Marine biomimicry (2024)

FAQs

What are some examples of biomimicry in the ocean? ›

Kelp: The Biowave water turbine mimics kelp, both in the way its foliage undulates and in the way it attaches itself to the seabed. Cuttlefish: The Sepios underwater robot was modelled on the cuttlefish. With its four fins and mechanical swim bladder, the robot is perfectly buoyant.

Biomimicry is an art that uses processes that are found in nature to solve human problems. Biomimicry can be used to clean water. During this research, the problem-driven approach is used. This approach starts with the essence of a problem and follows various research steps to find a solution.

Perhaps the most famous example of biomimicry is Velcro. In 1941, engineer George de Mestral was walking his dog when he noticed burrs (like the ones pictured below) sticking to both of them. When he studied the burrs under magnification he found their clinging property was the result of hundreds of tiny hooks.

Biomimicry is learning from and then emulating nature's forms, processes, and ecosystems to create more sustainable designs. Spider webs, for example, represent nature's ability to deter collisions.

The invention of Velcro

The sticky material was actually inspired by the way plant burrs stick to dog hair.

Common oceanic animal adaptations include gills, special breathing organs used by some oceanic animals like fish and crabs; blowholes, an opening on the top of the head that's used for breathing; fins, flat, wing-like structures on a fish that help it move through the water; and streamlined bodies.

Is biomimicry ultimately good or bad? Biomimicry is ultimately beneficial as it can inspire new ideas for business design and development, but as with anything else – there are drawbacks to the use of biomimicry, such as the unpredictability of the outcome and our limited understanding of nature.

Velcro was invented by George de Mestral in 1941 and was inspired by the burrs he found on himself and on his dog. Being an engineer and entrepreneur, Mr. de Mestral examined the burr under a microscope and realized the small hooks of the burr and loops of the fur/fabric allowed the burr to adhere exceedingly well.

One of the more famous examples of biomimicry is Velcro. George de Mestral, a Swiss engineer, observed how the seeds of the burdock plant stuck to his socks and his dog when walking in the mountains.

The flying machines of Leonardo Da Vinci are the earliest biomimicry example. He very closely observed the anatomy and flight of birds and made numerous notes and detailed sketches of his observations. These sketches of proposed "flying machines"... known today as an airplane.

What are the two animals that practice biomimicry? ›

Ants and prairie dogs build massive underground structures that have ventilation systems to keep air flowing and prevent CO2 from gathering inside. During the day, the structures keep the heat out, and at night, they keep cool air in.

Biomimicry is a practice that learns from and mimics the strategies found in nature to solve human design challenges—and find hope.

Solar technology is one area where biomimicry has a lot of potential. Engineers are working to develop biomimetic solar panels that have the potential to revolutionize the renewable energy sector by replicating the effectiveness and flexibility of natural systems.

The study of structural colors is part of a field of physics called photonics, which is very popular and rich in examples of applications in biomimicry. For example, in order to fight against counterfeiting, molds have been developed from the iridescences of the morpho butterfly.

Coastal plants need special adaptations to survive. For example, many types of seaweed attach firmly to rocks so they are not swept away by waves. Their leaf-like fronds are tough and leathery, which helps protect them from being torn by the waves or dried out by the sun.

Ocean plants, unlike land plants, are able to live in saltwater. The most common ocean plants are kelp, algae, sea grass, and phytoplankton, which are microscopic plants that are one of the most common ocean plants.

Although there is some disagreement, several types of marine ecosystems are largely agreed on: estuaries, salt marshes, mangrove forests, coral reefs, the open ocean, and the deep-sea ocean. An estuary is a coastal zone where oceans meet rivers.

Animals such as seahorses, clownfish, and sea turtles all live on coral reefs. And corals themselves are animals! They grab food from the water using tiny tentacle-like arms. Kelp forests found along the coastlines of the Pacific and Antarctic Oceans also provide food and shelter for marine life.