The world is poorly designed. But copying nature helps.

Summary

The script tells the story of how biomimicry, inspired by nature, led to the redesign of Japan's Shinkansen Bullet Train in 1989. Engineer Eiji Nakatsu incorporated features from owls, penguins, and kingfishers to create a quieter, faster, and more efficient train. The concept, coined by Janine Benyus in her 1997 book, encourages designers to look to biology for solutions, mimicking forms, processes, and ecosystems for innovative design.

Takeaways

• 🚄 In 1989, Japan's Shinkansen Bullet Train faced noise issues when exiting tunnels, causing sonic booms heard up to 400 meters away.
• 🕊️ Biomimicry was the solution, with Eiji Nakatsu using bird features to redesign the train for reduced noise and increased efficiency.
• 🦉 The pantograph was redesigned, inspired by owl feathers, to reduce noise through serrations and curvature that allow silent flight.
• 🐧 The Adelie Penguin's streamlined body influenced the pantograph's supporting shaft to lower wind resistance.
• 🪣 The Kingfisher's beak shape was used for the train's nose, minimizing splash and pressure waves, leading to a quieter train.
• 🏆 The 1997 redesign was a success, making the train 10% faster, 15% more energy-efficient, and keeping noise under 70 dB in residential areas.
• 🌿 Biomimicry is a design approach that mimics nature's structures and processes to create more efficient and sustainable solutions.
• 👩‍💼 Janine Benyus coined the term 'Biomimicry' and has consulted for companies to integrate nature-inspired designs.
• 🌿 Three main biomimicry approaches: mimicking form (like lotus leaves for self-cleaning surfaces), process (like ant communication for efficient systems), and ecosystems (like circular economy principles).
• 🔄 The circular economy, inspired by ecosystems, aims for zero waste by upcycling byproducts and end-of-life products.
• 🌍 Biomimetic design's ultimate goal is to create products, systems, and cities that function like the natural world, leveraging 3.8 billion years of R&D by life on Earth.

Q & A

What problem did Japan's Shinkansen Bullet Train face in 1989?

The Shinkansen Bullet Train was very fast, but it produced a loud sonic boom when exiting tunnels due to the atmospheric pressure waves it created. This noise disturbed residential areas.

What was the role of Eiji Nakatsu in redesigning the Shinkansen?

Eiji Nakatsu, the general manager of the technical development department and a birdwatcher, used his knowledge of birds to inspire the redesign of the Shinkansen for quieter, faster, and more efficient performance.

How did the owl inspire the redesign of the Shinkansen Bullet Train?

The owl's feathers, which have serrations and a curvature that allow it to swoop silently, inspired the design of the pantograph, reducing noise by mimicking these characteristics.

What was the significance of the Adelie Penguin in the Shinkansen redesign?

The Adelie Penguin's smooth body, which helps it swim with minimal resistance, inspired the redesign of the pantograph's supporting shaft, reducing wind resistance.

How did the Kingfisher bird influence the design of the Shinkansen's nose?

The Kingfisher's beak, which allows it to dive into water with barely a splash, inspired the shape of the train’s nose. This design reduced noise and pressure waves when the train exited tunnels.

What were the results of the Shinkansen redesign in 1997?

The redesigned Shinkansen was 10% faster, used 15% less electricity, and stayed under the 70 dB noise limit in residential areas, all while being quieter and more efficient.

What is biomimicry and who coined the term?

Biomimicry is the design principle of mimicking nature to solve human problems. Janine Benyus coined the term in 1997 in her book that described innovations inspired by the natural world.

What are some examples of biomimicry in design according to Janine Benyus?

Examples include using prairie dog burrows for better air ventilation, mimicking shark skin for bacteria-resistant surfaces, and arranging wind turbines in patterns inspired by schools of fish.

What are the three main ways designers can mimic nature, as explained by Janine Benyus?

Designers can mimic nature's form (e.g., copying the structure of self-cleaning lotus leaves), process (e.g., mimicking ants’ communication for autonomous cars), and entire ecosystems (e.g., creating circular economies).

What is the ultimate goal of biomimetic design?

The ultimate goal of biomimetic design is to create products, systems, and cities that function like natural ecosystems, where resources are constantly upcycled and no waste is produced.