Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge
The Biomimicry Institute’s Youth Design Challenge (YDC) is a project-based learning experience for middle and high school teams to design bio-inspired ideas centered around climate crisis. It introduces biomimicry as an engineering design strategy, integrates purposeful STEM experiences, and to provides engaging instruction aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
BIO-INSPIRED material from Dandelions
Dandelions have air-trapping capacities that could be mimicked into bio-design. When submerged underwater, dandelions can trap air and hold onto it.
Aiming at the problem of high wall shear stress at the nozzle of micro extrusion biological 3D printing technology, this paper proposes a method of reducing the viscosity of biological ink through vibration, so as to reduce the shear stress and improve printing efficiency and cell vitality. The 3D bioprinting extrusion device is taken as […]
Background As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, early, ideally real-time, identification of SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals is pivotal in interrupting infection chains. Volatile organic compounds produced during respiratory infections can cause specific scent imprints, which can be detected by trained dogs with a high rate of precision. Methods Eight detection dogs […]
A group of researchers from the University of London found that the micro-structure finlets on an owl’s feathers can help reduce aircraft noise. With the flow simulation of these finlets, the study shows how they act as thin guide vanes to reduce vortices and drag. Thus having […]
Aspect BioSystems, a Canadian-based company, is using 3D printed bioinspired tissue for medicinal purposes and research purposes. The devices are specifically designed for different medical areas, such as cancer and diabetes. They have artificially created tissues inspired by pancreatic cells. They are currently developing an implant to operate like pancreatic beta […]
Researchers found that the lobster-inspired printing patterns can make stronger concrete by focusing structural strength on key internal areas. Combination with steel fibers further increased its structural strength, suggesting that it can be combined with other methods to further enhance structural strength.
Many architecture firms are adopting 3D printing as a cheap and efficient way to build and design their new buildings. One such instance is Reeform (“reef” plus “form”) which draws inspiration from the coral reefs. A series of modular islands intended to make waterfront inhabitants both more […]
Plants remember drought
During a drought, plants use a signaling molecule that is known to limit animals’ water loss. The molecule provides them with a type of memory of how dry the day was and helps regulate water balance.
Researchers from AUT BioDesign have created a prosthetic fin to help injured sea turtles. These turtles tend to get harmed by boats and fishing nets in the ocean. This successful prosthetic fin is attached to the fin’s humerus by a STEM implant.
This paper presents an amphibious snake-like robot’s design and its omnipotent locomotion ability both on the land and in the water. This amphibious snake-like robot, mainly composed by 9 modular universal units, is waterproof and can move smoothly in the water while pressurized with O-rings and other essential accessories. In this […]
The article discusses new discoveries of cancer causing bacteria originating in some algae species which produce certain cyanotoxins. Due to increased pollution and toxins produced from manufacturing, more toxic algae has begun to grow in Bulgaria’s bodies of water. This includes some water reservoirs that store Bulgaria’s drinking water. Thus, since cyanotoxins were found in […]
In this paper the development and flight testing of flapping-wing propelled, radio-controlled micro air vehicles are described. The unconventional vehicles consist of a low aspect ratio fixed-wing with a trailing pair of higher aspect ratio flapping wings which flap in counterphase. The symmetric flapping-wing pair provides a mechanically and aerodynamically balanced platform, increases efficiency by […]
This article describes the use of microbial bacterial in a chemical process called chain elongation to turn food waste into more useful products such as fuel. This minimizes the amount of environmental waste produced in chemical processes and also utilizes excess material. The process has paved the way for more renewable […]
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Soft Robotics Lab
The Soft Robotics Lab at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute within the department of Robotics Engineering. Their research focuses on “utilizing mechanical compliance as part of their intelligence” and often lies at the intersection of bioinspired design and curiosity-based scientific discovery. Soft Robotics is a novel and innovative field that involves the […]
The objective of the GSBA2021 discusses about the new biomaterial concepts, their modeling and simulation, biological and biomedical functions, and finally applications of novel bioinspired biomaterial designs. The conference offers a diverse scientific program covers the latest, cutting-edge developments which can change the course of science to benefit the human society. […]
Tendon injuries disrupt the balance between stability and mobility, causing compromised functions and disabilities. The regeneration of mature, functional tendons remains a clinical challenge. Here, we perform transcriptional profiling of tendon developmental processes to show that the extracellular matrix-associated protein periostin (Postn) contributes to the maintenance of tendon stem/progenitor cell (TSPC) […]
This connection describes the annual Institute of Biological Engineering occurring virtually April 9-10th 2021. The IBE Annual Conference is a gathering of the world’s leading researchers and educators in biological engineering, who share a passion for building a better future.The conference is an excellent opportunity to develop professional skills and network with peers in the […]
Recently, it has been shown that animals such as jumping spiders, birds, and butterflies have evolved ultra-black coloration comparable to the blackest synthetic materials. Of these, certain papilionid butterflies have reflectances approaching 0.2%, resulting from a polydisperse honeycomb structure. It is unknown if other ultra-black butterflies use this mechanism. Here, we examine a phylogenetically diverse […]
ABSTRACT: Light controllability, design flexibility, and non-linearity features of photonic crystal fiber (PCF) based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor enable high sensitivity in the field of biosensing. Here, bio-inspired butterfly-core shaped microstructure fiber-based plasmonic sensor is proposed where circular air-holes are arranged to […]
In this Letter, we report a simple approach for the preparation of bioinspired nacre-like structured materials with achievable high in-plane or through-plane thermal conductivity via digital light processing 3D printing under optimized printing parameters. Based on the 3D layer-by-layer formation, a vertical force exerted on each printing layer during the 3D […]
News, Moth eyes inspire more efficient solar cells
Moth’s eyes have a unique lens structure with a highly anti-reflective structure, this can significantly boost the efficiency of solar cells by helping them preserve more energy. The experiment is currently lab based but has a large potential to help all solar cells.
Spinach, a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly scaffold, provided an edible platform upon which a team of researchers led by a Boston College engineer has grown meat cells, an advance that may accelerate the development of cultured meat, according to a new report in the advance online edition of the journal Food BioScience.
This publication highlights some of the science that exemplifies the principles of Green Chemistry, in particular the efficient use of materials and energy, development of renewable resources, and design for reduced hazard. While underlining how nature is a source of inspiration for new catalytic chemistry.
The global demand for clean and safe water will continue to grow well into the 21st century. Moving forward, the lack of access to clean water, which threatens human health and strains precious energy resources, will worsen as the climate changes. Therefore, future innovations that produce potable water from contaminated sources […]
Paper: Bioinspired polarization imager with high dynamic rang
Mantis shrimp have a very complex visual system that allows them to detect light in a logarithmic fashion, giving them the ability to detect a large range of light including polarized light. A new camera, costing less than $10 to manufacture, inspired by this system mimics this […]
Administration of drugs via the buccal route has attracted much attention in recent years. However, developing systems with satisfactory adhesion under wet conditions and adequate drug bioavailability still remains a challenge. Here, we propose a mussel-inspired mucoadhesive film. Ex vivo models show that this film can achieve strong adhesion to wet […]
Researchers in Oregon State University have discovered that Murrelets choose their breeding site by eavesdropping on other murrelets. The seabirds population is steadily declining, making these publications important to further investigate how birds inform each other about where to nest. These birds feed in the ocean and […]
Dental clinicians have relied for centuries on traditional dental materials (polymers, ceramics, metals, and composites) to restore oral health and function to patients. Clinical outcomes for many crucial dental therapies remain poor despite many decades of intense research on these materials. Recent attention has been paid to biomolecules as a chassis for engineered preventive, restorative, […]
Currently, a study carried out at the University of Trento takes inspiration from dandelions to create new engineered materials. The air-trapping ability of dandelion clocks immersed in water has been quantified, for the first time, in the laboratory. The breakthrough opens the door for the creation of new and sophisticated devices […]
The BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University
The BioInspired Institute at Syracuse University was established to advance knowledge & expertise in complex biological systems and innovative materials by focusing resources and interdisciplinary collaboration in diverse fields. Their focus areas provide a roadmap for developing complementary expertise that will accelerate discovery, […]
How hummingbirds hum is not fully understood, but its biophysical origin is encoded in the acoustic nearfield. Hence, we studied six freely hovering Anna’s hummingbirds, performing acoustic nearfield holography using a 2176 microphone array in vivo, while also directly measuring the 3D aerodynamic forces using a new aerodynamic force platform. We […]
Based on a study of both hatchling sea turtles and “FlipperBot” — a robot with flippers — researchers have learned principles for how both robots and turtles move on granular surfaces such as sand.
Paper, Soft robotics: a bioinspired evolution in robotics
The paper reviews a recent development in soft robotics. Soft materials in animals inspire a new wave of robotics. Current enabling technologies in soft robotics and challenges are discussed. Potential convergence between soft robotics and tissue engineering is introduced.
Talks are open to the public if you want to attend these next few classes for the semester. The most recent speaker graduated from UC Berkeley in Bioengineering and now works with Stanford to design models of the brain for neurosurgeons. Biology and design intersect again. In this one unit P/NP […]
Mushroom leather might not sound stylish. But Bolt Threads, a start-up that specializes in developing next-generation fibers inspired by nature, is one of a growing number of companies convinced that the material is a viable replacement — in both form and function — for animal-sourced and synthetic […]
This article focuses on how cells can be replicated using a 3-D printer to better support astronauts time in space, whether that be the moon or something as novel as life on Mars. The article specifies using synthetic biology to produce a “custom ink” so astronauts can print whatever is needed while in flight. This […]
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…