Biomimetics: process, tools and practice

Area of Science:

• Biomimetics and Bioinspiration
• Engineering and Design
• Innovation Management

Background:

• Biomimetics, the application of biological principles to engineering, holds significant innovation potential for businesses.
• Challenges exist in understanding and implementing biomimetics, particularly for potential users.
• Clarifying the process and terminology is crucial for wider adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify the understanding of the biomimetic process.
• To present a problem-driven model for biomimetics implementation.
• To facilitate collaboration and dialogue within the biomimetics field.

Main Methods:

• Summarizing biomimetics and bioinspiration terminology.
• Presenting a problem-driven biomimetic process model.
• Mapping and evaluating existing tools for biomimetics using assessment sheets and interdisciplinary workshops.
• Developing a utility tree to guide tool selection.

Main Results:

• A problem-driven process model for biomimetics is proposed.
• A set of tools relevant to the biomimetic process has been identified and analyzed.
• Assessment sheets and a utility tree concept were developed to aid tool selection and evaluation.
• Characteristics of various biomimetic tools were analyzed in workshops.

Conclusions:

• The proposed biomimetic process model can aid problem-solving.
• The analyzed tools and utility tree concept can facilitate the practical implementation of biomimetics.
• Fostering dialogue and collaboration is key to advancing the field of biomimetics.