Fig. 3: Theoretical stimulation.
a Examples of pin-jointed truss networks illustrating the distinct rigidity levels originating from different nodal connectivity. b, c SEM images of CNAs showing random 3D network with high-connectivity nodes. d A schematic model with linear and rotational springs connecting each pair of crosslinked fibrils. If a welded node contains three crosslinked fibrils, 3 pairs of linear and rotational springs will be introduced to represent the interconnection among them. e A 3D network representing CNA with an average nodal connectivity of \(\bar{z}=5.4\). f, g Effects of average nodal connectivity on the compressive (f) and tensile (g) responses of the simulated random 3D networks. Results from the simulation of \(\bar{z}=5.4\) match the experimental observations from CNA-76. h, i Effects of nodal strength represented by the binding energy, E (h), and nodal stiffness represented by the spring constant, ks (i), of the crosslinkers, on the tensile responses of simulated 3D networks with an average nodal connectivity of \(\bar{z}=5.4\).
