From 13 to 14 November 2024, the research consortia of the "Biologization of Technology: Bioinspired Materials Research" funding measure met for their first joint status conference. The accompanying project “BioTrans” had invited the participants to the headquarters of Festo SE & Co. KG, which is also involved as a project partner in one of the 12 funded joint projects. The participants were welcomed by Dr. Erb, BIOKON Managing Director and coordinator of the accompanying project, by Mr. Winkler from the host company and by Dr. Cottone from the funding body, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Dr. Cottone took the opportunity to recall the beginnings of “nature-inspired innovation strategies”. They are seen as a great source of ideas for the functionality and efficiency of technical systems, but also for the problems of our time, such as the creation of a circular economy, sustainable material innovations and new recycling concepts. In addition to bioinspiration, digitalization in research and development was also highlighted as the key to more material innovations. Dr. Straumal from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology explained the importance of the MaterialDigital (PMD) innovation platform in this regard in his presentation. 

Focus On Bioinspired Materials Research and Exchange 

At the heart of the conference was the dialog between the joint projects whose research focuses on bioinspired materials technologies. Representatives of the consortia from research institutes and companies presented backgrounds, biological role models, objectives and initial results of their projects. The span of application areas addressed by the technological concepts presented was impressively clear: These range from medicine (technology), implantology and pharmacy to automotive technology, process and automation technology, optics, wastewater technology and painting technology. Poster sessions and interactive exchange formats also provided an opportunity to identify common interests and challenges. 

Festive and Entrepreneurial Supporting Program at Festo 

A special feature of the event was the presentation of this year's BIOKON Young Talent Bionics Award on the evening of 13 November, which was supported by Festo and to which other guests were invited. Dr. Leonie Beek from the Institute of Textile Technology at RWTH Aachen University was presented with the Bionics Award by a jury of experts for her outstanding scientific work in the development of bionic textiles for the separation of oil and water, which is inspired by the superhydrophobic and lipophilic properties of biological surfaces. The award and the other recognition prizes impressively underlined the innovative nature of bioinspired technical solutions and the importance of promoting young talent in this field of research. 

The host Festo offered a practical insight into the biologization of industrial processes during a tour of the Festo Experience Center and the bionics laboratory. During an “air show”, employees demonstrated two bionic drones that whirred and fluttered spectacularly over the heads of the guests. Festo uses such demonstrators to test bionic technical concepts that have already been successfully integrated into its own production technology in the past. 

Further Information 

We report regularly on the content and progress of the projects on LinkedIn and on the website.