60 MODULE 1: TERM 1 – Introducing the world of design
What is biomimicry? When designers and engineers learn from the best nature has to offer, we stand a better chance of designing products and services that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Claire Janisch of biomimicrySA (South Africa) explains what this term actually means and how designers, inventors and engineers learn from the best examples nature has to offer, so that they can develop and produce quality products and systems that are inspired by a design that stood the test of time over centuries.
BIOMIMICRY
“Bios” means life, “Mimicry” means imitate. Biomimicry is the practice of learning from and then emulating nat- ural forms, processes and ecosystems to solve human problems and create more sustainable designs. It’s studying a leaf to invent a better solar cell, the humpback whale’s fin to invent more effective wind turbines, or an electric eel to make a better battery. Organisms and ecosystems face the same challenges that we humans do, but they meet those challenges in an inherently sustainable way. Whatever the design challenge, the odds are high that one or more of the world’s 30 million creatures have not only faced the same challenge, but has evolved effective strategies to solve it. For designers, architects, engineers and innovators of all stripes, the answer to the question “What would nature do here?” is a revelation. Tere’s not one new idea, but millions; ideas evolved in context, tested over eons and proven to be safe for this generation and the next. Mimicking these earth-savvy designs can help humans leapfrog to technologies that sip energy, shave material use, reject toxins, and work as a system to create conditions conducive to life.
Here are some images and explanations you can use as examples:
Bill McDonough’s buildings function like trees, capturing water and energy and cleaning them, being adaptable to changing conditions, and creating conditions conducive to life. See examples 3 and 4 below.
Gecko tape - mimics the way geckos attach to surfaces using tiny hairs that electrostatically attach to the surface using Van der Waal’s forces. No need for toxic glues. Can be used to attach wallpaper to walls, or to attach parts together in larger products - such as cell phones, laptops or cars. Tis way, the component parts can be taken apart at the end of their useful life and recycled. If they’re stuck together using glues, this is not possible. See examples 1 and 2 below.
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http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/
janine_benyus_biomimicry_in_action.html Janine Benyus: Biomimicry in action
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WHAT IS DESIGN?
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