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MultiCell is a deep learning method to capture complex cell dynamics during multicellular development.

Enamel is the hardest tissue in the body and has been widely studied, yet aspects of its structure remain unclear. Here, the authors report on a study of the orientation and alignment of enamel crystals and challenge previous assumptions.

Spider web deformation simulations, theory and experiments reveal how the nonlinear response of spider silk to strain and the discrete geometry of a web contribute to its robustness, integrity and performance.

Coherent 1D MoS₂ channels, which are free of dangling bonds and dislocations, can be fabricated in monolayer WSe₂, driven by dislocations at the interface of the two materials.

The ability of mussels to remain attached to rocks and the hulls of ships in the presence of impacting waves is surprising. Qin et al. show that a heterogeneous distribution of specific load-bearing materials in the attaching threads allows for this firm adhesion.

Sabrina Shen, Markus Buehler, and colleagues valorize hydrothermally processed sewage sludge as fillers for 3D printing. They study physicochemical and mechanical properties, finding that hydrochar-filled composites reduce consumption for more sustainable waste management

Scientists find that spongin, a key biomaterial in sponges, contains the same collagens as mammals and that these biocomposites contain brominated crosslinks. Now, the question: “Maybe we are all sponge to some degree?” is no longer so absurd.

Eumelanin is a biological pigment capable of broadband absorption, but the origin of this ability has been unclear. Here, the authors consider various eumelanin models and conclude that a combination of ordering stacking interactions coupled with geometric disorder gives rise to the broad absorption profile.

Metals can be strengthened by mechanisms that work on the atomic scale. These same mechanisms used at a much larger scale have been found to also strengthen materials that contain hierarchical, engineered substructures.

It is shown that by controlling the relaxation of graphene adhered on a biaxially pre-stretched polymer substrate, graphene films can be reversibly crumpled and unfolded to form tailored hierarchical structures with tunable wettability and transmittance, and that the crumpled graphene–polymer laminates can be used as actuators.

The folding of origami structures involves bending deformations that are not explicit in the crease pattern.

Self-assembly of proteins commonly associated with neurodegenerative diseases can be exploited to make well-ordered and strong functional macroscopic materials.

Activating caged reactive sites in proteins using mechanical force provides a powerful approach in the study of chemical reactions, and provides greater insight into which reactions are possible and their rates.

The discovery of a hypersonic bandgap in spider silk could drive the design of bio-inspired and biocompatible dynamic materials.

Thermal management is important for designing bio-nano interfaces for biosensing and thermotherapic applications. Here the authors perform simulations showing that nm-thick water layers between graphene and cell membranes display layered ordering, promoting interfacial thermal coupling and thermal dissipation.

Mechanical strength of in situ assembled nuclear lamin filaments arranged in a 3D meshwork is unclear. Here, using mechanical, structural and simulation tools, the authors report the hierarchical organization of the lamin meshwork that imparts strength and toughness to lamin filaments at par with silk and Kevlar^®

Chromatophores in cephalopod skin are known for fast changes in coloration due to light-scattering pigment granules. Here, authors demonstrate structural coloration facilitated by reflectin in sheath cells and offer insights into the interplay between structural and pigmentary coloration elements.

Water is an important component of collagen in tendons, bone and extracellular matrix, but its role in the mechanical function of protein is poorly understood. Here, the authors study the effects of osmotic pressure on contraction in collagen, suggesting that collagen could function as a mechanical actuator.

Reproducing many naturally occurring silk fibres—such as spider silk—remains a challenge. Here, the authors develop a predictive modelling approach to understand and design the artificial synthesis and fibre-spinning processes, which are tested in the laboratory to create de novobioinspired silk fibres.

Spider webs have some intriguing mechanical properties, but understanding of the properties is limited to individual silk fibres. Here, the authors create mimics of spider web using 3D techniques, which enables them to acquire knowledge of mechanical strength of the entire synthetic web.

Natural silk fibers are produced using a simple and green approach compared to alternative synthetic methods. Here, the authors show a bioinspired approach to spin regenerated silk fibers using anisotropic liquid crystals and dry spinning, resulting in remarkably robust fibers.

Nanofibrils are abundant and critical structural components in nature that can be exploited for novel and sustainable materials. In this Review, hierarchical design strategies for cellulose, silk and chitin nanofibrils in nature and in materials engineering are discussed.

The transfer process of as-grown graphene limits its electrical performance and reliability. Here, the authors develop a transfer approach using paraffin as a support layer and obtain wrinkle-reduced and clean large-area graphene retaining high mobility.

Bone is a natural composite of collagen and hydroxyapatite but, surprising, little is known about its characteristics at the molecular scale. Nair et al. conduct molecular-scale simulations of mineralized collagen networks to better understand how bone achieves superior mechanical properties to its constituents.

The complete elastic response of a spider's orb web has been quantified by non-invasive light scattering, revealing important insights into the architecture, natural material use and mechanical properties of the web. This knowledge advances our understanding of the prey-catching process and the role of supercontraction therein.

Catastrophic breakage of brittle materials such as ceramics is usually triggered by the rapid spreading of cracks. Computer simulations have now cracked the three-dimensional details of this process.

Collagen denaturation is thought to occur during tissue mechanical damage, but its role in damage initiation is still unclear. Here, the authors use a collagen hybridizing peptide to provide insights into the molecular mechanisms leading to collagen unfolding during tendon mechanical stretch.

Counterintuitively, the exceptional strength of silks comes from β-sheet nanocrystals in which the key molecular interactions are weak hydrogen bonds. Simulations now show that nanoconfinement effects make β-sheet nanocrystals the size of a few nanometres stiffer, stronger and tougher than larger ones. These effects can be exploited to create materials with superior mechanical properties.

Whether on a hike, in a remote disaster zone or in your own home, access to clean water is critical. Filtration of freshwater to remove ultrafine particles like micro/nanoplastics, pathogens or other toxic components is unfortunately usually quite expensive, unportable and environmentally unfriendly.

Evaluation of evidence generated to test 19 proposed policy recommendations and guidance for the future.

Amyloid protein fibrils and graphene sheets can be combined to make a material that is biodegradable and has useful shape-memory and enzyme-sensing properties.

Protein-based materials, formed through self-assembly, are gaining traction as technologically useful biomaterials. This Review surveys the design, assembly, mechanical properties, sourcing and processing of polypeptide materials, with a focus on their application as sustainable plastic alternatives.

Biomaterials have a crucial role in the development of future foods, particularly in cellular agriculture and plant-based systems. This Review addresses the current status and future requirements of biomaterials for future foods, addressing key aspects such as structure, nutrition, safety, sensory attributes, sustainability and consumer preferences.