BIOMIMICRYNature as Model, Measure, and Mentor

BI-O-MIM-IC-RYBI-O-MIM-IC-RY((From the Greek bios, life, and mimesis, imitation)From the Greek bios, life, and mimesis, imitation)

Nature as model. Nature as model. Biomimicry is a new science Biomimicry is a new science that studies Nature’s models and then imitates or takes that studies Nature’s models and then imitates or takes inspiration from these designs and processes to solve inspiration from these designs and processes to solve human problems.human problems.

Nature as measure. Nature as measure. Biomimicry uses an Biomimicry uses an ecological standard to judge “rightness” of our ecological standard to judge “rightness” of our innovations.innovations.

Nature as mentor. Nature as mentor. Biomimicry is a new way of Biomimicry is a new way of

viewing and valuing Nature.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 Medicine: Learning from Chimpanzees how to heal ourselvesourselves

Human Safety: Human Safety: Learning from Dolphins how to warn people about TsunamisLearning 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 Agriculture: Learning from prairies how to grow food sustainablysustainably

The Biomimicry Guild’s The Biomimicry Guild’s Functional TaxonomyFunctional Taxonomy

FunctionFunction is the pivot between life’s wisdom and what we is the pivot between life’s wisdom and what we are trying to achieve intentionally. 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 The Biomimicry Guild has produced an organized collection of functions that covers everything that life does collection of functions that covers everything that life does and that we might want a design to do. and that we might want a design to do.

The functions are grouped by similarity so it’s called a The functions are grouped by similarity so it’s called a taxonomy (an organized taxonomy (an organized system of naming) of functions.system of naming) of functions.

Identify the Real ChallengeIdentify the Real Challenge Don’t ask “Don’t ask “whatwhat do you want to design?” (an air conditioner) do you want to design?” (an air conditioner)

Ask “what do you Ask “what do you want your design to dowant your design to do?” (make people feel cooler)?” (make people feel cooler)

Ask “why?” multiple times: (Challenge: Air conditioners use lots of energy Ask “why?” multiple times: (Challenge: Air conditioners use lots of energy because they use heat to dry desiccants that dehumidify air and then they because they use heat to dry desiccants that dehumidify air and then they must cool the heated air.)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 Why are they using heat? (To drive the moisture out of the desiccant so it can be reused)can be reused)

So, you want a design to pull moisture So, you want a design to pull moisture out of air and cool the air!out of air and cool the air!

Develop a Design Brief for the Needed FunctionDevelop 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 Reframe questions with additional keywords.keywords.

Develop a Design Brief for the Needed FunctionDevelop a Design Brief for the Needed Function Define Operating Parameters;Define Operating Parameters;

““Climate” conditions: (wet, dry, cold, hot,Climate” conditions: (wet, dry, cold, hot,low/high pressure, highly variable, high/low UV,etc.)low/high pressure, highly variable, high/low UV,etc.)

““Nutrient” conditions: (nutrient poor =no $, Nutrient” conditions: (nutrient poor =no $, nutrient rich = lots of available materials)nutrient rich = lots of available materials)

““Social” conditions: (competitive, cooperative)Social” conditions: (competitive, cooperative) ““Temporal” conditions: (dynamic, static, growing, Temporal” conditions: (dynamic, static, growing,

ageing)ageing)

After defining operating parameters, ask:After defining operating parameters, ask:““How does Nature do that function HERE? How does Nature do that function HERE?

In these conditions?”In these conditions?”

Integrate Life's Principles Integrate Life's Principles into the Design Briefinto the Design Brief

Optimize rather than maximizeOptimize rather than maximize Locally attuned and responsiveLocally attuned and responsive Build in resilienceBuild in resilience Leverage interdependenceLeverage interdependence Integrate cyclic processesIntegrate cyclic processes Use benign manufacturingUse benign manufacturing

Find The Best Natural ModelsFind The Best Natural Models

GoGo for a walk outside for a walk outside Consider both literal and metaphoricalConsider both literal and metaphorical

modelsmodels Comb the literatureComb the literature Brainstorm with BiologistsBrainstorm with Biologists

Identify Deep Patterns and Identify Deep Patterns and PrinciplesPrinciples

Look across discovered strategiesLook across discovered strategies Look at the strategies collectivelyLook at the strategies collectively

Specific to your desired function, what Specific to your desired function, what does each strategy have in common?does each strategy have in common?

How are they different?How are they different?

Deepen the ConversationDeepen 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 designDoes the design ““create conditions conducive to life”?create conditions conducive to life”?

Evaluate your findingsEvaluate your findings

Can it adapt and evolve?Can it adapt and evolve?

Thank your teacher (Nature) Thank your teacher (Nature) for the inspirationfor the inspiration

Nature as Mentor

* Incredibly competent universe * Nature’s 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 ???? Questions ??

HowHow can EPA use Biomimicry to meet our can EPA use Biomimicry to meet our mission?mission?

WhereWhere are the leverage points EPA can are the leverage points EPA can use to promote Biomimicry as part of a use to promote Biomimicry as part of a sustainable ecosystem approach?sustainable ecosystem approach?