Biomimicry: Nature, the muse of innovation
11 October 2021
For the Biomim'expo which will take place on October 19 at the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie in Paris, discover biomimicry, the engineering inspired by life.
What is biomimicry?
Biomimicry is to create and innovate using nature as a model in order to meet the challenges of sustainable development (social, environmental & economic). Its strength lies in its ability to draw inspiration from 3.8 billion years of evolution to find the responsible innovations of tomorrow by using the resources provided by nature while respecting biodiversity.
In France, 140 teams are working on biomimicry projects – materials, chemistry, energy, robotics…
3 examples of bio-inspiration
- Velcro
Velcro was inspired by the burdock, a plant whose fruits have hooks that can be easily attached anywhere, especially in the hair of animals. In 1941, the Swiss engineer George de Mestral, while walking his dog, created this adhesive tape composed of a velvet part and a hook part. The velvet reproduces the hair of animals and the hooks, the fruits of burdock. In French, Velcro is the contraction of the words “velvet” and “hook”.
- The sonar
It was by observing the echolocation system of dolphins that sonar and radar were invented! The sounds emitted by the animal allow, thanks to an echo, to analyze the distance with the obstacles.
- But also the Manta!
The SeaCleaners’ flagship project, a collection boat and giant of the seas, is inspired by and for nature. Like the manta ray that feeds itself by filtering the sea water, the Manta swallows floating plastic waste to feed itself.
TO LEARN MORE : https://biomimexpo.com