Vol 11, Issue 6,June/ 2020

ISSN NO: 0377-9254 BIOMIMICRY: LEARNING FROM NATURE DR. PUSHPRAJ SINGH

Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Govt. Girls Degree College, Chhibramau, Kannauj-209721, (Affiliated to CSJM University, Kanpur), Uttar Pradesh, India Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT architecture. Imagine it as the combination of Biomimicry or biomimetics is the imitation biology, nature and architecture into one of the models, systems and elements of nature for the composition. Biomimetic is involved with artificial purpose of solving complex human problems. Living mechanisms to produce materials similar to ones that organisms have evolved well-adapted structures and exist in nature3. Papanek4 believes that bionic is more materials over geological time through natural related to ‘cybernetics’ and Vogel5 claims that it selection. Biomimetics has given rise to new focuses on artificial intelligence. Bionic design technologies inspired by biological solutions at considers taking control of nature6 and seeks macro and nanoscales. Humans have looked at nature resolving engineering problems using data related to for answers to problems throughout our existence. biological functions7 has also defined a set of Nature has solved engineering problems such as self- dimensions for biomimicry: nature as model, nature healing abilities, environmental exposure tolerance as measure and nature as mentor. Some researchers and resistance, hydrophobicity, self-assembly and believe that these dimensions form the basis for harnessing solar energy. It means, biomimicry is an classifying the different approaches to biomimicry8. old approach, but in the scientific conceptualization Janine Benyus argues that looking at nature and is new. Today Biomimicry is widely studied in imitating its existing models, systems, and process material science, in automotive industry, in can solve design problems sustainably9. Biomimicry engineering, in architectural design and in climate is argued to serve two main purposes: innovation and issues. This paper mainly focuses on the imitation of sustainability. Pawlyn suggests biological organisms ideas of nature for the wellfare of mankind. can be considered as embodying technologies which Keywords: Biomimicry, nature, architecture, design, offer sustainable solutions10. Technological innovation, technology etc. innovations and sustainability criteria could be 1. INTRODUCTION interrelated aspects of biomimicry as Rao explains: Biomimicry (from bios, meaning life, and "biomimicry uses an ecological standard to judge the mimesis, meaning to imitate) is a new discipline that sustainability of our innovations11". studies nature's best ideas and then imitates these 2. LEVELS OF BIOMIMICRY designs and processes to solve human problems1. It is By examining the biomimetic ideologies and also known as Biomimetics, Bionics, Bio-inspiration implementations from other scientists, designers and and Biognosis2. Biomimicry, defined as a new writers; Maibritt Pedersen Zari12 was able to break engineering inspired by Nature, for innovation in down Biomimicry into three different "categories" or different fields, design, transportation and "levels"; Organism, Behaviour and Ecosystem.

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1) The Level of the Organism: The organism whale fins over millennia, adapting their functions to level corresponds to a biomimetic shape or be as efficient and effective as possible for each surface. It is a question of the inspiration particular set of circumstances and environments. So from forms found in nature. The organisms it’s no surprise that designers, architects and in nature and their morphology are perfectly engineers are taking cues from nature when they set adapted to the environment in which they out to create buildings, trains, prosthetics, robots and live. fashionable accessories. There are so many examples 2) The Level of Behaviour: The behaviour of biomimicry in design, engineering, architecture level corresponds to the function. It's about and technology inspired by the sea, plants, insects, observing how nature performs a function. and other organisms. 1) Kingfisher-Inspired Bullet Train 3) The Level of Ecosystem: The ecosystem The fastest train in the world at speeds of up to 200 level corresponds to imitate ecosystems miles per hour, Japan’s Shinkansen Bullet Train found in nature and considered as a means was a marvel of modern technology. But there was of increasing the sustainability of an one major problem after its initial debut: noise. Each architectural project. It is about time the train emerged from the tunnel, it caused a understanding, how relationships between change in air pressure that caused thunder-like species and their environment produce an sounds that were a nuisance from a quarter of a mile ecosystem and It is characterized by his away. The train’s chief engineer, a bird-watcher, had organization, hierarchy, interdependence, an idea: taking inspiration from the shape of a bird’s dynamic, adapted. The world’s ecosystems beak to make it more aerodynamic. The resulting are very complex and those characteristics design was based on the narrow profile of a what keep the planet as a whole in balance. kingfisher’s beak, resulting in a quieter train that also 3. EXAMPLES OF BIOMIMICRY consumes 15% less electricity and goes 10% faster Mother Nature has perfected the than before. biomechanics of everything from tiny leaf cells to

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2) Gecko Climbing Feet climbing pads capable of supporting a How do geckos climb up vertical surfaces human’s weight. Each pad is covered with without falling off? The secret lies within adhesive tiles bearing sawtooth-shaped tiny little hairs covering their toes. polymer structures about the width of a Researchers have managed to mimic the human hair that create an adhesion force biomechanics of gecko feet in a pair of when they’re pulled on.

3) Baobab Tree Inspired Treehouses resembles that of the baobab tree, which has The beautiful Embryo Treehouse by Antony a massive, swollen-looking trunk. Not only Gibbon Designs aims to look like a part of does it honor nature in its appearance, it also the tree that it uses for support, wrapping has a very small impact on its forest around the trunk like a natural growth. The environment, attaching with a set of braces shape of this beautiful treehouse closely so the tree can continue to grow.

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4) Armadillo Backpack take cues from the scaled mammals of the The hide of an armadillo is rigid yet flexible, Manidae family, joining sections of recycled offering protection but enabling the animals rubber inner tubes around a central axis to to remain nimble. This backpack from make them durable and adaptable. Cylus and others in the Pangolin collection

5) Survivor Locating Spider cheaply reproduced using 3D printers. "This The ability to squeeze through tight spaces high-tech assistant is still a prototype, but and turn on a dime makes the spider an ideal future plans envision its use as an model for life-saving robots that could make exploratory tool in environments that are too their way through rubble after a disaster to hazardous for humans, or too difficult to get locate survivors. Normally, seeing a gigantic to. After natural catastrophes and industrial making its way toward you would or reactor accidents, or in fire department be terrifying, but in this case, it would be a sorties, it can help responders, for instance relief. Researchers at Germany’s by broadcasting live images or tracking Frauenhofer Institute say this robot can be down hazards or leaking gas".

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6) Biomimicry Heliotrope Follows the phenomenon with silvery artificial flowers Movements of the Sun with LED light bulbs in the center. Powered Did you know that sunflowers turn by solar panels, the flowers are fitted with themselves throughout the day to follow the tiny pistons that use evaporation of alcohol movement of the sun? This lighting to move the petals, closing them up during device by designer Jonathan Ota copies that the day and opening them at night.

7) Tree-Climbing Robot Mimics Inch the development of Treebot is to assist or Worms replace human being in performing forestry The Treebot uses tactile sensors to find its tasks on trees. Although the information way up a tree trunk in the same way that obtained by tactile sensors is not rich, it is inchworms do, feeling around to determine reliable. Furthermore, the processing of where it should grasp for the best grip. It can tactile information is much simpler than that even haul loads up sharply inclined of visual information". branches. Say the creators, "The objective of

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8) Bird Skull Shoe architect Kostika Spaho to create The aesthetics and shape of a bird skull 'Biomimicry Shoe,' which offers lots of inspired this highly unusual, lightweight, support with less material for "optimal sculptural shoe design by Mariek Ratsma. efficiency, strength and elegance". The Dutch designer collaborated with

9) Tentacle Inspired Prosthetic Arm found that the prosthetic functioned as an Why would a prosthetic arm for humans assistant to the dominant functioning hand. take its shape from the appendage of another The prosthetic needed to be both flexible creature? For Kaylene Kau, designer of this and adjustable in order to accommodate a fascinating concept, it comes down to study variety of different grips". Tentacles of the way prosthetics are actually used. provided an ideal model, gripping objects Says Kau, "Through extensive research, I with a simple curling motion.

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10) Lotus Inspired Hydrophobia protrusions coated in waxy hydrophobic Water spilled on a lotus leaf, does not wet its materials repel the water. This is also a self- surface but simply beads up and rolls off, cleaning mechanism as dirt particles also cleaning its surface from accumulated dust stick to the water molecule. Copying this and dirt in the process. This effect is known process, CeNano developed nanotol - a as "superhydrophobicity", which hydrophobic (water-repelling), lipophobic researchers have mimicked to create water- (fat-repelling) and oleophobic (oil-repelling) repellent and self-cleaning materials and sealant that can be sprayed to substances to fabrics. This high repellence is due to the create their own superhydrophobicity. nanostructure of the plane, where micro-

11) Humpback Whale and Wind Turbines wings, whales use their fins at different The humpback whale weighs an astonishing steepening angles to increase their lift. Too 36 tonnes, yet it is one of the most elegant much tilt though, and the opposite will occur swimmers, divers and jumpers in the sea. As and they’ll stall - a loss of lift due to current first researched by Frank Fish, a turbulence and the formation of eddies in the biomechanic, these aerodynamic abilities are water. By comparing bumpy blades to greatly attributed to the bumpy protrusions smooth-edged ones, Fish and colleagues on the front of its fins, called tubercles. found that stalling occurs at a much higher Similar to the processes of aircraft angle with tubercles - an increase by nearly www.jespublication.com Page No:539 Vol 11, Issue 6,June/ 2020

ISSN NO: 0377-9254 40 percent, in fact. They deduced this higher blades. This led to the formation of Whale angle proficiency was beneficial for the Power tubercle technology, a company whale in allowing it to manoeuvre in tight developing a range of tubercle technology circles, hence how they circle and entrap products, with a range of blade applications, their prey in a 'net' of bubbles. Further including wind turbines, hydroelectric testing by Fish also revealed that serrated- turbines, irrigation pumps and ventilation edge wind turbines proved to be more pumps. efficient and quieter than the typical smooth

12) Box Fish and Bionic Car something seems like the perfect design in Despite the cumbersome appearance of the the natural world, doesn’t necessarily mean boxfish, it has a low flow resistance and it works out that way in industrial design. a drag coefficient of an astounding 0.06. In You might have noticed the distinct lack of comparison, penguins swimming through Bionic Car-shaped vehicles on the road, water have a coefficient of 0.19. In 2005, which is probably because a 2015 study inspired by the great structural strength and found that the shape of the boxfish didn’t low mass of the boxfish, Mercedes Benz reduce drag at all and actually made it more developed the Bionic Car, which reported to unstable - great for a box fish with 50 reduce drag, have great rigidity, low weight million years of evolution to perfect the art and a significantly lower fuel consumption of being a boxfish, less good for a people than traditional cars. Of course just because carrier.

13) Velcro www.jespublication.com Page No:540 Vol 11, Issue 6,June/ 2020

ISSN NO: 0377-9254 George de Mestral was inspired to invent and fabric and he went on to replicate this Velcro after noticing how easy it was for synthetically. His two-part velcro fastening burrs to stick to his dog’s hair. Upon system uses a strip of loosely looping nylon studying them under a microscope, he opposite a strip of tiny hooks, and has since noticed the simple design of tiny hooks at been prolific in its range of applications and the end of the burr’s spines. These were able popularity. to catch anything with a loop, such as fur

14) Birds and Flight engineers worked on this bird-inspired Perhaps one of the most famous examples of concept in the following years, for instance biomimicry is evident in the history of Otto Lilienthal completed more than 2,500 human flight. Leonardo da Vinci is largely flights in a glider, but it was not until 1903 recognised as a key instigator in its that the Wright brothers flew the first development, as he made the first real powered, heavier-than-air machine in a studies on birds and human flight in the controlled and sustainable flight. This 1480s. His original design, called the technology went on to define the aerial Ornithopter, was never created, but was a developments of 20th century and the principal in showing how man could technology seen in the air today. potentially fly. Several designers and

It is estimated that 100 million birds die 15) Bird-Safe Glass every year as a result of flying into glass and www.jespublication.com Page No:541 Vol 11, Issue 6,June/ 2020

ISSN NO: 0377-9254 the reason is obvious - they simply do not UV reflective strands in spider webs, which recognise the transparent structure as a birds see and therefore avoid. This is a clear physical barrier. To address this problem, a mutual benefit for both species, and so company developed biomimetic Ornilux Ornilux sought to replicate this with their Birdsafe Glass, drawing inspiration from the criss-crossing UV glass.

16) Shark Skin Coat environmental benefits of riblets are broad By examining the biological processes of in reducing friction as it conserves energy shark skin, NASA scientists were able to and money. This has led to its further copy the microscopic patterns of dentricles development and utilisation in coatings for to create a ‘riblets’ film. Comparable ship’s hulls, submarines, aircraft and even to shark skin dentricles, this film reduces swimwear for humans. There is also a huge drag and deters microorganisms (such as financial incentive, as reducing drag can algae) attaching to the surface. This was save thousands of pounds. For highly advantageous to marine vessels, such instance, researchers estimate that a 1 per as the sailboat Stars & Stripes, which was cent drag reduction can save one aircraft an coated with NASA riblets and won the 1987 approximate 25,000 gallons of fuel per year. America’s Cup in the process. However, the

17) Biomimetic Architecture research is revealing more about the We generally think of termites as destroying relationship between mound structure and buildings, not helping design them. But the internal temperature and could influence Eastgate Building, an office complex in additional building designs as our Harare, Zimbabwe, has an internal climate understanding grows. The Eastgate Centre in control system originally inspired by the Harare, Zimbabwe, exemplifies biomimicry structure of termite mounds. Further at an incredible scale. The green architecture www.jespublication.com Page No:542 Vol 11, Issue 6,June/ 2020

ISSN NO: 0377-9254 is the country’s largest office and shopping closing vents throughout the mound that complex, and uses no conventional air- regulate the convection currents of air. The conditioning or heating, yet it stays a Eastgate Centre uses a similar process, as it regulated temperature all year. draws air in and warms/cools it with the The architect Mick Pearce was inspired by building mass. This is dependent on which termite mounds to create the building, as medium is hotter - the building or the air. they demonstrate an ingenious structure that The innovative building is quoted to self-cools. This is due to their ventilation consume 10 per cent less energy than same- system, involving a process of opening and sized conventional buildings.

18) Nicer Needle from Mosquito mosquito’s mouth is composed of several Have you ever noticed a mosquito bite (or moving parts that work into skin with the two or three) that seemingly appeared out of minimum of fuss and the minimum of pain. nowhere? It turns out that the tip of the So, this is used for the making of needle.

; also known as the African Stenocara beetle. The beetle lives in a desolate desert 19) Namibian Beetle and Water Collection that rarely sees any rainfall. Since the area is One of the most interesting insects studied dry for the majority of the year, many and mimicked in design is the Namibian animals have to find alternative ways to www.jespublication.com Page No:543 Vol 11, Issue 6,June/ 2020

ISSN NO: 0377-9254 survive and obtain an adequate water source, temperature is a lot warmer than its but not the Stenocara beetle. Even though surroundings, it is a beacon for moisture. there is less than one inch of rainfall per When the morning fog rolls in, water year, there is frequently fog in the morning; droplets from the fog are combined and and the beetle instinctually knows how to collected on the beetle’s shell. As the water take advantage of the situation. The intricate droplets form, because of the shape of the design of the beetle’s shell provides the bumps, the water droplets stay in tight beetle with the essential nutrients and water spherical beads which make them more necessary to survive in such a climate. There mobile and easier to channel towards the are bumps on the beetle’s shell which are beetle’s mouth. When the water droplets hydrophilic (water-attracting) along with have formed, the beetle tilts its back and the alternate parts to its shell which are droplets run down the channels or hydrophobic (water-repelling). The hydrophobic groves and into its mouth. hydrophobic parts to the shell act like After it has had its desired amount of water, channels or groves for water and moisture. it runs back underground and starts the During the hot day the beetle is exposed to process all over again. So how can this be the radiating sun and its black shell absorbs applied in architectural design? Matthew a lot of the heat. When nightfall approaches, Parkes’ of KSS Architects has used the it comes out from below the ground and design of the Stenocara beetle to design a climbs to the top of a mound and waits for Hydrological Center for the University of the morning to come. Because the beetle’s Namibia.

20) Cactus and Temperature Regulation receive very little rainfall, it is crucial that it Another organism that has adapted to arid, takes advantage of capturing water when the dry climates is the cactus, which has also opportunity presents itself. But the most been mimicked in design. What makes the important function that the spines serve is to cactus so unique is the technology it uses in help shade the plant from the intense sun. order to survive. The signature characteristic By having so many spines throughout the of a cactus is the spines that encompass the exterior skin, it shades the plant enough to entire plant. But these spines serve more keep the internal temperature low enough to than just one purpose. The obvious purpose where the water that the plant stores does for the spines is for protection. It makes it not evaporate. This is key for surviving in very dangerous and difficult for herbivorous such an extreme climate. So how can these animals to eat the plant. They also serve to technologies influence the design of a channel the rain water down to the base of building? Aesthetics Architects in Thailand the plant where it gets collected and stored. designed a building in Qatar that uses these Being that most cacti live in areas that technologies to create a unique sustainable www.jespublication.com Page No:544 Vol 11, Issue 6,June/ 2020

ISSN NO: 0377-9254 solution to a complex problem. The new the hot, dry climate of Qatar, an area that Minister of Municipal Affairs and only receives approximately 3.2 inches of Agriculture office (MMAA) in Qatar is rainfall annually. They decided to going to be a first of its kind. Aesthetics investigate the cactus for ideas on a building Architects was looking for inspiration to solution. design a building that would be situated in

21) Namaqua Inspired Adaptive darker color to absorb heat, while the other Fritting and Solar Collection side turns to a lighter color to minimize the The Namaqua Chameleon has a very unique heat from escaping its body. The engineers adaptation that allows this to survive at Hoberman Associates have developed a in a very intense climate. The chameleon is unique technology that functions in the same found in the Desert located just north way as the Namaqua Chameleon's skin. The of . The average temperature in technology is called Adaptive Fritting. Namibia during the months of November- Standard fritted glass usually has a pattern March is roughly 90°F. At night however, or design that is typically displayed as a the temperature can drop to as low as 45°F. decorative feature or to control the The sun in this area is very extreme and transparency through the wall. Adaptive many organisms have developed adaptations Fritting is an innovative way to apply in order to cope with the sudden fluctuation operable thermal regulation and complete in temperature change. In order to regulate user control to a fritted glass system. In its body temperature, the Namaqua standard fritted glass the pattern is Chameleon has the ability to change the stationary. With Adaptive Fritting, the color of its skin depending on where the sun graphic pattern is used to not only control is. Where ever the sun is shining, the transparency and light that enters a space, chameleon changes that half of its skin to a but it also can control heat gain.

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22) Peacock Feather Inspired Colour Fabric journal Applied Materials & Interfaces. Dyes Traditional dyes and pigments used on The beauty of peacocks, with their dazzling textile fabrics are chemical colours that multi-coloured feathers, has always produce their visual effect by selectively provided inspiration to poets and artists in absorbing and reflecting specific their creative work. Now peacock feathers wavelengths of visible light. On the other have inspired a team of Chinese scientists to hand, the colours of peacock feathers (or develop a new way to colour fabrics without butterfly wings) result from physical the use of traditional dyes that enter streams interactions of visible light with and rivers, causing environmental pollution. "microstructures" on the feathers that are An added advantage: these colours don't periodic at the scale of the wavelength of fade easily. The non-polluting greener light. According to the report, the Chinese method to colour textiles using "3- researchers wanted to find a way to colour dimensional colloidal crystals" has been voile, or semi-transparent, textiles by described by Bingtao Tang and colleagues at creating the "microstructures" akin to those China's Dalian University of Technology in on peacock feathers. the American Chemical Society (ACS)

4. CRITICISM AGAINST BIOMIMICRY without any adjustments, turning it into something at Steven Vogels’ book, Cats’ Paws and human scale. By implementing designs in this way, Catapults, is a piece of literature that brings to reality the majority of the designs were unsuccessful. In his some of the negative arguments towards Biomimicry. book he uses several good examples that showcase He refers to this as “naïve Biomimicry”. What he this argument. These examples mostly focus on refers to as naïve is scientists and inventors that were locomotion by both air and water. One of his best using the exact same technology found in nature and examples is regarding air travel and the design of the www.jespublication.com Page No:546 Vol 11, Issue 6,June/ 2020

ISSN NO: 0377-9254 airplane. Designers such as the Wright brothers spent reviews/ ( edited by) David Gough, Sandy much of their time observing birds and their ability to Oliver, James Thomas. ed., London: SAGE, glide through the air. Although this is a good place to London. start, it actually led them in the wrong direction. The 3. Reap J, Baumeister D and Bras B (2005). size to weight ratio of birds is much different than Holism, biomimicry and sustainable that required of an aircraft. Also birds are much engineering. In ASME International smaller than people, and so the characteristics of their Mechanical Engineering Congress and flight technology are different than that required for Exposition. 423-431. humans. In order for something that is heavier and 4. Papanek V (1974). Design for the real larger in size to stay in the air, it must be moving at a world: human ecology and social change. St faster rate, hence the introduction of jet engines and Albans, Herts.: St Albans, Herts.: Paladin. high powered propellers. Birds on the other hand 5. Vogel S (1998). Cats' paws and catapults: don’t need this type of propulsion because they are so mechanical worlds of nature and people/ much smaller. This was one of the reasons why there Steven Vogel, illustrated by Kathryn K. were so many failed attempts. But finally after many Davis with the author. 1st ed. New York: revisions, the airplane grew from just a one seated New York: Norton. aircraft, to a vehicle that transports hundreds of 6. Wahl DC (2006). Bionics vs. biomimicry: people at a time across the world. Along with these from control of nature to sustainable examples he does discuss successful projects as well participation in nature. Design and nature which makes his book a viable source to uncovering III: comparing design in nature with science both the positive and negative arguments directed and engineering, 87:289-298. towards the understanding of Biomimicry. 5. CONCLUSION 7. Alston M (2015). Nature's buildings as trees: It is evident from the research conducted biologically inspired glass as an energy that nature plays a substantial role in increasing system. Optics and Photonics Journal. creativity and innovation as well as assisting in 5(136):136-150. people’s general wellbeing. The research suggests 8. McGregor SL (2013). Transdisciplinarity there will be an increase in the role of Biophilic and biomimicry, Transdisciplinary Journal Design and Biomimicry in the future design of of Engineering & Science. 4:57-65. educational learning spaces and the development of 9. Benyus JM (1997). Biomimicry: innovation curriculum that connects students to the real inspired by nature/Janine M. Benyus. 1st ed. world. With that in mind it is highly likely there will New York: Morrow, New York. be an increase in the uptake of these two "new" 10. Pawlyn M (2011). Biomimicry in sciences in the next 5-10 years as educators become architecture/Michael Pawlyn. ed., London: more aware of the inherent value of the natural world Riba Publishing, London. to learners of all ages. 11. Rao R (2014). Biomimicry in Architecture. 6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT International Journal of Advanced research The author is thankful to Dr. Desh Deepak, in Civil, Structural, Environmental and Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Infrastucture Engineering and Developing. University of Lucknow, Lucknow for moral support 1(3):101-107. and encouragement. 12. Pedersen Zari (2007). Biomimetic 7. REFERENCES Approaches to Architectural Design for 1. Young D, Donald B and Derrik H (2009). Increased Sustainability: The SB07 NZ Discovery of Design: Searching out the Sustainable Building Conference. Auckland. Creator's Secrets. Green Forest. AR: Master. 2. Gough DE, Oliver SE and Thomas JE (2012). An introduction to systematic www.jespublication.com Page No:547