Abstract: Nature provides a seemingly endless varieties of sophisticated materials and materials synthesis strategies where soft materials and soft machines stands out. Researchers have not been late in taking inspiration from nature when it comes to developing novel materials and machines with exciting properties. Starting from trees and their growth that demonstrate an optimal usage of minimum amount of material and highest strength simultaneously down to viruses, bacteriophages or even DNA molecules or the motor bacterial flagellum, nature provides solutions in such diverse fields as computing, car making and motion via rotational propulsion. Here I demonstrate the importance and background of soft matter for novel materials and machines development as well as how nature inherent knowledge can inspire to investigate novel venues in this field. Future per-spectives and challenges in this vibrant area are elucidated.

Biography: Dr. Per A. Löthman obtained his Ph.D. degree from Twente University , The Netherlands in the field of Macroscopic Magnetic Self-assembly and conducted research in Canada and France (Université de Montréal) on carbon nanotubes, graphene and related nanotmaterials. At the University of Saarland he was involved with graphene research. He has an extensive experience in interdisciplinary research at the interface between materials science, biology and medicine. Dr. Löthman condicted research in botany and antiadghesive surfaces at the TU Dresden, bacteriophages and archaea viruses and especially the virus entrance mechanism at KIST Europe and Institut Pasteur in Paris, France. Per A. Löthman has published over 80 scientifical articles and serves as a reviewer for several journals such as Journal of Bioanalytical and Analytical Chemistry, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Thin Solid Films, Sensors and Actuators, Microsystems Technologies, Biophysical Reviews and Letters, He is head of research at Foviatech GmbH in Hamburg, Germany, a young innovative high-tech company in the field of advanced materials such as graphene in an unique combination with artificial intelligence. He is also a lecturer in Nanomedicine and Mechatronics (Kaiserslautern University, Hamburg University), Germany.