Averesch, Shunk and Kern reported growth of C. sphaerospermum aboard the ISS and its effect on ionizing radiation.
Built / tested: fungal radiation-shield test
As reported in: Averesch, Shunk, Kern (2022). Cultivation of the Dematiaceous Fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum Aboard the International Space Station and Effects of Ionizing Radiation. Frontiers in Microbiology. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2022.877625
A high-strength, high-toughness sodium alginate/polyacrylamide double network hydrogel with self-healing and self-recovery, made in one pot.
Built / tested: hydrogels
As reported in: Zheng, Zhao, Wang et al. (2020). High-strength and high-toughness sodium alginate/polyacrylamide double physically crosslinked network hydrogel with superior self-healing and self-recovery properties prepared by a one-pot method. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. doi:10.1016/j.colsurfa.2019.124402
Tournier and colleagues engineered an enzyme that breaks PET into its monomers, which were used to make near-petrochemical-grade PET for new bottles.
As reported in: Tournier, Topham, Gilles et al. (2020). An engineered PET depolymerase to break down and recycle plastic bottles. Nature. doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2149-4
Shunk and colleagues grew Cladosporium sphaerospermum on the International Space Station and measured radiation beneath it.
Built / tested: fungal radiation-shield test
As reported in: Shunk, Gomez, Kern et al. (2020). Growth of the Radiotrophic Fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum aboard the International Space Station and Effects of Ionizing Radiation. . doi:10.1101/2020.07.16.205534
A review of methods to modify hemp fibres for structural fibre-reinforced polymer composites.
As reported in: Tanasă, Zănoagă, Teacă et al. (2019). Modified hemp fibers intended for fiber‐reinforced polymer composites used in structural applications—A review. I. Methods of modification. Polymer Composites. doi:10.1002/pc.25354
A review of ways to use lignin in polymer and composite systems for engineering applications.
As reported in: Collins, Nechifor, Tanasă et al. (2019). Valorization of lignin in polymer and composite systems for advanced engineering applications – A review. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.03.069
Crosslinking collagen-fibre films with casein, keratin or soy protein improved mechanical properties and heat stability.
Built / tested: films
As reported in: Wu, Liu, Wang et al. (2018). Improved mechanical properties and thermal-stability of collagen fiber based film by crosslinking with casein, keratin or SPI: Effect of crosslinking process and concentrations of proteins. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.11.144
De France and colleagues reviewed hydrogels and aerogels containing nanocellulose.
As reported in: De France, Hoare, Cranston (2017). Review of Hydrogels and Aerogels Containing Nanocellulose. Chemistry of Materials. doi:10.1021/acs.chemmater.7b00531
Shows how changing growth and processing conditions alters the physical properties of mycelium-based materials.
Built / tested: test materials
As reported in: Haneef, Ceseracciu, Canale et al. (2017). Advanced Materials From Fungal Mycelium: Fabrication and Tuning of Physical Properties. Scientific Reports. doi:10.1038/srep41292
Baik and colleagues made a reversible wet/dry adhesive patch based on the dome-like protuberances inside octopus suction cups.
As reported in: Baik, Kim, Park et al. (2017). A wet-tolerant adhesive patch inspired by protuberances in suction cups of octopi. Nature. doi:10.1038/nature22382
Mishnaevsky and colleagues reviewed wind turbine blade materials, from standard glass-fibre/epoxy composites to natural, hybrid and nanoengineered composites.
As reported in: Mishnaevsky, Branner, Petersen et al. (2017). Materials for Wind Turbine Blades: An Overview. Materials. doi:10.3390/ma10111285
Josberger and colleagues measured the jelly from skate and shark ampullae of Lorenzini at about 2 mS/cm proton conductivity, the highest reported for a biological material and only 40 times lower than the synthetic polymer Nafion.
As reported in: Josberger, Hassanzadeh, Deng et al. (2016). Proton conductivity in ampullae of Lorenzini jelly. Science Advances. doi:10.1126/sciadv.1600112
A review of how the cell structure and chemistry of cork explain its properties.
As reported in: Pereira (2015). The Rationale behind Cork Properties: A Review of Structure and Chemistry. BioResources. doi:10.15376/biores.10.3.pereira
A review linking the molecular structure of silk fibroin to its mechanical behaviour and uses.
As reported in: Koh, Cheng, Teng et al. (2015). Structures, mechanical properties and applications of silk fibroin materials. Progress in Polymer Science. doi:10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2015.02.001
Biomimetic fibres made of recombinant spidroins with the same toughness as natural spider silk.
Built / tested: biomimetic fibres
As reported in: Heidebrecht, Eisoldt, Diehl et al. (2015). Biomimetic Fibers Made of Recombinant Spidroins with the Same Toughness as Natural Spider Silk. Advanced Materials. doi:10.1002/adma.201404234
A review of properties and challenges of cellulose nanocrystals and their nanocomposites.
As reported in: Mariano, El Kissi, Dufresne (2014). Cellulose nanocrystals and related nanocomposites: Review of some properties and challenges. Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics. doi:10.1002/polb.23490
As reported in: Yan, Chouw, Jayaraman (2014). Flax fibre and its composites – A review. Composites Part B: Engineering. doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2013.08.014
Ghasemi and colleagues made a porous structure that concentrates heat at the water surface, generating steam under low sunlight concentration while the bulk water stays cool.
As reported in: Ghasemi, Ni, Marconnet et al. (2014). Solar steam generation by heat localization. Nature Communications. doi:10.1038/ncomms5449
Zhao and colleagues reported a thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) of 2.6 at 923 K in SnSe single crystals, due to ultralow thermal conductivity.
As reported in: Zhao, Lo, Zhang et al. (2014). Ultralow thermal conductivity and high thermoelectric figure of merit in SnSe crystals. Nature. doi:10.1038/nature13184
Phan and colleagues made reconfigurable infrared camouflage coatings from squid reflectin.
Built / tested: reflectin coatings
As reported in: Phan, Walkup, Ordinario et al. (2013). Reconfigurable Infrared Camouflage Coatings from a Cephalopod Protein. Advanced Materials. doi:10.1002/adma.201301472
Tensile and interfacial properties of unidirectional flax/glass fibre hybrid composites.
Built / tested: hybrid composites
As reported in: Zhang, Li, Ma et al. (2013). Tensile and interfacial properties of unidirectional flax/glass fiber reinforced hybrid composites. Composites Science and Technology. doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2013.08.037
Furukawa and colleagues reviewed MOF chemistry and applications.
As reported in: Furukawa, Cordova, O’Keeffe et al. (2013). The Chemistry and Applications of Metal-Organic Frameworks. Science. doi:10.1126/science.1230444
Weaver and colleagues found the peacock mantis shrimp's club combines hydroxyapatite and amorphous mineral phases with a helical (helicoidal) arrangement of chitin fibres, giving several defences against breaking under repeated high-energy impacts.
As reported in: Weaver, Milliron, Miserez et al. (2012). The Stomatopod Dactyl Club: A Formidable Damage-Tolerant Biological Hammer. Science. doi:10.1126/science.1218764
Oeffner and Lauder used a robotic flapping foil to show real shark skin can increase swimming speed; the biomimetic materials they tested did not match that effect.
Built / tested: biomimetic shark skin
As reported in: Oeffner, Lauder (2012). The hydrodynamic function of shark skin and two biomimetic applications. Journal of Experimental Biology. doi:10.1242/jeb.063040
A review of sol-gel silica nanoparticles, their surface modification and use in silica-polymer nanocomposites.
As reported in: Rahman, Padavettan (2012). Synthesis of Silica Nanoparticles by Sol‐Gel: Size‐Dependent Properties, Surface Modification, and Applications in Silica‐Polymer Nanocomposites—A Review. Journal of Nanomaterials. doi:10.1155/2012/132424
Cranford and colleagues showed silk's softening then stiffening under strain localizes damage to single threads, making webs robust.
As reported in: Cranford, Tarakanova, Pugno et al. (2012). Nonlinear material behaviour of spider silk yields robust webs. Nature. doi:10.1038/nature10739
Lee, Messersmith, Israelachvili and Waite reviewed mussel-inspired adhesives and coatings.
As reported in: Lee, Messersmith, Israelachvili et al. (2011). Mussel-Inspired Adhesives and Coatings. Annual Review of Materials Research. doi:10.1146/annurev-matsci-062910-100429
A step-by-step protocol for turning silkworm cocoons into fibroin solution and then into many material formats.
Built / tested: films, gels, sponges, fibres
As reported in: Rockwood, Preda, Yücel et al. (2011). Materials fabrication from Bombyx mori silk fibroin. Nature Protocols. doi:10.1038/nprot.2011.379
Studied water vapour sorption of thermally modified and densified wood.
As reported in: Hill, Ramsay, Keating et al. (2011). The water vapour sorption properties of thermally modified and densified wood. Journal of Materials Science. doi:10.1007/s10853-011-6154-8
Seki, Bodde and Meyers compared toucan and hornbill beaks and found the stiffness of the toucan's keratin shell is the same lengthwise and crosswise, while the hornbill's may differ by direction.
Harrington and colleagues showed mussel thread coatings use iron-DOPA bonds to be hard yet flexible.
As reported in: Harrington, Masic, Holten-Andersen et al. (2010). Iron-Clad Fibers: A Metal-Based Biological Strategy for Hard Flexible Coatings. Science. doi:10.1126/science.1181044
As reported in: Dean, Bhushan (2010). Shark-skin surfaces for fluid-drag reduction in turbulent flow: a review. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences. doi:10.1098/rsta.2010.0201
Describes a way to separate crab-shell chitin into nanofibres of consistent width.
Built / tested: chitin nanofibres
As reported in: Ifuku, Nogi, Abe et al. (2009). Preparation of Chitin Nanofibers with a Uniform Width as α-Chitin from Crab Shells. Biomacromolecules. doi:10.1021/bm900163d
Jang, Kim and Kwak showed an analogy between strain-energy-based bone remodeling algorithms and structural topology optimization.
As reported in: Jang, Kim, Kwak (2008). Analogy of Strain Energy Density Based Bone-Remodeling Algorithm and Structural Topology Optimization. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering. doi:10.1115/1.3005202
Lee and colleagues measured graphene as the strongest material ever tested.
As reported in: Lee, Wei, Kysar et al. (2008). Measurement of the Elastic Properties and Intrinsic Strength of Monolayer Graphene. Science. doi:10.1126/science.1157996
Capadona and colleagues made a polymer composite that switches between stiff and soft when wetted, inspired by sea cucumber dermis.
Built / tested: stiffness-changing composite
As reported in: Capadona, Shanmuganathan, Tyler et al. (2008). Stimuli-Responsive Polymer Nanocomposites Inspired by the Sea Cucumber Dermis. Science. doi:10.1126/science.1153307
Cordier and colleagues made a rubber that heals when broken pieces are pressed together.
Built / tested: self-healing rubber
As reported in: Cordier, Tournilhac, Soulié-Ziakovic et al. (2008). Self-healing and thermoreversible rubber from supramolecular assembly. Nature. doi:10.1038/nature06669
Harrison and colleagues made polyethylene and boron nitride composites for space radiation shielding.
As reported in: Harrison, Weaver, Bertelsen et al. (2008). Polyethylene/boron nitride composites for space radiation shielding. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. doi:10.1002/app.27949
Studied how water absorption affects the mechanical properties of hemp fibre-reinforced polyester composites.
Built / tested: fibre composites
As reported in: DHAKAL, ZHANG, RICHARDSON (2007). Effect of water absorption on the mechanical properties of hemp fibre reinforced unsaturated polyester composites. Composites Science and Technology. doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2006.06.019
Lee and colleagues found dopamine forms a thin coating on almost any surface, inspired by mussel proteins.
Built / tested: polydopamine coatings
As reported in: Lee, Dellatore, Miller et al. (2007). Mussel-Inspired Surface Chemistry for Multifunctional Coatings. Science. doi:10.1126/science.1147241
Studied how matrix and fibre modification, fibre content, water uptake and recycling affect short flax fibre/polypropylene composites.
Built / tested: composites
As reported in: Arbelaiz, Fernández, Ramos et al. (2005). Mechanical properties of short flax fibre bundle/polypropylene composites: Influence of matrix/fibre modification, fibre content, water uptake and recycling. Composites Science and Technology. doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2005.01.008
Used ionic liquids as solvents to dissolve and blend wool keratin fibres.
Built / tested: keratin blends
As reported in: Xie, Li, Zhang (2005). Ionic liquids as novel solvents for the dissolution and blending of wool keratin fibers. Green Chemistry. doi:10.1039/b502547h
Reports electrospinning chitin into nanofibres and then converting them to chitosan.
Built / tested: electrospun fibre mats
As reported in: Min, Lee, Lim et al. (2004). Chitin and chitosan nanofibers: electrospinning of chitin and deacetylation of chitin nanofibers. Polymer. doi:10.1016/j.polymer.2004.08.048
Gong and colleagues made double-network hydrogels with very high strength.
As reported in: Gong, Katsuyama, Kurokawa et al. (2003). Double‐Network Hydrogels with Extremely High Mechanical Strength. Advanced Materials. doi:10.1002/adma.200304907
Tested how environmental aging affects bamboo-glass fibre hybrid polymer composites.
Built / tested: hybrid composites
As reported in: Thwe, Liao (2002). Effects of environmental aging on the mechanical properties of bamboo–glass fiber reinforced polymer matrix hybrid composites. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing. doi:10.1016/s1359-835x(01)00071-9
Compared three ways of growing hydroxyapatite crystals from solution and found that aging and precipitation speed are critical for purity.
As reported in: Koutsopoulos (2002). Synthesis and characterization of hydroxyapatite crystals: A review study on the analytical methods. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. doi:10.1002/jbm.10280
Reviewed adhesives and plastics based on soy protein products.
As reported in: Kumar, Choudhary, Mishra et al. (2002). Adhesives and plastics based on soy protein products. Industrial Crops and Products. doi:10.1016/s0926-6690(02)00007-9
Studied how fibre treatments change the performance of coir-polyester composites.
Built / tested: composites
As reported in: Rout, Misra, Tripathy et al. (2001). The influence of fibre treatment on the performance of coir-polyester composites. Composites Science and Technology. doi:10.1016/s0266-3538(01)00021-5
Used elastic theory and fracture mechanics to explain the strength of layered biocomposites like nacre.
As reported in: Okumura, de Gennes (2001). Why is nacre strong? Elastic theory and fracture mechanics for biocomposites with stratified structures. The European Physical Journal E. doi:10.1007/s101890170150
Liu and colleagues built sonic crystals of small resonators that block sound at wavelengths 100 times their spacing; a 2 cm slab beat the normal mass law of sound transmission by an order of magnitude or more at 400 Hz.
Used lignin as a compatibiliser to improve coconut fibre-polypropylene composites.
Built / tested: composites
As reported in: Rozman, Tan, Kumar et al. (2000). The effect of lignin as a compatibilizer on the physical properties of coconut fiber–polypropylene composites. European Polymer Journal. doi:10.1016/s0014-3057(99)00200-1
Improved mechanical properties of jute/epoxy composites by alkali treatment of the fibres.
Built / tested: composites
As reported in: Gassan, Bledzki (1999). Possibilities for improving the mechanical properties of jute/epoxy composites by alkali treatment of fibres. Composites Science and Technology. doi:10.1016/s0266-3538(98)00169-9
Li, Yaghi, and colleagues made an exceptionally stable, highly porous metal-organic framework.
As reported in: Li, Eddaoudi, O'Keeffe et al. (1999). Design and synthesis of an exceptionally stable and highly porous metal-organic framework. Nature. doi:10.1038/46248
Hypotheses linking the sequence, structure and mechanical properties of spider silk proteins.
As reported in: Hayashi, Shipley, Lewis (1999). Hypotheses that correlate the sequence, structure, and mechanical properties of spider silk proteins. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. doi:10.1016/s0141-8130(98)00089-0
Effect of fibre surface treatment on jute-polypropylene composites.
Built / tested: composites
As reported in: Gassan, Bledzki (1997). The influence of fiber-surface treatment on the mechanical properties of jute-polypropylene composites. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing. doi:10.1016/s1359-835x(97)00042-0
Barthlott and Neinhuis explained how micro-rough waxy leaf surfaces make lotus leaves self-cleaning.
As reported in: Barthlott, Neinhuis (1997). Purity of the sacred lotus, or escape from contamination in biological surfaces. Planta. doi:10.1007/s004250050096
As reported in: van Soest, Hulleman, de Wit et al. (1996). Crystallinity in starch bioplastics. Industrial Crops and Products. doi:10.1016/0926-6690(95)00048-8
Buehler and colleagues described the phase changes behind the unusual properties of near-equal nickel-titanium alloys.
As reported in: Buehler, Gilfrich, Wiley (1963). Effect of Low-Temperature Phase Changes on the Mechanical Properties of Alloys near Composition TiNi. Journal of Applied Physics. doi:10.1063/1.1729603