Re-designing materials for biomedical applications: from biomimicry to nature-inspired chemical engineering

Abstract

Gathering inspiration from nature for the design of new materials, products and processes is a topic gaining rapid interest among scientists and engineers. In this review, we introduce the concept of nature-inspired chemical engineering (NICE). We critically examine how this approach offers advantages over straightforward biomimicry and distinguishes itself from bio-integrated design, as a systematic methodology to present innovative solutions to challenging problems. The scope of application of the nature-inspired approach is demonstrated via examples from the field of biomedicine, where much of the inspiration is still more narrowly focused on imitation or bio-integration. We conclude with an outlook on prospective future applications, offered by the more systematic and mechanistically based NICE approach, complemented by rapid progress in manufacturing, computation and robotics.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Bioinspired materials and surfaces for green science and technology’.

Nature‐Inspired, Computer‐Assisted Optimization of Hierarchically Structured Zeolites

“…Apart from the principles underpinning the structure of hierarchical transport networks, discussed here, other ubiquitous mechanisms include: force balancing and nano‐confinement effects (balancing mechanical forces at larger scales; steric constraints, electrostatics, and polarization at the nanoscale), dynamic self‐organization (associated to pattern formation and self‐healing), and dynamic interaction networks in ecosystems [ 56 ] (associated to resilience and adaptability). All these can be used to develop nature‐inspired designs for a wide range of applications, from biomaterials [ 49 ] to electrochemical devices [ 47e,52 ] and dynamically structured fluidized beds. [ 51,57 ] Here, we focus on hierarchical transport networks at the mesoscale, where similar structural features to those seen in leaves and tissues are found by computational optimization of this network in porous catalysts.…”

Increased E. coli bio-adsorption resistance of microfiltration membranes, using a bio-inspired approach

“…In recent years, inspiration to improve membranes' anti-fouling properties has been drawn from nature, such as from the glomerular complex in the kidney (Mohamed et al, 2020), which is remarkably resistant to fouling. Another example comes from natural cell membranes, the anti-fouling strategy of which is non-specific fouling resistance, due to a "force balancing" mechanism (Coppens, 2012;Perera and Coppens, 2019). This strategy combines two effects: the hydration layer effect and steric hindrance.…”

Clinical Approaches of Biomimetic: An Emerging Next Generation Technology

“…Applications of biomimetic and biological materials are inevitable in various fields such as biomedical, oil-water separation, sensors, tissue engineering, genome technology and ultrasound imaging [1]. Biomimetics has been proposed for developing various most novel nanotechnology technologies to find out many clinical and medical solutions to understand structural and functional properties of various biological components like proteins, amino acids and phospholipids to develop protein functionalized nanoparticles, peptide-functionalized gold nanoparticles, and carbohydrate-functionalized nanoparticles [1][2][3]. First, very well-known biomimetic based model named flying machine was invented by Leonardo da Vinci's (1452-1519) based on the most fundamental example of inspiration of birds to design "flying machine" and another named, "turtleship," a warship model was built to fight Japanese raiders during invasions [3][4][5].…”