LAB+WEEK+8+BIOMIMICRY

Look over examples of her biomimetic principles applied to products in the slideshow located at [] and write a short, one paragraph synopsis for each of your four favourite product designs. (4 paragraphs)

Japan 's 500 Series Shinkansen bullet train is one of the fastest in the world, With a top speed of some 200 mph. Designers wanted to reduce noise pollution and in order to do that they tried to copy owls’ feathers. “This reduces the noise generated by the train’s pantograph—the component that connects to overhead electrical wires.” The train’s nose emulates a ‘kingfisher’s beak’, which allows minimal wind resistance. All these designs incorporated together are in effort to reduce noise pollution. UltraCane is “a high-tech device for the vision impaired” and “uses sonar-like technology.” It emulates “the way bats navigate in the dark—to prevent collisions.” With this ‘echo-location’ type device, the individual will receive a warning through the handle of obstacles in their way. Brinker Technology has developed a system emulating platelets in the bloodstream that seal injuries. It adapts the system to “industrial applications such as oil pipelines”. “These ‘platelets’ stick against the pipe wall which seals the leak”. Moreover, they contain a “radioisotope that marks the leak’s location so that engineers know to reinforce that section of the pipe”. Keeping in mind that plants need CO2 fundamentally as opposed to humans whom it harms; “Monmouth Junction (N.J.)-based Carbozyme developed an industrial flue scrubber that mimics the enzymes of molluscs to sequester CO2 from waste gases. This flue scrubber is meant to reduce energy cost in removing of CO2 from the atmosphere. Read the article 'Using Nature as a Design Guide' at [] about Janine Benyus, creator of the burgeoning "biomimicry" movement. Write three paragraphs defining how, according to Janine Benyus, "the simple, elegant mechanics developed by nature often make sense in a human context, too". (3 paragraphs) According to Janine Benyus, nature’s mechanics make sense in a human context as well with regards to applying them to the technologies humans use. Researchers analyze and test products, making alterations emulating mechanics in nature with the goal of better efficiency and quality of product. Some examples include studying how locusts fly in groups, and the formation of abalone shells. “ By studying the neurological mechanism that governs how locusts fly in groups, the car company began devising a system that can sense an impending crash and simultaneously trigger an alarm for drivers. IBM designers analyzed the way abalone shells form by melding microscopic particles of calcium carbonate chalk in a process called "self-assembly." They’re now applying the same principles to the development of processors. While still experimental, results reduce energy consumption by some 35%.” In the first example the advanced alarm system allows for increase safety for drivers as well as increase preparation time incase the accident doesn’t get avoided. The second one used shell formation in energy cost reduction of computer processors. With these two examples, along with the others listed in the article, Benyus’ statement applies in improving the relevant technological mechanics.