Biomimicry: Nature-Inspired Designs

2. Project Overview • Introduction & Product Analysis • Drawing & communication • Sensing abilities in robots • Programming Robots • Mechanisms and Systems • Designing new products & Packaging • Presentation and Rendering • Biomimicry • Concept Modelling • Concept presentations

3. LESSON 08

4. LESSON 8 STARTER Learning objective: Describe the term biomimicry and list examples of products which represent biomimic designs Use natural animals and insects as inspiration for concept bug designs Develop a specification that identifies the design and manufacturing criteria of your proposal LEARNING ABOUT BIOMIMICRY What inspires the following?Look at these inventions, what inspired them from nature? New words: biomimicry

5. LESSON 8 STARTER Task 1: Read and listen to each of the case studies about Biomimicry and complete the following tasks:- write down what creature was the inspiration for the new products- write down what products were inspired by the creature- drawn down both the creature and the productsAs part of this task there will be 6 case studies, each with unique creatures and products as examples of Biomimicry.

6. Biomimicry or Biomimetics DefinitionBiomimicry (also known as Biomimetics) is the imitation of models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems.Confused?Inventions created by designers and engineers are inspired by all sorts of different things. The study of nature, the shapes and forms we see around us, as well as the behaviour of creatures and the clever things creatures do, have led to some surprising inventions. The clever way that bees maximise space and create strong structures in their bee hives to house their young led to the packaging Hexbug use for their toys. The toys are safely stored, and the packaging minimises waste space when transporting lots of toys to the shops. New words: imitation

7. Imitating Nature What clever ways are there of copying nature?Case Study 1: Termite mounds A termite is a very simple creature that builds large homes for its friends and family called mounds. These mounds are clever because despite the very hot temperatures outside, the inside of the mound is expertly controlled. As it gets hot outside, the inside keeps cool, but if it gets cold inside, the mound brings in heat to keep it just right for the termites and their young. This is called climate control and it inspired…The Eastgate Centre The Eastgate centre does not have a real heating system and instead imitates a termite mound to regulate the temperature inside.

8. Imitating Nature What clever ways are there of copying nature?Case Study 2: Spiders web silk Spiders webs are unique in that the individual threads are very thin, yet very very strong. So strong infact that a large creature like a spider can walk across them without breaking them. Spider webs are common on all continents and designers and engineers are been inspired by them to create…Bullet Proof Vests Suspension Bridges Parachute Lines Products inspired by the spider web use the strong material structure (the vest) and the design of the web (the bridge) to create strength with very little material.

9. Imitating Nature What clever ways are there of copying nature?Case Study 3: Namibian BeetleNamibian beetles live in very hospitable environments. What could be more hospitable than a dry and barren sandy landscape with little water? To survive the beetle needs water like we do, but where does it get its water from? Simple. The beetle positions itself high on a dune, spreads its body high, and collects moisture from the air which form beads of water on its body, which it can then drink. This inspired the…Water collection pods for the desert Water collection in deserts helps humans survive by using large sheets of mesh which collect the water in the air on their surface, which drips down into a container to drink.

10. Imitating Nature What clever ways are there of copying nature?Case Study 4: Artificial limbsWhilst lots of designers and engineers have been inspired by nature, what can be a better creature to copy than our own body? Engineers have studied the human body for centuries, and the ability of our muscles, bones, tissue, blood cells and nervous system to function as a working “machine” has inspired…Artificial Limbs An artificial limb, like those worn by people in your community right the way through to professional athletes are designed to imitate how that part of the body works. A leg can be replicated in materials to help people get on with their lives without any restriction.

11. Imitating Nature What clever ways are there of copying nature?Case Study 5: Morpho ButterflyWhilst most butterflies have coloured wings which make them stand out brightly in the wrong environment, a Morpho butterfly has wings that selectively cancel out certain colours that form our natural light (made up of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet coloured light), creating the ability to dynamically control the light that is reflected from the wings to our eyes. The picture shows a butterfly that is reflecting the blue light but absorbing the others. This has inspired…Electronic Display screens Modern light responsive car paints Modern paint applies a layer of colour to a surface which our eyes pick up. By using the butterflies special skill, paint could be applied to appear any colour to you and I depending on what we choose for it to reflect or absorb.

12. Imitating Nature What clever ways are there of copying nature?Case Study 6: Echo location of BatsBats have a fantastic ability to fly at night, without any light to help them see. They do this by using echo location. This ability allows a bat to fly around sending out short bursts of sound from its mouth. When they hit an object they bounce back and the bat hears this sound. It can then work out if it is near an object, and then adjust its flight to avoid it.Ultrasonic range finding Robot systems use ultrasonic range finding sensors to allow them to drive around on their own (no human control) and avoid objects around them without seeing them. Under water sonar is also an example, where submarines can avoid one another without seeing each other by using soundwaves in water.

13. Imitating Nature What ideas can you come up with?Task 2: Your task having learnt about different examples of Biomimicry, is to design a product inspired by nature and the clever things creatures and nature does. You are going to use the internet to find out interesting insect and creature facts, and then turn one of these into a unique product. Your product will be a Hexbug product.E.g. Use echolocation to create a Nano v3 that never crashes into another Nano.Your task in teams of 4 is to research, ideate (come up with ideas) and then design a product. You will have to present this product to the class, and explain what from nature has inspired you.

14. LESSON 8 PLENARY As a class, let us consider the following questions?A. What does Biomimicry mean?B. Why do we have spiders to thank for our suspension bridges?C. What makes Biomimicry potentially a more success design inspiration than a new idea?D. How might Biomimicry effect the design of our cities and homes in the future?

15. Summary Learning objective: Describe the term biomimicry and list examples of products which represent biomimic designs Use natural animals and insects as inspiration for concept bug designs Develop a specification that identifies the design and manufacturing criteria of your proposal • Today you have: • Describe the term Biomimicry and list examples of products which represent biomimic designs • Uses natural animals and insects as inspiration for concept bug designs • Presented a product that is inspired by nature