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OK, so let's say that "natural materials and structures have particularly attractive mechanical properties". But it is a fact that in advanced structures where the customer is willing to pay really big money for high-strength and/or high-stiffness to density ratios (e.g. aircraft and sporting equipment) natural materials are never used. So, is this a conspiracy, or are the engineers just plain stupid? Am I raining on someone's parade? Ah, yes, if it rains most "natural materials" begin losing some of their "attractive mechanical properties". Now don't get me wrong; I am in favor of trees continuing to be made from wood. If they started making trees from graphite reinforced epoxy I would be very unhappy. Spoil Sport (aka Kalman Schulgasser) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Prof Peter Gosling" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 3:45 PM Subject: Examples of the benefits of biomimetic materials & structures I am looking for examples (evidence) to support the claim that natural materials and structures have particularly attractive mechanical properties. In particular, I would like to put together a table of properties (normalised by density?), with comparisons to more conventional materials including modern composites. I would welcome any data & details. Many thanks, Peter Gosling.