Lab+8


 * Look over examples of her biomimetic principles applied to products in the slideshow located at [] and write a short, one paragraph synopsis for each of your four favourite product designs. (4 paragraphs)**

Sticking, Naturally This is an ultrastrong toxin-free glue. Its design mimics the components of mussel secretions. Such secretions enable mussels to cling tightly to underwater surfaces. This was developed by the researchers of Portland Columbia Forest Products. They are a company whom manufactures wood products.

Echolocation This is a sonar-enabled cane for vision impaired users. This design uses a sonar-like technology in which sends out sound waves ahead of its user to detect upcoming objects and warns its user beforehand. Its purpose is to prevent collisions. This technology mimics the way bats navigate in the dark.

Skeleton Key Bone furniture designed by, Joris Laarman, mimics the structure of bones. Pieces of furniture are created by monitoring the growth of bones over time. Although it is partially hollow, it is still as strong as conventionally made components.

Stanch the Bleeding These self-healing pipelines mimic platelets in the bloodstream that patrol veins to seal wounds. In the case of pipelines, specially designed platelets flow through them to seal up cracks and leaks by sticking against pipe walls. Radioisotope material contained within platelets allows the detecting of cracks and leaks. 


 * Write three paragraphs defining how, according to Janine Benyus, "the simple, elegant mechanics developed by nature often make sense in a human context, too". (3 paragraphs)**

The design problems humans face today have already been solved by organisms out there. It is believed that solutions that can be found out there are in the same context in which we are trying to solve our problems in. This is why it becomes important for us to learn from the natural world; our surroundings. Since answers are already out there, all we need to do is to look for them by changing the lenses in which we see the world.

However, this does not mean to merely mimic characteristics of the natural world but to learn from organisms and to implement it to design. Knowing how to apply such design principles to actual design forms the basis of biomimicry.

Our roles as humans are similar to that of the natural world. Hence, it is becoming important for us to develop skills to maintain our environment just like how other organisms take care of their surroundings. If organisms out there are entitled to such skill, why can’t humans act in the same way? This is why the mechanics developed by nature also apply to a human context.