Antoine LE DUIGOU. Associate Professor, Université de Bretagne Sud - IRDL - Institut de Recherche Dupuy de Lôme

>> How the combination of biomimicry and 4D printing is inventing the composite materials of tomorrow (artificial reefs, space, boat hulls, etc.).

Valentin HAMMOUDI

>> Fascinatingly sensitive, plants possess abilities that scientists are still discovering, both in the field and in their laboratories. They memorise thanks to calcium, use sugar as an anti-icing agent, defy the laws of gravity and even reconfigure their DNA. They have adapted to the most extreme climates and are integrated into all ecosystems. Beyond the admiration we have for them, plants will help us to build a future that is more respectful of the environment.

Thomas STEINMANN. CNRS research engineer. Physical ecology platform. IRBI.

>> Technological challenges and perspectives inspired by the exceptional prowess of insects to perceive and move in diverse environments.

Anne-Marie HAGHIRI-GOSNET. CNRS Research Director. Co-director of the Microsystems and NanoBiofluidics Department at C2N (Centre de Nanosciences et de Nanotechnologies).

>> Micro-sensors and micro-fluidics to invent the medicine of the future.

Elisabeth RIERA. PhD in Environmental Sciences - Founder of Octopus Garden

From Living to Built: Reinventing hybrid artificial reefs combining ecological engineering, biochemistry, 3D modelling and nature-based solutions such as bio-concrete made from marine sediments.

Driven by my passion for preserving marine ecosystems in harmony with human activities, I founded Octopus Garden, a consultancy. Its essence is based on my years of academic research and the desire to provide sustainable and balanced solutions for our oceans. I invite you to understand how biomimicry can guide the approach to the design and evaluation of artificial marine structures.

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Roxane VIMBERT (1) ; Idriss PELLETAN (2). Doctoral student at LS2N (Laboratoire des Sciences du Numérique) in Nantes (1). Doctoral student at MNHN in the UMR MECADEV (2).

How do birds manage to sleep standing up? The mathematical equation that optimises the amount of energy needed to stay balanced.

Human bipedalism in robotics is complex and energy-consuming, which is why we are turning to our friends the birds. Their stable bipedal posture, on an unstable support, suggests a low energy expenditure. The pelvic musculoskeletal system of birds, which has evolved over 150 million years, is a promising model for study. The mathematical model established could help to reduce the amount of energy required to maintain balance. A question of postural stability based on the principle of "tensegrity".

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Justine DEMAY. Post-doctoral researcher. MNHN - Molecules of Communication and Adaptation of Micro-organisms (MCAM). UMR 7245

Cyanobacteria, a new approach to health care and the spa industry?

Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are well known to the general public for their ability to form toxic blooms that can pose health problems, particularly when managing lakes and bathing areas. In my talk, I will be presenting the therapeutic benefits of cyanobacteria and how, through a bioinspired approach, it is possible to develop new solutions that can be used in the spa industry.

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Louise LE BARBENCHON. Institut de mécanique et d'ingénierie de Bordeaux, École nationale supérieure d'arts et métiers.

Development of new architectural structures for mechanical energy absorption applications.

My current research focuses on the impact of heterogeneous structuring on the mechanical behaviour of the skin of Citrus Maxima (pomelo) under extreme conditions such as large deformations and high speeds. Natural materials inspire the design of new synthetic materials that are better performing, lighter and more durable. However, because they are so heterogeneous, the relationship between their structure and mechanical behaviour is still poorly understood.

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Thibaut HOUETTE. Architect. Doctorate in Biomimicry and Biotechnology from the Biomimicry Research and Innovation Center (BRIC), The University of Akron. 

Towards multifunctional building foundations inspired by tree roots.

The biomimetic study focused on the biological analysis, abstraction and application of tree root strategies to design biomimetic, multifunctional and adaptable building foundations. By taking inspiration from tree root systems, we are imagining multifunctional biomimetic foundations that, among other things, improve the stability of buildings, reduce soil erosion and enable adaptation to environmental conditions. As an architect in a biology department, I have had the opportunity to carry out fundamental research projects to feed my biomimetic projects and to teach biology at university level.

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Marion MONIER. Agricultural engineer and doctor in genetics. Institut Jacques Monod.

Evolution and characterisation of Drosophila glue, a bioadhesive model inspired by living organisms.

Some of the adhesives we use every day are toxic to the environment and dangerous to human health. However, there are natural, non-toxic adhesives in nature, developed over millions of years, which could replace these toxic adhesives. This is the case with Drosophila glue, a bioadhesive produced during the larval stage that enables the animal to be attached during its metamorphosis to the pupa stage. This glue has remarkable characteristics: it is biocompatible and biodegradable, it dries in a few seconds and adheres for several days, in variable humidity and temperature conditions. During my thesis, I described the adhesion of several Drosophila species to identify those of interest for future applications.

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Laila KESTEM (1) ; Katerina KRSTESKA (2). Phd researcher at MNHN as a part of Nature4Nature (1). Phd researcher at University of Antwerp as a part of Nature4Nature (2).

Nature4Nature: a european interdisciplinary endeavour to sustainable bioinspiration. Presentation and example : how biomimicry could help to struggle against microplastic pollution.

Nature4Nature is a collaborative interdisciplinary endeavour supported by MSCA (the European Union's flagship funding programme for doctoral education and postdoctoral training of researchers), which unites international researchers using bioinspiration to address critical environmental challenges. In this project, the focus lies with mitigating marine microplastic pollution, drawing inspiration from aquatic filter feeding organisms. The interdisciplinary team explores collaboration opportunities within the design process through the lens of inspiration, integration, and implementation of biological concepts.

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Adrien GEFFRELOT. Doctoral student at the Centre de Nanosciences et de Nanotechnologies - C2N (CNRS/Université Paris-Saclay).

Development of micropumps and biomarker extraction devices to detect or monitor pathologies.

In the medical field, biomarker monitoring is used for many applications. A biomarker is a molecule or cell (protein, DNA, RNA, etc.) whose presence in greater or lesser quantities in biological fluids (sweat, blood, urine, etc.) attests to infection by a disease, enables the effectiveness of a treatment to be judged, or the evolution of a pathology. To quantify these biomarkers, devices need to be devised to extract them from biological fluids. In this context, the use of microfluidics is particularly appropriate. Microfluidics involves circulating liquids in channels a few hundred micrometres wide and high. This makes it possible to reduce the volumes of liquids required and to promote the reactions involved. To improve monitoring, these microfluidic devices for extracting biomarkers can be used directly on patients by means of patches. One of the prerequisites for their successful operation is the successful integration of microfluidic functions, the main one being pumping. The challenge is to develop a micropump that can circulate liquids in integrated microfluidic devices. Nature itself provides inspiring examples of micropumps.

Salomé BERTONE. Affiliated with the TIMR unit at UTC under the direction of Antoine Fayeulle and with the METRIS unit at Sorbonne University under the direction of Sylvie Collin.

In search of the best team of depolluting microbes.

In France in 2018, 6800 sites were contaminated or likely to be contaminated by organic or inorganic pollutants. Unlike inorganic pollutants, organic pollutants can be degraded. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are particularly problematic because of their low biodegradability and toxicity. Certain fungi already present in the soil are capable of degrading PAHs. In the laboratory, the use of microfluidics makes it possible to study the clean-up mechanisms of fungi and bacteria on a microscopic scale, reproducing an artificial soil and monitoring the clean-up players in real time.

> Info