Sustainable and Bio-inspired Materials

We are tackling research questions at the interface of chemistry, soft-matter physics, optics, and biology. Our studies focus on how natural materials are assembled into complex architectures within living organism and how these architectures define their response. We believe that, by understanding the design principles found in nature, it is possible to fabricate a novel class of truly sustainable functional materials using only natural resources and ambient conditions.

Research

Cellulose Nanocrystal Self-Assembly

Nature's most vibrant colours result from photonic structures, like the helical arrangement of cellulose fibres in Pollia condensata fruits. These natural examples inspire us to explore the use of cellulose nanomaterials as sustainable colourants.
 

Structural Colour in Nature

Structural colour occurs across various kingdoms in nature, from single-celled organisms to plants and a wide range of animals. Our research explores how nature generates these vibrant colours, with a particular focus on structural colour in bacteria, sea slugs, plants, fruits, as well as algae.

Chitin Nanocrystal Self-Assembly

Chitin is the second most abundant polysaccharide and plays a key role in the vibrant colouration of beetles and the structural strength of crustaceans. Extracted from shrimp shells or fungi, chitin nanocrystals can self-assemble into periodic chiral structures, of interest for creating innovative bio-inspired photonic materials.
 

Biological Adhesive Systems

Plants, animals, and algae create remarkable adhesives. We study their composition and structure to reveal the secrets of their extraordinary sticking ability and inspire new sustainable glues.
 

Nanophotonics in Complex Media

We study light scattering in ordered and disordered media using various modelling and simulation techniques to predict optical responses. Additionally, we develop optical setups to experimentally characterise complex systems.
 

Soft Matter Electron Microscopy

Electron microscopy is a key technique for imaging and analyzing materials at the nanoscale. By using advanced electron microscopy methods, we focus on the structural characterization of radiation-sensitive soft and biological materials.
 

Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Self-Assembly

Hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) is a versatile cellulose derivative known for its vibrant colours in liquid crystalline phases and responsiveness to stimuli. We aim to understand HPC self-assembly and optimize this photonic system for practical applications.
 

Polymer Self-Assembly

Block copolymers (BCPs) are a promising class of materials widely used in the fabrication of photonic materials. We are exploring the confined self-assembly of BCPs in droplets to create photonic pigments, methods to enhance self-assembly or add functionality and the development of biocompatible and biodegradable BCP-based photonic systems.

Membrane Biophysics and Artificial Cells

We investigate membrane biophysics using giant unilamellar vesicles as simplified cell models, characterizing their properties and reconstituting key cellular functions to unravel membrane behavior and dynamics.

Art

Inspired by photonic architectures that some plants evolved, the artist Lidia Sigle is working with cellulose to create iridescent structural colour.