Biomimetics involves investigation of structure, function, and methods of synthesis of biological composite materials. The goal is to apply this information to the design and synthesis of materials for engineering applications.Properties of engineering materials are structure sensitive through the whole spectrum of dimensions from nanometer to macro scale. The goal in designing and processing of technological materials, therefore, is to control microstructural evolution at each of these dimensions so as to achieve predictable physical and chemical properties. Control at each successive level of dimension, however, is a major challenge as is the retention of integrity between successive levels. Engineering materials are rarely fabricated to achieve more than a few of the desired properties and the synthesis techniques usually involve high temperature or low pressure conditions that are energy inefficient and environmentally damaging.In contrast to human-made materials, organisms synthesize composites whose intricate structures are more controlled at each scale and hierarchical order.
