The Biomimicry Institute promotes learning from and then emulating natural
forms, processes, and ecosystems to create more sustainable and
healthier human technologies and designs. Learn more...
To learn about more examples of biomimicry, visit our case studies or our online database of nature's strategies AskNature.org
Why Biomimicry?
Biomimicry is the science and art of emulating Nature's best biological ideas to solve human problems. Non-toxic adhesives inspired by geckos, energy efficient buildings inspired by termite mounds, and resistance-free antibiotics inspired by red seaweed are examples of biomimicry happening today -- and none too soon. Humans may have a long way to go towards living sustainably on this planet, but 10-30 million species with time-tested genius to help us get there. Learn more about Biomimicry >
What's New?
Business Week Names Janine Benyus one of the World's Most Influential Designers
1-Feb-2010 A pioneer of the biomimicry movement, Benyus,
51, has helped companies and other institutions develop products and
strategies based on nature's "best practices." Read the full article in Business Week >
AskNature.org, the biomimicry community's online database of nature's solutions, has a new set of featured strategies highlighting the wealth of genius in tropical rainforests. View strategies >
Jan 2010 - Although most people are focused on 3D and electronic Ink displays at CES 2010,
Qualcomm's Mirasol is showing something completely different:
MEMs-based bio-mimicry. Yes, that is a mouthful, but the displays are
color, very low power, and you could be seeing them on cell phones, e-book readers and tablets by the end of the year. Read the full article in GearLog >
National Wildlife Federation Magazine: Mimicking Mother Nature
Dec/Jan 2010 -“People are looking for ways to reduce
material use, get away from toxic substances and reduce energy use.
When they hear about biomimicry, they realize it’s an R&D program
that’s been going on for 3.8 billion years,” says biologist Janine
Benyus of the Biomimicry Guild, a Montana-based consulting firm that
provides research and guidance on natural solutions for some of the
country’s largest companies and government agencies. Read the full article >
A material based on sharkskin stops bacterial breakouts
29-October-2009 - A whale’s skin is easily glommed up with barnacles, algae, bacteria and
other sea creatures, but sharks stay squeaky-clean. Although these
parasites can pile onto a shark’s rippled skin too, they can’t take
hold and thus simply wash away. Now scientists [at Sharklet Technologies ] have printed that
pattern on an adhesive film that will repel bacteria pathogens from
hospitals and public restrooms.
Otter Inspires dry, warm clothing that uses fewer chemicals, saves energy in manufacturing and can be recycled
30-October-2009 - Most of the baselayers it sells are made of the soft, high-performance
wool of sustainably-raised merino sheep. But the company is not only
using materials from animals in its products, it’s also designing
products that mimic the way that animals stay warm and dry. In
developing this season’s Humboldt and Storm Tracker Finisterre jackets,
the designers employed biomimicry.
Nissan Eporo car aids in avoiding collision by mimicking schools of fish
1-October-2009 - So what do a bumblebee and a school of fish have in common? Both
demonstrate extraordinary "anti-collision" abilities, navigating
instinctively and intelligently through challenging terrain by
detecting and avoiding obstacles - just as future Nissan safety
vehicles may have the
capability to do. But where bees - and the
BR23C robot car - are likely to travel alone, the schooling behavior of
fish, or a group of vehicles, presents a far greater challenge in terms
of collision avoidance. In developing EPORO, three rules of fish
behavior were applied to its driving control. Read the full press release from Nissan >
February 18-20 - A pioneering collaboration among biologists, designers, engineers, and
businesspeople, Social Biomimicry will explore how the collective
behavior and nest architecture of social insects can inspire more effective
and sustainable solutions to human challenges. The conference will
promote exchange of concepts, perspectives, and tools to enrich biology
and advance biomimetic design. Download pdf flier >
29-October-2009 - A whale’s skin is easily glommed up with barnacles, algae, bacteria and
other sea creatures, but sharks stay squeaky-clean. Although these
parasites can pile onto a shark’s rippled skin too, they can’t take
hold and thus simply wash away. Now scientists [at 