University of Colorado Boulder’s Ankur Gupta and his collaborators have taken the field of biomimicry to a whole new level. First, they’ve expanded on Alan Turing’s theory about how patterns develop on animals. Their research, released in the journal Matter, investigates how nature’s complex designs can help develop synthetic materials. This latest study is an extension of Turing’s original 1952 hypothesis. It uncovers fascinating new details on how cells generate varied structures from their rich dynamics and interactions.
Gupta’s team wants to deepen our understanding of how these pattern-making cells come together. They imitate the distinctive purple-and-black devotional boxfish’s hexagon patterns. That serves as a stunning living illustration of just how these organic patterns grow. Such innovations may one day produce formes that screen environmental stimuli to take on responsive or adaptable qualities, which would prove valuable in settings ranging from architecture to art.
Advancements in Diffusiophoresis
Gupta’s most recent efforts directly support the diffusiophoresis model. This mathematical model describes random walk patterns of particles down a concentration gradient of solutes. Using this simple model as a baseline, research can begin to address deeper questions regarding how pattern formation occurs within biological systems. Gupta and his team focused their ideas into sharper theories. In doing so, they showed that diffusiophoresis can produce patterns with sharper borders and more detailed textures.
For this work, the researchers utilized diffusiophoretic transport through biogenic simulations comprised of two types of adaptive pigment-producing cells. These simulations enabled them to reproduce imperfections and textures within the patterns, even providing the cells different sizes. From a practice standpoint, this approach is a historic jump forward in their understanding of how natural patterns occur and develop over time.
“We are able to capture these imperfections and textures simply by giving these cells a size.” – Ankur Gupta
Gupta’s team wants to tap into the beauty and complexity of nature. They integrate these pieces into their predictive models for real world applications. Their results suggest a future in which engineers design structural materials that alter hue in response to external factors. This innovation promises to lead a new generation of synthetic, hyper-responsive materials.
Future Applications and Collaborations
In a future envisioned by Gupta, synthetic materials would be designed to imitate naturally occurring patterns. Like these materials will do, their functional roles will change depending on their environment. The applications of this research go far beyond aesthetics, their innovations have the potential to radically change industries from textile to architecture.
Working alongside other scientists at CU Boulder has been central to Gupta’s success. The project’s transdisciplinary nature, as it opened communication between a multitude of disciplines, created an exciting flow of ideas and resources. Together, this collaborative partnership enhances the depth of their findings. The team’s advance is an encouraging sign that we’re headed in the right direction towards more research on pattern formation and its future applications.
“We proposed a simple idea that can explain how cells assemble to create these variations.” – Ankur Gupta
More than anything else, this collaborative effort showcases the power of teamwork in scientific discovery, especially in emerging, multifaceted fields such as biomimicry. Through collaboration, researchers find new ways to go beyond the current methodologies and bring a deeper understanding of natural systems.
Embracing Imperfections
One of the central ideas that’s emerged from Gupta’s work is the importance of embracing imperfections found in organic patterns. The team incentivizes difference and the unusual, rather than perfection and the sameness. They know that these distinct characteristics can unlock amazing capabilities in artificial materials.
“We are drawing inspiration from the imperfect beauty of the natural system and hope to harness these imperfections for new kinds of functionality in the future.” – Ankur Gupta
Gupta and his colleagues welcome these organic differences. Such an approach advances a new frontier of material design that could transform the field of material science. Their work not only sheds light on the mechanisms behind natural pattern formation but inspires future generations of engineers and scientists to explore the potential of biomimicry.