| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2023 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Biological Materials Science
|
| Presentation Title |
K-5: A Systematic, Phylogeny-based Study of the Structural, Crystallographic, and Mechanical Properties of Avian Eggshells |
| Author(s) |
Zhifei Deng, Zian Jia, Emily Peterman, Mary Stoddard, Ling Li |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Zhifei Deng |
| Abstract Scope |
Avian eggshells represent an intriguing natural protection system that needs to be strong to protect the embryo from outside loadings yet simultaneously breakable for the hatching chicks from inside. However, the eggshell design seems surprisingly “simple” with a calcitic external shell and an inner proteinaceous meshwork-like membrane. With over 10,000 avian species, the birds exhibit diverse variations in the eggshell's structural, crystallographic, and nanomechanical properties. In this study, we conducted systematic characterizations of eggshells from 19 bird species, from the largest flightless bird ostrich (Struthio camelus) to terrestrial quail (Synoicus chinensis). A correlation was found between the eggshell properties and bird phylogenies, where Neognaths eggshells show columnar misorientated crystals, and Paleognaths eggshells have more variations in crystal textures, including radiating fibers, deflected columns, and gradient grains. This study provides valuable information not only for biological material studies within a phylogenetic context but also for bioinspired designs in lightweight ceramic-polymer protective applications. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Biomaterials, Mechanical Properties, Other |