State-of-the-art and outlook for biomimetic materials
- Daedalus Associates, Inc., Mountain View, CA (United States)
- New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM (United States)
- Cornice Engineering, Inc., Durango, CO (United States)
A remarkable diversity of structures and molecular functions has evolved in plants and animals. Many of these natural substances have properties or capabilities that belie their origins in humble, everyday, starting materials. Consequently, there is a growing awareness among scientists and engineers that biological systems can be a valuable source of inspiration for man-made materials. Emphasis in this assessment is on biomimetics; that is, the achievement of unusual materials properties or processes by mimicking novel aspects of biological systems. Five broad areas are selected for detailed investigation: Mimicking of Natural Material Designs; Biomimetic Materials Processing; Artificial Photosynthesis; Biomimetic Molecular Electronics; and Biomimetic Catalysis. Each of these topics is examined in terms of current activities and approaches, key aspects, unresolved issues, and implications for the power industry. Finally, the researchers, their organizations, the main thrusts of investigation, achievements, and funding agencies are summarized in tabular form.
- Research Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 10102591
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-TR-104128; ON: UN95004476; TRN: 95:000155
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Nov 1994
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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