Creating Biomaterials Inspired by the Microstructure of Cuttlebone

Abstract

The microstructure of cuttlebone is investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). A graded aspect ratio of the base cells between layers is evident in some samples. A method for designing graded biomaterials mimicking this cuttlebone microstructure is developed. Simplified 3D biomaterial samples are created using CAD software. These biomaterials are fabricated using a stereolithographic apparatus (SLA). The homogenisation technique is used to evaluate the mechanical properties of the original cuttlebone sample and the fabricated biomaterial sample. Good agreement is found between the Young’s moduli of corresponding layers. However, it is inconclusive whether the Young’s moduli have a proportional relationship to the aspect ratio of the base cell at this stage of the study.