Bioinspired research draws from the natural world to develop solutions for global challenges. But it can be difficult to turn these research ideas into actual materials and methods that can be applied to real world problems in areas like construction, energy and health care. That’s why Lisa Manning, the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Physics and director of the BioInspired Institute at Syracuse University, led a workshop in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in October to explore new paths to transform this research into industry applications. Manning helped organize a workshop sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) as part of its Convergence Accelerator program, which funds interdisciplinary collaboration–or convergence–to advance innovative solutions for the most pressing issues. Read more.