Since
the formation of earth about 4.5 billion years ago, nature has undergone
several layers of evolution. Along this entire process one thing has remained
constant – mankind has always tried to figure out a way on how they could take
lessons from nature to foster innovations in different forms and shapes. Right
from the advent of the Stone-Age when humans started to ignite fire by
rubbing two rocks, to the birth of the aeroplane on Dec 17th , 1903
when the Wright brothers took inspiration from the wings and flight dynamics of
birds, to some of the most recent scientific developments being made – nature
has played a crucial role in inspiring these innovations through a process
known as Biomimetics. It is a combination of science, architecture and design that allows researchers to
develop materials and technology that could mimic nature – this includes
surface morphology, physical and mechanical properties, or even the chemical
behavior.
Biomimetics
is derived from the word biomimesis – a term coined by the polymath Otto
Schmitt in 1957. Since then, scientists have deeply investigated this branch of
science to innovate new technologies inspired by nature. One of the most talked
about biomimetic innovation is the Lotus effect that is inspired by how water
droplets behave on a lotus flower leaf. The microstructural features of a lotus
leaf renders ultra-hydrophobicity that allows the water droplet to collect dirt
particles form the leaf surface and glide through, thereby cleaning the
surface. By studying the properties of the lotus leaf, researchers have
developed self-cleaning water repellant materials that include non-wettable
rain-wears, sails for boats, and many others. An earlier work by Dr. Reif from
the Universitaet Tuebingen in 1985 discusses on how the fine ridges on a shark’s
scale, also termed as the riblet surface, helps reduce the drag force thereby
enabling smooth motion. This concept has been later used to design submarines,
torpedo and other antifouling applications. Another talked about biomimicry is
the study conducted by Dr. Gao in 2005 that shows a Gecko’s feet displays
reversible adhesion. There are millions of micro-hairs on a Gecko’s feet that
creates the adhesion effect. Using this concept, researchers have later
developed the Gecko tape, bandages that could support more than 100 gm weight.
Antireflection (AR), a term commonly used in optics, was first studied in
nature by observing the moth’s eye. A moth’s eye has sub-wavelength (< 380
nm) structures on its surface that creates the anti-reflection property. Today,
the antireflection property is widely used in multiple applications including
AR coating for eyeglasses, AR-coated optical lens and filters for
super-resolution microscopy, among others.
One
of the most fascinating biomimetic studies is that on the spider web by Dr. Jin
and Dr. Kaplan that was published in Nature in 2003. A spider web is an example
of a one dimensional fiber that is strong, continuous and insoluble in water.
It is mind-boggling to learn that a spider web silk is 3 times stronger than steel,
at the same time having a very high elasticity with the extension to rupture
being ~200%. Some of the more recent commercial applications of biomimetics
include the Speedo swimwear, inspired by the shark skin, that made news during
the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the painless syringe needles developed by the Kansai
University, Japan inspired by mosquito mouthparts that help mosquitoes suck in blood through human skin, biocompatible superglue
inspired by the slug mucus that can aid in critical surgeries involving heart
and lungs, and many more.
With
significant developments made in nanotechnology over the past decade,
scientists see a huge potential in applying biomimetic concepts to give birth
to novel innovations across different industries including agriculture, energy,
automobiles, healthcare, and apparel industries. So much so, there are ongoing
attempts not only to mimic the nature but even beat it in its own game. A group
of researchers in the USA led by Dr. Nocera from the Harvard University, Dr.
Lewis from Caltech, and engineers from the University of Chicago and University
of Michigan are working on hacking the process of photosynthesis by developing
a bionic leaf. While the common leaf’s photosynthesis process converts 1% of
the energy from the sunlight, the bionic leaf is currently being tested to show
an energy conversion efficiency close to 10%.
It
would be rather interesting to observe what more is there to learn from nature,
as we slowly unravel her mysteries!
Nice article about interesting biomimetic inspired inventions. I have not heard of many of them. I think in this regard Neural network also deserves to be mentioned as it is inspired by the design of brain.
ReplyDeleteYes! Neural network is definitely another fascinating example in this regard.
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