Combatting the Microfiber Pollution Problem at the Municipality Level

IN SUPPORT OF MA THESIS REVIEW KELLY WILCOX APRIL 24TH, 2017

Cindy Gilbert Denise DeLuca Tim McGee Claire Dupuis COMMITTEE CHAIR ADVISOR COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMITTEE MEMBER SUMMARY: 2

The issue of microbead pollution from makeup and hygiene products has become well-known for its destruction and negative impact on various waterways and marine life, despite its small size. However, more recent discoveries have brought to light that there is an even more widespread and impactful problem polluting our waterways that we cannot see. A study commissioned by Patagonia and executed by graduate students at the University of California, Santa Barbara suggests that as a result from home laundering anywhere between 64,000 and 750,000 lbs of microfibers are ending up in natural waterways in the United States alone (3). In an effort to help solve the microfiber pollution problem, a lifecycle systems thinking approach was taken to identify the most optimal point of intervention. Through this analysis, municipal wastewater treatment plants were identified as the most favorable point of intervention within the post-consumer use phase of a garment's lifecycle. Within the system of a wastewater treatment plant, the area of ideal implementation was established: post- disinfection and pre-effluent discharge to the receiving body of water. A biomimetic design approach was applied to ideate a design recommendation in the pursuit of mitigating the spread of microfiber pollution, specifically around the filtering out of microfibers and small waste particles. Of all of the organisms explored, the giant oceanic manta ray proved to be the most interesting and feasible organism for which to create an initial design solution due to its unique combination of form, function and scale. This thesis work develops a rough design idea for microfiber filtration at the wastewater treatment level inspired by the manta ray and also discusses potential next steps including proposals for how next to evaluate, test and validate the design idea. TABLE OF CONTENTS: 3

P 1 TITLE PAGE P 2 7 - 3 4 PROJECT OUTCOME P 27 Design proposal: Emulate - design overview P 2 PROJECT SUMMARY and placement in the system P 28 Design proposal: Emulate - design components P 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS P 29 - 31 Design proposal: Emulate - design functionality details P 4 - 9 PROJECT INTRODUCTION P 32 Next steps: Specific next steps and needs for P 4 Problem statement design validation P 5 Sustainability challenge P 33 Next steps: Evaluation steps needed with P 6 Support for the idea sustainable design frameworks P 7-8 Relevant research and data P 34 Next steps: Forward thinking - big picture P 9 Project scope considerations P 9 Professional goals P 35 Concluding thoughts

P 1 0 - 2 6 PROJECT EXECUTION P 36 - 41 REFERENCES / WORKS

P 10 Project objectives CITED P 11 Proposed process P 12 Actual process P 13 Review of pertinent sustainable frameworks P 4 2 - 5 1 APPENDIX P 14 Organizations involved in preventing microfiber pollution P 43 Yarn spinning - technical detail P 15 Products designed to stop/slow microfiber P 44 - 46 Wastewater treatment plant detail pollution P 47 - 51 Design spiral - early discovery P 16 Analysis for intervention in the larger system P 17 - 19 Understanding wastewater treatment P 20 Analysis for intervention in wastewater treatment plants P 21 Design ideation: Identify P 22 Design ideation: Translate P 23 Design ideation: Narrowing the scope P 24 - 25 Design ideation: Discover P 26 Design ideation: Abstract P 26 Design ideation: Emulate INTRODUCTION - PROBLEM STATEMENT: 4

This thesis work will explore sustainable design solutions to mitigate the impact and spread of microfiber pollution that results from home laundering in the consumer use phase of a garment's lifecycle by intervening at the municipal level. INTRODUCTION - SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGE: 5 Problems with the Apparel Industry The fashion industry is one of FINISH the planet’s biggest polluters - Synthetic: only second to oil (2). Disposal Cellulosic: Mining, Fiber Clothing production doubled Fertilizer Petroleum

from 2000 to 2014, and the Yarn number of garments Up-Cycing Manufacturing purchased each year by the START average consumer increased Raw by 60% (1). Material Global demand for clothing is Consumer Fabric DETERGENT projected to increase Use WATER significantly over the coming decade as millions of people in developing countries enter the MICROFIBER middle class and spend more POLLUTION HARMFUL CHEMICALS Dyeing & on apparel (1). Finishing

The largest impact of a piece BLEACH of apparel’s lifecycle is in the WASTE consumer use phase (8). ENERGY While the consumer use phase PAPER presents many issues that Point of need sustainable solutions Sale (energy use, water use, PLASTIC detergents), microplastic and Packaging microfiber pollution are quickly becoming major Transportation negative contributors to the aquatic environments and the animals that inhabit them (3). - N O I T C U D O R T N I How Big is This Little Problem? Microfibers from textiles are the most prevalent type of microplastic pollution, making up 85% of man-made debris on shorelines worldwide (4). In one wash, a single synthetic garment can produce nearly 2,000 microfibers that end up in the sewage system, bypassing municipal filtration structures, ultimately finding their way into various bodies of water and marine life (5, 21). Over 700,000 microfibers can be released into wastewater for each load of laundry (6). New York City alone could have 6.8 billion microfibers flowing into its harbor every day (10). : A E D I E H T R O F T R O P P U S

(54) (53) (4)

A SAMPLE OF MICROPLASTICS AND A CLOSE-UP OF FIBERS THAT SHED FROM A TINY PLASTIC FIBERS FOUND IN A WATER DEBRIS FROM THE NORTH ATLANTIC GYRE FLEECE GARMENT AFTER HOME LAUNDERING SAMPLE TAKEN FROM THE GULF OF MAINE If They're so Small, Why Are They Such a Big Deal!? Hard to see and contain Accumulate overtime Do not biodegrade End up in the digestive tracts of marine life, which can travel up the food chain and become damaging to a number of living organisms (10) Have the ability to pick up persistent organic pollutants and other toxins before entering the digestive system of water-dwelling organisms (21) Can lead to a concentration of toxins and pollutants in the tissues of animals and has the potential to flow up the food chain and

impact human health (21, 4) 6 - N O I T C U D O R T N I

The Problem with Plastic: Where MARINE DEBRIS Any man-made solid material that enters waterways through littering, Exactly do Microfibers Fit In? streams, storm drains and rivers (17) Nearly 80% originates from land- based sources (18)

OCEAN PLASTICS A subset of marine debris, specifically litter in marine

environments made : of A T plastic A D & (17) H C R A E S E R MICROPLASTICS Small plastic particles (a subset of ocean plastics) that oftentimes cannot be seen by the naked eye (17) Size generally less than five millimeters (17) MICROFIBERS A textile-based group of microplastics (17) Present data suggests that microfibers can readily enter waterways when textiles are washed (17). Both home laundering machines and existing municipal wastewater treatment systems have limitations in filtering out this small scale of particle (17). 7 INTRODUCTION - RESEARCH & DATA: 8 The Makeup of Microfibers:

PERSPECTIVE OF SCALE The threshold of microfibers is between 3 to 60 micrometers and are oftentimes 8 MICROMETERS - .0003" RED BLOOD CELL classified as synthetic in content (21). Fibers found in the stomachs of fish can 40 MICROMETERS - .0015" UNAIDED EYE VISIBILITY THRESHOLD often still be seen with the naked eye. The term "microfiber," for the purpose of 70 MICROMETERS - .0020" this thesis, should be considered with a DIAMETER OF A HUMAN HAIR more broad and less technical lens to (39) encompass "fine" and "small" fibers, as this more accurately reflects the MICROSCOPIC VIEW OF SPUN YARNS IN A WOVEN overarching problem of textile-based fiber STRUCTURE WHERE FIBER BREAKAGE IS VISIBLE pollution. Synthetic fibers are the primary focus within the microfiber pollution problem, as they do not biodegrade like their natural counterparts - i.e. cotton. Fine fibers/filaments are either spun, wrapped or plied together (sometimes a combination of these techniques) to produce commercial yarns This spinning and plying process helps give yarns bulk and stability, but also ends up being a great source of small fiber breakage with wear and abrasion (as can be seen in the image on the right). (38) INTRODUCTION - PROJECT SCOPE: 9 In Scope Out of Scope Slowing the spread of How to stop the use of synthetic fibers microfiber pollution as a result of and microfibers in textile and apparel home laundering production Assessing life cycle for points of Evaluating impacts of microfiber intervention in the system pollution prior to the consumer-use Focusing on microfiber pollution in phase marine systems and aquatic settings Investigating microfiber as an air Leveraging the biomimicry design pollutant process to ideate radically Extracting microfibers already existing innovative design solutions in marine settings Evaluating design solutions and Researching the consequences of their effectiveness of microfiber ingestion on marine life and implementation at humans the municipal level Researching potable water treatment

INTRODUCTION - PROFESSIONAL GOALS: Expand knowledge of ways to mitigate negative impacts and results of the textile industry beyond that of fabric development and renewable / recycled fiber content Become recognized by colleagues and peers as an expert in sustainable process and design thinking with an emphasis on textiles and textile-related issues Become trailblazer in driving comprehensive sustainable solutions in the textile industry beyond cradle to gate, driving for solutions at the consumer-level and beyond To eventually grow into a leadership role within product design and development with an emphasis on sustainability and sustainable strategy Entry into the Ocean Clean Wash Challenge: an eco-innovation challenge initiated by Parley for the Oceans and The Plastic Soup Foundation aimed to stop microfiber pollution in earth's oceans - full details to be announced at the end of April 2017. PROJECT EXECUTION: 1 0

Project Objectives:

THIS THESIS EXPLORATION IS INTENDED TO... Describe, understand and evaluate the breadth of the microfiber pollution problem in marine and aquatic settings Analyze various points of intervention in the consumer use phase and beyond in the lifecycle of a garment Understand and identify current efforts and organizations committed to educating consumers and providing solutions as it relates to marine microfiber pollution Compare and benchmark current products focused on mitigating microfiber pollution Investigate sustainable design solutions at the municipal level for microfiber waste Develop a design idea based in biomimicry that can be later prototyped, tested and evaluated Expand the realm of possibility for sustainable intervention within the textile industry PROJECT EXECUTION: 1 1 Proposed Process INITIAL THESIS EXPLORATION: FOCUS ON FINDING A BIOMIMETIC AND SUSTAINABLE TEXTILE- BASED ALTERNATIVE TO MOISTURE MANAGEMENT CHEMISTRY FOR ATHLETIC APPAREL

RESEARCH AND SUBSTANTIATION: Research An analysis in the patterns of consumerism and and Analysis, consumption, specifically within the athletic wear arena substantiation measurement and validation of the ANALYSIS, MEASUREMENT AND problem VALIDATION: Difficulty in finding documentation referring to the detriments of moisture management chemicals COMPETITOR AND BENCHMARK ANALYSIS: Pre-existing biomimetic solutions concerning moisture management in textiles, and difficulty in measuring their sustainable benefit / impact Competitor Life cycle Most biomimetic textile solutions require more material / analysis on assessment, alternative resources in the place of functional chemistry, considering moisture thereby making them unsustainable in a different way. the total management LIFECYCLE THINKING AND ASSESSMENT apparel applications industry and innovations Evaluation of an apparel textiles' lifecycle uncovered lesser- on textiles discussed but prevalent problems as a result of the industry itself. Points in the process that presented roadblocks A shift in thinking toward unsustainable inputs and outputs of the textile industry shed light on a prevalent problem: Points in the initial process that informed and inspired a change in direction microfiber pollution. PROJECT EXECUTION: 1 2 Actual Process

Identification Project Establish and application conclusion and research and of sustainable reflection substantiation Discussion of frameworks scalability and additional application Determine Systems / Biomimicry / breadth lifecycle design biomimetic Narrowing the of microfiber thinking design thinking scope - boundary pollution setting for problem biomimetic Identification Scope and exploration of potential next steps define: what are Analysis of microfibers? intervention Identify points in the system Professional Identify Discover Emulate feedback organizations and products Research and evaluation of committed to Evaluation of points of mitigating design intervention microfiber feasibility and post-consumer Translate Abstract pollution sustainability use PROJECT EXECUTION: 1 3 Implementation of Sustainable Frameworks

LIFECYCLE / SYSTEMS BIOMIMICRY: T H I N K I N G :

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In approaching any design solution, especially a Biomimicry / biomimetic design thinking is an approach sustainable one, it is important to understand the full to design that helps inspire radical innovation in order scope of the problem and take a look at the whole to find sustainable solutions to human challenges system (25). through emulating strategies and patterns in A whole systems / life cycle thinking approach allows nature (26). one to view the entire picture and process from a Biomimicry helps ensure that in design and creation, technical, social, and environmental perspective (26). conditions conducive to life are met and that life Throughout the exploration of this thesis work, friendly materials are used (49). systems thinking and a reference to an apparel item's Throughout the exploration of this thesis lifecycle will be critical in framing the overall problem work, biomimicry and an exploration of the biomimetic and identifying points of intervention in the system for design spiral will be instrumental in the ideation and ideal sustainable solutions. execution of potential design solutions. Organizations Bringing Attention to the Microfiber Pollution Problem

Creates a space where creators, thinkers and leaders can come together to raise awareness for the beauty and fragility of oceans and collaborate on projects that can end their destruction (9) Works to consolidate existing knowledge and develop new tools and methods to prevent pollution of marine environments (9)

Strives for a clean, protected and thriving marine ecosystem (10) Created various prototypes of home laundering products to help mitigate the spread

PROJECT EXECUTION: of microfiber pollution (10)

A global alliance of organizations, businesses and thought leaders working toward a world free of plastic pollution (13) Recently published blog posts to help spread consumer awareness of microfiber pollution in addition to providing interim solutions to help reduce its impact (24)

Recently partnered with Project Life+ to form the Mermaids - Ocean Clean Wash Campaign Aims to mitigate the environmental impact of microfibers resulting from laundry wastewater, specifically in European marine ecosystems (23)

Promotes the welfare of people, animals and resources involved in manufacturing outdoor products, from raw materials to end of life (16) Developed a Microfibers Task Force, specifically dedicated to understanding and innovating solutions to the microfiber pollution issue, which has become one of their main priorities (17) 1 4 : N O I T U C E X E T C E J O R P Products Working to Combat Microfiber Pollution:

GUPPY FRIEND MICROFIBER CATCHER / "CORA BALL" WASHING MACHINE FILTERS

OVERVIEW OVERVIEW A wash bag that is designed to Intended for healthy maintenance prevent microfibers from of septic systems and drain pipes entering into rivers and Captures non-biodegradable fibers, oceans hair and fur, dirt particles, concrete Claims to capture 99% of OVERVIEW and sheetrock dust, metal shavings fibers released in the washing and other small particles (22) process (14) Washing machine microfiber catcher from the Rozalia Project designed to prevent POTENTIAL PITFALLS POTENTIAL PITFALLS microfiber pollution (10) Made of nylon and could Design has undergone multiple iterations, Not often marketed or shed microfibers itself the most recent emulating coral (50) mentioned when purchasing a Will sell at retail from $20 washing machine. -$30 (Patagonia) - customers POTENTIAL PITFALLS Are typically expensive (many may find it difficult to justify No direct avenue for point of sale are upwards of $140.00 just for the purchasing Limited accessibility for consumers parts) The impact / resources it May not be made from sustainable Requires special installation by a takes to produce may not be materials or through sustainable specialist / plumber (22) 5 1 sustainable manufacturing processes Requires regular cleaning Analysis for Intervention

MANUFACTURING CONSUMER USE Potentially difficult to implement at a Wash clothes less often - difficult global scale due to various laws and given how most synthetic garments in regulations particular are designed to absorb and Challenging to prevent all materials wick sweat and moisture that shed microfibers from entering the Use of liquid detergent (less abrasive system than powder detergent - but may Future opportunity to create a safe contain harmful chemicals) textile finishing product that reduces / Washing machine filter - oftentimes stops shedding of microfibers. expensive, requires extra effort and Already existing garments present a resources from the consumer in

PROJECT EXECUTION:more immediate and urgent need for purchase, installation and intervention maintenance

WATER TREATMENT BODIES OF WATER Area that is not as well recognized and Late in the cycle / process evaluated as it relates to microfiber Many organizations committed to pollution protecting the earth's oceans from Ability to be proactive, have a larger plastic and microplastic pollution, and impact and be more cost effective intervening directly in marine (potential low cost to taxpayers environments vs. individually purchasing a product) Larger area to work with and filter Potential to provide a positive impact through making the microfibers more on a larger scale difficult to find and capture Lower impact and less invasive in design Microfibers can be more effectively solution (fewer to create, larger captured and prevented earlier in the population reached) system / process. 1 6 : N O I T U C E X E T C E J O R P Understanding Wastewater Treatment: METHODS FOR TREATING WASTEWATER REQUIRES A COMBINATION OF THE Wastewater FOLLOWING PROCESSES: treatment is intended to remove pollutants from water, making it safe to release back into the environment after Physical Chemical Biological interaction with humans and man-made systems (58).

Types Wastewater Treatment Plants:

EFFLUENT TREATMENT PLANT Used by various industries: pharmaceutical, chemical, meat packing, textiles among many others (57) Removes toxic chemicals and materials prior to entering the larger municipally-run There are many types of sewage treatment plants or receiving bodies of water (57) wastewater treatment plants - these are only a few of the most DOMESTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT common systems. For the Also referred to as sewage wastewater treatment (57) purpose of this thesis work, Contaminants from household sewage, industrial wastewater and runoff are domestic wastewater treatment all treated to remove physical, chemical and biological contaminants for plants will be the focus due to release back into marine settings (52) their direct relation to washing POTABLE TREATMENT PLANT machine outflow and microfiber pollution . In this process, either surface water (typically from reservoirs or canals) or

groundwater is treated to remove contaminants for reuse as safe drinking water (52) 7 1 Primarily involves chemical processing for desalination and disinfection (52) System Map of a Typical Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facility: PROJECT EXECUTION:

Throughout this thesis work, this specific wastewater treatment system diagram will be referenced as necessary

(56) 1 8 : N O I T U C E X E T C E J O R P Wastewater Treatment Filtration Technology

STANDARD METHODS FOR PHYSICAL FILTRATION:

BAR SCREENS: This is the first pass of waste removal in wastewater treatment: water and small matter travels through bars spaced approximately 3/4" apart, leaving heavy matter to be cleared out (7). Larger waste gets trapped and captured here such as paper products, sticks, stones etc... At this point they are extracted and taken to the landfill (20). GRIT REMOVAL: (32) Grit includes sand, gravel, cinder and other heavy solid materials that are typically larger than .21 A bar screen mm in size that are able to sink to the bottom (17, 28). capturing large Removing grit before primary treatment helps prevent wear and tear on mechanical equipment waste prior to (17). entering preliminary CLARIFIERS (PRIMARY AND SECONDARY): treatment Lighter particles make their way to the top and heavier down to the bottom of the tank (30). Fats, oils and grease are typically what rises, and are subsequently captured by a slow moving skimmer on the water's surface (20). SPECIALTY METHODS FOR PHYSICAL FILTRATION:

Rarely used in domestic wastewater treatment systems due to high cost of implementation and degree of efficiency required (52) Most of these filtration methods are membrane-based solutions and are used for treatment of potable water and are designed to remove bacteria, dissolved organics, viruses etc... (52)

A slow-moving REVERSE skimmer in a MICROFILTRATION ULTRAFILTRATION NANOFILTRATION OSMOSIS secondary clarifying tank, removing unwanted matter ~ 0 . 1 - 1 . 0 ~ . 0 1 - . 5 ~.001 - .05 < ~ . 0 0 5 collecting on the 9 1 THRESHOLDS FOR PARTICLE FILTRATION - (MICRONS) water's surface PROJECT EXECUTION: 2 0 Where to Intervene in the Wastewater Treatment Process

P R O P O S E D P O I N T O F INTERVENTION:

POST: Disinfection PRE: Final discharge into the receiving body of (56) water

REASONS FOR INTERVENING AT THIS POINT IN THE SYSTEM: After visiting a municipal wastewater treatment plant, it was evident that even in the disinfection stage (within the chlorine holding tanks) there are still many suspended organic and inorganic particles visible to the naked eye. Considering the small size of microfibers and the large scale of wastewater treatment systems, intervening at the end of the system, prior to effluent discharge into the receiving body will yield the highest potential for efficiency and effectiveness. NOW THAT A POINT IN THE SYSTEM IS IDENTIFIED - 2

NEXT STEPS: DESIGN EXPLORATION AND IDEATION THROUGH THE BIOMIMICRY DESIGN (56) SPIRAL 2 1 PROJECT EXECUTION: : E G A T S Y F I T N E D I E H T biomimicry design spiral in the end design/solution are which needed functions of typically the start of the The identify stage is identified (36). T U O B A Identify N O I T U L O S S I H T S E O T D O N T A H W N ? O H I S T I U L L P O M S O C S C I A H T O T S E D O E D E N T A H W Repurpose, degrade or destroy the microfiber waste Permanently store microfiber waste in airborne environments Stop the spread of microfibers / microfiber pollution Filter at the chemical or fine molecular level the system Use additional or excess energy not available within environments. Spread / accelerate microfiber pollution in aquatic consumer-use phase Filter out microfibers from water as a result of the Be accessible for maintenance Be easy to maintain and clean (as necessary) different systems Be easy to implement on a large scale in a variety of Be durable Be cost-effective Be non-invasive environments. Reduce / mitigate microfiber pollution in aquatic ? H S I L P M O C C A O T D E E N

Translate

HOW DOES NATURE...

Direct Water Catch Absorb Flow

Capture

Extract Expel Filter A B O U T T H E

PROJECT EXECUTION:TRANSLATE STAGE:

Store Clean (solid) Accumulate Functions previously Regulate identified for the design Stick Water Attract Flow needs are converted into Regulate terms that make sense Adhere Selective Permeability within the natural Collect Remove world (36). Gather Separate 2 2 PROJECT EXECUTION: 2 3 Narrowing the Scope

P H Y S I C A L LEVERAGING S I Z E V S . ABILITY TO T H E AND CHEMICAL / W O R K I N E X I S T I N G S C A L E M E T A B O L I C WATER SYSTEM PROCESSES

Consideration of the There are many processes in To have a successful solution Explorations around small size of microfibers, nature that could be that works at the wastewater free-floating designs / and their existence applicable to a successful treatment level, it will be objects within larger aquatic design solution to help essential that the design and were investigated as systems is critical to capture and remove thus, the inspiring were ways to leverage finding a successful microfibers from the organism function and thrive the existing system. organism for biomimetic wastewater treatment plants. in aquatic / marine Ultimately, a design design emulation. Due to time constraints of the environments. solution that leverages The subsequent pages thesis combined with personal It will be critical that the current infrastructure, explore at a high-level expertise and external inspired organism and end processes and energy how select small and resources, this exploration will design solution not only within the system proved large organisms deal continue to investigate function in water, but also be to be the most feasible with small particles primarily physical and able to withstand continuous and potentially effective mechanical processes and wear, tear and potentially starting point. functions from nature. strong currents. S E A S A L P BLADDERWORT mechanisms (62) mechanisms Sea salps stained with safe dye dye safe with stained Sea salps to observe feeding and filtering filtering and feeding observe to Bladderwort capturing prey (66) prey capturing Bladderwort filter feeding mesh (62) mesh feeding filter of the salp's intricate internal internal intricate salp's the of fluorescent microscopic image image microscopic fluorescent Bladderwort bladder detail (67) bladder Bladderwort ocean (62) ocean sea salps floating in the the in floating salps sea a close-up view of a chain of of chain a of view close-up a Bladderwort plant (67) Bladderworts are small carnivorous plant with tiny bladder-like bladder-like tiny with plant carnivorous small are Bladderworts second a of fraction a within them inside prey trap that appendages (65). mechanism trap-door unique a and suction through the of form the and water pumps bladderwort the which in manner The contact in comes prey When effect. suction a creates itself bladder begins, suction and opens door trap the hairs, trigger the of any with (64). bladder the inside water surrounding and prey the pulling Sea salps are small marine animals that move in bodies of water by by water of bodies in move that animals marine small are salps Sea jet- body, creating a its through water propels that muscle a contracting (63). forward it moves that force like food small captures salp sea the occurs, movement of process this As filtering microscopic internal an through filters then it that particles (62). mucus of made mesh Discover * Many organisms were explored during the discovery phase throughout the entire entire the throughout phase discovery the during explored were organisms Many * work thesis this of process Small Organisms Dealing With Small Particles: Small With Dealing Organisms Small design. A B O U T Nature is is Nature consulted during the the consulted during functions for the end end the for functions performing the desired desired the performing in the natural world are world are natural the in discover stage in order to order to in stage discover pinpoint which organisms organisms which pinpoint

THE DISCOVER STAGE:

4 2 : N O I T U C E X E T C E J O R P M A N T A R A Y S E A S P O N G E Manta rays can filter around 240 gallons (about the size of an average hot tub) through their mouths every minute (46). and texture of these filtration plates allows for a combination of cross-flow and vortex filtration (46) The manta ray's unique and "flattened" filtration plates are positioned at a slight angle to the incoming water. The structure Manta rays survive on a diet of very small organisms - some can be seen with the naked eye and some cannot (46,47). discs can measure as large as 9 meters wide (48) The giant oceanic manta ray (Manta birostris) is a large sea animal, oftentimes car-sized and around 3,000 lbs. Their center large amounts of seawater (45). In the below images: fluorescent dyes injected into the base of sea sponges to observe their effectiveness and speed in filtering Sponges of all sizes are able to capture both small and large particles and pump water / filter food in the same way (68). After particle capture, clear water flows out of the "top" opening(s) of the sponge (also called the oscula) (68). The flagella help move water through the sponge where the sticky edges of the collar cells pick up small particles of food (68). canals that are lined with collar cells containing flagella (68). Sea sponges feed by filtering small plankton from the water through small pores called ostia, which lead to a system of internal (40) (45) Larger Organisms Dealing With Small Particles: (41) (42) Discover (42) (40) (41) (43)

(41) (44)

5 2 : N O I T U C E X E T C E J O R P PROJECT OUTCOME: 2 6 Abstract A B O U T T H E How does a large manta ray capture and filter food, allowing it to ABSTRACT STAGE: survive completely on a diet of the smallest ocean organisms?

CROSS-FLOW FILTRATION: A filtration technique in which water passes tangentially along the filter's surface and a pressure difference across the filter In the abstract stage, pushes matter and particles that are smaller than the filter strategies identified in pores through and out of the filter (70) Particles larger than the filter pores are retained and continue nature are reverse- to pass over the filter's surface (70) engineered and described how they function in VORTEX FILTRATION: Occurs when water flows into a rounded area / chamber, technical terms. creating a spiral pattern of the liquid that works to remove unwanted particles - driving them from the filter's surface, and allows clean water to pass through (52). (69)

A B O U T Emulate THE EMULATE STAGE:

WHY THE MANTA RAY? In the emulate stage, Scale: a large organism that is able to capture / filter design ideas start to microscopic particles develop - keeping in Capacity: has the ability to filter large amounts of water quickly mind nature's Multifunctional and diverse in filtration process: abstracted strategies leverages both cross-flow and vortex filtration, through a and other design needs unique combination of structure, form, texture and water / goals. flow to perform these functions PROJECT OUTCOME - DESIGN PROPOSAL: 2 7 *discussion of where the the where *discussion of design. Through this pipe pipe this Through system. The exact exact The system. particles (including (including particles extension, microscopic microscopic extension, internal components of the the of components internal detailed on the subsequent subsequent the on detailed mechanisms of filtration are are filtration of mechanisms disinfected water exiting the the exiting water disinfected microfibers) are filtered from from filtered are microfibers) pages as the focus shifts to the the to shifts focus the as pages 1. Existing outflow pipe from wastewater wastewater from pipe outflow Existing 1. plant treatment attachment Retrofitting 2. body exterior Main 3. attachment Secondary 4. microfibers could go once filtered from the water water the from filtered once go could microfibers work this in is addressed later device this through 4 filtration secondary secondary Microfibers Effluent water water Effluent and other small small other and out in primary and and primary in out particles not filtered filtered not particles contains microfibers microfibers contains 3 Clean Water Clean 2

1 Emulate - Placement in the System the in Placement - Emulate

Water Flow Water Water Flow Water

P H A S E ) DISINFECTION ( A F T E R OUTFLOW PIPE TREATMENT PLANT WASTEWATER C U R R E N T DESIGN ELEMENTS: OF EXTERIOR ISOMETRIC VIEW OUTFLOW PIPES TREATMENT EFFLUENT WASTEWATER E X I S T I N G LEVERAGING INTERVENTION - PROPOSED DESIGN PROJECT OUTCOME - DESIGN PROPOSAL: 2 9

FRONT VIEW - LOOKING INSIDE SIDE VIEW/ (X-RAY) CROSS SECTION Microfibers FILTER PLATE The physical structure of the filter plates and angle at angle and plates filter the of structure physical The filtration the to integral are positioned are they which below). detail more in (described design the of efficiency clean the of out exits then microfibers of free Water external the of bottom the at slats outflow water structure. way their make particles small other and Microfibers structure. the of back the toward The effluent water containing microfibers and other other and microfibers containing water effluent The and structure filtration the into flow will microparticles purple). in (shown plates filter the over Flow Water Water Clean Water Clean Clean Water Clean

Emulate - Design Functionality Details Functionality Design - Emulate

Flow

Flow

Water Water Water Water 3 0 PROJECT OUTCOME - DESIGN PROPOSAL: function of the five sets together The individual filter plates are equally as important as the the amount of water the structure is able to filter. also helps to increase the filtration surface area - maximizing small particles easily towards the back of the structure, and The shape and positioning of these filter plates helps direct following pages) promotes cross-flow filtration The angle that is created by this "C" shape structure angled towards the back. the front of the structure, and the top part of the "C" is where the bottom part of the "C" is angled forward toward Each filter plate is shaped like an overlapping / twisted "C" - funnel effect toward the back of the structure. structure, each set layered behind another, creating a There are five pairs of filter plates within this designed microfibers / other small particles in this design. The filter plates are what drive the efficient filtration of E T A L P R E T L I F E L G N I S Emulate - Design Functionality Details (explained in detail in the and filtration of microfibers and microparticles in wastewater. microstructure) on each "tooth" - further aiding in the capture tooth-like structure that also contains even smaller "teeth" (the The macrotexture of the filter plate is an offset and overlapping S E T A L P R E T L I F F O S R I A P 5 functional macro The filter plates and micro textures contain L I A T E D L A R U T X E T - E T A L P R E T L I F 3 1 PROJECT OUTCOME - DESIGN PROPOSAL: S E T A L P R E : T N L O I I F T C E N H U T F W O H Emulate - Design Functionality Details (detailed in image extracted in the upper right corner). and edges of the macro texture, specifically where they overlap of the structure by creating tiny cyclones between the corners micro-tooth structure and keeps them moving towards the back Vortex filtration helps clear out smaller particles captured in the texture of the filter plate causes vortex filtration to take place. hitting the corners and crevices of the macro and micro tooth-like Additionally, the continuous flow of water entering the structure towards the back of the chamber. unique texture of the filter plates and allows them to continue This cross-flow filtration helps bounce larger particles off of the structure at a 90 degree angle. pushed downward through the filter and out of the bottom of the the tooth-like texture of the filter plate, while clean water is orientation of the filter plates causes particles to get caught in As water flows into the pipe, the previously described "twisted C" X E T R O V D N A W O L F - S S O R C N O I T A R T L I F

N O I T A R T L I F X E T R O V Microfibers Clean Water

PROJECT OUTCOME - NEXT STEPS: 3 2

environmental impact environmental settings and social their of assessment an and processes manufacturing benign potential of Research Consideration for materials that are life-friendly, high-quality, functional and can thrive in aquatic in thrive can and functional high-quality, life-friendly, are that materials for Consideration financial data and benefits and data financial Investigate conferences and various avenues for commercial points of sale of points commercial for avenues various and conferences Investigate and environmental social, with complete proposal and plan business substantiated a Develop Identify key customers key Identify the overall sustainability of the proposed solution proposed the of sustainability overall the lifecycle assessment will be critical to ensure the success of the design and will further substantiate substantiate further will and design the of success the ensure to critical be will assessment lifecycle Throughout these proposed next steps, a consideration and evaluation of life's principles and and principles life's of evaluation and consideration a steps, next proposed these Throughout plants plants selected design ideas ideas design selected treatment wastewater and municipalities to catered specifically analysis cost/benefit a Create Researching and obtaining estimates of cost associated to develop, produce and implement the the implement and produce develop, to associated cost of estimates obtaining and Researching literal and more simplistic methods in future design iterations design future in methods simplistic more and literal A reevaluation of how the biomimetic strategies are emulated and implemented - exploring less less exploring - implemented and emulated are strategies biomimetic the how of reevaluation A replacing them replacing Considerations around how to deal with components if they break and the ease of repairing or or ease of repairing the and break they if components with deal to how around Considerations Ensuring that the filters stay clean and functional while in use in while functional and clean stay filters the that Ensuring and capacity from wastewater treatment plants of various sizes various of plants treatment wastewater from capacity and Size and scale - prototyping and research around the size of the actual design based on waterflow waterflow on based design actual the of size the around research and prototyping - scale and Size

Next Steps and Needs for Design Validation: Design for Needs and Steps Next

IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS WITH SUSTAINABLE FRAMEWORKS PRODUCT TESTING

COSTING ANALYSIS PROTOTYPING AND PRODUCT TESTING

MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING CONSUMER / MARKET INTERVENTION IDENTIFICATION 3 3 PROJECT OUTCOME - NEXT STEPS: that the design itself could have. assessment should still be set in order to evaluate the impact at the post-consumer use stage, a scope for life cycle While the intent of this design is to positively intervene not limited to: consideration everything from cradle to grave, including but steps in evaluating a chosen design's validity should take into Although life-cycle assessment is detailed and complex, next synergies between the two: Although biomimicry and lifecycle / systems thinking are different strategies for approaching sustainable design, there are unique processes Energy and resources required for and throughout these Product end-of-life opportunities replacement Longevity of the product - ease and impact in repair and Use of the product Transport of the final product Raw materials, manufacturing, packaging designs. Both life-cycle thinking/assessment and biomimicry will be helpful in evaluating the sustainability and success of selected Biomimicry and the biomimetic design process have been and will continue to be beneficial in creating innovative ideas points of intervention within the system from which to start designing a solution. Taking a whole systems approach with a lens of life-cycle thinking and assessment was critical in identifying optimal T N E M S S E S S A E L C Y C - E F I L Sustainable Design Frameworks: Evaluation Steps Needed with the scope of earth's operating conditions. constantly evaluate design ideas against life's principles within using the biomimicry design spiral is the opportunity to solutions for a broad range of problems. One of the benefits to Biomimicry is an excellent tool for creating radically innovative CONDITIONS: EARTH'S OPERATING earth boundaries exist on Limits and based planet Earth is a water unpredictable and sometimes constantly changing Conditions are T S N I A G A N O I T A U L A V E S E L P I C N I R P S ' E F I L (36) IS / DOES THE DESIGN... LIFE'S PRINCIPLES: within the system? Leverage interdependence Uses benign manufacturing? maximize)? Optimize (instead of Resilient? Integrate cyclic processes? responsive? Locally attuned and (36) PROJECT OUTCOME - NEXT STEPS: 3 4 Forward Thinking: Big Picture Considerations

SPECIFY IN MORE CHALLENGE THE DETAIL WHERE AND FUTURE CURRENT STANDARD OF HOW THE MICROFIBERS SCALABILITY OF FILTRATION AND / MICRO WASTE IS THIS DESIGN OR AN CLARITY COMING OUT COLLECTED AFTER ITERATION OF IT IN OF DOMESTIC BEING SEPARATED DIFFERENT WASTEWATER FROM EFFLUENT OPEN SYSTEMS HOME TREATMENT PLANT BODIES OF WATER LAUNDERING SYSTEMS WATER

TEXTILE / APPAREL MANUFACTURING FACILITIES

BRAINSTORM INVESTIGATE THE POTENTIAL USES FOR POSSIBILITY TO HOLD THE MICROFIBER / WASHING MACHINE MICRO WASTE CONSIDER HOW TO MANUFACTURERS COLLECTED FROM THE PREVENT MORE ACCOUNTABLE WASTEWATER MICROFIBERS FROM FOR CONTAINING TREATMENT SYSTEM ENTERING THE SYSTEM MICROFIBER RUNOFF IN THE FIRST PLACE CONCLUSION: Concluding Thoughts:

The prevalence of microfiber pollution will only continue to grow, and its side effects on the natural world will become more evident and increase in magnitude if the issue is not addressed and resolved at various points within textile and apparel systems. Throughout this thesis work research and understanding around the points of impact in a garment's lifecycle resulted in a well-formulated proposal for more immediate intervention to address microfiber pollution, specifically within wastewater treatment plants. Further research and analysis related to wastewater treatment plants allowed for a specific focus area to be further defined, which lead to innovative yet practical design drafting and ideation to take place. This thesis work successfully investigated various natural organisms, functions in nature and design solutions related to mitigating microfiber/microparticle pollution at the municipal level. Future opportunity exists to prototype, test, fine-tune and finalize the proposed design solution, continuing to leverage biomimetic design principles in inspiration, execution and evaluation.

THESIS OUTCOME - The alignment with nature that is inherent to the biomimetic design process will continue to be a positive driving force in finding nature-inspired solutions to a multitude of man-made problems our world currently faces and will continue to face as unexpected consequence of our impact expands and becomes more obvious. 3 5 3 6

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Appendix 4 3 APPENDIX: together can ultimately lead to these processes of spinning or wrapping multiple fine fibers woven into cloth and worn / spun and wrapped and how different types of yarns are fiber breakage once knit or Diagrams exhibiting how utilized. (51) : X I D N E P P A Wastewater Treatment Plant Process Detail: PRELIMINARY TREATMENT S P E C I A L T Y Larger waste and heavy material moved from the waste stream - first pass where waste travels METHODS FOR through bars (similar to bars on a jail cell) spaced approximately 3/4" apart (7). P H Y S I C A L GRIT REMOVAL FILTRATION:

Grit includes sand, gravel, cinder and other heavy solid materials that are typically larger than (32) MICROFILTRATION: .21 mm in size (17, 28). Membrane-based application Removing grit before primary treatment prevents wear and tear on mechanical equipment (17). for fine particle filtration (52). There are many types of grit removal systems: settling chambers, and vortex-type grit removal systems are two of the most common types (17) . ULTRAFILTRATION: PRIMARY TREATMENT Another membrane-based (33) application for filtration, more Wastewater is held in a large tank (clarifier) and during this time lighter particles make their fine than microfiltration, often way to the top and heavier down to the bottom of the tank (30). used in water recycling Fats, oils and grease make their way to the top, are captured by a slow moving skimmer on the processes (for water that is free water's surface and is removed (20). of solid matter) (59). More sludge settles to the bottom of the primary clarifier and is pumped into a gravity thickener (20). (34) NANOFILTRATION: AERATION TANK The most recently developed pressure-driven membrane Microscopic organisms go to work in the aeration tanks - these bacteria remove biochemical process for filtration and oxygen demand from the wastewater supply (20). separation (60). Flocculation occurs in this turbulent setting for particles that didn't settle in the primary A specifically charged clarifier. ultrafiltration system that A slimy film develops and particles are able to stick together, forming larger and heavier masses captures even smaller that are able to sink and be pumped into the gravity thickener (20). particles (60). SECONDARY TREATMENT/CLARIFIER REVERSE OSMOSIS: Functions in the same way as the primary clarifiers, and are the final filtration method to settle Another subset of specialty out sediment and other matter before the disinfection phase. (7). small particle membrane- based filtration DISINFECTION Are effective in removing Disinfection is usually the final stage in the wastewater treatment process (31). dissolved contaminants and Some wastewater treatment facilities utilize UV light for disinfection, others use high amounts solids such as heavy metals,

of chlorine followed by sodium bisulfite to help remove excess chlorine before discharge into organic pollutants, viruses and 4 4 bacteria (61). marine systems (7). (35) On Site Visit - Narraganset Bay Commission Field's Point Waste Water Treatment Facility

After research and identification for points of intervention in a system, it was critical to make a physical site visit to a wastewater treatment facility. APPENDIX: The intent of this site visit was: To get a visual and physical understanding of the processes, materials and infrastructure involved in wastewater treatment plants To validate points of intervention within the wastewater treatment plant system To understand scale and feasibility of design idea implementation Of the 19 wastewater treatment facilities in the state of Rhode Island, the Field's Point Facility managed by the Narragansett Bay Commission is the largest (7). The full capacity of the of the Field's Point Wastewater Treatment Facility is 200 million gallons per day, on a "dry" day, the average capacity is around 35-40 million (7). This facility is also the third oldest wastewater treatment plant in the United States, originally constructed in 1901, and reconstructed in the 1980s (19). The Narragansett Bay Commission took over the Field's Wastewater Treatment Facility in the late 1970s, at the time of takeover, the water coming out of the treatment plant was more contaminated than the water coming in and was cited as one of the worst polluters in the country at that time (20). The Narragansett Bay Commission is committed to sustainability and preserving the Narragansett Bay - even in their new facilities - the NBC has erected multiple windmills on the WWTP Campus, and their newly constructed administration building is Silver LEED-Certified (7). 4 5 APPENDIX: 4 6 - still showing showing still - the naked eye. naked the series of baffles of series Chlorine contact contact Chlorine where chlorine is is chlorine where passing through a through passing particles visible to to visible particles the top of this pipe, this top of the prior to disinfection to prior added to the water, water, the to added An image of water in in water of image An the chlorination stage stage chlorination the Clear water flows over Clear basin - the initial point point initial the - basin Small (and ineffective) ineffective) (and Small of side the on brush basin. clarifying the treatment, Flow of effluent effluent of Flow

the next phase of of phase next the notched gate that gate notched through a pump to to pump a through pass through to the to through pass close up view of the of view up close

Slow moving skimmer skimmer moving Slow a of top the on - clarifier secondary that waste capturing gets eventually gravity the to pumped thickener. Movement of water in in water of Movement post tank aeration pre and primary clarifier secondary An image of the water water the of image An secondary the in clarity clarifier next stage of treatment of stage next allows effluent water to water effluent allows

On Site Visit - Narraganset Bay Commission Commission Bay Narraganset - Visit Site On Field's Point Waste Water Treatment Facility Treatment Water Waste Point Field's 4 7 APPENDIX: DISCOVERY E R U T P A C T C E T O R P ? B R O S B A ? D I U Q I L ? D I U Q I L ? D I U Q I L S S E C X E E V O M F M O R that possess water-attracting tips. The leaf structure of the Salvinia water fern retains a layer of air when submerged in water due to water-resistant hairs The bills of sandpipers draw food into their mouth via capillary action. Hummingbird tongue tips dynamically trap nectar by rapidly changing their shape during feeding. repelling grooves to the plant’s deep root. The leaves and shaft root of the desert rhubarb maximize water collection by channeling rain water through water- Lichens in the Namib desert capture water from fog due to their wiry, tangled branching structure. Leaves of geophytes collect and retain water from fog and dew by morphological adaptation of their aerial parts. Leaves of Collospermum epiphytes capture water due to their fan-shaped arrangement. at the surface of leaves, creating a negative pressure gradient. Xylem conduits in plants transport water from soil to leaves through a pulling force generated when water evaporates using osmotic pressure. Stomatal pores in plants regulate the amount of water and solutes within them by opening and closing their guard cells environments due to specialized cells equipped with two ion channels that secrete or absorb ions depending on need. The gills of spotted green pufferfish maintain a constant level of cellular salinity in both freshwater and marine The roots of desert plants extract hard to remove water from soil using negative pressure. environment by absorbing them through roots and distributing them in cell walls and sequestered vacuoles. Non-polar regions of cells in Ryegrass remove relatively large quantities of toxic, oily industrial pollutants from the they are lined with specific, charged chemical groups -- Carrier mediated transport Aquaporin protein channels in cell membranes selectively allow polar water molecules to flow through them because Ventral pelvic skin of tree frogs regulates water absorption using two types of water-channel aquaporins. central disc cells to the living dome and foot cells" surrounding epidermal cells. All water entry into the plant follows a route from the wing cells through the ring and curled wing cells - When wetted, these cells rapidly absorb water and the wing cells flatten against the surface of "Under dry conditions, the upper dead cells of the trichome form a cup-like shape with the rim composed of slightly structures." "The leaves of the potbelly airplant actively take up amino acids from solution via specialized epidermal hair-like Some orchids absorb moisture from humid air via aerial roots. The roots of Taeniophyllum orchids absorb moisture efficiently via flat, ribbon-like shape. The external gills of newt tadpoles absorb oxygen from water using fine filaments with a large collective surface area. The shoots of haircap moss obtain nitrogen from soil via water-conducting tissues called hydroids. tables. Peatlands regulate water flows because they lack topographic relief and well-defined channels, and have shallow water How does Nature... 4 8 APPENDIX: DISCOVERY ? S D I U Q I L T C E T O R P F O S S O L ? D I U Q I L ? D I U Q I L L E P E R L E P X E M O R F it to push the second sphere and its contents up and out. The double-layered ball of an earthstar fungus launches spores by splitting its outer skin, turning it inside out, and using Foreign objects in the body cavity of some tree frogs can be absorbed into the urinary bladder and excreted. ejection tube. The combustion chamber of the bombardier beetle ejects scalding liquid by having a heart-shaped, long, narrow A gland in the leg of the iguana excretes liquid via epidermal and dermal tubes and pores in the skin. structure in camel's nose to help move moisture / induced evaporative cooling? nasal passages where heat is exchanged: the nasal surfaces are cooled while the incoming air is warmed. - turbinate night, and by extracting water vapor from exhaled air. - When the camel inhales, the cool outside air passes through the exhalation - its nasal surfaces help the animal conserve water using two mechanisms: by cooling exhaled air during the The nasal surfaces of camels help conserve water by using hygroscopic properties to remove water from air during Plant leaves resist adhesion of water and dirt due to convex geometry on their surface. The guard hairs of seals form a waterproof barrier due, in part, to their flattened shape. Paper wasps use an oral secretion combined with masticated plant matter to create waterproof paper nests. The Dufour's gland of plasterer bees protects their nests from water by secreting a natural polyester. The coat of reindeer repels water via long guard hairs. The feathers of penguins prevent water from penetrating to the skin due to their stiff, tightly packed structure. The ears of otters protect from water via ear-flaps. ability of the hairs to resist penetration into water bodies." longitudinally along the long axis of the hair fiber. Here we demonstrate that this fine hair structure enhances the of this insect possess thousands of tiny hairs with intricate surface topographies comprising a series of ridges running Hairs of the crane fly repel water due to their microstructure and arrangement on wings and legs. - The legs and wings The skin of terrestrial frogs protects from water loss via a waterproof, lipid-containing layer. The skin of crocodiles and alligators protects against water loss via bony scales called 'scutes.' therefore a great help to the plant in conserving its water in the intense heat." Such a rounded shape, with a very low surface area for a given volume, reduces evaporation to a minimum and is "The rounded shape of the leaves of pebble plants minimizes evaporation due to its low surface area relative to volume. Plants in arid ecosystems self-organize to minimize water loss and aid plant and seed survival. The cells of resurrection ferns may survive extreme water loss thanks to dehydrin proteins. The fungal skin of lichens prevents water loss to the algae below via its dense compacted thread structure. The skin of the desert lark protects from water loss via a ceramide-rich lipid ratio. The leaves of Spanish moss absorb water and have slow water loss because they are covered in dense scales. How does Nature... 4 9 APPENDIX: DISCOVERY L A R U T C U R T S ? E L B A R U D ? E T A L U G E R ? R E T L I F N I A M E R ? S E C R O F / N A E L C E G A N A M - F L E S

DISTRIBUTE? Kidneys of humans filter impurities by use of a dual membrane system. The skin of a diving sea snake acts as a membrane to filter out CO2 from its body. The radiating tentacles of peacock worms filter water for food using fine fringed filaments. and flexibility. The exoskeleton of the desert scorpion resists wear due to multiple coupling effects of surface morphology, material, when water is reduced. Skin of blowfly maggots grows more waterproof as it dries because it forms strong, stable, cooperative structures phenomena orientation and fractal characteristics, seem empirically and intuitively related to the effect of root systems on erosion density for analysis of water erosion control. But many other architectural features, such as the branching pattern, root characteristics are the spatial distribution of root area ratio for slope stability analysis and root density or root length Root systems of plants control erosion through architectural characteristics. - some commonly used architectural suit their feeding habitat by evolving the ability to absorb certain organic nutrients directly through their skin. skin, by nature, is meant to function as a tough, mostly impermeable barrier. However, Pacific hagfish have adapted to leveraging sodium ion gradients. - Nutrient uptake through the skin is not observed in most vertebrates because the Skin cells of hagfish are capable of directly absorbing organic nutrients using specially adapted transport channels and The tough cuticle of the pleasing fungus beetle achieves effective water balance using a waxy chitin-protein matrix neighboring plants Rhizomorphs in mycorrhizal fungi maintain plant hydration by transporting fluid between the root systems of Glandular openings for the red velvet mite provide waterproofing by a secretion that fills pores and congeals. surfaces. The feet of gecko self-clean due to energetic equilibrium--its foot has less physical attraction to dust than most once allows the frog to stick and then, when they move, also carries away any dirt." surface and create friction, whilst the channels between allow the mucus to spread throughout the pad. This mucus at tree frogs have tiny hexagonal patterns on their feet, which allow some parts of the pad to remain in contact with the Feet of White's tree frog stick to surfaces and stay clean due to mucus secreted between hexagonal patterns. - White’s fine ridges (called riblets) help prevent small organisms from attaching to and colonizing shark skin topography of denticles vary with species and location the body, but one hypothesis is that denticles patterned with like structures, called placoid scales or dermal denticles (literally, ‘little skin teeth’!) - The microscopic shape and surface Skin of sharks prevents microorganisms from attaching due to surface microstructure - Shark scales are small tooth- How does Nature... 5 0 APPENDIX: structures of radiating hair-like increased surface area water due to the collect food particles in Fanworms - Filter and structures lamellae: hair-like their bills using of various sizes in Flamingo edges) feathered at the (sheets of horn (krill) through baleen Filtration for food Blue Whales - membranes permeable selectively- Filtration through Human Kidneys - - Filter food Discover "gill-rakers" from seawater with gills: filter plankton Filtration through their Basking Sharks - structures) setae (stiff hair-like their mouthparts: fine materials with Fiddler Crab - Filter bristles and barbs captured in water: organisms are particles and Calanoida (filtering) sticky mucus net * optimizing water flow: its mesh size) - particles (smaller than Salp - Captures food - Small absorption) urination (membrane later excretion through through their bodies: of foreign objects Tree Frogs - Absorption filaments particles in mucous and them: trapping particles and clumping - Taking smaller Stromatolite formation Cyanobacteria re-sets after digestion driven mechanism that small prey: vacuum- bladders that captures Bladderwort mucous, passageway particles: particle trap, help capture food Cucumber Burrowing Sea - Tentacles - Small - APPENDIX: 5 1 acids saltwater: marine birds) marine flowing water: flowing attach when in when attach - Stay in place / place in - Stay pull and remove and pull Bonding of heavy of Bonding osmoregulation but easy removal easy but Caddisfly Larvae metals to different to metals - Can Peels Banana direction - allowing allowing - direction metals) from water: from metals) - Remove salt from salt - Remove hooks and hooklets and hooks covered with tons of of tons with covered contaminants (heavy contaminants - (glands of (glands - Seagulls tiny spines (papillae), (papillae), spines tiny - Cat tongus are are tongus Cat - Cats all angled in the same same the in angled all for collection of hairs, hairs, of collection for - affinity glucose: - Attaches membrane absorption Discover Hummingbirds to prey through prey to suckers: suction when they come they when Pacific Hagfish Pacific transporters in a in transporters to quickly absorb quickly to suction / multiple / suction adhesion, variable adhesion, nutrient: semi and semi nutrient: White Blood Cells damaged cell: arm- cell: damaged mucous membrane mucous like projection, cell- projection, like - Intestines are able are - Intestines Lamprey selective permeable selective Direct absorption of absorption Direct across an infected or infected an across vessel walls and stick and walls vessel - Travel and roll down roll and - Travel suction membrane from a host's host's a from

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