Biomimicry

Biomimicry – Inspired by Nature

Biomimicry refers to the imitation of the nature’s systems, processes, phenomena and deriving ideas to develop man made systems, models and processes so as to analyze and solve human problems.Although it is a newly developed scientific field, the idea of biomimicry was applied in earlier centuries itself. The depiction of flying machine by DaVinci and later the first airplane by the Wright brothers were inspired by birds.

Biomimicry can be done in both micro (even in nano) and macro scales and can be followed in two ways to seek answers to some problems

• ·         A process can be analyzed within nature and can be applied to an existing problem , or

Image Source: Blemya.com

• ·         Check the biological world for the most suitable process that is in analogy to the existing problem so as to obtain a solution.

Some of the best examples of biomimicry are

• ·         The Velcro, that was inspired by burs

• ·         Sonar inspired by bats, dolphins

• ·         Biologically inspired engineering (e.g. Eastgate centre, Harare)