Review of beetle forewing structures and their biomimetic applications in China: (II) On the three-dimensional structure, modeling and imitation

Abstract

This paper reviews the research progress made in China regarding the microstructure of the forewing trabeculae, their anti-peeling and anti-collisional mechanical properties, the three-dimensional (3D) microstructures of the forewings, their modeling, and their mechanical properties. We focus on 1) the distribution of the trabeculae in two types of beetles with a six-fold difference in density, the structure of the trabeculae and a proposed 3D model with an integrated trabeculae-honeycomb structure; 2) finite element analyses and experimental results showing that the average anti-peeling strength in the presence of trabeculae can be as much as approximately three-fold greater than that in the absence of trabeculae; 3) the strengthening mechanisms of these structures and describe an optimized double thin-walled biomimetic structure that possesses excellent absorption and buffering properties; 4) the development of technologies to produce fully integrated honeycomb plates with short fibers as a reinforced composite material and the verification that these plates are strong and lightweight and exhibit good integrity. Finally, we note the shortcomings in China in this field of research and propose possible future research directions in the field of biomimetic functional materials.

Keywords: Beetle forewing; Biomimetic material; Functional material; Honeycomb; Trabecula.