| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2021 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Biological Materials Science
|
| Presentation Title |
Tough Enlightenments From the Prayer Bead: Fracture-tolerant Endocarp of Elaeocarpus Ganitrus Seed (Rudraksha) |
| Author(s) |
Ashish Ghimire, Po-Yu Chen |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Ashish Ghimire |
| Abstract Scope |
Seed and nut shells, also called endocarp show remarkable hardness and toughness. Grown in the foothills of Himalayas, Nepal, the Elaeocarpus ganitrus seed is locally known as an unbreakable seed and is widely used for religious purposes. Here, we present the microstructural observations and mechanical performance of previously unexplored and inconspicuous seed endocarp of Elaeocarpus ganitrus. The endocarp exhibits high fracture strength with mean and maximum fracture forces of 3777± 651N and 5023N respectively. Suture interface includes layers of sclereid cells, longitudinally, and randomly oriented fiber bundles that contribute to extreme fracture tolerance. The outer region consists of thick lignified sclereid cells and is harder than the inner region with polygonal, elongated sclerenchyma fiber cells. The layered cellular microstructure promotes a torturous intercellular crack path often deflected upon reaching elongated cells and entangled fiber bundles. This structure-mechanism-property relation provides critical insights and inspiration for developing high fracture-resistant materials. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |