01-02-2017, 10:49 AM
Biomimicry
Biomimetics or biomimetics is the imitation of the models, systems and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems. The terms biomimetic and biomimetic are derived from ancient Greek: βίος (bios), life, and μίμησις (mīmēsis), imitation, of μιμεῖσθαι (mīmeisthai), imitate, of μῖμος (mimes), actor. A closely related field is bionic.
Living organisms have developed well-adapted structures and materials throughout geological time through natural selection. Biomimetics has given rise to new technologies inspired by biological solutions at macro and nano scale. Humans have looked to nature for the answers to problems throughout our existence. Nature has solved engineering problems such as self-healing abilities, tolerance and resistance to environmental exposure, hydrophobicity, self-assembly and solar energy utilization.
One of the earliest examples of biomimetics was the study of birds to allow human flight. Although he never succeeded in creating a "flying machine," Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was a keen observer of the anatomy and flight of birds, and made numerous notes and sketches in his observations, as well as sketches of "Flying machines". The Wright brothers, who managed to fly the first airplane heavier than air in 1903, were inspired by the observations of flying pigeons. The term biomimicry appeared as early as 1982. Biomimicry was popularized by scientist and author Janine Benyus in his 1997 book Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature. Biomimetics is defined in the book as a "new science that studies the models of nature and then imitates or is inspired by these designs and processes to solve human problems." Benyus suggests looking for Nature as a "Model, Measure and Mentor" and emphasizes sustainability as a goal of biomimetics.
Biomimetics or biomimetics is the imitation of the models, systems and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems. The terms biomimetic and biomimetic are derived from ancient Greek: βίος (bios), life, and μίμησις (mīmēsis), imitation, of μιμεῖσθαι (mīmeisthai), imitate, of μῖμος (mimes), actor. A closely related field is bionic.
Living organisms have developed well-adapted structures and materials throughout geological time through natural selection. Biomimetics has given rise to new technologies inspired by biological solutions at macro and nano scale. Humans have looked to nature for the answers to problems throughout our existence. Nature has solved engineering problems such as self-healing abilities, tolerance and resistance to environmental exposure, hydrophobicity, self-assembly and solar energy utilization.
One of the earliest examples of biomimetics was the study of birds to allow human flight. Although he never succeeded in creating a "flying machine," Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was a keen observer of the anatomy and flight of birds, and made numerous notes and sketches in his observations, as well as sketches of "Flying machines". The Wright brothers, who managed to fly the first airplane heavier than air in 1903, were inspired by the observations of flying pigeons. The term biomimicry appeared as early as 1982. Biomimicry was popularized by scientist and author Janine Benyus in his 1997 book Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature. Biomimetics is defined in the book as a "new science that studies the models of nature and then imitates or is inspired by these designs and processes to solve human problems." Benyus suggests looking for Nature as a "Model, Measure and Mentor" and emphasizes sustainability as a goal of biomimetics.