Biomimicry: definition & examples (explained with drawings)

Sustainability Illustrated

12 Apr 201604:19

Summary

TLDRIn this video, we explore biomimicry, the concept of drawing inspiration from nature to solve sustainability challenges. From humpback whale-inspired turbine blades that boost efficiency by 20% to the Kingfisher-styled Shinkansen train that reduces noise and energy use, biomimicry showcases how learning from nature's billions of years of R&D can lead to innovative solutions. Visit biomimicry.org and asknature.org to delve deeper into this practice.

Takeaways

🌿 Biomimicry is the practice of imitating life to find sustainable solutions to human challenges.
🤔 It draws inspiration from nature, which has spent billions of years perfecting survival strategies.
🏙️ Human innovation has led to sustainability challenges, and biomimicry offers a way to address these.
🐳 Humpback whale flippers, with their tubercules, inspired more efficient turbine blades for wind and hydroelectric power.
🚄 The Shinkansen bullet train was redesigned based on the Kingfisher's beak to reduce noise and increase speed and efficiency.
💡 Biomimicry can lead to policies, products, and processes that are better adapted to life on Earth.
🔍 Nature is a vast repository of solutions to problems, both large and small.
🌟 Efficiency gains from biomimicry can make alternative energy sources more competitive with traditional ones.
🌍 Solutions inspired by nature can have significant environmental and economic benefits.
🔗 For more on biomimicry, visit biomimicry.org and asknature.org for stories and examples.

Q & A

What is biomimicry?
-Biomimicry is the practice of imitating life, where we look to nature to provide inspiration and direction for sustainable solutions to our most pressing challenges.
Why is biomimicry important for addressing sustainability challenges?
-Biomimicry is important because it leverages the billions of years of research and development that nature has undergone to create efficient and sustainable solutions that are adapted to life on Earth.
How long have plants, animals, and microbes been 'engineering' solutions to survive on Earth?
-Plants, animals, and microbes have been engineering and testing ways to thrive on Earth for approximately 3.8 billion years.
What is an example of biomimicry in sustainable energy provision?
-Inspired by the tubercles on humpback whale flippers, WhalePower has developed turbine blades with similar bumps to increase efficiency in wind and hydroelectric turbines, among other applications.
How much increased efficiency can the tubercle-inspired turbine blades provide?
-The tubercle-inspired turbine blades can provide up to 20% increased efficiency, making alternative energy sources more competitive.
What was the noise issue with the Shinkansen bullet train?
-The Shinkansen bullet train used to create a sonic boom-like noise when emerging from tunnels, which caused complaints from people living near the train line.
How was the noise issue of the Shinkansen bullet train resolved?
-The front end of the train was redesigned, taking inspiration from the beak of the Kingfisher, which allowed the train to be quieter, use 15 percent less electricity, and travel 10 percent faster.
What is the significance of the Kingfisher in the context of biomimicry?
-The Kingfisher's ability to dive into water with minimal splash inspired the design of the Shinkansen bullet train, demonstrating how biomimicry can lead to significant improvements in technology.
What are two resources mentioned in the script for learning more about biomimicry?
-Biomimicry.org and AskNature.org are two resources mentioned for learning more about biomimicry, including stories and examples.
How can viewers support the creation of more sustainability videos?
-Viewers can support the creation of more sustainability videos by subscribing, visiting the website sustainabilityillustrated.com, or contributing on Patreon.
What is the role of human ingenuity in the context of biomimicry?
-Human ingenuity plays a role in biomimicry by observing and imitating nature's successful strategies to create innovative and sustainable solutions to modern-day challenges.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Introduction to Biomimicry

The video begins with Alex introducing the concept of biomimicry, which is the practice of imitating life to solve sustainability challenges. Biomimicry draws inspiration from nature, which has spent billions of years perfecting survival strategies. Despite human ingenuity in creating cities and economies, we face significant sustainability issues. Biomimicry offers a way to address these by creating policies, products, and processes that are in harmony with Earth's ecosystems. The video suggests that by observing the solutions that nature has developed, we can innovate to meet our needs sustainably.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Biomimicry

Biomimicry is the practice of imitating life to solve human challenges by looking to nature for inspiration and direction. It is a form of innovation inspired by the natural world. In the video, biomimicry is presented as a sustainable approach to address pressing issues by creating policies, products, and processes that are adapted to life on Earth. The concept is central to the video's theme, which is about learning from nature to innovate and create more efficient solutions.

💡Sustainability

Sustainability refers to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is a key theme in the video, as it discusses how biomimicry can be used to create sustainable solutions for energy provision and other challenges. The video emphasizes the need for sustainable practices to ensure the well-being of both current and future societies.

💡Innovation

Innovation in the context of the video is the process of translating an existing idea or method into a good or service that creates value or for which customers will pay. Biomimicry is presented as a form of innovation inspired by nature, where natural systems and organisms are studied and replicated to develop new technologies and solutions that are more sustainable and efficient.

💡Nature

Nature, as discussed in the video, is the ultimate source of inspiration for biomimicry. It represents the billions of years of evolution and adaptation that have led to the development of efficient and effective systems and organisms. The video highlights how nature can teach us how to create sustainable solutions by looking at the way plants, animals, and microbes have thrived on Earth.

💡Humpback Whale

The humpback whale is used as an example in the video to illustrate biomimicry in action. Its flippers, with large irregular bumps called 'tubercules,' inspired a company to develop turbine blades with similar features, which promise greater efficiency in various applications. This example shows how observing nature can lead to technological advancements that improve energy efficiency.

💡Turbine Blades

Turbine blades are a critical component in wind turbines and other mechanical systems that convert energy, such as wind or water, into mechanical or electrical power. In the video, turbine blades with tubercules, inspired by humpback whale flippers, are mentioned as a biomimetic innovation that increases efficiency by up to 20%. This example demonstrates how biomimicry can lead to more sustainable and efficient technology.

💡Shinkansen Bullet Train

The Shinkansen bullet train is highlighted in the video as another example of biomimicry. To solve the problem of noise pollution caused by the train's emergence from tunnels, the train's front end was redesigned based on the beak of the Kingfisher bird, which dives into water with minimal splash. This innovation not only reduced noise but also increased speed and efficiency, showcasing how biomimicry can address real-world challenges.

💡Kingfisher

The Kingfisher is a bird known for its ability to dive into water from the air with minimal splash, which is an example of efficient movement between different mediums. In the video, the Kingfisher's beak shape was used as inspiration to redesign the Shinkansen bullet train's front end, resulting in a quieter and more efficient train. This example illustrates how biomimicry can lead to innovative solutions by emulating nature's designs.

💡Efficiency

Efficiency in the video refers to the ability to do or produce something without wasting materials, time, or energy. Biomimicry is presented as a means to increase efficiency in various applications, such as turbine blades and train design, by learning from nature's perfected systems. The video emphasizes the importance of efficiency in creating sustainable technologies and processes.

💡Policies

Policies, as mentioned in the video, are the principles or courses of action adopted or proposed by a government, party, business, or individual. In the context of biomimicry, policies informed by nature's principles can lead to more sustainable practices and solutions. The video suggests that by emulating nature, we can create policies that better support life on Earth.

💡Products

Products, in the context of the video, refer to items manufactured or refined for sale. Biomimicry can inspire the creation of new products or the improvement of existing ones by emulating nature's designs and processes. The video provides examples of products, like turbine blades and train designs, that have been enhanced through biomimicry to be more efficient and sustainable.

Highlights

Biomimicry is the practice of imitating life to inspire sustainable solutions.

Nature has spent billions of years engineering ways to thrive on Earth.

Biomimicry seeks to address sustainability challenges by adapting natural solutions.

Humpback whale's flippers with tubercules inspire more efficient turbine blades.

WhalePower's turbine blades with tubercules could increase efficiency by up to 20%.

The Shinkansen bullet train's noise problem was solved by mimicking the Kingfisher's beak.

The redesigned train is quieter, uses 15% less electricity, and travels 10% faster.

Biomimicry.org and asknature.org offer resources on nature-inspired innovation.

Sustainability challenges can be addressed by looking to nature for solutions.

Biomimicry is innovation inspired by nature, focusing on sustainable problem-solving.

Human-created sustainability challenges can be mitigated through biomimicry.

The efficiency of humpback whales' movement in water inspires technological advancements.

The Kingfisher's diving technique leads to a quieter, more efficient bullet train design.

Biomimicry can inspire policies, products, and processes that are life-sustaining.

The Shinkansen bullet train's problem-solving showcases biomimicry in action.

Nature's solutions, after billions of years of R&D, are a treasure trove for sustainable innovation.

Sustainabilityillustrated.com offers videos on sustainability for free learning.

Contributions on Patreon support the creation of more educational videos on sustainability.