Featured Strategies: Rainforest habitat - Ask Nature - the Biomimicry Design Portal: biomimetics, architecture, biology, innovation inspired by nature, industrial design

Featured Strategies: Rainforest habitat 1 of 24

Architecture avoids flooding, creates microclimates: ants

The nests of fungus-growing ants avoid flood damage and create uniform microclimates via necklace-like or tree-like architecture.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from abiotic factors >
	Excess liquids

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Building design for underground homes Mushroom farming Maintaining a uniform microclimate

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Lipochromes create red feathers: scarlet macaw

The feathers of scarlet macaws gain their red coloration via five lipochromes produced only in parrots.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Modify >
	Modify physical state >
	Light/color

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Ultraviolet reflectance, pigmentation, coloration, structural coloring.

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Bacteria fight fungus: leafcutter ants

Fungal gardens of leafcutter ants are free of undesired, parasitic fungus due to presence of symbiotic Streptomyces bacteria.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from biotic factors >
	Fungi

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Understanding how antibiotic resistance occurs Symbiosis within systems

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Secretions are antibacterial, antifungal: leaf-cutter ants

Members of leaf-cutter ant colonies suppress growth of bacteria and undesired fungi in their fungal gardens via glandular secretions.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from biotic factors >
	Microbes

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Antibiotics Antifungal agents Symbiosis in systems

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Sensory mucous glands detect prey: platypus

The bill of the duck-billed platypus aids in the detection of prey via large sensory mucous glands that act as electroreceptors.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Process information >
	Sense signals/environmental cues >
	Electricity/magnetism

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Detecting muscle movement, and response to therapy Using sensors that change electrical component, thus allowing sensor to alert monitor Protective structures for electronics, cell towers, etc. to limit exposure to electromagnetic fields

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Iridescent thin layer provides photoprotection: understory rainforest plants

Leaves of tropical rainforest understory plants are protected from excess sun by blue iridescence.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from abiotic factors >
	Light

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Use as coating for protection of highly sensitive light sensors Use as coating of chemical reactors for light sensitive reactions Temperature protection

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Ecosystem manages poor soils: tropical rain forest

Tropical rain forests make the best of poor soils and leaching rainfall by having a species-rich aboveground community that captures water and nutrients before they can be lost.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain community >
	Provide ecosystem services >
	Cycle nutrients

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Industrial symbiosis, mimicking a closed system that uses species diversity, nutrient capture, inter

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Fruiting tree holds key role in forest: Caesaria tree

The Caesaria tree helps maintain diversity and prevent extinctions in its forest ecosystem because it produces fruit to sustain several animal species through times of scarcity.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain community >
	Provide ecosystem services >
	Maintain biodiversity

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Design resilient communities Recognize interdependence of species for protecting ecosystem functions when designing agricultural

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Roots absorb moisture from humid air: orchids

Some orchids absorb moisture from humid air via aerial roots.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Get, store, or distribute resources >
	Capture, absorb, or filter >
	Liquids

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Device that desiccates humid air before it enters a building to reduce energy needed in air conditio Device that keeps cold engine parts from sweating by removing moisture from air Device that gathers water from humid air for drip irrigation

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Pigment enhances light absorption: tropical plants

Leaves of tropical plants such as Leptospermum recapture light with purple pigment.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Get, store, or distribute resources >
	Capture, absorb, or filter >
	Energy

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Solar cells, building materials that incorporate pigments for light/temperature regulation.

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Leaves focus light: begonias

The leaves of begonias maximize photosynthesis in low-light conditions by using clear surface cells to focus light.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Get, store, or distribute resources >
	Capture, absorb, or filter >
	Energy

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Lightweight lens made from material other than glass or plastic Solar cell enhancement Focusing light into building interiors for daylighting

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Leaves channel water: sacred fig

The leaves of sacred figs channel water off their surface via unique shape, called drip tips.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Get, store, or distribute resources >
	Distribute >
	Liquids

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Designing roofs and eaves to guide water Using shape to channel water away from potential water sinks

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Interwoven trees gain structural support: tropical trees

Trees gain support by growing together in an upward spiral.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Manage structural forces >
	Compression

Biomimetic Application Ideas

More stable structures in areas prone to high winds

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Evaporation releases seeds: Brazilian hura trees

Brazilian Hura trees launch seeds using tension created by varying rates of evaporation.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain community >
	Provide ecosystem services >
	Disperse seeds

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Biosensing of evaporative tension could improve regulation of building humidity Packaging

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Seeds survive extreme falls: Brazil nut tree

The seeds of a Brazil nut tree can survive long falls without damage due to the reinforced triple layer pod encasing them.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Manage structural forces >
	Impact

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Vehicle designs that better withstand crashes Packages for fragile items Helmets for various sports

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Structure and shape provide flexibility: vines

Architecture of vines increases flexibility via soft tissue components and ribbon-like shape.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Make >
	Physically assemble >
	Structure

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Flexible couplings, shafts, tubing

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Plants enhance health: golden bee

Visits to nutrient-poor plants by golden bees may help protect from disease and parasites thanks to the collection of volatile oils.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from biotic factors >
	Microbes

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Apiculture practices that assist bees in fighting off viruses, such as colony collapse disorder

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Head protected from minor impacts: cassowaries

The head of cassowaries may be protected from impact as they traverse dense forest thanks to a foam-like 'helmet' with keratinized covering.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Manage structural forces >
	Impact

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Light weight, tough material design for minor impact protection

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Beak design absorbs high-energy impacts: toco toucan

Toucan beaks are built lightweight and strong thanks to a rigid foamy inside and layers of fibrous keratin tile outside.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Manage structural forces >
	Impact

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Automotive panels that could protect passengers in crashes Ultralight aircraft components

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Humidity changes exoskeleton color: Hercules beetle

The exoskeleton of the Hercules beetle changes from green to black with increasing humidity using thin film interference by reversible modification of layer thickness.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Modify >
	Modify physical state >
	Light/color

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Humidity sensor

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Luciferin molecules create bioluminescence: Pyrophorus beetle

The abdomens of Pyrophorus bugs emit light from three luminescent areas thanks to oxidation of luciferan molecules by the enzyme luciferase, releasing a virtually cold light.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Modify >
	Modify physical state >
	Light/color

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Artificial lighting of different colors Cool lighting that runs on low energy

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Tongue moves fast: chameleons

The tongue of chameleons accelerates at ballistic speeds even in cold weather using an elastic recoil mechanism.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Modify >
	Modify physical state >
	Speed

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Bio-friendly lubrication for use in industry Actuator that lengthens quickly Prosthetics, sports equipment and other objects using elastic recoil mechanisms

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Bill used as heat exchanger for thermoregulation: toco toucan

Bill of toco toucan acts as a heat exchanger to regulate body temperature by adjusting blood flow

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Get, store, or distribute resources >
	Distribute >
	Energy

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Energy efficient building HVAC systems, such as solar hot water systems and heat/energy recovery ven

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Wing scales diffract and scatter light: Morpho butterflies

Wings of Morpho butterflies create color by diffracting and scattering light.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Modify >
	Modify physical state >
	Light/color

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Paints for cars, buildings, or other industrial applications Fabrics Electronic display screens

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Fifty percent of all known plants and animals occur in tropical rainforests, which cover just six percent of the earth’s surface. There is much we can learn from how each of these millions of species has adapted to the challenges of living in a tropical habitat.