The structural design principles and the creation of bioinspired structures

Marine biological materials and materials for marine applications

Marine organisms thrive in the marine environment through their structural materials reliably performing functions, of which the structure-property relationships could provide useful insight into developing advanced engineering materials for marine applications. We focus on one archetype from undersea animal and another from marine plants.  Our aim is to elucidate the hierarchical structure and mechanisms for the corrosion and fatigue resistance, and then develop bioinspired fiber-reinforced composites for marine devices, and develop bioinspired anticorrosion coatings.

Active biological materials and bioinspired 4D printing of shape memory materials

Many biological materials show fascinating deformation behaviors, usually in response to external stimuli such as temperature, light and moisture, to fulfill their life function, which means they are active biological materials. This can inspire novel functional manmade materials [1]. We study one type of plant to understand the hierarchical structure and mechanisms of the moisture-induced deformation, and then utilize advanced three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques to create bioinspired structures that can show active desired deformation upon external stimulus.

Bioinspired materials for biomedicine

Numerous biological materials are composed of natural organics with certain amount of inorganics, and perform specific biological functions. Utilizing tools from physics, chemistry and biology to analyzing those from a material science perspective can provide useful insights into the development of advanced biomedical materials. We study the hierarchical structure of biological proteins and further construct bioinspired scaffolds for tissue engineering.

[1] Gould J. Learning from nature's best. Nature. 2015; 519:S2-3

2012-2016 Ph.D. University of California, San Diego

2010-2012 M.S. Zhengzhou University

2006-2010 B.S. Zhengzhou University

2016-current: Associate Scientist/Associate Professor, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

2013 September-2014 June: Teaching assistant for Chinese language taught by Lecturer Xiao Wang, undergraduate course, Chinese Studies Program at University of California, San Diego (Fall 2013, Winter and Spring 2014)

2016 January- 2016 March: Guest lecturer for NANO 252 “Biomaterials and Biomimetics” taught by Prof. Marc Meyers, graduate course, University of California, San Diego (2016 Winter)

1.       B Wang*, T Sullivan, A Pissarenko, A Zaheri, H Espinosa, M Meyers*, Lessons from the ocean: Whale baleen fracture resistance, Advanced Materials, 2018, adma201804574, in press.

2.       B Wang, M Meyers. Light like a feather: a fibrous natural composite with a shape factor changing from round to square, Advanced Science, (2017), 1600360

3.       T Sullivan, B Wang, H Espinosa, M Meyers. Extreme lightweight structures: avian feathers and bones, Materials Today, (2017) 20, 377-391

4.       B Wang, W Yang, J McKittrick, M Meyers. Keratin: Structure, mechanical properties, occurrence in biological organisms, and efforts at bioinspiration. Progress in Materials Science, (2016) 76, 229-318

5.       B Wang, M Meyers. Seagull feather shaft: correlation between structure and mechanical responses, Acta Biomaterialia, (2017) 48, 270-288

6.       B Wang*, T Sullivan. A review of terrestrial, aerial and aquatic keratins: the structure and mechanical properties of pangolin scales, feather shafts and baleen plates, Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, (2017) 76, 4-20

7.       M Chon, M Daly, B Wang, X Xiao, A Zaheri, M Meyers, H Espinosa. Lamellae spatial distribution modulates fracture behavior and toughness of African pangolin scales, Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, (2017) 76, 30-37

8.       Y Yu, W Yang, B Wang, M Meyers. Structure and mechanical behavior of human hair, Materials Science and Engineering: C, (2017) 73, 152-163

9.       B Wang, W Yang, VR Sherman, M Meyers. Pangolin armor: overlapping, structure, and mechanical properties of the keratinous scales. Acta Biomaterialia, (2016) 41, 60-74

10.   YH Chu, MA Meyers, B Wang, W Yang, JY Jung, CFM Coimbra. A sustainable substitute for ivory: the Jarina seed from the Amazon. Scientific Reports, 2015, 14387

11.   BF Wang, F Xie, B Wang, X Luo. Microstructure and properties of the Ti/Al₂O₃/NiCr composites fabricated by explosive compaction/cladding. Materials Science and Engineering: C, (2015) 50,423-331

12.   BF Wang, ZL Liu, B Wang, ST Zhao, JY Sun. Microstructural evolution in adiabatic shear band in the ultrafine-grained austenitic stainless steel processed by multi-axial compression. Materials Science and Engineering: A, (2014) 611, 100-107

13.  B Wang, JH Gao, LG Wang, SJ Zhu, SK Guan. Biocorrosion of coated Mg-Zn-Ca alloy under constant compressive stress close to that of human tibia. Materials Letters, (2012) 70,174-176

14.   B Wang, SK Guan, J Wang, LG Wang, SJ Zhu. Effects of Nd on microstructures and properties of extruded Mg–2Zn–0.46Y–xNd alloys for stent application. Materials Science and Engineering: B, (2011) 176, 1673-1678

15.   JH Gao, SK Guan, ZW Ren, YF Sun, SJ Zhu, B Wang. Homogeneous corrosion of high pressure torsion treated Mg-Zn-Ca alloy in simulated body fluid. Materials Letters, 65(2011), 691-693

SK Guan, J Wang, LG Wang, SJ Zhu, B Wang, JH Hu, Q Wu. Mg-Zn-Y-Nd alloy for novel biodegradable vascular stents and preparation method thereof. Chinese patent, 2011, CN102220529A

·    Hierarchical design of biological and bioinspired materials

·    Multi-scale manufacturing of bioinspired structures/materials

·    Mechanics of biological textured surfaces

1.     Bin Wang“Structure and Mechanical Functions of Biological Keratinous Materials” The 1st International Youth Conference of Bionic Science and Engineering, Lanzhou, China, July 2017, Oral presentation

2.     Bin Wang，“Natural keratinous materials and efforts at bioinspiration”，Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, China, June 2017, invited talk

3.     B Wang, “Biological materials and bioinspired designs” Academic Frontiers of Advanced Materials, Central South University, Changsha, China, June 2017, invited talk

4.     Bin Wang, “Biological keratinous materials and bioispired fiber-reinforced composites”, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China, May 2017, invited talk

5.     B Wang, M Meyers, “The structure and mechanical functions of keratinous materials: Pangolin scales and the feather shaft” 2016 MRS Spring Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, March 2016. Oral presentation

6.     B Wang, M Meyers, “Functional design of keratinous materials: Pangolin scales and feather shaft” 2016 TMS Annual Meeting, Nashville, Tennessee, USA, February 2016. Oral presentation

7.     B Wang, M Meyers, “The feather shaft: A unique design in nature” 6^th International Conference on Mechanics of Biomaterials and Tissues, Waikoloa, Hawaii, USA, December 2015. Poster presentation

8.     Y Yu, B Wang, M Meyers, “On the strain rate sensitivity of keratin hair fibers”6^th International Conference on Mechanics of Biomaterials and Tissues, Waikoloa, Hawaii, USA, December 2015. Poster presentation

9.     B Wang, M Meyers, “Protective function of pangolin scales: Structure and mechanical properties” 2015 TMS Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida, USA, March 2015. Oral presentation

10.  Y Yu, B Wang, M Meyers, “Structure and mechanical behavior of human hair” UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, Research Expo, San Diego, USA, April 2015. Poster presentation

11.  B Wang, M Meyers, “Protective functions of the pangolin scale: Structure and mechanical properties” UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, Research Expo, San Diego, USA, April 2015. Poster presentation

12.  B Wang, M Meyers, “Structure and mechanical properties of pangolin scales as flexible dermal armor” UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, Research Expo, San Diego, USA, April 2013. Poster presentation

13.  B Wang, JH Gao, SK Guan, “Biocorrosion of coated magnesium alloys under constant compressive stress similar to that of human tibia” Student Exchange Support Program sponsored by Japan Student Services Organization, Shizuoka University, Hamamatsu, Japan, November 2011. Oral presentation

14.  B Wang, JH Gao, LG Wang, SK Guan, “Biocorrosion of coated Mg-Zn-Ca alloy under constant compressive stress similar to that of human tibia” The 2^nd Symposium on Biomedical Materials between Mainland and Taiwan, Zhengzhou, China, October 2011. Poster presentation

15.  SK Guan, J Wang, B Wang, P Wang, “Development of novel Mg-Zn-Y-Nd alloy as biodegradable vascular stent” The 2^nd International Symposium on Biodegradable Metals, Maratea, Italy, September 2010. Poster presentation

Our group is developing fast currently. Welcome students/scholars to contact and join us!

Bin Wang, Principal Investigator, Associate Professor, SIAT

Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at University of California, San Diego, 2016

Peacock Overseas Talent of Shenzhen-Level B, 2017

Research in biological and bioinspired materials, having published fifteen high quality papers in prestigious journals such as Progress in Materials Science, Materials Today, Advanced Materials, Advanced Science, with one authorized patent; having established global network of collaborators from Northwestern University, Purdue University, University of Utah, Scrips Institute of Oceanography, National Tsing Hua University (Taiwan) etc., and serving as PI for several projects funded by Natural Science Foundation of China, Shenzhen Government, and Chinese Academy of Sciences, etc.  

Yayun Wang, Research Assistant

Master degree, Zhengzhou University, 2017

Having published one high quality paper and two conference papers, and applied for two patents.

 Xinran Geng, Research assistant

Master degree, South China University of Technology, 2018

Having published one high quality paper and several coauthored papers.

Yuchao Li, Visiting research assistant

Master degree, Shandong University, 2018

Having published two papers, with two authorized patents.

Miaomiao Cui, Visiting student

Ph.D student from City University of Hong Kong

Three manuscripts under review, having applied for one patent

Having multiple national awards, awards from Chinese Academy of Sciences, and national level mathematical Olympic medals

Pengli Zhang, Visiting student

Graduate student from Hainan University

Two research papers under review and having applied for one patent.

·    Recognized reviewer, Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 2018

·    Overseas High-Caliber Personnel (Level-B), Shenzhen, China, 2017

·    Linghang Talent, Shenzhen Nanshan, 2017

·    Chinese Government Scholarship for Overseas Postgraduates, China Scholarship Council, 2012-2016         

·    Master Thesis Award of Henan Province (top 1% Henan Province), China, 2012                            

·    Graduated one full year early due to academic excellence, 2012                           

·    1st-class Graduate Scholarship, Zhengzhou University, 2010                                   

·    Scholarship for Excellent Graduate, Zhengzhou University (1/137), 2010

·    Admitted to Graduate School with an exemption from the National Graduate Entrance Examination, 2010         

·    Undergraduate Thesis Award, Zhengzhou University (top 1%), 2010                         

·    Ranked 1/41 in class, Ranked 2/369 in school, 2006-2010                   

·    University Scholarships (2%, four academic years), 2006-2010                 

·    National Scholarship, China, 2008