By Quang La
Photo by Paulina Milde-Jachowska on Unsplash
Biomimetic Materials
Biomimetic materials are designed to solve intricate human challenges by drawing inspiration from natural elements, systems, and models.These materials adhere to the waste minimization, economy, and efficiency found in nature. The method of studying and mimicking the shapes, functions, and ecosystems found in nature in order to produce more sustainable designs is known as biomimicry, or biomimetics.
Key Principles of Biomimicry
The foundational ideas of biomimicry, sometimes referred to as “Life’s Principles,” are a collection of 26 tactics that all living things and ecosystems employ to establish favorable environmental conditions. These ideas, which are helpful for any organization or design, are regarded as profound design lessons from nature. They consist of tactics like:
Replicating strategies that work
Integrating the unexpected
Adapting to changing conditions
Incorporating diversity
Leveraging cyclic processes
Using readily available materials and energy
Cultivating cooperative relationships
Being resource efficient
Because these integrated strategies follow the same principles that sustain life, they are naturally sustainable when incorporated into an organization’s design methodology and system strategies.
Examples of Biomimetic Materials
Biomimetic materials inspired by nature include:
Self-healing materials: Concrete that repairs itself has microorganisms that produce limestone, which can fill up gaps and replicate the healing properties of bones.
Superhydrophobic surfaces: These surfaces, which are being developed for use in safe, energy-efficient lighting and biological imaging techniques, are inspired by the water-repellent qualities of lotus leaves.
Bio-inspired adhesives: These adhesives, derived from plant and animal sources, imitate the extraordinary strength with which marine animals, such as mussels, can cling to surfaces, and they have applications in both sustainable manufacturing and surgical procedures.
Applications of Biomimetic Materials
Biomimetic materials have a wide range of applications in various industries, including:
Aerospace
Biomimicry has been used in aerospace engineering to create wing designs inspired by birds, riblets for enhanced aerodynamics inspired by sharks, and astronaut safety gear inspired by woodpeckers. These developments have made aircraft that use less fuel and are more environmentally friendly.
Architecture
The goal of biomimetic architecture is to incorporate intricate natural patterns and structures into human habitations while advancing sustainability and energy efficiency. Examples are the Seawater Greenhouse in Abu Dhabi, which imitates the water-gathering capabilities of the Namib Desert beetle, and the Eastgate Centre in Zimbabwe, which employs cooling systems modeled after termite mounds.
Medicine
Significant medical advances have been made as a result of biomimicry. Examples include surgical adhesives inspired by geckos, medicine-delivering needles modeled after parasitic wasps, and tissue-grafting suction devices inspired by octopuses.
Sustainable Energy
Applications for sustainable energy, such as water collection systems modeled after the Namib Desert beetle and self-cleaning, fog-resistant windshields inspired by lotus leaves, heavily rely on biomimetic materials.
Advantages of Biomimetic Materials
Biomimetic materials offer several advantages over traditional materials, including:
Sustainability: The preservation of the tooth’s natural structure is given priority in biomimetic restorations, which reduce intervention and preserve healthy tissue. Because they frequently leave less environmental footprints and produce less waste, they also support environmental sustainability.
Durability: Biomimetic materials are more suited to sustain regular usage and reduce the need for replacements because of their increased lifetime, durability, and natural-looking outcomes.
Environmental Impact: The use of biomimetic materials often represents a more eco-friendly choice, as they may require fewer resources to produce and dispose of compared to traditional materials.
Future Prospects of Biomimetic Materials
The topic of biomimetic materials is one that is fast developing and has a lot of potential for advancement. Innovation in this field is being driven by ongoing research and developing technologies, with an increasing emphasis on space exploration, sustainable energy solutions, and biomimetic materials for biomedical uses. Biomimetic materials are expected to have a major influence on many different industries in the future as the field develops, helping to create a more inventive and sustainable future.
References:
EDI Weekly: Engineered Design Insider. (n.d.). https://www.ediweekly.com/ten-bio-inspired-aerospace-innovations-based-on-biomimicry-of-insects-birds-and-animals/
Self-Healing Concrete Inspired by Bones — Innovation — AskNature. (n.d.). AskNature. https://asknature.org/innovation/self-healing-concrete-cracking-repair-solution-inspired-by-bones/
Viet Ha Tran, T., Viet Nguyen, M., & Minh Tri Nguyen, L. (2023). Biomimetic Superhydrophobic Materials for Environmental Applications. IntechOpen. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.111444
Malta, T. O. (2024, February 4). The bio-inspired adhesives that are revolutionising bonding solutions. Times of Malta. https://timesofmalta.com/article/the-bioinspired-adhesives-revolutionising-bonding-solutions.1081602
The Biomimicry Life’s Principles Explained. (n.d.). https://www.learnbiomimicry.com/blog/biomimicry-lifes-principles