Biomimetic assembly of nanostructured materials

Biomimetics, simply, is materials science and engineering through biology. It involves studying microstructures and mechanisms of organismal tissue fo rmation, correlation of processes and structures with physical and chemical properties, and using this knowledge-base to design and synthesize technol ogical materials for practical engineering and health applications. Therefo re, it firstly involves the ways biological organisms synthesize and form c omplex materials (soft and hard tissues) via self- and co-assembly of organ ic macromolecules that are ion-carriers, templates, and growth modifiers co ntrolling microfabrication of highly ordered, hierarchical inorganic struct ures with multifunctional properties. Secondly, it allows one to develop no vel genetic and materials engineering strategies of processing new and adva nced materials with tailored structures and properties for practical techno logical applications.