Nature is replete with hierarchically assembled hybrid materials where the multi‐scale structures confer unique properties and functions. The objective of the Bioinspired Materials FWP is to explore biomimetic pathways for design and synthesis of hierarchically self‐assembled functional materials with controllable properties for energy applications. Our approach mimics Nature using organic templates coupled to mineralization proteins to control the growth of the inorganic phase to form self‐assembled nanocomposites. Magnetotactic bacteria with chains of magnetic nanocrystals serve as inspiration and sources of mineralization proteins. We are developing new methods to create dynamic tunable nanostructures using reversible linkages for assembly/disassembly of inorganic nanocrystals in response to environmental conditions. This highly interdisciplinary research is facilitated by FWP investigators with diverse backgrounds in several disciplines. The synergistic combination of synthesis, materials characterization and theory provides a powerful approach for understanding mineralization processes in Nature and for expanding on these processes to grow novel nanocrystals in organic matrices in vitro. This controlled bottom‐up approach for materials design aligns well with DOE’s proposed directions in “control science”, allowing for the synthesis of nanostructures such as complex magnetic nanocrystals with potential energy relevance.
This research is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering.