Biomimicry for designers : applying nature's processes and materials in the real world

7456 2025-01-30

A brief history of biomimetics -- Biomimetics in myth and reality -- Biomimetic design -- The future -- 01. Shape. Biology. Hedge thorns; Timber beetle mandibles; Bird flight; Kingfisher beak; Dolphin body shape; Humpback whale pectoral fin; Boxfish -- Biomimetic application. Barbed wire; Modern saw chain; Modern aviation; Shinkansen bullet train; Streamlined vessels; Applied tubercle systems; Bionic car -- 02. Surface. Biology. Shark skin; Burdock; Gecko feet; Lotus leaf; Morpho butterfly; Starfish pedicellariae; Leaf stomata; Thorny devil; Namib beetle -- Biomimetic application. Superfunctional texture; Velcro; Super-adhesive texture; Lotus effect; Mophotex; Micro-gripping texture; Stomatex; Passive water harvesting and distribution; Fog and dew harvesting -- 03. Structure. Biology. Giant reed stem; Honeycomb; Natural cellular systems; Natural cellular structures; Auxetic materials; Wood; Nacre; Dinosaur eel; Scaly-foot snail; Seahorse skeleton; Glass sponge; Polar bear fur; Plant roots -- Biomimetic application. Technical stem; Airless tyres; Minimal-material products; Blast-resistant textiles; Biomimetic wood; Synthetic nacre; MetaMesh; Advanced protective equipment; Resilient structures; Bioglass-inspired structures; Solar textiles; Transpirational textiles --
04. Making. Biology. Paper wasp; Cocoon silk; Spiker silk; Bacterial silk; Bacterial cellulose; Mycelium; Tissue cultures; Photosynthesis; Bacteria; Slime mould -- Biomimetic application. Paper industry; Man-made fibre industry; Synthetic spider silk; Bolt threads; Biocouture; Mushroom materials; Meat and materials; Biobatteries; Hybrid electronics; Brainless computing -- 05. Towards 4D design. Biology. Squid nerves; Artificial intelligence. The brain; Swarm intelligence. Fire ants; Biorobotics. Plant roots; Man-machine hybrids; Bird aviation; Octopus -- Biomimetic application. Schmitt trigger; Intelligent machines; Swarm robotics; PLANTOID; Robotic exoskeletons; Morphing aeroplane wings; Soft robotics -- Self-replication and self-assembly. Self-replication; Movement; Protein molecules; Flower buds -- Biomimetic application. RedRap; Sculpting with motion. Self-assembling furniture; Autonomous self-assembling robots -- Soft machines. Wheat awn; Penguin coat; Pine cones; Spruce cones; Octopus skin -- Biomimetic application. Amorphous robots; Insulating textiles; Adaptive textiles; Programmable wood; Dynamic soft surfaces.