This paper is a look into the use of antennae on stick insects for control of locomotion through tactile contact sensing.
Research Paper, Bioinspiration: Applying Mechanical Design to Experimental Biology
The production of bioinspired and biomimetic constructs has fostered much collaboration between biologists and engineers, although the extent of biological accuracy employed in the designs produced has not always been a priority. Even the exact definitions of “bioinspired” and “biomimetic” differ among biologists, engineers, and industrial designers, leading to confusion regarding […]
News, Biomimicry comes for the noble Hedgehog
When hedgehogs fall from trees or high surfaces or come in contact with predators they roll into a ball, transforming into a spherical object covered with quills. Researchers at Hedgemon, a company based in Ohio, have been studying this characteristic of hedgehogs to […]
New research addresses some of the technical issues that still need to be solved for 3D printed concrete to be strong enough for use in more free-form structures. Researchers found lobster-inspired printing patterns can make 3DCP stronger and help direct the strength where it’s needed. And combining the patterns with a concrete mix enhanced with […]
3D bioprinting is gaining traction as a technique to construct complex tissue structures. In this paper, researchers determine whether or not the cross-linking structures in bioprinting will be able to mimic mechanical properties. The research combines engineering, biology, and material science.
Paper, Robust capture of unknown objects with a highly under-actuated gripper
This paper is from the Bioinspired Robotics and Design Lab, part of the Contextual Robotics Institute at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) within the department of Mechanical Engineering. This paper in particular deals with a gecko-inspired adhesive to provide an adhesion-controlled friction that helps stabilize robotic grippers and assist in improving grasp performance […]
Abstract: This paper studies the modelling, design and fabrication of a bio-inspired fish-like robot propelled by a compliant body. The key to the design is the use of a single motor to actuate the compliant body and to generate thrust. The robot has the same geometrical properties of a subcarangiform swimmer […]
For lithium-air batteries, one important factor affecting the overall efficiency, rate performance, and energy provided is how efficiently oxygen is transported to and from the electrode surface. In this process, oxygen gas from the air must diffuse into the battery and to the electrode where it will react with lithium ions and electrons. If this […]
Internship: Calico Life Sciences, South San Francisco
Calico Life Sciences uses advanced technology with R&D to help lead others with longer and healthier lives. The computational biology intern role will focus on manipulating cell identities using experimental biology, machine learning, and genomics to generate hypothesis and execute biological experiments in […]
Texas Medical Center Innovation – Biodesign Eellowship, Houston, Texas
TMC Biodesign is a one-year innovation program that unites the talents of innovators with diverse backgrounds to quickly bring breakthrough products to market. Founders are guided through a proven innovation approach, which consists of three stages: identify, invent, implement.
Gathering inspiration from nature for the design of new materials, products and processes is a topic gaining rapid interest among scientists and engineers. In this review, we introduce the concept of nature-inspired chemical engineering (NICE). We critically examine how this approach offers advantages over straightforward biomimicry and distinguishes itself from bio-integrated design, as a systematic […]
The thermal effect is a bothersome issue related to various types of photovoltaic (PV) panels in real working conditions. In this paper, we demonstrate a new and simple hydrogel cooling method that is inspired by marine mussels. We design an organic–inorganic hydrogel with all-weather adhesive and tunable cooling functions. Adhesion is achieved by the formation […]
Paper, Adaptations of Intertidal Fishes to Hypoxia
This paper examines how fish adapt to changing oxygen (and salinity) levels in intertidal waters. This could be applied towards machinery by the coastline by understanding how the fish adapted to this changing environment, then using a similar design (but scaled up) to create adjustable semi-permeable materials […]
If you have driven down a dark road, you have often seen glimpses of bright flashes in the middle of the street. These light reflectors or cat’s eyes are used in road marking to allow drivers to safely drive within their lane. English […]
International Research Conference, New York
ICBIRD 2021: 15. International Conference on Bio-Inspired Robotics Design aims to bring together leading academic scientists, researchers and research scholars to exchange and share their experiences and research results on all aspects of Bio-Inspired Robotics Design. It also provides a premier interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners and educators to present and […]
Shape-memory polymeric materials lack long-range molecular order that enables more controlled and efficient actuation mechanisms. Here, we develop a hierarchical structured keratin-based system that has long-range molecular order and shape-memory properties in response to hydration. We explore the metastable reconfiguration of the keratin […]
Innovative Design @ UC Berkeley
Innovative Design (“InnoD”) is a creative agency and ASUC Charter Program that is run entirely by students. Our members are talented graphic designers, photographers, and web designers. Together, we strive to Make Berkeley Beautiful by providing design education and services to the campus community. Innovative Design’s services are pro-bono (at no […]
Birds and insects have wings with rough leading edges to separate airflow, which assists counterintuitively with easier flight. Scientists have adapted to combat the issue of smaller drones being buffeted by air with a new design: “Separated Flow Airfoil”. Boundary air is the air directly in contact […]
Marine Biologists Discover Novel Filtration System in Giant Manta Rays
While conventional filters sieve out large particles, they are prone to clogging and permit smaller particles to pass through. Researchers at Cal State Fullerton have found a new, highly efficient method of filtration in the mouths of giant manta rays. The giant manta ray instead uses “ricochet separation” to filter even […]
The Bio-inspired Ray for Extreme Environments and Zonal Exploration (BREEZE) combines inflatable structures with bio-inspired kinematics to create a highly efficient flier to explore the Venus atmosphere. This flier would take data while below the main cloud
Inspired by the overlapping scales found on teleost fish, a new composite architecture explores the mechanics of materials to accommodate both flexibility and protection. These biological structures consist of overlapping mineralized plates embedded in a compliant tissue to form a natural flexible armor which protects underlying soft […]
The Biomimicry Center, Arizona States University(ASU)
The Biomimicry Center is a joint partnership between Arizona State University and Biomimicry 3.8 (B3.8) that facilitates biomimicry education and research endeavors locally and globally. The Center brings together the established infrastructure and progressive approach of ASU with the biomimicry experience and expertise of B3.8. The Biomimicry […]
News, Lily the barn owl reveals how birds fly in gusty winds
Scientists have discovered how birds are able to fly in gusty conditions – findings that could inform the development of bio-inspired small-scale aircraft.
Historically, individual California black worms are considered to be tropical fish food at the aquarium. However, a recent discovery found that multiple California blackworms can form a worm blob, which is a shape-shifting living liquid that prevents them from death and high-heat threats. Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology reported […]
Paper, Neuron-like neural probes
Lieber’s team used photolithography to develop their ‘neuron-like electronics’ (NeuE) with an impressive size scale of only ~0.9 μm in total thickness, comparable to a myelinated axon (Fig. 1a). Utilizing their previously published methods for insertion6, they were able to successfully implant ~80% of their animals across several brain structures. Full […]
Modeling and analyzing the sports equipment for injury prevention, reduction in cost, and performance enhancement have gained considerable attention in the sports engineering community. In this regard, the structure study of on-water sports board (surfboard, kiteboard, and skimboard) is vital due to its […]
News, How to hide like an octopus
Researchers at MIT have studied octopuses and other cephalopods skilled at camouflage in order to create a flexible material that can change its appearance on demand. The mechanism these creatures use to change both color and texture happen through muscle contractions, something researchers have been able to mimic by applying voltage […]
New research from researchers at RMIT University addresses some of the technical issues that still need to be solved for 3D printed concrete to be strong enough for use in more free-form structures. Researchers found lobster-inspired printing patterns, helicoidal patterns, can make 3DCP stronger and help direct […]
A research team from the University of Science and Technology of China has invented a new bioinspired material that might just be able to replace petroleum based plastics. They were inspired by the hierarchically ordered structure of natural nacre and managed to mimic […]
The Institute for Computational Design (ICD) and the Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE) of the University of Stuttgart have constructed another bionic research pavilion. The project is part of a successful series of research pavilions which showcase the potential of […]
ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion 2013-14
The Institute for Computational Design (ICD) and the Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE) of the University of Stuttgart have constructed another bionic research pavilion. The project is part of a successful series of research pavilions which showcase the potential of […]
The translation of unparalleled efficiency from the lab-scale devices to practical-scale flexible modules affords a huge performance loss for flexible perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The degradation is attributed to the brittleness and discrepancy of perovskite crystal growth upon different substrates. Inspired by robust crystallization and flexible structure of vertebrae, herein, we […]
Fritz Vollrath, Spider Silk/Web, Oxford University
In soft robotics, bio-inspiration ranges from hard- to software. Orb web spiders provide excellent examples for both. Adapted sensors on their legs may use morphological computing to fine-tune feedback loops that supervise the handling and accurate placement of silk threads. The spider’s webs embody the decision rules […]
Lisa White, UC Museum of Paleontology, UC Berkeley
Lisa White Assistant Director (Education and Outreach) Lisa joined the UCMP in July 2012 as Director of Education and Outreach. She comes to the UCMP after a 22-year history at San Francisco State University where she held positions of Professor of Geosciences and Associate Dean of the College of Science and […]
Paper, Ground sampler based on Sea Urchin Jaws
This research paper explores the possibility of using design ideas taken from the sea urchins’ mouth to build ground biopsy harvesters. Called Aristotle’s lantern, the mouth of sea urchins are composed of five calcium carbonate teeth that are arranged in a dome-like foundation. This shape that has the teeth protrude outwards […]
A fastener with a microscopic design that looks like tiny mushrooms could mean advances for everyday consumers and scientific fields. Currently available fasteners are called hook and loop fasteners and require harder, stiff material. In Biointerphases, researchers describe a design that can use softer materials and still be strong. The team believes a 3D mushroom […]
About Connections
Team Connections. Before most Monday classes, design teams will add a Connection to share Bioinspired Design connections. These URLs can include relevant design or biology courses on campus; links to campus organizations, clubs, institutes and competitions interested in design; biological discoveries and bioinspired designs from news and journals; global research, centers, and institutes; and internships, public service, […]
Learn about our two Decals!
Click here to find out more about our Fall Bioinspired Design Decal and our Spring Bioinspired Design in Action Decal – ALL MAJORS are welcome.
Berkeley BioDesign Community
Click here to learn about the BioD: Bio-Inspired Design @ Berkeley student organization or here to signup for more info.
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I imagine that the neurological circuits underlying these processes are governed by both 2d spacing maps with their brains as…
to reduce the impact of car accidents, it may be possible to study the force diverting physics of cockroaches to…
you see this type of head-bobbing stability in many avian creatures related to pigeons like chickens. the head ability to…
not like they taught horses how to run! this is an example of convergent evolution where both sea creatures and…
The brain functions in a similar way with neuronal connections. our brains are able to utilize the multiplicity of connections…