In billions of years, natural evolution has perfected many biological machines that are multifunctional and sustainable. This has inspired researchers to realize artificial systems that recapitulate biological design and function by using novel materials and architectures with the ability to process electronic or photonic signals, as well as by exploring the integration of living organisms with synthetic organic or inorganic components. The goal of the symposium is to discuss the state-of-the-art in functional materials, devices and processes for realizing biohybrid systems and soft functional interfaces that mimic the natural communication/signaling mechanisms in biological systems. This symposium will broadly cover emerging materials and architectures used in abiotic-biotic hybrid systems and functional interfaces, their fundamental design and properties, as well as their applications for biomedical technologies, actuators, or sensors integrated with microorganisms, cells, and tissues, including plants. Bridging the world of biology together with other technological areas such as photonics, electronics, and nanotechnology, this interdisciplinary symposium will bring together the cutting-edge chemical, physical, and biological aspects of current and future biohybrid and soft functional interfaces.

biological biomaterial biomimetic electrical properties nanoscale