Earth's biota produces vast quantities of polymerized silica at ambient temperatures and pressures by mechanisms that are not understood. Silica spicules constitute 75% of the dry weight of the sponge Tethya aurantia, making this organism uniquely tractable for analyses of the proteins intimately associated with the biosilica. Each spicule contains a central protein filament, shown by x-ray dif...

Abstract Closely following the rapid development of artificial intelligence, studies human brain and neurobiology are focusing on biological mechanisms neurons synapses. Herein, a memory system employing nanoporous double-layer structure for simulation synaptic functions is described. The sponge-like porous (SLDLP) oxide stack Pt/porous LiCoO 2 /porous SiO /Si designed as presynaptic postsynapt...

Herein, the one-step fabrication of novel three-dimensional sponge-like piezoelectric electrospun nanofiber structures is reported. Ferroelectric polymers are biocompatible and flexible materials that present attractive opportunities for portable energy harvesters efficient wearable electronic devices. While being compatible with diverse methods, thicker denser 3D forms have only been obtained ...

Sponges and other sessile invertebrates are lacking behavioural escape or defense mechanisms and rely therefore on morphological or chemical defenses. Studies from terrestrial systems and marine algae demonstrated facultative defenses like induction and activation to be common, suggesting that sessile marine organisms also evolved mechanisms to increase the efficiency of their chemical defense....

With an aim of improving bone regeneration, chitosan sponge containing platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) were developed. For fabrication of chitosan sponge, chitosan solution was freeze-dried, crosslinked and freeze-dried again. PDGF-BB was incorporated into the chitosan sponge by soaking chitosan sponge into the PDGF-BB solution. Release kinetics of PDGF-BB, cell attachment, prolifer...