Every day we are meeting a new technological product which is better than all the previous similar versions. Scientists, mathematicians and engineers are working hard during the invention stages. In those projects, the main motive is to make something which does not exist before. Sorry for inventors but if we look at nature we can simply see advanced versions already available in nature and they are mostly alive!

Recently, we started to hear a new science branch named as ‘Biomimetic’ or ‘Biomimicry’. In short, it investigates and inspects the nature in order to simplify technological enhancements and obtain new ideas for future’s science and technology. Actually to be honest: Science is the study of the universe. Most of the big scientists are famous of their experiments and equations found during these experiments.  However, mostly they realize that there is an order to be found, outside their laboratories. For example, Archimedes found water lifting force in a bathhouse with the help of a not sinking dipper and Newton found gravity force with the help of an apple which dropped to his head. It was not the first apple dropped from a tree but it was Newton to realize gravitation system. As we can see, biomimetic itself is not so new.

After this brief introduction there are some interesting examples mentioned below. They are also special because they are milestones in technological improvement history of humanity.

Eiffel Tower (Thigh Bone)

Eiffel Tower is one of best civil engineering structures in the world. It has a very special system known as truss system but it is not unique at all. Following the anatomist Hermann von Meyer, Swiss engineer Karl Cullman was inspired by the outcome: The bone was made up of tiny interconnected struts, like a cage. These struts reduced the effect of any weight or pressure placed on the bone. That is because they are arranged along the force influence lines generated when standing or walking. Thigh bone can bear upto one-ton weight. Cullman thought that this formation could be used in structures. This lucky structure was  the Eiffel Tower constructed with truss system (cage-like struts), just as in the thigh bone.

Suspension Bridges (Tendons)

Different from traditional bridges that have heavy footings, it is more economical to build cable suspension bridges. Furthermore, it is also much more economical and durable with cables that have a twisted bundle form. Each individual cable is itself a twisted bundle of thinner cables. Each of these thinner cables is itself a twisted bundle of molecules, which are, of course, twisted, helical bundles of atoms. It sounds twisty but works perfect at all.

Kevlar (Spider Silk)

Most of the people knows that spider silk is the one of the most strongest materials. Although it has a diameter less than 1 millimeter, it is 5 times stronger than steel wire of the same dimensions. Moreover it is so ductile that it can elongate 4 times of its original length. Besides, it is so light that a thread stretching three times around the world would weigh less than 1 kilogram. These properties make spider silk very special for industry. One company called DuPont also realized this fact and studied on spider silks and came up with ‘Kevlar’; world`s known strongest industrial material. A bullet flying with a speed of 150 km/h could not pass though a fabric made of kevlar which is very good for a bullet-proof vest. In addition to this, kevlar is used for aircraft carrier hawsers, mine shoes and where strength is the in primary requirements.

Underwater Exploration Robot: Aeriol (Crab)

We are not so keen on working in dangerous conditions. Therefore, we look for someone to do it for us. Thanks to the biomimetic, our robot friends started to apply for this kind of job opportunities. Aeriol is one of the bravest at all. He is working underwater for unknown zone explorations. It was designed by imitating crab because researches show that crab’s body formation is very suitable for underwater walking.  

It is possible to extend examples for imitated technological products that are very useful and successful. As previously mentioned the main difference between the Newton and his fellows was his manner of investigation and realizing the order of the nature. However, in order to realize we should see it, not only look at the picture of the view.