f068ffb15050cdb9aee NULL Laura E. North Laura E. North true true 2018-09-06 Biological materials and systems are increasingly studied to provide inspiration, through the correlation of structure and function, for the design of materials in areas such as technology, engineering and medicine. X-ray microtomography allows three dimensional and non-destructive visualisation of both internal and external structures. It is the primary method used in this study to identify and investigate these natural structures and their functions. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis is performed on the resulting 3D volumetric data. Further insight is achieved by incorporating complementary methods including high-resolution electron microscopy, nanoindentation and additive layer manufacturing to characterise the structures at varying length scales in terms of their structural, chemical and mechanical properties. Two detailed case studies are given: the vertebrae of the hero shrew (Scutisorex somereni); and the cuttlebone of Sepia officinalis. Hero shrew vertebrae are analysed for the first time using X-ray microtomography. Large variations in vertebrae volume, surface area and pillar count are shown across samples. Additive layer manufacturing is used to test a simple method for understanding flexibility across the vertebrae. The results show limitations of movement in certain directions, giving potential inspiration for applications in robotics and flexible shafts. The diversity of internal architecture of the cuttlebone is captured for the first time in three dimensions, highlighting substantial variation in the morphology of pillars. New frameworks are established for pillar morphology across the cuttlebone. These provide a greater understanding to the relationship between pillar morphology and fluid interaction with the structures of the cuttlebone. Mechanical analysis via time-lapse compression testing shows a progressive collapse mechanism of the chambers. The morphology and properties investigated can provide inspiration for improved design of cellular structures, energy absorption and protection, and potentially for the design of a sophisticated buoyancy device. E-Thesis 31 12 2018 2018-12-31 10.23889/Suthesis.43706 A selection of third party content is redacted or is partially redacted from this thesis. COLLEGE NANME Engineering COLLEGE CODE Swansea University Doctoral Ph.D EPSRC Not Required 2025-04-03T12:24:52.9526547 2018-09-06T10:11:39.3054641 Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Materials Science and Engineering Laura E. North NULL 1 0043706-06092018105825.pdf North_Laura_E_PhD_Redacted.pdf 2018-09-06T10:58:25.9170000 Output 56957603 application/pdf Redacted version - open access true 2018-09-06T00:00:00.0000000 true
title Bioinspired Investigation via X-Ray Microtomography
spellingShingle Bioinspired Investigation via X-Ray Microtomography
Laura E. North
title_short Bioinspired Investigation via X-Ray Microtomography
title_full Bioinspired Investigation via X-Ray Microtomography
title_fullStr Bioinspired Investigation via X-Ray Microtomography
title_full_unstemmed Bioinspired Investigation via X-Ray Microtomography
title_sort Bioinspired Investigation via X-Ray Microtomography
author_id_str_mv a153e313d2c29f068ffb15050cdb9aee
author_id_fullname_str_mv a153e313d2c29f068ffb15050cdb9aee_***_Laura E. North
author Laura E. North
author2 Laura E. North
format E-Thesis
publishDate 2018
institution Swansea University
doi_str_mv 10.23889/Suthesis.43706
college_str Faculty of Science and Engineering
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hierarchy_top_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
department_str School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Materials Science and Engineering{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Science and Engineering{{{_:::_}}}School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Materials Science and Engineering
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description Biological materials and systems are increasingly studied to provide inspiration, through the correlation of structure and function, for the design of materials in areas such as technology, engineering and medicine. X-ray microtomography allows three dimensional and non-destructive visualisation of both internal and external structures. It is the primary method used in this study to identify and investigate these natural structures and their functions. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis is performed on the resulting 3D volumetric data. Further insight is achieved by incorporating complementary methods including high-resolution electron microscopy, nanoindentation and additive layer manufacturing to characterise the structures at varying length scales in terms of their structural, chemical and mechanical properties. Two detailed case studies are given: the vertebrae of the hero shrew (Scutisorex somereni); and the cuttlebone of Sepia officinalis. Hero shrew vertebrae are analysed for the first time using X-ray microtomography. Large variations in vertebrae volume, surface area and pillar count are shown across samples. Additive layer manufacturing is used to test a simple method for understanding flexibility across the vertebrae. The results show limitations of movement in certain directions, giving potential inspiration for applications in robotics and flexible shafts. The diversity of internal architecture of the cuttlebone is captured for the first time in three dimensions, highlighting substantial variation in the morphology of pillars. New frameworks are established for pillar morphology across the cuttlebone. These provide a greater understanding to the relationship between pillar morphology and fluid interaction with the structures of the cuttlebone. Mechanical analysis via time-lapse compression testing shows a progressive collapse mechanism of the chambers. The morphology and properties investigated can provide inspiration for improved design of cellular structures, energy absorption and protection, and potentially for the design of a sophisticated buoyancy device.
published_date 2018-12-31T04:45:05Z
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score 11.066945