BIOMIMICRY Nature as Model, Measure, and Mentor

BI-O-MIM-IC-RY (From the Greek bios, life, and mimesis, imitation) Nature as model. Biomimicry is a new science that studies Natures models and then imitates or takes inspiration from these designs and processes to solve human problems. Nature as model. Biomimicry is a new science that studies Natures models and then imitates or takes inspiration from these designs and processes to solve human problems. Nature as measure. Biomimicry uses an ecological standard to judge rightness of our innovations. Nature as measure. Biomimicry uses an ecological standard to judge rightness of our innovations. Nature as mentor. Biomimicry is a new way of viewing and valuing Nature. Nature as mentor. Biomimicry is a new way of viewing and valuing Nature.

Energy Efficiency: Learning from Nature how to create flow without friction. PAX Fans and Impellers Design: How does Nature attach and detach? Gecko tape

Toxics: Learning from plants how to clean without cleaners: The Lotus Effect

Architecture: Learning from termites how to create sustainable buildings: Passive Climate Control in the Eastport Building, Harare Zimbabwe

Transportation: How does Nature travel quickly and smoothly? The Shinkansen Bullet Train in Japan

Medicine: Learning from Chimpanzees how to heal ourselves

Human Safety: Learning from Dolphins how to warn people about Tsunamis

Climate Change: Learning from human lungs how to sequester carbon

Agriculture: Learning from prairies how to grow food sustainably

The Biomimicry Guilds Functional Taxonomy Function is the pivot between lifes wisdom and what we are trying to achieve intentionally. What function do you want your design to perform? What function do you want your design to perform? How does life perform that function? How does life perform that function? The Biomimicry Guild has produced an organized collection of functions that covers everything that life does and that we might want a design to do. The functions are grouped by similarity so its called a taxonomy (an organized system of naming) of functions.

Identify the Real Challenge Dont ask what do you want to design? (an air conditioner) Dont ask what do you want to design? (an air conditioner) Ask what do you want your design to do? (make people feel cooler) Ask what do you want your design to do? (make people feel cooler) Ask why? multiple times: (Challenge: Air conditioners use lots of energy because they use heat to dry desiccants that dehumidify air and then they must cool the heated air.) Ask why? multiple times: (Challenge: Air conditioners use lots of energy because they use heat to dry desiccants that dehumidify air and then they must cool the heated air.) Why use desiccants? (To dry the air) Why use desiccants? (To dry the air) Why do the units dry air? (Because high humidity makes air feel warmer) Why do the units dry air? (Because high humidity makes air feel warmer) Why are they using heat? (To drive the moisture out of the desiccant so it can be reused) Why are they using heat? (To drive the moisture out of the desiccant so it can be reused) So, you want a design to pull moisture out of air and cool the air!

Develop a Design Brief for the Needed Function Biologize the Question: Biologize the Question: Identify functions (i.e. purpose, role, or use) Identify functions (i.e. purpose, role, or use) How does Nature do that function? How does Nature do that function? How does Nature not do that function? How does Nature not do that function? Reframe questions with additional keywords. Reframe questions with additional keywords.

Develop a Design Brief for the Needed Function Define Operating Parameters; Define Operating Parameters; Climate conditions: (wet, dry, cold, hot,low/high pressure, highly variable, high/low UV,etc.) Climate conditions: (wet, dry, cold, hot,low/high pressure, highly variable, high/low UV,etc.) Nutrient conditions: (nutrient poor =no $, nutrient rich = lots of available materials) Nutrient conditions: (nutrient poor =no $, nutrient rich = lots of available materials) Social conditions: (competitive, cooperative) Social conditions: (competitive, cooperative) Temporal conditions: (dynamic, static, growing, ageing) Temporal conditions: (dynamic, static, growing, ageing) After defining operating parameters, ask: How does Nature do that function HERE? In these conditions?

Integrate Life's Principles into the Design Brief Optimize rather than maximize Optimize rather than maximize Locally attuned and responsive Locally attuned and responsive Build in resilience Build in resilience Leverage interdependence Leverage interdependence Integrate cyclic processes Integrate cyclic processes Use benign manufacturing Use benign manufacturing

Find The Best Natural Models Go for a walk outside Go for a walk outside Consider both literal and metaphorical Consider both literal and metaphoricalmodels Comb the literature Comb the literature Brainstorm with Biologists Brainstorm with Biologists

Identify Deep Patterns and Principles Look across discovered strategies Look across discovered strategies Look at the strategies collectively Look at the strategies collectively Specific to your desired function, what does each strategy have in common? How are they different?

Deepen the Conversation Are you mimicking form? Are you mimicking form? Can you mimic process? Can you mimic process? Can you mimic the ecosystem? Can you mimic the ecosystem? Does the design create conditions conducive to life? create conditions conducive to life?

Evaluate your findings Can it adapt and evolve? Can it adapt and evolve? Thank your teacher (Nature) for the inspiration

Nature as Mentor * Incredibly competent universe * Natures living examples * Can live abundantly and enhance where you live * Much older mentors have figured it out * We can do the same thing – JANINE BENYUS

?? Questions ?? How can EPA use Biomimicry to meet our mission? Where are the leverage points EPA can use to promote Biomimicry as part of a sustainable ecosystem approach?