BIOMIMICRY
Biomimicry is a new science that does just what the name describes; it mimics life! The term is derived from the word ‘bios,’ which means life ‘mimesis’ that means to imitate. ‘This science involves the observation and subsequent quotation of solutions developed by nature and then adapting these to solve human problems. Essentially, it involves the study of design, engineering & organizational structures in the life forms ranging from viruses to terminate to shacks to leaves and then adapting these designs to the human realm. This means that natural processes, methods and system are adopted by and adapted into technology.
The most well known bio-mimetic invention is Velcro. This now ubiquitous material that is used in a whole range of products from sports shoes to space ships was inspired by nature! More than 60 years ago, George Mestral, an engineering company employee in Switzerland, observed after a mountain hike with his dog that the burrs of a plant were stuck to the fur of the animal. Instead of brushing it off as a natural occurrence, Mestral studied the burrs well covered with stiff like hook like structures. He then collaborated with a French weaver, developed the look & loop material, & subsequently patented it. Velcro manufacturing is a multi-million dollar industry today!
The idea behind biomimicry is that nature has already solved many of the problems that human being deal with in their lives. All we need to is to observe these and put it into practices. Dealing with microbes using effective antibacterial, keeping surface clean, using to stick surface, fighting predators swimming officetivelly, making sturdy air-conditioned homes; creating or architectural masterpieces, devising engineering & design plans; harnessing solar energy and using light effectively-all these are not things new to nature! For millions of years, nature has been solving all these problems and doing them in a sustainable way. Moreover, unlike the solutions” devised by man for these very purposes, nature does not drain resources as our techniques do. In fact, in the solutions.” That nature has devised to tackle multiple problems, there is no waste. That is why it is essential to resort to bio-mimicry.