| Abstract Scope |
Much in the way materials scientists are concerned with process-structure-property relationships, so too are biologists with the connections between genetics, structure, and function. However, the relationships in biology are of greater complexity than they are in materials science. Even limiting scope to structure-function relationships alone, unraveling these connections with a high degree of confidence is challenging because of the multi-scale nature of the geometries involved, and their adaptation over millions of years for multiple functions. This is where we propose additive manufacturing has a role to play, demonstrating this for three of our recent studies on honeycombs, sea sponges and branching structures. We also review and categorize similar work by others and discuss the role of analytical and computational modeling. In so doing, we aim to identify general principles for conducting work of this nature and encouraging the greater use of additive manufacturing for structure-function studies. |