page_title: Bouligand structure
hierarchical_section_title: Bouligand structure
caption_attribution_description: English: graphical recreation of what a bouligand structure would look like in simplest form next to an SEM image of a chitin bouligand structure in a dactyl club
context_page_description: A Bouligand structure is a layered and rotated microstructure resembling plywood, which is frequently found in naturally designed materials. It consists of multiple lamellae, or layers, each one composed of aligned fibers. Adjacent lamellae are progressively rotated with respect to their neighbors. This structure enhances the mechanical properties of materials, especially its fracture resistance, and enables strength and in plane isotropy. It is found in various natural structures including the cosmoid scale of the coelacanth, and the dactyl club of the mantis shrimp and many other stomatopods.
  Due to its desirable mechanical properties, there are ongoing attempts to replicate Bouligand arrangements in the creation of failure resistant bioinspired materials. For example, it has been shown that layered composites utilizing this structure have enhanced impact properties. However, replicating the structure on small length scales is challenging, and the development and advancement of manufacturing techniques continually improves the ability to replicate this desirable structure.
context_section_description: A Bouligand structure is a layered and rotated microstructure resembling plywood, which is frequently found in naturally designed materials.  It consists of multiple lamellae, or layers, each one composed of aligned fibers. Adjacent lamellae are progressively rotated with respect to their neighbors. This structure enhances the mechanical properties of materials, especially its fracture resistance, and enables strength and in plane isotropy. It is found in various natural structures including the cosmoid scale of the coelacanth, and the dactyl club of the mantis shrimp and many other stomatopods.
  Due to its desirable mechanical properties, there are ongoing attempts to replicate Bouligand arrangements in the creation of failure resistant bioinspired materials. For example, it has been shown that layered composites (such as CFRP) utilizing this structure have enhanced impact properties. However, replicating the structure on small length scales is challenging, and the development and advancement of manufacturing techniques continually improves the ability to replicate this desirable structure.
caption: Bouligand structure model and SEM image of structure as found in dactyl club of the mantis shrimp.
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