BIOMIMICRY –

THE NATURE
BORROWED
Scientific group
of young reseachers,
The 10th grade students:
Nechaev Trofim,
Abramova Marina,
Knyazeva Svetlana,
Goudeyev Vladimir

Lyceum #17, Vladimir

What is Biomimicry?
Biomimicry (from bios, meaning life,
and mimesis, meaning to imitate) is
a new science that studies nature’s
best ideas and then imitates these
designs and processes to solve
human problems. Studying a leaf to
invent a better solar cell is an
example of this “innovation
inspired by nature.”
 The History of Biomimicry
Fascinated by the phenomenon of
flight, Leonardo da Vinci produced
detailed studies of the flight of birds,
and plans for several flying machines,
including a helicopter powered by
four men (which would not have
Leonardo da Vinci worked since the body of the craft
would have rotated) and a light hang
glider which could have flown. On
January 3, 1496 he unsuccessfully
tested a flying machine he had
constructed.
Leonardo’s Flying Machine
 Biomimicry Samples
The Tokay gecko's unique toe
pads enable it to climb vertical
surfaces.
Gecko toes are covered with
millions of fine, keratinous
filaments called setae. Each
The Tokay
seta, just 30-130 nanometers
gecko is easily long, branches into about 1000
climbing up and spatula-shaped tips about 0.2-
down the 0.5 nanometers long.
vertical
surfaces
Gecko Like Adhisive Interface
Setae are particularly
effective at creating and
maintaining adhesive
interfaces. The millions of
setae essentially form a
"carpet" of fibrils. When
compressed, the individual
fibrils buckle--much like a
Gecko Like Artifact Setae plastic solid under
compression. Molecules in
these spatular tips are
attracted to molecules in the
surface.
 Gecko Based Technologies in Action
Gecko toes and spider filament
might inspire innovation in glue
and adhesives manufacturing, as
well as in the construction and
textiles industries.
Sticking with
gecko glue.