Those who are inspired by a model other than Nature, a mistress above all masters, are laboring in vain.
- Leonardo Da Vinci
George de Mestral found his dog covered in burdock burrs after a trip outside and found them to have small hooks that are effective in clinging to an animal’s fur. After experimenting with the concept, the Swiss engineer created one of the most commercially successful inventions in biomimicry.
A bird watching engineer, Eiji Nakatsu, wanted to create a solution to the loud impact of trains with the air when emerging from a tunnel that create a shotgun-like thunderclap. Having taken inspiration from the kingfisher bird and the way it smoothly glides into the water, a new train, the Shinkansen, was engineered that was rid of the original problem, became more efficient, and allowed for faster speeds.
Boats, Hospital Don Sharkskin. Planes, boats, and windmills are some of the things that riblets are applied to, reducing drag, therefore creating a more efficient mechanism. Riblets are a microscopic scale patterns that were inspired by shark skin and the way that it effortlessly glides through the water and has a resistance to harboring microorganisms. NASA replicated the shark’s scales and with the help of 3M, were able to create a thin skin to apply to boats with all of benefits.
The Dew Bank Bottle was made to replicate the characteristics of the Namibian Beetle. The beetle raises its body against the wind of the dry desert and the properties of its shell causes it to be able to collect water droplets, then having the water flow down to its mouth through ridges. The bottle was made to have the same physical properties to collects water.
Mercedes-Benz created a car with inspiration from the surprisingly aerodynamic box fish. It is one of the most efficient cars of its size. Nature doesn't really do wheels so the next best concept is aerodynamics.
A biology professor at West Chester University in Pennsylvania discovered the secret of such agile movements from 80,000 pound whales. The front side of their fins are covered in ridges that reduce drag and increase efficiency. This ridges called tubercles are now being sold commercially for large surfboard and industrial fan companies.
An index card sized piece of gecko tape could uphold 700 pounds. Scientists studied how a gecko could easily climb up on sleek walls and ceilings, finding their answer in microscopic hairs on their feet. Setea, these microscopic hairs, have such a great net force that a single gecko could hold up 250 pounds.
Scientists in Belgium, France, and Canada observed fireflies and found sharp jagged scales that increased luminosity in their bellies when they lit up. Later experimentation with an LED light proved that the pattern found in the firefly's belly increases luminosity by more than double what it was.