General Aspects of Biomimetic Materials - Biotechnologies and Biomimetics for Civil Engineering - page 58

Tiles, films, paints
anti-reflective
iridescent
fog-collecting
self-cleaning
anti-microbial

Roof tiles
self-cleaning
anti-icing

Windows
anti-reflective
bird-friendly

Concrete
self-healing

Structure, beams
lightweight
tough
flexible

Adhesives
non-toxic
water resistant

Floors
anti-slippery

Fig. 3.1 Some potential applications of biomimetic materials in the construction of buildings
and infrastructures

3.2 General Aspects of Biomaterials

The transfer of a concept or strategy observed in Nature into a new material is not
trivial, requiring first a careful analysis and study of the natural model, and then a
certain degree of creativity, interpretation and abstraction in order to identify the
underlying principles and mechanisms. Only then will it be possible to use that
fundamental information to solve a specific technological problem or to create
something new. In many cases, the final practical result can be very far from the
inspiring biological model. As is the case with any material, the properties of
materials of natural origin are intimately determined by the way their different
components are structured and bio-manufactured. Thus, in order to create new
materials that mimic the behavior and performance of natural biological materials,
it is important to understand their key structural features and the processes by
which such structures are formed.

3.2.1 Key Structural Features of Biomaterials

While the variety of biomaterials found in Nature is tremendous, one can identify a
number of structural and functional features which are recurrently found across
different groups of materials of biological origin. Examples of thematic features
widely disseminated across biomaterials include (i) hierarchy, (ii) composite
nature, (iii) multifunctionality, and (iv) self-healing.