Biomimetics

Biomimicry (from bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate) is a relatively new science that studies nature, its models, systems, processes and elements and then imitates or takes creative inspiration from them to solve human problems sustainably.

In the 1997 book, "Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature"(ISBN 0-06-053322-6), Janine M. Benyus introduces us to this concept, examples, and why it is important now. She points out that, "Our planet-mates (plants, animals and microbes) have been patiently perfecting their wares for more than 3.8 billion years . . . turning rock and sea into a life-friendly home. What better models could there be?"

The author goes on to list numerous examples of men and women who are studying some of nature's most wondrous achievements including photosynthesis, natural selection, self-sustaining ecosystems, etc., and then, "... consciously emulating life's genius," to improve manufacturing processes, create new medicines, change the way we grow food or even harness energy.

Examples

One example is the attempt to learn from and emulate the incredible ability of termites to maintain virtually constant temperature and humidity in their Sub-Saharan Africa homes despite an outside temperature variation from 3 °C and 42 °C (35 °F at night to 104 °F during the day.) Project TERMES (Termite Emulation of Regulatory Mound Environments by Simulation) scanned a termite mound, created 3-D images of the mound structure and provided the first ever glimpse of construction that may likely change the way we build our own buildings. The Eastgate Centre, a mid-rise office complex in Harare, Zimbabwe, (highlighted in this Biomimicry Institute case-study) stays cool without air conditioning and uses only 10% of the energy of a conventional building its size.

Another example is modeling the echolocation of bats in darkness and adapting that functionality into a cane for the visually impaired. Research performed at the University of Leeds (in the UK) led to the UltraCane, a product manufactured, marketed and sold by Sound Foresight Ltd.

See also

• Bionics
• Mercedes-Benz Bionic concept car.
• Permaculture

References

• Bioinspiration & Biomimetics - academic journal
• Biomimicry for Optimization, Control, and Automation by Kevin M. Passino, Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (August 27, 2004).
• Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature by Janine M. Benyus, Publisher: Harper Perennial (September 17, 2002).
• Biomimicry Institute
• Biomimicry Guild
• Biomimicry Database - Alpha version
• Introduction to Biomimcry
• Janine Benyus: 12 sustainable design ideas from nature from TED - Ideas worth spreading.
• Termite Mounds Inspire Zimbabwe Office Complex