SCIENCE 9

T. Lhaine
 BIOMIMICRY
• The design process that looks to
nature for inspiration in creating
solutions to improve the quality
of life.
Greek word:
• “bios” - life
• “mimesis” - imitate

Janice Benyus - pioneer of the

biomimicry concept.
 INTRODUCTION:
• Leonardo da Vinci looked to birds to study why and how they
fly, which then inspired their designs of flying machines.

• The composition of design teams whether in fashion,

architecture, or engineering design, are usually disciplinary,
bring together people with various expetise

BIOMIMICRY
BIOMIMICRY IN
ACTION
 ENGINEERING DESIGN

• Boxfish-
Inspired
Car
ENGINEERING DESIGN

• Spider web-
Inspired
Fishing
Nets
 ENGINEERING DESIGN

• Photosynthesis
-Inspired Solar
Charges
ENGINEERING DESIGN

• Whale Fins-
Inspired Wind
Turbine
Blades
VALUES FROM
NATURE
 Cooperation & Trust
• Nature’s communities operate in a system
of “cooperation and trust” rather than
“command and control”. Ants can organize
and look for food for the entire colony
without a commander or a supervisor telling
them to do so. Each ant is self-motivated to
work for the good of the colony.
 Shared Leadership
Example is the migratory birds, leadership does
not belong absolutely to one individual. Each
bird can lead the flock. The lead bird is at the tip
of the V-shaped formation, working the hardest
as the flock cuts through the air. Once the lead
bird tires, it moves back and another bird moves
forward to take its place.
 Maximum Team Size
Nature knows what size of community is
adequate for effective interaction. When a group
becomes too large, it is divided into smaller
groups that branch out in geometric shapes.
Effective Communication: Shout and Whisper.
Effective communication in nature is classified as a shout
when, through one act, all members are informed. Another
is the whisper, where message is transmitted on a one-on-
one basis, as in an ant touching another. Shout (one to all) is
exemplified when a bee’s waggle dance informs all bees in
the colony the location of the food. Animals secrete
chemicals called pheromones to communicate a warning or
mating desires.
REVIEWING
RESOURCE
CYCLES OF
EARTH
 CLOSED LOOPS
Nature uses and produces materials in a sustainable
manner. The water cycle for instance, happens all the time.
A water drop from the sea to evaporate into water vapor
that rises into the clouds where it condenses then
precipitates down as rain, which in turn runs off to the sea.
In the food chain, the waste of one organism become
nutrients for another. During photosynthesis, producers
absorb carbon dioxide and water to produce
carbohydrates as their food with the help of solar energy.
Oxygen is its waste product. Consumers use up oxygen
and in turn produce carbon dioxide that plants use. When
organisms die, decay, and return to ground, their
decomposed bodies serve as nutrients for producers.
 ACTIVITY
Nature-Inspired Design Challenge"

Objective: To introduce students to the concept of

biomimicry and encourage them to explore nature for
design inspiration.

Materials:
Paper and pencils
Access to the internet or books about animals and plants
Timer or clock to keep track of time
 ACTIVITY

Instructions:

Think about a specific problem or challenge they

face in their daily lives, or present a general
problem (e.g., transportation, energy, packaging).
Research different animals or plants that have
adaptations or features related to the chosen
problem. You can use the internet or provided
books.
 ACTIVITY
Instructions:

Brainstorm potential design solutions inspired by the

adaptations you researched.
Encourage creativity and thinking outside the box.

Sketch your design ideas on paper. Sketches don't need

to be detailed; the focus is on capturing the main
concept.
 ACTIVITY
Instructions:

Share your design concept with the class, explaining

the inspiration you drew from nature.
Discuss as a class the potential benefits and challenges
of implementing these nature-inspired designs.
END OF PRESENTATION!
TO GOD BE
THE GLORY!