Engineering Nature: Shaping the Future with Biomimicry
What is Biomimicry?
Biomimicry is an innovative discipline that adapts solutions developed by nature over millions of years of evolution to human problems. This approach offers a holistic perspective that includes not only tangible products but also nature's operating principles and systems. This term, which means "bio" in Latin for "life" and "mimesis" for "imitation", emphasizes the importance of benefiting from nature's wisdom.
This interdisciplinary approach focuses on understanding, learning and adapting the strategies that living things gain from their experiences. By examining the forms, processes and ecosystems in nature, it develops innovative solutions that can be applied in man-made systems. The resulting ideas often contribute to the protection of our planet by offering environmentally sensitive, energy efficient and sustainable alternatives.
Biomimicry allows us to understand nature's flawless production and life cycle methods. This understanding enables the emergence of environmentally compatible designs. For example, living beings’ shelters not only meet their own needs, but also form energy-efficient and durable structures in perfect harmony as part of the ecosystem.
In short, biomimicry is an innovative approach that adapts the solutions offered by nature to human designs by taking inspiration from them. It argues that the solutions developed by nature over millions of years of R&D can shed light on today’s problems. This method paves the way for environmentally friendly, efficient and innovative inventions for a sustainable future.
Now, let’s take a look at examples of biomimicry together and discover how these examples integrate into our daily lives:
- Helicopter and dragonfly:The design of helicopters was inspired by the dragonfly's extraordinary flight ability. This insect's precise maneuverability and hovering ability were adapted to the helicopter's balance and control systems. The dragonfly's thin and long body inspired the design of helicopter tail rotors. This biomimetic approach has provided helicopters with greater maneuverability, improved stability and increased fuel efficiency.
- Aircraft design and birds: Aeronautical engineers are developing aircraft designs inspired by the flight capabilities of birds. Birds' aerodynamic structures and energy-efficient flight techniques have made significant contributions to modern aircraft designs. For example, the wing design of the Airbus A380 was optimized by taking inspiration from long-distance flying birds. In addition, winglet technology, inspired by the feathers on the wingtips of birds, has improved the performance of aircraft. These examples show how nature's solutions can be applied to modern engineering problems.
- Solar panel and sunflower: Engineers have adapted the sunflower's ability to track the sun into solar panels. Some solar power plants in the Andalusia region of Spain use this clever design to allow the panels to follow the sun's movement throughout the day, maximizing energy production.
- Spiders and robotic technology: "Biomimic" robots inspired by the physical properties of spiders are used in military and search-and-rescue operations. These robots can operate effectively in harsh environments such as earthquake debris and hold promise for future space exploration.
- Eiffel Tower and femur: The Eiffel Tower, the symbol of Paris, was designed with inspiration from the structural features of the human femur. The irons used in the tower were connected to each other in a manner similar to the femur, providing maximum durability with minimum material.
- Medicines and sea urchins: The ability of sea urchins to form a hard outer shell has offered a new approach to protecting medicines from environmental influences. This solution has facilitated the transportation and storage of temperature-sensitive vaccines and biological drugs in particular.
- Singapore Esplanade Theatres and the durian fruit: The design of the Esplanade Theatres was inspired by the durian fruit. The roof, made of triangular-shaped aluminium panels, protects the complex from overheating while flooding the interior with natural light, thus saving energy.
- Air conditioning system and termite mounds: The Eastgate Centre in Zimbabwe mimics the airflow principle in termite mounds. This design allows for optimum use of natural ventilation and sunlight, resulting in energy savings of up to 90% compared to traditional systems.
- Wind turbines and whale fins: Inspired by the tubercles on the fins of humpback whales, wind turbines have increased efficiency and reduced noise levels. This approach has contributed to the wider use of renewable energy sources.
- High-speed train and kingfisher bird: Japanese engineers have redesigned the nose of high-speed trains, inspired by the kingfisher bird's beak. This has allowed the trains to move 15% faster, increasing energy efficiency and improving passenger comfort.
- Swimsuits and sharkskin: Sharkskin-inspired swimsuits reduce water resistance, allowing swimmers to swim faster. The technology has helped break Olympic records and is also being used in the design of underwater vehicles.
- Self-cleaning surfaces and the lotus effect: Inspired by the microscopic structure of the lotus leaf, self-cleaning surfaces are used in glass, paint and textile products. This technology contributes to sustainability by saving water while reducing the maintenance costs of buildings.
