Mimicking and interfacing neuro-biological architectures with nanostructured materials

Abstract

In natural environments commonly appear periodic micro- and nano-structures exhibiting macroscopic properties different from the ones on the single elements. Typical examples are butterfly wings in optics, lotus leaves in fluidics or complex 3D neuronal networks in neuroscience and biology. Within this context, mimicking the intrinsic regularity exhibited by natural architectures can lead to unprecedented results addressing fundamental science but also intriguing challenges in technological applications. Here we will describe results we achieved by combining plasmonic nanostructures with nature-inspired superhydrophobic metamaterials. Then, we will try to extend this concept to the recent development of electronic devices with neuromorphic architectures for future computing.