We have all taken the time to see some of the small mysteries that nature has to offer, and in many cases we wonder how life has created and solved so many problems. How does the bumblebee fly with those small wings? How do plants harness the power of the sun? Life is full of inventions that we are only just beginning to understand.

Our planet is full of engineers, as organisms have conducted 3.8 billion years of research, finding lasting solutions. Those experiments that have gone wrong show up in the fossil record. We look to nature for so many answers and there is a new scientific field that is trying to increase our efficacy of bringing natural solutions into everyday life.

Biomimicry (Bios — life and Mimesis — imitate) studies nature’s most exceptional ideas as a tool to create more sensible and sustainable designs. By imitating natural solutions we can use nature as a mentor, helping us to solve human problems. It sounds so straightforward but we are beginning to truly look to life’s genius as a survival strategy and solution to our long term sustainability. Biomimicry can help create sustainable ideas that perform well, save energy, cut costs, redefine waste, create opportunity and increase business revenues along with many other possibilities.

The process starts with a human limitation, then moves to observing natural forms, processes, systems and strategies. The innovator tries to copy the design and then needs to ask, how can this solution be manufactured? Then the manufacturing process can be considered in the same manner. Mimicking nature can be a powerful tool for engineers, designers, architects and business leaders. Indentifying the possibility is the first step, interpreting how nature performs comes next. Discovering possibilities is a creative step, where looking at nature’s abstract patterns are assessed with the main focus being emulation and finally evaluation.

Such a fascinating concept, but does it work; have there been real world successes? These ideas can seem so simple, yet their implication to our development is amazing!

Velcro — In 1941, George de Mestral, a Swiss engineer, saw burrs were amazing at sticking to his dogs fur. Under his microscope he observed that tiny hooks on the burr caught anything with a loop, such as clothing, hair, even animal fur. This observation created Velcro, a revolutionary fastening system.

ENERGY CONSUMPTION
The Eastgate Centre in Zimbabwe found unique inspiration for its design in the humble construction of termite mounds. It turns out that termite mounds are marvels of natural engineering. Inside, the insects farm fungus that requires a specific temperature of 30.5º C. This has to happen while temperatures outside the mound range from 1.6 to over 40º C. This is accomplished with the use of vents at the base and top of the mound that are constantly created and plugged by the hard working termite. The East Gate Center was brought in on budget and provides massive savings on energy consumption.

ENERGY PRODUCTION
Humpback whales have long been marveled for their exceptional mobility given their size. It has been a mystery to scientists until recently. It turns out the formations on humpback whale fins reduce drag. Apply this to helicopters and wind turbines and you get 32% less drag and 8% more lift. A 20% increase in energy efficiency by taking an idea from a whale.

FRICTION REDUCTION ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Many of us remember the controversy in the pool at the Beijing Olympics and the swimsuits that reduced friction. Shark skin is a marvel of hydrodynamics by manipulating water flow while moving, reducing drag. In the case of the swimmers it could have helped destroy many world records. In the case of ships, submarines and aircraft fuselages it could reduce fuel consumption and the burning of less fossil fuels.

With such unique solutions already achieved, it is easy to see the endless boundaries of natural solutions. And there are still amazing opportunities for innovators who chose to observe a 3.8 billion year experiment. Artificial photosynthesis is clearly an exceptional example and a perfect way to harness the sun’s energy with natural efficiency. Using this energy can produce hydrogen, making it a clean energy alternative. A hydrogen fuel cell that was efficient and self charging — what an exceptional way to produce a zero emission energy.

Spider silk is elastic, yet strong as steel. Spiders produce it at low temperatures using very little energy. What would be the applications for this technology should we find the answer to producing it ourselves?

This and so many other ideas are possible when we look to the natural world for answers; life is full of wonder. This season while you are enjoying your garden space, look more closely at nature’s engineers at work and wonder about what they can teach us next.