Biomimetics Report Final Version[1]

GLOBAL WATCH MISSION REPORT

Biomimetics: strategies
for product design inspired
by nature – a mission to the
Netherlands and Germany

JANUARY 2007

Global Watch Missions
DTI Global Watch Missions have enabled small
groups of UK experts to visit leading overseas
technology organisations to learn vital lessons about
innovation and its implementation, of benefit to entire
industries and individual organisations.

By stimulating debate and informing industrial
thinking and action, missions have offered unique
opportunities for fast-tracking technology transfer,
sharing deployment know-how, explaining new
industry infrastructures and policies, and developing
relationships and collaborations.

Disclaimer
This report represents the findings of a mission
organised by Thoughtcrew Ltd on behalf of Faraday
Packaging Partnership (FPP) with the support of DTI.
Views expressed reflect a consensus reached by the
members of the mission team and do not necessarily
reflect those of the organisations to which the
mission members belong, Thoughtcrew Ltd, FPP ,
Pera or DTI.

Comments attributed to organisations visited during
this mission were those expressed by personnel
interviewed and should not be taken as those of the
organisation as a whole.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the
information provided in this report is accurate and up
to date, DTI accepts no responsibility whatsoever in
relation to this information. DTI shall not be liable for
any loss of profits or contracts or any direct, indirect,
special or consequential loss or damages whether in
contract, tort or otherwise, arising out of or in
connection with your use of this information. This
disclaimer shall apply to the maximum extent
permissible by law.

Cover image: Glass sponge (Euplectella) skeleton, formed by silica
spicules that unite into complex geometric structures
(Ken M Highfill/Science Photo Library)

Biomimetics: strategies
for product design
inspired by nature
– a mission to the Netherlands
and Germany
REPORT OF A DTI GLOBAL WATCH MISSION
JANUARY 2007

1

BIOMIMETICS: STRATEGIES FOR PRODUCT DESIGN INSPIRED BY NATURE

CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 3.5.3University of Groningen, 14
the Netherlands – University
1 INTRODUCTION 5 of Cambridge, UK
3.5.4 Institute for Textile 15
1.1 Background 5 Technology and Process
1.2 Mission aims 5 Engineering (ITV Denkendorf),
1.3 Objectives 6 Germany
1.4 Coordinating body 6 3.5.5 DaimlerChrysler Research 16
1.5 Mission location 6 and Technology, Ulm, Germany
1.6 Mission participants 7 3.5.6 Max Planck Institute for 16
Metals Research, Evolutionary
2 BACKGROUND TO BIOMIMETICS 8 Biomaterials Group, Stuttgart,
Germany
2.1 Introduction 8 3.5.7 University of Freiburg, 17
2.2 Flight 9 Plant Biomechanics Group,
2.3 Architecture 10 Germany
2.4 Textiles 11 3.5.8 Max Planck Institute of 17
2.5 Typical topics 11 Colloids and Interfaces,
2.6 Information retrieval 11 Potsdam, Berlin, Germany
3.5.9 BIOKON/EvoLogics GmbH, 18
3 EXAMPLES OF BIOMIMETIC 13 F&E Labor Bionik, Berlin,
APPLICATIONS: BIOLOGICALLY Germany
INSPIRED PACKAGING 3.5.10 University of Applied 18
Sciences, Magdeburg-
3.1 Introduction 13 Stendal, Germany
3.2 Objective 13 3.5.11 Dr Mirtsch GmbH, Teltow, 19
3.3 Biomimetics in packaging 13 Berlin, Germany
3.4 Industrial mission delegates and 13 3.5.12 INPRO, Berlin, Germany 19
biomimetics 3.6 Summary 19
3.4.1 ColepCCL, Laupheim, 13 3.7 Conclusions 20
Germany
3.4.2 COSi – Creative Outsourcing 13 4 APPLICATION OF BIOMIMETICS 21
Solutions International, UK IN OTHER INDUSTRIES
3.4.3 Procter & Gamble/Gillette, 14
Reading, UK 4.1 Introduction 21
3.5 Applications and opportunities in 14 4.2 Architecture 21
biomimetic packaging encountered 4.3 Automotive 21
during the mission 4.4 Healthcare 23
3.5.1 Philips, Eindhoven, the 14 4.5 Dry adhesives 23
Netherlands 4.6 Discussion 24
3.5.2 DEAM – University of Delft, 14 4.7 Samples of biomimetics related 24
the Netherlands to industry

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4.7.1 Steerable endoscope 25 8 CONCLUSIONS AND 42
4.7.2 Adaptive braided bag filter 26 RECOMMENDATIONS
4.7.3 Fin ray 26
4.7.4 Acoustic camera 27 8.1 Conclusions 42
4.7.5 Bionic propeller 28 8.2 Recommendations 42
4.7.6 Plants as concept generators 28
4.7.7 Self-healing structures 29 APPENDICES 44

5 COMMERCIAL VALUE OF 30 A Suggestions for further reading 44
BIOMIMETICS B Host organisations 45
C Mission participants 47
5.1 Commercial case for biomimetic 30 D List of exhibits 56
solutions E Glossary 58
5.1.1 Devices 30 F Acknowledgments 60
5.1.2 Optimisation 31
5.1.3 Functional surfaces 31
5.2 Role of funding 31
5.3 Incubators and consortia 33
5.4 Discussion and conclusions 33

6 BIOMIMETICS AND PRODUCT 35
DESIGN

6.1 Introduction 35
6.2 A technique, not a style 35
6.3 What product designers should 35
know
6.3.1 Who does what? 36
6.4 What is the appeal to designers? 36
6.5 The commercial case 37
6.6 Conclusions 37

7 INTEGRATING BIOMIMETICS 38
INTO PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

7.1 Introduction 38
7.2 Processes 38
7.2.1 Top-down process 38
7.2.2 Bottom-up process 39
7.3 Tools 40
7.4 Conclusions and recommendations 40

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This DTI Global Watch Mission to Germany However, they do not seem to be significantly
and the Netherlands during 15-19 January further forward in terms of real products on
2007 was coordinated by Thoughtcrew Ltd1 the shelf although there was a better link
– an associate member of the Faraday between fundamental research and the
Packaging Partnership (FPP).2 The vision for creation of prototypes.
the mission came from Professor Julian
Vincent3 of the University of Bath who has There is a real opportunity to create a critical
been actively involved in the study of mass of thinking, research and commercial
biomimetics for the last 15 years. Having acumen at the European level, driven by
reached 64 during the mission week it the UK.
seemed time to formally recognise the
potential contribution of biomimetics to The future
industry in the UK.
This mission was a milestone in the evolution
Globally there are four key centres of of biomimetics in the UK. Whilst there have
research in biomimetics: the UK, Germany, been a significant number of research
the Netherlands and the USA. Germany leads endeavours in centres such as Bath and
the way in terms of taking an integrated Reading the UK has struggled to achieve
approach that embraces research and critical mass to get ideas from the lab onto
commercial application. Over €30 million the shelves.
(~£20 million) has been invested by the
German Government in the development of a The mission provided the catalyst to create a
network of competence. European initiative to deliver the benefits of
biomimetics. The intention of the mission
The mission team discovered that in the team is to start with the packaging and
Netherlands the situation was similar to that product development opportunity under the
found in the UK. There were a number of umbrella of the FPP The team has already
.
leading research institutes and commercial secured enthusiastic support from the
organisations applying biomimetic concepts organisations met on the mission and intend
to developing product and design ideas. offering this as a channel of knowledge to UK
However, these efforts were isolated and, businesses that wish to use biomimetics to
unlike BIONIS4 in the UK, the Netherlands help them think, design and produce profit.
does not have a network to share ideas.

In Germany the BIOKON5 network has a
much bigger footprint in terms of marketing
efforts, organisation and knowledge transfer.

1 Thoughtcrew Ltd: www.thoughtcrew.net
2 Faraday Packaging Partnership (FPP): www.faradaypackaging.com
3 Professor Julian Vincent, University of Bath: www.bath.ac.uk/mediaexpertise/julianvincent.htm
4 BIONIS (Biomimetics Network for Industrial Sustainability): www.extra.rdg.ac.uk/eng/BIONIS
5 BIOKON (Bionik-Kompetenz-Netz – Bionics Competence Network): www.biokon.net

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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background should offer additional functionality such as
1.2 Mission aims extra shelf life. Sustainability is also becoming
1.3 Objectives a key driver both through legislative
1.4 Coordinating body requirements and consumer demand.
1.5 Mission location
1.6 Mission participants Biomimetics is ‘sold’ on the promise of
innovations with a shorter development time.
1.1 Background The novelty is due to the different ways in
which biology implements various physical
The mission studied the development and and chemical principles and the different
application of biomimetics6 by industry and routes it uses to solve the problems we also
commerce in Germany and the Netherlands see in our technology. The mission therefore
and explored the development and value of concentrated on the ease with which
generic design rules and procedures which technical and design advances can be made
can be drawn from nature. using biology as a paradigm.

Good design is fundamental to the success 1.2 Mission aims
of consumer products in today’s marketplace.
Significant competitive advantage can be This mission aimed to explore a range of
gained from focusing on introducing technological, design and commercial issues
strategies for innovation in the new product relating to the application of biomimetic
development process. Influencing the design design principles and concepts:
of the packaging for this type of product is
also important as it frequently acts as a key • Increase awareness in the UK FMCG (fast-
marketing tool at the point of sale. moving consumer goods) and related
industry about the commercial benefits of
However, packaging has many functions which biomimetics and hence support growth in
must be considered during the design process: UK supply chains from product concept
through to final product
• Containing the product to allow transport • Promote application of biomimetics to
to point of sale consumer products and their packaging, in
• Protecting products from external particular in relation to food, household,
contamination to ensure freshness and personal care and pharmaceuticals
prevent unwanted tampering
• Informing the consumer regarding the The benchmarks gathered during the mission
contents and their impacts are both technical and commercial. The
• Marketing the product at point of sale technical benchmarks relate to the ability of
the technologies to deliver competitive
The changing landscape of consumer advantage in terms of cost or performance in
expectations means that packaging must be the targeted applications. The commercial
easy to open, convenient, attractive and often benchmarks look at the process by which

6 The term ‘bionics’ is used in Germany – this is synonymous with the UK term ‘biomimetics’

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companies have developed the technology formed in 1997 as one of the original Faraday
from concept to commercial production. The Partnerships funded by the Engineering and
role of academic research, government Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
funding and private-sector partnerships and and DTI. Since then it has established a strong
finance are included. fee-paying membership base made up
primarily of international brand owners in the
1.3 Objectives consumer products arena and packaging
producers, along with world-leading specialist
The objectives of the mission were to: suppliers. Confident of its immediate future,
FPP has recently embarked on an expansion
• Gain awareness of the state of programme as a specialist application node to
development in biomimetics research in the newly formed Materials Knowledge
leading European countries – eg who is Transfer Network (KTN) managed on behalf of
driving this research, how effectively is it DTI by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and
translated into commercial benefits? Mining (IOM3).
• Identify mechanisms of networking or
information access to improve industry The wide-ranging membership base provided
awareness, and links between academia FPP with a unique platform from which to
and industry/end users draw members of the mission and more
• Mine key successful case studies – such as importantly to ensure dissemination and
the DaimlerChrysler ‘bionic car’ – and uptake of the outcome. In particular the full
assess the level of commercial benefits portfolio of dissemination mechanisms
derived from applying biomimetic established by FPP will be used to generate
principles, and identify the mechanisms and interest and engagement and provide core
routes by which benefits have occurred participation for the dissemination event.
• Gauge the general level of awareness
among national industry The research leading to the mission, and day-
• Assess the importance placed on to-day coordination, was through an SME
biomimetics and the extent to which other associate of FPP – Thoughtcrew Ltd –
countries have raised awareness of it subcontracted to provide resources for
among industrial designers project management and planning.
• Benchmark the UK biomimetics activity Specifically, Phil Richardson – Managing
with other countries Director of Thoughtcrew Ltd – was mission
• Explore the ways in which the countries leader. He has a background in life sciences,
are stimulating the development of is a chartered biologist, and holds an MBA
new products that utilise biomimetic from the Open University (where he also
concepts and understand the roles of lectures on strategy and business operations).
public sector (national and regional) and He is an experienced project manager with a
private-sector investors track record of working at board level, whilst
• Explore and brainstorm the ways in currently researching a PhD in biomimetics.
which biomimetics can add value to the
supply chain for FMCG and other high- 1.5 Mission location
volume products
The central focus on Germany is due to its
1.4 Coordinating body world-leading position in biomimetics at both
academic and industrial level, with several
Faraday Packaging Partnership (FPP) was the high-profile operations being formed or
coordinating body for the mission. FPP was acquired by companies.

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Germany is probably the world leader in 1.6 Mission participants
practical biomimetics, partly because the
scientific base has always been strong, due The mission participants came from a broad
mainly to the activity of a few academics. span of industry, including FMCG
German industry is also very open to new manufacturers, designers, packaging,
technologies, and the relationship between materials and consulting:
the universities, Max Planck Institutes and
Fraunhofer Institutes is particularly significant Dr Cathy Barnes
in ensuring effective transfer of technology. Faraday Packaging Partnership
BIOKON (Bionik-Kompetenz-Netz – Bionics Geoff Hollington
Competence Network) has been very Hollington Associates
effective in supporting the research and
creating a clear route for technology Dr Matthias Gester
translation to industry. Procter & Gamble
Professor Julian Vincent
Many of the world’s leading biomimetic University of Bath
operations are based in Germany, including
Patrick Poitevin
the ‘bionic car’ from DaimlerChrysler.
COSi Ltd
In the Netherlands the European Space Agency Dr Martin Kemp
(ESA) is actively applying ideas from nature in a DTI Global Watch Service
wide range of areas of biomimetics reported in Johannes Schampel
an extensive web site with applications in ColepCCL
space exploration. It has a rudimentary
database and a collection of interesting and Brian Knott
relevant reports, all fully referenced. Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining
Phil Richardson
Thoughtcrew Ltd

Exhibit 1.1 Mission team at the Radisson Hotel, Berlin; L Matthias Gester, Geoff Hollington, Martin Kemp,
-R:
Julian Vincent, Cathy Barnes, Patrick Poitevin (front), Johannes Schampel (behind), Brian Knott, Phil Richardson

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2 BACKGROUND TO BIOMIMETICS

Julian Vincent

2.1 Introduction destined to be outside. The globe fuses with
2.2 Flight the cell membrane and the topological
2.3 Architecture prediction is fulfilled. The spare membrane
2.4 Textiles which inevitably accumulates on the cell
2.5 Typical topics surface is tucked away and recycled in a sort of
2.6 Information retrieval cellular face-lift.

2.1 Introduction Biomimetics7 – which we here mean to be
synonymous with ‘biomimesis’, ‘biomimicry’,
Can innovation be managed? The history of ‘bionics’, ‘biognosis’, ‘biologically inspired
advancement shows that we depend on the design’ and similar words and phrases
vision and efforts of people going beyond implying copying or adaptation or derivation
what is considered rational or possible and from biology – is a relatively young study
seeing what happens. This is an orderly way embracing the practical use of mechanisms
of doing things in that it gives a framework. and functions of biological science in
Think the unthinkable, then rationalise it and engineering, design, chemistry, electronics
bring it into the common ambit. and so on. The word was first coined by Otto
Schmitt, a polymath, whose doctoral research
This is also what happens with biomimetics. was an attempt to produce a physical device
The underlying assumption is that nature that mimicked the electrical action of a nerve.
performs a function with the least amount of By 1957 he had come to perceive what he
energy, uses the commonest materials, and is would later label biomimetics as a
the most reliable (though it may rely heavily on disregarded – but highly significant –
feedback control). Speed is rarely important, converse of the standard view of biophysics.
mostly because it would take too much energy He said: ‘Biophysics is not so much a subject
or would involve dangerous chemistry. Some matter as it is a point of view. It is an
critical processes (escape responses, decision approach to problems of biological science
making) can happen very quickly. However, utilising the theory and technology of the
growth can take its time – the emphasis being physical sciences. Conversely, biophysics is
on having viable offspring before we die. also a biologist’s approach to problems of
physical science and engineering, although
By doing everything in water and using this aspect has largely been neglected.’
diffusion gradients, nature produces a
production line with few moving parts and, by The related word bionics was coined by Jack
virtue of the cell membrane, a highly controlled Steele of the US Air Force in 1960 at a
chemical environment. The problems of getting meeting at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in
synthesised material across the membrane are Dayton, Ohio. He defined it as ‘the science of
solved by a packaging system whereby systems which have some function copied
products are labelled then wrapped in a globe from nature, or which represent characteristics
of membrane which establishes its interior as of natural systems or their analogues.’

7 Julian F V Vincent et al, Biomimetics: its practice and theory, J R Soc Interface (2006) 3:471-482; www.journals.royalsoc.ac.uk/media/mgat4etrtl2tpnk2up67/
contributions/k/0/4/8/k048171720104k70.pdf

8


At another meeting at Dayton in 1963, with so many degrees of freedom in the
Schmitt said: ‘Let us consider what bionics design, and the difficulty the pilot had in
has come to mean operationally and what it varying these controls in flight, stability was
or some word like it (I prefer biomimetics) compromised. On 9 October 1890 Ader flew
ought to mean in order to make good use of about 50 m but the flight was not considered
the technical skills of scientists specialising, to have been controlled or sustained. Ader
or rather, I should say, despecialising into this completed another aircraft, the Avion III, in
area of research. Presumably our common 1897 It was generally similar in concept and
.
interest is in examining biological appearance to Eole, but had two engines and
phenomenology in the hope of gaining insight simplified wings. Two tests of the Avion III
and inspiration for developing physical or were conducted on a circular track but it did
composite biophysical systems in the image not fly although Ader claimed to have flown a
of life.’ distance of 300 m.

The word made its first public appearance in Flying seeds inspired serious investigations
Webster’s Dictionary in 1974, accompanied by into the theory of flight; one of these was the
the following definition: ‘The study of the seed of the liana Alsomitra macrocarpa,
formation, structure or function of biologically which could glide great distances with
produced substances and materials (as inherent stability. Several of the early
enzymes or silk) and biological mechanisms experimenters with tailless aircraft, including
and processes (as protein synthesis or Igo Etrich, adapted these principles to the
photosynthesis) especially for the purpose of design of powered, sustained flight in heavier-
synthesising similar products by artificial than-air machines. In 1904 Etrich built a
mechanisms which mimic natural ones.’ graceful tailless glider in the shape of the
Alsomitra seed made of bamboo, canvas and
However, people have looked to nature for wire. By 1906, practice glides with sandbags
inspiration for more than 3,000 years, since for passengers had been successfully
the Chinese first tried to make an artificial silk. conducted, and the glider made what was
perhaps the first successful flight of an
2.2 Flight inherently stable, manned aircraft. In 1907
Etrich installed a 40 hp engine into a second
Leonardo da Vinci studied birds flying and design, and on 29 November 1909 flew his
designed some machines, but never made any. first sustained powered flight. It then became
obvious that simply adding a power plant to
Clement Ader designed and made a flying the wing was not the way to advance, so
wing aircraft designed by copying bats’ once again he turned to nature for the
wings, to the extent that they folded and solution. To the Alsomitra wing he added the
were supported and shaped in exactly the tail of a bird. The aircraft that evolved was the
same way. The first aircraft, the Eole, had a Taube (dove), a class of aircraft that was
single steam engine with a four-bladed produced in a bewildering number of versions
bamboo propeller made in the form of bird for both civil and military use. Between 1910
feathers. Each wing could be swung forward and 1914, 54 manufacturers produced over
and aft separately by a hand-operated crank, 500 of these aircraft, in 137 different
thus changing the position of the centre of configurations. The Taube was easily
pressure and consequently the pitch of the recognised by the distinctive Alsomitra-
airplane. Wings could be flexed up and down shaped wings and dove-like tail, and
by foot pedal; wing area and camber could possessed such inherent stability that it could
also be changed by crank action. However, fly itself.

9


2.3 Architecture the strongest winds the top of the tower
moves no more than 12 cm.
Architects commonly use biology as a library
of shapes. As decoration (Art Nouveau, Antonio Gaudí was fascinated by nature
Jungendstil and the like) this is obviously from childhood. He studied nature’s angles
acceptable, but the client still has to be able to and curves and incorporated them into his
afford it. Unfortunately biology is also used designs. Instead of relying on geometric
ineptly as a structural rationale. In Swift’s shapes, he mimicked the way trees grow and
satire of the Royal Society in ‘Gulliver’s stand upright. The hyperboloids and
Travels’, ‘There was a most ingenious architect paraboloids he borrowed from nature were
who had contrived a new method for building easily reinforced by steel rods and allowed his
houses, by beginning at the roof, and working designs to resemble elements from the
downwards to the foundation; which he environment. This was enhanced by his
justified to me by the like practice of those experimental approach to design, such that
two prudent insects the bee and the spider.’ he established the lines of force in his
buildings then arranged the supporting stone
It is uncertain whether Joseph Paxton got around them, thus producing authentic tree-
his ideas for the Crystal Palace from the like structures.
leaves of a giant water lily: he used a leaf as
an illustration during a talk at the Royal For many years Frei Otto worked on
Society of the Arts in London, showing how lightweight structures in the University of
to support a roof-like structure, and the myth Stuttgart. He leaves a legacy of examining
may have grown out of overenthusiastic nature, especially spiders’ webs, as a source
reportage. Certainly there is little similarity of inspiration for tent-like tension structures,
between the design of the water lily leaf exemplified by the Munich Olympic Stadium.
(which uses support of radial tapering beams) The roof of Stuttgart Airport is supported by
and the design of the roof of the Crystal his tree-like structures. Not all his ideas were
Palace (which, with its corrugations, more as successful, for example his notorious
resembles other types of leaf such as beech ‘pneu’ studies, where he claimed that all
or hornbeam). The original impetus for the biology is the product of inflatable structures,
corrugated roof occurred about 20 years totally missing the point that the shape of a
earlier, when Paxton copied an idea to ensure soap bubble is necessitated by the inability of
that sunlight could go through the glass the liquid soap film to resist shear; therefore
unimpeded during the morning and evening, the skin of an object shaped like a soap
but with a longer light path at midday, bubble will also be shear-free and thus lighter
perhaps giving a little protection at the hottest and more efficient.
part of the day.
Richard Rogers in his Reith Lectures on the
There are stories that Eiffel’s tower was built environment leant heavily on nature as a
based on the structure of trabecular struts in source of inspiration and on the possibilities
the head of the human femur, or the taper of of an ‘intelligent’ building which, like an
a tulip stem. In fact it was constructed to organism, could sense the external
resist wind loading, a topic in which Eiffel was environment and alter its outer covering in
an early expert. In the construction of the such a way as to keep the internal
tower, the curve of the base pylons was environment ideal.
calculated so that the wind loads were
resisted related to their force and the
moment exerted with height. Thus even in

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2.4 Textiles • Deployable structures
• Drag reduction
In the early 1940s George de Mestral, a • Growth
Swiss inventor, went for a walk in the forest • Hairy and feathery surfaces
with his dog. Upon his return home he • Haptics
noticed that the dog’s coat and his trousers • Joining and adhesion
were covered in cockleburs. His inventor’s • Lubrication
curiosity led him to study the burs under the • Material properties
microscope, where he discovered the hooked • Mechanical mechanisms
ends of the bristles that stick out from the • Navigation and control
seeds. This became the basis for a zip, later • Pumps
developed into a two-sided fastener. One side • Responsive materials and structures
has stiff hooks like the burs; the other has • Self-repair
loops like the fabric of his trousers. The result • Self-replication
was Velcro, named for the French words • Social interactions
‘velour’ (velvet) and ‘crochet’ (hook). The • Surface protection/hardness
challenge was then to make machinery that • Sustainability
could produce textured fabrics that would • Swimming
work reliably. After considerable • Vision
experimentation, de Mestral developed • Walking/running
special looms and hook-cutting machinery.
Currently Velcro Industries is (as its 2.6 Information retrieval
advertising literature assures us) a technically
driven global organisation and the industry Biomimetics is nothing unless engineers and
leader. It offers hundreds of different hook- designers can retrieve information from
and-loop products and fastening systems. It biology which will lead to improved design,
makes fastening tapes of woven and knitted strength, efficiency etc. There are several
construction and custom-designed speciality ways in which this can be achieved, but the
fasteners made of various materials in general thrust must be towards de-skilling the
different shapes and sizes. area so that the information is more readily
available to all.
2.5 Typical topics
The most obvious way is to ask a biologist to
The mission was shown developments in identify the animals and plants in which a
some of the subject areas listed below. This certain function is available. This requires a
list is by no means exhaustive; it should cover biologist with a broad base in natural history,
the whole of biology. ecology, molecular biology, behaviour... such
people are rare.
• Behaviour
• Bumpy surfaces A second approach is to develop a hypertext
• Camouflage database of research papers. This approach is
• Chemistry being taken by the Biomimicry Guild8 in the
• Chemosense USA. This still requires interpretation and
• Composite materials understanding of biological information, and
• Computing does not allow for the complexity of biological
• Creative design systems. It may be important to strip away

8 www.biomimicryguild.com

11


the biological processes from the main
function which is required from the biological
paradigm. This is not a trivial process.

Both these methods are subjective and
require knowledge and skill in biology.

Still with the concept of discovering biological
analogues, lexical search of a biological
database has proved useful. The main
difficulty is translating between the words
used for a concept in biology and in
engineering. For instance the function ‘clean’
in an engineering context was rated as similar
to ‘defend’ in a biological context, where an
organism defends itself against pathogens by
cleansing or isolation. This is a powerful
method since there are many large and
complete biological texts available which can
be used as source material. Web search
engines can also be incorporated.

Another approach is to adapt an existing
method from engineering and introduce a
biological component. The Theory of Inventive
Problem Solving – known by its Russian
acronym TRIZ – seems particularly suitable but
requires the production of a large database
from biology. Advantages are that such a
system incorporates creative definitions and
solutions and so is pre-adapted for dynamic
transfer of concepts and functions between
disciplines. This system probably requires the
least skill and knowledge in biology but the
most effort in setting it up. It is the most
amenable to computation and can incorporate
web search engines.

12


3 EXAMPLES OF BIOMIMETIC APPLICATIONS: BIOLOGICALLY INSPIRED
PACKAGING

Patrick Poitevin

3.1 Introduction structures. Nature’s solutions have stood the
3.2 Objective test of time.
3.3 Biomimetics in packaging
3.4 Industrial mission delegates and 3.3 Biomimetics in packaging
biomimetics
3.5 Applications and opportunities in Biomimetics in packaging covers many
biomimetic packaging encountered different areas:
during the mission
3.6 Summary • Energy
3.7 Conclusions • Functions
• Environment
3.1 Introduction • Light weight
• Materials
Packaging should be taken in the widest • Process
sense possible. It is a vehicle to transport and • Structure
protect the product, but quite often is part of • Surfaces
the product or is the product itself. Packaging • Transport
has a design, a shape, a structure, a concept,
a finish and a decoration or print. The mission came across all these different
areas – not only in packaging but also in other
Nature’s designs, materials, processes and applications mentioned in this report.
structures have always inspired packaging.
Numerous examples could be listed, 3.4 Industrial mission delegates and
including Velcro and lotus leaf, tongs and biomimetics
tweezers. The examples in this chapter are
drawn from the case studies encountered 3.4.1 ColepCCL, Laupheim, Germany
during the mission.
• Does not apply biomimetics yet but is
3.2 Objective looking for opportunities.

Packaging is alongside the product, the driver 3.4.2 COSi – Creative Outsourcing
to attract consumers. It is the first item the Solutions International, UK
consumer sees, feels, smells, touches and
(maybe) tastes. It is important that the • Applies biomimetics in fingerprint-free
packaging industry is up to date on changes, coatings on highly shiny metallised and
on newness, on innovation – constantly anodised personal care components. The
enquiring ‘How can we stand out?’ – looking additives in the coatings are based on the
into other industries and learning from cross- lotus leaf repellent effect. See Exhibit 3.1.
industry technologies. Nature is one of those
other ‘industries’. We can learn enormously
from nature. Why reinvent the wheel when
nature has it all? People are used to natural

13


Opportunities

• Manipulate spray patterns and transport
liquids with unlimited viscosities such as
personal care formulations.

• Use microfluidic system for mixing dual
chamber dosage and mix active
ingredients in stimulus with designated
purpose.
Exhibit 3.1 Fingerprint-free coatings on highly shiny
metallised and anodised personal care components 3.5.2 DEAM – University of Delft, the
(courtesy COSi) Netherlands

3.4.3 Procter & Gamble/Gillette, Applications
Reading, UK
• Endoscope in micro scale and rolling
• Does not apply biomimetics yet but is doughnuts.
looking for opportunities.
Opportunities
3.5 Applications and opportunities in
biomimetic packaging • Rolling doughnut moves itself in and out
encountered during the mission through a colon. Can be used for packaging
inspection.
3.5.1 Philips, Eindhoven, the
Netherlands 3.5.3 University of Groningen, the
Netherlands – University of
Applications Cambridge, UK

• Microfluidics which can manipulate the Applications
spray on a small scale – transporting,
mixing, sorting and collecting. Can be used • Dynamic wetting of porous Teflon surfaces
for ink-jet application and cooling based on lotus leaf. Concept already
electronics. See Exhibit 3.2. applied at COSi for fingerprint-free coating
on highly shiny metallised and anodised
• Microfluidic mixer based on stimulus, for components. See Exhibit 3.3.
example temperature, humidity.

Exhibit 3.3 Dynamic wetting of porous Teflon surfaces
Exhibit 3.2 Ink-jet printing for displays and biomedical based on lotus leaf (courtesy University of Cambridge)
applications (courtesy Philips)

14


Opportunities

• Use of coating to keep packaging dry.

• Coating can be used inside bottles for easy
pouring of sticky product.
Exhibit 3.6 Composite profiles modelled on plant
3.5.4 Institute for Textile Technology
stems (courtesy ITV)
and Process Engineering
(ITV Denkendorf), Germany

Applications

• Applies lotus effect on and in textiles.
Textile repels water or stays dry in water
and is self-cleaning. See Exhibit 3.4.
Exhibit 3.7 Transparent light transfer inspired by polar
bear hair (courtesy ITV/P Poitevin)

• Transparent light transfer inspired by polar
bear hair as supposed light guides. Dark
Exhibit 3.4 Lotus effect on textiles (courtesy ITV)
skin absorbs IR but blocks harmful UV
radiations. See Exhibit 3.7.

Opportunities

• Handbags and other textile parts, used in
packaging or gift industry, can be kept dry
Exhibit 3.5 Coating containing electrostatic particles
and clean. Water sports gifts and toys or
(courtesy ITV)
packaging which should be kept dry.

• Coating containing electrostatic particles. • Heat insulation, can be applied for self-
See Exhibit 3.5. heating or thermostatic packaging.

• Reinforced fibres. • Use in hydrophobic chemistry for water-
resistant products such as waterproof
• Release of air bubbles to create speed and mascara.
reduction of frictional drift. Used for boats.
• Plant stem construction for light weight
• Plant stems as role models for composite but high stiffness for rods and parts which
profiles. Creates light weight and needs strength and rigidity.
enhanced stiffness. Used in ski poles,
cables, tubes and bicycle frames. See
Exhibit 3.6.

15


Exhibit 3.9 Dry adhesive (courtesy Max Planck
Institute for Metals Research, Stuttgart)

Exhibit 3.8 Aerodynamics application by
DaimlerChrysler (courtesy BIOKON, Germany)

3.5.5 DaimlerChrysler Research and
Technology, Ulm, Germany

Applications

• Aerodynamics. See Exhibit 3.8.
Exhibit 3.10 Dry adhesive applications (courtesy Max
• Tree fork construction to maximise strength.
Planck Institute for Metals Research, Stuttgart)

• Notch stresses with hollow structures.

Opportunities

• Lightweight construction in metal gift
packaging with hollow structures.

3.5.6 Max Planck Institute for Metals
Research, Evolutionary
Biomaterials Group, Stuttgart,
Germany

Applications Exhibit 3.11 Head-arresting system in dragonflies
(courtesy Max Planck Institute for Metals Research,
• Dry adhesives such as gecko, beetle, robot Stuttgart)
like, suction cups. See Exhibits 3.9 and
3.10. Opportunities

• Head-arresting system in dragonflies tells • Apply products in dry condition to skis for
contact or no contact. Mechanical easy release.
coupling. See Exhibit 3.11.
• Soft-touch applications and surfaces.

16


Exhibit 3.13 Glass fibre construction (courtesy Max
Exhibit 3.12 Models from trees, bamboos and vines Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Berlin)
used for construction in aircraft, cars, roofs and bridges
(courtesy University of Freiburg)

3.5.7 University of Freiburg, Plant
Biomechanics Group, Germany

Applications

• Models from trees, bamboos and vines
used for construction in aircraft, cars, roofs
and bridges. See Exhibit 3.12.

• Self-repair vine and coat membrane
with foam. Exhibit 3.14 Cell wall constructions for wood
(courtesy Max Planck Institute of Colloids and
Opportunities Interfaces, Berlin)

• Use models and constructions in
packaging and make light but solid.
• Cell wall constructions for wood.
• Self-repair packaging in future? See Exhibit 3.14.

3.5.8 Max Planck Institute of Colloids • Self-assembly hierarchical order in water.
and Interfaces, Potsdam, Berlin,
Germany • Lamellar structure based on collagen fibrils,
stiff and tough.
Applications
• Microcapsules with nano-scale wall
• Synthetic motors or active transport. Active thickness with controlled mechanical
biomimetic systems. properties.

• Glass fibre construction. Tough material • Self-repairing coatings where inhibitor
and light. See Exhibit 3.13. releases on command.

17


Opportunities

• Focused transport of polymers for
activations and functional packaging.

• Use of glass fibres in packaging.

• Self-repair coatings for scratch and scuff
defects.

3.5.9 BIOKON/EvoLogics GmbH, F&E
Labor Bionik, Berlin, Germany

Applications Exhibit 3.16 Surface applications inspired by
penguins, lotus leaves, dolphins, sharks, geckos and
• Acoustic camera. See Exhibit 3.15. sandfish (courtesy BIOKON, Germany)

Exhibit 3.15 Acoustic camera (courtesy Gesellschaft
zur Förderung angewandter Informatik – GFaI, Berlin) Exhibit 3.17 Fin ray effect used for ergonomic chair
(courtesy BIOKON, Germany/P Poitevin)

• Surface applications inspired by penguins, • Fin ray effect used for ergonomic chairs
lotus leaves, dolphins, sharks, geckos and can be used in the packaging printing
sandfish. See Exhibit 3.16. industry, such as glass, where tolerances
are too large for proper jig printing. See
• Bionic propellers, friction coefficients, Exhibits 3.17 and 3.18.
sonar techniques.
3.5.10 University of Applied Sciences,
Opportunities Magdeburg-Stendal, Germany

• Analyses of packaging with acoustic Applications
cameras to improve handling, noise and
acoustic properties, such as lubricating, • Modular walking robots, dismantling
swivel and torque in packaging. robots. See Exhibit 3.19.

18


Exhibit 3.18 Fin ray effect can also be used in the Exhibit 3.20 Reduction of materials conception
packaging printing industry, such as glass, where (courtesy Dr Mirtsch/P Poitevin)
tolerances are too large for proper jig printing (courtesy
BIOKON, Germany/P Poitevin)

Opportunities

• Use in lightweight bottles, jars, aerosols
and cans in general. Opportunity to find
solutions for printing or decoration.

3.5.12 INPRO, Berlin, Germany

Applications

• Detection and inspection instruments
for surfaces and defects in materials
Exhibit 3.19 Modular walking robots (courtesy and surfaces such as plasma treatment,
University of Applied Sciences, Magdeburg-Stendal) laser welding.

Opportunities
Opportunities
• Use in materials science and surface
• Robots can be used for rather difficult-to- investigations.
access areas for research and applying
packaging decoration. 3.6 Summary

3.5.11 Dr Mirtsch GmbH, Teltow, Berlin, Each university, institute or company met
Germany during this mission had an application or at
least an opportunity in packaging or
Applications packaging-related topics. No-one wants to
repeat or copy what someone else has done.
• Reduction of materials conception. Biologically inspired products or mimicking
Material can be reduced 24% in weight by nature? No problem in doing so. Invisible
hexagonal or honeycomb shaped buckling. solutions may contribute to visible
See Exhibit 3.20. innovations. Think outside the shell!

19


The biomimetic developments encountered
on the mission are only a fraction of what is
happening in the world. There is a goldmine
in biomimetics related to packaging.
Industrialists have to know what opportunities
there are. Institutes and universities have to
know the needs. Collaboration is key. Nature
has so many opportunities.

3.7 Conclusions

Biomimetics is a key driver. Sustainability and
innovation are the current topics in packaging.
Biomimetics supplies and covers both.
Although biomimetics does not have all short-
term solutions, it certainly covers mid- and
long-term opportunities and is definitely the
solution to sustainability and innovation in
packaging. Industries will soon be converted to
the new (biomimetic) religion. Collaboration
with those universities and institutes working
on biomimetics is crucial. Innovation requires
inspiration and relies on creativity. Nature does!

Currently, UK industry has BIONIS in
Reading/Bath and other biomimetic packaging
liaisons abroad though needs a good
database, a central UK-based full-time
biomimetic support with regular newsletters,
conferences and meetings and information on
applications, opportunities and worldwide
latest news.

The challenge is to move forward, fast. It took
the lotus concept over 20 years and Velcro eight
years. If the UK wants to be on top of
biomimetics, being innovative, creative and
sustainable, it needs the proper infrastructure
and base to help industry move in that direction.

Quite often, institutes and universities
communicate to the industry: ‘Tell us what
the needs are’. Meanwhile, the industry is
communicating to those bodies: ‘Tell us what
your research is, what you are working on’.
We need two-way communication.

20


4 APPLICATION OF BIOMIMETICS IN OTHER INDUSTRIES

Brian Knott and Johannes Schampel

4.1 Introduction impression is of a wood of metal trees,
4.2 Architecture where each trunk, bough, branch and twig
4.3 Automotive plays a synergistic role in supporting the
4.4 Healthcare weight of the roof. See Exhibit 4.1.
4.5 Dry adhesives
4.6 Discussion
4.7 Samples of biomimetics related to
industry

4.1 Introduction

In the same way that the term biomimetics
can be used to encompass a range of
biological/engineering related concepts
including bionics and bio-inspired, so the term
product design, in its widest interpretation
could encompass most if not all of the
applications seen and described during this
mission. However, for the purposes of this
report, ‘other industries’ are interpreted as
those where the application is either more
generalised than a specific product, or the
application forms part of the overall product. Exhibit 4.1 Metal trees supporting the roof of Stuttgart
The design of part of the body shell of a car Airport (courtesy www.stuttgart-airport.com)
forms an example of the latter.

4.2 Architecture 4.3 Automotive

Although the subject was not covered in any A striking example of significant benefits
of the presentations given at the various which could be realised by applying the
establishments, one highly visible and principles of biomimetics was the statement
immediately apparent area of the application by Dr Götz of DaimlerChrysler that an 80%
of biomimetics was architecture, with the reduction in the weight of the shell of a car
roof of Stuttgart Airport. This essentially flat could be achieved if it could be designed in
roof has the appearance of being supported the same way as the structure of bone, with
by metal trees, in that each discrete area, all the consequential benefits that this would
which could be considered as a giant leaf, is have on fuel efficiency. The front shell of a
affixed to small metallic twigs, which in turn vehicle comprises many members which are
are affixed to metal branches. As the eye joined together, often at right angles, with
moves down to the ground so the branches their associated generation of potential
combine to form boughs, which in turn failure-inducing notch stresses when under
combine to form the trunk of a tree. The final load. In contrast, no notch stresses are to be

21


found within the inner surfaces where a The bionic car, again developed by
single trunk of a tree divides into two. The DaimlerChrysler, took the concept of using
faster growth of wood at regions where the solutions from nature and applying these to car
structure is highly stressed, combined with design. The exterior form of the car is
slower growth at regions of low stress, substantially based on the boxfish. This tropical
eliminates notch stresses and results in a fish – despite its boxy, cube-shaped body – is
fully uniform stress loading. somewhat surprisingly extremely streamlined
with a very low coefficient of drag, a feature
Bone structures, however, can grow or shrink reproduced in the concept car (Exhibit 4.3).
depending on their load-bearing requirements.
This has been modelled in a soft kill option
(SKO) computer program developed by
Professor Claus Mattheck where, during a
number of iterations, material is eliminated in
low-stress regions, leaving only those areas
which provide load-bearing capability to the
structure. An example of the optimum structure
for a centrally loaded beam after only ten
iterations of the program is given in Exhibit 4.2.

Exhibit 4.3 Bionic car concept by DaimlerChrysler

SKO techniques were also employed in the
construction of the shell, resulting in a highly
Exhibit 4.2 Optimum structure for a centrally loaded fuel-efficient vehicle. In the end, only 40% of
beam after 10 iterations (courtesy Prof Claus Mattheck) the biomimetic ideas originally considered for
inclusion in the original design of the vehicle
could be employed. For example, the self-
Application of this principle of biomimetic cleaning features associated with the lotus
design to the front element of a Mercedes C effect had to be discarded as the surface
class vehicle produced a structure that produced does not have the desired high gloss.
eliminated areas of excessive stress
concentration associated with generation of Although the concept car demonstrated
notches at joints between structural members. successful collaboration between academia
Unfortunately the structure required can not be and industry, resulting in the promotion of the
manufactured on a mass production basis. subject of biomimetics within the German
Nevertheless the principle of this approach Government with increased funding, it was
was adopted by DaimlerChrysler and although surprising to hear Konrad Götz comment that
it did not result in a weight saving, the removal at present no further biomimetic-based
of material from regions where it served no projects were under way within
function permitted improved local access to DaimlerChrysler. The search does, however,
enable a greater number of spot welds to be continue for an animal that has the same
used to join the various component members boundary constraints associated with engine
of the front element. power transmission, with the aim of improving
the tribofilm characteristics of this unit.

22


4.4 Healthcare

In healthcare the idea of using a lab-on-a-chip
device to test human blood, for example, is
one that is drawing ever increasing attention.
A particular challenge with the development
of such a device is the need to guide
amounts of an already small sample of blood
(a)
(typically 1 µL) to various reaction chambers
on the chip.

Philips, after initial consideration of a number
of options including capillary pumping,
surface tension and electro-osmosis, was
inspired by nature and selected the
biomimetic route of utilising cilia (which look (b)
like very small hairs) to move the blood in a
controlled manner. In humans it is the cilia, Exhibit 4.4 Cilium-like plate created by Philips
working in unison to produce a wave-like
movement, that sweep mucus from the lining
of the lungs; in sessile organisms exemplified
by filter-feeding molluscs the cilia play an
important role in feeding; whilst in
microorganisms they are often the
mechanism of propulsion.

Philips’ approach was to create cilium-like
plates comprising a polymer layer with a
conductive backing material bonded to the Exhibit 4.5 Multiple ‘cilia’ incorporated in a
base of the device – normally silica. In the microchannel by Philips
free condition, the single ‘cilium’ adopts the
form shown in Exhibit 4.4 (a), but on
application of an electrostatic charge the development but has considerable potential
‘cilium’ lays flat – Exhibit 4.4 (b). both for ‘lab-on-a-chip’ devices and also in the
development and screening of drugs.
The advantages of this approach included
realisation of large amounts of movement of 4.5 Dry adhesives
individual ‘cilia’, the individual ‘cilia’ were
robust, and multiple ‘cilia’ could be The remit of the Max Planck Institutes (MPIs)
incorporated in a microchannel (as shown in in Germany is the study of basic science. At
Exhibit 4.5) which in turn could be locally MPI Stuttgart considerable effort is being
addressed using patterned electrodes to directed towards the understanding of surface-
induce movement of a fluid. related effects in biology, looking at the ability
of flies and geckos to attach to glass walls and
The technique has been successfully ceilings. A number of the key structural
employed to both transport liquid and also to features of the feet of the two species have
give mixing of two liquid streams. The been identified and reproduced on the
concept is at a very early stage of surfaces of a number of differing materials.

23


In the insect kingdom there are two principal mechanisms and also prevention of polymer
mechanisms of attachment, either smooth or squeaking by promoting smooth sliding rather
hairy pads, with both systems having the than stick-slip.
ability to adapt and adhere to smooth and
structured substrata. For example, the basal 4.6 Discussion
hairs of the pads of a hoverfly (Eristalis
pertinax) are in turn covered in a very fine This has been only a selection of the cases
close-packed structure of high aspect ratio where biomimetics has found application in
columns with a lip structure that makes areas other than packaging. It does, however,
contact with the surface. A similar structure, highlight the potential for adoption of
the essential features and associated biomimetic solutions to problems that nature
characteristics of which are illustrated in Exhibit has already invested millions of years of effort
4.6, has been reproduced on sheet material in to solve – why reinvent the wheel when it
square metre sizes to give a material which is may not be the best answer to movement?
adhesive solely as a consequence of its The challenge would appear to be joining the
surface topography with no related chemical specific requirements of industry with the
bonding. This ‘dry-adhesive’ material is tolerant myriad of solutions awaiting an application,
to contamination and can be cleaned by offered by biologists.
washing without much degradation of its
adhesive properties. For many of the above, the biomimetic
solution has originated either from engineers’
discussions with biologists, or biologists
offering nature’s solutions to engineers.
Chance would appear to have played a
significant role in the process, and a prime
requirement for identifying the optimum
solution to an engineering challenge would
appear to lie in the development and adoption
of a structured method of contact between the
two communities. The initial work on the
problem-identifying TRIZ database and on
compilation of a database of biological
materials and components could be
considered to be the first steps in this process.

4.7 Samples of biomimetics related to
industry

Depending on the scale of scope we use to
look at nature, we can find a multiple choice
of diversified structures. Nature seems to
Exhibit 4.6 Dry adhesives have the ‘master plan’ to develop a broad
range of structures, all with totally different
properties, built on the same material base.
MPI Stuttgart is in active collaboration with a
number of industrial partners developing the According to Julian Vincent, Professor of
concept for applications such as adhesive Biomimetics at the University of Bath, nature
tapes, grippers for manipulation of silicon uses only two basic polymers to equip all
wafers and solar batteries, paper feeding polymer-based structures.
24


Depending on the functions and systems we it suitable for low-cost mass production of
regard, it seems nature knows how to change steerable endoscopes, instruments and
material properties by changing the inner catheters.
structure and therefore constructs objects
very efficiently on a sustainable base. Technical developments during the last 20
years have resulted in a decreasing average
4.7.1 Steerable endoscope diameter of endoscopes down to 12 mm –
5 mm and a strong improvement in image
Steerable endoscope for laparoscopic surgery quality. The big difference between the
by Paul Breedveld, Jules S Scheltes, Esther M conservative constructed endoscopes and the
Blom and Johanna E I Verheij, Department of new developed bionic endoscope is that
Biomechanical Engineering, University of Delft conservative systems do have a limited space
of observation: the incision acts like a
The function of this new endoscope was fulcrum, giving only four degrees of freedom
inspired by the tentacles of a squid (Exhibit 4.7). (DOFs). Therefore it is impossible to take a
look behind objects by getting around them.
In order to find dangerous metastases and
cavities, it is necessary to have a more
flexible endoscope which is not limited by
those restrictions.

Exhibit 4.8 Endo-Periscope developed by University of
Exhibit 4.7 Schematic cross section of the tentacle of Delft in cooperation with Tokyo Institute of Technology
the loliginid squid. The tentacle is surrounded by
longitudinal and helical muscle layers (LML and HML).
The cross section contains a ring of longitudinal
To increase manoeuvrability of the
muscle bundles (LMB) which are enclosed by
endoscopic camera, the new endoscope, the
transverse and circular muscle fibres (TMF and CMF)
Endo-Periscope (Exhibit 4.8), has been
developed at Delft University of Technology in
close cooperation with the Tokyo Institute of
Currently being commercialised, the Technology. The Endo-Periscope has a rigid
endoscope follows the same principle as the shaft and a 2-DOF steerable tip with a
tentacles and consists only of standard parts miniature camera, enabling the surgeon to
such as coil springs, cables, rings and tubes. observe organs from the side and to look
behind anatomic structures. The steerable tip
Compared to the current systems, which are is controlled via a spatial parallelogram
very expensive, the new bionic endoscope mechanism; the camera follows the handgrip
works very efficiently and can easily be movements exactly and the handgrip is
miniaturised to a very small diameter, making always parallel to the camera’s line of sight.
25


This provides intuitive control of the tip,
showing how the camera is oriented in the
abdominal cavity.

4.7.2 Adaptive braided bag filter

Adaptive braided bag filter for microfiltration
in solid-liquid separation processes
by Dr Jamal Sarsour, Michael Linke, Dr
Markus Milwich and Dr Thomas Stegmaier,
ITV Denkendorf

This project was inspired by the sea sponge
which in nature works as a highly energy-
efficient filtration pump. This sponge is able to
filter a remarkable amount of water for food
particles and oxygen by using its collar cells.
The idea coming from that source of
inspiration is to build a highly effective cross-
flow microfiltration system.
Exhibit 4.10 ITV’s braided bag filter (a) stretched,
(b) relaxed
Basic requirements for this system are:

• High selectivity with particle separation Due to its flexible construction, the filter tube
• Chemical and thermal resistance can be stretched and released (Exhibit 4.10).
• Little tendency to fouling
• Constant operation conditions When the filter tube is in relaxed state, the
• High mechanical strength pore size is much smaller then in stretched
• Reasonable price state. Due to the variable pore size and the
good cleaning performance, the application of
The team at ITV developed a braided bag the developed adaptive tube filters can offer
filter based on the shape of a hose or a tube. new microfiltration methods in the fields of
This tube can be vertically installed in the waste water, food and chemical technology.
filter tube system as shown in Exhibit 4.9.
4.7.3 Fin ray

Leif Kniese, Department of Bionic and
Evolution Technology, Technical University
of Berlin

The tail fin of a fish reacts to a mechanical
stimulation in an unexpected way. When we
apply an orthogonal force to the right side of
the tail fin, we would expect the fin to yield.
But the fin bends into the direction of the
Exhibit 4.9 ITV’s filter system equipment with the force. When pressure is applied to the right
filter tube in the pipe on the right side hand side, the fin’s end turns right in a
significant manner.

26


This behaviour woke the interest of Leif and colour-coding loud areas red and quiet
Kniese of the Technical University of Berlin. areas blue.
He became interested in the fin’s morphology
and started to do research work. He then The system consists of an array of
developed a mechanical device which reacts microphones connected to a personal
in a very similar way when it is facing external computer (PC) via a data-recording device.
force (Exhibit 4.11). The array can have either a circular, linear or
spherical pattern. Spherical patterns for
example would be used to capture noise
which is disturbing the driver of a car. The
microphones are therefore installed at the
height of the driver’s head and capture
surrounding noises (all-round measurement).
See Exhibit 4.12.

Exhibit 4.11 Fin ray

Further development stages then led to a
device which has unique gripper tool
properties. Like an intelligent shaping tool, Exhibit 4.12 Spherical array, 32-channel acoustic
which shapes around an object, this tool camera system for interior use
adapts to the shape of an object. Other areas
of application can be in the aviation industry
(wings and fins), ergonomic parts, such as
chairs, carrier systems for backpacks, beds Independent from each array, all systems
and many more. have a video capturing device in the centre of
the pattern. This enables the operation
4.7.4 Acoustic camera system afterwards to overlay visual and audio
signals layer by layer. Instead of using a video
Acoustic camera – listening with your eyes by image as positioning layer, one could also use
Dr Ing Olaf Jaeckel, GFaI, Berlin the computer-aided design (CAD) file of the
checked object.
The acoustic camera is a lightweight, modular
and flexible system for positioning and This system could be used for the automotive
analysing noise sources. Similar to a thermal industry, in internal and external sound
imaging camera, this system is able to make design, quality management and for
noise sources visible by spectral evaluation environmental tasks.

27


4.7.5 Bionic propeller 4.7.6 Plants as concept generators

EvoLogics GmbH, Berlin Plants as concept generators for innovative
biomimetic structures and materials by
Inspired by the fanned wing tips of an eagle, Thomas Speck and Tom Masselter, Botanic
scientists of the Bionics Department at the Garden of the University of Freiburg and
Technical University of Berlin asked BIOKON
themselves how the widespread, flexible outer
wing changes the flight and drag performance. Different biological models such as mammut
trees, giant bamboos and vines are the base
Regarding the turbulence caused by aircraft for biomimetic products for many different
wings, a significant amount of energy is industries, including aviation, automotive
wasted and not used to create upforce. and architecture.

Combining those facts, the team at Gradient materials with optimised structure
EvoLogics started to work on a new wing and weight properties are more often the
system inspired by nature. The idea was to focus of industrial collaboration. Those
use drag forces as efficiently as possible and materials are built to resist specific forces. The
therefore save energy. The principle is to split team at the Botanic Garden of the University
up vortices at the wing tip, known as of Freiburg chose the giant reed as a biological
‘winglets’ in airplanes. model to learn about gradient materials.

Exhibit 4.14 Model of stem structure
Exhibit 4.13 Bionic propeller from EvoLogics GmbH

Following up this idea, a bionic propeller The giant reed is bionically interesting
(Exhibit 4.13) has been developed. The new because of its optimised fibre orientation and
propeller is designed such that its blades distribution. Its gradual transition between
meet each other to form a circular outer fibre and matrixes gives inspiration to build
wing. This highly efficient and noise-avoiding lightweight structures with high stiffness and
propeller has been adopted for new aviation strength. Comparing the diameter of the
design. Further areas of application are fans, stem to its height, the flexibility of the plant
ship propellers and chopper blades. is enormous.

28


Based on this model the team from Freiburg caused by holes up to 5 mm diameter can be
developed a technical plant stem (Exhibit delayed by two to three orders of magnitude.
4.15) in collaboration with ITV Denkendorf.
The stem is made of a bionically optimised In a second phase, not only sealing but real
fibre-reinforced compound material. This repair should be achieved, ie re-establishment
material gives high vibration damping, long- of the mechanical properties of the membrane.
lasting high dynamic load capacity and benign
fracture behaviour.

Exhibit 4.15 Technical plant stem developed by
University of Freiburg in collaboration with ITV
Denkendorf

To manufacture this material, high-end
pultrusion and 3D-single-braiding techniques
were used.

4.7.7 Self-healing structures

Together with various industrial partners, a
team from Thomas Speck developed a plant-
inspired self-healing system for pneumatic
systems such as aircraft, bridges or
architectural elements. The idea is to prevent
damage through air leakage.

The plant Aristolochia macrophylla is known
for its self-repairing capability in the vine.
Plants have developed an enormous capacity
to seal and mend internal fissures. Based on
this, the team worked on developing a self-
repairing foam with some promising results.
With the bionically optimised foam,
polymerised under pressure, air leakage

29


5 COMMERCIAL VALUE OF BIOMIMETICS

Martin Kemp

5.1 Commercial case for biomimetic manufacturer of such devices. Cost of the
solutions device was not so much of an issue, even if
5.2 Role of funding higher than standard instruments, due to
5.3 Incubators and consortia performance benefits resulting in less patient
5.4 Discussion and conclusions trauma and damage ensuring large cost
savings in post-operative patient care.
5.1 Commercial case for biomimetic
solutions A noise measurement and visualisation tool
based on a ‘bat radar’ analogue was
Consideration of the ubiquitous ‘hook and presented by Dr Jaeckel of GFaI, Berlin. The
loop’ product Velcro illustrates that biologically methodology behind this device is well
inspired products can result in significant known, so the innovation has been in
commercial potential. However, since it was developing an improved overall system. This
invented in 1941, the time to develop a tool shows great potential for transportation
significant market even for this ‘new design and noise optimisation and
paradigm’ product has been considerable. In environmental monitoring. With Porsche as
view of its success, it begs the question why the launch customer, industry has identified
there are not more ‘killer applications’, since the usefulness of this tool. An interesting
the source of natural inspiration is virtually feature of this case study is the way it has
endless. developed in an ‘incubator’ – ie GFaI
(discussed in Section 5.3 below).
This chapter will assess the role of funding
on commercialisation of biomimetics A microfluidics ‘pump’ development funded
research. A selection of biomimetics case by Philips featured cost as a significant, but
studies will first be compared. not overriding, factor. Again, the market was
medical (diagnostics) and a premium product
5.1.1 Devices (at least initially) was envisaged. The
biomimetics fluid transport system would be
The steerable endoscope developed by more expensive than a micropump but
DEAM uses biomimetic principles to achieve offered added functionality in terms of fluid
an improved product compared to existing mixing, a crucial factor for accurate diagnosis.
products. The benefits of the device were The product also had an additional high-
well defined: to give a better image of the added-value application in drug testing, which
target area, especially depth perception, strengthened the justification of research
which would allow more precise surgery cut cost. However, it was made clear that Philips
depth. A secondary benefit would be realised was ‘very aware’ of cost and was looking at
if the endoscope diameter could be four different ‘actuator’ options, and cost
minimised, resulting in reduced tissue might be a deciding factor in the final choice
damage, and hence reduced hospital of technique. In general terms, the simpler
treatment costs. Having successfully system would probably be preferred due to
achieved both of these aims, the product reduced cost (‘complexity costs money’). If
received commercial interest from a Philips successfully develops this product, it

30

Biomimetics Report Final Version[1]

Biomimetics Report Final Version[1]

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Biomimetics Report Final Version[1]