History of Biomimetics:
– Leonardo da Vinci and Wright Brothers as early biomimetics pioneers
– Development of biomimetics concept by Otto Schmitt and term ‘bionics’ by Jack E. Steele
– Popularization of biomimicry by Janine Benyus in 1997
Applications of Biomimetics:
– Various fields where biomimetics is applicable
– Examples of biomimetic technologies in different development stages
– Potential for commercially usable biomimetic technologies
– Progress in biomimetic prototypes
Biomimetic Locomotion:
– Examples like Shinkansen 500 Series and aircraft wing designs inspired by nature
– Biorobots mimicking animal locomotion
– Efficiency in biomimetic locomotion methods
Biomimetic Flying Robots (BFRs):
– Inspiration from flying mammals, birds, and insects for BFR designs
– Advancements in flying robot technology
– Potential applications of BFRs
Economic and Environmental Impact of Biomimicry:
– Economic and environmental benefits of biomimicry
– Utilization of ant behavioral strategies in management
– Emphasis on sustainability and long-term positive impacts
– Highlighting economic potential in a 2013 report
Biomimetics or biomimicry is the emulation of the models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems. The terms "biomimetics" and "biomimicry" are derived from Ancient Greek: βίος (bios), life, and μίμησις (mīmēsis), imitation, from μιμεῖσθαι (mīmeisthai), to imitate, from μῖμος (mimos), actor. A closely related field is bionics.
Nature has gone through evolution over the 3.8 billion years since life is estimated to have appeared on the Earth. It has evolved species with high performance using commonly found materials. Surfaces of solids interact with other surfaces and the environment and derive the properties of materials. Biological materials are highly organized from the molecular to the nano-, micro-, and macroscales, often in a hierarchical manner with intricate nanoarchitecture that ultimately makes up a myriad of different functional elements. Properties of materials and surfaces result from a complex interplay between surface structure and morphology and physical and chemical properties. Many materials, surfaces, and objects in general provide multifunctionality.
Various materials, structures, and devices have been fabricated for commercial interest by engineers, material scientists, chemists, and biologists, and for beauty, structure, and design by artists and architects. Nature has solved engineering problems such as self-healing abilities, environmental exposure tolerance and resistance, hydrophobicity, self-assembly, and harnessing solar energy. Economic impact of bioinspired materials and surfaces is significant, on the order of several hundred billion dollars per year worldwide.
