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Biomimicry

If chaos theory transformed our view of the universe, biomimicry is transforming our life on Earth. Biomimicry is innovation inspired by nature – taking advantage of evolution’s 3.8 billion years of R&D since the first bacteria.

Author: Janine M. Benyus

Publisher: Harper Collins

ISBN: 0061958921

Category: Science

Page: 320

View: 672

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Repackaged with a new Afterword, this "valuable and entertaining" (New York Times Book Review) book explores how scientists are adapting nature's best ideas to solve tough 21st century problems Biomimicry is rapidly transforming life on earth. Biomimics study nature's most successful ideas over the past 3.5 million years, and adapt them for human use. The results are revolutionizing how materials are invented and how we compute, heal ourselves, repair the environment, and feed the world. Janine Benyus takes readers into the lab and in the field with maverick thinkers as they: discover miracle drugs by watching what chimps eat when they're sick; learn how to create by watching spiders weave fibers; harness energy by examining how a leaf converts sunlight into fuel in trillionths of a second; and many more examples. Composed of stories of vision and invention, personalities and pipe dreams, Biomimicry is must reading for anyone interested in the shape of our future.
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Engineered Biomimicry

Engineered Biomimicry covers a broad range of research topics in the emerging discipline of biomimicry.

Author: Akhlesh Lakhtakia

Publisher: Newnes

ISBN: 0123914329

Category: Science

Page: 496

View: 879

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Engineered Biomimicry covers a broad range of research topics in the emerging discipline of biomimicry. Biologically inspired science and technology, using the principles of math and physics, has led to the development of products as ubiquitous as VelcroTM (modeled after the spiny hooks on plant seeds and fruits). Readers will learn to take ideas and concepts like this from nature, implement them in research, and understand and explain diverse phenomena and their related functions. From bioinspired computing and medical products to biomimetic applications like artificial muscles, MEMS, textiles and vision sensors, Engineered Biomimicry explores a wide range of technologies informed by living natural systems. Engineered Biomimicry helps physicists, engineers and material scientists seek solutions in nature to the most pressing technical problems of our times, while providing a solid understanding of the important role of biophysics. Some physical applications include adhesion superhydrophobicity and self-cleaning, structural coloration, photonic devices, biomaterials and composite materials, sensor systems, robotics and locomotion, and ultra-lightweight structures. Explores biomimicry, a fast-growing, cross-disciplinary field in which researchers study biological activities in nature to make critical advancements in science and engineering Introduces bioinspiration, biomimetics, and bioreplication, and provides biological background and practical applications for each Cutting-edge topics include bio-inspired robotics, microflyers, surface modification and more
ComputersPosted on

Biomimicry for Optimization Control and Automation

66 2.2.5 Brain Science: An Expanding Frontier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 2.2.6 Biomimicry for Automation: Cognition ...

Author: Kevin M. Passino

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

ISBN: 9781846280696

Category: Computers

Page: 926

View: 425

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Biomimicry uses our scienti?c understanding of biological systems to exploit ideas from nature in order to construct some technology. In this book, we focus onhowtousebiomimicryof the functionaloperationofthe “hardwareandso- ware” of biological systems for the development of optimization algorithms and feedbackcontrolsystemsthatextendourcapabilitiestoimplementsophisticated levels of automation. The primary focus is not on the modeling, emulation, or analysis of some biological system. The focus is on using “bio-inspiration” to inject new ideas, techniques, and perspective into the engineering of complex automation systems. There are many biological processes that, at some level of abstraction, can berepresentedasoptimizationprocesses,manyofwhichhaveasa basicpurpose automatic control, decision making, or automation. For instance, at the level of everyday experience, we can view the actions of a human operator of some process (e. g. , the driver of a car) as being a series of the best choices he or she makes in trying to achieve some goal (staying on the road); emulation of this decision-making process amounts to modeling a type of biological optimization and decision-making process, and implementation of the resulting algorithm results in “human mimicry” for automation. There are clearer examples of - ological optimization processes that are used for control and automation when you consider nonhuman biological or behavioral processes, or the (internal) - ology of the human and not the resulting external behavioral characteristics (like driving a car). For instance, there are homeostasis processes where, for instance, temperature is regulated in the human body.
Juvenile NonfictionPosted on

Biomimicry

32 BIOMIMICRY AND SCIENCE 44 BIOMIMICRY AND MEDICINE 52 BIOMIMICRY AND OUR CLOTHING 59 BIOMIMICRY, DESIGN, AND ARCHITECTURE 71 BIOMIMICRY FOR THE FUTURE And ...

Author: Seraphine Menu

Publisher: Seven Stories Press

ISBN: 1644210207

Category: Juvenile Nonfiction

Page: 80

View: 506

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Nature did it first! A beautiful and whimsically illustrated explanation of cool inventions like Velcro and scuba suits that were inspired by the natural world Discover how bats led to the development of radar, whales inspired the pacemaker, and the lotus flower may help us produce indestructible clothing. "Biomimicry" comes from the Greek "bio" (life) and "mimesis" (imitation)." Here are various and amazing ways that nature inspires us to create cool inventions in science and medicine, clothing design, and architecture. From the fireflies that showed inventors how LEDs could give off more light to the burdock plant that inspired velcro to the high speed trains of Japan that take the form of a kingfisher's sleek, aerodynamic head, there are innumerable ways that we can create smarter, better, safer inventions by observing the natural world. Author Seraphine Menu and illustrator Emmanuelle Walker also gently explain that our extraordinary, diverse, and awe-inspiring world is like a carefully calibrated machine and its fragile balance must be treated with extreme care and respect. "Go outside," they say, "observe, compare, and maybe some day you'll be the next person to be struck by a great idea."
Business & EconomicsPosted on

Biomimicry and Business

And then one day I picked up Janine's book, Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature, and found a new way of doing business successfully that utilized the ...

Author: Margo Farnsworth

Publisher: Routledge

ISBN: 1000204634

Category: Business & Economics

Page: 136

View: 852

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Biomimicry, the practice of observing then mimicking nature’s strategies to solve business challenges, offers a path to healthy profit while working in partnership, and even reciprocity, with the natural world. Other books have described biomimicry, its uses, and its benefits. This book shows readers how to create their own biomimetic or bioinspired solutions with clear benefits to the bottom line, the environment, and people. Fashioned through storytelling, this book blends snapshots of five successful companies – Nike, Interface, Inc., PAX Scientific, Sharklet Technologies, and Encycle – which decided to partner with nature by deploying biomimicry. The book details how they discovered the practices, introduced them to staff, engaged in the process, and measured outcomes. The book concludes with challenges for readers to determine their own next steps in business and offers practical and useful resources to get there. By revealing the stories of each professional’s journey with lessons they learned, then providing resources and issuing a challenge and pathway to do business better, this book serves as a tool for entrepreneurs, seasoned professionals, and students to emulate nature’s brilliance, apply it at work, and contribute to a healthier, more prosperous world.
Juvenile NonfictionPosted on

Biomimicry

Biomimicry—Juvenile literature. 2.Technological innovations—Juvenile literature. I.Thompson,Margot,1965– II.Title. T173.8.L44 2011 j608 C2011-900085-7 ...

Author: Dora Lee

Publisher: Kids Can Press Ltd

ISBN: 1554534674

Category: Juvenile Nonfiction

Page: 40

View: 779

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Discusses the many human inventions that have been inspired by nature, including biodegradable plastics, Velcro, and renewable energy resources, and suggests other natural processes that can be used to benefit modern human civilization.
ArchitecturePosted on

Regenerative Urban Design and Ecosystem Biomimicry

To be able to examine biomimicry's potential effectiveness as a means of achieving greater sustainability in the built environment, it is necessary to ...

Author: Maibritt Pedersen Zari

Publisher: Routledge

ISBN: 1351627392

Category: Architecture

Page: 260

View: 799

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It is clear that the climate is changing and ecosystems are becoming severely degraded. Humans must mitigate the causes of, and adapt to, climate change and the loss of biodiversity, as the impacts of these changes become more apparent and demand urgent responses. These pressures, combined with rapid global urbanisation and population growth mean that new ways of designing, retrofitting and living in cities are critically needed. Incorporating an understanding of how the living world works and what ecosystems do into architectural and urban design is a step towards the creation and evolution of cities that are radically more sustainable and potentially regenerative. Can cities produce their own food, energy, and water? Can they be designed to regulate climate, provide habitat, cycle nutrients, and purify water, air and soil? This book examines and defines the field of biomimicry for sustainable built environment design and goes on to translate ecological knowledge into practical methodologies for architectural and urban design that can proactively respond to climate change and biodiversity loss. These methods are tested and exemplified through a series of case studies of existing cities in a variety of climates. Regenerative Urban Design and Ecosystem Biomimicry will be of great interest to students, professionals and researchers of architecture, urban design, ecology, and environmental studies, as well as those interested in the interdisciplinary study of sustainability, ecology and urbanism.
ArchitecturePosted on

Biomimicry in Architecture

Why is now the right moment for biomimicry? While fascination with nature undoubtedly goes back as long as human existence itself, now we can revisit the ...

Author: Michael Pawlyn

Publisher: Routledge

ISBN: 1000701603

Category: Architecture

Page: 176

View: 754

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When searching for genuinely sustainable building design and technology - designs that go beyond conventional sustainability to be truly restorative - we often find that nature got there first. Over 3.5 billion years of natural history have evolved innumerable examples of forms, systems, and processes that can be applied to modern green design. For architects, urban designers and product designers, this new edition of Biomimicry in Architecture looks to the natural world to achieve radical increases in resource efficiency. Packed with case studies predicting future trends, this edition also contains updated and expanded chapters on structures, materials, waste, water, thermal control and energy, as well as an all-new chapter on light. An amazing sourcebook of extraordinary design solutions, Biomimicry in Architecture is a must-read for anyone preparing for the challenges of building a sustainable and restorative future.
MedicalPosted on

Engineered Biomimicry

Biomimicry. Lianbing Zhanga and Mato Kneza, b, aCIC nanoGUNE Consolider, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, 20018 DonostiaSan Sebastian, Spain, bIkerbasque, ...

Author: Lianbing Zhang

Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters

ISBN: 0128072741

Category: Medical

Page: 496

View: 564

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With the development of new synthetic procedures and technological processes, the interest in biomimicry has gathered rejuvenation in the past decades. One particularly interesting research method is the atomic layer deposition (ALD), which was established in various fields of technology as a vacuum-based chemical-processing technique and enabler for the deposition of extremely thin functional coatings. The benefits of this technology over similar techniques make it increasingly attractive for applications in biomimicry. In this chapter, short descriptions of the technology and its benefits and drawbacks are given. Subsequently, we summarize development in various research topics involving ALD and biomimicry.
MedicalPosted on

Engineered Biomimicry

Biomimicry has experienced a rapid development since Janine Benyus published her seminal work in 1997. In that work, she defined biomimicry as having three ...

Author: Michael S. Ellison

Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters

ISBN: 0128072687

Category: Medical

Page: 496

View: 215

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In a sense, the archetype of bioinspiration for materials design and use is textiles. The field of biomimesis has spawned many new materials and continues to be a fruitful field of investigation. This chapter presents the current state of bioinspiration in textiles, how this has resulted in improved fibrous materials, how it may inform our continued progress. Because I have found many preconceived notions about the field that need addressing before the application of biomimetics to textiles can be truly appreciated, I begin with an introduction to textiles. Next, naturally enough, the discipline of biomimesis is introduced and then fleshed out in terms of its textile engineering importance. Following this, some details on fiber and textile science and engineering are discussed and biological concepts germane to our topic are presented. In the last step in this journey, the marriage of biomimesis and textiles is performed and some consequences revealed. Finally, I offer some prognostications on the topic.
MedicalPosted on

Engineered Biomimicry

Thus, biomimicry aims to imitate biological processes or systems. Research into biomimetic robotics is currently being conducted in many research ...

Author: Ranjan Vepa

Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters

ISBN: 0128072628

Category: Medical

Page: 496

View: 443

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Some basic features of biomimetic robotics and the technologies that are facilitating their development are discussed in this chapter. The emergence of smart materials and structures, smart sensors and actuators capable of mimicking biological transducers, bio-inspired signal-processing techniques, modeling and control of manipulators resembling biological limbs, and the shape control of flexible systems are the primary areas in which recent technological advances have taken place. Some key applications of these technological developments in the design of morphing airfoils, modeling and control of anthropomorphic manipulators and muscle activation modeling, and control for human limb prosthetic and orthotic applications are discussed. Also discussed, with some typical examples, are the related developments in the application of nonlinear optimal control and estimation, which are fundamental to the success of biomimetic robotics.
MedicalPosted on

Interdisciplinary Expansions in Engineering and Design With the Power of Biomimicry

Biomimicry or the similar word biomimetic comes from the unification of the Greek words “bios” (life) and “mimesis” (mimic).

Author: Gulden Kokturk

Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand

ISBN: 9535139355

Category: Medical

Page: 194

View: 646

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People have been finding inspiration in nature in solving their problems, from the very beginning of their existence. In the most general sense, biomimicry, defined as "inspire from the nature," has brought together the engineers and designers nowadays. This collaboration creates innovative and creative outcomes that encourage people with their interdisciplinary relationships. Accordingly, the aim of this book is to bring together different works or developments on biomimetics in interdisciplinary relationship between different areas, especially biomimicry, engineering, and design. The twenty-first century has conceived many new and amazing designs. The book in your hands will surely be an important guide to take a quick look at the future possibilities.
MedicalPosted on

Engineered Biomimicry

Flight Control Using Biomimetic Optical Sensors Engineered Biomimicry Edited by Akhlesh Lakhtakia. Raúl Marin-Palma Engineered Biomimicry Chapter 9.

Author: Javaan Chahl

Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters

ISBN: 0128072679

Category: Medical

Page: 496

View: 496

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Insects are dependent on the spatial, spectral, and temporal distributions of light in the environment for flight control and navigation. This chapter reports on flight trials of implementations of insect-inspired behaviors on unmanned aerial vehicles. Optical-flow methods for maintaining a constant height above ground and a constant course have been demonstrated to provide navigational capabilities that are impossible using conventional avionics sensors. Precision control of height above ground and ground course were achieved over long distances. Other demonstrated vision-based techniques include a biomimetic stabilization sensor that uses the ultraviolet and green bands of the spectrum and a sky polarization compass. Both of these sensors were tested over long trajectories in different directions, in each case showing performance similar to low-cost inertial heading and attitude systems.
MedicalPosted on

Engineered Biomimicry

Engineered biomimicry / edited by Akhlesh Lakhtakia and Raúl Jose MartínPalma. pages Cm ISBN 978-0-12-415995-2 1. Biomimicry. I. Lakhtakia, A. (Akhlesh), ...

Author: Torben Lenau

Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters

ISBN: 0128072717

Category: Medical

Page: 496

View: 554

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Self-organization and self-healing appeal to humans because difficult and repeated actions can be avoided through automation via bottom-up nonhierarchical processes. This is in contrast to the top-level controlled manner we normally apply as an action strategy in manufacturing and maintenance work. This chapter presents eight different self-organizing and self-healing approaches in nature and takes a look at realized and potential applications. Furthermore, the core principles for each approach are described using simplified drawings in order to make the ideas behind the self-organizing and self-healing principles more accessible to design practitioners.
MedicalPosted on

Engineered Biomimicry

Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data Engineered biomimicry / edited by Akhlesh Lakhtakia and Raúl Jose MartínPalma. pages Cm ISBN ...

Author: Wolfgang Banzhaf

Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters

ISBN: 012807275X

Category: Medical

Page: 496

View: 196

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This chapter focuses on evolutionary computation, in particular genetic programming, as examples of drawing inspiration from biological systems. We set the choice of evolution as a source for inspiration in context and discuss the history of evolutionary computation and its variants before looking more closely at genetic programming. After a discussion of methods and the state of the art, we review application areas of genetic programming and its strength in providing human-competitive solutions.
MedicalPosted on

Engineered Biomimicry

Engineered biomimicry / edited by Akhlesh Lakhtakia and Raúl Jose MartínPalma. pages Cm ISBN 978-0-12-415995-2 1. Biomimicry. I. Lakhtakia, A. (Akhlesh), ...

Author: Jayant Sirohi

Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters

ISBN: 0128072636

Category: Medical

Page: 496

View: 485

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This chapter describes recent developments in the area of manmade microflyers. The design space for microflyers is described, along with fundamental physical limits to miniaturizing mechanisms, energy storage, and electronics. Aspects of aerodynamics at the scale of microflyers are discussed. Microflyer concepts developed by a number of researchers are described in detail. Because the focus is on bioinspiration and biomimetics, scaled-down versions of conventional aircraft, such as fixed-wing micro air vehicles and micro-helicopters, are not addressed. Modeling of the aeromechanics of flapping wing microflyers is described with an illustrative example. Finally, some of the sensing mechanisms used by natural flyers are discussed.
MedicalPosted on

Engineered Biomimicry

Engineered biomimicry / edited by Akhlesh Lakhtakia and Raúl Jose MartínPalma. pages Cm ISBN 978-0-12-415995-2 1. Biomimicry. I. Lakhtakia, A. (Akhlesh), ...

Author: Erwin A. Vogler

Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters

ISBN: 0128072660

Category: Medical

Page: 496

View: 375

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The principal motivation behind surface engineering and modification for improved biocompatibility of a biomaterial is to control interactions of the biomaterial with components of living systems or subsets thereof in a manner that mimics the normal physiological state or produces a desired change in biological state. This pursuit of biomimicry is discussed in this chapter within the context of the core mechanisms of the biological response to materials. A tutorial on surfaces, interfaces, and interphases leads to the identification of specific targets for surface engineering and modification. These targets include water wettability (surface energy), surface chemistry, surface chemical patterns and surface textures, and surface presentation of biomimetic motifs. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the essential conceptual tools required for building a biomaterials surface science laboratory, illustrated with an example of modifying surfaces for improved cardiovascular biomaterials.
MedicalPosted on

Engineered Biomimicry

Noise Exploitation and Adaptation in Engineered Biomimicry Akhlesh Lakhtakia. Raúl Marin-Palma Engineered Biomimicry Chapter 2.

Author: Thamira Hindo

Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters

ISBN: 0128072601

Category: Medical

Page: 496

View: 686

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Even though current micro-nano fabrication technology has reached integration levels at which ultra-sensitive sensors can be fabricated, the sensing performance (bits per Joule) of synthetic systems are still orders of magnitude inferior to those observed in neurobiology. For example, the filiform hair in crickets operates at fundamental limits of noise and energy efficiency. Another example is the auditory sensor in the parasitoid fly Ormia ochracea that can precisely localize ultra-faint acoustic signatures in spite of the underlying physical limitations. Even though many of these biological marvels have served as inspirations for different types of neuromorphic sensors, the main focus of these designs has been to faithfully replicate the biological functions, without considering the constructive role of noise. In manmade sensors, device and sensor noise are typically considered nuisances, whereas in neurobiology noise has been shown to be a computational aid that enables sensing and operation at fundamental limits of energy efficiency and performance. In this chapter, we describe some of the important noise exploitation and adaptation principles observed in neurobiology and how they can be systematically used for designing neuromorphic sensors. Our focus is on two types of noise exploitation principles, namely, (a) stochastic resonance and (b) noise shaping, which are unified within a framework called ΣΔ learning. As a case study, we describe the application of ΣΔ learning for the design of a miniature acoustic source localizer, the performance of which matches that of its biological counterpart (O. ochracea).
MedicalPosted on

Engineered Biomimicry

Engineered biomimicry / edited by Akhlesh Lakhtakia and Raúl Jose MartínPalma. pages Cm ISBN 978-0-12-415995-2 1. Biomimicry. I. Lakhtakia, A. (Akhlesh), ...

Author: Cameron H.G. Wright

Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters

ISBN: 0128072598

Category: Medical

Page: 496

View: 806

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This chapter is focused on vision sensors based on both mammalian and insect vision systems. Typically, the former uses a single large-aperture lens system and a large, high-resolution focal plane array; the latter uses many small-aperture lenses, each coupled to a small group of photodetectors. The strengths and weaknesses of each type of design are discussed, along with some guidelines for designing such sensors. A brief review of basic optical engineering, including simple diffraction theory and mathematical tools such as Fourier optics, is followed by a demonstration of how to match an optical system to some collection of photodetectors. Modeling and simulations performed with tools such as Zemax and MATLAB® are described for better understanding of both optical and neural aspects of biological vision systems and how they may be adapted to an artificial vision sensor. A biomimetic vision system based on the common housefly, Musca domestica, is discussed.
MedicalPosted on

Engineered Biomimicry

Engineered biomimicry / edited by Akhlesh Lakhtakia and Raúl Jose MartínPalma. pages Cm ISBN 978-0-12-415995-2 1. Biomimicry. I. Lakhtakia, A. (Akhlesh), ...

Author: Blayne M. Phillips

Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters

ISBN: 0128072709

Category: Medical

Page: 496

View: 150

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The compound eyes of moths are composed by hexagonal arrays of non-close-packed nipples that exhibit low reflectance. The outer surface of the cornea of a moth consists of periodic arrays of conical protuberances, termed corneal nipples, typically of sub-250nm height and spacing. These arrays of subwavelength nipples generate a graded transition of refractive index, leading to minimized reflection over a broad range of wavelengths and angles of incidence. In this chapter, the fabrication, characterization, and modeling of moth-eye antireflection coatings on both transparent substrates (e.g., glass) and semiconductor wafers (such as crystalline silicon and GaAs) are discussed.