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MATERIALSMaterials—with their various strengths, finishes, and functions—underpin all industries, even those that involveintangible goods and services. Therefore, creating materials that provide superior performance at minimalcost is important to every business. Organisms, which “manufacture” their tissues at ambient conditions usinglocally available materials and energy, offer myriad examples of resource-efficient material manufacturing.Nature constructs these materials with a vast array of functions unsurpassed by many synthetic materials. Itaccomplishes this through nanoscale precision, using chemical elements in different proportions and atomicarrangements than synthetic materials.INDUSTRIESAdvanced MaterialsAgricultureBiotechnologyBuilding ConstructionCement & ConcreteChemical ManufacturingFibers & FilamentsFood ManufacturingGlass ProductsHealthcareHVAC & RefrigerationMetal ManufacturingOil & GasPaints & AdhesivesPlastic ProductsTextiles & ApparelWaste ManagementWood ProductsSELECTED STRATEGIESMULTISCALE STRUCTURESMany biological materials have impressive levels of tensile strength,hardness, toughness, and other material properties unmatched bymany of today’s engineered materials. This is achieved in part throughhierarchical ordering of material. At the nanoscale, seashell nacre iscomposed of calcium carbonate crystals deposited in a protein andcarbohydrate matrix. These assemblies then form stacked tiles at themicroscale. This multiscalar assembly, visible at the millimeter scale as3mm thick layers, transforms brittle chalk into a tough ceramic. Thestructure of nacre has inspired tough, deformable glass. 2,33 Similarly,the waterproof adhesives produced by mussels owe their strength andstickiness to hierarchically crosslinked fibers. This attribute inspired thedevelopment of several biodegradable adhesives.FUNCTIONAL SURFACESMicroscopic surface textures and chemical properties imbue biologicalmaterials with an astounding array of functions. Lotus leaves have waxymicroscopic bumps that allow water to roll off and carry away dirt andparticles. This “lotus effect” inspired the self-cleaning paint StoCoatLotusan ® . 34 Materials, such as the surface layer of the pitcher plant, wickwater into microscopic ridges, creating super slick surfaces. 35,36 Theseconcepts inspired anti-fouling surfaces such as SLIPS and superwickingsurfaces for indirect evaporative cooling. Similarly, Sharklet mimicsthe scales of sharkskin to repel bacteria. 37,38“GROWN” MATERIALSThe ability to grow is an attribute of organisms that produces materialsof remarkable complexity and functionality. When given the appropriatescaffolding and nutrients, cells replicate and self-assemble into mats,films, and various other forms. Using “biofabrication,” or biology as ameans of production, labs are able to generate valuable materials usingrelatively little energy. Materials like packaging foam, bricks, meat, andleather are “grown” using bacteria (bioMASON), fungi (Ecovative), andanimal tissue cultures (Modern Meadow).18Tapping into Nature