biomimetics

Editorial
Biomimetics—Prospects and Developments
Ille C. Gebeshuber

Institute of Applied Physics, Vienna University of Technology, Wiedner Hauptstrasse 8-10/134,

1040 Wien, Austria; [email protected]; Tel.: +43-1-58801-13483; Fax: +43-1-58801-13499

Since its inaugural issue published in 2016, the scientific journal Biomimetics (ISSN 2313-7673),
published by MDPI, has developed into a robust scientific journal that is appreciated in
the field. Biomimetics is an open access journal regarding biomimetics, bioinspiration and
bionics, dedicated to research that relates to the most basic aspects of living organisms
and the transfer of their properties to human applications. The journal aims to provide
a forum and survey for researchers and professionals in the fields of materials science,
mechanical engineering, nanotechnology and biomedicine interested in exploiting bio-
logically inspired designs in engineering systems, as well as technology and biomedicine
aimed to developing novel solutions that enable sustainable innovation. Biomimetics invites
submissions on a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to: biomimetic mech-
anism and design, biomimetic robotics, biofabrication and characterization, biomimetic
and bioinspired chemistry, biosensing, nanotribology, nanomechanics, micro/nanoscale
studies, plant biomechanics, synthetic systems, self-organization and cooperative behavior,
tissue engineering and bioinspired materials.
The success of Biomimetics is based on publishing articles written by specialist sci-
entists as well as experts who work in an inter- or transdisciplinary way in all fields of
biomimetics, including professional education, research and development. The journal has
contributed immensely to consolidating biomimetics as a field of research and supports it in



its growth. I wish to convey my warmest congratulations to the journal Biomimetics on the


occasion of receiving its first impact factor in 2022, and keenly look forward to witnessing
Citation: Gebeshuber, I.C.
the continuous achievements of the journal along its mission of being dedicated to the
Biomimetics—Prospects and
advancement of communication and cooperation among all scholars, and the dissemination
Developments. Biomimetics 2022, 7,
of knowledge and education in the field of biomimetics.
29. https://doi.org/10.3390/
Biomimetics is a field that is a little bit different from various other scientific fields,
biomimetics7010029
because of its inherent inter- and transdisciplinarity. Biomimetics experts understand the
Received: 21 February 2022 basic biology and current challenges. Furthermore, their goal is to abstract and transfer
Accepted: 22 February 2022 biological principles into engineering, architecture or art—and eventually in a way the
Published: 25 February 2022 resulting products and processes are sustainable. Such a broad and at the same time deep
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral approach is difficult to realize in a single person. Biomimetics as a field is very attractive
with regard to jurisdictional claims in to students and the general population. The challenge is how to teach and communicate
published maps and institutional affil- biomimetics in a way that creates a positive effect for science and society, on various levels.
iations. Living nature provides us a glimpse into the possible, into what can be done. Addi-
tionally, with curiosity, eagerness and dedication, biomimetics experts can learn from this
great master [1]. Conventional innovation generally is incremental—it aims to improve
technology by making it faster, cheaper or smaller/larger (i.e., maximization of one or
Copyright: © 2022 by the author. few parameters) instead of optimizing the whole. On the other hand, innovation based
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
on biomimetics can progress by making technology or architecture or the arts better, via
This article is an open access article
respect and love for the biosphere—if sustainability aspects are considered on a deep level.
distributed under the terms and
We all, the editors, authors and readers, are the ones to shape the journal for the future, and
conditions of the Creative Commons
contribute to determine the way we are going to approach this amazing field.
Attribution (CC BY) license (https://
When a journal receives its first impact factor, it is a time for reflecting on the past
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
4.0/).
and looking ahead to the future. For the last six years, Biomimetics has made valuable

Biomimetics 2022, 7, 29. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics7010029 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/biomimetics

Biomimetics 2022, 7, 29 2 of 7

contributions to serve as a platform for biomimetics experts around the world—for inform-
ing their colleagues and being informed. It has further contributed to combining science
with values, resulting in approaches that focus on a sustainable future [2,3], a good life
for all, the importance to care for the biosphere, innovation [2], and how to learn from a
great master via a look into the possible, into what can be done, with curiosity, dedication,
devotion, eagerness, interest, engagement and respect.
Organisms can be viewed from various angles. When looking at organisms and
ecosystems as a biomimetics expert, one realizes the combination of beauty and expediency.
Viewed from a purely rational viewpoint, nature’s “technology” can be seen as so far
advanced that it allows us a look into the possible, into what can be done, combined with
best practice examples that actually work. Some of these almost perfect solutions might
even exceed our intellectual horizon, and we might never be able to grasp them completely.
In this way, by doing biomimetics, our minds stay challenged. Biomimetics allows us
to enter completely new fields, and to widen our horizon, and potentially even to cross
current physical and epistemological boundaries.
Very important in this approach is to ask the right questions! To see what puzzles you.
“Why do birds migrate at night?” “Why are there black butterflies in the hot tropics?” “How
can we improve stretch foils used in packaging?” and develop research questions therefrom.
The new, the unexpected, the disruptive solutions often originate from observations that
seem strange and interesting.
For such an approach, we need good broad education [4], because biomimetics experts
need to be all-round experts with significant general knowledge, and potentially have an
idea how to translate the research into something that can be used.
Biomimetics research opens minds for interdisciplinary approaches, unusual thinking,
new ways of doing things, and may result in disruptive new products and processes. Espe-
cially in times of biological transformation of the manufacturing industries for biointelligent
value creation [5], the biomimetic approach is of ultimate importance and will be further
refined and optimized in the years to come.
For the remainder of this article, three examples shall illustrate the prospects and de-
velopments of modern biomimetics research at different technology readiness levels (TRL):
firstly, the exquisite sense of magnetoreception in birds (which is potentially based on
quantum physics) is exemplified (low TRL 1-2, basic technological research), secondly,
disruptive cooling technologies (TRL 2-3, research to prove feasibility), inspired by passive
radiative cooling as seen in desert ants and further organisms, are introduced, and thirdly,
the industrially highly relevant research (medium TRL 4, technological development) con-
cerning bioinspiration related to the development of efficient, biobased and recyclable
stretch foils for commercial applications is summarized. For further examples, see the
article “A gaze into the crystal ball: Biomimetics in the year 2059” [6].
The European robin Erithacus rubecula (Figure 1) is a little bird that is known to most
who live in Europe. It starts to sing about one hour before dawn and sings throughout the
day. European robins who live in Northern and Eastern Europe migrate in winter to the
Mediterranean or to the Middle East. The European robin has played an important role in
the discovery and scientific recognition of the magnetic sense [7–9]. As Xu and co-workers
report, the proportions of the quantum mechanical singlet and triplet states of radical
pairs in the photoreceptor cells in the bird’s retina are sensitive to the Earth’s magnetic
field and might be the clue to the sensitive magnetoreception in the migratory European
robin. Quantum physics might also be necessary for proper functioning of photosynthesis,
olfaction and enzymatic activity [10] as well as of eyes [11], technical organic solar cells [12]
and DNA mutations [13].
 Biomimetics 2022, 7, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 8
Biomimetics 2022,7,7,29x FOR PEER REVIEW
Biomimetics2022, 3 of8 7
3 of

Figure 1. European robin Erithacus rubecula. Research on its magnetic sense exemplifies the im-
Figure1.1.European
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ture.do?code=casent0906667&shot=h&number=1%C2%AEionName=Africa (accessed 27 January
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ture.do?code=casent0906667&shot=h&number=1%C2%AEionName=Africa (accessed 27 January 2022). Im-
2022). Image Copyright © AntWeb 2002–2022. Licensing: Creative Commons(accessed 27License.
Attribution January
age Copyright © AntWeb 2002–2022. Licensing: Creative Commons Attribution License.
2022). Image Copyright © AntWeb 2002–2022. Licensing: Creative Commons Attribution License.
Biomimetics 2022, 7, 29 4 of 7

Recent papers on cooling in Biomimetics deal with an assessment of zebra-stripes-based

strategies in the energy performance of buildings [18], biomimetic strategies for urban heat
island mitigation [19], evaporative cooling related to façades [20], biomimetics to address
climate-related energy building challenges in Panama [21], a biomimetic groundwork for
thermal exchange structures inspired by plant leaf design [22], biomimetics of the heat
reduction effect seen in Nepenthes alata (a tropical pitcher plant from the Philippines) [23]
and technical nanostructures inspired by the hydrophilic and superhydrophilic properties
of certain plants [24].
The Research, Technology and Innovation Initiative “Production of the Future” of the
Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation
and Technology promotes the development of Austrian manufacturing research by focusing
on cooperation between industry and science. Global plastics consumption is expected to
double within the next 20 years. Around 25.8 million tons of plastic waste are produced
annually in Europe, while the recycling rate is stagnating at around 30%. Packaging waste,
including stretch wrap for pallet packaging, accounts for 59% of all plastic waste produced.
Stretch film consumption is expected to increase even more in the future. One attempt to
address this problem is the development of more efficient, bio-based and recyclable stretch
foil [25] (Figure 3). The objective of such a stretch foil is to reduce the use of stretch wrap
based on fossil raw materials for packaging and securing of load carriers by 30% until 2025
compared to 2016. Anticipated project results related to biomimetics are a demonstrator-like
prototype of a bio-based, recyclable and biomimetically functionally structured stretch wrap,
proof of function in a laboratory environment as well as a mathematical model to develop and
optimize a functional and biomimetic structuring of the stretch wrap by means of simulation.
Packaging and compostability are also topics of interest for Biomimetics. A related
recent paper on compostable materials describes additive manufacturing and bio-welding
of mycelium-based composites. Such fungi-based materials are of growing interest for
research and also the industry due to their light weight, compostable and regenerative fea-
tures [26]. The design of environmentally friendly packaging materials that display greater
resistance to degradation in the presence of moisture and UV light stimulated research
that deals with the degradation behavior of nanocomposites consisting of poly(lactic acid)
PLA and carbon nanotubes [27]. PLA is commonly known as corn plastic and is recyclable,
biodegradable and compostable.
The remainder of this editorial highlights two aspects of biomimetics that are arguably
fundamental to its future success in science and society: the first one is resource-related,
and the second one information-related. On various levels, resource scarcity poses a
major challenge to current industries, and the dependence of industrialized countries
on scarce resources from countries where people and/or nature are not treated decently
might diminish needed actions on the humanitarian, environmental and political level
because of industrial dependences. Scarcity is a concept that is common in the industry
world and in animated Nature. Organisms have learnt to deal with it over millions of
years. They use local materials, and—opposed to technical systems, where a wide range
of chemical elements from around the globe is currently used to obtain certain functions—
related functions in organisms are often realized with less different chemical elements, but
refined smart structuring of a limited number of base materials (Figure 4) [28]. One area
where such a structure-based approach is already realized is in microelectromechanical
systems (MEMS) development. In this field, only a handful of materials can be used, and
the designer has to work with a structure-rather-than-material approach [29]. Currently,
the elemental composition of technical devices is distinctively different from the one in
organisms, resulting in resource scarcity and dependences. Moving towards a biological
transformation of technology might disruptively change our use of materials in technical
devices and processes towards that of organisms [5].
Biomimetics 2022, 7, x
Biomimetics FOR
2022, 7, PEER
29 REVIEW 5 of 7 5 of 8

Figure 3. Biomimetics
Figure 3. Biomimeticsisisparamount
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thedevelopment
development of more
of more efficient,
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bio-based and recyclable
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to 2016. EFFIE_KickOff_20190418
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© Fraunhofer
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reproduced with with permission.
permission.

The second aspect of biomimetics that is arguably fundamental to its future success
The remainder of this editorial highlights two aspects of biomimetics that are argua-
is related to the complexity of the physics utilized in organisms. Contrary to potential
bly ordinary
fundamentalbelief, to
theits future success
complexity in science
of the physics and society:
of organisms thecorrelate
does not first one is resource-re-
with their
lated, and the second one information-related. On various levels, resource scarcity
size or location in the phylogenetic tree. Single celled algae or bacteria can be as great an poses
a major challenge
inspiration for newto current industries,
approaches and the
in biomimetics asdependence of industrialized
the largest whale countries on
or the most complex
ecosystem. This allows knowledge gain in a vast variety of research
scarce resources from countries where people and/or nature are not treated environments anddecently
promises great future developments!
might diminish needed actions on the humanitarian, environmental and political level
because of industrial dependences. Scarcity is a concept that is common in the industry
world and in animated Nature. Organisms have learnt to deal with it over millions of
years. They use local materials, and—opposed to technical systems, where a wide range
of chemical elements from around the globe is currently used to obtain certain functions—
related functions in organisms are often realized with less different chemical elements
but refined smart structuring of a limited number of base materials (Figure 4) [28]. One
Biomimetics 2022, 7, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 8

one in organisms, resulting in resource scarcity and dependences. Moving towards a bio-
Biomimetics 2022, 7, 29 6 of 7
logical transformation of technology might disruptively change our use of materials in
technical devices and processes towards that of organisms [5].

Composition of Ocean Water (mass %)

Mg Composition of the Human Body (mass %)
Cl Na 0.13% P
1.94% 1.08% 1.00%
N
3.20% K
H S Ca Ca 0.40%
K
10.82% 0.09% 0.04% H 1.50%
0.04% S
9.51% 0.30% Na
0.20%
Br Cl
C 0.20%
0.01%
18.52%
Mg
0.10%

O
85.85% O
65.07%

(a) (b)
Composition of a Cell Phone (mass %) Zn
0.50%
Ni Sn N
Ferrous Metal
2.00% 1.00% 0.83%
3.00% Ag Cr
others 0.50% 0.50%
3.00%
H Ta
Co 0.50%
3.29%
Cl 4.00%
5.05%
Cd
O
0.50%
5.32%
Pb
0.50%

Glass/Ceramics
15.00%

C
39.51%

Cu
15.00%

(c)
Figure 4. The elemental compositions of ocean water, the human body and a cell phone. The ele-
Figure 4. The elemental compositions of ocean water, the human body and a cell phone. The
mental composition of ocean water (a) is similar to the elemental composition of the human body
elemental
(b) and composition
very different from theofcomposition
ocean water of(a) is similar
current to the elemental
engineering composition
devices such of the
as a cell phone human body
(c).
Novel biomimetic processes might in the future shift the elemental composition of technical devices phone (c).
(b) and very different from the composition of current engineering devices such as a cell
towards thesebiomimetic
Novel of organisms, reducing
processes the need
might forfuture
in the scarceshift
resources.
the elemental composition of technical devices
towards these of organisms, reducing the need for scarce resources.
The second aspect of biomimetics that is arguably fundamental to its future success
is related to the
Funding: complexity
This of the
research was physics
funded utilized
by the in organisms.
Austrian Contrary Agency
Research Promotion to potential
FFG with grant
ordinary belief,
number 871446. the complexity of the physics of organisms does not correlate with their
size or location in the phylogenetic tree. Single celled algae or bacteria can be as great an
inspiration
Conflictsfor of
new approaches
Interest: in biomimetics
The author declares noas the largest
conflict whale or the most complex
of interest.
ecosystem. This allows knowledge gain in a vast variety of research environments and
References promises great future developments!
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