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Nature Communications Sep 2019Untethered small actuators have various applications in multiple fields. However, existing small-scale actuators are very limited in their intractability with their...
Untethered small actuators have various applications in multiple fields. However, existing small-scale actuators are very limited in their intractability with their surroundings, respond to only a single type of stimulus and are unable to achieve programmable structural changes under different stimuli. Here, we present a multiresponsive patternable actuator that can respond to humidity, temperature and light, via programmable structural changes. This capability is uniquely achieved by a fast and facile method that was used to fabricate a smart actuator with precise patterning on a graphene oxide film by hydrogel microstamping. The programmable actuator can mimic the claw of a hawk to grab a block, crawl like an inchworm, and twine around and grab the rachis of a flower based on their geometry. Similar to the large- and small-scale robots that are used to study locomotion mechanics, these small-scale actuators can be employed to study movement and biological and living organisms.
Topics: Biomimetics; Graphite; Polymers; Pyrroles; Robotics
PubMed: 31501430
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12044-5 -
Enzyme and Microbial Technology Oct 2021Encapsulated enzymes are stable under various conditions and used in enzyme therapy, catalysis, and biosensors. The capsules are often inspired by structures from nature... (Review)
Review
Encapsulated enzymes are stable under various conditions and used in enzyme therapy, catalysis, and biosensors. The capsules are often inspired by structures from nature such as viral capsids, DNA motifs and diatom frustules. They are based on inorganic minerals as well as soft or polymeric materials, or even a combination of these. The choice of material influences the enzyme loading and response to heat, pH and presence of proteases. This review provides a comparison of enzyme encapsulation based on these different principles with a focus on materials inspired by nature.
Topics: Biomimetics; Biopolymers; Capsules; Catalysis; Polymers; Silicon Dioxide
PubMed: 34489023
DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2021.109864 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2022There has been a surge in the interest for (semi)transparent photovoltaics (sTPVs) in recent years, since the more traditional, opaque, devices are not ideally suited... (Review)
Review
There has been a surge in the interest for (semi)transparent photovoltaics (sTPVs) in recent years, since the more traditional, opaque, devices are not ideally suited for a variety of innovative applications spanning from smart and self-powered windows for buildings to those for vehicle integration. Additional requirements for these photovoltaic applications are a high conversion efficiency (despite the necessary compromise to achieve a degree of transparency) and an aesthetically pleasing design. One potential realm to explore in the attempt to meet such challenges is the biological world, where evolution has led to highly efficient and fascinating light-management structures. In this mini-review, we explore some of the biomimetic approaches that can be used to improve both transparent and semi-transparent photovoltaic cells, such as moth-eye inspired structures for improved performance and stability or tunable, coloured, and semi-transparent devices inspired by beetles' cuticles. Lastly, we briefly discuss possible future developments for bio-inspired and potentially bio-compatible sTPVs.
Topics: Animals; Biomimetics; Coleoptera
PubMed: 36615373
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28010180 -
Journal of the Royal Society, Interface May 2018Hair-like structures are prevalent throughout biology and frequently act to sense or alter interactions with an organism's environment. The overall shape of a hair is... (Review)
Review
Hair-like structures are prevalent throughout biology and frequently act to sense or alter interactions with an organism's environment. The overall shape of a hair is simple: a long, filamentous object that protrudes from the surface of an organism. This basic design, however, can confer a wide range of functions, owing largely to the flexibility and large surface area that it usually possesses. From this simple structural basis, small changes in geometry, such as diameter, curvature and inter-hair spacing, can have considerable effects on mechanical properties, allowing functions such as mechanosensing, attachment, movement and protection. Here, we explore how passive features of hair-like structures, both individually and within arrays, enable diverse functions across biology. Understanding the relationships between form and function can provide biologists with an appreciation for the constraints and possibilities on hair-like structures. Additionally, such structures have already been used in biomimetic engineering with applications in sensing, water capture and adhesion. By examining hairs as a functional mechanical unit, geometry and arrangement can be rationally designed to generate new engineering devices and ideas.
Topics: Arabidopsis; Biomimetic Materials; Biomimetics; Mechanoreceptors; Models, Biological; Trichomes
PubMed: 29848593
DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2018.0206 -
Biosensors Mar 2021The molecular imprinting polymers (MIPs) have shown their potential in various applications including pharmaceuticals, chemical sensing and biosensing, medical... (Review)
Review
The molecular imprinting polymers (MIPs) have shown their potential in various applications including pharmaceuticals, chemical sensing and biosensing, medical diagnosis, and environmental related issues, owing to their artificial selective biomimetic recognition ability. Despite the challenges posed in the imprinting and recognition of biomacromolecules, the use of MIP for the imprinting of large biomolecular oragnism such as viruses is of huge interest because of the necessity of early diagnosis of virus-induced diseases for clinical and point-of-care (POC) purposes. Thus, many fascinating works have been documented in which such synthetic systems undoubtedly explore a variety of potential implementations, from virus elimination, purification, and diagnosis to virus and bacteria-borne disease therapy. This study is focused comprehensively on the fabrication strategies and their usage in many virus-imprinted works that have appeared in the literature. The drawbacks, challenges, and perspectives are also highlighted.
Topics: Biomimetics; Biosensing Techniques; Humans; Molecular Imprinting; Polymers; Virus Diseases; Viruses
PubMed: 33801007
DOI: 10.3390/bios11030089 -
Marine Biotechnology (New York, N.Y.) 2007In addition to identifying the proteins that have a role in underwater adhesion by marine mussels, research efforts have focused on identifying the genes responsible for... (Review)
Review
In addition to identifying the proteins that have a role in underwater adhesion by marine mussels, research efforts have focused on identifying the genes responsible for the adhesive proteins, environmental factors that may influence protein production, and strategies for producing natural adhesives similar to the native mussel adhesive proteins. The production-scale availability of recombinant mussel adhesive proteins will enable researchers to formulate adhesives that are water-impervious and ecologically safe and can bind materials ranging from glass, plastics, metals, and wood to materials, such as bone or teeth, biological organisms, and other chemicals or molecules. Unfortunately, as of yet scientists have been unable to duplicate the processes that marine mussels use to create adhesive structures. This study provides a background on adhesive proteins identified in the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, and introduces our research interests and discusses the future for continued research related to mussel adhesion.
Topics: Adhesiveness; Adhesives; Animals; Biomimetic Materials; Biomimetics; DNA, Recombinant; Mytilus edulis; Proteins
PubMed: 17990038
DOI: 10.1007/s10126-007-9053-x -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2023A polarized light sensor is applied to the front-end detection of a biomimetic polarized light navigation system, which is an important part of analyzing the atmospheric... (Review)
Review
A polarized light sensor is applied to the front-end detection of a biomimetic polarized light navigation system, which is an important part of analyzing the atmospheric polarization mode and realizing biomimetic polarized light navigation, having received extensive attention in recent years. In this paper, biomimetic polarized light navigation in nature, the mechanism of polarized light navigation, point source sensor, imaging sensor, and a sensor based on micro nano machining technology are compared and analyzed, which provides a basis for the optimal selection of different polarized light sensors. The comparison results show that the point source sensor can be divided into basic point source sensor with simple structure and a point source sensor applied to integrated navigation. The imaging sensor can be divided into a simple time-sharing imaging sensor, a real-time amplitude splitting sensor that can detect images of multi-directional polarization angles, a real-time aperture splitting sensor that uses a light field camera, and a real-time focal plane light splitting sensor with high integration. In recent years, with the development of micro and nano machining technology, polarized light sensors are developing towards miniaturization and integration. In view of this, this paper also summarizes the latest progress of polarized light sensors based on micro and nano machining technology. Finally, this paper summarizes the possible future prospects and current challenges of polarized light sensor design, providing a reference for the feasibility selection of different polarized light sensors.
Topics: Biomimetics; Refraction, Ocular
PubMed: 37447698
DOI: 10.3390/s23135848 -
Journal of Biological Inorganic... Apr 2017A long-standing debate in the Cu-O field has revolved around the relevance of the Cu(III) oxidation state in biological redox processes. The proposal of Cu(III) in... (Review)
Review
A long-standing debate in the Cu-O field has revolved around the relevance of the Cu(III) oxidation state in biological redox processes. The proposal of Cu(III) in biology is generally challenged as no spectroscopic or structural evidence exists currently for its presence. The reaction of synthetic Cu(I) complexes with O at low temperature in aprotic solvents provides the opportunity to investigate and define the chemical landscape of Cu-O species at a small-molecule level of detail; eight different types are characterized structurally, three of which contain at least one Cu(III) center. Simple imidazole or histamine ligands are competent in these oxygenation reactions to form Cu(III) complexes. The combination of synthetic structural and reactivity data suggests (1) that Cu(I) should be considered as either a one or two electron reductant reacting with O, (2) that Cu(III) reduction potentials of these formed complexes are modest and well within the limits of a protein matrix and (3) that primary amine and imidazole ligands are surprisingly good at stabilizing Cu(III) centers. These Cu(III) complexes are efficient oxidants for hydroxylating phenolate substrates with reaction hallmarks similar to that performed in biological systems. The remarkable ligation similarity of the synthetic and biological systems makes it difficult to continue to exclude Cu(III) from biological discussions.
Topics: Biomimetics; Copper; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidoreductases; Oxygenases
PubMed: 27909921
DOI: 10.1007/s00775-016-1420-5 -
Nature Reviews. Genetics Nov 2011Synthetic biology aims to create functional devices, systems and organisms with novel and useful functions on the basis of catalogued and standardized biological... (Review)
Review
Synthetic biology aims to create functional devices, systems and organisms with novel and useful functions on the basis of catalogued and standardized biological building blocks. Although they were initially constructed to elucidate the dynamics of simple processes, designed devices now contribute to the understanding of disease mechanisms, provide novel diagnostic tools, enable economic production of therapeutics and allow the design of novel strategies for the treatment of cancer, immune diseases and metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and gout, as well as a range of infectious diseases. In this Review, we cover the impact and potential of synthetic biology for biomedical applications.
Topics: Animals; Aptamers, Nucleotide; Biomimetic Materials; Biomimetics; Biotechnology; Cell Line; Cell Line, Tumor; Drug Design; Epigenomics; Gene Regulatory Networks; Genes, Synthetic; Genetic Engineering; Humans; Light Signal Transduction; Mice; Models, Biological; Preventive Medicine; Proteomics; Synthetic Biology; Systems Integration; Transcription, Genetic; Vaccines, Synthetic
PubMed: 22124480
DOI: 10.1038/nrg3094 -
Journal of Nanobiotechnology Jun 2022Self-assembled photonic systems with well-organized spatial arrangement and engineered optical properties can be used as efficient energy materials and as effective... (Review)
Review
Self-assembled photonic systems with well-organized spatial arrangement and engineered optical properties can be used as efficient energy materials and as effective biomedical agents. The lessons learned from natural light-harvesting antennas have inspired the design and synthesis of a series of biomimetic photonic complexes, including those containing strongly coupled dye aggregates with dense molecular packing and unique spectroscopic features. These photoactive components provide excellent features that could be coupled to multiple applications including light-harvesting, energy transfer, biosensing, bioimaging, and cancer therapy. Meanwhile, nanoscale DNA assemblies have been employed as programmable and addressable templates to guide the formation of DNA-directed multi-pigment complexes, which can be used to enhance the complexity and precision of artificial photonic systems and show the potential for energy and biomedical applications. This review focuses on the interface of DNA nanotechnology and biomimetic photonic systems. We summarized the recent progress in the design, synthesis, and applications of bioinspired photonic systems, highlighted the advantages of the utilization of DNA nanostructures, and discussed the challenges and opportunities they provide.
Topics: Biomimetics; DNA; Nanostructures; Nanotechnology; Optics and Photonics
PubMed: 35658974
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01449-y