Engineering Functional Materials with Biology
Abstract
The Engineering Functional Materials with Biology program is pursuing new approaches to engineer complex biological systems for enhanced capabilities and functional materials to improve military infrastructure design and logistics, sensors, and platforms. Complex biological materials and systems have unique properties (e.g., controlled porosity, high strength-to-weight ratios, tunable magnetic and optical properties, etc.) not only because of the inherent biological components but also because of how those components are assembled together from microscopic to macroscopic scales. Engineering biology tools and techniques are now at a stage to improve the production, organization, and function of biomaterial systems for a variety of expanded capabilities, including those that can help DoD address supply chain challenges. This program is conducting research to enable information-driven assembly of hierarchical biological systems for materials as well as alternate approaches for the production of critical molecules and materials. Advances in this program will impact: next-generation material design for optical and electronic applications; military approaches to infrastructure design in austere environments; and established methods for the manufacture and maintenance of military platforms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 2a31dce1d3fd083a2f5dc610330f0c66