UTA researchers develop nature-inspired 3D printed composites

According to The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), Shiyao Lin, a researcher in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, in the College of Engineering, has been awarded funding to launch a new investigative project, titled ‘Novel Damage-Tolerant Composites Enabled by Hybrid Biomimetic Designs and Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing’.

The Research Enhancement Program (REP), administered by UTA’s Office of Vice President for Research and Innovation, offers seed funding to investigators to help them test new ideas and explore new directions that could lead to future innovations and more competitive proposals for external funding from federal agencies and nonprofit foundations.

Dr. Lin is developing next-generation, damage-tolerant composite materials using designs inspired by nature, such as bamboo and conch shells. These hybrid biomimetic structures will be built using multi-material 3D printing and tested for strength and durability.

This research explores materials science through the lens of nature by studying how natural structures prevent damage and resist fracture. By investigating the fundamental physics behind how cracks form and spread in these materials, Lin aims to uncover new ways to improve toughness in engineered composites. The project blends multiple biomimetic structures – an approach that has rarely been explored – and will validate their effectiveness through lab experiments and computational modeling.

These designs could lead to stronger, safer materials used for aerospace engineering, automobile manufacturing, and personal protective equipment. Potential applications range from aircraft components that better withstand stress, to car parts that improve passenger safety, to body armor with advanced energy absorption – making the impact both wide-ranging and meaningful.

The first step is to create a hybrid design inspired by bamboo and conch shells. Bamboo’s natural cell structure helps deflect cracks, while the conch shell’s layered composition resists fractures. Using a multi-material 3D printer, the UTA team will construct these hybrid structures and conduct mechanical testing to assess their resistance to stress.

“This grant will train graduate and undergraduate students with analytical and hands-on skills and broaden the scope of knowledge of engineering students in zoology and biology,” said Shiyao Lin.