Bio-inspired materials are an important aspect of bio-inspired engineering. The fantastic micro/macro structures of bio-systemscontribute to the special functions of bio-systems in withstanding and adapting to the environment. Therefore, these structures andfunctions have provided enormous inspiration for designing materials with new structures and functions, resulting in the researchdirection – bio-inspired materials, an exciting research topic in the past twenty years [7–12].Furthermore, the structure-forming processes of bio-systems are equally fantastic, being performed in most cases at ambienttemperatures, unlike artificial synthetic processing, which require high temperatures or even pressure. Scientists are learning fromthese structure-forming processes of biosystems to develop fabrication techniques for materials, leading to the development of a newresearch direction – bioprocess-inspired fabrication [13–16]. It has been suggested that we can learn from natural bioprocesses todesign and develop novel fabrication technologies for new structures and functions [17–19].Nature has created various efficient bioprocesses (such as biomineralization, self-assembly, photosynthesis, molting, detoxification,cellular uptake, and other physiological processes) through billions of years of evolution and natural selection. Among thecolorful bioprocesses, biomineralization and photosynthesis are two typical natural processes which efficiently and accurately realizesynthesis and fabrication under environmental benign conditions. Biomineralization is the biological process that leads to the formationof hierarchically structured organic-inorganic composites (shells, bone, and teeth) that often show superior performances tothose of man-made counterparts [17]. The abilities to design and construct inorganic materials with specified crystal structure, size,shape orientation, and number of defects and to integrate these architectures in a highly ordered manner form the foundation foradvances in our man-made technologies [19].Photosynthesis is another intricate process that works at ambient temperature, and has biological light-harvesting capabilities ofconverting solar to chemical energy for the formation of chemicals necessary for the Earth’s life including plants and bacteria. Thenatural photosynthesis involves three major processes: light-harvesting and excitation, electron transfer, and redox reactions [20].Inspired, but not constrained, by natural photosynthesis, the concept and key factors of converting the energy of sunlight intochemical energy could be used to construct many advanced artificial photosynthetic systems. Additionally, the accurate reactions andprogramming in natural photosynthesis could also inspire the material scientists to develop new synthesis methods.
Bio-inspired materials are an important aspect of bio-inspired engineering. The fantastic micro/macro structures of bio-systems<br>contribute to the special functions of bio-systems in withstanding and adapting to the environment. Therefore, these structures and<br>functions have provided enormous inspiration for designing materials with new structures and functions, resulting in the researchdirection – bio-inspired materials, an exciting research topic in the past twenty years [7–12].<br>Furthermore, the structure-forming processes of bio-systems are equally fantastic, being performed in most cases at ambient<br>temperatures, unlike artificial synthetic processing, which require high temperatures or even pressure. Scientists are learning from<br>these structure-forming processes of biosystems to develop fabrication techniques for materials, leading to the development of a new<br>research direction – bioprocess-inspired fabrication [13–16]. It has been suggested that we can learn from natural bioprocesses to<br>design and develop novel fabrication technologies for new structures and functions [17–19].<br>Nature has created various efficient bioprocesses (such as biomineralization, self-assembly, photosynthesis, molting, detoxification,<br>cellular uptake, and other physiological processes) through billions of years of evolution and natural selection. Among the<br>colorful bioprocesses, biomineralization and photosynthesis are two typical natural processes which efficiently and accurately realize<br>synthesis and fabrication under environmental benign conditions. Biomineralization is the biological process that leads to the formation<br>of hierarchically structured organic-inorganic composites (shells, bone, and teeth) that often show superior performances to<br>those of man-made counterparts [17]. The abilities to design and construct inorganic materials with specified crystal structure, size,<br>shape orientation, and number of defects and to integrate these architectures in a highly ordered manner form the foundation for<br>advances in our man-made technologies [19].<br>Photosynthesis is another intricate process that works at ambient temperature, and has biological light-harvesting capabilities of<br>converting solar to chemical energy for the formation of chemicals necessary for the Earth’s life including plants and bacteria. The<br>natural photosynthesis involves three major processes: light-harvesting and excitation, electron transfer, and redox reactions [20].<br>Inspired, but not constrained, by natural photosynthesis, the concept and key factors of converting the energy of sunlight into<br>chemical energy could be used to construct many advanced artificial photosynthetic systems. Additionally, the accurate reactions and<br>programming in natural photosynthesis could also inspire the material scientists to develop new synthesis methods.
正在翻译中..