Demirel Melik C, Cetinkaya Murat, Pena-Francesch Abdon, Jung Huihun
Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802, USA; Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802, USA; College of Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802, USA.
Macromol Biosci. 2015 Mar;15(3):300-11. doi: 10.1002/mabi.201400324. Epub 2014 Dec 4.
Natural materials have been a fundamental part of human life since the dawn of civilization. However, due to exploitation of natural resources and cost issues, synthetic materials replaced bio-derived materials in the last century. Recent advances in bio- and nano-technologies pave the way for developing eco-friendly materials that could be produced easily from renewable resources at reduced cost and in a broad array of useful applications. This feature article highlights structural and functional characteristics of bio-derived materials, which will expedite the design fabrication and synthesis of eco-friendly and recyclable advanced nano-materials and devices.
