A team of four LiNaBioFLuid members received the International Bionic Award of the Schauenburg Foundation

In the project LiNaBioFluid surface structures found on the integument of moisture-harvesting lizards are mimicked to obtain similar wetting properties on technical surfaces. The images (b) and (d) show first results of the laser structuring process in comparison to the natural model ((a), (c)). The spike topography (b) is fabricated by laser-induced self-organization whereas the capillary network with the superimposed micro-dimple array is manufactured by direct laser ablation.

(a) SEM image of the integument of Yarrow‘s spiky lizard Sceloporus jarovii. (b) Laser-induced self-organized nanostructures mimic the topography of (a). (c) SEM image of the integument of the moisture-harvesting lizard Phrynosoma platyrhinos. (d) Capillary structures with superimposed micro-dimple array manufactured by direct laser ablation mimic the topography of (c). The inset highlights the micro-dimples inside the capillaries.

FORTH is the largest and most successful Research Institution in Greece (1125 personnel) incorporating 7 Institutes. In this project FORTH will participate with the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (FORTH-IESL), which is a multi-disciplinary scientific laboratory that focuses its research on fundamental and applied issues related to materials science and technology and laser interactions with matter.

The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) is the largest public research institution of Spain and the third largest in Europe. The CSIC team is composed of members of the Laser Processing Group (LPG) at the Institute of Optics of the CSIC. The LPG has more than 25 years experience in laser-matter interaction, particularly in the study of ultrafast interactions dynamics and materials processing with ultrafast lasers.

The Johannes Kepler University (JKU) Linz is a young university (established 1966). Over 19,000 students are enrolled in over 60 modern, hands-on academic degree programs. Research conducted at all three faculties – Social Sciences, Economics & Business, Law, and Engineering & Natural Sciences – is recognized worldwide.

The BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (Berlin, Germany) is a senior scientific and technical Federal institute. BAM has its responsibility in advancement of safety in technology and chemistry, physical and chemical inspections of materials and plants including supply of reference methods and reference materials, promoting the transfer of knowledge and technology in BAM's key areas, collaboration in developing legal regulations like on safety standards and threshold values, consulting on safety aspects of materials technology for the Federal Government and industry.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT in Aachen was founded in 1980 with the mission of conducting application-oriented research and development and employs currently about 420 employees. In the areas of process technology, production machines, mechatronics, production metrology and quality as well as technology management, the Fraunhofer IPT offers partners and customers tailor-made and immediately practical solutions for the current production. The department "Laser Materials Processing" of the Fraunhofer IPT develops and qualifies laser manufacturing processes for an efficient use of the laser as a manufacturing tool.

High Tech Coatings GmbH (HTC) in Vorchdorf, Austria is a development partner and producer of high-end coatings (polymer coatings, PVD-coatings and electroplated coatings). HTC has 110 employees (as of June 2015) and is certified according ISO 9001:2008 and ISO TS 16949:2002. HTC is part of the Miba Coating Group, which is the coating competence center for the Miba Group as a whole. Miba Coating Group develops individual coating solutions for components.

The Institute of Biology II (Zoology) at RWTH Aachen University investigates several zoological research topics such as neurobiology, animal physiology, cell biology, biomimetics and didactics. Being part of a technical university with a large teaching hospital, the Zoology has much interdisciplinary cooperation with medical research, physics and engineering which shape the research at the institute.