Nature’s ability to craft diverse, but targeted structures relies on non-equilibrium assembly processes, where assembly pathways and the resulting morphism are adjusted dynamically in response to environmental demands. Among these structures is the hierarchical “Bouligand” architecture, in which layers of bio-nanofibers are slightly twisted by a fixed angle relative to the neighboring layers, similar to chiral nematic (cholesteric) liquid crystals.
This arrangement imparts the mineralized chitin in the “smasher-type” mantis shrimp’s dactyl club with exceptional fracture resistance and produces vivid metallic colors in beetles. Understanding how to replicate such non-equilibrium processes could pave the way to creating materials with enhanced structural complexity and functionality.
Dr. Monirosadat (Sanaz) Sadati,
University of South Carolina
In this talk, I will discuss how combining “bottom-up” molecular self-assembly with “top-down” manufacturing enables the design of both equilibrium and non-equilibrium nanoscale and microscale chiral arrangements of cellulose-based materials through a continuous 3D printing process. Our biomimetic approach opens new possibilities for materials with dynamic optical and photonic properties, as well as toughness and strength derived directly from their nanostructure. These properties can be scaled into larger printed structures, advancing 3D printing material technologies beyond conventional designs, marking the next era in composite and process innovation.
Dr. Monirosadat (Sanaz) Sadati has served as an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of South Carolina since 2019. She earned her doctorate in materials science and polymer physics from ETH Zürich in Switzerland, where she studied the complex flow of polymer melts under the guidance of Prof. Hans Christian Oettinger.
Dr. Sadati was honored with two Swiss National Science Foundation awards, allowing her to conduct research at Harvard. She then moved to the University of Chicago, where she worked with Prof. Juan de Pablo focusing on liquid crystals. Her current research focuses on the emerging area of and guided self-assembly of anisotropic materials and bio-inspired structured materials design using 3D printing technologies for applications in photonics, sensing, tissue engineering and energy. She received NSF CAREER award in 2021 to study chiral liquid crystalline materials and develop a fundamental understanding of their crystallization and optical behavior within curved confinement.