ISO 18457:2016

DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
ISO/DIS 18457
ISO/TC 266 Secretariat: DIN
Voting begins on: Voting terminates on:
2015-07-20 2015-10-20
Biomimetics — Biomimetic materials, structures and
components
Biomimétisme — Matériaux, structures et composants biomimétiques
ICS: 07.080
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENT AND APPROVAL. IT IS
THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY
NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD UNTIL PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
Reference number
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
©
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION. ISO 2015

ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
© ISO 2015, Published in Switzerland
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
ISO copyright office
Ch. de Blandonnet 8 • CP 401
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland
Tel. +41 22 749 01 11
Fax +41 22 749 09 47
copyright@iso.org
www.iso.org
ii © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Biological materials. 3
4.1 Characteristics . 3
4.1.1 General. 3
4.1.2 Biological materials: multifunctional, fault-tolerant, modular, and adaptive . 4
4.1.3 Technical components: monofunctional, durable, with a limited ability to adapt . 5
4.2 Performance . 5
5 Methodology of biomimetic material and component development .11
5.1 Analysis.11
5.1.1 Overview of analysis methodologies .12
5.1.2 Measurement and characterization of creature and biomimetic surfaces .15
5.2 Examination of analogies .17
5.3 Abstraction .18
5.3.1 General.18
5.3.2 Modelling and simulation .19
5.4 Material selection .20
6 Reasons and occasions for using biomimetic materials, structures and
componentsin companies .20
6.1 General .20
Annex A (informative) Examples of biomimetic materials, structures, and components .22
Bibliography .32
ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2. www.iso.org/directives
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any
patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on
the ISO list of patent declarations received. www.iso.org/patents
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity
assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical Barriers
to Trade (TBT), see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 266, Biomimetics.
iv © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
Introduction
The increasing complexity of technical solutions and products requires new approaches. Classic
research and development methods and innovation approaches often reach their limits, especially in the
development and optimization of materials, structures, and components. The identification of suitable
biological principles and their transfer to technical applications in the sense of biomimetic therefore
can make an important contribution to the development of functional, adaptive, efficient (in terms
of resources), and safe (in terms of toxicity to humans and the environment) materials, structures,
components and manufacturing techniques.
DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
Biomimetics — Biomimetic materials, structures and
components
1 Scope
This international standard provides a framework in biomimetics for the development of materials,
structures, surfaces, components and manufacturing technologies.
The principles of biological systems, and especially the performance of biological materials, structures,
surfaces, components and manufacturing technologies that provides the motivation and reasons for
biomimetic approaches, are specified. The methodology is specified based on analysis of biological systems,
which lead to analogies, and abstractions. The transfer process from biology to technology is described
based on examples of biomimetic materials, structures, surfaces, components and manufacturing
technologies. The standard describes measurement methods and parameters for the characterization of
properties of biomimetic materials. The standard provides information on the relevance of biomimetic
materials, structures, surfaces, components and manufacturing technologies for industry
The standard also links to other subareas in biomimetics because fundamental developments in
materials, structures, surfaces, components and manufacturing technologies often form the basis for a
wide variety of additional innovations. It provides guidance and support for all those who develop, design,
process or use biomimetic materials, structures, surfaces, components and manufacturing technologies.
This standard may also serve for those who want to learn about and investigate these topics.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 18458:2015, Biomimetics — Terminology, concepts and methodology
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 18458:2015 and the
following apply.
3.1
Adaptivity
Ability to adapt to variable environmental conditions
3.2
Efficiency
Relationship between an output and the energy required to generate this output
3.3
Generative manufacturing process
Manufacturing process in which three-dimensional components are produced by applying material
layer-by-layer
Note 1 to entry: These technologies can be used in four different levels of manufacturing:
— Concept model (additive manufacturing): A mechanical load cannot be applied to these models and they only
serve to provide a three-dimensional view.
ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
— Functional models (additive manufacturing): These models have properties similar to those available in the
components manufactured later on in mass-production.
— Tools (rapid tooling): Tools are created that can be combined with other manufacturing processes.
— Low volume production (rapid manufacturing): The properties of the geometries manufactured correspond
to those desired in actual use.
3.4
Gradient - gradual transition
Direction-dependent, continuous change of a chemical, physical, or mechanical property
Note 1 to entry: Biological materials are often characterized by gradual transitions in terms of their physical
and mechanical properties, which are achieved through structural changes at various hierarchical levels, among
other things.
3.5
Compatibility
Recyclability and adaptability of a material flow or a technology in the environment
3.6
Modularity
Composition of an overall system from individual modules
3.7
Multifunctionality
Structure and properties of a material and component allow several of the functions necessary for the
organism or several functions desired technically to be realized at a high level and in equilibrium
3.8
Redundancy
Existence of functionally comparable systems, whereby one system alone is sufficient to maintain the
corresponding function (multiplicity in systems)
3.9
Resilience - fault tolerance
Tolerance of a system to malfunctions or capacity to recover functionality after stress
3.10
Self-x property
Property and information existing in a material or on a surface proceed processes autonomously without
requiring special control
Note 1 to entry: Self-X properties are widespread in biological materials and surfaces and are of great interest
for transfer to technical products. Examples include self-organization, self-assembly, self-repair, self-healing, self-
cleaning, and self-sharpening.
3.11
Stereoregularity - tacticity
Certain geometric regularity in the molecular structure of polymer chains
Note 1 to entry: Macromolecular materials with identical chemical compositions can have significantly different
mechanical properties due to differences in the spatial arrangement of their atoms and groups of atoms. In
chemical production techniques, the molecular geometry of polymer chains is determined during polymerization
by the reaction temperature selected and the catalyst used.
Note 2 to entry: A classic example from nature is polyisoprene, which can be elastic (natural rubber) as well as
hard (balata, gutta-percha).
2 © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
4 Biological materials
4.1 Characteristics
4.1.1 General
The terms material and structure sometimes have different meanings in biology and in technology.
In technology, the term material is a collective term for the substances needed to manufacture and
operate machines. It includes raw materials, industrial materials, semi-finished products, auxiliary
supplies, operating materials, as well as parts and assemblies. In the following, the term material is used
in the sense of working material.
Classic technical materials are often highly homogeneous, so that it is reasonable and permissible to
assume in calculations and for manufacturing purposes that the model possesses quasi-isotropic
properties. Some biological materials are organic substances and others are organogenetic substances
(substances produced by living organisms). Due to their hierarchical structure from the molecular to the
macroscopic level, it is not possible to clearly distinguish between the terms “material” and “structure”
in the field of biology. For this reason, the term “material” is used in the following as a general term for
all biological materials and structures. The assumption that the material has quasi-isotropic properties,
which can be assumed in many cases for technical materials, generally leads to an oversimplification of
a biological material.
The characteristics of biological materials that are relevant to biomimetic implementations are
listed in Table 1.
Table 1 — Characteristics of biological materials
Characteristics Biological Example Explanations
Properties
Multifunctionality wood: integration of water Biological materials are often multicriteria-optimized
pipes, strength, damp- and possess a high function density, and they often com-
ing, storage, among other bine supposedly conflicting functions.
things
Hierarchy wood: at least five A special feature of the hierarchical design of biological
structure levels, from the materials is that structural or (bio) chemical changes in
molecular structure of the one level lead to specific adaptations in the other hier-
cell wall to the structure of archy levels. This level spanning adaptability permits a
the trunk wide variety of different functions.
Fault and failure tol- bones: ample breaking Biological materials can handle a high level of faults and
erance (resilience and strength, tolerance to damage before they fail as a whole.
redundancy) micro- cracks, crack stop-
pers
Self-X rubber tree: self-repair Biological materials are able to generate and maintain
their complex functions autonomously, meaning without
teeth of rodents:
external control.
self-sharpening
surface of leaves:
self-cleaning
Adaptivity bones: load adaptivity Biological materials can react to changed environmental
conditions by changing their form or through growth
plant motion: for exam-
and restructuring processes.
ple nastic movements and
tropism
Compatibility photosynthesis: utiliza- Use of easily available sources of energy.
tion of solar energy
The waste products produced are rarely pollutants. The
waste products are in fact biodegradable and recyclable.
ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
Table 1 (continued)
Characteristics Biological Example Explanations
Modularity organization of organs: Repetition of identical basic units at different hierarchi-
com- position of several cal levels.
different tissues
Lifespan according to tree: dropping of leaves Important properties are maintained through renewal.
needs The life- spans of individual components match, and the
components are renewed.
Gradual transitions many biological materials, Prevention of sudden transitions between properties to
for example plant stems increase the lifespan and tolerance to damage.
(fibre/ substrate tissue
transitions, for exam-
ple), long bones (such as
corticalis/cancellous bone
transitions), bone/tendon/
muscle transitions
Manufacture
Growth many biological materi- Biological materials and organisms are created through
als as well as, for exam- genetically controlled self-organization. Living organ-
ple self-cleaning leaf isms are formed using molecules, organelles, cells,
surfaces: self-assembly of tissues, and organs, i.e. by growing from small to large.
the genetically coded wax
molecules
Opportunism (use walls of plant cells: In biology, a few predominantly light elements that are
of readily available consist almost exclusively available locally and in large quantities are used (C, H, O,
resources) of carbon, oxygen, and N, S, Ca, P, Si).
hydrogen
Biological materials are created in mild environmental
conditions (ambient temperature, ambient pressure).
Mild environmental enzymes: catalysis at Adequate conversion of material at low ambient temper-
conditions ambient temperatures atures.
4.1.2 Biological materials: multifunctional, fault-tolerant, modular, and adaptive
The characteristics of biological materials listed in Table 1 can be divided into properties and
manufacturing characteristics. The properties of biological materials include multifunctionality, fault
and failure tolerance, the self-X properties, adaptivity, and modularity, only to name a few. Manufacturing
characteristics such as biological growth, meaning genetically controlled self-organization from the
level of molecules to the level of the living organism itself, and resource-oriented construction under
mild environmental conditions are further examples of the abilities of biological materials. Furthermore,
biological materials have a limited lifespan. After the organism dies, they are generally completely broken
down and put back into the natural material cycle. When applied to the “lifespans” of technical applications,
this property is also of interest and is studied in biomimetic research and development projects.
Trunks are a biological example of multicriteria optimization in nature in which numerous functions,
which are sometimes conflicting functions, are executed simultaneously with high “reliability”. They
combine mechanical stability against working loads (such as the weight of its own trunk and crown
as well as wind and snow loads) with transport functions for water and assimilate, storage functions
and photosynthesis to extract materials. This multifactor optimization makes “biological materials” of
[1-3]
interest to the field of biomimetics.
Another characteristic of all living organisms is their ability to adapt to variable environmental
conditions (adaptivity), which enables them to survive successfully even when there are changes in
the environment. The high tolerance of biological materials to damage shall also be mentioned in this
context, as well as the ability of many living organisms to quickly and efficiently repair damage. The
capability for self-repair and adaptivity are characteristics of living organisms that are particularly
interesting for biomimetic developments.
4 © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
4.1.3 Technical components: monofunctional, durable, with a limited ability to adapt
Technical components are generally developed and optimized with the focus on a single dominant
function. In technical systems such as vehicles, though, they often fulfil many other boundary conditions
and constraints such as a limited design space, multiple mechanical loads, connection of additional
components, manufacturing and component joining restrictions, but also limited development times.
This often results in compromise solutions or oversized components that are not ideal. Components
are often manufactured based on the material, meaning they are manufactured from the large (work
piece blank) to the small (product), and are not adaptive or self-repairing as a rule. The durability of a
component can be problematic once it has passed its normal lifespan, and it is often difficult to return it
to geo-ecological material cycles.
While living organisms need to function continuously in order to ensure their survival and successful
reproduction, machines can be taken out of operation for maintenance, modification, and reconstruction.
It is therefore possible to optimize machine components quickly and for a specific function, and all
resources, materials, and technologies available (e.g. high temperature processes in metal processing
and silicon technologies) can be used for this purpose. In comparison to evolutionary processes, these
conditions allow very short development stages, and sometimes old technologies are even completely
replaced by new technologies (for example the replacement of analog technologies by digital technologies).
These differences cause biological evolution and human technology to reach very different solutions to
comparable “problems” in some cases even though they are subject to the same physical laws and share
the same physical environment.
4.2 Performance
Performances of biological example are rich in variety. Examples of 151 creatures are shown in Table 2.
[4]
Performances of biological examples are classified in eight categories: (1) materials, (2) process,
(3) self-x, (4) sensor, (5) hydrodynamics (6) saving energy/ saving resources, (7) adaptability to the
environment, (8) behaviour/ ecology. The characteristic performances of biological examples are
introduced with 56 kinds of specific examples. 43 expected fields of applications are summarized in
Table 2 to see the overview of performance of biological examples. The creature surfaces have especially
many performances and are expected to bring a new technology: the performances are optics, anti-
reflection, wettability, adhesion, fluid dynamics, surface tension, self-organization, self-cleaning, lift,
fluid resistance, friction control. Some examples of biomimetic product were introduced in Annex A.
Table 2 — Performance of creatures and expected applications were summarized in each
category: (1) materials, (2) process, (3) self-x, (4) sensor, (5) hydrodynamics, (6) saving
energy/saving resources, (7) adaptability to the environment, (8) behaviour/ecology
(1) MATERIALS
No. Performance Biological example Expected examples
1 Optics, anti-reflection, Morpho butterfly (see A.9), moth eyes liquid crystal, decoration, electronics,
structural colour,condense (see A.10), blue damselfish, maranta, functional film, cosmetcs
rays of light fish scales (see A.4)
2 Luminescence fire fly, squid, jellyfish automobile, household electric appli-
ances, decoration
3 lightweighting design bamboo, plant stem, winter horsetail architecture, automobile,structural
(see A.6), boxfish, diatom, bone material
4 wettability lotus (see A.12), land snail, wings texture, coating material, architec-
of butterfly, wings of cicadas, rose, ture, automobile, glass, water har-
namib desert beetle, pitcher plant vesting, (marine industry)
5 mechanical properties abalone(sea A.3), bone, tree, bamboo, texture, architecture,medicine,
spider silk sports industry
6 dynamics of a bistable venus flytrap, paradise bird architecture
ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
Table 2 (continued)
7 adhesion blue mussel, gecko (see A.11), leaf architecture, medicine,manufacture
beetle, land snail, burdock seeds,
octopus suckers, sea urchin, slime
mould
8 fuid dynamics shark skin, dolphin, bluefin tuna, pen- aircraft, ship, household electric
guin, bird, dragonfly, maple seeds appliances, coating materials, sports
industry
9 electrical properties/ electric eel, dried shells, dried trees ceramic industry, electric industry
isolator, electricity gener-
ation
10 impact absorption pomelo, cashew, joint, rhinoceros automobile, medicine, defence indus-
beetle try
11 bio-template tobacco mosaic virus, DNA, wings of electronics, semiconductor industry
butterflies, spirulina
12 tube structure mosquito, butterfly, wharf roach medicine
13 surface tension whirligig beetle, backswimmer coating materials
14 unidirectional mouth of snake, earthworm, bee, machine parts
pitcher plant
(2) PROCESS
No. Performance Biological example Expected examples
15 bio-mineral shells, teeth, bone, diatom medicine, decoration, ceramic indus-
try
16 photosynthesis plant energy industry, agriculture, food
industry
17 organic synthesis spider silk, blue mussel, plant wax, medicine, chemical industry
pine resin, Para rubber tree, liga-
ments of grasshopper (see A.2)
18 processiong shipworm civil engineering
19 metabolism cellulose degradation, silk, ami- food industry, energy industry, plas-
no-acid fermentation, alcohol fermen- tics industry
tation, entomophagy, stockbreeding
20 micro-mist bombardier beetle machine parts, internal-combustion
engine, coating materials
21 abscission leaf fall manufacture
22 scattering poppy household electric appliances
(3) SELF-X
No. Performance Biological example Expected examples
23 self-organization organisms medicine, electronics, films
24 self-healing, self-repair skin, bone, teeth, lizard, plant leaves, medicine, coating materials, automo-
shark teeth, planarian bile, electronics, household electric
appliances
25 self-assembly cell membrane medicine, coating
26 self-cleaning lotus leaf, land snail, wings of butter- architecture,automobile, coating
flies, wings of cicadas materials
27 self-sharpning teeth of rodents (see A.5) tools
(4) SENSOR
No. Performance Biological example Expected examples
6 © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
Table 2 (continued)
28 ocular vision/ visible light, eyes, compound eyes, photoreceptors sensor, architecture, household elec-
infrared, specific wave- in crown-of-thorn starfish tube feet tric appliances, automobile, aircraft
length - urchin/Melanophila beetle, cabbage
white butterfly
29 olfaction ant, dog, insect, deep-sea fish sensor, household electric appliances,
automobile
30 tactile sense, mechanore- cat whiskers, gravity sensors of plant sensor, household electric appliances,
ceptor automobile
31 taste sensation ant, fly, bee sensor, food industry
32 auditory sense/ultrasonic bats, longhorn beetle, dolphin, gecko aircraft, sensor, agriculture (pest
waves, low frequency control)
33 magnetic sensor migratory bird, sea turtles, pigeon, aircraft, sensor, ship
spiny lobster, shark, honeybee
34 force sensor cricket sensor, household electric appliances
(5) HYDRODYNAMICS
No. Performance Biological example Expected examples
35 buoyancy nautilus, cuttlefish, jellyfish ship
36 lift wings of bird, dragonfly aircraft, power generation
37 driving force jellyfish, paramecium robot industry
38 fluid resistance shark skin, dolphin, Bluefin tuna, ship, sports industry, automobile,
penguin, kingfisher, boxfish, wings of aircraft
owl, eel
(6) SAVING ENERGY, SAVING RESOURCES
No. Performance Biological example Expected examples
39 friction control snake, sand skink, joint machine parts, robot industry, auto-
mobile, medicine, welfare
40 temperature control shade of trees, polar bear, swan, architecture, texture, automobile
skunk cabbage, zebra, anthill, mam-
malian sweat, transpiration
41 moisture control anthill architecture
42 circulatory(sustainabil- food web, leaf fall, fungi, termite energy industry, agriculture
ity)/adaptability for recy-
cling, degradability
(7) ADAPTABILITY TO THE ENVIRONMENT
No. Performance Biological example Expected examples
43 desiccation tolerance plant stomata, chironomid, cactus medicine, texture
44 cold-resistance polar bear, Trematomus Fish, Tenebrio medicine, food industry, battery
beetle, reindeer
45 acid or alkali tolerant Helicobacter pylori, microbes in fuel cell
submarine volcano, bacteria in hot
spring/Alkaliphile
46 high-temperature toler- microbes in submarine hydrothermal
ance polymetallic ore
47 high temperature use eucalyptus, Banksia, melanophila sensor
beetle
48 ultraviolet resistance edelweiss cosmetics
(8) BEHAVIOUR, ECOLOGY
No. Performance Biological example Expected examples
ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
Table 2 (continued)
49 mimicry/colour, shape, octopus, flatfish, squid, chameleon, defence industry, decoration, pest
chemical camouflage insects like dead leaves, seahorse, control
mantidfly, Kallima butterfly, termite
eggs
50 manipulation elephant nose, octopus feet, fish’s fin robot industry, machine parts, tools
51 energy saving school of fish, flock of birds/sardines, aircraft, automobile
migratory bird
52 clash avoidance swarm of bees/ants, bats aircraft, automobile
53 pollinator insect, bat agriculture, food industry
54 sociality honeybee, colony of social insects agriculture, food industry
55 natural enemy spider mite vs predator mite, biope- biotic pesticide, agriculture
sticide
56 defence zebra, shoal of sardines, shoal of design, decoration
striped eel catfish
The performance of biological materials as compared to technical materials can be illustrated
[5]
quantitatively using material properties diagrams created according to Ashby (Figure 1). The
biological materials in these diagrams sometimes cover areas that have not been reached yet by technical
materials. It can be assumed that this is due to the structural – usually hierarchical – design of biological
materials. If this structural design is combined with a technical material base, then it could be possible
to develop new, high-performance biomimetic materials in the future that could expand into the areas
of the material properties diagram that are currently almost empty (Figure 2 and Figure 3). See 5.4 for
the importance of the material properties diagram when selecting materials.
The diversity and range of property variations that can be diagrammed using the limited biological
material portfolio is shown in Figure 4.
8 © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
Key
ρ Density, ρ (kg/m )
σ Strength, σ (MPa)
f
1 Guide lines for minimum mass design
2 Foams
3 Natural materials
4 Polymers and elastomers
5 Composites
6 Composites
7 Metals
[5]
Figure 1 — Material properties diagram from Ashby. In the diagram, the materials strength
is graphed against the density to identify materials with a high resistance to plastic flow stress
(permanent deformation) and the lowest possible weight, for example
ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
Key
ρ Density, ρ (kg/m )
E Young’s modulus, E (GPa)
1 Guide lines for minimum mass design
2 Foams
3 Natural materials
4 Composites
5 Technical ceramics
6 Metals
7 Non-technical ceramics
8 Polymers
9 Elastomers
[6]
Figure 2 — Material properties diagram from M.F. Ashby. In the diagram, the modulus of
elasticity is graphed against the density to identify materials with high stiffness and the lowest
possible weight, for example
10 © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
Key
E Young’s modulus, E (GPa)
Y Toughness (kJ/m )
1 Natural cellular materials
2 Trabecular bone
3 Soft tissue
4 Woods
5 Dense mineralized tissue
6 Parenchyma
7 Bio-ceramics
[6]
Figure 3 — Material properties diagram from M.F. Ashby. In the diagram, the toughness is
graphed against the modulus of elasticity to identify the stiffest possible materials with a high
resistance to progressive crack growth for fatigue-resistant components, for example
5 Methodology of biomimetic material and component development
5.1 Analysis
Biological materials are generally composites, and their hierarchical and modular design requires
analyses at several different length scales (see Figure 4).
Newer light microscopic methods are suitable for studying biological materials, including living tissues.
These methods are collectively referred to as “multiphoton microscopy”, “higher harmonic generation
(HHG)”, or “3D-SIM microscopy”. The resolution of these methods is significantly below the Abbé limit
[7-9]
of classic light microscopy of approximately 200 nm.
ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
The high variability of properties in biological materials requires a relatively large number of samples
to be taken. Macroscopic analyses in particular are difficult due to local variations in the properties and
the resulting lack of homogeneity in a sample object. The possibility that this variability serves a certain
function shall be considered and may not be “averaged out” (for example in the case of the effective contact
surface of a rough surface). When analysing and assessing a specific structure/property relationship,
though, it is also necessary to take the multifunctionality of biological systems into account.
If possible, the analyses should be suitable for the examination of the materials in their native state
(humidity, pressure, temperature, other ambient conditions). For this reason, the existing testing
standards can only be used as basic standards when designing a test setup. As a general rule, it is
impossible to apply the testing standards directly since biological materials usually place very specific
requirements on the analysis methods in terms of the sample geometry, ambient conditions, etc.
5.1.1 Overview of analysis methodologies
Performances of biological examples are various. Therefore, it is necessary to perform analysis suitable for
[4]
aim. In Tables 3 and 4, purposes of analysis on the investigations of performance of biological examples
and examples of analysis methodologies are listed. Eight purposes of analysis are introduced in Table 4. The
mechanical property and the optical property are originally included in physical property, here they are
listed in Table 3 independently. There are numerous examples of research and development in biomimetics
inspired by a performance of biological systems. Researches and development are guided by progress of
the observation, analysis and manufacturing technologies (analysis technologies as listed in Table 4).
Table 3 — Purpose of analysis on the investigations of performance of creatures.
This table is related with Table 2. Numbers from 1 to 56 in this table accords with numbers
from 1 to 56 in Table 2
Purpose of analysis
No. Performance
a b c d e f g h
Morphol- Mechani- Optical Other Chemical/ Behaviour Biological Biological
ogy/ cal proper- physical Elemental analysis character- activity
Structure proper- ties proper- character- ization
ties ties ization
(1) MATERIALS
No. Performance a b c d e f g h
Optics, anti-reflection, struc-
1 tural colour, condense rays of x x x x x
light
2 Luminescence x x x
3 lightweighting design x x
4 wettability x x x x
5 Mechanical properties x x x x
6 Dynamics of a bistable x x x x
7 adhesion x x x x x x
8 Fluid dynamics x x x x
electrical properties/ isolator,
9 x x
electricity generation
10 impact absorption x x
11 bio-template x x x x
12 tube structure x x x x
13 surface tension x x x
14 unidirectional x x x
(2) PROCESS
12 © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
Table 3 (continued)
No. Performance a b c d e f g h
15 bio-mineral x x x
16 photosynthesis x x x
17 organic synthesis x x x x
18 processing x x
19 metabolism x x x
20 micro-mist x x x
21 abscission x x x
(3) SELF-X
No. Performance a b c d e f g h
22 scattering x x
23 self-organization x x x x x
24 self-healing, self-repair x x x x
25 self-assembly x x x
26 self-cleaning x x x x
27 self-sharpening x x
(4) SENSOR
No. Performance a b c d e f g h
Ocular vision/ visible light,
28 x x x x x x x
infrared, specific wavelength
29 olfaction x x x x
30 tactile sense, mechanoreceptor x x x x
31 taste sensation x x x x
auditory sense/ ultrasonic
32 x x x x
waves, low frequency
33 magnetic sensor x x x
34 force sensor x x x
(5) HYDRODYNAMICS
No. Performance a b c d e f g h
35 buoyancy x x
36 lift x x
37 driving force x x x
38 fluid resistance x x x x
(6) SAVING ENERGY, SAVING RESOURCES
No. Performance a b c d e f g h
39 friction control x x x
40 temperature control x x x
41 moisture control x x x
circulatory(sustainability)/
42 adaptability for recycling, deg- x x
radability
(7) ADAPTABILITY TO THE ENVIRONMENT
No. Performance a b c d e f g h
43 desiccation tolerance x x x
44 cold-resistance x x x x
ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
Table 3 (continued)
45 acid or alkali tolerant x x
46 high-temperature tolerance x x
47 high temperature use x x
48 ultraviolet resistance x x x x
(8) BEHAVIOUR, ECOLOGY
No. Performance a b c d e f g h
mimicry/ colour, shape, chemi-
49 x x x x
cal camouflage
50 manipulation x x x x
51 energy saving x
52 clash avoidance x x
53 pollinator x x
54 sociality x x
55 natural enemy x x
56 defence x
Table 4 — Purpose of analysis on the investigations of performance of creatures and examples
of analysis methodologies. This table is related with Table 3. Numbers a to h in this table
accords with numbers a to h in Table 3
No. Purposes of analysis Analysis methodologies
a Morphology/Structure OM, SEM, TEM, SPM, X-ray, CT, tomography, SIM, confocal laser
scanning microscope, multiphoton excitation fluorescence
microscope
b Mechanical properties mechanical test, viscosity/viscoelasticity measuring instru-
ments, nano, micro indentor, vickers hardness test, pencil hard-
ness, AFM friction force microscope, SPM
c Optical properties spectrophotometer, confocal laser scanning microscope, fluo-
rometer, polarization measuring instruments, reflectometer,
UVVIS, ellipsometer
d Physical properties contact angle meter, thermal conductivity meter, impedance
analyser, DTA, DSC, sound metor, frequency analyser, mag-
netism, air capacity, measurement of moisture content
e Chemical/Elemental characterization NMR, IR, mass spectroscopy, X-ray, Raman, XPS, TOF-SIMS, XRF,
SEM-EDS, SIMS, AES, neutron scattering, zeta-potential, GPC, GC
f Behaviour analysis high speed camera, computer simulation, wind-tunnel tests,
special equipment, video analysis, behaviour analysis
g Biological characterization HPLC, LC-MS/MS, DNA sequencing, MALDI-MS, amino acid
analyser
h Biological activity HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS
[Explanation of abbreviations] OM; optical microscope, SEM; Scanning Electron Microscope, TEM;
Transmission Electron Microscope, CT; Computed Tomography, SIM; Structured Illumination
Microscopy, AFM; Atomic Force Microscope, SPM; Scanning Probe Microscope, UVVIS; Ultra Violet
Visible, DTA; Differential Thermal Analysis, DSC; Differential Scanning Calorimetry, NMR; Nuclear
Magnetic Resonance, IR; infrared spectroscopy, XPS; X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, TOF-SIMS;
Time-of-Flight Secondary Mass Spectrometry, XRF; X-ray Fluorescence Analysis, SEM-EDS; SEM-Energy
Dispersion Spectroscopy, SIMS; Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry, AES; Auger Electron Spectroscopy,
GPC; Gel Permeation Chromatography, GC; Gas Chromatography, HPLC; High performance liquid
chromatography, LC-MS/MS; Liquid Chromatography - tandem Mass Spectrometry, MALDI-MS; Matrix
14 © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
Assisted Laser Desorption /Ionization- Mass Spectrometry, GC-MS/MS; Gas Chromatography - tandem
Mass Spectrometry
5.1.2 Measurement and characterization of creature and biomimetic surfaces
Since the lotus effect was identified, surface engineering and research for the super-liquid-repelling
surfaces became popular in biomimetics. Afterwards diverse surface engineering and treatment
techniques have been widely developed to transfer the newly discovered of nature into technical
application. However, measurement and characterization of creature and biomimetic surfaces are much
broader, complicated, and extreme than those of conventional materials. When the normal analytical
methods apply to such measurements, there are many issues because creature inhabits in nature.
(1) Wettability
Wings on insects or surface of leaves are wavy and bent, and surface is rough. The normal contact
angle measurement is not adopted to evaluate the water repellency, because the hidden contact line of
the solid phase - liquid phase - gas phase is difficult to observe from the cross direction. A numerical
analysis would be that contact angles at the hidden contact line can be measured, and averaged contact
angle along the irregular contact line can be provided. Therefore, a numerical analysis can be a tool for
measurement and characterization of creature and biomimetic surfaces.
(2) Morphology/Structure
The specimen is normally located in the vacuum chamber in order to observe the surface using SEM.
Most organisms can only survive under atmospheric pressure. The reduced pressure of a high vacuum
leads to rapid dehydration and death. The morphological structure was also often broken under vacuum
condition. In the study of biology, there is a nano-suite method as a technique to observe the living animal
[10]
using SEM. This nano-suit method can be powerful tool to observe creature surface. The nano-suit
method is carried out by a simple surface modification, which covered by a thin polymerized extra layer
on the surface of the animal, which can render organisms strongly tolerant to high vacuum. The layer
acts as a flexible “nano-suit” barrier to the passage of gases and liquids and thus protects the organism.
(3) Mechanical analysis
The surface of an organism is not uniform; there are directions of the surface structure in many cases.
For example, when measuring the coefficient of friction, there is a need for measurement in accordance
with the direction of the surface structure of organism.
ISO/DIS 18457:2015(E)
axial integral level
structure
—  mechanical tests
—  analysis of the geometry and surface optimiza-
tion
tissue macroscopic level
structure
—  light microscopy
—  mechanical tests
—  surface analysis (
...