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Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Micro-masonry for 3D Additive Micromanufacturing
Published on: August 1, 2014
Bioinspired Twisted Brick-Mortar Composites for Adaptive Thermo-Mechanical Impact Protection
Zimu Li1, Liping Gong2, Shuai Liu1
1Department of Modern Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Protective materials for harsh environments should dissipate transient impact energy while maintaining mechanical reliability under thermal fluctuations. Here, we report a bioinspired twisted brick-mortar composite that integrates a carbon-nanotube-reinforced photopolymer framework with a mechanically active shear-stiffening gel mortar. The continuously twisted brick architecture redistributes stress waves and guides crack deflection, whereas reversible interfacial hydrogen bonding and dynamic boron-oxygen crosslinking enable rate-dependent molecular dissipation. This structural-molecular coupling provides efficient impact protection, delivering a low energy transfer rate of 7.38% under high-strain-rate compression and reducing the residual impact force from 20°C to 100°C. The carbon-nanotube-containing framework further provides photothermal responsiveness, allowing reversible stifhefness modulation, adaptive force buffering, and shape recovery after localized high-speed impacts. Together, these results establish a bioinspired twisted brick-mortar design strategy for adaptive thermo-mechanical impact protection.
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