Bionics Inventions inspired by nature

The word bionics is combination of biology and electronics, and was first suggested by American air force major Jack E Steele in 1960. Leonardo da Vinci, the great Italian artist and engineer, is often put forward as the first student of bionics. This universal genius studied many natural phenomena, such as bird flight, in the early 16th century. On the basis of his observations, he produced novel engineering designs that included flying machines, and even a helicopter. Bionics deal with the observation, analysis and understanding of natural processes and their use in novel engineering design. Its is not an attempt to copy nature, but an effort to understand its principles and use them in technological applications.

Is it possible to dive underwater without getting wet?

The fishing spider manages to stay dry when it dives underwater. Fine hairs on the surface of its body trap innumerable tiny air bubbles so that its entire body is protected by layer of air. Bionic engineers are trying to adapt this principle for technical applications, such as coatings for bathing suits or the hulls of ships.

What lessons can structural engineers learn from nature?

Constructing buildings that are delicate yet robust is one of the challenges facing architects today. Spiders provide natures model for elegant roof structures, like that built over Munichs Olympia Park. Spider webs are braced by crossing gossamer threads which can withstand enormous forces. Attempts are even being made to reproduce spiders silk which is extremely light but also very strong in the laboratory.

Can lens manufacturers learn from the eye?

Sophisticated lenses, compound eyes and optical fibers no other natural sense has inspired such a wide range of innovative designs as the sense of sight. Prototypes of liquid lenses are already being developed, and Japanese scientists have constructed a system made up of many tiny lenses similarly to those of found in the compound eyes of flies and have placed them on a hemisphere to provide a 360 degree view. An X-ray sensor on the International Space Station is able to obtain an extremely wide-angled view because it is domed like the eye of a lobster.

What can engineers learn from sharks?

Sharks can swim very long distances with the expenditure of very little energy. One of the reasons for this is their special skin, which is not smooth but covered with numerous fine structures which help to reduce its flow resistance to water. Already swimsuits are available which make use of similar microstructures, and experiments are being conducted to produce coatings for the hulls of

ships that will help to reduce their fuel consumption. [The image shows a close-up view of the horny scales that make up the surface of a sharks skin, helping to reduce water resistance.]

Mercedes-Benz Bionic Car

As automotive engineers and designers are exploring new realm of possibility to attain new levels of functionality and aesthetics, bionics is proving out to be an important tool for them. Taking indispensable factors, such as comfort, safety and environment-safety into consideration, engineers at DaimlerChrysler have designed a new car with a length of 4.24 meters and having space for four occupants plus luggage-- based on Boxfish`s unique features. These unique features include fishs streamlined profile and its body strength. The streamline feature of the fish is used to improve the car`s aerodynamics, while animal`s boxy frame is adopted to increase strength and stability.

Structure Superb strength with lightweight Since the body structure of the Mercedes-

Benz bionic car is based on Boxfish, 40 percent more rigidity is achieved in the external door panelling than would be possible with conventional designs. In fact, the total weight is reduced by around one third with uncompromised strength and crashavoiding feature. Aerodynamics The structure of DaimlerChrysler car is based on easily maneuverable Boxfish. When tests were carried in the wind tunnel, a drag co-efficient of 0.095 was obtained for clay model. In addition to boxfish based structure, the aerodynamics feature is also contributed by rear wheels, which is completely wrapped with sheets of plastic. This feature avoids formation of air pockets that slow down vehicle. The car is also equipped with flush-fitted door handles that open outward when they are touched.

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