Perspectives of Biomaterial‐Based Sustainable Integrated Micro‐ and Nanophotonics

ABSTRACT Biomolecular photonics is emerging as a pathway toward sustainable alternatives to fully semiconductor‐based devices, leveraging the unique optical properties and solution processability of proteins, nucleic acids, and other biogenic molecules. This review covers recent advances in nano‐ and microscale biophotonic devices, spanning biopolymer waveguides (with optical losses down to 0.24 dB cm −1 ), bio‐organic LEDs and lasers (luminous efficiencies up to 130 lm W −1 ; lifetimes >3600 h), biohybrid photovoltaics (PCE up to ∼20%), photodetectors, and optoelectronic memristors. We critically examine interfacial engineering challenges, such as stability, charge separation, and hybrid integration with semiconductor solid‐state platforms, as the central bottleneck to be overcome in translating laboratory breakthroughs into consumer‐grade photonic integrated circuits. We argue that, while biomaterial‐based devices generally trail their inorganic counterparts in efficiency and lifetime, the unique biocompatibility, specificity, and broadband tunability of biogenic molecules provide decisive advantages in well‐defined niches: implantable and wearable diagnostics, point‐of‐care biosensors, and emerging quantum bio‐photonic platforms. Moreover, clear evidence indicates that inexpensive, stable, and easy‑to‑handle biopolymers and composites, available for large‑scale production from biomass, can become essential for building, improving, and stabilizing waveguide and photovoltaic structures. By bridging molecular biology and photonic engineering, biomaterials offer a pathway toward scalable, biocompatible, and energy‐efficient photonic technologies.