From Engineering Biomimetics to Emulation Biology

Biological adhesives: from biology to biomimetics

Effective Elastic Modulus of Structured Adhesives: From Biology to Biomimetics

Microand nano-hierarchical structures (lamellae, setae, branches, and spatulae) on the toe pads of many animals play key roles for generating strong but reversible adhesion for locomotion. The hierarchical structure possesses significantly reduced, effective elastic modulus (Eeff), as compared to the inherent elastic modulus (Einh) of the corresponding biological material (and therefore contrib...

Biomimetics: Determining engineering opportunities from nature

The biomimetic approach seeks to incorporate designs based on biological organisms into engineered technologies. Biomimetics can be used to engineer machines that emulate the performance of organisms, particularly in instances where the organism’s performance exceeds current mechanical technology or provides new directions to solve existing problems. For biologists, an adaptationist program has...

Molecular biomimetics: nanotechnology through biology.

Proteins, through their unique and specific interactions with other macromolecules and inorganics, control structures and functions of all biological hard and soft tissues in organisms. Molecular biomimetics is an emerging field in which hybrid technologies are developed by using the tools of molecular biology and nanotechnology. Taking lessons from biology, polypeptides can now be genetically ...

Biomimetics: materials fabrication through biology.

M multicellular organisms produce hard tissues such as bones, teeth, shells, skeletal units, and spicules (1). These hard tissues are biocomposites and incorporate both structural macromolecules (lipids, proteins, and polysaccharides) and minerals of, perhaps, 60 different kinds, including hydroxyapatite, calcium carbonate, and silica. A number of single-celled organisms (bacteria and algae) al...