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Biomimetics
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Biomimetic Additive Manufacturing: Nature-Inspired Design and Fabrication for Advanced Applications
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Biomimetic Additive Manufacturing: Nature-Inspired Design and Fabrication for Advanced Applications

A special issue of Biomimetics (ISSN 2313-7673). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomimetic Design, Constructions and Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 October 2025) | Viewed by 10711

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Antreas Kantaros

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Industrial Design and Production Engineering, University of West Attica, 12244 Athens, Greece
Interests: 3D printing; 3D scanning; non-destructive techniques; 3D CAD design; circular economy; sustainability; material science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D and 4D printing, has revolutionized the way we design and produce materials, offering unprecedented flexibility, customization, and efficiency. By integrating biomimetic principles into AM, researchers can develop lightweight, high-strength structures, adaptive materials, and multifunctional surfaces inspired by nature. From architected materials that mimic bone or nacre to self-assembling and shape-morphing designs inspired by plant biomechanics, biomimetic AM is driving next-generation manufacturing solutions.

This Special Issue explores cutting-edge research in bioinspired additive manufacturing, with applications spanning aerospace, robotics, construction, energy, sustainability, and biomedical engineering. The goal is to highlight nature-inspired design strategies, innovative biofabrication methods, and advanced materials that push the boundaries of 3D/4D printing for real-world applications.

Topics of Interest:

We invite original research and review articles on topics including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Biomimetic 3D/4D-printed materials (e.g., lightweight bioinspired composites and self-healing materials);
  • Bioinspired lattice structures and architected materials for mechanical, thermal, and functional applications;
  • Multiscale and biohybrid printing: integrating micro-/nanoscale features into macroscopic designs;
  • Nature-inspired robotics and actuation mechanisms fabricated via AM;
  • Bioinspired energy storage and conversion devices (e.g., bio-inspired batteries, catalysts, and solar cells);
  • Smart, responsive, and adaptive materials for AM inspired by biological systems;
  • Aerospace and automotive applications of biomimetic AM for lightweighting and performance enhancement;
  • Construction and architectural applications of biomimetic 3D printing (e.g., self-supporting structures and bioinspired shelters);
  • Sustainability in AM: Circular economy approaches, waste-derived biomaterials, and biofabricated filaments;
  • Computational and AI-driven biomimetic design for additive manufacturing.

Dr. Antreas Kantaros
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomimetics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biomimetic additive manufacturing
  • 3D printing
  • 4D printing
  • bioinspired materials
  • architected structures
  • biohybrid printing
  • adaptive materials
  • sustainability in AM
  • nature-inspired design
  • computational biomimetic design

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 4555 KB  
Article
Compressive Behavior of 316L Stainless Steel Lattice Structures for Additive Manufacturing: Experimental Characterization and Numerical Modeling
by Ignacio Ríos, Laurent Duchêne, Anne Marie Habraken, Angelo Oñate, Rodrigo Valle, Anne Mertens, César Garrido, Gonzalo Pincheira and Víctor Tuninetti
Biomimetics 2025, 10(10), 680; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics10100680 - 10 Oct 2025
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2631
Abstract
Lattice structures produced by additive manufacturing are increasingly used in lightweight, load-bearing applications, yet their mechanical performance is strongly influenced by geometry, process parameters, and boundary conditions. This study investigates the compressive behavior of body-centered cubic (BCC) 316L stainless steel lattices fabricated by [...] Read more.
Lattice structures produced by additive manufacturing are increasingly used in lightweight, load-bearing applications, yet their mechanical performance is strongly influenced by geometry, process parameters, and boundary conditions. This study investigates the compressive behavior of body-centered cubic (BCC) 316L stainless steel lattices fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Four relative densities (20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%) were achieved by varying the strut diameter, and specimens were built in both vertical and horizontal orientations. Quasi-static compression tests characterized the elastic modulus, yield strength, energy absorption, and mean force, while finite element simulations reproduced the deformation and hardening behavior. The experimental results showed a direct correlation between density and mechanical properties, with vertically built specimens performing slightly better due to reduced processing defects. Simulations quantified the effect of strut–joint rounding and the need for multi-cell configurations to closely match the experimental curves. Regardless of the boundary conditions, for a density of 20%, simulating a single cell underestimated stiffness because of unconstrained strut buckling. For higher densities and thicker struts, this sensitivity to boundary conditions strongly decreased, indicating the possibility of using a single cell for shorter simulations—a point rarely discussed in the literature. Both experiments and simulations confirmed Gibson–Ashby scaling for elastic modulus and yield strength, while the tangent modulus was highly sensitive to boundary conditions. The combined experimental and numerical results provide a framework for the reliable modeling and design of metallic lattices for energy absorption, biomedical, and lightweight structural applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Additive Manufacturing: Nature-Inspired Design and Fabrication for Advanced Applications)
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26 pages, 4803 KB  
Article
Development of Magnetic Sponges Using Steel Melting on 3D Carbonized Spongin Scaffolds Under Extreme Biomimetics Conditions
by Bartosz Leśniewski, Martin Kopani, Anna Szczurek, Michał Matczak, Janusz Dubowik, Martyna Kotula, Anita Kubiak, Dmitry Tsurkan, Eliza Romańczuk-Ruszuk, Marek Nowicki, Krzysztof Nowacki, Iaroslav Petrenko and Hermann Ehrlich
Biomimetics 2025, 10(6), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics10060350 - 28 May 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1899
Abstract
This study presents a novel approach to fabricating magnetic sponge-like composites by melting various types of steel onto three-dimensional (3D) carbonized spongin scaffolds under extreme biomimetic conditions. Spongin, a renewable marine biopolymer with high thermal stability, was carbonized at 1200 °C to form [...] Read more.
This study presents a novel approach to fabricating magnetic sponge-like composites by melting various types of steel onto three-dimensional (3D) carbonized spongin scaffolds under extreme biomimetic conditions. Spongin, a renewable marine biopolymer with high thermal stability, was carbonized at 1200 °C to form a turbostratic graphite matrix capable of withstanding the high-temperature steel melting process (1450–1600 °C). The interaction between molten steel vapors and the carbonized scaffolds resulted in the formation of nanostructured iron oxide (primarily hematite) coatings, which impart magnetic properties to the resulting composites. Detailed characterization using SEM-EDX, HRTEM, FT-IR, and XRD confirmed the homogeneous distribution of iron oxides on and within the carbonized fibrous matrix. Electrochemical measurements further demonstrated the electrocatalytic potential of the composite, particularly the sample modified with stainless steel 316L—for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), offering promising perspectives for green hydrogen production. This work highlights the potential of extreme biomimetics to create functional, scalable, and sustainable materials for applications in catalysis, environmental remediation, and energy technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Additive Manufacturing: Nature-Inspired Design and Fabrication for Advanced Applications)
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Review

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28 pages, 2869 KB  
Review
Scaffolds Mimicking the Tumor Microenvironment for In Vitro Malignancy Models
by Elisabetta Rosellini and Maria Grazia Cascone
Biomimetics 2025, 10(10), 695; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics10100695 - 14 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2176
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in regulating cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and drug resistance. Traditional two-dimensional (2D) in vitro models and animal models often fail to replicate the biochemical and biophysical complexity of human tumors, leading to low predictive power [...] Read more.
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in regulating cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and drug resistance. Traditional two-dimensional (2D) in vitro models and animal models often fail to replicate the biochemical and biophysical complexity of human tumors, leading to low predictive power in preclinical drug screening. In recent years, scaffold-based three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models have emerged as promising alternatives, offering a more physiologically relevant context for studying tumor behavior. Among these, biomimetic scaffolds capable of replicating the composition, stiffness, porosity, and signaling features of the tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) are of particular interest. This review provides a comprehensive overview of scaffold-based approaches for mimicking the TME in vitro. After outlining the key characteristics of the tumor ECM, we discuss various scaffold typologies, including those based on natural, synthetic, and hybrid biomaterials, as well as decellularized ECM. Recent advancements in fabrication technologies, such as electrospinning and 3D bioprinting, are also highlighted for their role in replicating the geometric and mechanical features of tumor tissues. Special attention is given to the integration of vascular components and stromal cells to recapitulate the complexity of the TME. Finally, we explore current limitations and future directions, emphasizing the need for standardized and reproducible models, particularly in the context of personalized cancer therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Additive Manufacturing: Nature-Inspired Design and Fabrication for Advanced Applications)
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Other

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24 pages, 1908 KB  
Perspective
Biomimetic Additive Manufacturing: Engineering Complexity Inspired by Nature’s Simplicity
by Antreas Kantaros, Theodore Ganetsos, Evangelos Pallis and Michail Papoutsidakis
Biomimetics 2025, 10(7), 453; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics10070453 - 10 Jul 2025
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3252
Abstract
Nature’s principles offer design references for additive manufacturing (AM), enabling structures that achieve remarkable efficiency through hierarchical organization rather than material excess. This perspective article proposes a framework for integrating biomimetic principles into AM beyond morphological mimicry, focusing on functional adaptation and sustainability. [...] Read more.
Nature’s principles offer design references for additive manufacturing (AM), enabling structures that achieve remarkable efficiency through hierarchical organization rather than material excess. This perspective article proposes a framework for integrating biomimetic principles into AM beyond morphological mimicry, focusing on functional adaptation and sustainability. By emulating biological systems like nacre, spider silk, and bone, AM utilizes traditional geometric replication to embed multifunctionality, responsiveness, and resource efficiency. Recent advances in the fields of 4D printing, soft robotics, and self-morphing systems demonstrate how time-dependent behaviors and environmental adaptability can be engineered through bioinspired material architectures. However, challenges in scalable fabrication, dynamic material programming, and true functional emulation (beyond morphological mimicry) necessitate interdisciplinary collaboration. In this context, the synthesis of biological intelligence with AM technologies offers sustainable, high-performance solutions for aerospace, biomedical, and smart infrastructure applications, once challenges related to material innovation and standardization are overcome. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Additive Manufacturing: Nature-Inspired Design and Fabrication for Advanced Applications)
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