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

Featured Strategies: Retrofit 1 of 20

Furry bracts serve as insulation: lobelia

The bracts of Lobelia telekii protect its flowers from wind and cold via long, hair-like shape.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from abiotic factors >
	Temperature

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Building insulation products Insulating blankets for citrus crops or vineyards Urban planning models appropriate to habitat

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Down feathers insulate: king eider

The down feathers of eider ducks provide insulation due to lack of barbules and ability to fluff.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from abiotic factors >
	Temperature

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Insulation for buildings Fabrics that mimic the fluffiness and packability of down Reusable packaging that can expand or contract based on contents

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Leaves capture water: bromeliads

The leaves of some bromeliads capture water and nutrients in a storage tank via hydrophobic leaf surfaces and hydrophilic hairs.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

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

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Water capture applications to apply to buildings, outdoor structures

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Organic composite is exceptionally robust: jumbo squid

The beaks of jumbo squid have exceptional hardness and stiffness in part thanks to high cross-linking density between its chitin and protein contents.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Modify >
	Adapt/optimize >
	Optimize space/materials

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Strong yet lightweight ceramics and construction materials

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Crystals draw sunlight into plant: window plants

The pillar-like leaves of window plants enhance photosynthesis by filtering sunlight down a series of translucent crystals of oxalic acid.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

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

Biomimetic Application Ideas

More efficient photovoltaic cells Windows that keep buildings cool while still allowing daylight in Daylighting designs for buildings

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Dense covering protects from cold: snow lotus

Flowers of snow lotus plants protect from the cold via thick, furry insulation.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from abiotic factors >
	Temperature

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Building insulation products Insulating blankets for citrus crops or vineyards

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Pigments cells respond to hormones: African clawed frog

Pigments in frog skin change color in response to hormones by moving melanin grains around cells.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Modify >
	Modify physical state >
	Light/color

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Detect drugs, other chemicals Non-toxic and biodegradable video screens Food packaging that signals presence of microbial contamination

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Mound passively heats/cools: compass termite

Mounds of compass termites provide heating and cooling at appropriate times of day thanks to orientation with respect to the sun.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from abiotic factors >
	Temperature

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Construction of homes and buildings in hot climates

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Nasal turbinates reduce water loss: northern elephant seal

The nasal turbinates of the northern elephant seal reduce water loss via countercurrent heat exchange.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from abiotic factors >
	Loss of liquids

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Devices to re-capture water used in cooling applications in hot climates More efficient heat exchangers for buildings Obtaining water from humid air, smoke stacks, emission points

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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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Energy boost from vortices: bull trout

Bodies of fish decrease energy required for locomotion by using vortices.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Move or stay put >
	Move >
	In/on liquids

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Wind turbines that work using eddies around large buildings or other large structures Ocean energy devices that use eddies to generate energy

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Cone scales are humidity-sensitive: pine

The scales of pine cones flex passively in response to changes in moisture levels via a two-layered structure.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Modify >
	Modify physical state >
	Size/shape/mass/volume

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Building vents that flex in response to humidity Textiles that help maintain comfortable body temperature over a wide range of external temperatures Indicator for moisture levels on skin of patient

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Mechanisms help thermoregulation: bumblebees

The body of bumblebees maintains a regular temperature via counter-current heat exchange and a heat-shunting mechanism.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Regulate physiological processes >
	Homeostasis

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Variable heat exchange system design, utilizing external fluid as heat sink Hydrogen cars emit water vapor--condense and use as heat sink for cooling car Buildings that condense water with thermal mass or active cooling systems, and use externally to coo

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Complex structures focus reflected light: lobster

The eye of a lobster focuses reflected light onto the retina using a perfect geometric configuration of square tubes.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Modify >
	Modify physical state >
	Light/color

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Daylighting for buildings Portable x-ray imaging applications for medical diagnostics Cargo inspection devices

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Lingual rete precools blood: gray whale

Lingual retes of gray whales precool blood in the tongue to avoid heat loss via counter-current heat exchange.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Regulate physiological processes >
	Homeostasis

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Large scale heat exchange for airplanes, buildings, hospital beds Energy transfer devices like solar thermal Cooling computers and other electronics

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Multiple organisms interact: soil ecosystem

The soil ecosystem supports plant growth through interactions of millions of organisms that work together to break down chemicals and aerate the soil.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Break down >
	Physically break down >
	Biotic materials

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Creating hard surfaces in urban areas that replace some of the functions of soils Creating synthetic soils for use in restoring degraded sites, roadcuts, mudslide areas Creating sewage and water systems that mimic soil ecosystems

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Feather structure insulates: Canada goose

Down feathers of geese insulate through special architecture.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from abiotic factors >
	Temperature

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Create more effective insulation instead of man-made polymers, both in construction and clothing

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Shape shades and enhances heat radiation: cactus

Cacti stay cool by having ribs that provide shade and enhance heat radiation.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from abiotic factors >
	Temperature

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Building construction that keeps buildings cool

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Carotid rete cools brain: Thomson's gazelle

The carotid rete of the Thomson's gazelle cools its brain via counter-current heat exchange.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Regulate physiological processes >
	Homeostasis

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Heat exchange in construction of homes and other buildings Cooling system for computer equipment

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Wing scales aid thermoregulation: green birdwing butterfly

The wing scales of a green birdwing butterfly help regulate body heat by using a honeycomb structure to enhance black pigments found in the wings.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Regulate physiological processes >
	Homeostasis

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Solar arrays that absorb more sunlight Microtextures to produce deeper colors in textiles, paints, and plastics

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Here are 20 of Nature's strategies that can give us ideas for retrofitting our homes, buildings, and communities to contribute to a more sustainable world.