Explore UCD

UCD Home >

PHYC41090

Academic Year 2026/2027

Bio-inspired Technologies PHYC (PHYC41090)

Subject:
Physics
College:
Science
School:
Physics
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Brian Rodriguez
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Biomimicry is a science that studies nature, its systems, processes and elements and then imitates them to solve human problems. Here, we focus on chemical, mechanical and topographical biomimicry at the nanoscale. Examples of the systems that we will examine include: natural adhesives; antifouling surfaces; aqueous lubricant, brushes - artificial joint lubrication; mechanically adaptive materials. Other systems of interest include those that exhibit anhydrobiosis (desiccation tolerance) and those that thrive in physically or geochemically extreme conditions (extremophiles), superhydrophobic surfaces (lotus leaves), active surfaces and filaments providing liquid propulsion at low Reynolds numbers, self-organising swarms and flocks, ant-colony optimisation.

Additionally, the module will give taught MSc students in Physics an opportunity to connect.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

LO1. Explain and critically evaluate principles underlying biomimetic and bio-inspired technologies across biological and engineering contexts.
LO2. Analyse biological systems across scales using quantitative reasoning and nanoscale characterisation principles.
LO3. Assess the feasibility, limitations, sustainability, and contextual applicability of bio-inspired engineering approaches.
LO4. Develop and communicate interdisciplinary bio-inspired solutions for diverse technological, societal, and environmental challenges.
LO5. Collaborate effectively and engage critically with diverse disciplinary, cultural, and scientific perspectives in the evaluation of bio-inspired technologies.

Awareness of general programme outcomes for Taught MSc students in Physics.

Indicative Module Content:

Current topics in biomimicry and bio-inspired technologies.

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 2

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 3

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 1

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 3

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 3

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all 1

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation 3

Reduce inequality within and among countries 2

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 2

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 2

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 2

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 1

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss 1

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development 1
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

53
Autonomous Student Learning

48
Lectures

24
Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Supplementary reading materials and online content
Self-directed homework
Student presentations with peer feedback
Scientific writing
Data analysis
Assignments
In class tests

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): There will be various assignments, typically 3-4 worksheets and 2-3 problem sets. Some in-class and out-of-class activities might add up to an assignment. The due dates vary across the weeks selected. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No
Exam (In-person): End of semester exam. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
80
 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback on assignments should be self-assessed.

Name Role
Professor Vladimir Lobaskin Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.