““Smart Structures?”Smart Structures?”

BIOMIMICRYNature as Model, Measure, and Mentor

-RITU MAKKAR

BI-O-MIM-IC-RYBI-O-MIM-IC-RY((From the Greek word bios- life, and mimesis- imitation)From the Greek word bios- life, and mimesis- imitation)

Nature as model. Nature as model. Biomimicry is a new science Biomimicry is a new science that studies Nature’s models and then imitates or takes that studies Nature’s models and then imitates or takes inspiration from these designs and processes to solve inspiration from these designs and processes to solve human problems.human problems.

Nature as measure. Nature as measure. Biomimicry uses an Biomimicry uses an ecological standard to judge “rightness” of our ecological standard to judge “rightness” of our innovations.innovations.

Nature as mentor. Nature as mentor. Biomimicry is a new way of Biomimicry is a new way of

viewing and valuing Nature.viewing and valuing Nature.

Janine BenyusJanine Benyus

Biomimicry is the new way of viewing and Biomimicry is the new way of viewing and valuing nature, based not on what we can valuing nature, based not on what we can extract from the nature, but on what we extract from the nature, but on what we can learn from itcan learn from it

Energy Efficiency: Learning from Nature how to create flow without friction.

PAX Fans and Impellers

Design: How does Nature attach and detach?

Gecko tape

Toxics: Learning from plants how to clean without cleaners:

The Lotus Effect

Architecture: Learning from termites how to create sustainable buildings:

Passive Climate Control in the Eastport Building, Harare Zimbabwe

Transportation: How does Nature travel quickly and smoothly?

The Shinkansen Bullet Train in Japan

The Biomimicry Guild’s The Biomimicry Guild’s Functional TaxonomyFunctional Taxonomy

FunctionFunction is the pivot between life’s wisdom and what we is the pivot between life’s wisdom and what we are trying to achieve intentionally. are trying to achieve intentionally. What function do you want your design to What function do you want your design to

perform? perform? How does life perform that function?How does life perform that function?

The Biomimicry Guild has produced an organized The Biomimicry Guild has produced an organized collection of functions that covers everything that life collection of functions that covers everything that life does and that we might want a design in the future does and that we might want a design in the future

Identify the Real ChallengeIdentify the Real Challenge Don’t ask “Don’t ask “whatwhat do you want to design?” (an air conditioner) do you want to design?” (an air conditioner)

Ask “what do you Ask “what do you want your design to dowant your design to do?” (make people feel cooler)?” (make people feel cooler)

Ask “why?” multiple times: (Challenge: Air conditioners use lots of energy Ask “why?” multiple times: (Challenge: Air conditioners use lots of energy because they use heat to dry desiccants that dehumidify air and then they because they use heat to dry desiccants that dehumidify air and then they must cool the heated air.)must cool the heated air.)

Why use desiccants? (To dry the air)Why use desiccants? (To dry the air)

Why do the units dry air? (Because high humidity makes air feel warmer)Why do the units dry air? (Because high humidity makes air feel warmer)

Why are they using heat? (To drive the moisture out of the desiccant so it Why are they using heat? (To drive the moisture out of the desiccant so it can be reused)can be reused)

So, you want a design to pull moisture So, you want a design to pull moisture out of air and cool the air!out of air and cool the air!

Develop a Design Brief for the Needed FunctionDevelop a Design Brief for the Needed Function

Biologize the Question:Biologize the Question: Identify functions (i.e. purpose, role, or use)Identify functions (i.e. purpose, role, or use) How does Nature do that function?How does Nature do that function? How does Nature not do that function?How does Nature not do that function?

Reframe questions with additional Reframe questions with additional keywords.keywords.

Develop a Design Brief for the Needed FunctionDevelop a Design Brief for the Needed Function

Define Operating Parameters;Define Operating Parameters; ““Climate” conditions: (wet, dry, cold, hot,Climate” conditions: (wet, dry, cold, hot,

low/high pressure, highly variable, high/low UV,etc.)low/high pressure, highly variable, high/low UV,etc.) ““Nutrient” conditions: (nutrient poor =no $, Nutrient” conditions: (nutrient poor =no $,

nutrient rich = lots of available materials)nutrient rich = lots of available materials) ““Social” conditions: (competitive, cooperative)Social” conditions: (competitive, cooperative) ““Temporal” conditions: (dynamic, static, growing, Temporal” conditions: (dynamic, static, growing,

ageing)ageing)

After defining operating parameters, ask:After defining operating parameters, ask:

““How does Nature do that function HERE? How does Nature do that function HERE?

In these conditions?”In these conditions?”

Find The Best Natural ModelsFind The Best Natural Models

GoGo for a walk outside for a walk outside Consider both literal and metaphoricalConsider both literal and metaphorical

modelsmodels Comb the literatureComb the literature Brainstorm with BiologistsBrainstorm with Biologists

Evaluate your findingsEvaluate your findings

Can it adapt and evolve?Can it adapt and evolve?

Thank your teacher (Nature) Thank your teacher (Nature) for the inspirationfor the inspiration

QuestionQuestion

Why should we emulate Why should we emulate Nature?Nature?

ANSWERANSWER

Organisms in nature face the same Organisms in nature face the same challenges as we do, but they meet them challenges as we do, but they meet them SUSTAINABLY likeSUSTAINABLY like

They handle compression, tension, shearThey handle compression, tension, shear Distribute energyDistribute energy Stick things togetherStick things together Provide strong foundationsProvide strong foundations Regulate temperature, humidity and lightRegulate temperature, humidity and light Create beautiful coloursCreate beautiful colours

BiomimicryBiomimicry

For Engineers- Biomimicry is a tool for For Engineers- Biomimicry is a tool for developing sustainable design solutions.developing sustainable design solutions.

For Managers- its application in For Managers- its application in organisation and team managementorganisation and team management

Example- “swarm intelligence”Example- “swarm intelligence”• FlexibilityFlexibility• Fightback spiritFightback spirit• Self organisationSelf organisation

What can u do?What can u do?

Ask yourself, how does nature…?Ask yourself, how does nature…? Read everything you CAN.Read everything you CAN. Take workshopsTake workshops Go outsideGo outside Be inspiredBe inspired

RememberRemember

Rule of survival of fittest and fastestRule of survival of fittest and fastest FAILURES are FOSSILS, what surrounds FAILURES are FOSSILS, what surrounds

us is the secret of survival.us is the secret of survival.