Representatives gathered for their first workshop and planning session Wednesday, (Sept. 25) on the Princeton University campus. The institute's mission is to boost understanding of natural phenomena and translate its findings into new materials that mimic the extraordinary structural and self-repairing properties of such substances as bone or seashells, Samulski said. These biologically inspired materials could adapt to changing conditions and are expected to help make air- and spacecraft lighter, stronger and more reliable. "Our goal is to bring more 'smart' functions into spacecraft materials," said Dr. Ilhan Aksay, a Princeton professor of chemical engineering who leads the institute. "Some of these functions already exist in biology."
Researchers also expect to develop partnerships with businesses that will translate laboratory discoveries into products for U.S. industry. NASA selected the consortium's proposal from among more than 100 submissions, Aksay said.
The program in bio-inspired materials is part of a broader NASA effort to expand its ties to academia by establishing seven university-based institutes, each of which will develop an area of technology of "long-term strategic interest to the agency and the nation." While two of the institutes will focus on bio-inspired materials, the other five will work on propulsion, reusable launch vehicles and other challenges.
New composites of organic and inorganic compounds will get special attention through the IBIM institute.
"This is very exciting since it started with a group of us sitting around up at NASA contemplating and discussing the exquisite beauty nature uses in making materials that can repair themselves," Samulski said. "NASA is convinced that by brainstorming with top universities and front-line researchers in material sciences that it can come up with new concepts that will enab
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Contact: David Williamson
919-962-8596
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
25-Sep-2002