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Comprehensive Summary Key Scientists As well known, cilia play an irreplaceable role in sensing and movement of natural organisms because they can respond to external signals and generate net flow in complex environments. Based on these findings, scientists further explored the functions of natural cilia and have developed many artificial cilia in the past nearly thirty years. This review provides an overview of recent progress of artificial cilia. Firstly, we summarize the characteristics of natural cilia. Subsequently, we introduce the fabrication methods including template, magnetic assembly, lithography, and 3D printing. Then we discuss the stimulus actuation of artificial cilia from two major modes: contact control and remote control. In addition, five typical types of applications, including adhesion regulation, intelligent control, mobile microrobot, biological sensor and anti‐counterfeiting, were reviewed in detail. Finally, we present the challenges and future development in the fields of advanced artificial cilia.From 1994 to 1997, research teams including Bohringer, Donald, and Macdonald from Cornell University and Suh and Kovacs from Stanford University reported on the application of artificial cilia in the field of micro‐electro‐mechanical systems (MEMS) technology,[1‐3] while Fujita from the University of Tokyo and Stemme from KTH were also conducting research in artificial cilia fields at the same time. In 2006, Krijnen's team designed a combination of cricket cerci cilia and MEMS technology to further extend the application of artificial cilia to flow sensors.[4] In 2007, Superfine's crew introduced the polycarbonate track‐etched (PCTE) membrane method into the fabrication of artificial cilia, achieving the fabrication of high aspect ratio cilia in a liquid free environment.[5] Since 2008, Toonder's lab has been focusing on the research of artificial cilia and have made outstanding contributions in lab on chip and achieve various stimuli responsive actuation of artificial cilia.[6‐8] In 2010, Alexeev's research team used computer simulations to design a hydrodynamic model of ciliary strike.[9] Since 2017, Jiang and his coworkers have made progress in the application of directional manipulation of artificial cilia, including research on solids, droplets and bubbles.[10‐13] In 2020—2024, Sitti's research group has introduced cilia into the field of bioinspired microrobot and realized the programmed actuation of artificial cilia from the perspectives of electricity, photothermal and magnetic.[14‐19] In 2022, Jeong's group innovated the traditional magnetic assembly method to fabricate three‐dimensional nanoscale cilia with regular spatial distribution and controllable geometry.[20‐21] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A concise, bioinspired, and enantioselective synthesis of (−)‐hunterine A, an odd 6/7/6/6/5 pentacyclic natural product, is described. The key step in the synthesis of this complex structure is an interim‐template directed 6‐exo selective epoxide ring‐opening reaction, which is interwoven with a hydrolysis step of the indolenine hemiaminal template to create the unusual 7‐membered azepine bridge motif. Our work not only refines the previously proposed biogenetic pathway, but also reveals the possible stereochemical prerequisite of the unique skeletal rearrangement, which provides a vantage point for understanding how (−)‐hunterine A is likely to be generated in nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanoma, a type of cancer, has the ability to metastasize and can be fatal. The lack of success in the treatment of melanoma with chemotherapeutic agents and the side effects have led to the search for new agents. Moreover, developing systems that will provide reduce side effects by using biocompatible carriers, may be beneficial. Naringin (NAR), from Citrus plants, has anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. NAR is useful in formulations where it is used with a carrier due to its low water solubility and bioavailability with few toxicity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of NAR-loaded peptide based Fmoc-FF nanogels on human melanoma (SK-MEL-30) cells. Characterization of NAR-loaded Fmoc-FF nanogels was carried out. The biocompatibility properties of Fmoc-FF and NAR-loaded nanogels were evaluated in mouse fibroblast (L929) cells, and their cytotoxic effects were evaluated in human melanoma (SK-MEL-30) cells by the MTT method. While the DCF-DA method was used to measure the effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS) release, the changes in oxidative stress biomarkers were examined by spectrophotometric analysis, tyrosinase enzyme activity and inflammation biomarkers were investigated by ELISA method. Comet method was used to evaluate antigenotoxic effects. It has been observed that loading NAR into Fmoc peptide gels may be effective in causing cytotoxic, genotoxic, anti-inflammatory and anti-tyrosinase effects and an increase in ROS release in melanoma cells. These results indicate that NAR-loaded Fmoc-FF gels, which have the feature of easy application to the skin, may be effective in the treatment of melanoma without causing toxic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystal violet (CV) is a disinfectant and antifungal agent used in aquaculture that plays a vital role in treating aquatic diseases and sterilizing water. However, its potential for strong toxicity, including carcinogenicity and mutagenicity, upon accumulation in the body raises concerns regarding its safe use. Therefore, there is a growing need for the quantitative detection of CV in its early application stages to ensure human safety. Recently, Raman spectroscopy-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection research has been actively conducted; consequently, an alveolar-mimicking SERS paper (AMSP) inspired by the structure of the human lungs was developed. The AMSP was optimized through various factors, including paper type, reducing agent, reducing agent concentration, and reaction time. This optimization enhanced the surface area of interaction with the target substances and promoted hotspot formation, resulting in enhanced SERS performance. The substrate exhibited exceptional uniformity, reproducibility, and reliability. CV was successfully detected at a concentration of 1 nM in laboratory settings. Furthermore, the AMSP detected CV at 1 nM in real-world environmental samples, including fish farm water and human serum, confirming its potential as a practical detection and monitoring platform for CV in real-world samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights Micro-extrusion compression molding and surface modification were proposed for the mass fabrication of a superhydrophobic thermoplastic polyurethane sensor (TCGS). Inspired by scorpions, TCGS features Archimedean spiral crack arrays and micropores, achieving 218.13 sensitivity at 2% strain, a 4300% increase, and over 5000 usage cycles of durability. The robust superhydrophobicity of TCGS improves sensitivity and stability for detecting small-scale liquid leakage, allowing precise monitoring across various sizes and compositions while providing early warnings in various scenarios.

Abstract Speaking valves enable tracheostomy patients to speak naturally. However, improper use may cause dangerous overpressure, leading to severe complications or even patient’s death. We address this life-threatening issue by creating a biomimetic speaking valve, which incorporates an integrated overpressure valve that automatically opens when reaching critical pressure levels. To enhance safety, we integrated a whistle module to provide an audible alert for medical staff. Fundamental research on the Utricularia vulgaris trapdoor inspired our abstracted valve form. Through a comprehensive analysis using generalized linear mixed-effect models, we examined various membrane parameter effects on the function of the biomimetic overpressure valve. This enabled us to adjust the valve’s opening pressure to cater to patient’s unique requirements, thus potentially saving lives by applying a solution from nature.

Abstract The surge in demand for cost-effective, lightweight, and rapidly responsive sensors has propelled research in various fields, and traditional sensors face limitations in performing up to the mark due to their intrinsic properties and a lack of innovative fabrication techniques. Consequently, over the last decade, a notable shift has been toward harnessing naturally existing nanostructures to develop efficient and versatile sensing devices. One such nanostructure in morpho butterfly wings has attracted attention because of its vibrant uniqueness and diverse sensing properties. This review will explore recent interdisciplinary research endeavors on the nanostructure, including chemical, vapor, and acoustic detection. Furthermore, its potential as an infrared sensor, considerations related to heat transfer properties, and a brief overview of various replication techniques and challenges encountered in reproducing the intricate nanostructure are discussed.

Highlights: Micro-extrusion compression molding and surface modification were proposed for the mass fabrication of a superhydrophobic thermoplastic polyurethane sensor (TCGS). Inspired by scorpions, TCGS features Archimedean spiral crack arrays and micropores, achieving 218.13 sensitivity at 2% strain, a 4300% increase, and over 5000 usage cycles of durability. The robust superhydrophobicity of TCGS improves sensitivity and stability for detecting small-scale liquid leakage, allowing precise monitoring across various sizes and compositions while providing early warnings in various scenarios. Liquid leakage of pipeline networks not only results in considerable resource wastage but also leads to environmental pollution and ecological imbalance. In response to this global issue, a bioinspired superhydrophobic thermoplastic polyurethane/carbon nanotubes/graphene nanosheets flexible strain sensor (TCGS) has been developed using a combination of micro-extrusion compression molding and surface modification for real-time wireless detection of liquid leakage. The TCGS utilizes the synergistic effects of Archimedean spiral crack arrays and micropores, which are inspired by the remarkable sensory capabilities of scorpions. This design achieves a sensitivity of 218.13 at a strain of 2%, which is an increase of 4300%. Additionally, it demonstrates exceptional durability by withstanding over 5000 usage cycles. The robust superhydrophobicity of the TCGS significantly enhances sensitivity and stability in detecting small-scale liquid leakage, enabling precise monitoring of liquid leakage across a wide range of sizes, velocities, and compositions while issuing prompt alerts. This provides critical early warnings for both industrial pipelines and potential liquid leakage scenarios in everyday life. The development and utilization of bioinspired ultrasensitive flexible strain sensors offer an innovative and effective solution for the early wireless detection of liquid leakage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CoVID-19 has been linked to long-term consequences on several human body organs, including lung ailments, kidney malfunctions, heart dysrhythmia, alterations in brain nutrient levels, psychological difficulties, abrupt changes in blood pressure, and more. Because of the considerable variety in the impacts on different body parts, researchers find it challenging to create models that can incorporate these effects for treatment recommendations and future disease prevention scenarios. Thus, this article examines some of the most recently proposed models for identifying the impacts of CoVID19 on various human organs. This review examines the underlying theories in terms of clinical nuances, functional advantages, contextual limits, and potential empirical applications. Based on this discussion, researchers will be able to find the best models for detecting particular diseases on specific body parts. It was discovered that hybrid bioinspired models, when paired with deep learning-based classification algorithms, can effectively detect these impacts. This text also parametrically analyses these models in terms of accuracy, precision, and recall, allowing readers to select the best models for their performance-specific use cases. To expand on this discussion, this book evaluates a unique CoVID19 Classification Rank Metric (CCRM) that integrates these factors for thorough model identification. Based on this criteria, researchers will be able to develop appropriate models for clinical scenarios that have high accuracy, low delay, and scalability while costing less. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Action potential generation underlies some of the most consequential dynamical systems on Earth, from brains to hearts. It is therefore interesting to develop synthetic cell-free systems, based on the same molecular mechanisms, which may allow for the exploration of parameter regions and phenomena not attainable, or not apparent, in the live cell. We previously constructed such a synthetic system, based on biological components, which fires action potentials. We call it "Artificial Axon". The system is minimal in that it relies on a single ion channel species for its dynamics. Here we characterize the Artificial Axon as a dynamical system in time, using a simplified Hodgkin-Huxley model adapted to our experimental context. We construct a phase diagram in parameter space identifying regions corresponding to different temporal behavior, such as Action Potential (AP) trains, single shot APs, or damped oscillations. The main new result is the finding that our system with a single ion channel species, with inactivation, is dynamically equivalent to the system of two channel species without inactivation (the Morris-Lecar system), which exists in nature. We discuss the transitions and bifurcations occurring crossing phase boundaries in the phase diagram, and obtain criteria for the channels' properties necessary to obtain the desired dynamical behavior. In the second part of the paper we present new experimental results obtained with a system of two AAs connected by excitatory and/or inhibitory electronic "synapses". We discuss the feasibility of constructing an autonomous oscillator with this system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of global climate change, adapting to intensive temperature variation and maintaining stable body temperature in outdoor settings are crucial for keeping personal health and boosting labor productivity. Developing zero‐energy fabrics with switchable thermoregulation provides a feasible strategy for responding to this climate circumstance. However, integrating switchable thermoregulation into fabrics without compromising their structural integrity, comfortability, and fabrication scalability remains challenging. Here, inspired by the Bokermannohyla alvarengai, which adapts its skin color in Janus mode to different sunlight and temperature conditions by varying its pigment cells, the fabrics with Janus spectral responsiveness are designed. The radiative cooling micro‐fibers and photothermal micro‐fibers are assembled into tailored textures, constructing the single‐layer fabrics coupled with distinct thermoregulation functions on each side. The resulting Janus spectral responsiveness fabrics present a solar reflectivity of 83.9% in cooling mode and a solar absorptivity of 84.3% in heating mode, while the robust interlaced coil configuration of the fabrics not only maintains the rich porous structures but also enhances the structural integrity of the fabrics. Advancing single‐layer, dual‐mode fabrics may provide a promising pathway for all‐weather switchable personal thermoregulation, potentially optimizing the market for personal thermal management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A remarkably simple and straightforward protocol has been reported showcasing sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC) as an eco‐friendly, bioinspired catalyst for the aerobic oxidative synthesis of pharmaceutically prevalent nitrogen‐containing heterocycles, such as benzimidazoles and quinoxalines. This reaction was performed in green solvent water, using the green oxidant, molecular oxygen. SCC displayed exceptional efficiency, congruent with the prevailing metal/non‐metal‐based catalyst regime without requiring additives. The SCC catalyst exhibited excellent recyclability upto three cycles for the benzimidazole synthesis reaction. This benign strategy was successfully applied in synthesizing a bioactive quinoxaline i. e., Tyrphostin AG1296, a promising candidate for melanoma treatment. The catalytic activity of SCC was explored for the synthesis of another privileged moiety i. e., α‐aminonitriles, via the α‐cyanation of tertiary amines under oxidative conditions. This reaction progressed with a mild, easy‐to‐use, convenient cyanide source, such as ethyl cyanoformate, and a green and attractive solvent, such as methanol, precluding acidic media. SCC catalyst was efficiently recycled upto three cycles for the α‐aminonitriles synthesis. Overall, the utility of a biodegradable, robust catalyst such as SCC, eco‐friendly solvents such as water and methanol, green oxidants such as O2, and mild reaction conditions, devoid of acidic additives, renders the present work viable for academic and industrial research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural organisms offer a rich source for the construction of soft robots exhibiting autonomous and intelligent behaviors, encompassing attributes like motion, perception, and adaptability to environmental shifts. Drawing inspiration from these biological models, a multitude of soft robots have emerged, each distinguished by unique structures and functionalities enabling diverse actions, including swimming, crawling, swinging, walking, and tumbling. In this review, several soft robots and their motion modes from the perspective of specific native species are addressed. The actuation methods of soft robots are discussed, encompassing chemical, electrical, ultrasonic, optical, and magnetic actuation mechanisms. Furthermore, the application domains of soft robots, encompassing areas such as vessel recanalization, targeted drug delivery, cargo manipulation, and sensing are explored, providing a concise summary of their roles and potentials. The current challenges encountered in this research field are highlighted, and promising directions pertaining to soft robots are emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Speaking valves enable tracheostomy patients to speak naturally. However, improper use may cause dangerous overpressure, leading to severe complications or even patient's death. We address this life-threatening issue by creating a biomimetic speaking valve, which incorporates an integrated overpressure valve that automatically opens when reaching critical pressure levels. To enhance safety, we integrated a whistle module to provide an audible alert for medical staff. Fundamental research on the Utricularia vulgaris trapdoor inspired our abstracted valve form. Through a comprehensive analysis using generalized linear mixed-effect models, we examined various membrane parameter effects on the function of the biomimetic overpressure valve. This enabled us to adjust the valve's opening pressure to cater to patient's unique requirements, thus potentially saving lives by applying a solution from nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological and mechanical mismatches between engineered scaffolds and native tissues poses widespread challenges for tissue restoration. Native‐like anisotropy is a critical characteristic for functional tissue replacements, yet it is an often‐overlooked aspect when designing new scaffolds. In this study, fiber‐reinforced tubular scaffolds are developed, mimicking the anisotropic characteristics of natural tissues, using native‐like silk fibroin. To predict the mechanical behavior of these innovative scaffolds, a mathematical model is employed, utilizing the properties of the scaffolds’ constituent materials, and experimentally validated through tensile testing. This approach addresses significant challenges in the design of new scaffold implants by enabling to efficiently predict the performance of several configurations, narrowing down the experimental research space. The proposed platform constitutes an appealing tool for the development of clinically relevant tissue‐equivalents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible strain sensors are of great significance in health monitoring, wearable electronic devices, intelligent robot sensing, and other fields. Most of the reported works focus on the enhancement of sensitivity or working range, while linearity is ignored and exhibits strong nonlinearity. Conflict among performances remains a serious challenge for the development of flexible strain sensors. Herein, inspired by the architecture of butterfly's wings, a strain sensor with double conductive layers and wrinkles/holes structures is proposed. The fabricated sensor shows a high linearity of >0.98 over a full working strain range of 120%, and a linearity of up to 0.999 within a strain range of 0%–30%. Apart from that, the sensor also presents a sensitivity of 8.28, high stability over 40 000 cycles when subjected to a full‐scale strain, as well as a water contact angle of >167.4°. Meanwhile, strains as low as 0.075% can be identified, while a maximum frequency of 40 Hz can be responded to for the sensor. It is demonstrated that the sensor is capable of enabling flexible grippers to sense and monitor the motions of underwater vehicles, indicating its greater potential for diverse applications, such as human–machine interaction, marine environmental protection, and biological research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compares bio-inspired optimization algorithms for enhancing an ANN-based Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) forecast system under partial shading conditions in photovoltaic systems. Four algorithms—grey wolf optimizer (GWO), particle swarm optimization (PSO), squirrel search algorithm (SSA), and cuckoo search (CS)—were evaluated, with the dataset augmented by perturbations to simulate shading. The standard ANN performed poorly, with 64 neurons in Layer 1 and 32 in Layer 2 (MSE of 159.9437, MAE of 8.0781). Among the optimized approaches, GWO, with 66 neurons in Layer 1 and 100 in Layer 2, achieved the best prediction accuracy (MSE of 11.9487, MAE of 2.4552) and was computationally efficient (execution time of 1198.99 s). PSO, using 98 neurons in Layer 1 and 100 in Layer 2, minimized MAE (2.1679) but had a slightly longer execution time (1417.80 s). SSA, with the same neuron count as GWO, also performed well (MSE 12.1500, MAE 2.7003) and was the fastest (987.45 s). CS, with 84 neurons in Layer 1 and 74 in Layer 2, was less reliable (MSE 33.7767, MAE 3.8547) and slower (1904.01 s). GWO proved to be the best overall, balancing accuracy and speed. Future real-world applications of this methodology include improving energy efficiency in solar farms under variable weather conditions and optimizing the performance of residential solar panels to reduce energy costs. Further optimization developments could address more complex and larger-scale datasets in real-time, such as integrating renewable energy sources into smart grid systems for better energy distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionogels are promising for soft iontronics, with their network structure playing a pivotal role in determining their performance and potential applications. However, simultaneously achieving mechanical toughness, low hysteresis, self‐healing, and fluorescence using existing network structures is challenging. Drawing inspiration from jellyfish, we propose a novel hierarchical crosslinking network structure design for in situ formation of hyperbranched cluster aggregates (HCA) to fabricate polyurea ionogels to overcome these challenges. Leveraging the disparate reactivity of isocyanate groups, we induce the in situ formation of HCA through competing reactions, enhancing toughness and imparting the clustering‐triggered emission of ionogel. This synergy between supramolecular interactions in the network and plasticizing effect in ionic liquid leads to reduced hysteresis of the ionogel. Furthermore, the incorporation of NCO‐terminated prepolymer with dynamic oxime–urethane bonds (NPU) enables self‐healing and enhances stretchability. Our investigations highlight the significant influence of HCA on ionogel performance, showcasing mechanical robustness including high strength (3.5 MPa), exceptional toughness (5.5 MJ m−3), resistance to puncture, and low hysteresis, self‐healing, as well as fluorescence, surpassing conventional dynamic crosslinking approaches. This network design strategy is versatile and can meet the various demands of flexible electronics applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the weak interfacial bonding between the substrates and active materials, most stretchable electronics often face the problem of performance destabilization and functional failure, especially under large strains. Herein, a super‐elastic, high conductive and core‐shell nanofibrous helix based on polyurethane (PU), silk fibroin (SF) and liquid metal (LM) is fabricated. Compared with traditional membrane, that the LM@PU/SF fibrous helix shows a wider range of workable strain (1500%) and reversible elasticity (600%) accompany with high conductivity is found. SF is acted as "glue" to strengthen the interfacial bonding between the PU and LM. The good elasticity of the helical structure and PU polymer as well as the fluidity of LM improve the stretchability, reversible elasticity and conductivity of the fibrous helix conductor. Furthermore, an alarming and monitoring apparatus using LM@PU/SF helix as the conductive unit based on multiscale fracture is engineered. This composite nanofibrous helix with ultra‐high conductivity and elasticity, making it a promising candidate for stretchable electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the domain of Horizontal Wind Turbines, the key role of blade material and process selection is discussed. Existing methodologies and manual manufacturing processes, while addressing this issue, suffer from complexity and environmental drawbacks. To mitigate these issues, the study introduces a comprehensive methodology for the selection, implementation, testing and analysis of materials and processes for small blade construction, taking into account various constraints. The research conducts a thorough exploration of manufacturing processes, considering factors such as time, affordability, machine accessibility, repeatability, elements to be manufactured, and adaptability to complex surfaces. A systematic comparison of materials and processes, along with proposed filtering methods, reveals that rotomolding/polyurethane casting exhibits superior performance due to improved energy capture and inertia. The study underscores the importance of careful material and process selection to optimize blade efficiency and highlights the need for further research to address mechanical, economic, environmental, scalability, and material advancement challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurement accuracy of current wearable pulse sensors is grandly challenged by motion artifacts caused by body biomechanical activities. In this study, a honeycomb‐structure‐inspired wearable pulse sensor is reported which not only performs ambulant cardiovascular monitoring but also realizes biometric authentication utilizing the acquired individual pulse wave profiles. The sensor showcases an impressive sensitivity of 46.2 mV Pa−1, a swift response time of 21 ms, and exceptional durability (minimal degradation after 6000 cycles). For practical application in clinical settings, the sensor is able to record pulse signals continuously and accurately from individuals aged between 27 and 57 years, especially including a 29‐year‐old pregnant woman. Leveraging deep learning algorithms, the sensor further utilizes individual pulse wave profiles for biometric authentication, reaching a classification accuracy of up to 99.4%. The honeycomb‐structure‐inspired wearable pulse sensor marks a significant advancement in the field of practical cardiovascular monitoring and biometric authentication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B. mori silk has been extensively utilized to create Regenerated Silk Fibroin solutions (RSF) for a wide range of technological applications, including tissue engineering, drug delivery, biomaterials, and adhesives. In this study, an RSF‐dopamine (DA) composite is introduced that yields easily deployable hydrogel fibers possessing adhesive properties that can be released on demand to capture and retrieve loads from a distance. The RSF‐DA serves as an artificial dope, combining the functional attributes of silk fibroin (i.e., hydrogel formation) and dopamine (i.e., adhesion) to instantly generate adjustable hydrogel fibers displaying a sticky behavior. The mechanical strength and adhesive characteristics of this material are assessed using tensile and lap‐shear tests. Furthermore, the possibility of tuning these properties is demonstrated by adding chitosan (Ch) and borate ions (BB), leading to remarkable mechanical and adhesive performances up to 107 MPa and 280 kPa, respectively, which allows the retrieval of objects from the ejected structure. This process can be finely tuned to achieve a controlled fabrication of instantaneously formed adhesive hydrogel fibers for manifold applications, mimicking living organisms’ ability to eject tunable adhesive functional threads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, inspired by the macrophage's defensive behavior of releasing free radicals to kill bacteria and viruses, a marine antifouling coating with dynamic surfaces is prepared by precise regulation of dynamic covalent bonds. Alkyl radical (R·) derived from oxime-urethane structure attracts and disrupts microbe cell membrane and pili between intimate cells, resulting in excellent anti-biofouling effect. Moreover, the newly exposed coating then continues to break, which ultimately results in the peeling of the layers, thus making barnacles, mussels and other fouling organisms less likely to adhere. [Display omitted] • Macrophage-inspired marine antifouling coating with dynamic surfaces is prepared. • Alkyl radical (R·) derived from oxime-urethane structure offers excellent anti-fouling performance. • The newly exposed coating continues to break making it less likely that fouling organisms will adhere to it. • This study presents a novel methodology for fulfilling the technological gap of marine coatings with dynamic surface. Macrophages can kill bacteria and viruses by releasing free radicals, which provides a possible approach to construct antifouling coatings with dynamic surfaces that release free radicals if the breaking of dynamic covalent bonds is precisely regulated. Herein, inspired by the defensive behavior of macrophages of releasing free radicals to kill bacteria and viruses, a marine antifouling coating composed of polyurethane incorporating dimethylglyoxime (PU x -DMG) is prepared by precise regulation of dynamic oxime-urethane covalent bonds. The obtained alkyl radical (R·) derived from the cleavage of the oxime-urethane bonds manages to effectively suppress the attachment of marine biofouling. Moreover, the intrinsic dynamic surface makes it difficult for biofouling to adhere and ultimately achieves sustainable antifouling property. Notably, the PU 50 -DMG coating not only presents efficient antibacterial and antialgae properties, but also prevents macroorganisms from settling in the sea for up to 4 months. This provides a pioneer broad-spectrum strategy to explore the marine antifouling coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper-based nanocomposites are regarded as sustainable energy materials having tremendous potential for energy storage supercapacitors and energy generation water splitting applications. Herein, a facile Cu-based ternary Cu 2 OBi 2 O 3 ZrO 2 nanocomposite is prepared by a sustainable, lower-cost, and simple hydrothermal-based phyto-synthesis route by using Amaranthus Viridis L. amaranthaceae plant (abbreviated as AVL.A). The synthesized AVL.A-Cu 2 OBi 2 O 3 ZrO 2 nanocomposite is characterized by powder-X-ray diffraction and FE-Scanning electron microscopy for its phase composition and surface morphology. The electrochemical efficiency of AVL.A-Cu 2 OBi 2 O 3 ZrO 2 nanocomposite is investigated for supercapacitors and overall water splitting. The fabricated Cu 2 OBi 2 O 3 ZrO 2 nanocomposite-based Nickel foam (NF) electrode shows superior performance with a specific capacitance of 524.5 F/g at 2 mV/s and 400 F/g at 1 A/g. The excellent rate capability is observed at scan rates from 2 mv/s to 300 mV/s and at current densities from 0.5 A/g to 30 A/g for AVL.A-Cu 2 OBi 2 O 3 ZrO 2 –NF. Furthermore, fabricated AVL.A-Cu 2 OBi 2 O 3 ZrO 2 –NF shows excellent electrochemical stability with 100% Coulombic efficiency till 5000 charge-discharge cycles. As bifunctional electrocatalyst AVL.A-Cu 2 OBi 2 O 3 ZrO 2 –NF electrode exhibits 117 mV overpotential at 10 mA/cm2 current density for HER kinetics along with 112 mV/dec Tafel slope values. The same Tafel slope value is also observed for OER measurements. These values of overpotential and Tafel slope for AVL.A-Cu 2 OBi 2 O 3 ZrO 2 –NF suggest a rapid and efficient electrochemical process of AVL.A-Cu 2 OBi 2 O 3 ZrO 2 –NF bifunctional electrocatalyst for energy generation. Overall study highly proposed AVL.A-Cu 2 OBi 2 O 3 ZrO 2 –NF as the potential electrode for energy storage supercapacitor and energy generation overall water splitting. Schematic representation of Cu 2 OBi 2 O 3 ZrO 2 formation and application. [Display omitted] • AVL.A-Cu 2 OBi 2 O 3 ZrO 2 nanocomposite is prepared by hydrothermal phyto-synthesis. • Surface morphology and phase are described using XRD and FE-SEM. • The Cu 2 OBi 2 O 3 ZrO 2 -NF electrode produced 400 F/g at 1 A/g and 524.5 F/g at 2 mV/s. • Excellent rate performance between 2 mV/s and 300 mV/s, and between 0.5 A/g and 30 A/g. • Outstanding stability with 100% Coulombic efficiency for 5,000 cycles. • Low overpotential (117 mV) and efficient bifunctional electrocatalysis at 10 mA/cm2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature inspires technological innovation through unique micronanostructured surfaces, such as fish fins, lotus leaves, butterfly wings, rose petals, a bird's spongy bone, etc. These structures exhibit capabilities beyond conventional engineering, making biomimetics a key focus of scientific research. Integrating nanotechnology, biology, and bioengineering has significantly propelled the development of nanomaterials with distinct functions and properties. This interdisciplinary synergy has extensively advanced biomimetic nanomaterials. This review highlights biomimetic nanomaterials, with an emphasis on state-of-the-art sensing devices. In addition to this, it furnishes an extensive compendium of investigations into synthesis and fabrication of biomimetic nanomaterials, such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), carbon-based biomimetic nanomaterials (graphene, carbon nanotubes), and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), for biosensor development. We have focused on their applications in disease diagnostics within healthcare while also addressing their role in environmental monitoring and agriculture. This comprehensive review aims to impart an insightful understanding of the scientific complexities associated with these technologies and concludes with an appraisal of current challenges and future developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioinspiration offers alternative solutions to overcome the inherent drawbacks of glass, such as low fracture toughness, strength, and impact resistance. Synthetic composites inspired by natural materials, such as nacre, have been recently introduced as an alternative to glasses. However, these have all suffered from trade‐offs between rigidity, optical clarity, fabrication scalability, and complexity. Here, two wave‐based fabrication techniques are presented to create a nacreous structure from glass flakes and polymethyl methacrylate. The glass's surface energy is controlled by adjusting the silane coverage on the glass surface, enabling high levels of structural compactness, mechanical properties, and optical clarity. The scalable glass composite, with a ≈60% glass volume fraction, possesses strength, fracture toughness, and impact resistance values, outperforming annealed glass by 4300%, 350%, and 400%, respectively. It also has a haze level of ≈18%, almost 60% less than that of the similar centrifuged‐based glass composite. This composite is proposed as a potential glass alternative in diverse applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshwater shortage is a growing problem. Inspired by the Sarracenia trichome fog-trapping and ultrafast water-transport structure, a series of hierarchical textured surfaces with high-low ribs with different wettabilities was prepared based on laser processing combined with dip modification. Through fog-collection performance tests, it was found that the samples with superhydrophobicity and low adhesion had the best fog-collection effect. In addition, it was observed that the fog-collection process of different microstructured samples was significantly different, and it was analysed that the fog-collection process was composed of two aspects: directional condensation and directional transport of droplets, which were affected by the low ribs number and rib height ratio. A design parameter was given to create the Sarracenia trichome-like structure to achieve a fast water transport mode. This study provides a good reference for the development and preparation of fog-collection surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles (NPs) are receiving increasing interest in biomedical applications. However, due to their large surface area, in physiological environments, they tend to interact with plasma proteins, inducing their agglomeration and ultimately resulting in a substantial efficiency decrease in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. To overcome such problems, NPs are typically coated with a layer of hydrophilic and biocompatible polymers, such as PEG chains. However, few examples exist in which this property could be systematically fine-tuned and combined with added properties, such as emission. Herein, we report a novel mussel-inspired catechol-based strategy to obtain biocompatible and multifunctional coatings, using a previously developed polymerization methodology based on the formation of disulfide bridges under mild oxidative conditions. Two families of NPs were selected as the proof of concept: mesoporous silica NPs (MSNPs), due to their stability and known applications, and magnetite NPs (Fe3O4 NPs), due to their small size (<10 nm) and magnetic properties. The PEG coating confers biocompatibility on the NPs and can be further functionalized with bioactive molecules, such as glucose units, through the end carboxylic acid moieties. Once we demonstrated the feasibility of our approach to obtaining PEG-based coatings on different families of NPs, we also obtained multifunctional coatings by incorporating fluorescein functionalities. The resulting coatings not only confer biocompatibility and excellent cell internalization, but also allow for the imaging and tracking of NPs within cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of bioinspired underwater robots aims to replicate the capabilities of marine animals in artificial systems. Stingrays have emerged as highly promising species to be mimicked because of their flat body morphology and size. Furthermore, they are considered high-performance species due to their maneuverability, propulsion mode, and sliding efficiency. Designing and developing mechanisms to imitate their pectoral fins is a challenge for underwater robotic researchers mainly because the locomotion characteristics depend on the coordinated movement of the fins. In the state of the art, several mechanisms were proposed with 2 active rotation degrees of freedom (DoFs) to replicate fin movement. In this paper, we propose adding an additional active DoF in order to improve the realism in the robotic manta ray movement. Therefore, in this article, we present the mechanical design, modeling, and kinematics analysis of a 3-active-and-rotational-DoF pectoral fin inspired by the Mobula Alfredi or reef manta ray. Additionally, by using the kinematics model, we were able to simulate and compare the behaviour of both mechanisms, that is, those with 2 and 3 DoFs. Our simulation results reveal an improvement in the locomotion, and we hypothesized that with the third DoF, some specific missions, such as hovering or fast emergence to the surface, will have a better performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial infections, particularly those caused by drug‐resistant bacteria, pose a significant threat to human life and health safety. Despite the preparation and application of numerous antibacterial and disinfection materials, addressing their low efficiency and the emergence of drug resistance remains an urgent concern. Inspired by natural spike antibacterial structures such as those found on cicada wings, extensive research has been conducted on biomimetic antibacterial materials with spiky structures. This review provides an overview of the natural spike antibacterial structure and mechanism, introduces surface coatings and micro/nanoparticle materials featuring spike structures inspired by nature, explores microneedle arrays based on spike antibacterial properties, and showcases applications of these innovative antibacterial materials. Finally, potential avenues for optimization and future development directions for antibacterial materials with spike structures are discussed.