Table 1 List of different nature-inspired materials classified according to the scheme shown in Fig. 6.
From: Nature-inspired materials: Emerging trends and prospects
Functionality | Application |
|---|---|
Nature-inspired materials triggered by achieving “Electrical gain” | |
Electric-eel-inspired chemical to electrical energy conversion14 | Artificial electrical organs |
Biological micromotors based on bacterium15 | Nature-inspired nanomotor |
Photosynthetic proteins16 | Self-charging biophotonic device |
Nature-inspired materials triggered by achieving “Biological gain” | |
Biological cooperativity of proteins64 | Protein fibrils |
Coral-algal symbiosis18 | To grow microalgae with high spatial cell densities |
Tunable self-healing20 | Tissue repair |
Morphogenesis of biological structures65 | Biomorphs - Pneumatic shape-morphing structures |
Response of protein66 | Cancer biomarker detection |
Plant seed dispersal units that self-fold on differential swelling19 | Self-shaping ceramic |
Nature-inspired materials triggered by achieving “Chemical gain” | |
Hierarchical micro- and nanoscale features of diatom22 | Diatomite membrane can selectively filter water in various oils |
Biomineralization23 | Dental hard tissue |
Biomineralization24 | Perovskite cells |
Biomimicked dual crosslinking25 | Sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) |
Hydrophobic paint (Lotusan) | Stocolor® Lotusan paint |
Self-healing | Airplane |
Nature-inspired materials triggered by achieving “Mechanical gain” | |
Fast osteointegration28 | Porous struts applied to (anterior cervical reconstruction of a goat) |
Functional properties of biological tissues31 | Tissues inspired bioelectronics |
Spider silk mimicked wettability32 | Biomimicked spindle-knot microfibers with cavity knots (named cavity-microfiber) |
Subcellular structural features and mechanical properties of neurons36 | Neural probes or neuron-like electronics (NeuE) |
Nacre37 | Optical transparency and mechanically tough composites |
Ultrafast water transport on the surface of a Sarracenia trichome34 | Microfluidic |
Tooth enamel-mimicked columnar nanocomposites38 | Abiotic tooth enamel |
Mechanically response to external stimuli39 | Actuator, artificial muscles |
Spider dragline silk based on the molecular assembly of silk proteins33 | Synthetic spider silks |
Fish scales and osteoderms67 | Bullet‐proof protecto‐flexible material |
Nature-inspired materials triggered by achieving “Sustainability gain” | |
Recyclability68 | Recyclable lightweight structures with hierarchical architectures, complex geometries, and unprecedented stiffness and toughness |
Biodegradability (Shrilk) | Implantable foams, films, and scaffolds for surgical closures as well as regenerative medicine applications |
Nature-inspired materials triggered by achieving “Multiplicity of gains” | |
Spider silk mimicked69 | Humanoid robotics |
Macroscopically ordered rod-like nanoapatites70 | Aqueous liquid crystal, aqueous Mg (OH)2, and Mg3(PO4)2 LCs |
Plant catechol chemistry21 | Tough and adhesive hydrogels |
Adhesive nature of catechol chemistry71 | Switchable adhesive properties in a wet environment |
Nature’s Murray networks (Murray’s law)41 | Murray material |
Biomimicked antireflective properties (insect compound eyes)72 | Solar energy harvesting |
Artificial urushi (wetting)73 | Coatings |
Autonomous photomechanical actuation74 | Flytrap |
