“Nanobiotechnology and Biomimetics”

MSE 405/505 Nanotechnology Principles Don Haynie 5th and 7th April 2004 Guiding principle

Structure determines function Length scale in biology Vasculature Blood vessel Blood cells (1000x) Cell membrane Plasma membrane Protein Chemical bonds, bound ion About this subject area

• Part of a National Science Foundation- wide initiative on collaborative research and education in the area of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (NS & E). • Goal of this program: “to support fundamental research and catalyze synergistic science and engineering research and education in ‘emerging areas’ of nanoscale science and technology” “Emerging areas”

– Biosystems at the nanoscale – Nanoscale structures, novel phenomena, and quantum control – Device and system architecture – Design tools and nanosystems-specific software – Nanoscale processes in the environment – Multi-scale, multi-phenomena modeling and simulation at the nanoscale – Manufacturing processes at the nanoscale – Studies on the societal implications of nanoscale science and engineering What is biomimetics? The term is said to have been coined in 1972 in the context of artificial enzymes. Plausible definitions: “The abstraction of good design from nature” “Looking to nature for materials and/or designs that can be incorporated into existing systems in order to enhance performance.” Some examples

The Eiffel Tower Primitive flying machines Velcro More examples How do biological organisms, certain snakes (pythons and pit vipers), beetles (Melanophila), and bacteria sense infrared (IR) or thermal radiation to achieve high sensitivity without cryogenics? Use techniques of biochemistry and molecular biology to characterize unique proteins that allow IR sensing. How can organic materials have the same function as inorganic composites in designed sensors? Develop microfabrication techniques to mimic biological structures in a polymeric matrix. Some general thoughts

• Biological organisms can be thought of as “solving” engineering “problems” by optimizing their design and function to fit a particular ecological environment • The time scale of biological “problem solving” differs from that of engineering, but design constraints and objectives are similar: – Functionality – Optimization – Energy- (or cost-) effectiveness More general information

The materials of nature exhibit an extraordinary range of functionality, heterogeneity and stability, even though they are based on a comparatively limited number of building blocks.

The basic concepts of nature are often simple; it is the way in which building blocks and materials are arranged that results in functionality.