The NCCR "Bio-Inspired Materials – Using Concepts from Nature to Create 'Smart' Materials" aims to pool the expertise of its members in the fields of chemistry, physics, materials science, biology and medicine in order to study and find applications for new smart materials inspired by living things. This involves devising new design strategies and rules to create and assemble macromolecules and nanoparticles into ordered structures to produce smart materials with the desired properties. The NCCR plans to conduct the relevant research in three interdisciplinary modules: adaptive materials responding to mechanical stimuli, adaptive materials created through self-assembly and interactions of adaptive materials with living cells.
The SNSF is financing the NCCR Bio-Inspired Materials in its first funding period.