BiomimeticsIntroduction

Biomimetics

• Represents the studies and imitation of the methods, mechanisms, and processes normally utilized by nature.

• The application of biological methods and systems found in nature to the study and design of engineering systems and technology

• “Taking ideas from nature”

Biomimetics

• Term “biomimetics” was first coined by Otto H. Schmitt

• AKA• Bionics• Biognosis• Biomimicry• Bionical creativity engineering

Biomimetics

• A highly multidisciplinary field

• Just imagine the fields it has applications:• Material science• Mechanical design• Electronics and Communications• Infrastructure• Nanotechnology• Psychology• And many more!

A lot. Really.

Take heed, mankindNature is superior still

Why copy nature?

• Biomimicry has immensely expanded the collection of tools that are available to humans

• Biological designs are the result of millions of years of competition or survival

• They have survived the harsh tests of practicality and durability in a changing environment

Why copy nature?

• These biological “success stories” are consequently already optimized for use, with economical energy consumption and use of energy

• As a result, human technology can greatly benefit from mimicking these natural designs

Inspiration, not imitation

• The idea is to adapt biological concepts into usable and applicable human technology

• To adapt means to make it even better

• To be inspired means to take the principle of the idea, not to blatantly copy it

Characteristics of a biomimetic concept

• Ability to operate in complex environments

• Adaptable to unplanned and unpredictable changes and perform multifunctional tasks

Early Biomimetics

Early Biomimetics

• Icarus of Greek mythology

• Man’s great ambition to fly through the heavens

Early Biomimetics

Early Biomimetics

Early Biomimetics

Early Biomimetics

“If nature is the work of God, and if architectural forms are derived from nature, then the best way to honor God is to design buildings based on His work”

Antoni GaudiCatalan architect

Early Biomimetics

• The Sagrada Familia

• Designed by Antoni Gaudi in the early 20th century

Early Biomimetics

Early Biomimetics

• Gaudi utilized designs that he found in nature, notably ruled geometrical forms such as the hyperbolic paraboloid, the hyperboloid, the helicoid and the cone. 

• Gaudi found abundant examples of ruled surfaces in nature, for instance in rushes, reeds and bones

• He believed that there is no better structure than the trunk of a tree or a human skeleton.

• These forms are at the same time functional and aesthetic, and Gaudí discovered how to adapt the language of nature to the structural forms of architecture

Early Biomimetics

• Velcro• Developed by Swiss engineer George de

Mestral in 1941• Inspired by burr seeds clinging to the fur of

his dog

Early Biomimetics

Biological Systems

• Studying prairies and grasslands on how to grow food sustainably

• Prairies and grasslands are remarkably productive, resilient, self-enriching, and sustainable

Agriculture

Biological Systems

Agriculture• Modern human

agricultural practices are very productive but also unsustainable.

• Using natural prairies as the model, it is aimed to emulate their longevity and apply it to agricultural systems

Biological Computation Models

• Artificial intelligence emulates the operation of the brain

• It requires the scientific understanding of the mechanisms underlying thought and intelligent behavior

Artificial Intelligence

Biological Computation Models

• A mathematical model inspired by the structure or functional aspects of biological neural networks.

• Similar to artificial intelligence, but covers a more general field and has lots of applications.

Artificial neural networks

Biologically Inspired Structures and Tools

• Several pioneers have used natural design principles found in natural structures and adapted them to human infrastructure

Infrastructure

• The human skeleton is a rich source of structural ideas due to its ability to carry moving loads.

• Such concepts have been incorporated into industrial ideas such as in the design of automotive structures and frameworks.Biologically Inspired Structures

and Tools

Infrastructure