\(\frac{9}{4}=\left(a+1\right)\left(b+1\right)\le\frac{\left(a+1\right)^2+\left(b+1\right)^2}{2}=\frac{2\left(a^2+1\right)+2\left(b^2+1\right)}{2}=a^2+b^2+2.\)

\(\Rightarrow a^2+b^2\ge\frac{1}{4}\)

\(\sqrt{1+a^4}+\sqrt{1+b^4}\ge\sqrt{\left(1+1\right)^2+\left(a^2+b^2\right)^2}\ge\sqrt{4+\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^2}=\frac{\sqrt{17}}{2}\)