J4 ›› 2015, Vol. 12 ›› Issue (1): 98-108.doi: 10.1016/S1672-6529(14)60104-9

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Mechanical Simulation of a Diatom Frustule Structure

Jie Lu, Cheng Sun, Q. Jane Wang   

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
  • 出版日期:2015-12-30
  • 通讯作者: Q. Jane Wang E-mail:qwang@northwestern.edu

Mechanical Simulation of a Diatom Frustule Structure

Jie Lu, Cheng Sun, Q. Jane Wang   

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
  • Online:2015-12-30
  • Contact: Q. Jane Wang E-mail:qwang@northwestern.edu

摘要:

Diatoms possess intricately complicated nanopatterned silica outer shells, the so called frustules. Due to their excellent three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures, diatom frustules have attracted attentions from many fields to look for potential appli-cations, such as structural material design, light harvesting, photonics, molecular separation and bio-sensing. However, the mechanical property of frustule, especially the role of each single portion that structures a frustule, need to be clearly examined in order to provide a scientific support to frustule utilization. The reported work uses the Finite-Element (FE)-based simulation to investigate the relative mechanical properties of the frustule of the diatom Coscinodiscus sp. as compared with reference non-frustule structures. A three-dimensional model for the three featured layers of this frustule and a simplified model for its girdle band are built with the assistance of ABAQUS. A basic-cell concept is suggested; and the comparative results of several simulation groups are reported. The numerical results indicate that the seven-unit-cell model is able to catch the essential me-chanics of the Coscinodiscus sp. frustule under pressure and that the layered and porous structure of this frustule can effectively resist pressure.

关键词: diatom frustule, FE, simulation, structure analysis, bio-material

Abstract:

Diatoms possess intricately complicated nanopatterned silica outer shells, the so called frustules. Due to their excellent three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures, diatom frustules have attracted attentions from many fields to look for potential appli-cations, such as structural material design, light harvesting, photonics, molecular separation and bio-sensing. However, the mechanical property of frustule, especially the role of each single portion that structures a frustule, need to be clearly examined in order to provide a scientific support to frustule utilization. The reported work uses the Finite-Element (FE)-based simulation to investigate the relative mechanical properties of the frustule of the diatom Coscinodiscus sp. as compared with reference non-frustule structures. A three-dimensional model for the three featured layers of this frustule and a simplified model for its girdle band are built with the assistance of ABAQUS. A basic-cell concept is suggested; and the comparative results of several simulation groups are reported. The numerical results indicate that the seven-unit-cell model is able to catch the essential me-chanics of the Coscinodiscus sp. frustule under pressure and that the layered and porous structure of this frustule can effectively resist pressure.

Key words: diatom frustule, FE, simulation, structure analysis, bio-material