Smart Fabric Inspired by Bone Material

Smart Fabric Inspired by Bone Material
Jan-17-17
An innovative smart fabric mimics the properties of the bone membrane and paves the way to advanced materials with applications ranging from medicine to transport.

Developed by the team from the University of New South Wales, the material is based on the bone tissue periosteum, and was created using 3D visualization and a computer-controlled jacquard weaving loom. Elastic materials mimicking collagen and elastin (silk and elastic) were used to weave a material similar to the pattern of the periosteum’s texture, which was proven in tests to exhibit similar properties as the natural periosteum material.

The team believes the smart fabric could eventually be used to create materials that mimic biological tissue, stiffen on impact, respond to movement, or even improve tire safety and strength.


Thumbnail: Periosteum as seen in the upper diagonal segment of the tissue image volume. The natural weave of elastin (green) and collagen (yellow) can be seen when viewed under the microscope.


Larger Image: Professor Melissa Knothe Tate with her computer-controlled jacquard loom. Photo: Paul Henderson Kelly

Smart Fabric Inspired by Bone Material


More Info about this Invention:

[NATURE.COM]
[NEWSROOM.UNSW.EDU.AU]
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