Bioinspiration

Bioinspiration refers to the practice of drawing ideas for design and innovation from natural systems, processes, and strategies observed in living organisms. It relies on understanding how biology solves practical problems and translating those principles into technology, materials, or methods. Unlike biomimicry, which often attempts to imitate form or function exactly, bioinspiration emphasizes principles and adaptable concepts that can be reinterpreted for human use.

Examples include Velcro, inspired by burrs attaching to fur; gecko-inspired dry adhesives that mimic microsetae; lotus effect surfaces that repel water and self-clean; sharkskin-inspired surfaces that reduce drag and inhibit bacterial growth; nacre-inspired layered composites that combine toughness with light weight; and structural colors inspired by butterfly wings.

Applications span aerospace, mechanical engineering, materials science, architecture, medicine, and robotics. The typical approach involves observing a natural system, extracting a design principle, abstracting it into a model, and testing and adapting it for human goals. Researchers emphasize iterative prototyping and interdisciplinary collaboration, combining biology, engineering, and computation. Ethical and ecological considerations guide sustainable choices, and bioinspired designs often aim to reduce resource use or environmental impact.

Bioinspiration continues to influence emerging technologies such as soft robotics, autonomous systems, and adaptive materials, reflecting a broader trend toward learning from nature rather than simply copying it.