 Nature has developed many solutions to solve technical problems related to material surfaces by combining the physical chemical properties of materials with periodically aligned micro-slash nanostructures in a sophisticated manner. Ultra-short pulsed lasers can mimic these features by generating laser-induced periodic surface structures, LIPSS, which allow for the creation of superhydrophobic, anti-reflective, colored, and drag-resistant surfaces. Biological examples such as lotus leaves, springtails, desert beetles, moth eyes, butterfly wings, weevils, pangolins, and snakes demonstrate how nature solves technical problems, while recent advances in the field have led to the development of new applications. Future developments and perspectives are also discussed. This article was authored by Frank A. Muller, Clemens Koons, and Stefan Graf.