SOFT POLYMERIC DEVICES FOR MORPHO-FUNCTIONAL MIMICRY OF BIOLOGICAL STRUCTURES

In the time-lapse of hundreds of millions of years, living organisms have continuously evolved, developing a myriad of astonishing forms and abilities to be often inspirational for mankind. In 1997, Janine Benyus, paved the onset of a revolutionary discipline called biomimicry. Biomimicry can be elegantly defined as “innovation inspired by nature”. From a practical point of view, it is an approach to innovation that aims to solve human challenges by emulating nature’s time-tested strategies. A range of technological improvements have been inspired by terrestrial life and examples of biomimicry now include synthetic materials with new mechanical properties that emulate the brick-and-mortar architecture found in bone and mollusc shells; nanoparticles and cell-based therapies with strong potential for the advancement novel and more effective therapeutic and imaging systems; high-speed trains with a nose emulation the kingfisher bird’s beak, as a way of eliminating the buildup of atmospheric pressure when passing through tunnels; and renewable energy production by using bio-engineered bacteria capable of synthesising almost one thousand litres of hydrogen gas per hectare. We are at the threshold of a new era for science and engineering in which biologically inspired designs offer novel and sustainable solutions to society’s problems that may not be provided as quickly or economically by traditional paths. To address this demand, there is a continual quest to seek new materials and fabrication techniques with unprecedented integration of properties and functionalities at minimal production costs. My PhD research work focused on the development of materials, manufacturing processes and devices that aim at solving current bottlenecks in the fields of soft robotics, tissue engineering and environmental control of harmful insects.