The project LiNaBioFluid “Laser-induced Nanostructures as Biomimetic Model of Fluid Transport in the Integument of Animals” has started in recently (www.laserbiofluid.eu). It brings together 7 partners from 4 different countries, including the JKU with the Institutes of Biomedical Mechatronics (www.jku.at/mmt) and the Institute of Applied Physics (www.jku.at/applphys). The project aims on laser-fabrication of biomimetic surfaces with unique wetting properties, which are inspired by the hierarchical micro- and nano- structures at the moisture collecting outer surfaces of flat bark bugs and dessert lizards. The outcome of these innovative wetting effects is expected to lead to radically new technological advances, including reduction in friction and wear in lubricants.
LiNaBioFluid is a Research and Innovation Action funded by the European Community’s Horizon 2020 - FET Open program, which supports early-stage research on concepts for new technologies. The project proposal was strongly based on the ideas of Werner Baumgartner and Johannes Heitz of the Institute of Biomedical Mechatronics and Institute of Applied Physics at the JKU. They are very proud of the success of the proposal as the call in this Excellent Science pillar of the H2020 program was very competitive with a success rate of only 3%.