Biomimicry
What is it?
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Biomimicry imitates nature.
By observing natural forms, behaviors and processes; humans can adapt these
natural designs to solve their own problems. “The core idea is that nature has
already solved many of the problems we are grappling with: energy, food
production, climate control, benign chemistry, transportation, collaboration,
and more. Mimicking these earth-savvy
designs can help humans leapfrog to technologies that sip energy, shave material
use, reject toxins, and work as a system to create conditions conducive to
life” (Benyus, 2012).
Case studies [images and text borrowed
from the Biomimicry Institute website, 2012]
Learning from
Termites How to Create Sustainable Buildings
After studying termite mounds , it was discovered that nest temperatures were maintained within one
degree both day and night [the outside temperature ranges from 42 °C to 3 °C].
This represents 40% of energy used by humans.
Architects and engineers took
this technology and designed the Eastgate Building in Zimbabwe modeled after
the termite mounds. The building used 90% less energy and has saved over $3.5
million dollars in air conditioning costs (BI, 2012).
Learning from
Dolphins How to Warn People about Tsunamis
Current Tsunami warning systems developed by EvoLogics; are
emulating dolphin frequency-modulating acoustics. Sound scatters in water, but
dolphins found a way to cope by using high frequency, rapid transmission. “In
order to reliably detect them and warn people before they reach land, sensitive
pressure sensors must be located underneath passing waves in waters as deep as
6000 meters. The data must then be transmitted up to a buoy at the ocean's
surface, where it is relayed to a satellite for distribution to an early
warning center. Transmitting data through miles of water has proven difficult,
however: sound waves, while unique in being able to travel long distances
through water, reverberate and destructively interfere with one another as they
travel, compromising the accuracy of information” (BI, 2012).
If you are interested
in learning more about biomimicry; there is an online course available here:
Additional Reading list:
Mathews, F., 2004.Towards a Deeper Philosophy of Biomimicry.
Organization Environment vol. 24 no. 4 pp.364-387
Davidson. E., et al., 2010. In vitro Biomimicry for
Vascularized Bone Engineering. Journal of Surgical Research V. 158, Issue 2 , P. 320.
Gamage, A. & Hyde, R., 2012. A model based on Biomimicry
to enhance ecologically sustainable design. Architectural Science Review. V.
55, Issue 3.
references
(BI) Biomimicry Institute, 2012 http://www.biomimicryinstitute.org/case_studies.php
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