Biomimicry
The inventor of Velcro ripped cockleburs from his dog’s fur. Da Vinci and the Wright brothers studied birds in flight. Taking inspiration from nature like this is called Biomimicry, an ancient concept that imitates nature to solve human problems, which is being rediscovered as a tool for sustainability and innovation. Brands ranging from General Electric to Nike are inviting biologists into their offices and tapping into some 10 million species for insight. When DaimlerChrysler’s R&D department wanted to develop a new era car that ticks off speed, safety and eco-friendliness, they turned to box fish inspiration. Despite its cube-shaped body, this tropical fish is infact outstandingly streamlined and therefore, represents an aerodynamic ideal which the Mercedes-Benz Bionic car has emulated. Other examples of biomimicry include: Self-Repairing Aircraft featuring plastic that ‘bleeds’ and ‘heals’, the Whalepower Wind Turbine, and self-cleaning surfaces inspired by lotus leaves.
Such bionics research does not mean copying nature, rather, the aims being to understand its principles and harness them as stimulus for innovation. The inventions of nature, developed and continuously improved over millions of years, provide an inexhaustible reservoir of ideas and inspirations for technology, but also environmental protection.
Many of the innovative concepts engineers and scientists are adopting from nature correspond to the principle of sustainability. Nature always achieves its objectives economically, with the minimum energy, conserves its resources, and completely recycles its waste. An example which is a path well worth following.
Thanks to Gavin Cumine for this story. Gavin is great.
References:
Wired
Fast Company
Jlangvad Blog
