Abstract: In one aspect, there are provided methods for producing porous metallic structures, wherein the methods involve the use of collagen fibrils on the nanometer scale as a “sacrificial” scaffold upon which metal particles are deposited. Also disclosed are structures comprising a porous metallic matrix having favorable strength, porosity, and density characteristics. Structures produced in accordance with the present disclosure are useful for, inter alia, the fabrication of devices such as filters, heat exchangers, sound absorbers, electrochemical cathodes, fuel cells, catalyst supports, fluid treatment units, lightweight structures and biomaterials.