Biomimicry Examples: 10 Amazing Examples of Biomimicry

Summary

This video explores the fascinating world of biomimicry, where engineers and scientists draw inspiration from nature to solve complex human problems. From the Shinkansen train's 'tunnel boom' solved by mimicking the Kingfisher's beak, to painless micro-needles inspired by mosquito bites, and whale fins that improve wind turbine efficiency, the video showcases how nature's designs have revolutionized technology. It also touches on innovations inspired by shark skin, beetles for water harvesting, woodpeckers for shock resistance, squids for camouflage, termites for ventilation, and the history of human flight, all demonstrating the profound impact of biomimicry on modern innovation.

Takeaways

• 🚄 The Shinkansen train in Japan created a 'tunnel boom' sonic boom-like noise when exiting tunnels, which was resolved by mimicking the beak of a Kingfisher, increasing efficiency by 15%.
• 🦟 Researchers are developing painless micro-needles inspired by the mosquito's unique biting mechanism, which combines a numbing agent and a serrated needle design.
• 🐳 Biomimicry of the humpback whale's bumpy fins has led to the creation of more efficient wind turbine blades that generate the same power at lower wind speeds.
• 🦈 The design of shark skin, with its dermal denticles, has been used to create swimsuits that reduce drag and improve speed, although now banned in Olympic competition.
• 💧 The Namib Desert beetle's ability to collect water from fog inspired the development of biomimetic materials that can harvest water from the air.
• 🪵 Woodpeckers' shock-absorbing beak and skull structures have been studied to develop better shock-resistant technologies, such as spacecraft and black boxes.
• 🦑 Squids' bioluminescence and color-changing abilities have inspired the creation of artificial skin that can match its surroundings quickly, with potential military and commercial uses.
• 🐜 Termite mounds' natural ventilation systems have been replicated in human architecture, such as a shopping center in Zimbabwe, reducing energy consumption by 10%.
• 🌿 The invention of Velcro was inspired by the way burrs stick to fur or fabric, demonstrating how everyday observations can lead to significant innovations.
• 🕊️ The history of human flight, from Leonardo da Vinci's ornithopter to the Wright brothers' first powered flight, showcases the long-standing influence of biomimicry in aeronautics.

Q & A

What is the phenomenon known as 'tunnel boom'?

Tunnel boom is a sonic boom created when a train, such as the Shinkansen, speeds into a tunnel, forcing air along the enclosed space and building up air pressure in waves, which is then released at the end of the tunnel as a loud bang.

How did the engineer Asia Nakatsu solve the tunnel boom problem?

Inspired by the Kingfisher's diving technique, Asia Nakatsu designed a 50-foot steel beak for the Shinkansen train, which reduced noise pollution and increased the train's efficiency by about 15 percent.

What is the connection between mosquitoes and painless micro needles?

Researchers studying the mosquito's ability to bite without causing discomfort have developed a micro needle inspired by the mosquito's saliva, serrated needle design, and vibration control, resulting in a virtually painless hypodermic needle.

Why are humpback whales' fins considered biomimetic?

Humpback whales have bumpy tubercle fins that reduce drag by nearly a third and improve lift by eight percent, which has been mimicked in biomimetic fins to increase the efficiency of propulsion systems.

How do sharks' dermal denticles contribute to their movement?

Sharks' dermal denticles create a low-pressure zone when in motion, which pulls the shark forward and reduces drag, a feature that has been incorporated into biomimetic swimsuits for increased swimming efficiency.

What is the Stenner car beetle, and how does it inspire water harvesting technology?

The Stenner car beetle lives in the arid Namib Desert and has evolved to pull water from fog through a pattern of nodes on its back. This natural water harvesting method is being mimicked to develop technologies that can extract water from the air.

How do woodpeckers avoid brain damage from the high G-forces experienced while pecking?

Woodpeckers have natural shock absorbers including a semi-elastic beak, spongy bone material behind the skull, and cerebral spinal fluid that extend the time over which concussion occurs, reducing the impact of G-forces.

What is the significance of the termites' ventilation system in architecture?

Termites create elaborate ventilation systems in their mounds for cooling, a design that has inspired energy-efficient buildings like a shopping center in Zimbabwe, which uses 10 percent less energy than traditional air-conditioned facilities.

How did George de Mestral's observation of burrs lead to the invention of Velcro?

George de Mestral noticed the tiny hooks on burrs that easily caught on loops like fur and fabric. He replicated this with a strip of loosely looping nylon and a strip of tiny hooks, creating the Velcro fastening system.

What is the historical significance of Leonardo da Vinci's ornithopter in the development of human flight?

Leonardo da Vinci's ornithopter, although never built, laid the conceptual groundwork for human flight, inspiring subsequent designs like Otto Lilienthal's glider and eventually leading to the Wright brothers' first powered, controlled flight.

Outlines

00:00

🚄 Shinkansen's Sonic Boom Solution

The Shinkansen, a high-speed train in Japan, faced the issue of creating a sonic boom, or 'tunnel boom,' when exiting tunnels at speeds over 320 km/h. This loud noise was a result of air pressure waves building up and being released at the tunnel's end. Local residents reported disturbances up to 400 meters away. The solution was inspired by the Kingfisher bird, which dives into water with minimal splash due to its nose-first entry. An engineer named Asia Nakatsu applied this principle to the train's design, adding a 50-foot steel beak, which not only solved the noise issue but also increased the train's efficiency by about 15%.

05:02

🦟 Mosquito-Inspired Microneedles

Researchers are developing new microneedles inspired by the mosquito's ability to bite without causing discomfort. Mosquitoes use a numbing agent in their saliva, a serrated needle design, and vibration control to pierce skin with minimal force. This insight led to the creation of a hypodermic needle in Japan that is reported to be virtually painless, addressing the fear of needles that affects about 10% of Americans and can deter them from necessary medical treatments. The technology has broader applications, such as in neurosurgery, where it can provide safer and more effective treatments.

🐳 Humpback Whale Fins for Enhanced Aerodynamics

The humpback whale's bumpy tubercle fins, which might seem counterintuitive for efficient swimming, have been found to reduce drag and improve lift. This was discovered through tests using model flippers by the US Naval Academy. A company in Toronto, Canada, has developed biomimetic blades inspired by these fins, which can generate the same power at lower speeds compared to conventional turbines, making them more efficient.

🦈 Shark Skin for Reduced Drag in Swimming

Shark skin, covered with dermal denticles, creates a low-pressure zone that reduces drag and enhances speed. This feature was incorporated into swimsuits for the 2008 Olympics, although it was later banned due to its performance advantage. The technology behind biomimicry of shark skin is still being explored for various applications.

🐞 Beetle-Inspired Water Harvesting

The Stenner car beetle, native to the arid African Namib Desert, has evolved to collect water from fog through a pattern of nodes on its back. This ability to harvest water from the air has inspired scientists to develop biomimetic patterns for the same purpose, which could be crucial for water-scarce regions.

🪵 Woodpecker-Inspired Shock Absorption

Woodpeckers can withstand high G-forces while pecking without injury due to their natural shock-absorbing mechanisms, including a semi-elastic beak, spongy bone material, and cerebrospinal fluid. These features extend the time over which concussion occurs, reducing impact. Researchers are applying this knowledge to create shock-resistant technologies for various applications, including spacecraft and black boxes.

🦑 Squid-Inspired Camouflage Technology

Squids use bioluminescence and color-changing skin for communication and camouflage. Researchers have developed a device that mimics this ability, using a flexible grid with actuators, light sensors, and reflectors to change color in response to environmental changes. This technology has potential military and commercial applications.

🐜 Termite Mound-Inspired Ventilation Systems

Termites create elaborate ventilation systems in their mounds for cooling, even in hot climates. Engineers in Zimbabwe built a shopping center using a natural convection system inspired by termite mounds, which uses 10 percent less energy than traditional air conditioning. This biomimetic approach to architecture showcases the efficiency of nature's designs.

🌿 Nature-Inspired Velcro and Flight

George de Mestral invented Velcro after observing how burrs stuck to his dog's fur using tiny hooks. This simple yet effective design has found widespread use. Similarly, Leonardo da Vinci's ornithopter, inspired by bird flight, laid the groundwork for human flight. The Wright brothers' successful powered flight in 1903 was a significant milestone in aviation, building on the principles of biomimicry.

Keywords

💡Sonic Boom

A sonic boom is a loud sound created by the shock waves produced when an object travels through the air faster than the speed of sound. In the context of the video, it is used to describe the loud bang created when the Shinkansen train speeds into a tunnel, causing a significant increase in air pressure that is released at the tunnel's end, similar to a sonic boom. This phenomenon is also known as tunnel boom.

💡Biomimicry

Biomimicry is the practice of looking to nature for solutions to human problems. It involves studying the structure, function, and behavior of biological entities to inspire design and engineering solutions. The video emphasizes how biomimicry is applied in various fields, such as transportation, medicine, and energy, to create more efficient and sustainable technologies.

💡Shinkansen

The Shinkansen is a high-speed railway system in Japan, known for its speed and punctuality. The video discusses how the Shinkansen's tunnel boom problem was solved by mimicking the Kingfisher's beak, which reduced noise pollution and increased train efficiency. This example illustrates the application of biomimicry in transportation.

💡Kingfisher

The Kingfisher is a bird known for its ability to dive into water at high speeds with minimal splash, due to its specialized beak shape. The video highlights how an engineer was inspired by the Kingfisher's diving technique to design a 50-foot steel beak for the Shinkansen, which resolved the tunnel boom issue and improved the train's efficiency.

💡Microneedle

A microneedle is a tiny, painless needle used in medical procedures. The video mentions that researchers are developing microneedles inspired by the mosquito's proboscis, which allows it to bite without causing discomfort. This innovation could lead to less fear of needles and improved patient compliance for medical treatments.

💡Mosquito

The mosquito is an insect that bites humans to draw blood, often causing disease transmission. The video discusses how the mosquito's unique biting mechanism, which includes a numbing agent and a serrated needle design, is being studied to develop less painful medical needles.

💡Humpback Whale

The humpback whale is a marine mammal known for its distinctive body shape and bumpy tubercle fins. The video explains how these fins reduce drag and improve lift, which has inspired biomimetic fin designs that can increase the efficiency of underwater vehicles and wind turbines.

💡Bioluminescence

Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism. The video mentions that squids use bioluminescence for communication and camouflage. Researchers have developed a device that mimics this ability, allowing it to change color and match its surroundings quickly, which could have applications in various fields, including military stealth technology.

💡Termite Mounds

Termite mounds are structures built by termites for their colonies, known for their efficient cooling systems. The video describes how the natural ventilation system of termite mounds, which uses convection, has inspired an energy-efficient air-conditioning system for a shopping center in Zimbabwe.

💡Velcro

Velcro is a type of fastening system made of two components: a strip of tiny hooks and a strip of soft, looped fabric. The video explains that Velcro was invented after its inventor, George de Mestral, observed how burrs with tiny hooks would stick to his dog's fur. This example of biomimicry is now widely used in various applications, from clothing to space exploration.

💡Ornithopter

An ornithopter is a flying machine that mimics the flapping motion of birds. The video mentions that Leonardo da Vinci's design for an ornithopter, although never built, laid the groundwork for human flight. This concept is an early example of biomimicry in aviation, leading to significant advancements in aircraft design.

Highlights

The Shinkansen train creates a 'tunnel boom' when it speeds into a tunnel, similar to a sonic boom.

Engineer Asia Nakatsu's bird-watching hobby led to the design of a 50-foot steel beak for the Shinkansen, reducing noise pollution and increasing efficiency.

Researchers are developing micro needles inspired by mosquitoes to create a virtually painless injection experience.

The mosquito's unique biting mechanism, including a numbing agent and serrated needle, is being studied for medical applications.

A Japanese hypodermic needle developed in 2011 is claimed to be virtually painless, helping those with needle phobia.

Neurosurgeons are using biomimetic technology inspired by mosquitoes for safer and more effective brain tissue removal.

Humpback whales' bumpy tubercle fins reduce drag and improve lift, inspiring new aerodynamic designs.

Whale Power's biomimetic blades generate power more efficiently at lower wind speeds, based on humpback whale fins.

Shark skin's dermal denticles create a low-pressure zone reducing drag, and this principle is used in swimsuits for increased speed.

Beetles from the Namib Desert can extract water from fog, inspiring technology for water harvesting in arid climates.

Woodpeckers' shock-absorbing beak and skull structures are being studied for applications in shock-resistant materials.

Squids' bioluminescence and color-changing skin are inspiring devices that can rapidly adapt to their surroundings.

Termites' complex ventilation systems in their mounds are mimicked in human architecture for energy-efficient cooling.

The velcro fastening system was invented after studying the hook and loop mechanism of burrs sticking to fur.

Leonardo da Vinci's ornithopter design was an early example of biomimicry, inspiring the development of human flight.

The Wright brothers' first powered flight was a significant milestone in the history of human flight, influenced by bird-inspired designs.

Transcripts

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what does a bird and a sonicboom have in

common

reaching speeds of over 320 km/h

everytime the Shinkansen train speeds

into a tunnel they would basically

become a shotgun round and every time

the train would blast out of that tunnel

it did so with an incredibly loud bang

it's called tunnel boom and is created

by the train forcing air along the

enclosed tunnel and building up the air

pressure in waves until it reaches the

end of the tunnel when it is released in

the form of a sonic boom angered by the

noise

local residents reported hearing bangs

up to 400 meters away from the railway

then in 1994 an engineer named Asia

nakatsu discovered the solution thanks

to his hobby of bird-watching

he gained inspiration from the

Kingfisher which dives nose-first into

water to catch fish and barely makes a

splash nakatsu gave his train a 50-foot

steel beak which solved the noise

pollution problem it also made the

Shinkansen train between about 15

percent more efficient

if you receive a painless injection from

of new micro needle in the near future

you may owe a debt of gratitude to the

mosquito the reason why is because quite

possibly everyone's least favorite

insect is the inspiration behind new

work being carried out by researchers

the reason we look at nature for clues

is because Nature has been through so

much eeveelution to discover the

simplest and most efficient methods part

of what makes mosquitoes so good at

getting humans sick researchers are now

learning is the effectiveness of that

bite researchers are taking a much

closer look at the unique components

that enable the mosquito to bite people

without causing them discomfort the

mosquito uses a combination of four

things a saliva based numbing agent

during biting a serrated design for the

needle vibration during the piercing

process and a combination of soft and

hard parts on the proboscis the insects

elongated sucking mouth part

this is nature's method and the

combination allows the mosquito to

pierce the skin with just one third of

the force required for an artificial

needle while the numbing agent takes

care of the rest

in 2011 the hypodermic needle was

developed in Japan that patients claim

is virtually painless this is important

as approximately 10% of Americans suffer

from a fear of needles which may prevent

them from receiving vaccines blood tests

or other treatments such as dental care

once these new needles were proven

effective another group within the

healthcare system realized that it could

be used to provide safer and more

effective treatment neurosurgeons use a

neurosurgical probe to remove brain

tissue in some selected patients these

are just a few examples of how the

biology of the mosquito has been used to

help millions of people many modern

aerodynamic designs rely on basic

principles to obtain optimal lift and

minimal drag sleek edges and clean lines

are key however throughout the animal

kingdom many species are capable of

exceptional lifts for example the

humpback whale uses bumpy tubercle fins

for propulsion

this seems counter

intuitive tests conducted by the US

Naval Academy using model flippers

determined these biomimetic fins reduced

drag by nearly a third and improved

lifts by eight percent overall whale

power a company based in Toronto Canada

has already capitalized on this latest

amazing tech according to MIT whale

powers biomimetic blades help generate

the same amount of power at 10 miles per

hour that conventional turbines generate

at 17 miles per hour

chuck's are one of the apex predators of

the seas their hunting prowess has been

fine-tuned over millennia while sharks

are well known for their acute sense of

smell and regenerating teeth new

research may actually point to the

species skin as its most evolutionary

asset chuck skin is covered with

so-called dermal denticles when in

motion these dermal denticles actually

create a low-pressure zone this

leading-edge vortex basically pulls the

shark forward and reduces drag speed Oh

notoriously incorporated biomimetic

shark skin into a line of swimsuits for

the 2008 Olympics the technology has

since been banned in Olympic competition

access to water is pivotal to any

sustainable civilization and life on

this planet in general some arid

climates must make do with limited

precipitation technology derived from a

beetle thriving in one of the harshest

environments on earth may very well help

start the next generation of clean water

harvesting the Stenner car beetle lives

in the arid African Namib Desert

but the tint critter has an evolutionary

hack to help it pull water out of

literal thin air a pattern of nodes

along the Beatles back enable the

creature to pull moisture from the fog

the droplets then slide off the bumps

into small channels towards the beetles

mouth scientists are now using this

research to develop biomimetic patterns

capable of harvesting water from the air

woodpeckers are known for their amazing

excavating capacity the creatures use

their beaks to forage for insects and

also to create places for themselves as

woodpeckers borer these holes they

experience 1,200 G's nearly 22 times per

second to put that in perspective a

severe car crash would deliver the

equivalent of 120 G's on a passenger

just how does the woodpecker withstand

these perpetual jolts the answer lies in

natural shock absorbers woodpeckers have

four structures designed to absorb

mechanical shock the birds semi elastic

beak an area of spongy bone material

behind the skull and

cerebral spinal fluid all work in unison

to extend the time over which this

concussion occurs and therefore

inhibiting vibration based on this

complex design researchers are working

to create in several applications

ranging from more shock resistant black

boxes to spacecraft's squids like all

cephalopods are capable of

bioluminescence as well as changing

their skin color this camouflaging

capacity allows them to hide from

predators while the bioluminescence

allows them to communicate with them to

attract a mate

this complex behavior is produced by a

network of specialized skin cells and

muscles researchers have developed a

similar device capable of detecting its

surroundings and matching this

environment in mere seconds this early

prototype uses a flexible pixelated grid

utilizing actuators light sensors and

reflectors as the light sensors detect a

change in the surroundings a signal

create heat in the area thus changing

the color this artificial skin could

have both military and commercial

applications in the future

let's take a look at termites termites

are known for creating some of the most

elaborate ventilation systems for

cooling on the planet even in some of

the hottest places these termite mounds

remain very cool inside using a complex

network of intentional air pockets the

mounds create a natural ventilation

system using convection engineers in

Zimbabwe built an entire shopping center

based on this natural convection system

currently the system uses 10 percent

less energy than a traditional

air-conditioned facility George de

Mestral was inspired to invent velcro

after noticing how easy it was for burrs

to stick to his dog's hair upon studying

the Mundra microscope he noticed the

simple design of tiny hooks at the end

of the burrs spines these were able to

catch anything with a loop such as fur

and fabric and he went on to replicate

this synthetically his two-putt velcro

fastening system uses a strip of loosely

looping nylon opposite a strip of tiny

hooks and has since been prolific in its

range of applications and popularity

perhaps one of the most famous examples

of biomimicry is evident in the history

of human flight Leonardo da Vinci is

largely known as a key figure in its

development his original design called

the ornithopter was never created but

was a principle in showing how man could

potentially fly several designers and

engineers worked on this bird inspired

concept in the following years for

instance otto lilienthal completed more

than 2,500 flights in a glider but it

was not until 1903 that the Wright

brothers flew the first powered

heavier-than-air machine in a controlled

and sustainable flight this technology

went on to define the aerial

developments of 20th century and the

technology seen in the air today

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