What is Biomimicry?

Look at the word more closely

MIMIC BIO

There are three types of Biomimicry…

1 copying form and shape

Biomimicry

Like you did last year in your Sealife jewellery project

There are three types of Biomimicry…

1 2

copying form and shape

copying a process, like photosynthesis in a leaf

Biomimicry

There are three types of Biomimicry…

1 2

3

copying form and shape

copying a process, like photosynthesis in a leaf

mimicking at an ecosystem's level, like building a nature-inspired city

Businesses are usually interested in the first two categories

Biomimicry

Biomimicry

Nature has been designing the world for billions of years.

Since the dawn of time, nature has been working hard,

engineering everyone and everything to the highest

standards on Earth.

Dragonflies that can propel themselves in any direction, sharks with skin with tiny scales that help them swim faster, termites able to

build dens that always keep a steady and comfortable temperature inside - those examples are just a drop in

the ocean of amazing nature-designed solutions. Biomimicry

Back in the 15th Century, Italian painter Leonardo da Vinci looked at birds' anatomy while sketching his "flying machine“.

Biomimicry

Biomimicry

His device never took off, but the Wright brothers did manage to build the first aeroplane in 1903 - after years of observing pigeons.

The man who invented Velcro, Swiss George de Mestral, is said to have been inspired by burrs he

constantly removed from his dog's fur.

Biomimicry

Researchers mimic humpback whale's flippers to build turbine blades

Biomimicry The design reduces drag and increases lift

Mobile phone designers in America have been inspired by the same natural principles that enable the reflective shimmer from butterfly wings or peacock feather.

Biomimicry They are experimenting with low power screen illumination, viewable in a variety of environments, including direct sunlight.

The design of the high-speed Shinkansen bullet train in Japan was inspired by the beak of a kingfisher.

Biomimicry

DSSC uses any light, and works even in very low light conditions indoors or outdoors

Professor Michael Graetzel created a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) by copying the natural process of photosynthesis (creating energy from sunlight, in leaves)

Biomimicry

Plywood made by Columbia Forest Products uses an

adhesive called purebond - inspired by adhesives made

by blue mussels

Biomimicry

Here’s a reminder of two types of Biomimicry…

1 2

copying form and shape

copying a process, like photosynthesis in a leaf

Biomimicry

Biomimicry

Design Task:

To design a piece of furniture for inside or outside, influenced by nature. The furniture could be something to sit on or a piece of storage.

Research your chosen natural influence.

Produce a 3d drawing of your design, annotated to explain how it has been influenced by nature.