Bionics

Bionics (also known as Biomimetics, Biognosis or Biomimicry, a short form of Biomechanics - from the Greek word "bios" - pronounced "vios" - which means life, and the word mechanics) is the application of methods and systems found in nature to the study and design of engineering systems and modern technology.

Related Topics:
Biomechanics - Greek - Method - Nature

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This technology transfer is desirable because evolutionary pressure typically forces natural systems to become highly optimized and efficient. A classical example is the development of dirt- and water-repellent paint (coating) from the observation that the surface of the lotus flower plant is practically unsticky for anything (lotus effect).

Related Topics:
Technology transfer - Lotus flower - Unsticky - Lotus effect

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Examples of bionics results in engineering include hulls of boats imitating the skin membrane of dolphins, sonar, radar, and medical ultrasound imaging imitating echolocation of bats.

Related Topics:
Sonar - Radar - Medical ultrasound imaging - Echolocation - Bat

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In the field of computer science, bionics approach has produced cybernetics, artificial neurons, artificial neural networks, and swarm intelligence. Evolutionary computation was also motivated by bionics ideas but it took the idea further by simulating evolution 'in silico' and producing well optimized solutions that had never appeared in nature.

Related Topics:
Cybernetics - Artificial neuron - Artificial neural networks - Swarm intelligence - Evolutionary computation

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It is estimated by Julian Vincent, professor of biomimetics at the University of Bath in the UK, that "at present there is only a 10% overlap between biology and technology in terms of the mechanisms used."

Related Topics:
Julian Vincent - University of Bath - UK - Biology - Technology

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