What if nature has already solved the design problems we’re still wrestling with?
Bio-inspired design isn’t just a nice metaphor. It’s a real shift in how we engineer structures and materials, learning from millions of years of evolutionary optimisation.
In this scientific paper, we look at what happens when bio-inspired design meets additive manufacturing (AM) and AI:
- How do principles like hierarchical organisation, lightweight efficiency and multifunctionality translate into manufacturable parts?
- Can lattice structures, topology optimisation and generative design really deliver first-time-right components at scale?
- And where do today’s tools still fall short when biology meets fabrication constraints?
We map the state of the art, from multi-scale modelling and CAD workflows to AI-driven design platforms, and take a hard look at the unresolved challenges: scaling, complexity management and the missing links between structure, process and performance.
The takeaway?
Bio-inspired AM has huge industrial potential, but real impact will depend on how well we bridge design, materials and manufacturing.
From aerospace to biomedical applications, are we ready to let nature lead our engineering decisions?
We are curious to hear how others are tackling bio-inspired design in practice.
Are your curious to read more? Follow the link:
http://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1007108
© Artigues, R., Martínez, A., Landín, S., López-para, A., Daareyni, A., Ituarte, I. (2026). Bioinspired Design in Additive Manufacturing: A Review of AI, Multi-Scale Strategies, and Fabrication Constraints. In: Tareq Ahram, Waldemar Karwowski, Laura Giraldi and Elisabetta Benelli (eds) Intelligent Human Systems Integration (IHSI 2026): Disruptive and Innovative Technologies. AHFE (2026) International Conference. AHFE Open Access, vol 200. AHFE International, USA.