What is biomimetics?
Biomimetics is the practice of mimicking natural phenomena and principles to address human challenges. It is also often referred to as ‘biomimicry’.
One well-known example is Velcro, which is based on the spines of a burr, found on plants such as Burdock. Swiss engineer George de Mestral was inspired to develop the fastening system when he and his dog returned from hunting in the mountains with several of the burrs stuck to them.
Another example of successful biomimicry is the nose of the iconic Bullet Train in Japan, which is modelled on the beak of the Kingfisher. This design solved the loud booms that the bullet train would produce upon exiting tunnels as a result of the cushion of air built up while driving at high speed in an enclosed tunnel. An engineer working on thisproblem noticed that kingfishers approached water at high speed, but left little disturbance on the surface. He surmised that the same principles could be applied to the front of the Bullet Train. Not only did this biomimetic design no longer produce the loud noise, the train’s aerodynamic shape also reduced energy usage.
One of the key figures in bio-inspired research, Dr Janine Benyus, co-founder of Biomimcry Institute, describes biomimetics as a way of thinking about nature that sees nature as a model, a measure and a mentor. According to her, biomimetic practice thus involves modelling human innovations on nature, measuring the ethical value of innovations using ecological standards, and considering nature as a mentor to learn from. Biomimetics is thus as much a problem-solving as an ethical endeavour.
Much biomimetic research has centred around such engineering and product design-focussed challenges as the Japanese bullet train and Velcro. Little attention has been paid, however, to biomimetic solutions to social and organisational problems. The Centre for Biomimetic Societal Futures was established to address those types of questions. How can principles from nature inform how an organisation is structured? Or how might natural systems inspire the recovery of societies after having been exposed to a hazard or natural disaster? Learn more about the projects addressing these questions here.