Solar Powered Spy Plane — Inspired by Bats
This robotic spy plane, known at the COM-BAT, was conceived by the US Military to gather real-time data for soldiers in the Army. The structure of this mini air-craft mimics the shape and function of a bat in flight, and in 2008 the University of Michigan College of Engineering was grated a five year $10-million dollar grant to in order to make this concept a reality. The device is powered by the sun, the wind, and vibrations, and it features “quantum dot solar cells” that are twice as effective as current photovoltaics.
Green Building — Inspired by Termite Mounds
Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe is one of the largest and most elaborate examples of biomimicry around. This building, designed by architect Mick Pearce in conjunction with engineers at Arup Associates, does not require conventional heating or air-conditioning. The building’s design utilizes principles found in African termite mounds to regulate its interior temperature while dramatically reducing energy consumption.
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[...] glue that mimics mussels sticking to rocks in a unforgiving marine environment. Extra points for biomimicry! [...]
Hi all, when I saw this I was istantly reminded of Antoni Gaudi and how he has used things in nature to inspire him. See also illustrations from the “GENERAL MORPHOLOGY OF THE ORGANISMS” by Ernst Haechel
Check out more biomimicry examples @ The Biomimicry Exhibit: Innovation Inspired by Nature during the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven (NL)
Dear Friends,
Is nature or its DESIGNER superb?! Is Mercedes AMG C 650 or the designers of it a good question to compare your first question too?
It really is amazing how exceptionally beautiful nature is and how much we still have to learn from it.
superb
And dont forget the paint that cleans itself of dirt by having bead sof water roll over it- based on the surface traits of the lotus petal. To me bio-mimicry highlights how preservation of species and land can be a selfish act – look at all the cool stuff we could get.
Love this! Mother Nature is a fantastic designer!
I wonder if hoodie pockets were inspired by kangaroo pouches. Okay, that is possibly a lame example but I agree that biomimicry rules.
Wow. Who knew? Just goes to show you how brilliant nature is…too bad our technology too often leads to its destruction.
so many of the best designs employ bio-mimicry. it’s a shame that so many think it’s necessary to re-invent the wheel.