Outlook in 2015

Wanted: biomaterials for a risky journey. Giovanni Traverso and Robert Langer explain the gastrointestinal frontier.

Materials researchers are taking cues from specific plants and animals that make substances that could endow humans with superhero powers.

The mechanism used by mussels to stick to slippery rocks is the idea behind glue that could mend broken bones.

Researchers are borrowing tricks from armadillo shells and mother-of-pearl to create replacements for human bone and to develop a new generation of protective clothing.

Bioinspired fibres and coatings that can repel water, oil and other liquids form the basis of cutting-edge cloth.

The sturdy, stretchy, sticky silks spun by spiders have inspired engineers to design pioneering medical devices such as artificial tendons and corneas.

Miniature versions of hearts, lungs and other organs are heralding a bright future for drug research and discovery.

Characteristics adapted from lizards, ivy and other natural materials could help to engineer everyday objects with remarkable properties.