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Biological and Bio-Inspired Materials
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:39
Abstract
This course explores molecular and microstructural design principles that enable adaptive functions and enhanced properties in biological and bio-inspired materials. It covers out-of-equilibrium molecular mechanisms and design principles affecting mechanical, optical, and surface properties. Students learn how these principles apply to synthetic systems, linking structure to performance.
Objective
By the end of this course, students will be able to: - Explain how natural selection drives optimization of biological materials across molecular and microstructural length scales, giving rise to design principles critical for species survival. - Analyze and integrate bio-inspired adaptive functions into synthetic material systems. - Interpret structure–function–performance relationships in biological and bio-inspired materials. - Develop bio-inspired solutions to engineering problems and predict the performance of the resulting materials.
Content
The course is organized into two main blocks: the first part emphasizes out-of-equilibrium molecular mechanisms, such as autonomous molecular structures and the generation of mechanical work by living organisms to sense, adapt, and respond to their environment. The second part focuses on hierarchical microstructural design principles that influence the mechanical, optical, and surface properties of biological materials. Throughout the course, students will examine how these principles are applied in synthetic systems, fostering a quantitative understanding of the relationships between structure, function, and performance in both biological and bio-inspired materials. Block I — Molecular Design Principles and Bio-inspired Adaptive Materials - Temporal regulation in biological and bio-inspired systems - Autonomous molecular structures and out-of-equilibrium dynamics - Molecular motion and work generation - Sensing, adaptation, and communication in material systems . Engineering Living Materials Block II — Microstructural Design Principles and Bio-inspired Counterparts - Engineering fundamentals in biological and bio-inspired materials - Replication of biological design principles in synthetic systems (structural, optical, and surface properties) - Bio-inspired mechanical actuation and design in the built environment
Resources
Lecture Notes
Slide sets will be made available for download prior to each lecture.
Literature
The course is mainly based on the references listed below. Additional references will be provided during the lectures. 1. R. Merindol and A. Walther; Materials learning from life: concepts for active, adaptive and autonomous molecular systems. Chem. Soc. Rev., 46, (2017). 2. M. A. Meyers and P-Y. Chen; Biological Materials Science - Biological Materials, Bioinspired Materials and Biomaterials. (Cambridge University Press, 2014). 3. P. Fratzl, J. W. C. Dunlop and R. Weinkamer; Materials Design Inspired by Nature: Function Through Inner Architecture. (The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2013). 4. A. R. Studart, R. Libanori, R. M. Erb, Functional Gradients in Biological Composites in Bio- and Bioinspired Nanomaterials. (Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 2014), pp. 335-368.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC , DR , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- written 120 minutes
- Aids
- Students are allowed to use a non-programmable calculator during the written exam.
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Biological and Bio-Inspired Materials | No time listed | 6 h weekly |
Offered In
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Wahlfächer (Eine Wahlfachliste wird separat publiziert.)
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Doctorate Materials Science (Further information at: )
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