Lab+8

Lab 8

Echolation - Designed for and used by those who are visually impaired. The can uses sonar like technology; similar to what bats use to navigate in the dark by sending out sound waves ahead of the person holding it. The sound waves allows the user to know when they approaching certain objects such as street signs or other people.

Stanch The Bleeding

- Based from the platelets in the bloodstream which runs through veins to cure cuts and wounds. Platelet Technology adapts the technique and apply them to industrial situations. The platelet is used to seal leaks and holes in pipestreams which deliver a wide range of products.

Leaving no Trace

- Adapted from the hydrophobic structure of lotus leaves. This led to the invention of self cleaning paints which do not require any toxic ingredients. The lotus leaves repel water, similar to the paint which allows rainwater to wash away any dirt

New Plumage - Uses less energy. Shows color in the same way a butterfly or peacock displays its plumage. They contain tiny structures that variably reflect light in a way the specific wavelengths of light interfere with one another to create vivid colors.

According to Janine Benyus the mechanics of nature can simply be used to solve problems faced by humans.Biomimicry allows solutions to be developed by mimicing activities or species in nature. The simple things in nature such as animals and plants can be observed and provide a solution to many human problems.

These animals and plants carry out specific tasks very well and humans can learn a lot from them. She gives an example of locusts who travel together in a tight area and never bump into each other while humans get into approximately 3.6 million car accidents per year.

Biomimicry allows solutions to be formed from nature; something that is pre exisiting and easily accessible. Instead of spending millions of dollars on research and development we can just simply observe living organisms and their behaviour.