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A creator of color-changing tattoo inks and shape-shifting molecular machines, chemist/artist uses nanoscience to invent new materials and technologies. He has co-authored more than 30 peer-reviewed scientific publications, including the celebrated book , with Nobel Laureate J. Fraser Stoddart. Dr. Bruns is an assistant professor of mechanical engineering with the ATLAS Institute at the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Boulder, where he directs the. His groundbreaking work on biomedical tattoos for human health has been featured in his popular TEDx talk, as well as in , , and .

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I was adopted!

One thing you’re willing to spend way too much on . . .

Tattoos. My favorite tattoo is this big, colorful flowering tree of life that covers my whole stomach and chest. It must have taken more than 40 painful hours to complete, but I love it because it reminds me every day that all life is beautiful and all life is connected. 

Who would you most like to meet and why?

Jim Carey. I think he is such a talented and dedicated artist. I've looked up to him since I was a kid.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

"Try not to take yourself too seriously."

What do you most like to do to unwind?

I like to paint animals in a kind of fauvist/divisionist style.