Coral-shaped nanoparticles built by design using engineered peptoids
(PHYSorg.com Chemistry)

Researchers have long worked to address a grand challenge in synthesis science: to design and synthesize bio-inspired functional materials that rival those found in biology. If we can learn how to mimic in vivo functions of natural proteins-such as how biomolecules (e.g., proteins) and inorganic salts interact to form teeth, bones, or shell minerals-researchers might be able to apply the discovery to produce highly complex, designable, hybrid materials for energy-related applications.