Biofore Magazine 2022

FEATURE

25

The hinged wing tips of albatrosses, which enable the birds to adjust to changes in wind speed on long-distance flights, have inspired the freely flapping wing tips of the Airbus AlbatrossONE.

incinerated or discarded. Luckily, biomimicry can be a fashion designer’s inspiration. Whether it be growing leather from mushrooms or studying butterflies for dyeless pigments, the fashion world can both use andmimic nature’s solutions. For instance, lotuses are superhy drophobic. When water hits the flowers’ surface, it simply rolls off, removing dirt or accrued dust at the same time. As such, lotus-inspired coats are not only waterproof, but self-cleaning too, increasing their durability and lifespan, while reducing the need to be regularly washed. For stain-heavy garments – whether they be mechanics’ overalls or baby clothing – the waste and water-saving potential is huge.

changes in wind speed on long-distance flights, have inspired the freely flapping wing tips of the Airbus AlbatrossONE, allowing the plane to reduce drag and resist turbulence in response to wind gusts. Aviation may be one of humanity’s greatest achievements, but it’s also one of its most contentious. Biomimicry has the potential to change that. A natural world of possibilities Biomimicry concerns all sectors of human activity and sits in the middle of the Venn diagram between science, business and governance, where university research, corporate production and civic planning can combine to address the world’s challenges. However, just because the natural world can, it doesn’t mean we always should. “One of the big challenges is design thinking,” says Richard James MacCowan. “In the past, scientists liked creating shiny things because we could, but now it should be about solving problems. Is there a need for it? Is there a problem you’re trying to solve?” What’s more, merely copying bioengineering does not make human engineering automatically sustainable; the production processes and materials used to create these biomimetic designs must be sustainable too. This could be growing fungi for packaging or applying the physics of a Venus flytrap’s snap-buckle to closing underwater hinges without man-made energy. Overall, it’s a question of decision-making. Whether it’s nature’s raw materials, processes or structures, biomimicry holds a range of game-changing cards for humanity. It’s up to us to play them wisely.

Transport – avian-influenced aircraft Ever since the Wright brothers devised their first aircraft by studying the flight and lateral balance of pigeons, aero space pioneers have been keen ornithol ogists. From studying the V-shaped for mation of migrating geese to reduce fuel consumption during paired flights to analysing the wing and tail structure of birds of

prey for greater flight control, plane manu facturers like Airbus are looking to make planes lighter, greener, cleaner and quieter. For example, the hinged wing tips of albatrosses, which enable the birds to adjust to