Stimuli-responsive biomimetic membranes inspired by nature’s first multifunctional composite material

Cellular membranes, nature’s original multifunctional composite material, play key roles in sensing, actuation, energy storage and conversion, communication, and even computing in living creatures. These capabilities stem from their fluid architectures replete with functional biomolecules. Our research has worked to advance the assembly, characterization and use of fluid, biomimetic membranes as bio-inspired platforms for stimuli-responsive and adaptive materials. This article briefly reviews our work to develop biomimetic membranes and their applications, including as artificial synapses and neurons in low-power neuromorphic computing.