We humans are at a turning point in our evolution. Though we began as a small population in a very large world, we have expanded in number and territory until we are now bursting at the seam. Our habits are unsustainable and we are disturbing the balance of nature. But the fact is, we learn a lot many things from nature to solve our problems. Here are few examples:
Termite dens look otherworldly, but they are surprisingly comfortable places to live. There are several large office complexes, buildings that mimic the termite approach to temperature control.
Freely flying birds are the basis for all the designs of aeroplanes. Birds have been able to boost the distance they’re able to fly by more than 70 percent though the use of the V-shape.
Velcro is widely known example of bio mimicry. You may have worn shoes with Velcro straps. This Velcro was inspired by tiny hooks found on surface of burs.
The lotus flower is sort of like the sharkskin of dry land. The flower’s micro-rough surface naturally repels dust and dirt particles, keeping its petals sparkling clean. If you’ve ever looked at a lotus leaf under a microscope, you’ve seen a sea of tiny nail-like protuberances that can fend off specks of dust. When water rolls over a lotus leaf, it collects anything on the surface, leaving a clean and healthy leaf behind. This lotus effect had been applied to develop paints.
Looking at the way sea plants move in currents and the efficient movements of fish like sharks and tuna, turbines have been designed for effective tidal power generation.
Travelling at over 200 miles per hour, Japan’s shinkansen bullet train is the fastest in the world. However the first design had one small problem: noise and air pressure. The front end of the train has been redesigned using the body structure of Kingfisher so that the train go even faster and use less energy.
In this way, we use nature as a ‘model’. Due to our activities we are destroying the model. Instead of acting like we are separate from nature, we need to accept that we are part of it and we should be behaving accordingly.
