7 minute lesson
Biomimicry: Letting Nature Be the Teacher!
What does a high-speed train have to do with a kingfisher’s beak, an owl’s feather, and a penguin’s belly?
Japanese designer Eiji Nakatsu copied the unique features of each of these birds to build a bullet train that worked better, went faster, and made less noise. In this technique called “biomimicry,” engineers consult with biologists and naturalists to build technology rooted in lessons from the natural world.
Take a look at this video from Vox that explains how biomimicry can change the landscape of our lives!
Why It Matters
Not surprisingly, eons of adaptation have allowed animals to become finely tuned to their surroundings. By taking inspiration from the sleek elegance of nature’s design, human engineers can create highly efficient technology. The wisdom of nature is the ultimate renewable resource. Think of all the things we could achieve by tapping into the knowledge and designs of the natural world.
Consider all the wild and wonderful ways that plants and animals have adapted to their environments. What could we accomplish if we designed technology based on squid skin? Or slime mold? Or even this tiny organism that doesn’t die!
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Vox
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