Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Hierarchical design of biological structures exhibits remarkable physical, chemical mechanical and biological properties and functionalities over the wide range of length scale. Structural, chemical and mechanical properties of sardina pilchardus fish scale from nanometer to micrometer length scale has been investigated using advanced microscopy techniques. By decollagenisation process the fish scale was demineralised, the nanoscale structural, chemical and mechanical hierarchy of constituents were analysed. It consists of particulates of calcium hydroxy apatite and fibrillar collagens which were hierarchically arranged. Calcium hydroxy apatite shows numerous level hierarchies and at each level they are commensurately interconnected. We also studied nanoscale energy dissipation and failure mechanics of nanoparticle filled polymer composite using advanced microscopy techniques. Nanocomposites and nano-structured materials are technologically important class of materials which have potential uses in many engineering and biomedical applications. Nanocomposites exhibit dramatic improvement on their mechanical properties and show high resistance to fracture and wear failures. Objective of this study is to understand, the role of nanoparticles, nano-microstructure, strength of particle-matrix interface and effects of geometrical gradient and mechanical gradient on energy dissipation process and subsequent failure mechanisms. We also present ongoing analytical and computational investigations of energy dissipation and failure mechanisms of the mechanisms of the nanocomposites. We conclude that hierarchical composites of biological systems show remarkable characteristics over man-made nanocomposites.

Biography

D. Devaprakasam is a Professor in Nanotechnology and HOD in the Department of Nanosciences and Technology & Centre for Research in Nanotechnology, School of Nanosciences and Technology, Karunya University, Coimbatore, India. He received his M.S. (Engg) and PhD (Engg) from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. His research interests have been in the area nanotechnology which includes, NEMS, MEMS, Nanomechnaics, Nanolithography Nanometrology, Nanocomposites and Advanced Microscopy-Spectroscopy. For his M.S. research thesis, he received best thesis award from the INAE-India. His PhD research was sponsored by the General Motors? Fellowship and supported by DRDO project grant. For the PhD thesis, he was honored with two best thesis awards, P.S. Narayana Medal and Prof. B.K. Subbarao Medal by IISc in the Faculty of Engineering. He also received Cheung Kong Australian Endeavour Award by Government Australia. He was selected for the Royal Society Incoming International Fellowship 2006. He carried out his Post-Doctoral research work at the IWRI, University of South Australia and NanoLab, Engineering Materials, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom from 2005 to 2010. His Post-Doctoral research was supported by the EPSRC and Technology Strategy Board, UK. He was a visiting scientist to IISc through UKIERI programme of British Council, UK.