Chapter 17 - Bionic Superfibers

Abstract

Bionic materials are often formed in the nanometer scale through diverse metabolic activities of cell walls and those of insects or worms by natural incorporation of biominerals in their structures. Exploitation of processes used by microorganisms to digest nutrients for their growth can be a viable method for the formation of a wide range of so-called biogenic materials. These have unique structure and mechanical properties that we cannot find in their abiotic counterparts. This book chapter will explore such living factories and will address first attempts in producing bionic superfibers, focusing on their synthesis, structure, and properties, such as those obtained by the authors by feeding spiders or yeast microorganisms with nanomaterials. This chapter will also focus on the development of novel porous bionicomposites by means of biogenesis without the postsynthesis addition of the inorganic components that have unusual mechanical and physical properties. In this context, the reported case studies could have future implications on bionic materials in the manufacture of more complex smart objects with multifunctional properties.