Pasche, D.; Horbelt, N.; Marin, F.; Motreuil, S.; Fratzl, P.; Harrington, M. J.: Self-healing silk from the sea: role of helical hierarchical structure in Pinna nobilis byssus mechanics. Soft Matter 15 (47), pp. 9654 - 9664 (2019)
Pasche, D.; Horbelt, N.; Marin, F.; Motreuil, S.; Macías-Sánchez, E.; Falini, G.; Hwang, D. S.; Fratzl, P.; Harrington, M. J.: A new twist on sea silk: the peculiar protein ultrastructure of fan shell and pearl oyster byssus. Soft Matter 14 (27), pp. 5654 - 5664 (2018)
Pasche, D.: Sea Silk: multiscale study of structure-function relationships in P. nobilis byssus and its traditional processing into golden yarn. Dissertation, xvi, 148 pp., Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin (2019)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Team has investigated how the natural properties of native tree bark can be used to create a standardized product for long-term use without the addition of adhesives. They have created bark panels by peeling and drying via hot pressing, which could be used in interior design or furniture and packaging, e.g., through industrial production.
Prof. Dr. Peter Fratzl has been appointed honorary life member by the Chinese Chemical Society (CCS). The CCS describes this nomination as "the highest honor bestowed on the world's most distinguished chemists and materials scientists".
Researchers discovered strong adhesive properties of white-berry mistletoe. Its flexible fibers adhere to both skin and cartilage as well as to various synthetic materials and could find application in many fields, such as wound sealant in biomedicine.
Researchers have discovered new properties of collagen: During the intercalation of minerals in collagen fibers, a contraction tension is generated that is hundreds of times stronger than muscle strength.
On February 3, the virtual inauguration of the first Max Planck Center on the Australian continent will take place. At the MPQC, project teams will explore biological materials known as extracellular matrices.