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Review

From Nature to Technology: Exploring the Potential of Plant-Based Materials and Modified Plants in Biomimetics, Bionics, and Green Innovations

by
Marcela-Elisabeta Barbinta-Patrascu
1,
Bogdan Bita
1,2,* and
Irina Negut
2,*
1
Department of Electricity, Solid-State Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest, 077125 Magurele, Romania
2
National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 077125 Magurele, Romania
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Biomimetics 2024, 9(7), 390; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9070390
Submission received: 15 May 2024 / Revised: 19 June 2024 / Accepted: 21 June 2024 / Published: 26 June 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Learning from Nature—2nd Edition: Bionics in Design Practice)

Abstract

This review explores the extensive applications of plants in areas of biomimetics and bioinspiration, highlighting their role in developing sustainable solutions across various fields such as medicine, materials science, and environmental technology. Plants not only serve essential ecological functions but also provide a rich source of inspiration for innovations in green nanotechnology, biomedicine, and architecture. In the past decade, the focus has shifted towards utilizing plant-based and vegetal waste materials in creating eco-friendly and cost-effective materials with remarkable properties. These materials are employed in making advancements in drug delivery, environmental remediation, and the production of renewable energy. Specifically, the review discusses the use of (nano)bionic plants capable of detecting explosives and environmental contaminants, underscoring their potential in improving quality of life and even in lifesaving applications. The work also refers to the architectural inspirations drawn from the plant world to develop novel design concepts that are both functional and aesthetic. It elaborates on how engineered plants and vegetal waste have been transformed into value-added materials through innovative applications, especially highlighting their roles in wastewater treatment and as electronic components. Moreover, the integration of plants in the synthesis of biocompatible materials for medical applications such as tissue engineering scaffolds and artificial muscles demonstrates their versatility and capacity to replace more traditional synthetic materials, aligning with global sustainability goals. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current and potential uses of living plants in technological advancements, advocating for a deeper exploration of vegetal materials to address pressing environmental and technological challenges.
Keywords: biomimetics; bioinspiration; (nano)bionics; “green” design; phytosynthesis of metal/metal oxide nanoparticles; biomaterials; wastewater treatment; bionic plants; botanical robots biomimetics; bioinspiration; (nano)bionics; “green” design; phytosynthesis of metal/metal oxide nanoparticles; biomaterials; wastewater treatment; bionic plants; botanical robots

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Barbinta-Patrascu, M.-E.; Bita, B.; Negut, I. From Nature to Technology: Exploring the Potential of Plant-Based Materials and Modified Plants in Biomimetics, Bionics, and Green Innovations. Biomimetics 2024, 9, 390. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9070390

AMA Style

Barbinta-Patrascu M-E, Bita B, Negut I. From Nature to Technology: Exploring the Potential of Plant-Based Materials and Modified Plants in Biomimetics, Bionics, and Green Innovations. Biomimetics. 2024; 9(7):390. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9070390

Chicago/Turabian Style

Barbinta-Patrascu, Marcela-Elisabeta, Bogdan Bita, and Irina Negut. 2024. "From Nature to Technology: Exploring the Potential of Plant-Based Materials and Modified Plants in Biomimetics, Bionics, and Green Innovations" Biomimetics 9, no. 7: 390. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9070390

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