Redefining the good life, thanks to nature's genius
It’s a lofty task: Redefining the good life. But, as Nicole Miller explains in this blog post for Sustainable Brands 2017, thanks to nature it doesn’t have to be so daunting. For example, Nicole writes, the issue of packaging can be addressed if we look to nature, because nature has already solved every packaging challenge we can imagine.
Curated by Jenna Cederberg
Nature helping to drive multifaceted solar energy innovation
The state of biomimicry and solar energy technology is nicely summarized in this open access paper from the Applied Physics Review. A patchwork of biomimetic inspirations is driving solar energy innovation, including energy production and reflectance reduction, demonstrating that there are multiple challenges in a single technology where nature may have an answer.
Curated by Erin Rovalo
Biomimicry PhD graduate makes structural color breakthrough
This Phys.org article details the new structural color research conducted by biomimicry doctoral candidate Bor-Kai Hsiung (sponsored by paint maker Sherwin-Williams Co.). Hsiung’s research focused on the nanostructure of blue tarantula hair, opening new knowledge around consistent color in the long-range photonic structure that is not iridescent. And congratulations are in order for this milestone—the tarantula research was part of the work Hsiung did to become one of the first to graduate from University of Akron’s Biomimicry PhD program.
Curated by Jamie Dwyer
Woodland warriors: Business lessons from bluebells
Bluebell tricks give them an edge in their world. Being triggered by an opposite signal gives them a niche. Using a different kind of sugar allows them to operate at low temperatures, according to this The Conversation article. And cooperation with symbiotic fungi not only brings sustenance, but also keeps competitors from stealing their resources…all good ideas for how to tweak your business environment.
Curated by Robyn Klein
Structures that self-assemble, grow key to biomimetic building
Haresh Lalvani, from the Pratt Institute Center for Experimental Structures, and metal fabricator Milgo/Bufkin are turning 2D metal sheets into 3D structures. Patterns are cut into the sheets, then an outside force is applied, pulling the sheet into its 3D form, according to this Architecture Daily article. These new materials allow for design of biomimetic buildings—imagine structures that grow and self-assemble.
Curated by Jamie Dwyer
Bottom feeder inspires missile-blocking material
Hagfish protect themselves by releasing a slime that greatly expands upon contact with water, clogging the gills of would-be predators. This slimy material is super tough, so the U.S. Navy is developing a Hagfish slime mimic that could protect divers, block ballistics, fight fires, and maybe even keep away sharks, according to this Science Alert article. If even the lowly bottom-dwelling hagfish can inspire innovative military devices, what else can tens of millions of species teach us?
Curated by Mark DorfmanTry Out Synapse for Free
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