BIOMIMETICS AND SUSTAINABILITY

NATURE IS THE BEST

SUSTAINABILITY
MODEL
 BIOMIMETICS AND SUSTAINABILITY

BIOMIMETICS

What is it?

It is a science that studies

natural models to imitate
them, also uses their designs
and processes to solve human
problems.

What is biomimetics
used for?
Biomimetics uses the designs
and processes of nature to
solve human problems.
Biomimetics uses an
ecological standard to judge
the relevance of innovations.
Thanks to biomimetics we are
able to understand what we
can learn from the genius that
surrounds us, nature.
BIOMIMETICS AND SUSTAINABILITY

SELF-ASSEMBLING CONCEPT IN
THE MOLLUSK SHELL FORMATION
AND THE CARBON DIOXIDE USE IN
THE CREATION OF DIFFERENT
MATERIALS.

Mollusk shells are a calcareous exoskeleton that encloses, supports and protects the soft
parts of an animal. Mollusk shells are mostly made of a brittle material like calcium
carbonate. Mollusks build their complex shells with mathematical precision.
Ocean acidification seriously endangers the future of different species of molluscs. It is
estimated that the sea absorbs 25 million tons of CO2 every day, which increases its acidity
level. Molluscs depend on continuous concentrations of carbonate ions to produce the
calcium carbonate needed to form and build their shell, and CO2 triggers a process that
reduces the abundance of these carbon ions in the sea. This imbalance slows down the
production of calcium carbonate by marine organisms such as coral, algae and
phytoplankton.
Capturing and reusing carbon dioxide is presented as a tool to fight climate change. CO2
can be used in certain industrial processes to replace toxic organic solvents, it can also be
used as a raw material and for commercial uses such as refrigerants, fuels, for the
cultivation of microalgae, for cosmetics or pharmacy. A good balance of CO2 emissions
favors the process of photosynthesis, it is also used in irrigation water, in food, medicine
and the processing of metals and plastic
BIOMIMETICS AND SUSTAINABILITY

SPIRAL MODEL
It's a process to introduce future designers to the concept of sustainability through the
application of the biomimicry method that is in contact with nature, biology and other
disciplines that collaborate with the care of the environment.
Goals:
Deconstruct productivity-based learning and reintegrate humans into the natural.
Experience a creative method of solving problems with sustainability principles,
drawing analogies between the natural world and the established design challenge.
Analyze and apply the methodology of the biomimetic design spiral directly.
Discover problems and define challenges in different areas of today's society.

The biomimetic design spiral has six phases, some of which are related to the others, so
that it's possible for us to return to a previous phase to better face the next one.

Phases:
Define: Establish a situation map of the problem to be
addressed, understand what is the need to be
addressed with the challenge and its scope.
Biologize: Rethink the challenge thinking about how
the identified functions can be found in nature, since it
is the place where possible solutions will be sought.
Discover: Search in nature the functions that you want
to satisfy with the design. Biological knowledge
prevails through detailed observation, information
seeking, and consultation with experts.
Abstract: Express the mechanisms through which the
observed nature solves the functions proposed in the
challenge using a non-biological language.
Emulate: All the lessons learned in the previous
phases must be applied in a brainstorm in which the
solutions studied are integrated in the resolution of the
challenges through a coherent and sustainable design.
Evaluate: The practical feasibility of the design should
be evaluated.
 BIOMIMETICS AND SUSTAINABILITY
REAL PRODUCTS INSPIRED
BY NATURE
Product description
the Compositae or Asteraceae
Velcro is a system to fasten or
1.Velcro close something by means of
(Burdock) two strips that adhere when they
are in contact.
mucilage, inulin, alkaloids and
Asian origin known for the
Raincoats are a garment that
2.Raincoats
does not allow the passage of
(Lotus leaf) any liquid, water or moisture.
diameter, wavy-edged, 1-2 m or
It's a system with object
detection sensor used mainly in
aeronautics, navigation,
astronomy. It serves to indicate
3.Radars (Bats) the presence of an object and
determine the distance at which
it is, this by emitting special
waves of very high frequency
reflected in it.
4.Fans Fans are devices that transmit
energy by generating pressure to
(Humpback maintain a continuous flow of air
Whales) to ventilate environments.
5.Termite mound Buildings are permanent,
based building separate and independent
(Termite mound) constructions.
Mimicked living
organism description
Burdock is a plant belonging to
Mestral observed burdock seeds
family. Its main components are
leaf/root: bitter glycosides,
flavonoids, tannins, volatile oils,
antibiotic polyacetylenes, resin,
would grab onto almost any
sesquiterpenes.
The lotus is an aquatic plant of
superhydrophobic behavior of its
leaves. They are floating or
emergent, 25-30-100 cm in
more long.
Chiroptera (bats) are an order of
placental mammals. They are the
only winged mammals that are
capable of flight. They have an
extremely limited sense of sight,
which is why they are able to
orient themselves and locate
obstacles and food using a
developed high-frequency
ultrasound system that is
inaudible to humans.
Megaptera novaeangliae
(Humpback Whale) is a species
of mysticete cetacean of the
Balaenopteridae family, it is an
opportunistic predator that feeds
on the surface of the oceans. It is
one of the largest whales.
Fungus-growing termites build
structures with chimneys and
these types of buildings, was
openings that act as windows.
inspired by mounds built by
Epigeal nests or cathedral
fungus-growing termites that he
termite mounds are a type of
saw at a nature show. The insects
nest that protrudes from the
created their own air conditioning
ground surface (mounds). These
systems that circulated hot and
mounds are built with a mixture
cold air between the mound and
of soil, manure and the saliva that
the termites generate.
The specific feature of
the organism that was
Photo
used in the design of the
product
Swiss engineer George de
sticking to his clothes and his
dog's hair. He was inspired by the
seeds of the plant to create a
system of small hooks that
tissue very efficiently.
The raincoats are based on the
structure with rounded
elevations of microscopic size.
This structure is covered by a
thin waxy layer that increases the
hydrophobic effect. Thanks to
some nanohairs, the water slides
through these leaves.
Waves are sent out, which
spread out and return when they
collide with a solid; the radar
decodes them and displays an
image on the screen. In the case
of bats, this principle applies
because these animals emit
ultrasonic sounds. Bats receive
this information through their
ears and thus know how to orient
themselves.
The angle at which the airflow
meets the fan blade depends on
the volume of flow. The whale
has to overcome similar
challenges when swimming in
the sea: the movement of the fins
causes the angle to constantly
change. If their pectoral fins were
at too steep an angle for the
oncoming flow this would
produce a great deal of
turbulence as the water passed
over them.
Mick Pearce, the architect of
the outside.
 BIOMIMETICS AND SUSTAINABILITY
REAL PRODUCTS INSPIRED
BY NATURE
Product description
Light Emitting Diodes are
elements capable of receiving a
moderate electric current and
emitting electromagnetic
6.LEDS (Fireflies) radiation transformed into light. It
works thanks to the transfer of
electrons between two positive-
negative semiconductor
materials (diode).
The Bullet Train uses the
principle of attraction and
repulsion that is created between
two magnetic fields. Both the
7.Bullet train
train and the tracks are equipped
(Kingfisher) with powerful electromagnets,
so the repulsion allows the train
to rise a few centimeters above
the tracks.
A device that harnesses the sun's
energy to generate heat or
electricity. They are the
intermediary that makes sunlight
8.Solar Panels
serve us as energy. They capture
(Butterflies) sunlight, causing the electrons in
the silicon cells to release energy
that is converted into electricity
in the form of direct current.
9.Self-cleaning Silicone-based adhesive tape
has more than twice the strength
adhesive tape
of regular tape and leaves no
(Geckos)
residue when removed.
Mimicked living
organism description
Fireflies are beetles, nocturnal
members of the lampíridae
family. Fireflies have wings and
have special lighting organs
located under the abdomen.
When they take in oxygen, it
combines within special cells
with a substance called luciferin
and reacts by producing light
with little or no heat.
The kingfisher is a species of bird
in the Alcedinidae family. It is a
bird almost 20cm long and
compact in appearance. It has
colorful plumage, a pointed beak
and very short legs. In general, it
feeds on small fish less than 10-
13 cm.
Lepidoptera are insects
belonging to the order
homometabolous. Throughout
their lives they undergo a series
of complex transformations
known as metamorphosis. They
are a very popular type of insect
due to the striking colors that
stain their wings and their
hesitant flight when the good
weather approaches.
They come from a family of scaly
sauropsids. It is a reptile
belonging to the lizard family
that lives naturally in hot and dry
climates. They feed on insects
and other invertebrates, and for
this reason they are considered
useful animals in most of the
countries in their range.
The specific feature of
the organism that was
Photo
used in the design of the
product
The arrangement and shape of
the scales on the abdomen of
fireflies manages to change the
refractive index to enhance
bioluminescent light. This
microscopic structure of irregular
scales improves the efficiency of
the lantern (luminous organ) of
these insects. The result is that
50% more brightness is achieved
than if it had a flat surface, which
is why scientists imitated this in
the design of LED technology, to
achieve photons with lower
energy consumption.
The kingfisher bird, with its
streamlined beak and ability to
dive into the water without
splashing a drop, inspired the
design of the bullet train. This
design changed, the ends began
to imitate the shape of the bird
itself. Objects shaped like the
kingfisher's beak created less
pressure waves, and this was
therefore the perfect design for
the Shinkansen trains.
The butterfly wing structure is
useful for creating thinner, more
efficient panels. The system that
allows to collect the greatest
amount of heat possible resides
in the tiny scales of the wings,
which are distributed in spaced
holes. The butterfly, being cold-
blooded, manages to regulate its
body temperature in this way
and maintain enough energy to
fly in cooler weather. The
butterfly has evolved its black
wings to absorb as much energy
as possible.
The researchers rely on
mimicking the nanoscopic hairs
on gecko feet and their skin-
tendon-bone structure to model
adhesion based on structure.
Gecko feet are self-cleaning
thanks to lateral friction contact.
 BIOMIMETICS AND SUSTAINABILITY
REAL PRODUCTS INSPIRED
BY NATURE
Product description
Single seat furniture with legs
10.Chairs (Bones) and backrest.
Garment that completely covers
11.Olympic the entire body, used for
swimming. It is made of special
swimsuit (Sharks) materials for water and for the
mobility of the human body.
Fixed-wing airplane that is
heavier than air and is propelled
by one or more engines, can rise
or hover in the air. It works with
the aerodynamic force that is
12.Planes (Birds) generated on the wings, in an
upward direction, called lift. This
is caused by the difference in
pressure between the top and
bottom of the wing, produced by
the shape of the airfoil.
13.Mercedes- One of the most aerodynamic
compact vehicles in its class. This
Benz Bionic car concept car is a pioneer when it
(Box Fish) comes to emission control.
Mimicked living
organism description
Bones are strong, rigid structures
made of protein and minerals like
calcium. They provide support to
our bodies and help shape them.
Bones also protect the organs in
our bodies.
Sharks are vertebrate fish. They
belong to the class of
chondrichthyans (cartilage fish). It
is a carnivorous marine fish with
an elongated and slender body,
between 5-7 gill openings, 1-2
dorsal fins, a heterocercal caudal
fin, a flattened head with a very
large mouth at the bottom, and
very sharp teeth.
Birds are a group of vertebrate
animals characterized by having
a body covered with feathers,
wings and legs as limbs, and a
beak. Their light bones allow
them in most cases to fly, jump
or stay in the air.
Boxfishes are a family,
Ostraciidae, of square bony
fishes belonging to the order
Tetraodontiformes, closely
related to puffers and
Monocanthidae. It´s a sea fish of
tropical climate and associated
with coral reefs. Boxfish have an
amazing dexterity for getting in
and out of tight spaces, snagging
prey, and turning with
tremendous agility.
The specific feature of
the organism that was
Photo
used in the design of the
product
The structure of the bones
motivated the designer Joris
Laarman to create chairs and
armchairs with a bone design,
which can be light and have a
high resistance. And be
comfortable, of course.
Shark skin is covered with
millions of microscopic, sharp
scales that make it efficient to
move through the water. Those
denticles disturb the flow of
water over the animal's surface,
reducing the friction that can
slow them down. Researchers
have managed to artificially
recreate the millions of tooth-
shaped scales by increasing
swimming speed.
Birds fly so easily because of the
adaptations they have. Birds
have streamlined shapes so that
when they are in flight, air flows
smoothly over their surface.
Engineers were mainly inspired
by the shape of birds to model
airplanes. Birds have a smooth
surface and groom their feathers
with their beaks to make sure
their bodies are smooth as they
fly.
The exterior design of the car
was set on the box fish. The
shape and strength of this
animal's body inspired the car
company's engineers to improve
the aerodynamics and strength
of its chassis.
BIOMIMETICS AND SUSTAINABILITY

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