title: Structural optimization of 3D-printed synthetic spider webs for high strength.
abstract: Spiders spin intricate webs that serve as sophisticated prey-trapping architectures that simultaneously exhibit high strength, elasticity and graceful failure. To determine how web mechanics are controlled by their topological design and material distribution, here we create spider-web mimics composed of elastomeric filaments. Specifically, computational modelling and microscale 3D printing are combined to investigate the mechanical response of elastomeric webs under multiple loading conditions. We find the existence of an asymptotic prey size that leads to a saturated web strength. We identify pathways to design elastomeric material structures with maximum strength, low density and adaptability. We show that the loading type dictates the optimal material distribution, that is, a homogeneous distribution is better for localized loading, while stronger radial threads with weaker spiral threads is better for distributed loading. Our observations reveal that the material distribution within spider webs is dictated by the loading condition, shedding light on their observed architectural variations.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room 1-290, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.|Center for Computational Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Zhao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.|Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, 60 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
authors.forename: Brett G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Compton
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.|Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, 60 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room 1-290, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.|Center for Computational Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Markus J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Buehler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D032701:Biomimetics; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D004548:Elasticity; D020407:Internet; D008422:Materials Testing; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D047011:Silk / Q000737:chemistry*; D013112:Spiders; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D047011:Silk; C013830:baysilon