Biomimetics

What is Biomimetics?
Biomimetics is the name for the use of natural models in technological innovations. In other words, in bionics, humans try to use natural examples and natural systems to influence the process of building a technology.

The term and concept of bionics is as old as ancient Greece. For many centuries, humans have tried to observe natural models in order to improve man-made systems. Classic examples of bionics are Velcro fasteners, in which the hook-shaped structures of the material were modeled after naturally occurring materials, and the development of the airplane and other flying machines, as observed by da Vinci, the Wright brothers and others over several centuries. Indeed, a major application of bionics is the study of aerodynamics in natural, evolved systems to create better artificial flying machines for human travel or other purposes.

Other more modern types of bionics can include creating zero waste systems, promoting agility in consumer products (better aerodynamics, lower weight), and other types of 'borrowing' from natural systems.

Many of these are physical processes - they use physical attributes of natural systems to build products that enhance human activity. Others may be more research-based - for example, scientists can study autonomous systems that involve mass movement or behavior to advance different types of learning technologies. These types of bionics are less individual and physical and more theoretical and based on collective research.