Biomimicry: why nature is the best designer

A sonic boom problem, Pressure waves, Urban environments, Bird-watching meets engineering, Penguins, A quieter train, A revolutionary idea, Turning to the wild, Biomimetic design, Self-cleaning technology, Decentralized intelligence, The rise of the circular economy, Material flow, A final goal, Nature, the untapped mentor

The world around us is being increasingly shaped by rapid technological advancement and environmental urgency. If we look around, we can see patterns, processes, and shapes that fit together in far too many blinding ways. But some of the most revolutionary ideas aren’t emerging from laboratories or corporate boardrooms; they’re coming from the natural world itself.

Nature has had billions of years to fine-tune its strategies for survival, efficiency, and elegance. So, how can we as humans use its designs to our advantage? It turns out that there are an abundance of resources at our disposal on how nature can be a guiding muse for design. And the first step is to simply look outside!

Click through this gallery to find out more.

A sonic boom problem

A sonic boom problem, Pressure waves, Urban environments, Bird-watching meets engineering, Penguins, A quieter train, A revolutionary idea, Turning to the wild, Biomimetic design, Self-cleaning technology, Decentralized intelligence, The rise of the circular economy, Material flow, A final goal, Nature, the untapped mentor

In 1989, Japan’s high-speed Shinkansen Bullet Train encountered a surprising issue. Despite its speed advantage at nearly 170 mph (274 km/h), it generated an explosive sonic boom each time it exited a tunnel, which disturbed nearby residents.

Pressure waves

A sonic boom problem, Pressure waves, Urban environments, Bird-watching meets engineering, Penguins, A quieter train, A revolutionary idea, Turning to the wild, Biomimetic design, Self-cleaning technology, Decentralized intelligence, The rise of the circular economy, Material flow, A final goal, Nature, the untapped mentor

The culprit behind the excessive noise wasn’t just speed; it was atmospheric pressure. As the train barreled into tunnels, it pushed air so forcefully that it created pressure waves that exploded from the other end with disruptive intensity. This sonic boom was audible from 1,300 feet (400 meters) away.

Urban environments

A sonic boom problem, Pressure waves, Urban environments, Bird-watching meets engineering, Penguins, A quieter train, A revolutionary idea, Turning to the wild, Biomimetic design, Self-cleaning technology, Decentralized intelligence, The rise of the circular economy, Material flow, A final goal, Nature, the untapped mentor

In Japan’s dense residential zones, the boom was a serious urban disturbance. As a result, engineers were tasked with creating a quieter, more efficient bullet train that wouldn’t compromise speed or environmental peace.

Bird-watching meets engineering

A sonic boom problem, Pressure waves, Urban environments, Bird-watching meets engineering, Penguins, A quieter train, A revolutionary idea, Turning to the wild, Biomimetic design, Self-cleaning technology, Decentralized intelligence, The rise of the circular economy, Material flow, A final goal, Nature, the untapped mentor

A man named Eiji Nakatsu, the general manager of the team’s technical development department, brought an unusual skill to the project: bird-watching. His knowledge of avian biology would prove to be the unconventional key to solving the train’s noise problem.

Owls

A sonic boom problem, Pressure waves, Urban environments, Bird-watching meets engineering, Penguins, A quieter train, A revolutionary idea, Turning to the wild, Biomimetic design, Self-cleaning technology, Decentralized intelligence, The rise of the circular economy, Material flow, A final goal, Nature, the untapped mentor

The train’s pantograph (the apparatus that connects the train to overhead wires) was inspired by the wings of owls. Their feathers have unique serrations and curvatures that allow for near-silent flight, and Nakatsu borrowed this concept to reduce noise.

Penguins

A sonic boom problem, Pressure waves, Urban environments, Bird-watching meets engineering, Penguins, A quieter train, A revolutionary idea, Turning to the wild, Biomimetic design, Self-cleaning technology, Decentralized intelligence, The rise of the circular economy, Material flow, A final goal, Nature, the untapped mentor

The smooth, streamlined body of the Adélie penguin became the inspiration behind the pantograph’s supporting shaft. Its natural contours allowed for a sleek design that significantly reduced wind resistance.

A quieter train

A sonic boom problem, Pressure waves, Urban environments, Bird-watching meets engineering, Penguins, A quieter train, A revolutionary idea, Turning to the wild, Biomimetic design, Self-cleaning technology, Decentralized intelligence, The rise of the circular economy, Material flow, A final goal, Nature, the untapped mentor

By 1997, the redesigned Shinkansen was unveiled. Not only was the train quieter, it was also 10% faster and used 15% less electricity. Remarkably, it remained below the 70 dB noise limit even in quiet residential zones.

A revolutionary idea

A sonic boom problem, Pressure waves, Urban environments, Bird-watching meets engineering, Penguins, A quieter train, A revolutionary idea, Turning to the wild, Biomimetic design, Self-cleaning technology, Decentralized intelligence, The rise of the circular economy, Material flow, A final goal, Nature, the untapped mentor

American biologist Janine Benyus played a pivotal role in giving biomimicry its name. In 1997, she published a book titled ‘Biomimicry,’ which showcased how designs inspired by nature were influencing fields like computing, medicine, and even clean energy.

Turning to the wild

A sonic boom problem, Pressure waves, Urban environments, Bird-watching meets engineering, Penguins, A quieter train, A revolutionary idea, Turning to the wild, Biomimetic design, Self-cleaning technology, Decentralized intelligence, The rise of the circular economy, Material flow, A final goal, Nature, the untapped mentor

Benyus has helped many companies adopt nature-inspired designs. This might mean studying prairie dog burrows to build better ventilation, or mimicking shark skin to create bacteria-resistant surfaces in hospitals.

Biomimetic design

A sonic boom problem, Pressure waves, Urban environments, Bird-watching meets engineering, Penguins, A quieter train, A revolutionary idea, Turning to the wild, Biomimetic design, Self-cleaning technology, Decentralized intelligence, The rise of the circular economy, Material flow, A final goal, Nature, the untapped mentor

There are three core approaches when it comes to biomimicry, each of which draws from nature’s successful methods to create systems, tools, and technologies that are more integrated and sustainable.

Self-cleaning technology

A sonic boom problem, Pressure waves, Urban environments, Bird-watching meets engineering, Penguins, A quieter train, A revolutionary idea, Turning to the wild, Biomimetic design, Self-cleaning technology, Decentralized intelligence, The rise of the circular economy, Material flow, A final goal, Nature, the untapped mentor

This lotus effect, when applied to materials, would allow water droplets to bead up and roll off surfaces, taking dirt along with them. Imagine cars, windows, or clothing that stay clean simply by getting wet in the rain.

Decentralized intelligence

A sonic boom problem, Pressure waves, Urban environments, Bird-watching meets engineering, Penguins, A quieter train, A revolutionary idea, Turning to the wild, Biomimetic design, Self-cleaning technology, Decentralized intelligence, The rise of the circular economy, Material flow, A final goal, Nature, the untapped mentor

Ant behavior (particularly how they efficiently find food and migrate without a central command) has influenced algorithms that power networked technologies. Even autonomous vehicles use a similar system, which dictates how they move by allowing them to communicate with each other.

The rise of the circular economy

A sonic boom problem, Pressure waves, Urban environments, Bird-watching meets engineering, Penguins, A quieter train, A revolutionary idea, Turning to the wild, Biomimetic design, Self-cleaning technology, Decentralized intelligence, The rise of the circular economy, Material flow, A final goal, Nature, the untapped mentor

Today’s hot topic in sustainability (the circular economy) echoes this ecosystem approach. It promotes the reuse and upcycling of materials so that no waste is produced. This is precisely how forests or oceans manage resources.

Material flow

A sonic boom problem, Pressure waves, Urban environments, Bird-watching meets engineering, Penguins, A quieter train, A revolutionary idea, Turning to the wild, Biomimetic design, Self-cleaning technology, Decentralized intelligence, The rise of the circular economy, Material flow, A final goal, Nature, the untapped mentor

Nature’s version of material management shows how matter transitions seamlessly from one organism to another. It’s this kind of closed-loop thinking that the circular economy seeks to replicate in human manufacturing and production lines.

A final goal

A sonic boom problem, Pressure waves, Urban environments, Bird-watching meets engineering, Penguins, A quieter train, A revolutionary idea, Turning to the wild, Biomimetic design, Self-cleaning technology, Decentralized intelligence, The rise of the circular economy, Material flow, A final goal, Nature, the untapped mentor

The ultimate goal of biomimetic design is to make human-built environments operate as efficiently and harmoniously as the natural world. This vision sees no boundaries between industry, nature, and community.

Nature, the untapped mentor

A sonic boom problem, Pressure waves, Urban environments, Bird-watching meets engineering, Penguins, A quieter train, A revolutionary idea, Turning to the wild, Biomimetic design, Self-cleaning technology, Decentralized intelligence, The rise of the circular economy, Material flow, A final goal, Nature, the untapped mentor

Modern designers stand to gain immensely by recognizing the intelligence embedded in natural systems. Instead of trial and error, they can observe tested strategies that have ensured the survival of life across millennia.

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