Nanoscale Biomimicry Janice Sees

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Nanoscale Biomimicry
Janice Sees
Cocklebur Velcro
Red Abalone Nacre Unique Tough Material
Marine Sponges Computer Chips
Credit (left) http//www.blogsforcompanies.com
Credit www.uncw.edu
Credit (left) www.all-creatures.org (right)
www.nikonsmallworld.com/gallery Photo on right by
Tracey E. Anderson
Credit (right) http//home.physics.wisc.edu/gilbe
rt/sem1.htm
Marine sponges make silica dioxide structures
with the aid of a protein called silicatein.
Scientists at University of California Santa
Barbara have synthesized an imitation of this
protein. They have shown that this protein mimic
can direct the making of silica structures, just
as the sponge protein silicatein does except with
low energy and non-toxic manufacturing. Source
http//www.biomimicry.net/
Scientists are reproducing the nacre structure of
the abalone shell. The nacre, or
mother-of-pearl, is composed of alternating
layers of hard and elastic layers that give it
the unusual combination of toughness, strength
and stiffness. Proposed uses for this imitation
nacre include windshield coatings, solar car
parts, airplane parts, and artificial
bone. Source http//www.biomimicry.net/
The historical beginning of biomimicry is
credited to Swiss engineer Georges de Mestral.
He was curious about the cockleburs all over his
clothes and his dogs fur after hunting
expeditions. These cockleburs were his
inspiration for his invention of Velcro in 1948.
The most respected and famous laboratory on
Planet Earth is Nature. This laboratory is never
closed and constantly working. There are endless
possibilities for new designs, or revisions of
old designs. Things that do not work are
discarded. Biomimicry is a new field of science
that is based on humans imitating what Natures
Laboratory has earlier found out what works and
what does not work. We use these tested trials to
benefit our humanity.
Peacocks New Paints
Green Leaves Solar Cells
Gecko/Mussel Wet/Dry Adhesive
Credit (left) www.abc.net.au (right)
http//masseynew.massey.ac.nz Dr. Wayne Campbell
holding flask of synthetic chlorophyll.
Credit www.tonyhill.net/peacockfeathers.ivnu
Small and efficient solar cells are being modeled
after photosynthetic reaction centers in leaves.
These new solar cells could be used for splitting
water (hydrogen and oxygen as products) or as
computer mechanisms that channel light instead of
electrons. Source http//www.biomimicry.net/
The brilliant colors of peacocks are created
through structural layers rather than additional
pigment. This could lead to brilliant colors and
pigment free paints and products. Pigment mining
and synthesis is toxic. Source
http//www.biomimicry.net/
Lee et al. (2007) reported the creation of a
hybrid wet/dry adhesive. This biomimetic hybrid
adhesive was designed from the gecko foot pad and
the mussel holdfasts. Their results are of
relevance to medical, industrial, consumer and
military settings.
Acknowledgements Drexel/Penn RET NANO 2007,
Program Coordinators James McGonigle Holly
Burnside This work was supported by the National
Science Foundation grant number EEC-0402045.
Credits Lee, H., Lee, B., and P. Messersmith.
July 19, 2007. A reversible wet/dry adhesive
inspired by mussels and geckos. Nature Letters
448 338-341
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Nanotechnology in IT
Cell Phones
Nanotechnology has combined mechanics,
electronics, and optics at significantly reduced
dimensions to achieve high performance and high
complexity in a small volume with correspondingly
low power consumption and mass.
Smaller, lighter cell phones
Nanoscaled devices inside cell phones
include resonant filters, RF switches, phase
shifters, tunable filters, and antenna systems
Satellites
Smaller, lighter satellites
Nanoscaled devices inside satellites include
sensors, gyroscope and control systems
Thin Film Stack
Substrate

Smaller devices mean less power consumption so
you can go longer without having to recharge
your phone
A lighter satellite results in lower launching
costs A smallSAT may be launched on a 9million
Pegasus rather than a 78millon Atlas class rocket

This smallSAT launched In 2000 weighs less Than
½ pound and measures 4x3x1 Credit Aerospace
Corp.
Photonics
An array of 19 tiny microthrusters Each produces
100watts of power for an instant when they are
firedenough energy to maneuver a small satellite