Biomimicry examples in
Chemistry and Materials

Mussels attach themselves to wet, wave-battered rocks using protein threads that bond to virtually any surface underwater — something no synthetic adhesive has ever matched. Scientists have now synthesised the key molecule (DOPA) to create biomedical glues that work inside the body.

• ✿Inspired by: Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis)
• ⚡︎Function: Mimics mussel protein adhesion for underwater bonding.
• ▣Company: Mussel Polymers Inc
• ◉Where: Netherlands

Development of biodegradable bioplastics using plant-based materials and enzymatic processes inspired by natural photosynthesis and plant metabolism.

• ✿Inspired by: Plant leaves, citrus peel, rubisco enzyme
• ⚡︎Function: Create durable yet biodegradable polymers using renewable plant-based sources and efficient enzymatic processes
• ▣Company: Novomer (and related biotechnology firms)
• ◉Where: Netherlands

Development of eco-friendly white cellulose pigments inspired by the structural color of white beetles.

• ✿Inspired by: White beetles (Cyphochilus species)
• ⚡︎Function: Mimics beetle structural color to create non-toxic white pigments.
• ▣Company: Impossible Materials
• ◉Where: UK

Blue Planet developed concrete aggregates using CO2-sequestering minerals inspired by coral calcium carbonate structures. These aggregates lock CO2 into concrete, reducing emissions while improving building material sustainability.

• ✿Inspired by: Hard corals (Scleractinia order)
• ⚡︎Function: CO2 capture and sequestration in building materials
• ▣Company: Blue Planet
• ◉Where: USA

Liver Inspired Toxic Free Cleaning Materials - Sudoc One of your body's most amazing organs, The human liver is just incredible - from filtering harmful things from your blood, storing fuel, and even helps you digest food..

Non-toxic bright white from cellulose nanostructures.

• ✿Inspired by: Morpho Butterfly, Jewel Beetle (Nanostructured Cuticles)
• ⚡︎Function: Layered cellulose nanostructures create optical paths where light wavelengths interfere constructively, amplifying specific colours whils...
• ▣Company: Seprify
• ◉Where: UK

Inspired by how warm-blooded animals cool themselves through sweat evaporation, researchers at MIT developed a temperature-sensitive hydrogel layer that passively releases water when surfaces overheat. The hydrogel acts as an artificial sweating skin — dissipating heat through evaporation with more than twice the cooling efficiency of natural convection, without any energy input or moving parts.

• ✿Inspired by: Warm-blooded mammals (eccrine sweating thermoregulation)
• ▣Company: MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Mimikai: Nature’s Secret to Insect Repellent Many people dislike the smell and feel of traditional bug sprays like DEET.

Hemoglobin's oxygen-binding mechanism inspires metal-free catalysts for energy storage, replacing rare-earth elements.

• ✿Inspired by: Hemoglobin and iron-binding proteins
• ⚡︎Function: Oxygen transport proteins must bind oxygen reversibly, many times per second, without catalyst poisoning or structural degradation. Hemog...
• ▣Company: Azul Energy
• ◉Where: USA

Praio: Protocells for sustainable, low-cost chemical production Making ingredients for perfumes or medicines can be expensive and carbon-heavy.

Sustainable synthetic mucus lubricant What do we use animal-derived mucus for? Gel Matter has developed a mucus product based on that secreted by snails (a massive market for this currently is the skincare industry) which could also be used for different purposes including lubrication, adhesion and

A 3D printable foam ink developed by Harvard SEAS and Wyss Institute inspired by grass cell structures for lightweight, strong materials.

• ✿Inspired by: Grass cell structures
• ⚡︎Function: Create lightweight, strong materials using 3D printing inspired by grass cell structure
• ▣Company: Harvard SEAS (School of Engineering and Applied Sciences) & Wyss Institute
• ◉Where: USA