Textile Insight

N ature is inspiring a new era of textile research that explores biomaterials with remarkable properties. Some of this research has been inspired by spiders, beetles, geckos and even clams. Bio-Inspired Materials (BIM) can lead to the development of sustainable textiles, which don't require the use of toxic chemicals and can improve the performance in specific applications. One of the more interesting biomaterials is nacre, also known as mother of pearl, also known as nature's toughest material. Nacre is being mimicked by Texas A&M University, partnering with Dr. Ramses Martinez, asso- ciate professor at Purdue University, to create a more sustainable and stronger replacement for existing hook-and-loop fasteners. Texas A&M's BIM Lab aims to create bio-inspired materials focusing on the way the proteins in the nacre develop sacrificial bonds (bonds that break before the main structural link is broken). "Our technology, inspired by the mechan- ical behavior of the natural nacre's interface and its layered structure possesses a unique combination of toughness and lightweight qualities, arising from the nacre's lattice-like structure," explains Vanessa Restrepo, Ph.D./ Assistant Professor, and leader of the Texas A&M's BIM Lab team. "is biomaterial, found in the inner shell of some mollusks, exhibits an impressive ability to dissipate energy and resist impact, making it an excel- lent model for designing a resilient, durable textile material for industrial applications." e nacre has a multi-level structure rang- ing from nanoscale (100,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair) to macro- scopic (visible with the naked eye), which gives nacre biomaterials' superior mechanical properties. At the nanoscale level, the layered nacre structure increases tensile fracture resistance. is inspires the creation of ar- tificial materials that mimick the structure of the nacre to improve damage resistance, compared to weaker or more brittle materials. The Research In the Fall-Protection device prototype, Restrepo and her team uses non-linear ad- hesives instead of conventional hook & loop fasteners. is combines non-linear adhesive materials and opposite-facing magnets to form sacrificial bond composites, similar to the matrix proteins found in the nacre's inter- face. Aer undergoing large strains and even mechanical failure, the designed composites mimic the natural biological nacre systems, creating a self-healing/self-repairing quality. Restrepo explains, "e significant sustain- able feature of our current model lies in its reusability. Unlike traditional systems that rely on one-time breaking bonds typically used in high-altitude fall protection gear, our TOUGH MOTHER Bio-Inspired Research is a Pearl of an Idea. By Kathlyn Swantko EDUCATION/TEXAS A&M AND PURDUE UNIVERSITIES 10 • Textile Insight ~ Fall 2024 textileinsight.com Professor Vanessa Restrepo, leader of Texas A&M's BIM Lab team. • Educate Students at All Levels • Promote Textile Industry Careers • Re-energize the Textile Industy for the Future Contact: Tom Swantko, Director toms@thetextilegateway.com LEARN MORE AND HOW YOU CAN HELP TheTextileGateway.org Connecting the Industry to Students Support TTG-TI-10-21-1_Layout 1 10/21/24 10:24 AM Page 1

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