A natural solution from caterpillar cuticles for flexible impact-resistant materials

Flexible impact-resistant materials are essential for defense, transportation, and biomedical engineering due to their ability to combine strength, energy dissipation, and compliance. While nature offers robust solutions like beetle elytra or mantis shrimp hammers, designing materials that achieve these properties simultaneously remains a significant challenge. Here, we explore the cuticle of Ostrinia furnacalis (Asian corn borer) as a natural model. We identify two key structural proteins, FCSP-1 and FCSP-2, that form a β-sheet-rich matrix via liquid-liquid phase separation, adhering to chitin scaffolds. This matrix promotes lamellar structures that enhance energy dissipation through hydrogen bond disruption and secondary structure transformation under stress. NMR and molecular dynamics simulations further confirm that matrix formation relies on fine-tuned hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and π-π/cation-π interactions. Inspired by this mechanism, we developed a chitin-protein composite hydrogel with an energy dissipation capability of 8 MJ/m³, and its mechanical properties can be precisely tuned via in-vitro phosphorylation. This hydrogel demonstrates exceptional potential for protecting fragile objects.