By Angel, Founder, Third Orbit Flora
The ongoing battle against climate change drives scientists around the globe to increasingly turn to mother nature for innovative solutions. Biomimicry, the practice of imitating natural processes and systems to solve human challenges, is emerging as a powerful tool in promoting sustainability across various sectors. From renewable energy to water management and architecture, biomimetic research is driving groundbreaking advancements with the potential to reshape our approach to environmental conservation.
This revolution was initiated with seriousness when Janine Benyus, a biologist, innovation consultant, and author, published her book Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature in 1997. Prior to this, the word Biomimicry was seldom thought of. One of the earliest recorded uses of Biomimicry was in the late 15th century when Leonardo Da Vinci drew inspiration from his study of birds for his famous Ornithopter drawings of an aircraft that flapped its wings in an effort to show how humans could fly.
Green Energy Revolution
Recent strides in biomimetic research have paved the way for significant breakthroughs in renewable energy technologies. Researchers have looked to photosynthesis for inspiration to improve solar energy conversion. By mimicking the intricate structure of chloroplast in plant leaves, scientists have created bio-inspired solar cells capable of capturing sunlight with unprecedented efficiency, opening new avenues for sustainable energy production.
Similarly, biomimicry has revolutionized wind energy technology by studying the flight patterns of birds and the aerodynamics of natural structures like trees. Researchers have designed wind turbines modeled after the wings of birds, optimizing their efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Further innovation could be in the works as new studies into the bumps on the leading edges of the flippers of Humpback Whales could make wind turbines, fan blades, and airplane wings more efficient. Secondly, new larger megawatt capacity wind turbines inspired by the flexibility of palm trees could come to fruition if the science works out for Professor Eric Loth, chair of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of Virginia.
Water Desalination and Purification
Access to clean water is a pressing global challenge, exacerbated by population growth and climate change. Biomimicry offers promising solutions for water desalination and purification, inspired by nature's own filtration systems. Researchers have looked to the structure of mangrove trees and the filtration mechanisms of marine organisms to develop biomimetic membranes for desalination. Studies demonstrate the effectiveness of biomimetic membranes in removing salt and impurities from seawater with greater efficiency and lower energy consumption compared to conventional methods. These advances could be very useful, especially in areas with little to no access to power.
Sustainable Architecture
In architecture, biomimicry modeled after the lotus leaf is driving the development of self-cleaning superhydrophobic surfaces that not only repel water, dirt and accumulation of pollutants, but have the potential to slow material deterioration for things like aggregate, steel and other infrastructure, contributing to sustainability by reducing cleaning chemical use and maintenance needs while conserving resources. Studies published on MDPI showcase the potential of biomimetic coatings to enhance the durability and sustainability of architectural materials, reducing the environmental footprint of buildings.
Nature's Ingenious Designs
Inspired by shark skin's unique structure, biomimetic materials have been developed to reduce drag and enhance efficiency in applications ranging from swimsuits to ship hulls, utilizing replicated microscopic ridges, or denticles, to decrease friction and boost speed, thus facilitating energy savings.
Shark skin's remarkable properties extend beyond engineering and into potential applications in healthcare and water treatment. Its anti-fouling nature, attributed to the micro-structural properties of denticles, holds promise for biomimetic advancements in medical devices and water treatment technologies. Specifically, these properties hinder bacterial biofilm formation on surfaces, thereby reducing the risk of infection associated with medical devices and curbing the spread of disease.
Similarly, the remarkable adhesive capabilities of gecko feet have inspired the design of biomimetic adhesive tape that can adhere to many surfaces, including non-stick Teflon, without leaving a residue of glue. By mimicking the micropatterned nanotube structures on gecko feet, researchers have created synthetic “gecko tape” that offers strong yet reversible adhesion, with potential applications in industries ranging from robotics, to medical devices, to beyond our planet where most adhesives don’t work because of the vacuum of space.
Boundless Possibilities
As the global community confronts climate change and sustainability challenges, biomimicry emerges as a discipline full of promise, tapping into nature's wisdom to pioneer ground breaking solutions across renewable energy, water management, architecture, and beyond. This interdisciplinary convergence of biology, engineering, and materials science fuels a transformative era of sustainable innovation, drawing inspiration from billions of years of evolutionary wisdom. With ongoing research expanding the horizons of biomimetic technologies, the potential to revolutionize our world for the better remains boundless.
-Angel, Founder, Third Orbit Flora
Photo Credit: Art exclusive to Third Orbit Flora; Generated with AI from our artists’ visions and concepts. A layered paper style art piece depicting an island with skyscrapers and wind turbines above, and a rim of green lotus leaves surrounding a blue ocean with humpback whales swimming.
For more in depth discussion on the topics and technologies discussed here, follow these references to the experts who are shining light on the innovative solutions inspired by nature’s wisdom.
Biomimicry Institute
https://biomimicry.org/janine-benyus/
Da Vinci’s Ornithopter, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian
Photosynthesis biomimicry in Solar Panel advances
https://gizmodo.com/how-photosynthesis-works-quantum-renewable-energy-1850251328
Whale-Inspired Wind Turbines
https://www.technologyreview.com/2008/03/06/221447/whale-inspired-wind-turbines/
Palm Trees Sway Wind Turbine Design
https://www.asme.org/topics-resources/content/palm-trees-sway-wind-turbine-design
Device mimics Mangroves water purifying power
https://news.yale.edu/2020/02/21/device-mimics-mangroves-water-purifying-power
Lotus-Leaf inspired Biomimetic coatings
https://www.mdpi.com/2412-3811/7/4/46
Inhibition of Biofilm formation by shark-skin patterned surfaces
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0927776519308823
Gecko Biomimicry produces adhesive better than the real thing
https://news.mongabay.com/2007/06/gecko-biomimicry-produces-adhesive-better-than-the-real-thing/