Biomimicry

Biomimicry is a synthesis method for materials and products based on biological processes
and patterns. Nature's imaginative systems have already solved many of the world's modern
problems.The bullet train, currently the fastest of its time, is an example of a great invention
inspired by nature". It was influenced by the adaptations of the kingfish. Kingfish can
smoothly glide through the water with little resistance or ‘drag’. This is known as
streamlining. The kingfisher’s wedge shaped beak allows splash-less entry into water due to
contact with the cross-sectionally round head. The bullet train mimics the advantageous
bullet shape of the kingfish, hence its name, and the pointed beak, which helps the vehicle
cut through the air. 

The kingfish’s adaptations involve their body parts, and are therefore structural. Kingfish are
an incredible species because their adaptations are beneficial. Other than the ability to push
water behind them when they swim, kingfish have other helpful adaptations. An adaptation
they possess is the ability to accomodate for the water's refraction and reflection as they
identify prey underwater. This makes the fish appear closer to the surface than they actually
are, so the prey finds it difficult to judge far away the kingfish are. Nature has provided
kingfish with incredible ocular protection, as their depth perception is extremely accurate. As
is evident from the text, the structural adaptations of the kingfish assists in their survival.

Bullet train technology is based on the kingfish streamlining adaptation. Bullet trains have
mimicked this adaptation because the long, narrow shape pushes air out of the way, rather
than ahead of the train. The streamlined body allows kingfish to push the water behind them
rather than in front so their speed is not affected. Bullet trains are designed to be as
aerodynamic as possible. Aerodynamic is defined as having a shape which reduces the drag
from air moving past. Therefore, the bullet train is created to go faster and smoother than
other forms of transportation. Kingfish have impeccable aerodynamics which is why they are
the main influence of the bullet train design. Bullet trains were designed to increase the
convenience and speed of public transportation. This was so employees would reach their
work destinations quicker with less traffic. Originally, bullet trains were not very successful
because many passengers experienced motion sickness. However, the technology has
since been improved and is now much smoother. The first inventor of the bullet train was
Japanese engineer, Hideo Shima in 1964. He was the driving force behind the bullet train’s
creation, which he called the Shinkansen. This invention has been developing for over fifty
years, improving speed and reducing motion sickness.

Bullet trains have benefited society in many ways. They have greatly decreased the amount
of pollution being created since less people are using cars. This is because the extreme
speed and convenience causes citizens to prefer using the bullet train instead of their own
vehicle. There is more efficient use of time as the bullet train travels at an incredible speed of
up to 320 km per hour, at a lower cost. Bullet trains are also safer, resulting in less vehicle
accidents on the road. There is reduced dependency on oil because the bullet trains are
electric and therefore use renewable energy. There are few disadvantages to the bullet train.
The cost of building bullet trains is excessively high. The average building cost is 36 million
dollars, which is much higher compared to the average 1.6 million dollar cost of a regular
train. In its development stage, road accidents were caused because inventors were
careless with experimenting the bullet train’s speed. Even though there were initial issues,
they are now a major convenience to society.

The kingfish inspired one of the most powerful inventions of all time. Their specific pointed
shape and incredible streamlining adaptation influenced the bullet trains aerodynamics and
prodigious speed. It was invented in 1964 by Hideo Shima, a notable Japanese engineer.
His reasoning was to improve the convenience and speed of public transportation. The main
advantages include decreased pollution, increased safety and reduced oil dependence. The
only disadvantages were initial road accidents caused by prototyped technology and
extreme building costs. Bullet trains are an incredible invention, and creatively biomimic the
kingfish, and have impacted how humans travel.

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