Anja Mueller 
Biomimetic Nanotechnology [EPUB ebook] 
Senses and Movement

I. Introduction
— Why copy nature?
— Nature through the eyes of an engineer

II. Introduction to Materials Science
— Scale of Atoms, Molecules, Cells, Polymers
— Mechanical strength
— Material characterization techniques

III. Introduction to Nanotechnology
— The effect of size on properties such as mechanical properties and flow
— Bulk forces vs. surface forces
— Microfluidics
— Ion lithography
— Characterization techniques for nano-sized materials

IV. Introduction to biology in the molecular scale
— Tissues, cells, and cell components
— Neurons
— Protein structure — activity
— Transport in blood, cells, and across membranes
— Signal transduction

V. Molecular motors
— Energy conversion into force and movement in the body
— Structure and function of molecular motors
ATP synthesis
DNA packing
— Flagella
— Use of molecular motors in devices
— Nanosized motors mimicking biological molecular motors

VI. Vision
— Human vision — light to electrical signal conversion
— Photoelectric sensor using rhodopsin
— Nanosized light switches mimicking biological vision

VII. Smell and Taste
— Human smell and taste — chemical to electrical signal conversion
— Artificial nose/tongue using the same conversion principles
— Artificial nose/tongue mimicking the same function
— Artificial nose with neurons, mimicking sense and recognition

VIII. Skin, the biggest organ in the body
— Skin functions — protection, recognition and defense, recognition and transport, sensor (touch, temperature)
— Structure — function relationship in skin
— Nanosized materials mimicking skin’s protection mechanism
— Drug delivery mimicking transport and release upon signal
— Nanomaterials reacting upon environmental changes with transport or release

IX. Future Developments

Anja Mueller, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA.