Bioinspired colloidal materials with special optical, mechanical, and cell-mimetic functions

Biological materials are usually characterized by sophisticate structures and hierarchical organizations, leading to remarkable and multiple functions, which has been a source of inspiration for the fabrication of a wide variety of colloidal materials mimicking the structure and functions of biological systems. In this feature article, we summarize recent progress in the research on fabrication and applications of bioinspired colloidal materials with special optical, mechanical, and cell-mimetic functions. Three typical kinds of bioinspired colloidal materials are highlighted, which include bioinspired photonic structures based on colloidal crystals, colloidal assemblies with a nacre-like structure and novel mechanical properties, and colloidal cellular systems consisting of colloidal particles enclosed by lipid bilayers and possessing certain cellular functions. In addition, the challenges and perspectives in the future development of bioinspired colloidal materials are discussed.