Buehler and colleagues [
268] used computer modeling and microscale 3D printing to investigate the mechanical behavior of elastic webs under various loading circumstances, inspired by the remarkable mechanical properties of spider webs. The findings demonstrate that uniform distribution is better for confined loads, whereas stronger radial threads and weaker helical threads are preferable for spread loads. Complex shapes and the functions of the material are tightly associated with natural selection and evolutionary optimization. By comparing the mechanical stabilization of 3D-printed artificial shells with natural shells, Tiwary et al. [
269] demonstrated that complex shapes could withstand almost twice the load than simple shapes. Through finite element analysis (FEA), an important causal relationship was illustrated between the natural shape of the shell and the respective mechanical stability. Plants undergo hydration-induced morphological changes due to variances in local swelling caused by the orientation of stiff cellulose fibers within the plant cell wall [
270–
273]. Lewis and colleagues [
274] were motivated by this, and they created a bioinspired hydrogel that can be used for 4D printing to create a programmable bilayer structure that is patterned in both space and time (Fig.
12A). The rigid cellulose nanofibers in this hydrogel were enclosed in a supple acrylamide matrix. Thus, the local control of the orientation of internal cellulose fibers enables its biomimetic 4D printing, displaying anisotropy of elasticity and swelling. The design of such biocompatible flexible ink will inspire the development of new approaches for tissue engineering, biomedical devices, soft robotics, etc. Conch shells are one of the hardest tissues in nature, one order of magnitude harder than nacre [
97]. But its intersecting lamellar structure is difficult to realize by exploiting synthetic materials. Buehler and colleagues [
99] prepared a conch-like macrostructure material by 3D printing. Combining a comprehensive approach of simulation and drop tower testing, the findings suggest that the main mechanism of conch shell shock resistance is the production of deflected paths of fracture, which can be used in the design of future protective equipment such as hoods and body armor. Contemporary artificial armor usually relies on rigid structures for mechanical protection but often lacks sufficient flexibility [
275]. Chitons have strong teeth, but moreover, they have also evolved scales for defense [
276]. The orderly distribution of scales ensures the flexibility of movement and protects the underlying soft body [
277]. Inspired by this, Li and coworkers [
275] used multimaterial 3D printing to fabricate a synthetic flexible scale armor (Fig.
12B). By parametric computer modeling, they investigated the practical trade-offs between this armor system’s protection and flexibility while assessing its potential to further the creation of additional useful prototypes. The skeleton system of the deep-sea sponge
Eulectella aspergillum is a square grid-like structure composed of amorphous hydrated silica with certain toughness and strength [
112]. In various lattice geometries of 3D-printed samples using a combination of finite element models and mechanical tests, Bertoldi and colleagues [
278] showed that the diagonal reinforcement strategy of the sponge could achieve the highest resistance to buckling for quantitative materials (Fig.
12C). The knowledge obtained from their study of the sponge-skeleton system can be used to realize the geometric optimization of the square lattice to avoid buckling of the global structure, which is important for optimizing materials applied in modern infrastructure.