Biomimicry Process
How does it all start?
Imagine the roaring sound of a speedy bullet train racing down the track. Now imagine trying to do homework with that powerful noise of the train in the background. That could be a problem. Thankfully, scientists and engineers have recognized this problem and looked to nature for guidance on solving it.
And that's how almost every biomimicry invention is started. With a problem. Or a need to improve. Either way, nature is a good place to turn for inspiration. Just ask yourself, what would nature do?
Imagine the roaring sound of a speedy bullet train racing down the track. Now imagine trying to do homework with that powerful noise of the train in the background. That could be a problem. Thankfully, scientists and engineers have recognized this problem and looked to nature for guidance on solving it.
And that's how almost every biomimicry invention is started. With a problem. Or a need to improve. Either way, nature is a good place to turn for inspiration. Just ask yourself, what would nature do?
There are three types of biomimicry - one is copying form and shape, another is copying a process, like photosynthesis in a leaf, and the third is mimicking at an ecosystem's level, like building a nature-inspired city.
-Janine Benyus, author of Biomimicry
What happens next?
The key to using ideas from nature to create new inventions is to observe nature. Animals and plants have an overload of amazing features that can inspire lots of new creations. Let's go back to the noisy train problem. In case you were wondering, this is a true story, bro. Back in the 1990's, bullet trains in Japan were causing too much noise pollution. People were getting headaches. Eiji Nakatsu, an engineer at JR-West, a Japanese rail company, looked to the kingfisher for inspiration. He took the design of the beak of the kingfisher and modified the nose design of the trains to mimic the kingfisher's beak. Not only did the new design reduce the noise, it also increased speed and reduced power usage. A lot of research goes into finding a solution. Nature isn't just going to show you the answer. But it's a rewarding process and nature is a gold mine of inspirations for technologically advanced creations. |