Keynote Speaker

Abstract: Many biological composites can achieve superior elastic stiffness, strength, and toughness, which are crucial for biomechanical performance in activities such as locomotion, protection, combat, adhesion, and predation. In this paper, we investigate the toughening and stiffening mechanisms of biological materials and establish the corresponding theoretical models. We focus on uncovering how these materials achieve an exceptional combination of high stiffness, toughness, and strength. The relationships among the mechanical properties, biological functions, geometric structures, and chemical compositions of biological materials are analyzed using representative examples, including horns, gecko feet, nacres, spider silks, and tendrils. We particularly examine the effects of microstructural sizes, interfaces, structural hierarchy and chirality, and functional gradients. I will also provide perspectives on the mechanics of biological materials from the viewpoints of theoretical modeling, experimental characterization, numerical simulations, and biomimetic applications.

Biography: Xiqiao Feng is a Chang Jiang Chair Professor at Tsinghua University. Currently, he serves as a vice president of the Chinese Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (CSTAM), an editor-in-chief of Engineering Fracture Mechanics, and an executive member of International Council of Fracture (ICF). His current interests include mechanics and biomimetics of biological materials, and biomechanics of cells and tissues. He has co-authored three monographs and about 400 international journal papers, which have received about 29000 citations. Selected Feng’s honors include the National Prize of Science and Technology of China (2019), the Award of Science and Technology for Young Scientists of China (2007), etc.