According to the Biomimicry Institute, biomimicry can be described as “the scientific, research-based practice of learning from and then replicating nature’s forms, processes, and ecosystems to create more regenerative designs.” It is a field of study that I find fascinating and one which holds much potential; it can change life as we know it and help reduce the impact that we have on the Earth immensely.
A recent example that I came across was the design of wind turbine blades inspired by the fins of humpback whales. In order to propel these 30 ton, 15 metre aquatic mammals forward and sometimes partially out of the water, the use of highly efficient fins is needed. Plenty of research has been conducted on the design of these fins, but specific findings from Harvard university and the US naval academy showed that the whale mimics had significantly reduced drag (by a third) and improved lift by 30%. Using the design could therefore lead to more stable aeroplane wings, greater agility in submarines and turbine blades that can capture more energy from wind or water!
![Wind Turbine Whale Fin](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/30074146/Wind-turbine-whale-fin-720x317.jpg)
One of the main features that engineers attempted to replicate was the protrusions on the leading edge of the whale fin. Credits: Whale Power and Frank Fish, West Chester University
As inspiring as this example was, I was actually more interested in examples from closer to home. I’ll highlight two that I recently learned about, one in which the design of trains was based on birds – more specifically kingfishers – and another in which the energy consumption of buildings was reduced immensely because of its architecture being modelled on the natural air conditioning of termite mounds.
In the late 1990’s the design of a bullet train in Japan was modelled after a kingfisher. We see several different species on Londolozi, each differing in diet, size and colour, but the common thread amongst all of them is their aerodynamic design – these birds all have relatively large heads in comparison to their body and long, narrow beaks.
![](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/11151821/Giant-Kingfisher.jpg)
The giant kingfisher is the largest kingfisher in the region, and its long, streamlined beak highlights the design that the engineers were intending to replicate
The problem that needed solving was that these Japanese bullet trains – travelling at more than 300km/h – would cause an incredibly loud “boom” when exiting tunnels because of the shape of the train’s face.
It turns out that the manager of their technical development department was an avid bird enthusiast and was familiar with how kingfishers are able to dive out of the sky and enter the water in order to catch their prey all the while creating very little splash. The team took on his idea of modelling the front of the bullet train similar to that of the kingfishers, and not only was the loud “boom” no longer a problem, it also saved them 10-15% more energy because of the increased aerodynamic design. The team also took inspiration from the design of owls feathers and the ease at which penguins can glide. If you would like to see exactly how, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMtXqTmfta0
![Bullet Train](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/30094247/Bullet-train-1-lfa695152.jpeg)
One can easily draw a comparison between this Japanese bullet train’s face and the elongated beak of the kingfisher displayed above. Credits: Wikimedia Commons
Another example from the 1990’s is the design the Eastgate Centre in Harare, which drew inspiration from termite mounds. From almost every road on Londolozi one is able to see a termite mound. To us, they just look like excavated soil on which some vegetation grows, and potentially wherein a termite colony inhabits, but there is much more than meets the eye when it comes to these intricate homes. The larger mounds usually belong to the subspecies of termites Macrotermes natalensis (Fungus-growing termites) and these mounds can contain tons of soil and achieve heights of more than two metres. The mounds can contain millions of termites which creates a problem – the excessive release of body heat and carbon dioxide, as well as the heat released by the fungus itself.
In order to ensure that the colonies don’t overheat or suffocate due to excessive CO2 build-up, the worker termites create a unique structure that circulates hot and cool air between the mound and external environment. A constant temperature of roughly 32 degrees Celsius is maintained via the use of a central chimney in which warm air from below rises, cools (hence becoming heavier) and then sinks down to numerous side vents all along the exposed part of the mound. These side vents bring the cooler, oxygenated air back into the mound and so the process repeats itself. It’s basic physics! Reports suggest that the building uses 35% less energy than a similar sized building in the same area! For an in depth explanation on this specific example, watch this video created by National Geographic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=620omdSZzBs
![Latest 4](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/17130925/Latest-4-720x480.jpg)
Many animals, such as this cheetah, use termite mounds as a vantage point from which they can scan their surrounds
These are just three examples of biomimicry that have resulted in more sustainable ways of living, but there are many more natural phenomena from which we can and must still draw inspiration. For example the light produced by fireflies and glow-worms is similar to cold fusion – no energy is lost during the creation of this light in the form of heat! Humans are yet to harness this efficiency but hopefully with sufficient research, patience and determination, examples like this will lead us to leaving behind a much lighter footprint on the Earth.
Fascinating to learn all the ways scientists and engineers working to help save our planet! I learn something née every day! Thank you Victoria
You’re welcome, Victoria. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Very interesting Robert. Observations of the natural world can show us so much if we just take the time to see.
It truly is an interesting field of study. Relevant too!
Robert, I loved all the photos🤗
wise lessons !
Good to keep people aware of the importance of nature
Briliant Robert!!! Very fascinating. Good study of this biomimicry can change the dynamics of different subjects.
Rob, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog this morning. Looking to nature to help with more sustainable ways of living is certainly not new, but is more actively being studied in light of the world’s population growth and resulting impact on climate and natural resources. I had read about the development of the bullet train in Japan and their using the aerodynamics of the bird’s beak to solve noise and efficiency problems, although if one looks at the TGV trains of Europe as well as the bullet trains in China, the same basic design was employed.
I wasn’t aware of that Denise, thank you for sharing! Perhaps that were all inspired by the same design? I’m glad you enjoyed the read.
Saw some fantastic kingfishers by the Causeway, spent the morning there rewarded spectacularly by watching one catch catch.
The story about the Bullet Train is one I had forgotten , thanks for reminding
You’re welcome, Ian. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
What a fascinating composition Robert! You’ve definitely done your research! – AA++!!
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Great article. There is so much that human animals can learn from our nonhuman animal kin. Perhaps, one day we will earn the way that elephants honor the individual while thriving in community, the fluidity of gender in hyenas, or the some other such revelation:-)
There is still so much to learn! We just need to have patience and persevere.
Wow Robert, what an enlightening blog 👌🏻💕. Just goes to show how much man takes for granted in the lessons to be learnt from our surroundings. For all our so called might, we have a lot to learn from nature. Truely an inspiring piece. 🙏🏻
Thank you, Cally. I’m glad you enjoyed the read.
I love these examples of bio mimicry. It gives me hope for our species and the planet that we can adopt more of these practices.
These are just a few, there are many more out there!
lovely article. If nature were left on her own in her ability to regulate herself things would be perfect
So cool Robert! Thanks for this look at Biomimicry!
You’re welcome, Paul.
Biomimicry is a very exciting field, and has already led to some very creative ideas for human life.