Digital twin construction for biomimetic materials

Digital twins connect physical systems with virtual models through data acquisition, simulation, optimization and feedback. Although this paradigm has been widely developed in industrial design and manufacturing, its integration with biomimetic material construction remains fragmented. This review examines how digital twin concepts can support systematic biomimicry and organizes recent progress into a Digital Twin Construction (DTC) framework for biomimetic materials. We first trace the parallel development of digital twins and biomimetic materials, from shape imitation and structural biomimicry to behavior-inspired and systematic biomimetic strategies. We then outline five linked components of DTC: prototype characterization, digital modeling, digital optimization, advanced manufacturing and biomimetic application. Finally, we discuss key challenges in biological data acquisition, model fidelity, simulation accuracy, manufacturing scalability, validation feedback, data standards and secure exchange. By defining DTC as a closed-loop route from biological prototype data to application-specific material construction, this review provides a framework for data-driven and sustainable biomimetic material design.