Biomimicry Presentation (1swadq)

8/10/2019 Biomimicry Presentation (1swadq)

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BIOMIMICRYNature as Model, Measure, and Mentor


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BI-O-MIM-IC-RY(From the Greek bios, life, and mimesis, imitation)

Nature as model. Biomimicry is a new sciencethat studies Natures models and then imitates or takesinspiration from these designs and processes to solve

human problems.Nature as measure. Biomimicry uses an

ecological standard to judge rightness of ourinnovations.

Nature as mentor. Biomimicry is a new way of

viewing and valuing Nature.


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Energy Efficiency: Learning from

Nature how to create flow without

friction.

PAX Fans and Impellers

Design: How does Natureattach and detach?

Gecko tape


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Toxics: Learning from plants how to

clean without cleaners:

The Lotus Effect


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Architecture: Learning from termites how to create sustainable buildings:

Passive Climate Control in the Eastport Building, Harare Zimbabwe


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Transportation: How doesNature travel quickly and

smoothly?

The Shinkansen Bullet

Train in Japan


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Medicine: Learning from Chimpanzees how to heal

ourselves


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Human Safety:

Learning from Dolphins how to warn people about Tsunamis


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Climate Change:

Learning from human lungs how to sequester carbon


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Agriculture: Learning from prairies how to grow food

sustainably


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The Biomimicry GuildsFunctional Taxonomy

Function is the pivot between lifes wisdom and what we

are trying to achieve intentionally.

What function do you want your design to perform?

How does life perform that function?

The Biomimicry Guild has produced an organizedcollection of functions that covers everything that lifedoes and that we might want a design to do.

The functions are grouped by similarity so its called ataxonomy (an organized system of naming) of functions.


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Develop a Design Brief for the Needed Function

Biologize the Question:

Identify functions (i.e. purpose, role, or use)

How does Nature do that function?

How does Nature not do that function?

Reframe questions with additional

keywords.


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Develop a Design Brief for the Needed Function

Define Operating Parameters;

Climate conditions: (wet, dry, cold, hot, low/highpressure, highly variable, high/low UV,etc.)

Nutrient conditions: (nutrient poor =no $,nutrient rich = lots of available materials)

Social conditions: (competitive, cooperative)

Temporal conditions: (dynamic, static, growing,ageing)

After defining operating parameters, ask:

How does Nature do that function HERE?

In these conditions?


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Integrate Life's Principles

into the Design Brief

Optimize rather than maximize

Locally attuned and responsive

Build in resilience

Leverage interdependence

Integrate cyclic processes Use benign manufacturing


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Find The Best Natural Models

Go for a walk outside

Consider both literal and metaphorical

modelsComb the literature

Brainstorm with Biologists


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Identify Deep Patterns and

Principles

Look across discovered strategies

Look at the strategies collectively

Specific to your desired function, what

does each strategy have in common?

How are they different?


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Deepen the Conversation

Are you mimicking form?

Can you mimic process?

Can you mimic the ecosystem?

Does the design

create conditions conducive to life?


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Evaluate your findings

Can it adapt and evolve?

Thank your teacher (Nature)for the inspiration


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Nature as Mentor

* Incredibly competent universe* Natures living examples

* Can live abundantly

and enhance where you live

* Much older mentors have

figured it out

* We can do the same thing

JANINE BENYUS


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?? Questions ??

Howcan EPA use Biomimicry to meet ourmission?

Whereare the leverage points EPA canuse to promote Biomimicry as part of a

sustainable ecosystem approach?

Documents

Biomimicry Presentation (1swadq)