Biomimetics and composite materials toward efficient mobility: a review

Boaretto, J., Fotouhi, M. , Tende, E., Aver, G. F., Marcon, V. R. R., Cordeiro, G. L., Bergmann, C. P. and Vannucchi de Camargo, F. (2021) Biomimetics and composite materials toward efficient mobility: a review. Journal of Composites Science, 5, 22. (doi: 10.3390/jcs5010022)

Abstract

The development of new materials has always been strictly related to the rise of new technologies and progressively efficient systems. However, cutting-edge materials might not be enough to ensure the effectiveness of a given product if the design guidelines used do not favor the specific advantages of this material. Polymeric composites are known for their excellent mechanical properties, but current manufacturing techniques and the relatively narrow expertise in the field amongst engineers impose the challenge to provide the most suitable designs to certain applications. Bio-inspired designs, supported by thousands of years of evolution of nature, have shown to be extremely profitable tools for the design of optimized yet structurally complex shapes in which the tailoring aspect of polymeric composites perfectly fit. Bearing in mind the current but old-fashioned designs of auto-parts and vehicles built with metals with little or no topological optimization, the present work addresses how biomimicry is being applied in the mobility industry nowadays to provide lightweight structures and efficient designs. A general overview of biomimicry is made regarding vehicles, approaching how the use of composite materials has already contributed to successful cases.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding: This work was funded under the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Programme Grant EP/V009451/1 on Next generation of high-performance impact resistant composites with visibility of damage.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Fotouhi, Dr Mohammad

Creator Roles

Fotouhi, M.: Investigation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing

• Authors: Boaretto, J., Fotouhi, M., Tende, E., Aver, G. F., Marcon, V. R. R., Cordeiro, G. L., Bergmann, C. P., and Vannucchi de Camargo, F.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity
• Journal Name: Journal of Composites Science
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 2504-477X
• ISSN (Online): 2504-477X
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 by the authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Composites Science 5:22
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license