1. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 1
Extending the TRIZ Methodology to
Connect Engineering Design Problems to
Biological Solutions
Jonathan Weaver1, Darrell Kleinke1, and Terri Lynch-Caris2
1 University of Detroit Mercy Mechanical Engineering Department
2Kettering University Industrial Engineering Department

2. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 2
Outline
• The Need
• Triz from 35,000 ft
• Handling Physical Contradiction
• Handling Technical Contradiction
• Blending Biomimicry and Triz
• Conclusion & Invitation to Collaborate

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The Need
• Some engineers are versed in TRIZ and routinely apply
its methodologies when trying to innovate
• Others look to nature for inspiration
• Both approaches can be effective, yet very few are well-
versed in both approaches
• We propose a framework to extend the TRIZ
methodology to point engineers to not only relevant
man-made examples, but also to potential inspiration
from nature

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TRIZ from 35,000 feet
• Tough problems typically involve contradictions
• A contradiction can be either physical or technical
• Physical contradiction involves a conflict between two
mutually exclusive physical requirements to the same
parameter of an element of the system (i.e., an element
should be hot and cold)
• Technical contradiction involves a conflict between
characteristics within a system whereby improving one
parameter of the system results in deterioration of another
parameter (i.e., increasing power also increases mass)

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Handling Physical Contradiction
• Altshuller recommends considering four principles:
– Separation of contradictory properties in time or on
condition
– Separation of contradictory properties in space
– System transformations (or separation between the
parts and the whole)
– Phase transformation, or physical-chemical
transformation of substances

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Approach for Handling Technical
Contradiction
• Using the set of 39 engineering parameters, state the
contradiction in the form improving [first parameter]
causes deterioration of [second parameter]
• Use the Contradiction Matrix to identify which of
Altschuller’s 40 Inventive Principles seem most likely to
assist in resolving the contradiction
• Study past manifestations of the suggested inventive
principles and try to tailor a solution to the problem at hand

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TRIZ: The Theory of Inventive Problem
Solving
The Direct Path
Can Be Elusive
Your Problem Your Solution
Generic Problem Generic Solution

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39 Engineering Parameters

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40 Inventive Principles

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Portion of the Contradiction Matrix

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Our Approach to
Blending Biomimicry and Triz
• The proposed Bio-TRIZ methodology would automatically
connect anyone utilizing the TRIZ methodology to
potentially relevant biological inspirations.
• Rationale: innovators applying the TRIZ methodology are
likely to come up with a richer, stronger, and more diverse
set of product concepts if they are simultaneously
presented with inspiring biological examples of relevant
inventive principles alongside the classical manmade
examples and patents.
• The proposed approach will be outlined first for resolving
physical contradiction, then for resolving technical
contradiction.

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Manmade and Natural Examples of
Principles for Resolving Physical
Contradiction

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Separation of Contradictory Properties in
Time or on Condition
Manmade Example Biological Example
• Contradiction: Glasses lenses • Contradiction: Pine cone should
should be clear and dark contain seeds and release them
• Solution: lenses become dark on • Solution: Scales on the cones open
condition of UV exposure when dry and close when damp
helping to maximize the dispersion of
the seeds (Dawson et al., 1997)
Source: speceye.com
Source:
science.howstuffworks.com/dictionary/plant-
terms/conifer-info.htm

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Separation of Contradictory Properties
in Space
Manmade Example Biological Example
• Contradiction: Bandage should be • Contradiction: Human teeth should
sticky (away from the wound) and not be sharp (for cutting) yet flat (for
sticky (on the wound) mashing)
• Solution: Bandage has adhesive • Solution: Sharp incisors and flat
around perimeter of non-sticky pad molars
Source: briskinfor.com Source: skeletonmodels.com

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System Transformations (or Separation
Between the Parts and the Whole)
Manmade Example Biological Example
• Contradiction: A bicycle chain • Contradiction: Chameleons
should be rigid yet flexible want to be camouflaged (for
• Solution: Make the individual safety) yet highly conspicuous
links rigid but the whole chain (for attracting a mate)
flexible • Solution: They constrict cell
levels of various pigments to get
the desired effect
Source: arthursclipart.org
Source: true-wildlife.blogspot.com

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Manmade and Natural Examples of
Principles for Resolving Technical
Contradiction

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Principle 1. Segmentation
Manmade Example Biological Example
• Venetian blinds replace solid • Nanostructure of blue penguin’s
shades feathers scatter light to give
apparent color
Source: tminarik.com
Source:
www.myschoolhouse.com/courses/O/1/66.asp

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Principle 3. Local Quality
Manmade Example Biological Example
• A Swiss Army Knife where each • Nanostructure of blue penguin’s
part fulfills a different and useful feathers scatter light to give
function apparent color
Source: amazon.com
Source: wksu.org

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Principle 17. Moving to a New Dimension
Manmade Example Biological Example
• A computer mouse that can move • The crossbill’s mandibles cross at
in space rather than on a surface their tips facilitating extraction of
pine cone seeds when they open
their bill (Wikipedia: Crossbill,
2011)
Source: www.popsci.com/node/9600
Source: birds.cornell.edu

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Principle 18. Mechanical Vibration
Manmade Example Biological Example
• Vibratory parts feeder • Leaf cutter ants use vibration to
stiffen the leaves for easier cutting
Source:
w25.indonetwork.co.id/pdimage/18/8149
18_img_1074.jpg Source: http://www.richard-
seaman.com/Insects/CostaRica/LeafcutterAnts/Le
afcutterAntWorkersCuttingALeaf.jpg

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Principle 22. Convert Harm to Benefit
Manmade Example Biological Example
• ShockWatch indicators break if • Monarch caterpillars eat
package is handled roughly during milkweed that is poisonous to
shipping most predators – and store that
poison to make themselves
poisonous to others
(AskNature.org: Monarchs, 2011)
Source: shockwatch.com
Source: fnpsblog.blogspot.com

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Principle 28. Replacement of a Mechanical
System
Manmade Example Biological Example
• Optical computer mouse replaces • The feet of aphids appear to
mechanical mouse adhere to surfaces using capillary
adhesion (AskNature.org: Aphids,
2011)
Source: mouserena.com Source:
abbotlab.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/aphid2.jpg

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Principle 29. Use Pneumatics of Hydraulics
Manmade Example Biological Example
• Air shocks in automobiles • Spiders have muscles to flex the
joints but none to extend them.
They extend their legs by
pumping fluid into them.
(Asknature.Org: Spiders, 2011)
Source:
performancetruckllc.com/82601l.jpg
Source:
cdn.physorg.com/newman/gfx/news/2006/Tarantul
a.jpg

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Principle 30. Flexible Film or Thin
Membranes
Manmade Example Biological Example
• Space blankets • Butterfly wings achieve visual
color without pigment using thin
layers (Imod Display, 2011)
Source:
www.rei.com/product/407106/space-all-
weather-blanket Source:
www.presentationtek.com/images/colorful_butterf
ly.jpg

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Conclusion
• The authors believe that the proposed approach can help
engineers routinely connect to appropriate biological
inspirations
• We would welcome collaboration with anyone interested
in furthering this work