Multi-Scale Bionic Materials: Interfacial Design, Effective Fabrication and Functional Application

Dear Colleagues,

Bionic materials are advanced materials inspired by natural systems, designed to function across multiple scales, from the molecular to the macroscopic level. These materials leverage principles observed in nature, such as hierarchical structuring and interfacial design, to achieve exceptional properties that can surpass those of conventional materials. Interfacial design is a crucial aspect of multi-scale bionic materials. By mimicking the way natural materials manage interfaces between different components, researchers can create materials with enhanced mechanical strength, flexibility, and durability. For example, the seamless integration found in nacre (mother of pearl) and the energy-dissipating interfaces in bone can inspire materials with superior toughness and resilience. Moreover, the investigation of the microstructure of each natural material, including superhydrophobic lotus leaves, superhydrophilic spider silk, and underwater superoleophobic fish scales, brings inspiration to materials science.

Effective fabrication of these materials involves advanced manufacturing techniques that can precisely control structure at multiple scales. Techniques such as additive manufacturing (3D printing), laser ablation, electrospinning, and layer-by-layer assembly are essential for replicating the complex architectures seen in biological materials. These methods allow for the fine-tuning of material properties and the creation of intricate designs that can enhance functionality. Functional applications of multi-scale bionic materials are broad and impactful. In biomedical engineering, these materials can be used to develop better implants, prosthetics, and tissue engineering scaffolds that more closely mimic the mechanical and biological properties of natural tissues. In aerospace and automotive industries, lightweight yet strong materials inspired by nature can lead to more efficient and sustainable designs. Additionally, in energy storage and conversion, bionic materials can improve the performance of batteries and fuel cells by enhancing mass transfer and structural integrity.

Thus, the development of multi-scale bionic materials holds great promise for advancing technology in various fields, driven by the lessons learned from nature's own engineering. This Special Issue aims to explore research on the design and fabrication of bionic materials for functional applications. This Special Issue is addressed to scholars who have embraced an interdisciplinary and progressive approach in their research activities and have achieved promising results. Moreover, we welcome contributions from practitioners who have been involved in successful public–private partnerships in the field of sustainable development.

Dr. Haoqi Yang
Dr. Xiaolin Liu
Dr. Yunyun Song
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. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2600 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.