LAUSR

Abstract Inspired by the micro/nanoscale hybrid structures in natural horns, we proposed a novel approach to preparing bio-inspired high-performance metal/ceramic composites via emulsion-ice-templating and melt infiltration. As exemplified by Al/Al2O3, the resultant composites not only display horn-mimetic tubular/lamellar hybrid structures, but also demonstrate remarkable improvements in energy absorption (200%), compressive and flexural strengths (150% and 120%, respectively), and fracture toughness (80%) compared with horns. This flexible approach can be extended to the design and synthesis of other metal/ceramic composites with bio-inspired hybrid structures.