Natural Organisms Research Articles

Programmable Robotic Shape Shifting and Color Morphing Dynamics Through Magneto‐Mechano‐Chromic Coupling

AbstractRecreating natural organisms’ dynamic shape‐morphing and adaptive color‐changing capabilities in a compact structure poses significant challenges but unlocks unprecedented hybridized robotic‐visual applications. Overcoming programmability and predictability obstacles is key to achieving real‐time, responsive changes in appearance and functionality, enhancing robot‐environment‐user interactions in ways previously unattainable. Herein, a Soft Magneto‐Mechano‐Chromic (SoMMeC) structure comprising a magnetic actuating and a synthetic photonic film, mirroring the intricate color‐tuning mechanism of chameleons is devised. A model combining numerical simulation and a strain‐dependent color evolution map enables precise predictions and controllable shape‐color alterations across various geometrical and magnetization profiles. The SoMMeC exhibits rapid (0.1s), broad (full‐visible spectrum), tether‐free (remote magnetic manipulation), and programmable (model‐guided control) color transformations, surpassing traditional limitations with its real‐time response, broad and omnidirectional coloration for enhanced visibility, and robustness against external disturbances. The SoMMeC translates into dynamic advertising iridescence, adaptive camouflage, self‐sensing, and multi‐level encryption, and transcends traditional robotics by seamlessly blending dynamic movement with nuanced visual changes. It opens up a spectrum of applications that redefine robotic functionality through dynamic appearance modulation, making robotic systems more versatile, adaptive, and suitable for unexplored integrative functions.

Research on innovative design of intelligent wearable products based on human machine engineering and bionics

Designing intelligent wearable products entails integrating human factors, engineering, and bionics to develop ergonomic, efficient and convenient products. Human-machine engineering is a discipline that addresses the integration between the user wearing a particular system and improving the relationship between the user and the system. At the same time, bionics is an approach that aims to mimic biological systems and structures to enhance the performance of a particular product. This research explores the possibility of integrating these specializations to design new and enhanced wearable technology products with improved usability, convenience, and flexibility for practical usage. A detailed analysis of human biomechanics and ergonomic requirements established design parameters to ensure that wearable devices could be seamlessly integrated into daily life without hindering user movement. Bionic principles, such as the flexibility of animal joints and the energy-efficient movements of natural organisms, were applied to optimize the mechanical and structural aspects of the devices. This approach enabled the creation of products that mimic the natural dynamics of the human body, offering improved responsiveness and functionality. Prototypes were developed based on human-centred design principles and evaluated using simulation and testing environments. Wearables such as exoskeletons, bright clothing, and health-monitoring devices were examined for their ability to adapt to various physical conditions and environmental changes. Results demonstrate a significant increase in user comfort, reduction in mechanical strain, and enhanced performance, validating the effectiveness of integrating human-machine engineering and bionics in wearable design.

Recent Advances in Biomimetic Related Lubrication

Friction is ubiquitous in industry and daily life, which not only leads to the wear and tear of equipment and machinery, but also causes a lot of energy waste. Friction is one of the significant factors leading to energy loss in mechanical systems. Therefore, it is essential to minimize friction losses. Creatures in nature have evolved various surfaces with different tribological characteristics to adapt to the environment. By studying, understanding, and summarizing the friction and lubrication regulation phenomena of typical surfaces in nature, various bionic friction regulation theories and methods are obtained to guide the development of new lubrication materials and lubrication systems. This article primarily discusses the study of lubrication mechanisms through biomimetic design, which is mainly divided into chemical approaches, structural strategies, and chemical–structural coupling approaches. From the chemical point of view, this paper mainly summarizes joint lubrication and engineering lubrication in biomedicine, with inspiration from lotus leaves, fish skin, and snake skin, each with unique antifriction structures which are famous for their super hydrophobicity in nature. Finally, chemical–structural coupling simulates the lubrication mechanism of natural organisms from the joint action of biological structures and chemical substances, and is applied to coating design, so as to reduce the friction and wear on coating surfaces, improve the durability and anti-pollution ability of coatings, significantly improve the tribological performance of mechanical systems, promote scientific innovation, and promote energy conservation, emission reduction, and sustainable development.

Synthesis of Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery in Korea

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the synthesis of nanoparticles for drug delivery in Korea. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study indicated that the synthesis of nanoparticles for drug delivery has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the efficacy and precision of therapeutic interventions. Nanoparticles offer several advantages, such as improved bioavailability, targeted delivery, and controlled release of drugs. Various methods are employed in their synthesis, including chemical reduction, sol-gel processes, and biological methods using natural organisms. These nanoparticles can be engineered to carry a wide range of drugs, including chemotherapeutics, antibiotics, and vaccines. Their small size allows them to navigate biological barriers and deliver drugs directly to specific tissues or cells, reducing side effects and improving treatment outcomes. However, challenges such as scalability, toxicity, and regulatory hurdles remain, necessitating further research to optimize their clinical applications. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Brownian motion theory, nanoscale phenomena theory, thermodynamic theory of nanoparticle stability may be used to anchor future studies on the synthesis of nanoparticles for drug delivery in Korea. Practitioners in the field should prioritize the enhancement of synthesis techniques and the focus on biocompatibility and safety to improve the practical applications of nanoparticle drug delivery systems. To ensure the safe and effective use of nanoparticles in drug delivery, policymakers must establish clear guidelines and regulations governing their application.

Construction of Co-Modified MXene/PES Catalytic Membrane for Effective Separation and Degradation of Tetracycline Antibiotics in Aqueous Solutions

The application of antibiotics has advanced modern medicine significantly. However, the abuse and discharge of antibiotics have led to substantial antibiotic residues in water, posing great harm to natural organisms and humans. To address the problem of antibiotic degradation, this study developed a novel catalytic membrane by depositing Co catalysts onto MXene nanosheets and fabricating the polyethersulfone composite (Co@MXene/PES) using vacuum-assisted self-assembly. The dual role of MXene as both a carrier for Co atoms and an enhancer of interlayer spacing led to improved flux and catalytic degradation capabilities of the membrane. Experimental results confirmed that the Co@MXene/PES membrane effectively degraded antibiotics through peroxymonosulfate activation, achieving up to 95.51% degradation at a cobalt concentration of 0.01 mg/mL. The membrane demonstrated excellent antibacterial properties, minimal flux loss after repeated use, and robust anti-fouling performance, making it a promising solution for efficient antibiotic removal and stable water treatment.

Mechanochromic 3D Soft Photonic Crystals Enabled Anticounterfeiting and Encryption Information Storage

AbstractInspired by the color‐changing abilities of natural organisms, this research focuses on the design and fabrication of mechanochromic liquid crystal photonic crystal thin films with periodic self‐assembly structures. Benefiting from its unique 3D self‐assembled structure with a body‐centered cubic lattice, BP I film exhibits excellent mechanical properties, characterized by superior elasticity and toughness due to the presence of rigid and flexible microdomains and suitable dislocation line volumes. As the strain increases, the structural color of the BP I film demonstrates a repeatable and rapid shift from red to blue, covering the entire visible light spectrum with high reflectivity. The incorporation of fluorescent molecules further enhances the mechanical properties and endowing the film with circularly polarized luminescence under UV light irradiation. Utilizing different fluorescent dyes as inks, arbitrary patterned writing can be performed on the BPI film, enabling specific information hiding and encryption. The prepared label exhibits excellent environmental stability, presenting promising applications in information storage, anti‐counterfeiting, and flexible 3D displays. The study may contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationship between microstructure, mechanical deformation, and optical properties, potentially advancing the development of innovative responsive materials and multifunctional devices.

Multi-species genome-wide CRISPR screens identify conserved suppressors of cold-induced cell death.

Cells must adapt to environmental changes to maintain homeostasis. One of the most striking environmental adaptations is entry into hibernation during which core body temperature can decrease from 37°C to as low at 4°C. How mammalian cells, which evolved to optimally function within a narrow range of temperatures, adapt to this profound decrease in temperature remains poorly understood. In this study, we conducted the first genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 screen in cells derived from Syrian hamster, a facultative hibernator, as well as human cells to investigate the genetic basis of cold tolerance in a hibernator and a non-hibernator in an unbiased manner. Both screens independently revealed glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), a selenium-containing enzyme, and associated proteins as critical for cold tolerance. We utilized genetic and pharmacological approaches to demonstrate that GPX4 is active in the cold and its catalytic activity is required for cold tolerance. Furthermore, we show that the role of GPX4 as a suppressor of cold-induced cell death extends across hibernating species, including 13-lined ground squirrels and greater horseshoe bats, highlighting the evolutionary conservation of this mechanism of cold tolerance. This study identifies GPX4 as a central modulator of mammalian cold tolerance and advances our understanding of the evolved mechanisms by which cells mitigate cold-associated damage-one of the most common challenges faced by cells and organisms in nature.

Hierarchical H-bonding and metal coordination bonds enabled supramolecular dual networks for high-performance energy-dissipation

Natural organisms have superior material properties such as mechanical adaptability, impact protection, and self-healing to protect the body from complicated external environments, fascinating the development of functional supramolecular elastic materials with biomimetic protective features. Herein, a dual physically crosslinked supramolecular polyurethane (PU) network with strain-hardening effect is synthesized by incorporating hierarchical hydrogen bonds (H-bond) and metal coordination bonds into an elastomer matrix. A moderate content of quadruple H-bonds is critical for achieving a prominent toughness and a considerable strain-at-break owing to the strain hardening effect enabled by the hierarchical H-bonds. When the Zn-to-pyridine coordination bonds were introduced to the supramolecular PU, the strength, toughness, and energy dissipation properties were further enhanced attributing to the dual physical crosslinking networks. The dynamic dissociation and association of the sacrificial H-bonds and Zn-to-pyridine coordination bonds induced significant strain hardening effect and enabled tremendous energy absorption and self-healing properties. Besides, the supramolecular PU elastomers and their blends were foamed via scCO2 foaming to produce supramolecular foams containing dynamic bonds. The composite foam could effectively reduce the impact force from 6085 N to 373 N and achieve an outstanding energy absorption efficiency of 93.87% owing to the synergistic effect of porous structure and dual physically crosslinked networks. This work provides an innovative strategy for designing high-performance energy absorbing supramolecular elastomers and cushioning foams with reversible bonds.

Advancements and challenges in bionic joint lubrication biomaterials for sports medicine

AbstractBionic lubricant materials are a class of materials inspired by natural organisms and offer excellent lubrication properties and biocompatibility. In the field of sports medicine, their application opens up new possibilities for the prevention and treatment of sports‐related diseases. The authors will introduce the existing theoretical models of friction in the locomotor system, the characteristics and advantages of biomimetic lubrication materials and discuss in depth their applications in the field of sports medicine. The development of bionic lubrication materials opens up unprecedented opportunities for sports medicine to provide more effective and long‐lasting treatment options for patients.

Molecular mechanisms of natural antifreeze phenomena and their application in cryopreservation.

Cryopreservation presents a critical challenge due to cryo-damage, such as crystallization and osmotic imbalances that compromise the integrity of biological tissues and cells. In contrast, various organisms in nature exhibit remarkable freezing tolerance, leveraging complex molecular mechanisms to survive extreme cold. This review explores the adaptive strategies of freeze-tolerant species, including the regulation of specific genes, proteins, and metabolic pathways, to enhance survival in low-temperature environments. We then discuss recent advancements in cryopreservation technologies that aim to mimic these natural phenomena to preserve cellular and tissue integrity. Special focus is given to the roles of glucose metabolism, microRNA expression, and cryoprotective protein modulation in improving cryopreservation outcomes. The insights gained from studying natural antifreeze mechanisms offer promising directions for advancing cryopreservation techniques, with potential applications in medical, agricultural, and conservation fields. Future research should aim to further elucidate these molecular mechanisms to develop more effective and reliable cryopreservation methods.

One-Step fabrication of bioinspired Peptide-Functionalized ice surface for bioanalysis

Solid surfaces modified with functional biomolecules that can selectively capture specific molecules play a crucial role in physical science and biomedical research. However, convenient biomolecule-modified materials are still faced with problems such as harsh synthesis conditions and time-consuming functionalization processes. As an easy-to-prepare solid substance, ice, holds the potential to be developed as an excellent functional material, but its inert nature hampers efficient functionalization with biomolecules. In this study, drawing inspiration from anti-freeze organisms in nature, we endow ice with biorecognition ability by leveraging the natural non-covalent binding between peptides and ice. By exploiting ice as a substrate modified with functional biomolecules, we demonstrate advantages such as high accessibility, one-step modification, and cost-effectiveness compared to conventional biomolecule-modified materials. Additionally, the temperature-controlled melting of ice offers a facile way to release captured biomolecules while maintaining their activity for further studies. The feature is further applied in protein assays, exhibiting satisfactory selectivity and quantitative capabilities with a minimum detectable concentration of approximately 0.1 ng/mL. Overall, our strategy to endow ice with desired biological functions provides a new tool for investigation in physical science and broader applications in the field of biomedicine.

Camouflaged Object Detection via Dual-branch Fusion and Dual Self-similarity constraints

Camouflaged Object Detection (COD) remains a challenging task due to the inherent difficulty in distinguishing concealed objects from their surroundings, primarily owing to their high visual similarity. Current research efforts have been insufficient in distinguishing the similarity differences between camouflaged objects and their corresponding backgrounds, leading to suboptimal performance, particularly when locating small-scale objects. To solve this issue, we introduce a novel Dual-branch Fusion and Dual Self-similarity Network (DSNet) comprising three modules. The first, a dual-branch fusion, mimics human observation of camouflaged objects and extracts multi-angle information. Dual-branch features are then decoded using a symmetric joint decoder module with channel interaction via multi-stage inter-group interaction. Inspired by natural organisms’ self-similarity, the self-similarity constraint module employs global and mutual constraints to identify subtle foreground-background differences. DSNet shows superior performance in experiments, and the constraint module can enhance other models as a plug-and-play component, further boosting overall performance.

Smart sensing hydrogel actuators conferred by MXene gradient arrangement

Smart sensing and excellent actuation abilities of natural organisms have driven scientists to develop bionic soft-bodied robots. However, most conventional robots suffer from poor electrical conductivity, limiting their application in real-time sensing and actuation. Here, we report a novel strategy to enhance the electrical conductivity of hydrogels that integrated actuation and strain-sensing functions for bioinspired self-sensing soft actuators. Conductive hydrogels were synthesized in situ by copolymerizing MXene nanosheets with thermosensitive N-isopropylacrylamide and acrylamide under a direct current electric field. The resulting hydrogels exhibited high electrical conductivity (2.11 mS/cm), good sensitivity with a gauge factor of 4.79 and long-term stability. The developed hydrogels demonstrated remarkable capabilities in detecting human motions at subtle strains such as facial expressions and large strains such as knee bending. Additionally, the hydrogel electrode patch was capable of monitoring physiological signals. Furthermore, the developed hydrogel showed good thermally induced actuation effects when the temperature was higher than 30 °C. Overall, this work provided new insights for the design of sensory materials with integrated self-sensing and actuation capabilities, which would pave the way for the development of high-performance conductive soft materials for intelligent soft robots and automated machinery.

Biomimetic Leaf-Shaped Wedge Structure with Mixed Wettability for Fog Harvesting.

Water scarcity is a pressing issue in arid and semi-arid regions, making fog harvesting a promising method for water collection. However, enhancing the rate of fog harvesting remains a challenge. Controlling the movement of droplets on functional surfaces is crucial for the development of effective water-harvesting devices. In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) fog-harvesting device with mixed wettability is fabricated using a combination of physical and chemical techniques. With inspiration drawn from natural organisms, such as the desert beetle and Nephrolepis cordifolia, which can both live in low humidity, a copper substrate with a leaf-shaped wedge superhydrophilic structure and flat superhydrophobic regions is fabricated for fog harvesting. The modified surface results in a maximum 49.89% improvement in fog-harvesting efficiency compared to the original copper substrate. The synergistic effect of the 3D structure and mixed wettability of this study offers an idea for improving fog collection efficiency, with potential implications for energy sustainability water resources.

3D Printing Photonic Crystals: A Review.

Living organisms in nature possess diverse and vibrant structural colors generated from their intrinsic surface micro/nanostructures. These intricate micro/nanostructures can be harnessed to develop a new generation of colorful materials for various fields such as photonics, information storage, display, and sensing. Recent advancements in the fabrication of photonic crystals have enabled the preparation of structurally colored materials with customized geometries using 3D printing technologies. Here, a comprehensive review of the historical development of fabrication methods for photonic crystals is provided. Diverse 3D printing approaches along with the underlying mechanisms, as well as the regulation methods adopted to generate photonic crystals with structural color, are discussed. This review aims to offer the readers an overview of the state-of-the-art 3D printing techniques for photonic crystals, present a guide and considerations to fabricate photonic crystals leveraging different 3D printing methods.

Trichoderma Compost Making Technology in the Bumi Sari Farmers Group of Bongkasa Village, Abiansemal District, Badung Regency, Bali Province

Bumi Sari Farmers Group, located in Abiansemal Village, Badung, is a group of 10 members managing a chili plantation. The main challenges faced by Bumi Sari Farmers Group include persistent wilting of chili plants and fruit rot caused by pathogenic fungi. Trichoderma compost fertilizer has been identified as a solution to these problems, using the concept of natural pest organism control (OPT) to achieve healthy and disease-free plant cultivation. In this initiative, the farmers' group has successfully produced Trichoderma compost fertilizer and applied it to their chili plants. A survey showed that flower damage in chili plants initially reached 75%. However, after the application of Trichoderma compost fertilizer, the disease incidence in chili plants was reduced by 46.4%. This activity has led to a 25% reduction in yield loss and a 20% increase in farmers' income.

What Exactly Can Bionic Strategies Achieve for Flexible Sensors?

Flexible sensors have attracted great attention in the field of wearable electronic devices due to their deformability, lightness, and versatility. However, property improvement remains a key challenge. Fortunately, natural organisms exhibit many unique response mechanisms to various stimuli, and the corresponding structures and compositions provide advanced design ideas for the development of flexible sensors. Therefore, this Review highlights recent advances in sensing performance and functional characteristics of flexible sensors from the perspective of bionics for the first time. First, the "twins" of bionics and flexible sensors are introduced. Second, the enhancements in electrical and mechanical performance through bionic strategies are summarized according to the prototypes of humans, plants, and animals. Third, the functional characteristics of bionic strategies for flexible sensors are discussed in detail, including self-healing, color-changing, tangential force, strain redistribution, and interfacial resistance. Finally, we summarize the challenges and development trends of bioinspired flexible sensors. This Review aims to deepen the understanding of bionic strategies and provide innovative ideas and references for the design and manufacture of next-generation flexible sensors.

Microplastic pollution and nutrient enrichment shift the diet of freshwater macroinvertebrates

Microplastic pollution poses a global threat to freshwater ecosystems, with laboratory experiments indicating potential toxic impacts through chemical toxicity, physical abrasion, and false satiation. Bioplastics have emerged as a potential greener alternative to traditional oil-based plastics. Yet, their environmental effects remain unclear, particularly at scales relevant to the natural environment. Additionally, the interactive impacts of microplastics with other environmental stressors, such as nutrient enrichment, are poorly understood and rarely studied. Under natural conditions organisms might be able to mitigate the toxic effects of microplastics by shifting their diet, but this ability may be compromised by other stressors. This study combines an outdoor mesocosm experiment and stable isotope analysis to determine changes in the trophic niches of three freshwater invertebrate species exposed to conventional (HDPE) and bio-based biodegradable (PLA) microplastics at two concentrations, both independently and combined with nutrient enrichment. Exposure to microplastics altered the isotopic niches of two of the invertebrate species, with nutrient enrichment mediating this effect. Moreover, the effects of microplastics were consistent regardless of their type or concentration. Under enriched conditions, two of the species exposed to microplastics shifted to a specialised diet compared with controls, whereas little difference was observed between the isotopic niches of those exposed to microplastic and controls under ambient nutrient conditions. Additionally, PLA was estimated to support 24 % of the diet of one species, highlighting the potential assimilation of bioplastics by biota and possible implications. Overall, these findings suggest that the toxic effects of microplastics suggested from laboratory studies might not manifest under real-world conditions. However, this study does demonstrate that subtle sublethal effects occur even at environmentally realistic microplastic concentrations. The crucial role of nutrient enrichment in mediating microplastic effects underscores the importance of considering microplastic pollution in the context of other environmental stressors.

On-Demand Transport Bubbles Adhering to Noncontiguous Patterned Superhydrophobic Surfaces Using a Superhydrophobic Tweezer.

Bubble transportation and related flotation are ubiquitous phenomena in nature and industry. Various surfaces with distinct morphologies and specific wettability properties have been engineered by organisms in nature and by humans to facilitate the targeted movement of bubbles. However, existing methods predominantly rely on continuous surfaces, limiting the ability of bubbles to deviate from their path before reaching their intended destination. Therefore, directional transportation of bubbles using noncontiguous surfaces still remains a significant challenge. Inspired by water spiders' ability to capture bubbles underwater using their hydrophobic surface for survival, we propose a novel transport strategy that utilizes patterned superhydrophobic surfaces (PSHSs) and a superhydrophobic tweezer. This strategy is implemented by switching between the hood mode and puncture mode of the moving three-phase contact lines to load and unload the bubble. To quantitatively evaluate the loss ratio of the bubble during transportation, a simple and exquisite bubble-weighing apparatus is devised. Our findings indicate that circular PSHSs demonstrate superior bubble adhesion and achieve the highest bubble transport ratio of 95.1%. In order to validate the promising application of this novel method, we employ the computer numerical control (CNC) technology to facilitate the autonomous loading and precise transportation of underwater bubbles, as well as the blending and ionization of combustible gas bubbles with air bubbles at different volume ratios.

3D-Printable high-mixed-conductivity ionogel composites for soft multifunctional devices

Multifunctional components are pivotal for the physical intelligence of synthetic robots, mirroring the multifaceted roles seen in natural organisms. Achieving such complexity is challenged by the rigidity and the intricate assembly required of monofunctional parts and by the difficulty of designing materials that respond distinctly to multiple stimuli. A key challenge in developing multifunctional devices is to co-evolve intrinsically multistimuli-responsive materials with their fabrication methods. In this context, materials with mixed ionic-electronic conductivity (MIEC) stand out, as their dual conductivity enables the concurrent processing of diverse signals. However, the lack of precise fabrication techniques has restricted the full exploitation of MIECs in creating multimaterial, complex-shaped, hierarchically structured multifunctional devices. We introduce high-conductivity soft ionogel/single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) MIEC composites (ISMCs), 3D-printed in high resolution using vat photopolymerization (VPP). These composites are showcased in multifunctional pressure–temperature sensors capable of detecting pressure thanks to a SWCNT network and sensing temperature in a broad range with a high sensitivity owing to the ionic conductivity of an ionic liquid (IL). We suggest that the high electronic (1.82 mS/cm) and ionic (1.02 mS/cm) conductivities, combined with precise, single-step VPP 3D-printing, lay the groundwork for versatile, soft multifunctional devices for a wide range of applications.