Biomimicry also called biomimetics involves the study of how functions are delivered in biology then translating those functions into designs that suit human needs Architects scientists and engineers involved in biomimicry have recognized that nature is the world’s largest science and engineering lab Over 300 million years of evolution have given dragonflies the ability to quickly fly in six different directions a feat that biomimicry engineers are very interested in 6
Nature has 3 8 billion years of experience Using nature as inspiration and guide biomimics research experiment with and create innovative designs that help solve human problems Studying how nature travels and communicates has inspired many new designs in both transportation and communication Students in the third Biomimicry Student Design Challenge came up with transportation innovations inspired by nature One of the winning designs was a human-powered human-powered vehicle that mimicked the movements of millipedes and snakes 7
bullet train Birds have given engineers ideas to reduce noise from air turbulence in high-speed trains Eiji Nakatsu was the engineer who mimicked the noise-dampening feather parts on an owl His owl-inspired parts reduced air noise on the high-speed high-speed bullet trains in their rail system 8
Nakatsu was also inspired by the way a kingfisher dives into the water with barely a splash He streamlined the nose of the train to look like a kingfisher beak The new design reduced the sonic boom effect the train was causing when it raced out of a tunnel The new body-style also made the train more energy-efficient 9
