Biomass offers a wealth of remarkable materials, honed over billions of years of evolution. In the realm of bio-functional materials, we are fostering research that leverages organic chemistry, polymer science, and processing techniques, rooted in an understanding of the chemical and higher-order structures of biomass from living organisms. This includes, for instance, the development of automotive parts utilizing the impressive physical properties of wood-derived nanocellulose, healthcare products benefiting from the physiological properties of crab shell-derived nanochitin, and molding and processing materials that capitalize on the tissue structure of wood.