Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature

Biomimicry Innovation Inspired by Nature

The Potential Application of Beehives on Capsule

Hotels

The Book What is “biomimicry”?

• adapt the genius of nature for human use

What are its advantages? • more sustainable designs • proven, cost-effective, and resilient

solutions • less consumption, extraction, destruction

6 Areas of Focus: • How Will We Feed Ourselves? • How Will We Harness Energy? • How Will We Make Things? • How Will We Heal Ourselves? • How Will We Store What We Learn? • How Will We Conduct Business?

Wes Jackson of The Land Institute uses the prairie has a model for farming – “farm the way nature farms”. Perennials, for instance are self-fertilizing and self-weeding, and also absorb a lot of rain. The diversity of plant-life within a prairie also provides effective pest-control.

Peter Steinberg of Biosignal turned to the red algae, which releases compounds to

prevent colonies of bacteria from growing on it, when he invented a resistant anti-bacterial used in medical tools, cleaning

supplies, pipes, etc.

David L. Kaplan has used how spiders spin their webs and release liquid protein in designing a fiber which is strong and protective but very light, as well as environmentally-friendly to manufacture.

Chimpanzees utilize the antiparasitic qualities of the Vernonia plant and also engage in leaf-swallowing behavior to treat aching stomachs – Richard

Wrangham models human medicinal compounds after such strategies.

Chapter 3: How Will We

Harness Energy? Light into Life: Gathering

Energy Like a Leaf

What is Photosynthesis?

Plants’ Efficient Power Supply • conversion of sunlight,

carbon dioxide and water into usable fuel

• emission of oxygen Biomimetic Potential

• Plants: fuel = carbohydrates, proteins, fats

• Humans: fuel = power automobiles / run electricity

Artificial Photosynthesis A New Energy Conversion System

Artificial Photosynthesis

System’s Purpose • harvest energy, split water

molecules System’s Goal

• change the output from oxygen to liquid hydrogen (world’s cleanest, storable fuel)

The Challenge

• splitting water to get the required electrons to produce hydrogen requires energy – a catalyst

Plants’ Energy System 1. Chlorophyll and proteins

capture sunlight and use it to break down water molecules into hydrogen, electrons, and oxygen

2. Electrons and hydrogen are used to convert CO2 into carbohydrates

3. Oxygen is released in the process

Potential Applications ● replace wasteful, harmful fossil fuels as our chief source of energy ● a storable, rather than time- and weather-dependent, fuel ● alternative fuel types Limitations ● not ready for mass consumption ● stability and efficiency issues ● still not as powerful as fossil fuels

How Will We Harness Energy?

Bees & Thermal Energy

Japan’s Capsule Hotels “The capsule hotel first appeared during the 1980s – the inebriated salaryman’s dream come true: a cheap (under $40) alternative to the expense formerly incurred by missing the last train home. Reached by a ladder, the capsule is no larger than a shipboard berth (3 x 3 x 6 ft), though extremely comfortable and endowed with all kinds of amenities, including TV. The overall design is tellingly like a beehive. Some capsule hotels also feature saunas and public baths with spa pools.”

- National Geographic Traveler: Japan, 4th Ed.(p. 359)

Japan Russia

Despoina Fragkou & Dr. Vicki Stevenson Can capsule hotels be modelled after honey beehives to provide more efficient and cheaper ventilation as well as cooling and warmth?

Comb pattern satisfies:

Ventilation Requirements - ventilation rate of 50.601/min - relative humidity levels of 45-55% Thermal Requirements - 34°C when raising brood, 17°C otherwise

How:

Structure & Interior Design - hexagonal shape is more stable in vibrations

Envelope & Spacing - distance between two frames is two bee-spaces (12-16 mm)

Services - evaporative cooling: collect water and fan wings to pass drop’s air to lower temperatures

Methodology 3 Methods 2 to illustrate ventilation potential 1 to illustrate thermal potential 2 models: control and biomimetic

Ventilation Method: Physical Modelling and Laboratory Testing “The aim was to illustrate the airflow inside the hive in order to conclude the pattern of flow which success in serving the required ventilation rate.” (p. 2)

Thermal Method: Computer Simulation

“The analysis was carried out to evaluate the energy

requirements and thermal comfort results for each

scenario.” (p. 3)

3 Capsule Types 1. TV and alarm clock 2. Radio and alarm clock 3. Light and alarm clock

Both Models - same occupant schedules - same infiltration / internal gain parts - carried out over a year

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Ventilation Method: created a physical model of a transparent National Beehive brood box, constructed in 1:1 scale (365 mm x 425 mm), with 10 frames spaced 13-14 mm apart from each other and 6 mm from the external walls of the ‘hive’ … To simulate wind, a wind tunnel was created by two fans, and microbubbles were sent through the model to track air flow … structure allowed the upward flow of the air inside the hive but at the same time ensured that the pressure wouldn’t be excessive …

Results

Tracking Air Flow There are two main flows of air – the first set enters from the bottom left (air entrance) of the right edge, then flows upwards

and curves towards the left side; the second set (circled) enters from the same corner, but, after reaching the hive’s right side, flows upward and rises until it exits the covering in the upper right.

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Ventilation Take-Away: air enters the hive from the bottom right, is directed upwards before spreading throughout the hive – this allowed the majority of the frame area to be ventilated, though there may not be significant ventilation to the top corners of the hive. Thermal Take-Away: The thermal performance of the biomimicry-altered capsule is significantly better than the base case since it requires lower heating / cooling loads by approx. 50% while providing the same level of comfort. The biomimicry alterations were found to have little impact on the internal temperature inside the capsule in a natural ventilation system analysis.

What Benyus Would Ask What is the potential to use the beehive model on a more massive scale – i.e. housing in general? Few households can survive on such a limited number of appliances, for instance. Bee activities certainly differ from human ones - moreover, there is usually only one individual staying within a capsule at once, vs. the numerous bees in a colony. How can we make sure the capsule stays warm efficiently then when the human is not in the capsule? People expect to feel warm (or cool) immediately – they may not be patient enough to wait for temperature change. Can biomimicry still satisfy consumers’ tendency to demand services (as well as products) now?

Presenter

Presentation Notes

I think that the capsule hotel – beehive model example Fragkou and Stevensen present can serve as a starting point for potential mass-use… Benyus notes that there are 3 levels of biomimicry: first, there’s the mimicking of natural form (i.e. copying an owl’s feather design to create a fabric that opens anywhere along its surface); at the second level, we mimic natural processes (i.e. how a feather is made). Next, at the third level, we mimic natural ecosystems (i.e. how a single feather is part of an owl, which itself is part of a whole forest, which is part of the whole biosphere…) Whatever level we choose, we may not be able to replicate it exactly (know our limitations – return to chapter on harnessing energy! “We knew it would be ludicrous to try to duplicate anything as complex and finely evolved as [a photosynthetic reaction center]”, says Devens Gust. “”Nature has a 3-billion year jump on us here.”), but looking at nature will definitely result in a more sustainable future.

Questions?