What (Is this blog all about?!!!)
Plants, animals and other organisms have evolved over millions of years to come up with biological and chemical shapes and patterns to make the best of life on earth. Biomimicry is a rapidly emerging field of science where a function in nature that is already being performed successfully can be copied, compared to inventing an entirely new and different way of doing something.
Two Examples of Biomimicry:
- Strains of red ocean algae have been developed to keep away harmful bacteria by jamming their communication signals.Without the ability to grow and multiply, the bacteria would not be able to accumulate on the surface of the algae. This led to the development of a new type of disinfectant that copies the effect , by Australian marine biologist Peter Steinberg.
- As a kid, inventor Jay Harman spent a lot of time in the ocean where he noticed that the powerful ocean surf did not have much impact on the kelp in the water, although they were capable of knocking him of the rocks. He believed that the kelp was firmly rooted in the sand, but when he grabbed at one, he saw that the seaweed could be easily picked up. This eventually led to the founding of the California’s PAX Scientific Inc. After more observation, he discovered that the kelp would spiral as a wave and was able to stay in one spot.
People do not generally appreciate that there is a lot to learn from Mother Nature. Unfortunately, enough time is not spent in observing nature and applying its lessons to industry and business.
For example, a typical fan does not have a very efficient design. The shape of the blades pushes air centrifugally. In other words, most of the air is pushed off towards the tips and not directed at the object its supposed to cool. However, to compensate, most of the fans are surrounded by housings to help redirect air.
A fan with a fibonacci pattern (with reference to spirals) does not have this problem. It entrains and organizes the air as it goes in and comes out. By mimicking the fibonacci patterns, new fan designs that help heating and cooling appliances, computer equipment and a wide range of products, have been developed by the PAX Scientific.
Copying shapes found in nature is becoming increasingly common. For instance, automakers have analyzed the locomotion of fish and birds to make their vehicles more aerodynamic. Toronto-based Whale power is designing turbine blades that are copies of flippers on Humpback Whales.
How and why (is it related to Economics?!!!!)
Biomimicry is more of looking at the organization of plants, animals and microorganisms for the good of an ecosystem or to achieve a common goal rather than just the copying of natural shapes in nature; in other words, copying recipes in “nature’s cookbook”.
A new venture into mimicking how the leaf converts the sun’s rays into energy has been initiated quite recently. The solar cells being designed wont be using heavy or rare earth metals, but will simply use nature’s own formula, which will also be at very low costs.
Biomimicry is about replicating nature’s blueprint and not enslaving it to use when necessary. Its more about recreating processes like photosynthesis in order to create energy and save resources, which in turn would help achieve the economic goal of environmental stewardship.
It is a very ambitious project, but is sure to pay off at the end. Moreover, it will very likely be adopted by those in the Cleantech Investment Community as well. Biomimicry has been called a “mega-category” within Cleantech.
Positive Statements: (If….Then!!!!!)
(Student Hat On!!!)
If more of nature’s best ideas are imitated to solve human problems, then cities will be more ecologically functional, and there will be a closer connection between humans and Mother Nature, thereby getting closer to achieving the economic goal of Environmental Stewardship.
If nature and technology are blended together, then inventions are made easier, and inexpensive as well. Humans have been using their own blue print to create new products and services all these years, which in turn has been adversely affecting them by means of high costs and environmental degradation. Switching to nature’s own cookbook will help in creating a sustainable future on earth.
If humans start realizing that other living and non-living things have their purpose, then Biomimicry is the best blueprint that can be used in order to create harmony with what is in the environment. To construct efficient ecosystems, it is not enough for people to just live in nature; they also have to live with it, to make sure human beings do not become extinct with the overuse of technology.
Normative Statements (What should or should not be done?!!!!) (Economist Hat On!!!)
Nature should be treated with the respect it deserves and people should learn from its extraordinary design lessons, as that is the only way companies and consumers can produce and promote sustainable goods, and contribute to the well-being of the economy. When something is new and innovative, especially with very low costs attached to it, it will have a greater demand among the majority of the populace.
However, from a different standpoint:
Biomimicry should not be hurriedly used as there are a few obstacles present in the way of completely utilizing it. The way nature works is very different from how humans do. Nature is far more complex when it comes to building systems. Although a large amount of energy is used in the human (industrial) way of building systems, it is simpler than biological organization and is the only way humans are aware of.
Super Eco-Freak’s Best Call =)
Living things other than humans like plants and animals have always had a lot to teach mankind, but their teachings have never been put to proper use. Over the years, attempts at naturalizing the creation of goods and services has been haphazard and there hasn’t been much improvement yet. Although industrial methods are not resource-intensive, they are continually used because they are easier. However, application of Biomimicry would be the perfect tool for efficient ecological designs. It can operate on any scale and will be put to greater use in years to come.
"Janine Benyus: Biomimicry in action | Video on TED.com." TED: Ideas worth spreading. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 June 2010.
http://www.ted.com/talks/janine_benyus_biomimicry_in_action.html
"Worldchanging: Bright Green: Biomimicry 101." Worldchanging: Bright Green. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 June 2010.
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