Biomimetics

Provides a professional, contemporary, and concise review of the current knowledge and advances in biomimetics This book covers the field of biomimicry, an area of science where researchers look to mimic aspects of plants or animals in order to solve problems in aerospace, shipping, building, electronics, and optics, among others. It presents the latest developments in biomimicry and gives readers sufficient grounding to help them understand the current, and sometimes technically complex, research literature. Different themes are covered throughout and text boxes deal with the relevant physics for readers who may lack this knowledge. Biomimetics: Nature-Inspired Design and Innovation examines issues in fluid dynamics such as avoiding sonic booms, reducing train noise, increasing wind turbine efficiency, and more. Next, it looks at optical applications, e.g. how nature generates color without dyes and pigment, and how animals stay cool in desert environments. A chapter on the built environment discusses cooling systems for buildings based on termite mounds; creating self-cleaning paint based on lotus leaves; unobtrusive solar panels based on ivy; and buildings that respond to the environment. Two more sections focus on biomimicry for the creation of smart materials and smart devices. The book finishes with a look at the field’s future over the next decade. Presents each topic in sufficient detail in order to enable the reader to comprehend the original scientific papers Emphasizes those examples of biomimicry that have made it into products Features text boxes that provide information on the relevant physics or engineering principles for biologists who do not have a physics background Covers the scientific literature up to July 2019 Biomimetics: Nature-Inspired Design and Innovation is an excellent book for senior undergraduates and post-graduate students in the life sciences, material sciences, and bioengineering. It will also appeal to lay readers with an interest in nature as well as scientists in general.

The book presents an outline of current activities in the field of biomimetics and integrates a variety of applications comprising biophysics, surface sciences, architecture and medicine. Biomimetics as innovation method is characterised by interdisciplinary information transfer from the life sciences to technical application fields aiming at increased performance, functionality and energy efficiency. The contributions of the book relate to the research areas: - Materials and structures in nanotechnology and biomaterials - Biomimetic approaches to develop new forms, construction principles and design methods in architecture - Information and dynamics in automation, neuroinformatics and biomechanics Readers will be informed about the latest research approaches and results in biomimetics with examples ranging from bionic nano-membranes to function-targeted design of tribological surfaces and the translation of natural auditory coding strategies.

Mimicking nature – from science fiction to engineering reality Humans have always looked to nature’s inventions as a source of inspiration. The observation of flying birds and insects leads to innovations in aeronautics. Collision avoidance sensors mimic the whiskers of rodents. Optimization algorithms are based on survival of the fittest, the seed-picking process of pigeons, or the behavior of ant colonies. In recent years these efforts have become more intensive, with researchers seeking rules, concepts, and principles of biology to inspire new possibilities in materials, mechanisms, algorithms, and fabrication processes. A review of the current state of the art, Biomimetics: Nature Based Innovation documents key biological solutions that provide a model for innovations in engineering and science. Leading experts address a wide range of topics, including: Artificial senses and organs Mimicry at the cell–materials interface Multiscale modeling of plant cell wall architecture and tissue mechanics The making of biomimetic composites Electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators as artificial muscles EAP-based refreshable braille displays Biomimetic optics from the angles of biology and plants Biomimicry of flying birds, insects, and marine biology Applications of biomimetics in manufacturing, products, and medicine Robotics, including the development of human-like robots Biologically inspired design as a tool for interdisciplinary education The biomimetic process in artistic creation The final chapter outlines the challenges to biomimetic-related innovation and offers a vision for the future. A follow-up to Biomimetics: Biologically Inspired Technologies (2005), this comprehensive reference methodically surveys the latest advances in this rapidly emerging field. It features an abundance of illustrations, including a 32-page full-color insert, and provides extensive references for engineers and scientists interested in delving deeper into the study of biomimetics.

This book compiles all aspects of biomimetics from fundamentalprinciples to current technological advances and their futuretrends in the development of nanoscale biomaterials and tissueengineering. The scope of this book is principally confined tobiologically-inspired design of materials and systems for thedevelopment of next generation nanobiomaterials and tissueengineering. The book addresses the state-of-the-art of researchprogress in the applications of the principles, processes, andtechniques of biomimetics. The prospective outcomes of currentadvancements and challenges in biomimetic approaches are alsopresented.

Nature’s evolution has led to the introduction of highly efficient biological mechanisms. Imitating these mechanisms offers an enormous potential for the improvement of our day to day life. Ideally, by bio-inspiration we can get a better view of nature’s capability while studying its models and adapting it for our benefit. This book takes us into the interesting world of biomimetics and describes various arenas where the technology is applied. The 25 chapters covered in this book disclose recent advances and new ideas in promoting the mechanism and applications of biomimetics.

The interface between biological and non-biological worlds becomes increasingly blurred due to significant advances in our understanding of biological phenomena and the development of sophisticated means to manipulate molecular systems for varied applications. This book methodically describes artificial and synthetic assemblies mimicking biological and living systems - from biomaterials to drug discovery to microelectronics and computer sciences.

This book presents an overview of the general field of biomimetics - lessons from nature. It presents various examples of biomimetics, including roughness-induced superomniphobic surfaces which provide functionality of commercial interest. The major focus in the book is on lotus effect, rose petal effect, shark skin effect, and gecko adhesion. For each example, the book first presents characterization of an object to understand how a natural object provides functionality, followed by modeling and then fabrication of structures in the lab using nature’s route to verify one’s understanding of nature and provide guidance for development of optimum structures. Once it is understood how nature does it, examples of fabrication of optimum structures using smart materials and fabrication techniques, are presented. Examples of nature inspired objects are also presented throughout.

There is a wide consensus about the necessity of sustainable development. There is also a consensus that wide areas of our economy, industry, and technology and the life styles in industrialized countries are not susta- able. Science and technology are widely regarded as (main) causes for this situation. Issues in this context comprise the generally low resource ef- ciency, an increased and mostly undebated technological power, an - creased invasiveness of modern technologies, increasing amounts and - versity of pollutants, and high technological risks. On the other hand science and technology are also regarded as (main) solution providers towards more sustainability. Thus the question is which type of science and technology is rather a part of the problem, and which type is rather a part of the solution? ‘Learning from nature’ may give some orientation in this context. B- mimetics and bionics are widely regarded as being a part of the solution.

Bioinspired systems, technologies and techniques known as “biomimetics” or the “mimicry of nature,” represent a ground-breaking method of scientific research based on innovation and a creative design approach of the ‘nature’ laboratory to be applied to any scientific discipline. This approach and the associated way of thinking facilitates the cross-fertilization of scientific fields, integrating biology and the interdisciplinary knowledge featuring the evolution of models that have refined in nature within any scientific discipline.

This book provides the readers with a timely guide to the application of biomimetic principles in architecture and engineering design. As a result of a combined effort by two internationally recognized authorities, the biologist Werner Nachtigall and the architect Göran Pohl, the book describes the principles which can be used to compare nature and technology, and at the same time it presents detailed explanations and examples showing how biology can be used as a source of inspiration and “translated” in building and architectural solutions (biomimicry). Even though nature cannot be directly copied, the living world can provide architects and engineers with a wealth of analogues and inspirations for their own creative designs. But how can analysis of natural entities give rise to advanced and sustainable design? By reporting on the latest bionic design methods and using extensive artwork, the book guides readers through the field of nature-inspired architecture, offering an extraordinary resource for professional architects, engineers, designers and urban planners, as well as for university teachers, researchers and students. Natural evolution is seen throughout the book as a powerful resource that can serve architecture and design by providing innovative, optimal and sustainable solutions.

This book discusses the current direction of the research approach to extreme biomimetics through biological materials-inspired chemistry and its applications in modern technology and medicine. It is a resource covering topics of extreme (psychrophilic and thermopilic) biomineralization, solvothermal and hydrothermal chemistry of metal oxides and nanostructured composites, and bioinspired materials science in a diverse areas. The authors review the current advances in the extreme biomimetics research field and describe various approaches introduced and explored by their respective laboratories. • Details the basic principles of extreme biomimetics approach for design of new materials and applications; • Includes numerous examples of the hierarchical organization of hydrothermally or psychrophilically obtained biocomposites, structural bioscaffolds, biosculpturing, biomimetism, and bioinspiration as tools for the design of innovative materials; • Describes and details the principles of extreme biomimetics with respect to metallization of chemically and thermally stable biopolymers.

Nature has always been a source of inspiration for the design of the human environment. The analysis of biological constructions can not only lead to astonishing technical solutions but can also inspire the design of architecture. Bionics is a fascinating border area between pure research and practical application: biologists, chemists, physicists, mineralogists, and paleontologists meet up with material scientists, engineers, and architects and transfer their knowledge to architecture and construction. Using numerous practical examples, this richly illustrated introduction traces the process from the understanding of how something functions, to abstraction—for example in computer models—and the construction of initial prototypes, through to fully functional manufacture and production.

Lasers are progressively more used as versatile tools for fabrication purposes. The wide range of available powers, wavelengths, operation modes, repetition rates etc. facilitate the processing of a large spectrum of materials at exceptional precision and quality. Hence, manifold methods were established in the past and novel methods are continuously under development. Biomimetics, the translation from nature-inspired principles to technical applications, is strongly multidisciplinary. This field offers intrinsically a wide scope of applications for laser based methods regarding structuring and modification of materials. This book is dedicated to laser fabrication methods in biomimetics. It introduces both, a laser technology as well as an application focused approach. The book covers the most important laser lithographic methods and various biomimetics application scenarios ranging from coatings and biotechnology to construction, medical applications and photonics.

This report represents an attempt to see if some of the techniques biological systems use to maximize their efficiency can be applied to the problems NASA faces in aeronautics and space exploration. It includes an internal survey of resources available at NASA Langley Research Center for biomimetics research efforts, an external survey of state of the art in biomimetics covering the Materials, Structures, Aerodynamics, Guidance and Controls areas.

Biomimetics: Lessons from Nature is an essay dedicated to the important topic of biomimicry - that is, inspiration from nature - as it relates to design and environmental and social sustainability, as well as issues related to the manufacturing cycle, from the initial phase of product design until final outcome, where there is often very little sustainability or none at all. This book also pays particular attention to today's pressing issues about alternative energy sources and the recycling of waste products from manufacturing activities and normal daily life. The approach is intentionally colloquial, with the aim of making access to these topics more engaging, while fully adhering to correct terminology and scientific reliability.

Putting forward an innovative approach to solving current technological problems faced by human society, this book encompasses a holistic way of perceiving the potential of natural systems. Nature has developed several materials and processes which both maintain an optimal performance and are also totally biodegradable, properties which can be used in civil engineering. Delivering the latest research findings to building industry professionals and other practitioners, as well as containing information useful to the public, ‘Biotechnologies and Biomimetics for Civil Engineering’ serves as an important tool to tackle the challenges of a more sustainable construction industry and the future of buildings.

Biomimetics is an innovative paradigm shift based on biodiversity for sustainability. Biodiversity is not only the result of evolutionary adaption but also the optimized solution of an epic combinatorial chemistry for sustainability, because the diversity has been acquired by biological processes and technology, including production processes, operating principles, and control systems, all of which differ from human technology. In the recent decades, biomimetics has gained a great deal of industrial interest because of its unique solutions for engineering problems. In this book, researchers have contributed cutting-edge results from the viewpoint of two types of industrial applications of biomimetics. The first type starts with engineering tasks to solve an engineering problem using biomimetics, while the other starts with the knowledge of biology and its application to engineering fields. This book discusses both approaches. Edited by Profs. Masatsugu Shimomura and Akihiro Miyauchi, two prominent nanotechnology researchers, this book will appeal to advanced undergraduate- and graduate-level students of biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering and to researchers working in the areas of mechanics, optical devices, glue materials, sensor devices, and SEM observation of living matter.

Biomimetic photonics is a burgeoning field. Biologists are finding and describing a whole menagerie of unique and astonishingly complex nano- and microstructures in fauna and flora. Material scientists are developing novel multifunctional and hierarchical structures with a wide variety of post-nano era photonics applications. Mathematicians and computer scientists are using computer models and simulations to understand the underlying principles of biomimetic structures. However, concepts, structures, and phenomena that are well known in one community are quite unknown in others. Exploring a biomimetic approach to developing photonic devices and structures, Biomimetics in Photonics discusses not only the role of and results of biomimicry in engineering, but also the true understanding of natural processes and the application of these techniques to established technologies. Featured Topics Photonic structures in flowers, leaves and fruits and inorganic structures produced in aquatic environment by diatoms, sponges, and shells Mechanisms for biomineralization and how natural structures can be synthetically modified or even used as templates for artificial photonic materials Biological photonic structures in beetles and butterflies and their bio-inspired applications, including anti-reflecting surfaces, iridescent viruses, light reflection, metallic effects, and infrared sensors Suitable for researchers and graduate students, the book does more than describe how to extract good design from nature—Biomimetics in Photonics highlights natural design techniques in context, allowing for a more complete modeling picture. It demonstrates the possibilities and challenges in the move from a laboratory environment to industrial scale production of biomimetic photonic structures.

Optical biomimetics, the study of natural systems to inspire novel solutions to problems in optical technologies, has attracted growing interest. Optical biomimetics reviews key research in this area, focusing on the techniques and approaches used to characterise and mimic naturally occurring optical effects. Beginning with an overview of natural photonic structures, Optical biomimetics goes on to discuss optical applications of biomolecules, such as retinylidene and bacteriorhodopsin, polarisation effects in natural photonic structures and their applications, and biomimetic nanostructures for anti-reflection (AR) devices. Control of iridescence in natural photonic structures is explored through the case of butterfly scales, alongside a consideration of nanostructure fabrication using natural synthesis. The investigation into silk optical materials is followed by a final discussion of the control of florescence in natural photonic structures. With its distinguished editor and international team of expert contributors, Optical biomimetics is a valuable guide for scientists and engineers in both academia and industry who are already studying biomimetics, and a fascinating introduction for those who wish to move into this interesting new field. Reviews key research in optical biomimetics, focusing on the techniques and approaches used to characterise and mimic naturally-occurring optical effects Discusses optical applications of biomolecules, such as retinylidene and bacteriorhodopsin Explores the control of iridescence in natural photonic structures through the case of butterfly scales

The interaction between cells, tissues and biomaterial surfaces are the highlights of the book "Advances in Biomimetics". In this regard the effect of nanostructures and nanotopographies and their effect on the development of a new generation of biomaterials including advanced multifunctional scaffolds for tissue engineering are discussed. The 2 volumes contain articles that cover a wide spectrum of subject matter such as different aspects of the development of scaffolds and coatings with enhanced performance and bioactivity, including investigations of material surface-cell interactions.