Even if you are not familiar with the concept of Biomimicry, you have experienced it in your life in some way or the other. Now, you might be wondering how? Doesn’t an aeroplane ride make you wonder at its similarity to that of a bird’s flight? Why do you think ships are structured like fish that swim across waterbodies? There is a connection, right?
Well, now let’s explain what Biomimicry is. Biomimicry is defined as the practice of learning from Nature and mimicking or emulating Nature’s strategies to develop real-life solutions. It has a revolutionary potential to transform the way we design and think of seemingly innovative solutions. Scientists, engineers and experts in the field are heavily invested in deriving solutions from Nature in every possible manner.
In fact, the foundation of the Biomimicry Institute in 2005 is a pioneering initiative in this field. The institute aims to educate and motivate scientists, engineers, architects, and innovators to use Nature’s solutions and create sustainable technologies for the problems that are facing the modern world. The institute located in the USA offers workshops certificate courses, and collaborates with schools, zoos, and museums to develop suitable curricula. According to its official website, it enables an ecosystem of innovators, amplifies innovations and actions through partners and ushers in changes by connecting and convening change makers.
Biomimicry is widely used in car design pic.twitter.com/iGrzAmMDQZ
— Mambo Italiano (@mamboitaliano__) December 19, 2024Working of Biomimicry
Nature is considered Mother Nature for a number of reasons. Like mom, it is in time solution for all our problems. Nature has perfected solutions to problems like energy efficiency, waste reduction, and resource optimisation and these solutions have been developed across a time span of over billions of years. This time-tested solution not only allows us to live a peaceful life free from worries, but offers insight to develop resources out of them. However, overuse of resources and wastage culminated in today’s environmental health crisis.
Even after all these exploitative practices which pushed our Nature to the margin, Mother Nature continues to provide sustainable solutions to save itself as well as to sustain our lives. Observing Nature effectively enables finding sustainable solutions to our problems of waste management, among others. Biomimicry, by emulating the complex workings of Nature, helps in the promotion of sustainable design and stresses efficiency, resilience, and harmony with the environment.
Nature is indeed an infinite source of knowledge and innovative designs are inspired by Nature. Who would have thought of the submarine’s design had the dolphin and whale been not created by Nature? Therefore, we see by carefully studying Nature’s creation and its functioning, we are able to create innovative and groundbreaking designs and achieve a perfect harmony between man’s and nature’s creation.
Application of Biomimicry
Shinkansen Bullet Train: The Shinkansen bullet train’s streamlined shape is inspired by the beak of the kingfisher bird. It not only helps in the reduction of air resistance and thereby contributes to the checking of noise pollution. Earlier, bullet trains in Japan used to make a loud boom sound when they travelled through tunnels. The solution was found by a passionate bird-watcher who happened to be a professional engineer. The engineer is no other than Eiji Nakatsu, who, being inspired by a kingfisher, led his team to design the new bullet train that remains a marvel in the field of modern engineering.
Contraceptives: It is observed that female woolly spider monkeys or Brachyteles arachnoides from Brazil seem to have knowledge of certain plants that can help to reduce or enhance fertility. Certain researchers have observed this particular species of monkeys intentionally consume certain plants that affect fertility. After giving birth, a female monkey looks for certain leaves that contain isoflavonoids, estrogen-like compounds that are known to reduce fertility. However, during the breeding season, they seem to eat more of a particular legume nicknamed the monkey ear. This plant is known to produce a steroid which enhances fertility.
Spider Silk: Spider silk is known to be one of the strongest materials produced by Nature, and the complex interweaving of the strands baffles scientists and textile engineers alike. Inspired by these, scientists have developed synthetic fibres, which find varied applications in the fields of medicine and engineering.
Biomimicry: A Sustainable Solution
Biomimicry thus truly offers a sustainable solution unlike the solution that modern technology offers. A solution provided by Biomimicry promotes a circular economy and better waste management by leaving little to no waste. A modern scientific solution often leaves waste products that are difficult to expose. Be it energy-efficient solutions enabled by nuclear power plants or the creation of plastic, and all have a fallout in the long run in the form of nuclear waste management that is way more expensive or plastic pollution that is choking our planet. Biomimicry, therefore, is truly the future if we want to save the planet and the lives in it.
FAQ
1. What is Biomimicry?
Biomimicry is the practice of learning from and emulating nature’s designs and strategies to solve human problems. By studying nature’s solutions to challenges like energy efficiency, waste reduction, and resource optimization, scientists and engineers can develop innovative and sustainable technologies.
2. How Does Biomimicry Work?
Biomimicry involves observing natural systems and identifying the principles behind their success. These principles are then applied to human design and engineering. For example, the design of the Shinkansen bullet train was inspired by the streamlined shape of a kingfisher’s beak, which reduces air resistance and noise pollution.
3. What are Some Real-World Applications of Biomimicry?
Inspired by the kingfisher’s beak, the Shinkansen bullet train’s aerodynamic design reduces air resistance and noise pollution. Researchers are studying how certain monkeys use plants to regulate their fertility, which could lead to new natural birth control methods. Scientists are developing synthetic materials inspired by the strength and flexibility of spider silk, with potential applications in medicine and engineering.
4. What are the Benefits of Biomimicry?
Biomimicry promotes sustainable design and practices by mimicking nature’s efficient and resilient systems.By learning from nature’s billions of years of innovation, we can develop groundbreaking solutions to complex problems. Biomimicry can help reduce our environmental impact by minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency.
