We are faced with many problems that human beings have created: pollution, climate change, and exhaust of natural resources. As the Earth seems to deteriorate each day, there is a new field of science called Biomimicry that goes back to the nature to seek innovation. The order and function of Mother Nature, and all the living creatures are in perfect order and so intricately designed. For example, particular shape found in nature provides power in design. The flippers of the humpback whale have not only non-smooth leading edges, but also have bumps and tubercles on it. The rough texture and surface of the flipper allows more flow and increase aerodynamic efficiency. This notion is applied and proved superior efficiency on wind turbines and airplane wings. (http://asknature.org/strategy/3f2fb504a0cd000eae85d5dcc4915dd4)
In addition to the power of shape, there is a discovery of resilience and healing of tardigrade. Tardigrade can withstand without water for a long period of time and still regenerate itself. Learning an idea from organism, designers applied this inspiration to the problems with vaccines around the world about refrigeration. In the same form as tardigarde, vaccine can dry out and case in same sugar capsules which is found with tardigrade in itself. Thus, vaccine can be no longer refrigerated.
(Image of a Tardigrade )It is amazing to see manifold of discoveries made by Biomimicry that guide to solve human problems. The nature is full of perpetual source of ideas and inspirations. The profound switch of looking back at the nature also changes our perspective of “How life make things, how does life make the most of things by adding information to matter, and how does life make “things” disappear into systems.” There is a need to not only learn about the natural world, but learn from the natural world.
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