Bioinspired Multifunctional Dynamic Materials

Major Goals: The emerging, interdisciplinary field of Bioinspired Materials focuses on developing a fundamental understanding of the synthesis, directed self-assembly and hierarchical organization of natural occurring materials, and uses this understanding to design new synthetic materials whose structure, properties and function mimic those of natural materials or living matter. Bioinspired design concepts are becoming increasingly integrated into a wide range of materials and devices intended for the consumer, industrial, medical, military and energy sectors, because such approaches offer sustainable solutions to human challenges by emulating nature's time-tested strategies. The 2018 conference sought to capture the excitement of this growing field by presenting a cutting-edge scientific program that focused on fundamental research in Bioinspired Materials science, chemistry and biology, and the myriad applications that stem from this fundamental research, with a special focus on bioinspired multifunctional dynamic materials. To achieve this goal, we assembled a roster of distinguished invited speakers and discussion leaders who addressed the key issues in the field. Planned sessions included Inspiration from Nature, Active and Adaptive Materials, Systems and Living Materials, Bioinspired Materials for Medicine, Bioinspired Devices, Bioinspired Assemblies, Peptide and Protein Materials, Bioinspired Synthetic Polymers, and Hybrid/Photonic Materials. Invited speakers and discussion leaders represented a variety of scientific disciplines, including biology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, materials science, mechanical engineering and bioengineering. The conference was intended to promote cross-disciplinary fertilization of new ideas in this emerging field and will create a cohesive community by promoting interactions between junior scientists with prominent senior investigators.