Bones Exemplify a Minimal Weight Design Method

Function

Bones fulfill the critical role of supporting the body and protecting organs from external impact, yet they are responsible for a mere fifth of a person’s total body weight. This special ability to support heavy weight despite being so light is made possible by the structure of the bone. Bones consist of a hard outer shell of cortical bone and a spongy interior of cancellous bone. Cancellous (trabecular) bone naturally develops during the growth period in accordance with the development of load distribution. This builds the trabeculae to provide support by distributing stress, giving bones their characteristic lightweight shock resistance. Furthermore, bones can feel pressure, which triggers a piezoelectric effect (an accumulation of electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress). The piezoelectric effect stimulates new bone creation. This is why astronauts returning from the zero gravity of outer space suffer loss of bone density.

Functional Classification

Efficiency(Energy Saving, Resource Saving, Light):
High intensity
Defense/Stability:
Shock resistance

Environmental Solution Classification

Related Literature

Technical Application

A treatment for broken bones has been proposed that uses the application of pressure on bone to generate electricity and stimulate bone creation. One recent technique now in use attaches external electrodes to broken or fractured bone, and passes an extremely weak current through it to accelerate recovery.

Products and Services

Type of Business

Proposals of Applied Technology

Applying this trabeculae structure to construction should allow for lighter, stronger designs. Appropriate application of stress may become a treatment to prevent the loss of bone density in old age.

Proposals of Applied Industry

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