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Biomimetics
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Advancements in Nature-Inspired Engineering: Integrating Biomimicry into Modern Design Practices
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Advancements in Nature-Inspired Engineering: Integrating Biomimicry into Modern Design Practices

A Special Issue of Biomimetics (ISSN 2313-7673) belonging to the section "Biomimetic Design, Constructions and Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 6659

Editors

Prof. Dr. Zuankai Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
Interests: nature-inspired surfaces and materials; additive manufacturing; energy harvesting; fluid dynamics; soft matter; interfaces and surfaces
Prof. Dr. Jing Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
Interests: soft matter; interfacial heat and mass transfer; bioinspired engineering; metamaterial design; multiphase flow
Prof. Dr. Baoping Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
Interests: nature-inspired materials and interfaces; membranes; water harvesting/solar desalination; energy harvesting and storage; heat and mass transfer; interfacial fluid dynamics
Dr. Yuankai Jin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
Interests: nature-inspired surfaces and materials; additive manufacturing; energy harvesting; fluid dynamics; soft matter; interfaces and surfaces
Dr. Yeung Yeung Chau

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
Interests: nature-inspired materials and interfaces; soft matter; field-induced phenomena

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nature has long served as a profound inspiration for solving complex engineering challenges. Biomimicry—emulating nature’s time-tested strategies—has emerged as a transformative approach to modern design, enabling innovations that prioritize sustainability, efficiency, and resilience. This Special Issue, “Advancements in Nature-Inspired Engineering: Integrating Biomimicry into Modern Design Practices”, seeks to highlight cutting-edge research that bridges biological principles with engineering applications, fostering breakthroughs in energy efficiency, material science, fluid dynamics, and structural optimization.

Nature-inspired engineering transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries, offering novel solutions to reduce operational energy consumption across diverse systems. For instance, bio-inspired surface textures mimicking lotus leaves and shark skin have revolutionized drag reduction in marine and aerospace vehicles, while hierarchical structures inspired by bone or plant tissues have enhanced lightweight, high-strength materials. Similarly, fluid dynamics principles derived from natural systems, such as droplet transport in desert beetles or vortex control in bird flight, are reshaping energy harvesting and propulsion technologies.

We invite original research articles, case studies, and review papers that address the integration of biomimetic principles into modern engineering practices. Topics of interest include but are not limited to bioinspired materials for energy efficiency, superhydrophobic surfaces, adaptive structures, fluid–structure interactions, and biomimetic robotics. Contributions should emphasize scalable, sustainable designs that align with global challenges such as climate resilience and resource conservation. This Special Issue aims to accelerate the translation of nature’s ingenuity into real-world applications by synthesizing insights from natural organisms, engineering, and computational modelling.

Prof. Dr. Zuankai Wang
Prof. Dr. Jing Li
Prof. Dr. Baoping Zhang
Dr. Yuankai Jin
Dr. Yeung Yeung Chau
Guest Editors

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-anonymized 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 design
  • nature-inspired engineering
  • bioinspired materials
  • bio-inspired functional surfaces
  • energy efficiency
  • hierarchical structures and optimization
  • superhydrophobic surfaces
  • sustainable engineering solutions
  • bioinspired robotics

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

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

28 pages, 10051 KB  
Article
Mechanical Response and Energy Absorption of Bio-Inspired Auxetic Hybrid Tubular Metamaterials
by Sheng Huo, Fukun Xia, Shanqing Xu, Zhanyuan Gao and Dong Ruan
Biomimetics 2026, 11(8), 556; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics11080556 - 5 Aug 2026
Viewed by 442
Abstract
Bio-inspired auxetic–conventional hybrid tubular metamaterials were investigated for lightweight energy absorption. The tubes combined 6063 aluminium alloy inner tubes with 304 stainless-steel outer tubes containing oval, circular, rotating-square, or re-entrant perforations. Experiments showed that the outer tube altered the collapse mode of the [...] Read more.
Bio-inspired auxetic–conventional hybrid tubular metamaterials were investigated for lightweight energy absorption. The tubes combined 6063 aluminium alloy inner tubes with 304 stainless-steel outer tubes containing oval, circular, rotating-square, or re-entrant perforations. Experiments showed that the outer tube altered the collapse mode of the inner tube and produced topology-dependent responses. The Circle-Hybrid tube achieved the highest mean specific energy absorption (SEA) of 6.95 ± 0.04 kJ/kg; the Oval-Hybrid tube was 17.1% lower at 5.76 ± 0.25 kJ/kg but had a 24.1% lower maximum force and a CFE 6.68 percentage points higher. Its SEA was approximately 159.5% higher than that of the Oval-Single tube. A validated finite element model was used to examine oval-hole aspect ratio and inner-tube wall thickness. At fixed porosity, decreasing the aspect ratio promoted progressive folding and increased load-bearing capacity and energy absorption, while an intermediate ratio maximised CFE. Increasing the inner-tube wall thickness enhanced load-bearing capacity and energy absorption but produced more localised or asymmetric buckling. These findings demonstrate that perforation topology can tailor collapse mode, peak-force demand, crushing efficiency, and energy absorption in hybrid tubes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Nature-Inspired Engineering: Integrating Biomimicry into Modern Design Practices)
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40 pages, 3456 KB  
Article
Regime-Dependent Elastic Displacement in Bio-Inspired Parametric Kirigami Structures: An Experimental Study of Geometric Parameter Effects
by Tarek H. Mokhtar, Somaih M. Bakr and Qusai R. Khashman
Biomimetics 2026, 11(6), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics11060427 - 15 Jun 2026
Viewed by 595
Abstract
Biological thin-sheet systems, including leaves, insect wings, and flowering organs, achieve adaptive deformation through distributed compliance, segmentation, curvature, and controlled opening. Kirigami offers a bio-inspired route for translating such deformation logics into programmable thin-sheet surfaces; however, the geometric parameters that most strongly influence [...] Read more.
Biological thin-sheet systems, including leaves, insect wings, and flowering organs, achieve adaptive deformation through distributed compliance, segmentation, curvature, and controlled opening. Kirigami offers a bio-inspired route for translating such deformation logics into programmable thin-sheet surfaces; however, the geometric parameters that most strongly influence elastic displacement remain insufficiently quantified, especially across different loading regimes. This study investigates Bio-Inspired Regime-Dependent Parameter Selection in Parametric Kirigami through twenty-five laser-cut specimens spanning five boundary shapes and three thermoplastic substrates. Specimens were tested under two contrasting regimes: quasi-static tensile loading and gravity-drape loading. Elastic displacement was measured under eight-point boundary fixation and analyzed using regime-separated Pearson correlations, Bonferroni-corrected significance testing (α/18 = 0.0028), and shape-controlled partial correlations. Under tensile loading, the Number of Offsets (r = 0.807), Segments per Offset (r = −0.603), and outer-boundary void perimeter (r = 0.621) showed the strongest Bonferroni-robust associations with displacement. Under gravity-drape loading, effects were weaker and more curvature-sensitive, indicating that parameter relevance is not universal but regime-dependent. Within the tested parametric design space, the study provides an experimentally grounded basis for selecting Kirigami geometric parameters in thin-sheet structures whose adaptive deformation logic is analogous to compliant systems found in nature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Nature-Inspired Engineering: Integrating Biomimicry into Modern Design Practices)
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25 pages, 7964 KB  
Article
Hydrodynamic Mechanisms Underlying the Burying Behavior of Benthic Fishes: Numerical Simulation and Orthogonal Experimental Study
by Hualong Xie, Xiangxiang Wang, Min Li, Yubin Wang and Fei Xing
Biomimetics 2026, 11(1), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics11010055 - 8 Jan 2026
Viewed by 858
Abstract
To avoid predators, benthic fish will stir up the sediment on the seabed by flapping their pectoral fins, thus burying themselves. This self-burial concealment strategy can offer bionic enlightenment for the benthic residence method of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs). In this paper, based [...] Read more.
To avoid predators, benthic fish will stir up the sediment on the seabed by flapping their pectoral fins, thus burying themselves. This self-burial concealment strategy can offer bionic enlightenment for the benthic residence method of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs). In this paper, based on the observation results of the self-burial behavior of benthic fish, a two-dimensional fluid-particle numerical model was developed to simulate the processes of sediment transport induced by pectoral fin flapping. In addition, an orthogonal experimental design was employed to analyze the effects of body length, flapping amplitude, flapping number, flapping frequency, and particle size on burial ratio, input power, and burial efficiency. The results reveal that rapid pectoral fin flapping enables benthic fish to fluidize sediments and achieve self-burial. Among the influencing factors, body size has the most significant impact on coverage ratio and input power, as larger fish generate stronger tip vortices and fluid disturbances, making local flow velocities more likely to exceed the critical starting velocity. In contrast, particle size has the weakest effect on burial performance, while kinematic parameters exert a far greater impact on self-burial than environmental parameters. The research results can offer references for the biomimetic design of self-burying UUVs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Nature-Inspired Engineering: Integrating Biomimicry into Modern Design Practices)
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22 pages, 5377 KB  
Article
Mitigating Neural Habituation in Insect Bio-Bots: A Dual-Timescale Adaptive Control Approach
by Le Minh Triet and Nguyen Truong Thinh
Biomimetics 2026, 11(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics11010013 - 27 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1177
Abstract
Bio-cybernetic organisms combine biological locomotion with electronic control but face significant challenges regarding individual variability and stimulus habituation. This study introduces an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) designed to dynamically calibrate to individual Gromphadorhina portentosa specimens. Using a miniaturized neural controller, we compared [...] Read more.
Bio-cybernetic organisms combine biological locomotion with electronic control but face significant challenges regarding individual variability and stimulus habituation. This study introduces an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) designed to dynamically calibrate to individual Gromphadorhina portentosa specimens. Using a miniaturized neural controller, we compared ANFIS’s performance against natural behavior and non-adaptive control methods. Results demonstrate ANFIS’s superiority: obstacle navigation efficiency reached 81% (compared to 42% for non-adaptive methods), and effective behavioral modulation was sustained for 47 min (versus 26 min). Furthermore, the system achieved 73% target acquisition in complex terrain and maintained stimulus responsiveness 3.5-fold longer through sophisticated habituation compensation. Biocompatibility assessments confirmed interface functionality over 14-day periods. This research establishes foundational benchmarks for arthropod bio-cybernetics, demonstrating that adaptive neuro-fuzzy architectures significantly outperform conventional methods, enabling robust bio-hybrid platforms suitable for confined-space search-and-rescue operations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Nature-Inspired Engineering: Integrating Biomimicry into Modern Design Practices)
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27 pages, 27217 KB  
Article
Improved Anthropomorphic Robotic Hand for Architecture and Construction: Integrating Prestressed Mechanisms with Self-Healing Elastomers
by Mijin Kim, Rubaya Yaesmin, Hyungtak Seo and Hwang Yi
Biomimetics 2025, 10(5), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics10050284 - 1 May 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2549
Abstract
Soft pneumatic robot-arm end-effectors can facilitate adaptive architectural fabrication and building construction. However, conventional pneumatic grippers often suffer from air leakage and tear, particularly under prolonged grasping and inflation-induced stress. To address these challenges, this study suggests an enhanced anthropomorphic gripper by integrating [...] Read more.
Soft pneumatic robot-arm end-effectors can facilitate adaptive architectural fabrication and building construction. However, conventional pneumatic grippers often suffer from air leakage and tear, particularly under prolonged grasping and inflation-induced stress. To address these challenges, this study suggests an enhanced anthropomorphic gripper by integrating a pre-stressed reversible mechanism (PSRM) and a novel self-healing material (SHM) polyborosiloxane–Ecoflex™ hybrid polymer (PEHP) developed by the authors. The results demonstrate that PSRM finger grippers can hold various objects without external pressure input (12 mm displacement under a 1.2 N applied), and the SHM assists with recovery of mechanical properties upon external damage. The proposed robotic hand was evaluated through real-world construction tasks, including wall painting, floor plastering, and block stacking, showcasing its durability and functional performance. These findings contribute to promoting the cost-effective deployment of soft robotic hands in robotic construction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Nature-Inspired Engineering: Integrating Biomimicry into Modern Design Practices)
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