Biomimetics Nature-Inspired Design and Innovation

Provides a professional, contemporary, and concise review of the current knowledge and advances in biomimetics

This book covers the field of biomimicry, an area of science where researchers look to mimic aspects of plants or animals in order to solve problems in aerospace, shipping, building, electronics, and optics, among others. It presents the latest developments in biomimicry and gives readers sufficient grounding to help them understand the current, and sometimes technically complex, research literature. Different themes are covered throughout and text boxes deal with the relevant physics for readers who may lack this knowledge. 

Biomimetics: Nature-Inspired Design and Innovation examines issues in fluid dynamics such as avoiding sonic booms, reducing train noise, increasing wind turbine efficiency, and more. Next, it looks at optical applications, e.g. how nature generates color without dyes and pigment, and how animals stay cool in desert environments. A chapter on the built environment discusses cooling systems for buildings based on termite mounds; creating self-cleaning paint based on lotus leaves; unobtrusive solar panels based on ivy; and buildings that respond to the environment. Two more sections focus on biomimicry for the creation of smart materials and smart devices. The book finishes with a look at the field’s future over the next decade.

• Presents each topic in sufficient detail in order to enable the reader to comprehend the original scientific papers
• Emphasizes those examples of biomimicry that have made it into products
• Features text boxes that provide information on the relevant physics or engineering principles for biologists who do not have a physics background
• Covers the scientific literature up to July 2019

Biomimetics: Nature-Inspired Design and Innovation is an excellent book for senior undergraduates and post-graduate students in the life sciences, material sciences, and bioengineering. It will also appeal to lay readers with an interest in nature as well as scientists in general.

SANDY B. PRIMROSE, MBE PHD, works as a consultant helping early-stage companies in the healthcare field. He has spent his professional life as a biologist, initially in academia and then as a senior manager in pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and life science companies. He has also worked with various government departments on topics such as the detection of food fraud and the safety of genetically engineered foods. Dr. Primrose has written a number of books, including Principles of Gene Manipulation, Molecular Biotechnology, and Genomics: Applications in Human Biology, among others.

1 The Beginnings of Biomimetics 1

1.1 Early Attempts at Biomimicry: The Influence of Birds on the Development of Aircraft 3

1.2 The Fathers of Modern Biomimetics: Percy Shaw and George de Mestral 4

Relevant Innovations Described in Other Chapters 6

Note 6

Suggested Reading 7

2 Transport, Motion, and Energy 9

2.1 Birds and Bullet Trains 9

2.2 More Owl-Inspired Noise Reduction 13

2.3 Humpback Whales and Wind Turbines 14

2.4 Fish Shoals and Wind Farms 16

2.5 Liquid Movement in Nature: The Importance of Spirals 17

2.6 A Tree-Inspired Wind Turbine 20

2.7 More Fishy Developments 22

2.8 A Fishy Failure: The Boxfish Car 22

2.9 Fuel Efficiency Inspired by Sharks 24

2.10 Using Biology to Counteract Biofouling 25

2.11 The New Generation of Ornithopters 28

Relevant Innovations Described in Other Chapters 30

Note 30

Suggested Reading 30

3 Colour and Light 31

3.1 Photonic Biomimicry 36

3.2 Structure Can Influence Light Output 38

3.3 Cephalopods and Camouflage 39

3.4 Photonic Cooling 43

3.5 Biomimetic Antireflective Coatings 46

3.6 A Novel Glass Inspired by Spiders 47

Relevant Innovations Described in Other Chapters 49

Suggested Reading 49

4 The Built Environment 51

4.1 Cooling Buildings the Termite Way 51

4.2 Functional Structures Inspired by Nature 55

4.3 Self-Cleaning Surfaces 59

4.4 Self-Healing Concrete 63

4.5 New Building Materials 64

4.6 A Sunshade Modelled on Trees 65

4.7 Solar Ivy 66

4.8 The Future: Fully Responsive Buildings 67

Relevant Innovations Described in Other Chapters 68

Note 68

Suggested Reading 68

5 Smart Materials 71

5.1 Self-Cleaning Materials 71

5.1.1 Reducing Bacterial Growth Without Disinfectants 71

5.1.2 Pitcher Plants and Non-stick Surfaces 74

5.2 Novel Adhesives 76

5.2.1 Novel Glues Inspired by Marine Animals 76

5.2.2 Hierarchical Steels Modelled on Byssal Threads 78

5.2.3 Glues from Terrestrial Slugs 79

5.2.4 Gecko-Inspired Dry Adhesives 81

5.3 Self-Healing Materials 83

5.4 Novel Textiles 85

5.4.1 Smart Textiles that Respond to their Surroundings 85

5.4.2 A Polar Bear-Inspired Material for Heat Insulation 86

5.4.3 Safety Helmets Inspired by Woodpeckers 86

Relevant Material in Other Chapters 87

Note 87

Suggested Reading 88

6 Smart Devices 91

6.1 Burrowing Robots Based on Razor Clams 91

6.2 Novel Sensors 92

6.2.1 Bioinspired Underwater Pressure Sensors 92

6.2.2 Crack-Based Strain Sensors 93

6.2.3 Ice Plants and Actuators 94

6.3 Passive Water Collection 96

6.3.1 Inspiration from the Namib Desert Beetle 96

6.3.2 Collecting Water with Spiders’ Webs 98

6.3.3 Cactus-Inspired Water Collection 100

6.4 Insects and Origami 100

6.5 Mosquito Bites and Injection Needles 103

Suggested Reading 104

7 The Influence of Biology on Computer Science 107

7.1 Genetic Algorithms 108

7.2 Swarm Intelligence 110

7.3 Human Swarming 112

Suggested Reading 113

8 The Future of Biomimetics 115

Suggested Reading 116

Index 117

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