The Definition Of Biomimicry

Product design inspired by nature simply means that designers look to the nature for answer when they were in process of designing it. The action of copying from nature is called biomimicry. Biomimicry is not an entirely new idea to humans. The hook and loop fasterner or known as Velcro was invented in 1948 based on the bur plants. Biomimicry is important in product design because nature has the best solution whenever we came to a design problem. For example, for the wind resistance problem faced by Japanese bullet train, the front nose was remodelled to look like a kingfisher’s beak. Biomimicry design spiral is a kind of tool that takes us through the process of identify, translate, observe, abstract, apply and evaluate before a design is being developed. There are many inventions in this world that were inspired by the nature. Flying squirrel wingsuit, formula one car, sharkskin swimsuit and drag-reduced propeller are the best examples. The nature is and will always be our mentor in product design. Therfore, it is our responsibility to preserve and protect the nature we have today.

Definition of biomimicry

Biomimicry is a discipline that studies our nature’s ideas, models and processes to take inspirations from to solve the design problems faced by humans. In the words of biomimicry, ‘bios’ means life while ‘mimesis’ means to mimic. Therefore, biomimicry simply means to imitate from nature. Biomimicry is not a new idea. Humans have always been turning to the nature to look for any answer to solve both complex and simple problems. Humans take the nature as their mentor and model. This is because the animals and plants found on the Earth nowadays have survived for ages. They have gone through several stages of evolution and changes in order to survive in this planet. Therefore, their body structure and functionality are worth copying for. For example, without birds the Wright brothers will not be inspired to build an airplane that turns out to be one of the greatest invention of all time. In addition, Eiji Nakatsu, a railway engineer remodelled the front nose design of the bullet train in Japan which will reduce air resistance and uses 15% less electricity. He took the idea from the shape of the beak of kingfishers.

The significance of biomimicry in product design

There are thousands of products being designed in every single day. What really matter is, do the products have the ability to cope with the environment and perform well. Humans are not brilliant in every way, sometimes we do need some help from the nature. Some of the flora and fauna had been on Earth long before the existence of human race. They are full of experience in coping with the nature in order to survive. Therefore, designers always mimic the design of some animals and plants. The product designs nowadays have become more and more sophisticated. Designers are hoping to decrease any possibility of disaster and waste of energy. This is where biomimicry will come in handy. The existence of biomimicry provides a rough idea to the designers of what the nature would probably do to solve problems faced. Therefore, the designers can make amendments to their designs to avoid any unwanted errors. Hence, it cannot be denied that biomimicry is playing an important role in product design.

Biomimicry design spiral

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Biomimicry design spiral is a tool that scientists created that uses our nature as our mentor and role model to solve any complex and simple problems faced while in the creation of any products.

Identify: Instead of asking ourselves what we want to design, we need to identify what we want our designs to do for us. If not, we probably ended up designing something which is only an updated version of current existing products.

Translate: Take the nature’s perspective into consideration. We need to know how nature carries out a certain function to tackle problem it faced.

Observe: Consults biologist or natural experts. Take their advices into consideration before we begin to develop something new.

Abstract: Find out the relationship between the nature and the product. We need to know whether the product can adapt to the environment where it meant to be once developed.

Apply: Apply all the knowledge and studies that had been made into the development of product. Designs a product based on the research.

Evaluate: Find out how does the design performs in nature. Can the design adapt to the environment?

Biomimicry applications in products design

Animals

Falcon birds

Peregrine falcons are one of the species of falcons and a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. The Peregrine falcon is renowned for its speed, reaching over 322km/h during its characteristic hunting stoop (high speed dive), making it the fastest member of the animal kingdom. According to a National Geographic program, the highest measured speed of a Peregrine Falcon is even up to 389 km/h. Hence, engineers have studied the body shape of the birds and implement it into the design of Formula 1 racing cars. A Formula 1 car is a single-seat, open cockpit, open-wheel racing car with substantial front and rear wings, and an engine positioned behind the driver. Aerodynamics of the car play a vital role in determining the speed, safety and drag produced. Therefore, the aerodynamic designer has two primary concerns which is the creation of downforce to push the car onto the track, improve cornering forces and minimising the drag that slow the car down. So, the front nose of a Formula 1 racing car is inspired by the shape of the head of Peregrine falcon. The head of the birds is in streamlined shape which will reduce the drag produced when flying at high speed. Therefore, designers design the front nose of the racing cars to mimic the head of the birds which used to channel air flow to the back of the car. Hence, drag is reduced and the downforce is increased. Racing cars can be driven to a higher speed.