Multiscale modelling and optimisation strategies for better under-standing of biopolymer mechanical properties: review of recent contributions

INRA, Reserach Unit Biopolymers Interactions and Assemblies (BIA), rue de la géraudière; 44316 Nantes, France

Corresponding author: sofiane.guessasma@nantes.inra.fr

Received: 25 May 2009
Accepted: 3 August 2009

Abstract

Some biopolymers are considered as interesting natural materials for the replacement of oil-based products. Others are known as complex food systems for which texture properties determine the sensory perception. For both applications, the need to understand the mechanical behavior of biopolymers is essential. Control of texture, improvement of mechanical performance are some of the issues for which a growing research interest is noticed. The understanding of the mechanical properties cannot be considered without valuable information about the microstructure. For such materials, structural heterogeneities, which affect the behavior, appear to be dependent on several interacting scales. It is the aim of this work to shed more light on the possibility to use optimization techniques to either identify or optimize the mechanical properties of starch-based materials at different scales. We take the example of the starch cellular material, which proved to be necessitating a multiscale approach. The context of the present study is related to the investigation of elasticity behavior of cellular materials.