Morphologically Guided Mesoscopic Pore System for Enhancing the Impact Resistance of Stomatopod Telson

Although composed of similar building materials, the stomatopod telson exhibits far greater impact resistance than the tergite, enabling it to withstand powerful strikes during predation and ritualized fighting. While its macroscopic robustness is well-documented, this study investigates the structural and mechanical optimization strategies of the telson at the meso- and microscales using high-speed, high-resolution synchrotron imaging. Synchrotron CT revealed a unique 3D mesoscopic pore network distributed unevenly within the telson. To assess its mechanical role, in situ drop-weight impact tests were conducted, with cross-scale deformation mechanisms elucidated through fast in situ 2D X-ray imaging and high-resolution ex situ 3D tomography. Furthermore, the study uncovered novel toughening mechanisms associated with mineralized chitin nanofibers at the microscale. These findings provide valuable insights for designing lightweight fiber-reinforced composites with enhanced flexibility and damage tolerance.