Herbert Waite: Current Research

The ultimate objective of investigating a high performance biomaterial is a fundamental understanding of how physiology, biochemistry, architecture, and mechanical properties are interrelated and interdependent. The challenges encountered in any investigation of load-bearing marine biomaterials are many and varied. At a physiological level, many biomaterials are influenced by the dynamics of their environment. At a molecular level, the protein-containing composites are difficult to study given their sclerotized and insoluble nature, and their ultrastructure is complicated by a highly hierarchical organization. Finally, the mechanical characterization of biomaterials is bedeviled by such issues as anisotropy, small dimensions, weird shapes, gradients and hydration. Not withstanding the above, gratifying breakthroughs have been made and are described for some specific projects below.