An ad hoc workshop planning committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will organize and convene a public workshop to explore how cutting-edge biotechnologies use bioinspired materials, designs, and approaches to advance solutions. The workshop will explore the exploitation of natural phenomena to understand mechanistic principles that can be applied to bioengineering design of novel materials, sensors, architectures, robotics, and more. Through discussions with members of the associated standing committee on Biotechnology Capabilities and National Security Needs, the workshop planning committee will identify specific bio-inspired materials and technologies of interest to highlight at the workshop. Speakers will present on recent advances and current and possible future applications of selected bio-inspired technologies; drivers of the research, development, and application of these technologies; and critical societal implications and responsible innovation considerations associated with the use or adoption of such biotechnologies. The speakers also will explore the innovation ecosystem(s) for these biotechnologies, including workforce, infrastructure, and policy and governance needs.
The presentations and discussions at the workshop will be documented in a workshop proceedings-in-brief, written by a rapporteur in accordance with institutional guidelines.