Biomaterials

Beetle-infested wood is usually considered waste, good only for burning, while swamps are often drained to make space for construction. Until you visit two new temporary exhibitions by »Matters of Activity«, which challenge these long-held assumptions and invite visitors to see both as versatile, living resources for a more sustainable future. more

We left the lab coat hanging for a day—but brought our lab equipment with us to meet more than 8,200 visitors. At our 10 stations, we showcased how we learn from nature to develop sustainable solutions—from dye- and pigment-free colors to bio-inspired materials for construction, medicine, and design. more

Prof. Peter Fratzl, Director of our Biomaterials Department, will contribute his expertise in the science and engineering of biological materials to help inform decision-making and science policy in Germany. more

Silica aerogels are among the lightest solid materials and effective insulators thanks to their unique network of pores. X-ray examinations found that bubbles are critical to maintaining the pores during aerogel formation. The emergence of bubbles prevents the material from collapsing and points to low-cost alternative manufacturing methods with varied applications in the construction industry more

Materials can temporarily change shape when a force is applied (elastic deformation) and scientists analyze a slight color change in the ligh reflected under a laser beam. Dr. Shahrouz Amini can now capture elasticity in real time and in 3D with an inverted nanoindenter – like a tiny diamond pencil tip that applies stress to a sample. The invention enables the design of tailor-made materials for applications ranging from microelectronics to prosthetic implants. more