Assignment

TED Talk on Biomimicry by Dr. Janine Benyus.

In this TED Talk, Dr. Janine Benyus introduces a new field of design and engineering that marries two seemingly different fields. On one hand, engineers are constantly faced with new challenges that require clever new solutions. On the other hand, biologists uncover innovative adaptations in form and function in a variety of different species on Earth. Often times, the solutions to human engineering challenges have already been overcome in some sort of living organism that has evolved some physical feature or biochemical pathway to deal with a similar challenge. Biomimicry is a concept whereby engineers are able to browse a library of biological solutions to inspire their new designs.

TASK: Watch the following TED Talk video entitled "Biomimicry In Action".

1. In your own words, give a definition of "biomimicry" based on this video. Don't copy from the internet - write this in your own words.

2. What is the rationale that Benyus gives for why designers should consult nature when seeking solutions to their design problems?

3. Give THREE EXAMPLES of design solutions from nature that were mentioned in this video. For each example, state (i) the question that the designer was trying to solve, (ii) the organism that the designer looked to for a solution, and (iii) how that organism helped the designer implement a solution.

4. Visit Benyus' website. Benyus and her team have arranged a myriad of ideas into three main categories - Biological Strategies, Inspired Ideas, and Resources. Browse through any one of these three areas and pick just ONE EXAMPLE that fascinates you and write a two paragraph description on how it exemplifies the biomimicry concept.