Welcome to the Biomimetic Materials Laboratory at McGill University!

Biomimetics is a rapidly expanding research focused on understanding principles found in natural systems to apply them in engineering designs. In our group we are studying high-performance natural materials such as bone, teeth or seashells, and we are implementing what we learn from them into artificial materials. More specifically, our tasks include:

• Characterization of biological microstructures: Natural microstructures are extremely complex and organized over several hierarchical length scales. We use a variety of techniques (optical, electron and atomic force microscopes, microCT) to characterize these structures in details.

• Deformation and fracture of biological materials: In this part we study the nano and micro-mechanisms associated with the deformation and fracture of natural materials, so we can understand, for example, why bone is so tough. Our techniques includes small-scale and in-situ mechanical tests and multiscale modeling. We continuously develop novel experimental and modeling approaches to study these materials.

• Design, fabrication and testing of bio-inspired advanced materials: Here we use conventional and emerging techniques to fabricate bio-inspired, high-performance structural materials with applications in aerospace, medical devices or biomaterials. In addition to traditional structural qualities such as stiffness and toughness we seek to incorporate self-healing, morphing and multi-functionality into our materials.

• Impact of diseases: Some of our research projects also have biomedical applications. For example understanding microstructure-toughness relationships in bone can help us to identify the exact impacts of osteoporosis on the toughness of bone, so more efficient therapies can be developed.