Abstract

Biomimicry explores how principles found in nature can inspire the development of advanced technologies, particularly by revealing the remarkable efficiency of matter organization from meso- downto nano-scales. Natural systems -refined over millions of years of evolution- -offer elegant structures that balance performance, adaptability, and resource efficiency. By studying these systems, scientists and engineers gain valuable insights for designing materials with enhanced functionality. Modern laser-based techniques are essential for translating these biological inspirations into engineered solutions. (Ultra)fast and high-precision laser processing enables the replication of complex hierarchical structures found in nature, from micro-scale surface textures to intricated internal architectures. These tools allow for the controlled modification of materials by finetuning laser energy, pulse duration, and scanning patterns, effectively encoding specific structural and functional properties into surfaces or volumes. The integration of biomimicry with laser fabrication opens new frontiers in creating advanced functional materials -a topic that we will explore further-. 1-i.e. shark skins exhibit microscopic riblet patterns reducing drag and promoting hypercavitation effects in fluid flow. These characteristics have inspired engineered surfaces to reduce friction, and enhance performance in marine and transport systems. 2-i.e. hyperelasticity of octopus limbs allowing them to undergo extreme deformation while maintaining functionality; mimicking theses properties enables the development of flexible, resilient materials for soft robotics and adaptive systems. 3-i.e. feathers of owls serve as a model for silent flight, thanks to their unique serrated edges and soft, porous structure that reduce aerodynamic noise. Replicating these features inspires quieter aerodynamic surfacesfor applications ranging from low-noise aircraft components to more efficient wind turbines. 4-i.e. moth eyes exhibit nanoscale surface patterns that significantly minimize light reflection, giving rise to exceptional anti-reflective properties. Mimicking these structures allows the development of optical surfaces with reduced glare and enhanced light transmission, offering promising applications in photovoltaics, sensors, and optical devices. 

Biography

Severine A.E. Boyer, CNRS Researcher, has completed her PhD from Blaise Pascal ClermontFerrand University (France), and Assistant-Professor studies from the Tokyo Metropolitan University (Japan), and respectively from Mines Paris PSL and IMT Mines Douai (France). She has published more than 50 papers. Her activities aim to conduct combinations of chemo-physics / poly-morpho-genesis / interfaces in hybrids materials to meet the challenges of new materials, new model-experiments and new numerical models. Alain Burr did his PhD at Paris VI University (France). He was Assistant-Professor at the University of California Santa Barbara (USA) before being CNRS Researcher at ESPCI Paris PSL and Mines Paris PSL (France). He has published more than 40 papers. His concern is about functional materials, such as polymer nanocomposites, the modulation of physicochemical properties of polymer, this in the process concept as nD printing. In addition, during 2013-2019, as a partner, he created and developed the startup Pigm'Azur (France), a company that manufactures hybrid pigments.

Abstract

A significant component of our research concerns the development of surface chemistry that reduces bacterial adhesion to materials employed to fabricate catheters and other medical devices.  The interaction of substrates with the components of biological fluids such as urine has constituted a research problem over many years. In this regard, a variety of strategies have been used to attempt an enhancement of biocompatibility with some emphasis being centered on the control of surface free energy and imposition of a plethora of surface coatings. In our work, we are examining the self-assembled monoloyer (SAM) modification of medical grade steel and  polymers employed in various devices. We are working primarily with samples containing relatively high concentrations of E.coli, Pseudomonas, Candida (fungus) and Staphylococcus Aureus both in static and dynamic experiments studied by fluoresence microscopy In particular,we have exmned the interaction of Cnadida Albicnas and Staphylococous Aureus with respect to both time and number of particles for exposure to the modified materials. The various SAMs exhibit distinctly different behaviour in terms of bacterial and fungal interaction and eventuaal biofilm formation. The relevance of the results of our research to the avoidance of bacterial fouling of substraes to produce  biofilms will be evaluated. 

Biography

Professor Michael Thompson obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Wales, UK and his PhD in analytical chemistry from McMaster University. Following a period as Science Research Council PDF at Swansea University, UK, he was appointed Lecturer in Instrumental Analysis at Loughborough University. He then moved to the University of Toronto where he is now Professor of Bioanalytical Chemistry. He has held a number of distinguished research posts including the Leverhulme Fellowship at the University of Durham and the Science Foundation Ireland E.T.S Walton Research Fellowship at the Tyndall National Institute, Cork City. He is recognized internationally for his pioneering work over many years in the area of research into new biosensor technologies and the surface chemistry of biochemical and biological entities. He has made major contributions to the label-free detection of immunochemical and nucleic acid interactions and surface behavior of cells using ultra high frequency acoustic wave physics. In recent years his group has concentrated on solutions to the ubiquitous fouling and biocompatibility problem of sensors and medical devices. This has included the direct operation of biosensors in biological fluids and avoidance of platelet aggregation on medical polymeric materials. Thompson has served on the Editorial Boards of a number of major international journals including Analytical Chemistry and The Analyst and is currently Editor-in-Chief of the monograph series “Detection Science” for the Royal Society of Chemistry, UK. He has been awarded many prestigious international prizes for his research including The Robert Boyle Gold Medal of the Royal Society of Chemistry, The Elsevier Prize in Biosensor and Bioelectronic Technology, the E.W.R. Steacie Award of the Chemical Society of Canada, and recently the 2023 Royal Society of Chemistry Horizons Prize in Analytical Science. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1999.

Abstract

Recent developments in origami engineering, tensegrity systems, architected materials and mechanical metamaterials suggest a fundamental shift in structural mechanics: mechanical functionality is increasingly generated not only by material composition, but by geometric organization itself.

Origami-based systems derive their behavior primarily from folding kinematics, geometric constraints and programmable motion pathways, while tensegrity structures achieve stability through self-stress states and prestressed force networks. Although traditionally treated as separate research domains, modern duality-based approaches reveal deep mathematical and mechanical connections between infinitesimal mechanisms in origami and self-stress states in tensegrity systems.

This contribution discusses origami and tensegrity as complementary manifestations of a broader framework of geometrically organized mechanics. Within this perspective, geometry no longer merely defines external form, but actively stores and organizes mechanical behavior, stability, adaptability and energy pathways.

The presentation further connects these ideas to current research on metamaterials, programmable matter, adaptive structures, bioinspired systems and computational design. Particular emphasis is placed on the transition from material-dominated engineering toward structurally programmed functionality, where stiffness, deformation modes and dynamic behavior emerge from topology, geometry and internal organization.

Finally, the work proposes that modern mechanics may increasingly evolve from a science of material properties toward a science of organized geometric states, with important implications for future structural engineering, robotics, smart materials and computational mechanics.

Biography

Professor des. Dr. Per Arvid Löthman obtained his Ph.D. degree from Twente University , The Netherlands in the field of Magnetics and Self-assembly, conducted research in Canada, France and Germany on carbon nanotubes, Graphen and related 2D nanomaterials. His research is interdisciplinary and involve sensors and sensing, 2D advanced materials, BioNanotechnology including DNA, S-layers, Viruses (archaea, bacteriophages), Biomolecular Architecture, Botany and functional surfaces, Mechatronics and BioMechatronics. Dr. Löthman has published over 90 scientifical articles, several book chapters & books and serves as a reviewer and he is on the editorial board for several journals such as Nature, Nature Materials, Journal of Bioanalytical and Analytical Chemistry, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Thin Solid Films, Sensors and Actuators, Microsystems Technologies. Dr. Löthman is Professor des. in BioMechatronics at the European University of Applied Science Hamburg, and researchgroup leader at University of Bayreuth in the field Organ-on-a-Chip and 3D Bioprinting. Furthermore, Dr. Per Arvid Löthman is Senior lecturer in “Nanomedicine, Nanopharmacy” and “Sensors and Sensing in Engineering, Biology and Medicine” (Kaiserslautern University) and Mechatronics Systems and Design (Hamburg University), Germany and Manufacturing Engineering (HTW Berlin) Germany.

Abstract

Medical device safety begins with a thorough understanding of the materials that make direct or indirect contact with the patient and the potential biological risks associated with those interactions. As biomaterials become increasingly sophisticated, manufacturers must integrate materials science, biocompatibility, toxicology, and risk management into a unified framework that supports patient safety and global regulatory compliance.
This presentation introduces an integrated risk management approach for evaluating biomaterials through the application of ISO 13485, ISO 10993, ISO 14971, ISO/TS 21726, and current FDA and EU MDR expectations. Using real-world industry case studies, attendees will review the design considerations and biological implications associated with elastomers, adhesives, polymer stabilizers, plasticizers, residual monomers, colorants, and particulates, with an emphasis on understanding the relationship between material composition, patient exposure, and toxicological risk.
Topics will include the application of Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) principles, chemical constituent identification, FTIR material equivalency assessments, manufacturing and supplier change management, worst-case device selection, and the interpretation of biological safety data to support regulatory submissions. The presentation will also examine the biological significance of particulates and the importance of integrating particulate assessment into the overall biological safety strategy.
By integrating materials engineering, biocompatibility, and toxicology into a comprehensive patient safety framework, this presentation provides scientists, engineers, and regulatory professionals with practical tools to support product development, reduce unnecessary testing, and strengthen scientific and regulatory defensibility.

Biography

William R. Drummond Jr., BSc, MBA, CQA is a Global Scientific and Engineering Leader specializing in biomaterials, polymer science, biocompatibility, toxicology, and medical device product development. With more than two decades of experience, he has supported the development, biological evaluation, and regulatory approval of biomaterials, medical devices, and combination products, including implantable technologies utilizing antibiotics and anticoagulants, for commercialization across the United States, Europe, Canada, Japan, China, South Korea, and Brazil. William has held scientific and leadership roles with Mammotome (Danaher), Abbott Cardiovascular, Natus Medical, Zimmer Biomet, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Pall Life Sciences, and Monsanto. His expertise spans polymer biomaterials, materials characterization, analytical chemistry, toxicological risk assessment, and medical device development. William holds a BS in Biology from the University of South Alabama and an MBA from the University of West Florida and is a Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) specializing in medical device quality, risk management, and regulatory compliance. He has been recognized by Marquis Who's Who for contributions to Biomedical Devices and Biotechnology.

Abstract

This presentation will address the implementation of the The REACH Regulation (EC No 1907/2006). This is the European Union's comprehensive framework governing the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemical substances.
This presentation will outline the practical impact of this regulation in Europe and the impact of this European regulation worldwide for the wind turbine industry.

Biography

Renie Harbers (Ir, Ing, MSc, BSc) studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Twente and has completed her Dutch Master of Science at the Department of Material Science and Technology of Polymers under the guidance of Professor J. G. Vancso. She worked over 20 years as a project (R&D) engineer for different highly valued companies like PPG, Royal Philips, SGS, ASML, Siemens, Pen- tair, TenCate Advanced Composites, Suzlon Ltd and Saint Gobain. She gained experience in different industries like: coatings industry, HighTech industry, Oil Industry, Water Treatment Industry, AirCraft Industry, Renewable Energy Industry and Construction Industry.

Abstract

Petroleum-based fillers continue to dominate the production of fiber optic cable gels. With the increased demand for high-speed internet and sustainable telecommunications, the extraction and overuse of non-renewable resources will contribute to increased greenhouse emissions over the next twenty-to-thirty years. This study investigates a transition from petroleum to plant-based, biodegradable materials by evaluating their production and performance efficiency. Plant-based oil gels made from epoxidized soybean or castor oil, engineered through chemical modification will effectively provide moisture blocking and mechanical protection while significantly lowering CO2 emissions. Typical engineering processes would include chemical modification to boost thermal and oxidative stability, thixotropic thickening agents to create a stable gel network, and antioxidants or stabilizers to slow degradation over time. While the chemical modification of plant-based oils can differ due to the amount of double bonds, the similar types of thickening agents and antioxidants remain the same in both petroleum and plant-based processing. Results indicate that this is not only feasible, but will also reduce the carbon footprint without compromising the efficacy of cable performance or signal strength.

Biography

Raymond Chiang, an eleventh grade student at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, is an aspiring Engineer in the field of Material Sciences. He hails from a Chinese-American family that established one of the first fiber optic cable companies in China that has now expanded throughout Asia. His deep interest in sustainable telecommunication processes led to this research and a related video series designed to teach others about our world that is connected through the internet and powered by fiber optic cables. In addition to his academic successes, Raymond is also an accomplished concert pianist who has performed on stage with world renown pianist, Lang Lang, throughout China on countless occasions.

Abstract

Will be updated soon

Biography

Victor R. Orante-Barrón, Ph.D. Associate Professor since february, 2010. Departamento de Investigación en Polímeros y Materiales. Universidad de Sonora. México. Education Ph.D., Materials Science, Universidad de Sonora. México. 2009. M.Sc., Polymers and Materials, Universidad de Sonora. México. 2005. B.Sc., Chemical Sciences, Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey (ITESM). México. 1999. Research Fellowships Post-Doctoral Fellowship, in the Radiation Dosimetry Laboratory of Oklahoma State University. From 2009 to 2010. Supervisor: Dr. Eduardo G. Yukihara. Visiting Researcher, in the Department of Physics of University of South Africa (UNISA), from September 4 to December 6, 2015. Awards Member of the National System of Researchers (SNI, in Spanish) of the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACyT, in Spanish). Level 1, since January, 2011. Acknowledgement to Desirable Profile from Program for Professional Teacher Development (PRODEP, in Spanish) of the National Secretary of Public Education. Participation in Conferences 98 presentations of scientific contributions in national and international conferences. Publications 24 articles published in international journals. Organizing Committees Member of organizing committees for three international conferences. Teaching Professor of several courses for undergraduate and graduate students. Human Resources Training Advisor of three B.Sc. theses (two concluded, one in process), five M.Sc theses (four concluded, one in process), and one Ph.D. thesis (in process)

Abstract

Will be updated soon

Biography

Valeriy V. Bykouski (Bykovskiy) completed Master of Science equal degree from Chemistry Department of the Chemistry and Biology Faculty Gomel State University named after F. Scorina, Belarus. He has been working as a Senior Scientist of Radiochemistry Department at Radiobiology Institution of National Academy of Science of Belarus, and as a Senior Scientist of Chemistry, Corrosion Protection, Material specialization and testing, Microbiology and associated researches Department in NOC Belarusneft, LLC LUKOIL and LLC LUKOIL-Engineering for onshore and offshore objects. He has published more than 20 papers and 5 of which in reputed journal.

Abstract

Will be updated soon

Biography

Dr. Vuppalapati has completed his PhD and postdoctoral fellowship from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Misssouri University of Science and Technology, USA. He is currently working as a Senior Materials Engineer at VT Industries. He is a subject matter expert in manufacturing of fiber reinforced composites in fenestration applications.