Biomimetic Cooling: Functionalizing Biodegradable Chitosan Films with Saharan Silver Ant Microstructures.

The increasing occurrence of hot summer days causes stress to both humans and animals, particularly in urban areas where temperatures can remain high, even at night. Living nature offers potential solutions that require minimal energy and material costs. For instance, the Saharan silver ant () can endure the desert heat by means of passive radiative cooling induced by its triangular hairs.

Editorial Board Members' Collection Series: Biomimetic Design, Constructions and Devices in Times of Change I.

In light of recent global crises, including climate change, species extinction, the COVID-19 pandemic, social upheavals and energy supply challenges, this Special Issue of , entitled "Editorial Board Members' Collection Series: Biomimetic Design, Constructions and Devices in Times of Change", aims to explore innovative solutions through biomimetics. This collection features research on various biomimetic applications, such as the peptide-based detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, ergonomic improvements for prolonged sitting, biomimicry industry trends, prosthetic foot functionality and agricultural machinery efficiency. The methods employed include peptide synthesis for diagnostics, simulation software for ergonomic designs, patent analysis for biomimicry trends and engineering discrete element methods for agricultural applications.

Harmonizing Nature, Education, Engineering and Creativity: An Interdisciplinary Educational Exploration of Engineered Living Materials, Artistry and Sustainability Using Collaborative Mycelium Brick Construction.

This study presents an innovative approach to interdisciplinary education by integrating biology, engineering and art principles to foster holistic learning experiences for middle-schoolers aged 11-12. The focus lies on assembling mycelium bricks as engineered living materials, with promising applications in sustainable construction. Through a collaborative group task, children engage in the hands-on creation of these bricks, gaining insights into mycology, biomaterials engineering and artistic expression.

Advances in Natural and Bio-Inspired Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is a general term for disorders affecting the heart or blood vessels and represent a major cause of disability and death worldwide [...

Biomimetic Nanotechnology Vol. 3.

Biomimetic nanotechnology pertains to the fundamental elements of living systems and the translation of their properties into human applications. The underlying functionalities of biological materials, structures and processes are primarily rooted in the nanoscale domain, serving as a source of inspiration for materials science, medicine, physics, sensor technologies, smart materials science and other interdisciplinary fields. The Biomimetics Special Issues Biomimetic Nanotechnology Vols.

Biomimetics-Prospects and Developments.

Since its inaugural issue published in 2016, the scientific journal (ISSN 2313-7673), published by MDPI, has developed into a robust scientific journal that is appreciated in the field [...

Biomimetic Nanotechnology Vol. 2.

Biomimetic nanotechnology relates to the most basic aspects of living systems, and the transfer of their properties to human applications [...

Orientation-Dependent Reflection of Structurally Coloured Butterflies.

orientation-dependent reflection; structural color; butterflies; imprinting technique; instrument adaptation.

Morpho peleides butterfly wing imprints as structural colour stamp.

This study presents the replication of a color-causing nanostructure based on the upper laminae of numerous cover scales of Morpho peleides butterfly wings and obtained solely by imprinting their upper-wing surfaces. Our results indicate that a simple casting technique using a novel integrated release agent can obtain a large positive replica using negative imprints via Polyvinylsiloxane. The developed method is low-tech and high-yield and is thus substantially easier and less expensive than previous methods.

Bio-inspired polarized skylight-based navigation sensors: a review.

Animal senses cover a broad range of signal types and signal bandwidths and have inspired various sensors and bioinstrumentation devices for biological and medical applications. Insects, such as desert ants and honeybees, for example, utilize polarized skylight pattern-based information in their navigation activities. They reliably return to their nests and hives from places many kilometers away.

Evolution of ZDDP-derived reaction layer morphology with rubbing time.

Functional additives, particularly extreme pressure and antiwear additives, in formulated oil will compete to adsorb and function in tribological contacts. A low-polarity commercial base oil, poly-α-olefin (PAO), blended with zinc dialkyl dithiophosphates (ZDDP) has been studied. The tribological performance was evaluated using a ball-on-disk test rig under mixed rolling-sliding conditions in the boundary lubrication regime at 90°C.

Creation of nanohillocks on CaF2 surfaces by single slow highly charged ions.

Upon impact on a solid surface, the potential energy stored in slow highly charged ions is primarily deposited into the electronic system of the target. By decelerating the projectile ions to kinetic energies as low as 150 x q eV, we find first unambiguous experimental evidence that potential energy alone is sufficient to cause permanent nanosized hillocks on the (111) surface of a CaF(2) single crystal. Our investigations reveal a surprisingly sharp and well-defined threshold of potential energy for hillock formation which can be linked to a solid-liquid phase transition.

Diatom bionanotribology--biological surfaces in relative motion: their design, friction, adhesion, lubrication and wear.

Tribology is the branch of engineering that deals with the interaction of surfaces in relative motion (as in bearings or gears): their design, friction, adhesion, lubrication and wear. Continuous miniaturization of technological devices like hard disc drives and biosensors increases the necessity for the fundamental understanding of tribological phenomena at the micro- and nanoscale. Biological systems show optimized performance also at this scale.

Atomic force microscopy study of living diatoms in ambient conditions.

We present the first in vivo study of diatoms using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Three chain-forming, benthic freshwater species -Eunotia sudetica, Navicula seminulum and a yet unidentified species - are directly imaged while growing on glass slides. Using the AFM, we imaged the topography of the diatom frustules at the nanometre range scale and we determined the thickness of the organic case enveloping the siliceous skeleton of the cell (10 nm).

Probing protein-protein interactions in real time.

We have used a prototype small cantilever atomic force microscope to observe, in real time, the interactions between individual protein molecules. In particular, we have observed individual molecules of the chaperonin protein GroES binding to and then dissociating from individual GroEL proteins, which were immobilized on a mica support. This work suggests that the small cantilever atomic force microscope is a useful tool for studying protein dynamics at the single molecule level.

Micromechanical models for the Brownian motion of hair cell stereocilia.

Brownian motion of the hairs (stereocilia) of amphibian hair cells has been shown in experiments to be in the range of some nm. Our models of the Brownian motion of coupled harmonic oscillators with mechanical properties of stereocilia lead to similar displacements. Computer simulation shows that stochastic fluctuations enhance the encoding of low level acoustic signals.

The mammalian auditory hair cell: a simple electric circuit model.

A model based on the potassium current pathway through the hair cell is used to analyze the electrical behavior of mammalian inner and outer hair cells. Without taking into account the effects of calcium it is possible to simulate experimental results concerning the shape and strength of the receptor potential and the frequency dependent ac (alternating current) and dc (direct current) components of the receptor current. This model and a simplified form of it are utilized to explain: (1) Transduction latencies: that the receptor potential follows a stimulating signal with a very short delay, under the assumption of a constant number of open K+ channels in the lateral part of the cell membrane.