Biomimetics - How Lessons from Nature can Transform Technology

Brian Clegg

Summary

An exploration of the transformative ways in which nature has inspired the technological advancement of humankind.

Biomimetics literally means emulating biology - and in a broader sense the term covers technological advances where the original inspiration came from nature. The Earth is a vast laboratory where the mechanisms of natural selection have enabled evolutionary solutions to be developed to a wide range of problems.

In this new title in the Hot Science series, science writer Brian Clegg looks at how humans have piggybacked on natural experimentation, redeploying a solution to create things that make our lives easier. He looks at how the hooks on burdock seeds inspired the creation of Velcro, how the stickiness of the feet of geckos and frogs has been used to create gripping surfaces, such as tyre treads, and how even the most basic optical enhancement in the form of spectacles is itself a form of biomimetics.

Available since: 07/20/2023.

Print length: 176 pages.

Science & Technology

Other books that might interest you

It's All in Your Mouth -...

Dominik Nischwitz

The future of medicine—and the key to a healthier life—starts in your mouth
 
American dentists are beginning to discover what some of their European counterparts have long understood: Many common chronic conditions—obesity, inflammation, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and cancer, among others—often have their origins in the mouth. In a groundbreaking new work, German dentist Dr. Dominik Nischwitz presents the principles of biological dentistry along with emerging scientific research on the mouth’s vital role in the body’s microbiome—a key to whole body wellness.
 
Challenging conventional dental wisdom that views the teeth as separate from the rest of the body, and conventional dental practices that often cause more harm than good, It’s All in Your Mouth delivers:
The latest research on the microbiome and the mouthCritical information on the dangers of root canals and amalgam fillingsThe important role of nutrition in oral health and hygieneA clarion call for a new approach to dentistry 
Sensible, holistic, and humane, It’s All in Your Mouth offers a necessary new approach to natural immunity to chronic disease and integrating dental hygiene into whole body health.

Show book

Anatomy for Strength and Fitness...

Mark Vella

Scientific research has made it clear that a woman's body should be exercised differently from a man's, and that her training program should be adjusted to suit her body type and transformations as she moves through the various life stages.
Anatomy for Strength and Fitness Training for Women is a unique guide, reference work, and graphic education tool suitable for any woman interested in understanding her own body, how it functions during exercise, and how to formulate a personal exercise program.
Over 90 exercises are provided to help you sculpt your entire body with gym weights, free weights, aerobics, and stretching, including:

- Swimming
- Transverse activation in four-point kneeling
- Barbell bench press
- Cable cross-over
- Freestanding barbell squats
- Hip abductor machine
- Seesaw with ball
- Seated low cable pulley rows
- Machine shoulder press
- Dumbbell standing lateral raise
- Rear deltoid machine
- French curl
- Cable tricep push-down
- Supine hip flexion stretch
- Plank to downward-facing dog
- Child stretch
- And much more!The exercises are featured in clear anatomical detail and are grouped by aerobic training, abdominals, chest, legs and hips, back and shoulders, arms, and stretches and flexibility. Each exercise incorporates a full-body illustration plus instructions on proper execution and technique. Start and finish positions are shown, and supplementary information is included by way of hints and tips.
Inside this informative 144-page guide, you'll also find a method of assessing your own fitness which you can use to help you choose the correct type of program for your life stage and fitness level. Sample programs illustrate how you can choose a program based on the needs you have established in the assessment.
Build a better you by understanding how your body performs when exercising, with Anatomy for Strength and Fitness Training for Women!

Show book

Value Stream Mapping - Optimize...

Steve Abrams

Dive into the transformative world of Value Stream Mapping (VSM) with "Mastering Value Stream Mapping: Optimize Your Processes and Maximize Efficiency," your comprehensive guide to understanding, implementing, and benefiting from this powerful tool. This book is designed to cater to professionals across various sectors, including manufacturing, services, and software development, who are seeking to enhance their operational efficiency and reduce waste.
Starting with the basics, the book introduces you to the concept of VSM, tracing its roots from the Toyota Production System to its contemporary applications in diverse industries. The initial chapters unfold the core principles of Value Stream Mapping, providing a robust framework on how to accurately depict and analyze the current state of your processes and pinpoint inefficiencies.
As you progress, "Mastering Value Stream Mapping" offers a meticulous, step-by-step approach to preparing for and executing a VSM exercise. It covers essential aspects such as assembling the right team, engaging stakeholders, and the practicalities of mapping both current and future states. The book emphasizes not just the creation of these maps, but also guides you through interpreting them and developing actionable plans for sustainable improvement.
In later chapters, the narrative delves into advanced strategies, integrating technology with VSM, and adapting the principles to cross-functional and cross-organizational challenges. It addresses how VSM can be customized for the Agile environment and software development, enhancing its relevance in today’s digital world.
Real-world case studies from various industries are intricately detailed, offering readers insight into the practical application of VSM and showcasing how organizations can achieve significant results. These examples also illustrate common pitfalls and the strategies employed to overcome them.

Show book

Psychosis and the Pandemic Lies...

Quinlan Aldridge

Psychosis and the Pandemic Lies:
⭐⭐ A Simplified Guide with Invaluable Insights on Mental Health and Societal Response ⭐⭐
Are you eager to advance in your understanding of mental health and effectively navigate the complexities revealed during the pandemic?
In search of a thorough resource that highlights all essential aspects to comprehend these societal phenomena?
Look no further!
This guide is your ultimate resource for enhancing your knowledge, applying critical concepts, and engaging in meaningful self-reflection. With this audiobook at your side, you’re prepared for success.
Updated to reflect the latest developments in mental health discussions surrounding the pandemic.
Key features of this enhanced guide include:
- In-depth insights about the mental health implications of the pandemic
- Comprehensive exploration of societal responses to psychological crises
- Effective strategies for navigating mental health challenges
Our guide stands out due to its extensive content, which is key to your understanding of the subject matter. Concepts are not just lightly touched upon; they are thoroughly examined for clarity and depth.
Crafted with a clear structure and accessible language, our guide ensures seamless transitions between topics. Say farewell to confusing jargon and embrace clear, concise, and accurate content.
So why wait any longer? Click the BUY NOW button, secure your guide, and embark on your journey to deeper insights into mental health and societal response!

Show book

Sapiens: A Brief History of...

5 Minute Classics

Sapiens: A Brief History of HumankindThe Essential Five-Minute Summary
From hunter-gatherers to space explorers, humanity's journey spans 70,000 years of remarkable transformation. In "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind," renowned historian Yuval Noah Harari reveals how Homo sapiens rose to dominate Earth through three critical revolutions: Cognitive, Agricultural, and Scientific.
Discover how our unique ability to create and believe in shared myths—from religions to money to nations—enabled unprecedented cooperation between strangers. Learn why the Agricultural Revolution was history's greatest fraud, promising easier lives while delivering harder work and poorer health. Understand how empires expanded through shared stories, and how capitalism harnessed human greed to create unprecedented prosperity alongside new challenges.
This audio captures the key takeaways found in Harari's original masterpiece. All fluff and unnecessary information has been removed to save you hours of time. In just five minutes, you'll understand how humans conquered the planet not through superior strength or intelligence alone, but through our unmatched ability to cooperate flexibly in large numbers.
Learn how you can apply the main lessons & principles from Sapiens in your daily life. If you've already read the original, this audio will help you cement the most important lessons. If you haven't, don't worry, here you will find all the practical information that you can apply.
Gain profound insights into human nature, society, and our future as a species. Understand why happiness remains elusive despite material abundance, and contemplate what the next chapter of our evolution might hold as we begin to reshape our own biology through technology.
The history of Sapiens isn't just about our past—it's the key to understanding our present and navigating our future.

Show book

Exploring The Hidden Kingdom Of...

Ph.D. Merlin Sheldrake

Fungi live their lives largely hidden from view and over 90% of their species remain undocumented. Sheldrake says that the fungal kingdom is more closely related to the animal kingdom. Here he takes us into his research on the ecological significance of fungi and its importance to all life on planet earth.

Show book