Nature-inspired Innovation - what is it? How we use it? And, Why it matters?
Introduction to Nature-inspired Innovation
What is Nature-inspired Innovation?
Nature-inspired innovation is the art and science of the study of organisms and living systems via forms, functions, processes, & interactions to solve human challenges.
From how a bird's wing is structured for optimal flight to how plants conserve water in arid climates, nature has been a master engineer for over 4 million years.
“Innovators look around for fresh ideas, with advances in technology we are able to understand the natural world like never before.”
Applications for Today and Tomorrow…
Today, nature-inspired innovation has transcended beyond mere observation to a structured approach that involves multi-disciplinary teams of biologists, engineers, and designers. The applications are vast and span across various sectors, including healthcare, architecture, transportation, and even information technology.
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![Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare]()
Healthcare
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![Robotics]()
Robotics
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Materials Science
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![Built Environment]()
Built Environment
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Energy
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Transportation
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Information Technology
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Environment
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Manufacturing
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FMCG
The NII Framework: Our Unique Lens
At Biomimicry Innovation Lab, we employ our proprietary NII (Nature-Inspired Innovation) framework to delve deeper into nature's wisdom. This framework is based on work from our mentor, friend, and advisor, Prof Julian Vincent, who, alongside his team at the University of Bath, developed this in the early 2000s.
Our development of the NII Framework focuses on understanding how living and ecological systems interact across substance, structure, energy, information, space, and time. It allows us to identify compromises and trade-offs that living and ecological systems have optimised over millennia, offering us a roadmap to develop sustainable, regenerative and innovative solutions.
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Materials, Gases and Liquids that make up a system and how Substances in a system are organised.
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How Energy is used and transformed within a system, and how Information is transmitted and processed within a system.
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Physical area in which a system operates and how systems change and evolve over Time.
Why Choose Nature-inspired Innovation?
Sustainability
Sustainability is often viewed as the capacity to endure, but at Biomimicry Innovation Lab, we believe it's about much more. Nature has perfected the art of creating closed-loop systems where waste is nearly non-existent and resources are utilised in a highly efficient manner. By studying these natural models, we derive insights that guide us in designing solutions that are not merely durable but also resource-efficient. The goal is to create systems that harmonise with their environment, optimizing resource use and minimising waste, thus embodying true sustainability far beyond the buzzword.
Innovation
The natural world is a grand canvas of ingenuity, showcasing an unparalleled diversity of solutions for survival, adaptation, and efficiency. At Biomimicry Innovation Lab, we tap into this incredible wealth of inspiration to fuel incremental and breakthrough innovation. By understanding the intricate ways in which nature solves complex problems, we can find new perspectives and paradigms for technological advancements and process improvements. Whether optimising existing systems or pioneering entirely new methodologies, our nature-inspired approach allows us to push the boundaries of what's possible, turning the natural world's diversity into a wellspring of innovation.
Dynamic Adaptability
Nature excels in designing systems that are both regenerative, resilient and antifragile. The concept of Regenerativity allows systems that heal, restore, and revitalise their surroundings, while Antifragility ensures they grow stronger under stress. At Biomimicry Innovation Lab, we incorporate these twin pillars to design solutions that not only sustain but also actively improve and adapt, offering a genuinely future-proof approach.
Case Studies
Sharklet Technologies
Sharklet Technologies is a company that has focused on creating surfaces which inhibit microbial growth, drawing inspiration from the skin of sharks. The unique pattern on a shark's skin reduces bacterial colonisation. Sharklet Technologies has emulated this pattern to develop products to reduce the spread of bacteria in healthcare and community environments. Their technology has potential applications in various sectors, including healthcare, maritime, and consumer goods.
Opteran
Opteran is a pioneering tech firm focused on developing a Natural Intelligence platform by reverse-engineering insect brains, which aims to enhance autonomous machine capabilities. This unique approach has led to the creation of hardware and software inspired by biological brain algorithms, specifically crafted to enable machines to perform autonomous tasks like seeing, sensing objects, obstacle avoidance, navigation, and decision-making. The core technology is a suite of vision-based, edge-computing products suitable for robots and other autonomous machines.
The Eden Project
The development of the Eden Project, located in Cornwall, UK, showcases a profound application of biomimicry, where the principles of nature are harnessed to address architectural and environmental challenges. The Eden Project comprises a series of biomes housing diverse plant species from around the globe, encapsulated within a unique architectural design reminiscent of natural forms.
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