Biomimicry.

Man's inherent desire for progress and knowledge has led him to stumble upon discoveries like black gold(petroleum) and invention of complex machines like supersonic aircraft and space crafts.Saying that these incremental inventions have been made by chance and void of any significant inspiration will be quite illogical and unjust.So the question which arises is what led to the momentous progress materialising itself around our surroundings?A simple answer,justified by observation of few examples to follow,will be Biomimicry: science of observing nature to emulate or take inspiration from in order to solve human problems.

With their wings stretched and streamlined bodies ready to fly away in the unending sky,Birds provided the early aviators with valuable flight principles and inspiration to build practical planes.In fact the first inventors of world's successful air plane,the Wright brothers, spent a great deal of time studying the flight of birds.They noticed that birds soared in to the wind and that the air flowing over the curved surface of their wings created lift.Birds change the shape of their wings to turn and manoeuvre.

1903 Flyer tutorial.

A bird in flight.

 Nature not only inspired this phenomenal invention but also is helping             to innovate it constantly.One such example of innovation is NASA and Boeing's work on Morphing wing concept: a wing which could change its shape while flying.(1)The central aim of this project is to reduce drag and   increase fuel efficiency by bending wings to achieve flight control as effortlessly as birds do.

A side by side comparison of concept and its inspiration.

Another area where Biomimicry is being employed extensively is that of Robotics.Researchers at University of Leeds are using the feet of tree frogs as a model for a tiny robot which will assist surgeons during keyhole surgery.According to lead professor Anne Neville, Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies at the University of Leeds, "Tree frogs have hexagonal patterned channels on their feet that when in contact with a wet surface build capillary bridges, and hence an adhesive force.It is the same kind of idea as a beer glass sticking to a beer mat, but the patterns build a large number of adhesion points that allow our robot to move around on a very slippery surface when it is upside down"(2)

 Nature is a reliable framework which allows us to reflect back to the      simple living units of this complex world and learn from their activity lessons of great significance.In words of Richard P.  Feynman" Nature uses only long threads to weave her patterns, so each small piece of her fabric reveals the organisation of the entire tapestry".So the next time anyone of you come across a weird-shaped mosquito,give it a thorough look and think of its potential applications(that is if you have abundant free time like I have these days).

Feel free to add your feedback.Hope you enjoyed reading this article.

       



References:
1. NASA.NASA's twist-wing jet Explores a radical future.Published 06.14.03.Available at: http://www.nasa.gov/missions/research/twist_wing.html

2.University of Leeds."Frog-like robots will help surgeons".Published on 11/04/2013.Available at: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/3388/frog-like_robot_will_help_surgeons