Biomimicry

Jump to navigation Jump to search

WikiDoc Resources for Biomimicry

Articles

Most recent articles on Biomimicry

Most cited articles on Biomimicry

Review articles on Biomimicry

Articles on Biomimicry in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Biomimicry

Images of Biomimicry

Photos of Biomimicry

Podcasts & MP3s on Biomimicry

Videos on Biomimicry

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Biomimicry

Bandolier on Biomimicry

TRIP on Biomimicry

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Biomimicry at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Biomimicry

Clinical Trials on Biomimicry at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Biomimicry

NICE Guidance on Biomimicry

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Biomimicry

CDC on Biomimicry

Books

Books on Biomimicry

News

Biomimicry in the news

Be alerted to news on Biomimicry

News trends on Biomimicry

Commentary

Blogs on Biomimicry

Definitions

Definitions of Biomimicry

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Biomimicry

Discussion groups on Biomimicry

Patient Handouts on Biomimicry

Directions to Hospitals Treating Biomimicry

Risk calculators and risk factors for Biomimicry

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Biomimicry

Causes & Risk Factors for Biomimicry

Diagnostic studies for Biomimicry

Treatment of Biomimicry

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Biomimicry

International

Biomimicry en Espanol

Biomimicry en Francais

Business

Biomimicry in the Marketplace

Patents on Biomimicry

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Biomimicry


Biomimicry (from bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate) is a relatively new science that studies nature, its models, systems, processes and elements and then imitates or takes creative inspiration from them to solve human problems sustainably.

In her 1997 book, "Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature" (ISBN 0-06-053322-6), author Janine M. Benyus introduces biomimicry, presents examples, and explains why the field is important now. She writes, "Our planet-mates (plants, animals and microbes) have been patiently perfecting their wares for more than 3.8 billion years ... turning rock and sea into a life-friendly home. What better models could there be?"

The book lists numerous examples of people who are studying nature's achievements, including photosynthesis, natural selection, and self-sustaining ecosystems, among others. Benyus then explains how those researchers use the inspirations found in nature to emulate "life's genius" for the purpose of improving manufacturing processes, creating new medicines, changing the way people grow food, or harnessing energy.

Examples

One example is the attempt to learn from and emulate the incredible ability of termites to maintain virtually constant temperature and humidity in their Sub-Saharan Africa homes despite an outside temperature variation from 3 °C to 42 °C (35 °F at night to 104 °F during the day.) Project TERMES (Termite Emulation of Regulatory Mound Environments by Simulation) scanned a termite mound, created 3-D images of the mound structure and provided the first ever glimpse of construction that may likely change the way we build our own buildings. The Eastgate Centre, a mid-rise office complex in Harare, Zimbabwe, (highlighted in this Biomimicry Institute case-study) stays cool without air conditioning and uses only 10% of the energy of a conventional building its size.

Another example is modeling the echolocation of bats in darkness and adapting that functionality into a cane for the visually impaired. Research performed at the University of Leeds (in the UK) led to the UltraCane, a product manufactured, marketed and sold by Sound Foresight Ltd.

See also

References

bg:Биомиметика it:Biomimetica sv:Biomimetik

Template:WS