Search Results (3,385)

This study proposes a biomimetic optimization approach for maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) planning using a Genetic Algorithm (GA). The goal is to maximize the number of detected drifting targets by optimally deploying both official and civilian Search and Rescue Units (SRUs). The proposed method incorporates a POD-adjusted fitness function with collision-avoidance constraints and is enhanced by a greedy initialization strategy. To validate its effectiveness, we compare the GA against a baseline method (EAGD) that combines a (1 + 1)-Evolutionary Algorithm with greedy deployment, across 24 experiments involving 2 realistic maritime scenarios and 12 coverage conditions. Results show that GA consistently achieves higher average fitness and stability, particularly under stress-test settings involving only civilian vessels. The findings underscore the potential of biomimetic algorithms for real-time, flexible, and scalable SAR planning, while highlighting the value of civilian participation in emergency maritime operations. Full article

A gel scaffold for a biological canal is formed using a deformable soft microactuator mat. Three-dimensional cellular tissue structures are important for organ-on-a-chip in in-vitro biomimetic models. However, most traditional cellular tissues have been cultured in a dish or transwell. Furthermore, cellular culture on the inner wall of pre-manufactured channels has been recently reported. In this study, we propose a deformable actuator mat that can transform a flat structure into a tubular structure. The active mat, which is composed of pneumatic balloon actuator arrays, assembles a biological canal from a flat sheet of a gel scaffold for cell culture. The mat can return to its initial flat state so that the gel-based canal structure with cells can self-stand. A self-standing tubular gel structure is demonstrated as a biomimetic canal toward a biological canal with cells. A self-standing tubular gel structure has permeability, which is important for evaluation of pharmacokinetics. The actuator mat under the gel layers was curled into a tubular shape (approximately 1 mm diameter) and returned after the assembly. Culturing cellular tissues on a demonstrated gel structure will reproduce the biological permeability of organs such as an intestinal tract. This study confirms the gel-based canal formation process without cells as a feasibility study. The proposed technique has potential for the flexible design of biological three-dimensional structures, thereby contributing to pharmacokinetics research. Full article

This study, inspired by the impact resistance of the pistol shrimp’s predatory claw, investigates the design and optimization of bionic energy absorption structures. Four types of bionic hierarchical porous metamaterial lattice structures with a negative Poisson’s ratio were developed based on the microstructure of the pistol shrimp’s fixed claw. These structures were validated through finite element models and quasi-static compression tests. Results showed that each structure exhibited distinct advantages and shortcomings in specific evaluation indices. To address these limitations, four new bionic structures were designed by coupling the characteristics of the original structures. The coupled structures demonstrated a superior balance across various performance indicators, with the EOS (Eight pillars Orthogonal with Side connectors on square frame) structure showing the most promising results. To further enhance the EOS structure, a parametric study was conducted on the distance d from the edge line to the curve vertex and the length-to-width ratio y of the negative Poisson’s ratio structure beam. A fifth-order polynomial surrogate model was constructed to predict the Specific Energy Absorption (SEA), Crush Force Efficiency (CFE), and Undulation of Load-Carrying fluctuation (ULC) of the EOS structure. A multi-objective genetic algorithm was employed to optimize these three key performance indicators, achieving improvements of 1.98% in SEA, 2.42% in CFE, and 2.05% in ULC. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of high-performance biomimetic energy absorption structures and demonstrates the effectiveness of coupling design with optimization algorithms to enhance structural performance. Full article

Ecosystem services are crucial for animals, plants, the planet, and human well-being. Decreasing biodiversity and environmental destruction of ecosystems will have severe consequences. Designing technologies that could support, enhance, or even replace ecosystem services is a complex task that the Manufactured Ecosystems Project team considers to be only achievable with transdisciplinarity, as it unlocks new directions for designing research and development systems. One of these directions in the project is bio-inspiration, learning from natural systems as the foundation for manufacturing ecosystem services. Using soil formation as a case study, text-mining of existing scientific literature reveals a critical gap: fewer than 1% of studies in biomimetics address soil formation technological replacement, despite the rapid global decline in natural soil formation processes. The team sketches scenarios of ecosystem collapse, identifying how bio-inspired solutions for equitable and sustainable innovation can contribute to climate adaptation. The short communication opens the discussion for collaboration and aims to initiate future research. Full article

This study experimentally investigates the wake-induced vibration (WIV) behavior of a bio-inspired harbor seal whisker model subjected to upstream propeller-generated unsteady flows. Vibration amplitudes, frequencies, and wake–whisker interactions were systematically evaluated under various flow conditions. The test matrix included propeller rotational speed N_p = 0~5000 r/min, propeller diameter D_p = 60~100 mm, incoming flow velocity U_∞ = 0~0.2 m/s, and separation distance between the whisker model and the propeller L/D = 10~30 (D = 16 mm, diameter of the whisker model). Results show that inline (IL) and crossflow (CF) vibration amplitudes increase significantly with propeller speed and decrease with increasing separation distance. Under combined inflow and wake excitation, non-monotonic trends emerge. Frequency analysis reveals transitions from periodic to subharmonic and broadband responses, depending on wake structure and coherence. A non-dimensional surface fit using L/D and the advance ratio (J = U_∞/(N_pD_p)) yielded predictive equations for RMS responses with good accuracy. Phase trajectory analysis further distinguishes stable oscillations from chaotic-like dynamics, highlighting changes in system stability. These findings offer new insight into WIV mechanisms and provide a foundation for biomimetic flow sensing and underwater tracking applications. Full article

Collagen hydrogels serve as biomimetic scaffolds that closely resemble the natural extracellular matrix, thus providing an ideal 3D biocompatible environment for cells. However, based on our previous experience, not all collagen isolates are capable of gelling, which appears to depend on the type, origin, species, age and sex of the source animal and the collagen isolation method applied. We therefore decided to evaluate porcine collagen-rich materials isolated from two different porcine genotypes applying two different specific isolation methods, and to analyse other main components, i.e., lipids and glycosaminoglycans, as well as amino acid composition and structural and morphological properties. While all the collagen isolates obtained were subjected to the gelling process, only one of them successfully gelled. In addition, the gelling ability of this isolate was confirmed repeatedly on collagens that were isolated from other pigs of the same porcine genotype. The results revealed that the gelling process proceeds via cooperation between the composition and the structure of the collagen isolate. With respect to the composition, one of the most important factors in terms of the success of the gelation process of collagen isolates concerns elevated glycosaminoglycan contents. The structural factors that characterise collagen isolates, i.e., cross-links (immature and mature) and their mutual ratio, as well as the presence of telopeptides, strongly impact the progress of the gelling process and the resulting character of the hydrogel structure. All these factors are influenced by the isolation procedure. Full article

The increased importance of sustainability imperatives has required a profound reconsideration of the interaction between materials, manufacturing, and design fields. Biomimetic smart materials such as shape-memory polymers, hydrogels, and electro-active composites represent an opportunity to combine adaptability, responsiveness, and ecological intelligence in systems and products. This work reviews the confluence of such materials with leading-edge manufacturing technologies, notably additive and 4D printing, and how their combining opens the door to the realization of time-responsive, low-waste, and user-adaptive design solutions. Through computational modeling and mathematical simulations, the adaptive performance of these materials can be predicted and optimized, supporting functional integration with high precision. On the basis of case studies in regenerative medicine, architecture, wearables, and sustainable product design, this work formulates the possibility of biomimetic strategies in shifting design paradigms away from static towards dynamic, from fixed products to evolvable systems. Major material categories of stimuli-responsive materials are systematically reviewed, existing 4D printing workflows are outlined, and the way temporal design principles are revolutionizing production, interaction, and lifecycle management is discussed. Quantitative advances such as actuation efficiencies exceeding 85%, printing resolution improvements of up to 50 μm, and lifecycle material savings of over 30% are presented where available, to underscore measurable impact. Challenges such as material scalability, process integration, and design education shortages are critically debated. Ethical and cultural implications such as material autonomy, transparency, and cross-cultural design paradigms are also addressed. By identifying existing limitations and proposing a future-proof framework, this work positions itself within the ongoing discussion on regenerative, interdisciplinary design. Ultimately, it contributes to the advancement of sustainable innovation by equipping researchers and practitioners with a set of adaptable tools grounded in biomimicry, computational intelligence, and temporal design thinking. Full article

Self-assembled nanoparticles formed with amphiphilic block or graft copolymers are being extensively studied for their use in a variety of biological and industrial applications, including targeted drug delivery. This study reports a novel strategy to tune the structure of self-assembled nanoparticles for enhancing the cellular uptake by varying the hydrophilic ratio of amphiphilic graft copolymers. We synthesized poly(aspartic acid) (PAsp) substituted with octadecyl chains (C18) at varying degrees of substitution (DS), ranging from 4.5 to 37.5 mol%, which could form self-assemblies in an aqueous solution. As the DS increased, a morphological transition was observed—from spherical assemblies (DS 4.5 and 9.1) to rod-like (DS 19.0), vesicular (DS 25.7), and lamellar-like structures (DS 37.6). Further, Trans-Activator of Transcription (TAT) as the cell penetrating peptide to the synthesized amphiphilic graft copolymers leads to an enhanced cellular uptake of the biomimetic self-assembly. In particular, the lamellar-like self-assemblies resulted in a 1.3-fold increase of cellular uptake, as compared to the spherical self-assemblies, and a 3.6-fold increase, as compared to the vesicles. Therefore, tuning the structure of poly(aspartic acid)s’ self-assemblies was proven as an effective strategy to enhance the cellular uptake, while minimizing invasive cell damage. This new strategy to tune the morphologies of self-assemblies will serve to improve the cell penetrating activity for targeted drug delivery. Full article

In regenerative medicine, orthobiologics, particularly platelet-rich plasma (PRP), are widely used due to their ability to enhance natural tissue repair mechanisms. PRP contains a concentrated pool of growth factors and cytokines that enhance regeneration while also acting as a biomimetic scaffold, thereby optimizing the microenvironment for tissue healing. In bone tissue engineering, PRP is commonly combined with synthetic or natural biomaterials, as its fibrin matrix alone lacks sufficient mechanical stability. However, even such composite systems frequently exhibit limited osteoinductive capacity, necessitating further supplementation with bioactive components. This review evaluates the regenerative potential of PRP in bone defect healing when combined with osteoinductive agents in preclinical in vivo models. We present compelling experimental evidence supporting the efficacy of this combined therapeutic approach. Full article

Inspired by natural gradient structures observed in biological systems such as lobster exoskeletons and bamboo, this study proposes a biomimetic strategy for developing advanced automotive materials that achieve an optimal balance between strength and ductility. Against this backdrop, the present work systematically reviews the design principles underlying natural gradient structures and examines the advantages and limitations of current additive manufacturing—specifically selective laser melting (AM-SLM)—as well as conventional forming and machining processes, in fabricating nature-inspired architectures. The research systematically explores hierarchical gradient designs which endow materials with superior mechanical properties, including enhanced strength, stiffness, and energy absorption capabilities. Two primary strengthening mechanisms—hetero-deformation-induced (HDI) hardening and precipitation hardening—were employed to overcome the conventional strength–ductility trade-off. Gradient-structured materials were fabricated using selective laser melting, and microstructural analyses demonstrated that controlled interface zones and tailored precipitation distribution critically influence property improvements. Based on these findings, an integrated material design strategy combining nature-inspired gradient architectures with post-processing treatments is presented, providing a versatile methodology to meet the specific performance requirements of automotive components. Overall, this work offers new insights for developing next-generation lightweight structural materials with exceptional ductility and damage tolerance and establishes a framework for translating bioinspired concepts into practical engineering solutions. Full article

Immunotherapy, particularly approaches that combine tumor-specific vaccines with immune checkpoint modulation, represents a promising strategy for overcoming tumor immune evasion. While most mRNA-based cancer vaccines focus solely on antigen delivery, there is a need for platforms that simultaneously enhance antigen presentation and modulate the tumor microenvironment to increase therapeutic efficacy. This study presents a novel dual-nanolipid exosome (NLE) platform that simultaneously delivers MUC1 mRNA and CTLA-4-targeted siRNA in a single system. These endogenous lipid-based nanoparticles are structurally designed to mimic exosomes and are modified with mannose to enable selective targeting to dendritic cells (DCs) via mannose receptors. The platform was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo in terms of mRNA encapsulation efficiency, nanoparticle stability, and uptake by DCs. The co-delivery platform significantly enhanced antitumor immune responses compared to monotherapies. Flow cytometry revealed a notable increase in tumor-infiltrating CD8⁺ T cells (p < 0.01), and ELISPOT assays showed elevated IFN-γ production upon MUC1-specific stimulation. In vivo CTL assays demonstrated enhanced MUC1-specific cytotoxicity. Combined therapy resulted in immune response enhancement compared to vaccine or CTLA-4 siRNA alone. The NLE platform exhibited favorable biodistribution and low systemic toxicity. By combining targeted delivery of dendritic cells, immune checkpoint gene silencing, and efficient antigen expression in a biomimetic nanoparticle system, this study represents a significant advance over current immunotherapy strategies. The NLE platform shows strong potential as a modular and safe approach for RNA-based cancer immunotherapy. Full article

With the increase in energy density of power batteries, the risk of thermal runaway significantly increases under extreme working conditions. Therefore, this article proposes a biomimetic liquid cooling plate design based on the fractal structure of fir needle leaf veins, combined with Murray’s mass transfer law, which has significantly improved the heat dissipation performance under extreme working conditions. A multi-field coupling model of electrochemistry fluid heat transfer was established using ANSYS 2022 Fluent, and the synergistic mechanism of environmental temperature, coolant parameters, and heating power was systematically analyzed. Research has found that compared to traditional serpentine channels, leaf vein biomimetic structures can reduce the maximum temperature of batteries by 11.78 °C at a flow rate of 4 m/s and 5000 W/m³. Further analysis reveals that there is a critical flow rate threshold of 2.5 m/s for cooling efficiency (beyond which the effectiveness of temperature reduction decreases by 86%), as well as a thermal saturation temperature of 28 °C (with a sudden increase in temperature rise slope by 284%). Under low-load conditions of 2600 W/m ³, the system exhibits a thermal hysteresis plateau of 40.29 °C. To predict the battery temperature in advance and actively intervene in cooling the battery pack, based on the experimental data and thermodynamic laws of the biomimetic liquid cooling system mentioned above, this study further constructed a support vector machine (SVM) prediction model to achieve real-time and accurate prediction of the highest temperature of the battery pack (validation set average relative error 1.57%), providing new ideas for intelligent optimization of biomimetic liquid cooling systems. Full article

Liquid metal (LM), which possesses unique material properties such as excellent flexibility, high thermal and electrical conductivities, and biocompatibility, has demonstrated broad application potential in the fields of intelligent manufacturing, flexible electronics, and biomedical engineering. This paper presents a systematic review of recent advances in multifunctional LM materials for biomimetic applications, with a focus on 3D printing, catalysis, sensing, and biomedical technologies. Through advanced 3D printing techniques—including direct writing, embedded printing, and extrusion/infiltration—LM has been effectively utilized in the fabrication of high-precision electronic components. In catalysis, LM-based catalysts exhibit superior performance in energy conversion and environmental remediation due to their high catalytic activity and selectivity. Moreover, LM has made notable progress in the development of high-performance sensors and biomedical devices, contributing significantly to the advancement of health monitoring and intelligent diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. This review aims to provide theoretical insights and technical references for further research and engineering applications of liquid metals. Full article

The complex pathological mechanisms of atherosclerosis (AS) involve lipid metabolism disorders, inflammatory responses, and plaque instability, resulting in significant challenges to effective clinical management. Current therapeutic approaches, such as statins and stent implantation, suffer from issues including single-target action, notable side effects, and the risk of restenosis. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have demonstrated considerable promise by enabling the codelivery of multiple agents directly to atherosclerotic lesions, thereby improving therapeutic efficacy and minimizing systemic toxicity. Among various nanomaterials, organic nanoparticles have recently emerged as a research hotspot in the field of AS treatment due to their excellent biocompatibility, degradability, and potential for targeted modification. This review systematically summarizes the recent advances and emerging trends in the application of organic nanoparticles for AS treatment, employing bibliometric analysis to delineate research frontiers. We employed bibliometric tools to analyze 1999 articles on organic nanocarriers for AS therapy indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection. The analysis included co-occurrence and clustering techniques to explore influential keywords and key contributors. Temporal analysis was applied to identify emerging research hotspots and track the evolution of this field. The literature reveals three major current focal areas: (1) the development of engineered biomimetic organic nanoparticles; (2) the design of multifunctional polymer-based organic nanocarriers; and (3) the innovation of organic-coated stents. This article not only provides a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge organic nanotechnologies for AS therapy, but also critically discusses the challenges in clinical translation, offering insights into future directions for the development of safe, effective, and personalized nanomedicine strategies against AS. Full article

Advancements in bioinks and three-dimensional (3D) printing and bioprinting have significantly advanced cardiovascular tissue engineering by enabling the fabrication of biomimetic cardiac and vascular constructs. Traditional 3D printing has contributed to the development of acellular scaffolds, vascular grafts, and patient-specific cardiovascular models that support surgical planning and biomedical applications. In contrast, 3D bioprinting has emerged as a transformative biofabrication technology that allows for the spatially controlled deposition of living cells and biomaterials to construct functional tissues in vitro. Bioinks—derived from natural biomaterials such as collagen and decellularized matrix, synthetic polymers such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polycaprolactone (PCL), or hybrid combinations—have been engineered to replicate extracellular environments while offering tunable mechanical properties. These formulations ensure biocompatibility, appropriate mechanical strength, and high printing fidelity, thereby maintaining cell viability, structural integrity, and precise architectural resolution in the printed constructs. Advanced bioprinting modalities, including extrusion-based bioprinting (such as the FRESH technique), droplet/inkjet bioprinting, digital light processing (DLP), two-photon polymerization (TPP), and melt electrowriting (MEW), enable the fabrication of complex cardiovascular structures such as vascular patches, ventricle-like heart pumps, and perfusable vascular networks, demonstrating the feasibility of constructing functional cardiac tissues in vitro. This review highlights the respective strengths of these technologies—for example, extrusion’s ability to print high-cell-density bioinks and MEW’s ultrafine fiber resolution—as well as their limitations, including shear-induced cell stress in extrusion and limited throughput in TPP. The integration of optimized bioink formulations with appropriate printing and bioprinting platforms has significantly enhanced the replication of native cardiac and vascular architectures, thereby advancing the functional maturation of engineered cardiovascular constructs. Full article