Hierarchical, multilayered cell walls reinforced by recycled silk cocoons enhance the structural integrity of honeybee combs

Kai Zhang, Huiling Duana, Bhushan L. Karihaloo, Jianxiang Wanga

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

79 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We reveal the sophisticated and hierarchical structure of honeybee combs and measure the elastic properties of fresh and old natural honeycombs at different scales by optical microscope, environmental scanning electron microscope, nano/microindentation, and by tension and shear tests. We demonstrate that the comb walls are continuously strengthened and stiffened without becoming fragile by the addition of thin wax layers reinforced by recycled silk cocoons reminiscent of modern fiber-reinforced composite laminates. This is done to increase its margin of safety against collapse due to a temperature increase. Artificial engineering honeycombs mimic only the macroscopic geometry of natural honeycombs, but have yet to achieve the microstructural sophistication of their natural counterparts. The natural honeycombs serve as a prototype of truly biomimetic cellular materials with hitherto unattainable improvement in stiffness, strength, toughness, and thermal stability.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)9502-9506
Number of pages5
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume107
Issue number21
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 May 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Biomimetic cellular solids
  • Hierarchical structure
  • Natural honeycombs
  • Recycling
  • Survivability

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