The Bionic Award is endowed to support research and development oriented towards practical application and innovation by young scientists in the field of biomimetics. The International Bionic Award is endowed with 5.000 EUR by the Schauenburg-Foundation and will be awarded by VDI – The Association of German Engineers. More information about the application, the conditions for participation and the jury can be found here.

The Alfred-Wegener Institute offers the PhD Position „Computational Design of bio-inspired multifunctional lightweight structures“ (m/f/d). Deadline: February 16th, 2020 >>more

Die Deutsche Akademie der Technikwissenschaften hat in der  Reihe acatech DISKUSSION einen deutschen und englischen Band zum Thema „Materialforschung: Impulsgeber Natur – Innovationspotenzial biologisch inspirierter Materialien und Werkstoffe“ bzw. „Materials Research: Inspired by Nature – Innovation Potential of Biologically Inspired Materials“ herausgegeben. >> download

PD Dr. Thomas Stegmaier (DITF) ist neuer Präsident der International Society of Bionic Engineering >>mehr

Das Bionicum, ein beliebter Lernort imTiergarten Nürnberg, veranstaltet am 13. Februar 2020 eine Veranstaltung für Schüler*innen und alle an der Bionik Interessierten. >>Anmeldung

Prof. Dr. Thomas Speck (Botanischer Garten der Universität Freiburg) berichtet in einem Arte-Beitrag (Wissen kompakt) über selbstreparierende Dichtungsringe nach dem Vorbild der Wundversiegelung bei der Birkenfeige (Ficus benjamina).  Der Beitragwird im Internet vom 17.01.2020 bis 31.03.2021 bereitgestellt. >> hier ansehen (6 min)

Living Machines is holding its 9th conference in Freiburg, Germany on the 28.-31. July 2020.This international conference is targeted at the intersection of research on novel life-like technologies inspired by the scientific investigation of biological systems—biomimetics, and research that seeks to interface biological and artificial systems to create biohybrid systems. We seek to highlight the most exciting international research in both of these fields united by theme of “Living Machines”.

We are organizing a one-day satellite event, such as workshops, symposia or tutorials, to be held on 28th of July immediately before to the start of the main conference.

Proposals for satellite events are invited on any theme (biomimetic, biohybrid or both) related to the main conference. Proposals will be reviewed for

1. relevance to the themes of the conference,
2. scientific and/or technical quality,
3.  timeliness and/or novelty, and
4. our evaluation of the financial risk relating to the event (i.e. costs in relation to expected registrations).

Proposals should be submitted using the included proforma by March 30th, 2020 at the latest. Please submit sooner if possible. Confirmation of accepted proposals will be provided on a case-by-case basis and by mid-April at the latest.

We look forward to receiving your proposal for a LM2020 satellite event.

LM2020 Workshops Chair
Falk J. Esser
Plant Biomechanics Group Freiburg, Botanical Garden University Freiburg
falk.esser@biologie.uni-freiburg.de

Conference Website
http://livingmachinesconference.eu/2020/
Workshop Website
http://livingmachinesconference.eu/2020/worshops-lm2020/

The Cluster of Excellence Living, Adaptive and Energy-autonomous Materials Systems (livMatS) is issuing international calls for its Agnes Pockels Junior Research Group Program and the livMatS Junior Research Group Program.

The Agnes Pockels Junior Research Group Program targets female researchers within three to five years of their postdoctoral experience. It is an essential building block of the Cluster’s early career advancement and gender equality objectives.

The livMatS Junior Research Group Program targets early career researchers within three to five years of their postdoctoral experience is an essential building block of the Cluster’s early career advancement objectives.

Information on the application process for the respective programs can be found on the Cluster’s website at Agnes Pockels Junior Research Group Program and livMatS Junior Research Group Program. Applications close on March 20th 2020.

Professur – Besoldungsgruppe W 2 – (w/m/d) für das Fachgebiet „Biomechatronik und Robotik“ Kennziffer Fk5-ISB 7

Gesucht wird eine Persönlichkeit, die nach einem Studium der Biomechanik oder Mechatronik (bevorzugt mit Schwerpunkt in der Robotik) und einer mindestens guten Promotion über international anerkannte Kompetenzen auf aktuellen und zukunftsträchtigen Gebieten der Biomechatronik und Robotik biologischer Bewegungssysteme sowie der Bionik im experimentellen Bereich verfügt. Die Professur ist zur Durchführung von Lehrveranstaltungen und Realisierung von angewandten Forschungsprojekten vorgesehen. >>mehr

The article India’s Meghalaya „living root bridges“ get stronger as the trees grow written by Katie Hunt for CNN presents the scientific research of Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Ludwig (TU Munich, Germany) and collegues based on the publication Ludwig, F., Middleton, W., Gallenmüller, F., Rogers, P. & Speck, T. (2019): Living bridges using aerial roots of Ficus elastica – an interdisciplinary perspective. Scientific Reports, 9: 12226. DOI.org/10.1038/s41598-019-48652-w.