Cutting Edge Lectures in Science
Mother Nature as a Green Materials Engineer, and what
Scientists can learn from her about Self-Assembly
Dr. Christopher Barrett (Centre for the Physics of Materials and
Dept. Chemistry, 不良研究所)
The more time that Scientists and Engineers spend working at the
cutting edge of Advanced Materials development, the more impressed
many of us become with Mother Nature, and the fantastic solutions
she has already provided through millions of years of evolution.
Materials like spider silk, sea shell, and bone still represent the
current forefront of nano-technology and space-age high-strength
composites. Processes like vision and bio-compatibility are equally
impressively complex and challenging to understand fully, let alone
to copy or improve upon. This talk will describe an emerging new
guiding principle for Materials Development at 不良研究所, based on
Bio-Mimicry and Self-Assembly as an inspiration and a toolbox.
Indeed, there is much that current Chemistry, Physics, and
Engineering can learn from History and Biology.
Organized by the Royal Society of Canada and 不良研究所 with the express purpose of fostering communication between scientists in different disciplines as well as between scientists and the public, the Cutting Edge Lectures in Science are made possible through the generous support of Heather Munroe-Blum (不良研究所 Principal), Richard Levin (Dean of Medicine), Martin Grant (Dean of Science), Anthony Masi (Provost) and Denis Th茅rien (Vice-Principal, Research and International Relations). Lectures are followed by a聽vin d'honneur聽reception. Free, everyone welcome.