Interlinking spatial dimensions and kinetic processes in dissipative materials to create synthetic systems with
Oleg E Shklyaev1, Anna C Balazs2
1Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Nature Nanotechnology
|December 6, 2023
Summary
Researchers are developing self-sustaining
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomimetic Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Biological systems efficiently convert energy for survival.
- Current synthetic materials lack autonomous, self-sustained functionality.
- Nature provides a blueprint for self-powered, adaptive material systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore advances and challenges in dissipative materials design.
- To create synthetic materials mimicking biological self-sustained functions.
- To inspire next-generation functional, 'living' materials.
Main Methods:
- Designing synthetic analogues for biological systems (metabolism, vasculature, etc.).
- Establishing design rules connecting structural and kinetic properties across length and timescales.
- Harnessing intrinsic dynamic interactions within materials for self-powered functionality.
Main Results:
- Progress in creating materials with self-sustained and autonomous functions.
- Identification of key design principles for energy conversion and transport in synthetic systems.
- Demonstration of materials performing work through intrinsic dynamic interactions.
Conclusions:
- Significant strides have been made in dissipative materials design.
- Further research is needed to fully realize 'living' materials with biological-like autonomy.
- Interconnecting material properties across scales is crucial for global functionality.
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