Inspired by nature: Advances in biomimetic thermal management technologies

The efficient management of thermal energy is of paramount importance for the advancement of modern industrial technologies and the improvement of daily living standards. Over eons of natural selection, biological organisms have evolved sophisticated thermal regulation mechanisms, underpinned by ingenious hierarchical micro/nanostructures that enable intelligent heat modulation. These biological blueprints provide significant inspiration for the design and fabrication of advanced thermal functional materials. This review presents a systematic review of the state-of-the-art in biomimetic thermal management. The discussion is comprehensively structured around four primary categories: strategies based on heat conduction, convection, thermal radiation, and the synergistic coupling of multiple heat transfer modes. This paper elucidates the thermal management schemes and mechanisms found in nature, as well as the current status of biomimetic thermal management. By reviewing existing biomimetic materials and strategies, we analyze the associated mechanisms, design principles, and applications, presenting a clear landscape of the research status in this field. Furthermore, key technical challenges and prospective directions are identified to bridge biological principles with engineering innovations, thereby propelling the rapid development of this cutting-edge domain.