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Diploma · 800 h · 8 modules
Diploma in Nacre and Marine Hierarchical Structures
The Diploma in Nacre and Marine Hierarchical Structures Prepares you to understand why natural materials such as nacre, sponge spicules and shells combine strength with toughness, and how to transfer those principles to new materi
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts30 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
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Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Nacre and Marine Hierarchical Structures?
The Diploma in Nacre and Marine Hierarchical Structures
Prepares you to understand why natural materials such as nacre, sponge spicules and shells combine strength with toughness, and how to transfer those principles to new materials. You will study biomineralisation, hierarchical architecture from the nanoscale to the macroscale, energy dissipation mechanisms and characterisation techniques, and explore strategies for fabricating bio-inspired materials, such as freeze casting and additive manufacturing, with their current possibilities and limitations.
Key advantages
- Frontier science: One of the most studied models in materials science.
- Multiscale view: From nanostructure to macroscopic behaviour.
- Applied approach: Fabrication strategies for bio-inspired materials.
- Rigour: Laboratory results presented with their limitations.
- Case study: Conceptual design of a bio-inspired hierarchical material.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Programme highlights
- Understand biomineralisation: Learn how organisms build minerals.
- Analyse hierarchy: Link structure and properties across scales.
- Characterise: Apply microscopy and testing techniques.
- Fabricate: Explore bio-inspired fabrication routes.
- Boost your career: Open doors to research centres and materials R&D departments.
- Train to design materials with the architecture of the ocean.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Marine Biomineralisation
- What biomineralisation is
- Calcium carbonate: calcite and aragonite
- Biogenic silica
- Calcium phosphates
- Organic matrix and crystal control
- Amorphous precursors
- How shells form
- Environmental factors and acidification
02
Nacre: Structure and Properties
- Nacre-producing molluscs
- Brick-and-mortar architecture
- Aragonite platelets
- Interlamellar organic layer
- Mineral bridges and asperities
- Mechanical properties
- Comparison with pure aragonite
- Structural colour of nacre
03
Other Marine Hierarchical Structures
- Crossed-lamellar shell layers
- Sponge spicules
- Diatom frustules
- Sea urchin teeth
- Mantis shrimp dactyl clubs
- Fish scales
- Coral skeletons
- Cephalopod beaks
04
Mechanics of Hierarchical Materials
- Strength and toughness
- Extrinsic toughening mechanisms
- Crack deflection
- Platelet sliding
- Property gradients
- Size effects
- Mechanical models
- Multiscale simulation
05
Characterisation Techniques
- Scanning electron microscopy
- Transmission electron microscopy
- Atomic force microscopy
- X-ray diffraction
- Computed tomography
- Nanoindentation
- Fracture testing
- Sample preparation
06
Fabricating Bio-Inspired Materials
- Freeze casting
- Layer-by-layer assembly
- Self-assembly
- Bio-inspired mineralisation
- Additive manufacturing
- Laminated composites
- Scaling up processes
- Current state of the technology
07
Potential Applications
- Tough ceramics
- Armour and protection
- Wear-resistant coatings
- Bone biomaterials
- Lightweight components
- Optical materials
- Construction applications
- Barriers to industrialisation
08
Case Study: Designing a Bio-Inspired Hierarchical Material
- Defining requirements
- Choosing the biological model
- Analysing the natural structure
- Abstracting principles
- Materials selection
- Proposed fabrication route
- Characterisation plan
- Presenting the proposal
Workload
Study Time and Workload
800 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Materials engineers and researchers: interested in bio-inspired materials Chemists and physicists: working on composites and ceramics Marine biologists: interested in biomineralisation Industrial R&D professionals: looking for tougher, lighter materials PhD students: who want to broaden their grounding in biomimetics
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Understand biomineralisation
- 02Analyse hierarchical structures
- 03Explain toughness
- 04Apply characterisation techniques
- 05Know fabrication routes
- 06Evaluate applications
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Materials researcher: Universities and research centres.
02R&D technician: Developing advanced materials in industry.
03Characterisation specialist: Microscopy and testing laboratories.
04Ceramics materials engineer: Developing ceramics and composites.
05Innovation consultant: Transferring bio-inspired knowledge.
06Science communicator: Communicating materials science.
Questions
Entry Requirements
It combines scientific foundations with fabrication and application cases, plus a design case study.
Most nacre-like materials are still at the research or development stage; the programme examines their maturity.
No. You work with images, published experimental data and simulations.
Yes. You analyse how ocean chemistry affects shell formation.
You produce a conceptual design for a bio-inspired hierarchical material and its fabrication route.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 800 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Diploma in Nacre and Marine Hierarchical Structures qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Entry profile: A degree in materials engineering, chemistry, physics, biology, marine science or a related field; or experience in materials research or R&D. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
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