biomimicry
Designing from nature
Biomimicry is the practice of designing technology, materials, or systems by imitating structures and processes found in nature.
Velcro famously drew from burrs that cling to fur; bullet train noses borrowed from kingfisher beaks to reduce noise.
The field assumes that evolution has already solved many engineering problems: Researchers are using biomimicry to develop self-cleaning surfaces based on lotus leaves.
Capable of restoration
- efficiencyProductive without waste
- closed-loopSystem with feedback control
- zero-wasteNo garbage produced
- carbon-neutralNet-zero emissions state
solar · regenerative · life-cycle · cradle-to-cradle · resilience · biodegradable · permaculture
Building design discipline
- structuresOrganized physical constructions
- materialsRaw stuff for creation
- aerodynamicsPhysics of air motion
- hydrodynamicsScience of liquid motion
robotics · nanotechnology · composites · adaptive · parametric · morphogenesis · biophilic · lightweight
Fitting to new conditions
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
- organismsIndividual living entities
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
symbiosis · camouflage · photosynthesis · pollination · morphology · ecology · flora · fauna
Science of organism movement
- bionicsNature-inspired technology design
- sensorsDevices that detect input
- actuatorsMovement-producing mechanisms
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
locomotion · grippers · adhesives · load-bearing · filtration · self-cleaning · antifouling · prosthetics
Sudden important advance
- inventionNew device or method
- researchSystematic fact-finding effort
- developmentProgress toward maturity
- discoveryAct of finding something
patents · prototyping · interdisciplinary · commercialization · startups · R&D · proof-of-concept · scaling
renewable
Capable of restoration
- efficiencyProductive without waste
- closed-loopSystem with feedback control
- zero-wasteNo garbage produced
carbon-neutral · solar · regenerative · life-cycle · cradle-to-cradle · resilience · biodegradable · permaculture
architecture
Building design discipline
- structuresOrganized physical constructions
- materialsRaw stuff for creation
- aerodynamicsPhysics of air motion
hydrodynamics · robotics · nanotechnology · composites · adaptive · parametric · morphogenesis · biophilic · lightweight · modularity
adaptation
Fitting to new conditions
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
- organismsIndividual living entities
- biodiversityRange of life forms
ecosystem · symbiosis · camouflage · photosynthesis · pollination · morphology · ecology · flora · fauna · predation
biomechanics
Science of organism movement
- bionicsNature-inspired technology design
- sensorsDevices that detect input
- actuatorsMovement-producing mechanisms
propulsion · locomotion · grippers · adhesives · load-bearing · filtration · self-cleaning · antifouling · prosthetics · exoskeletons
breakthrough
Sudden important advance
- inventionNew device or method
- researchSystematic fact-finding effort
- developmentProgress toward maturity
discovery · patents · prototyping · interdisciplinary · commercialization · startups · R&D · proof-of-concept · scaling · applications
- environmentalismecology, conservationism, recycling bins, campaigner, environmentalism
- bio-biology, biography, biodegradable, biofuel, biochemistry
- design movementsbrutalism, deconstructivism, minimalism, futurism, Bauhaus
- design stylesart deco, Art Nouveau, art nouveau, Bauhaus, minimalism
- Ecodesignbiodegradable, circular economy, cradle-to-cradle, eco-friendly, life cycle
- green buildingLEED, LEED certification, net zero, green roofs, sustainable design
biomimicrydenaturalization
Revocation of citizenship status
mechanization · anthropocentrism · ecocide · industrialization