Anamika Chandel

26Dec/071

Janine Benyus provides examples of biomimicry

In the world envisioned by science author Janine Benyus, a locust's ability to avoid collision within a roiling cloud of its brethren informs the design of a crash-resistant car; a self-cleaning leaf inspires a new kind of paint, one that dries in a pattern that enables simple rainwater to wash away dirt; and organisms capable of living without water open the way for vaccines that maintain potency even without refrigeration -- a hurdle that can prevent life-saving drugs from reaching disease-torn communities.

Most important, these cool tools from nature pull off their tricks while still managing to preserve the environment that sustains them, a life-or-death lesson that humankind is in need of learning.

Much more than a reporter, Benyus is a champion of biomimicry; she's become one of the most important voices in a new wave of designers and engineers inspired by nature.

Watch video on:
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/18

Definition BIOMIMICRY: Biomimicry (from bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate) is a relatively new science that studies nature, its models, systems, processes and elements and then imitates or takes creative inspiration from them to solve human problems sustainably.

Comments
  1. Biomimicry Guild
    6:02 pm on January 23rd, 2008

    If you are interested in Janine Benyus and learning more about biomimicry please visit The Biomimicry Institute and The Biomimicry Guild for more information.

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