Biomimicry
What is it? The
Biomimicry Institute describes this principle as, “an approach to innovation
that seeks sustainable solutions to human challenges by emulating nature’s
time-tested patterns and strategies.” (biomimicry.org)
Nature is the original, and has already solved many of our
current dilemmas in regard to sustainability. Using nature’s own systems and
design in business can solve problems that humans do not conceptualize. We need
to ask ourselves how nature would make and/or use materials. When materials are no longer needed, they can be
broken down to fuel another system, or emulating nature’s own processes with
sustainable materials.
A real-world example is MIT’s “artificial leaf”:
Read more: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-03/mit-lab-creates-worlds-first-practical-artificial-leaf
This “leaf”, “made of silicon, electronics, and various
catalysts that spur chemical reactions within the device, the artificial leaf
uses sunlight to break water into hydrogen and oxygen which can then be used to
create electricity in a separate fuel cell. Placed in a gallon of water and
left in the sun, these artificial leaves could provide a home in the developing
world with basic electricity for a day…”
Other examples include
- Velcro, inspired by a Swiss engineer whose dog was covered in burdock burrs
- A shark-skin inspired material designed to reduce drag and conserve energy for boats, airplanes, windmills, and more
- Dew Bank Bottle which collects morning dew, inspired by the Namibian Beetle which catches water droplets by raising it’s back as fog rolls over and collects into chutes toward it’s mouth
Want to continue learning more about Biomimicry?
Watch the following TED talk by Jane Benyus, conservationist aiming to inspire inventors, engineers, businesses with biomimicry
http://www.ted.com/talks/janine_benyus_biomimicry_in_action?language=en
Read about the Biomimicry Institute's own initiative: www.asknature.org
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