Modern technology relies on fully artificial systems. While in many cases these systems are high performing there have been approaches to add further complexity or intelligence inspired by natural processes. Biomimetic systems however are purely synthetic and cannot fully mimic the high complexity of living systems.
The overall goal of the 4D-PhytoHybrid is to develop photosynthetic biohybrid systems that maintain fundamental properties of the living components and set the foundation for the development of a generic hybrid technology. The biohybrid system will consist of four dimensions with increasing level of complexity and sophistication. The first dimension consists of the plant cells with their natural ability to photosynthesize and produce sugars, oxygen, sequester CO2 but also produce materials as cell wall components. The second dimension is represented by the non-native functionality of the living cells that is acquired with electronic, biocatalytic and structural materials that integrate into the plant cell wall. The third dimension is the 3D spatial organization of cells and physicochemical gradients with additive manufacturing. The fourth dimension is time that will enable responsive and evolvable functionality of the biohybrid system driven by the cell processes. 4DPhytoHybrid will provide significant advancements on biohybrid technologies by developing responsive and evolvable biohybrid systems that maintain fundamental properties of living components. The components and systems will set the foundation for the development of a generic hybrid technology. Based on plant cells that are photosynthesize will also open the potential of a hybrid-technology powered by the sun. 4DPhytoHybrid technology will be demonstrated in applications in energy and shape morphing architectures with systems that grow and evolve over time. 4DPhytohybrid will contribute scientifically to the fields of materials science, biohybrids, bioelectronics, biotechnology and plant biology and Europe’s role and influence biohybrid living technologies will be strengthened.
