biomimicry

Presented By : Monika R. Sharma

 Contents
• Introduction
• Statements about Biomimicry
• Examples in which biomimicry has been applied
• Current market size of biomimetics
• Present and future of biomimetics
• Conclusion
• References
 Introduction
• Biomimicry : Innovation inspired by nature

• Biomimicry is the design and production of materials,

structures and systems that are modeled on biological
entities and processes.

• Biomimetics is the study of nature and natural phenomena

to understand the principles of underlying mechanisms, to
obtain ideas from nature, and to apply concepts that may
benefit science, engineering, and medicine.

• What better models could there be ?

• Biomimicry revolution : learn from nature

Cont.….
• Nature provided models such as :
Solar cells copied from leaves
Computers that signal like cells
A closed loop economy that takes it’s lessons
from coral reefs, red woods and hickory forests.
• Biomimetics started from simple imitation of
natural organisms.
• The more our world looks and function like this
natural world, the more likely we are to be
accepted on this home that is ours, but not ours
alone.
 Statements about biomimicry
• “I think the biggest innovations of the twenty first
century will be at the intersection of biology and
technology. A new era is beginning.”- Steve Jobs
• “When nature has work to be done, she creates a
genius to do it”. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “When we look at what is truly sustainable, the
only real model that has worked before us is the
natural world”. – Janine benyus
• “Life creates conditions conducive to life”. –
Janine Benyus
Examples in which biomimicry has been applied
• Architecture : Eastgate Building, an office complex in
Harare, Zimbabwe, has an internal climate control system
originally inspired by the structure of termite mounds.
• Eastgate, has been designed in such a way which uses
90% percent less energy for ventilation than conventional
buildings its size, and has already saved the building
owners over $3.5 million dollars in air conditioning costs.
• Transportation : Japan’s bullet train Shinkansen is a high
speed train, but there was noise problem. The bird
kingfisher which dive from the air into bodies of water
with very little splash to catch fish, became the inspiration
to solve the noise problem.
• This resulted not only in a quieter train, but 15% less
electricity use even while the train travels 10% faster.
• Medicine : Learning from mosquito to create a “nicer
needle”. The tip of the mosquito’s mouth is composed of
several moving parts that work into skin with the
minimum of fuss–and the minimum of pain.
• Observing mosquito, a needle
was made that penetrates like
mosquito causing less pain.
• The efficient drill of the wood-
boring wasp’s works on the same basis.
Two toothed blades ratchet a
central drill deeper
into the wood. This goal of guided,
smooth penetration is exactly what
neurosurgeons need in their tools.
• Sharks stay remarkably clear of algae and other fellow
travelers. That’s largely a function of their unique skin,
covered with microscopic patterns called dentricles.
Dentricle-like nano-scale structures on the surface
prevent the bugs from taking root.
• Other examples of biomimicry are : Jet
aeroplanes, Maximum use of urban spaces, Paint
inspiration: lotus, Adhesives Inspiration: Gecko
Feet, Water supply in buildings : inspired from
capillary action in plants.
 Current market size of biomimetics
• In Europe, Japan, and the USA, global companies
such as Ford, General Electric, Herman Miller, HP,
IBM, and Nike are collaborating with scientists and
designing laboratories to explore novel technologies.

• Between 2005 and 2008, the market size for products

and construction projects that applied biomimetics
was estimated to be above $1.5 billion.

• By 2025, industry analysts project that products and

services in biomimicry will increase to $1 trillion in
market size. In the US alone, it is expected to have a
$35 billion market with over 1.6 million new job
opportunities.
 Present and future of biomimetics
• Developed countries are actively investing in research
to build the foundations for future innovation and
development in biomimicry.

• After J Benyus established the companies Biomimicry

Institute and The Biomimicry Guild, she created the
website Asknature.org to use as a platform for
advancing biomimetic technology in the USA.

• The New York State Energy Research and

Development Authority (NYSERDA) is enforcing the
use of biomimicry to solve various problems in
energy.
• Twenty-eight research centers studying biomimetics
have collaborated to establish BIOKON in Germany.

• 35 projects involving biomimetic products and

technology are being conducted.

• In the UK, The Biomimetics Network for Industrial

Sustainability (BIONIS), a network that connects
businesses with universities is being operated.

• The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science

and Technology is carrying out the Century Center of
Excellence, a graduate program focusing on
biomimetic monozukuri (biomimetic manufacturing)
and novel uses of biotic resources in the field of
agriculture in Japan.
• In the future, biomimetics will have a greater impact
through the combination of medicine, science, and
biomedical engineering to treat diseases, physical
disabilities, and wounds.

• Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering are

particularly promising fields.

• Principles and functions of biomimetics that can be

applied in biomedical engineering are derived from
many sources, including how a lizard regenerates its
tail and a buckhorn regenerates its horns every year,
the adhesive, plegmatical, and regenerative
properties of a spider web.
• Nanotechnology is becoming a key discipline that will be
utilized to help understand the material and its
structures along with secondary structure of proteins.

• Protein-functionalized nanoparticles, peptide-

functionalized gold nanoparticles, and carbohydrate-
functionalized nanoparticles are areas of
nanotechnology that are finding biomimetic
applications.
 Conclusion
• Biomimicry have been used and advanced even
without formal research in many areas.
• Mankind has accelerated the speed of
development and evolution of civilization.
• Rapid industrialization has resulted in
environmental pollution and a shortage of natural
resources that is threatening the survival and
future of humanity.
• Biomimetics is potentially the best method to
help us cope with future development of
civilization, environmental pollution, and resource
shortage threats.
• Over time, it has evolved through integration and
combination with modern science and engineering to
help us discover new materials, ways of combining
nano/microstructures, applications, and alternative ways
of production.

• By building technology in such a manner, we hope to

create a more stable and productive future where
products are more biodegradable and more compatible
with nature, rather than being destructive.

• Advancements in biomimetics hold the key to more

cooperative evolution and technological development.
 References
• www.biomimicry.org
• www.landinstitute.org
• www.esi-africa.com
• www.bloomberg.com
• www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• www.thegoodhuman.com
• www.popsci.com
• www.sustainablebrands.com
• www.ted.com/talks
• www.phys.org
• Biomimetics: forecasting the future of science,
engineering, and medicine: Jangsun Hwang, Yoon
Jeong, Jeong Min Park, Kwan Hong Lee, Jong Wook
Hong,Jonghoon Choi.