Computer-Aided Biomimetics
The interdisciplinary character of Bio-Inspired Design (BID) has resulted in a plethora of approaches and methods that propose different types of design processes. Although sustainable, creative and complex system design processes are not mutually incompa
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1 Introduction Bio-Inspired Design (BID) is associated with the application of “nature’s design principles” to “create solutions that help support a healthy planet” [1]. Vandevenne (2011) added that the premise of bio-inspired design allows the finding and use of existing, optimal solutions. Additional factors include the sustainable image, association to an organism and ‘high’ probability of leapfrog innovations [2]. Although the technology that evolved in nature is not always ahead of man-made technology, the assumption that organisms have ways of implementing functions more efficiently and effectively than we do is assumed to be true in many cases [3, 4]. However, the search for biological systems and transfer of knowledge is non-trivial. Most Bio-Inspired Design (BID) methods use function, many in terms of the ‘functional basis’ to model biological functions and flows, as the analogical connection between biology and engineering [5]. This paper identifies the insufficient definition of function throughout BID approaches as one of the main obstacles for knowledge transfer. The Biomimicry 3.8 Institute for example refers to a function as “the role played by an organism’s adaptations or behaviours that enable it to survive. Importantly, function can also refer to something you need your design solution to do” [6]. This paper identifies the main areas of focus for research on Computer-Aided Biomimetics (CAB). Firstly, a definition of biomimetics is given that reflects its focus on technical problem-solving. Secondly, important notions from existing literature on BID are outlined based on themes for qualitative analysis. Finally, the results of the thematic analysis provide recommendations for further research on computational design tools for biomimetics. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016 N.F. Lepora et al. (Eds.): Living Machines 2016, LNAI 9793, pp. 131–143, 2016. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-42417-0_13
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2 Definitions Pahl and Beitz (2007) noted that the analysis of biological systems can lead to useful and novel technical solutions, referring to bionics and biomechanics as fields that investigate the connection between biology and technology [7]. Biomimetics is often regarded as a synonym for BID, bionics and biomimicry, and refers to the transfer of biological knowledge from nature to technical applications [8–10]. As BID is an umbrella term we adopt the following definitions, based on Fayemi et al. (2014) [11]: Biomimetics: Interdisciplinary creative process between biology and technology, aiming to solve technospheric problems through abstraction, transfer and application of knowledge from biological models. Biomimicry/Biomimesis: Philosophy that takes up challenges related to resilience (social, environmental and economic ones), by being inspired from living organisms, particularly on an organizational level. Bio-inspiration can be useful in early design stages, e.g. the fuzzy front end, when the design process has no clear direction. In later stages the search for functional, biolo
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