Biology to Design (B2D) Project

Kelsey Nelsen | Assignment 5.1 | 10.2.2021

Introduction

The Biomimicry Design Spiral

Image Source: The Biomimicry Institute

Image Source: The Biomimicry Institute

The Biomimicry Design Spiral is a tool that is used to create nature-inspired design. The tool encompasses the following steps:

  • Discover - observe, explore, experience

  • Abstract - reverse-engineer an organism, articulate the strategy, notice patterns

  • Brainstorm - identify who needs to perform the function or faces the challenge, consider other functions and uses for the strategy

  • Emulate - diverge then converge, dive deeper into research and literature, be sure to capture the function

  • Evaluate - compare your design against Life’s Principles, how could it be adapted further?

Biology to Design - Part 1: Giant Larvacean

The Giant Larvacean is a tiny creature calling the middle-depths of the ocean home. These minuscule invertebrates not only create their own home, but they also filter water and trap carbon. (Asknature.org)

Session 1

DISCOVER

Function/Strategy: These larvae build a structural “home” made of their own mucus to provide a barrier for protection, while also capturing food.

ABSTRACT

  • Mucus protects

  • Mucus can grow extremely large in comparison to the small creature

  • Entire mucus homes are discarded and “rebuilt” as often as once per day

BRAINSTORM

  • All living things need protection

  • A “home” in the form of shelter and safety is one of the basic needs as described by Maslow

  • All living organisms are made of water

  • Feedback loops are important in life cycles

EMULATE

A protective layer can be applied to fibers to ensure they maintain their structural integrity and prevent microfiber shedding. This would need to be done with water-based chemistry in order for it to align with Life’s Principles. How can this be achieved without the “home” becoming destructed within the wash cycle. Could these garments be “washed” another way?

EVALUATE

Many fiber-coatings are made from other synthetic, chemically-derived materials, thus working against Life’s Principles.

Session 2

DISCOVER

Function/Strategy: The “home” for the Giant Larvacean also functions as a filter for its food.

ABSTRACT

  • Mucus filters

    • Made using transparent structural proteins + cellulose

    • Located within the “house”

    • Water flows through two entrances and is filtered upon entry

    • Giant Larvacean uses its tail to pump water and food through the “garbage chute” or into its mouth for consumption

      • Water is the facilitator

BRAINSTORM

  • All living organisms are made of water

  • Filters are necessary to both protect and aid in delivery of nutrients

    • Water often facilitates these needs

  • Feedback loops are important in life cycles

EMULATE

Filters can be used in the process of apparel production to ensure microplastics/microfibers are not released into our waterways. A water-based process or reaction could take place at the fiber production level. These fibers would shed from apparel and convert the microfibers into a layer of mucus (or something else) that could be discarded. This would need to occur before fibers are used to create a garment.

At the consumer level, this could be incorporated to a wash cycle and like the lint collector in the dryer the fibers can be collected at the wash level instead.

EVALUATE

As this design would be targeted to synthetic fibers it merely would put a bandaid on a larger issue. Where else could a filter be applied? Recycled poly-fiber production?

Session 3

DISCOVER

Function/Strategy: The size and shape of the filter allow it to move larger bits out of the Giant Larvacean “house” first, only allowing appropriately sized food through to its mouth for consumption. This pathway is facilitated by water.

ABSTRACT

  • Water facilitates food

    • Giant Larvacean uses its tail to pump water and food through the “garbage chute” or into its mouth for consumption

  • Varying size of the filter parts dictates the size of particles allowed to pass through

  • Microplastics may be released in quantities as great as .7g and 1.3g per wash cycle.

BRAINSTORM

  • The shape of a filter can dictate what is allowed to pass through

  • What are the common shapes of microplastic pollution? A filter in a wash cycle could contain large to small sized fibers

EMULATE

Water is readily available and abundant, however the source of the issue (microplastic pollution) lies within it.

EVALUATE

  • Cyclical processes: It can be cleaned and reused often.

  • Leverage interdependence: Prevents microplastics from entering waterways. Compatible with many existing washing machines.

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Biology to Design - Part 2: Numbat

The Numbat is a marsupial native to Australia, however it differs from many of the marsupials we are most familiar with (kangaroos, etc.). Numbats do not have pouches (their babies cling to them like koalas until they are large enough to move on their own) and while most marsupials are nocturnal, numbats are more often active in the daytime due to their diet (termites)!

Session 1

DISCOVER

Function/Strategy: Utilizing piloerection can aid in maintaining homeostatic conditions.

ABSTRACT

  • Use of piloerection to trap body-heated air close to the surface of he skin

    • Provides insulation

    • Regulates heat absorption and dispersal

BRAINSTORM

  • Piloerection inspires movable hairlike systems to optimize heat regulation for changing conditions

    • Temperature, wind, humidity, sunlight

  • Maintaining equilibrium in clothing optimizes comfort

EMULATE

Like wearing a coat of goosebumps, textiles can be innovated to arrange fibers to optimize thermoregulation and provide a specific solution to a common need (maintained warmth & comfort across conditions). I could see this adapting to a fiber that responded to temperature - the fibers stand on end in cold temperatures and lay flat in the warmth.

EVALUATE

In order for this option to truly be successful, it would need to be derived from natural fibers, thus aligning with Life’s Principles:

  • Locally attuned & responsive

  • Resilient

Session 2

DISCOVER

Function/Strategy: Thin pelts allow numbats to absorb more solar heat while reducing heat lost when they erect their pelts.

ABSTRACT

  • Numbats do not create enough fuel from termites alone, the must also regulate their body head with the sun.

  • Numbats have sparse coats

    • Maximizing solar radiation

BRAINSTORM

  • Incorporate reflective materials in the fibers to optimize the solar absorption

  • Maintaining equilibrium in clothing optimizes comfort

EMULATE

The fibers or textiles themselves could be made to have minimal reflective properties and a base that utilizes ample solar heat while maintaining a balanced flow of energy.

EVALUATE

  • Optimize vs. maximize

  • Benign manufacturing

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Biology to Design - Part 3: Chimpanzees

Session 1

DISCOVER

Function/Strategy: Adult chimpanzees teach the use of tools to their young, leading by example, and encouraging the use of more complex aids for termite-hunting (adapted to new sustainable consumer behavior)

ABSTRACT

  • Adults influencing the young / young influencing adults

    • Sharing lessons

    • Building skills

    • Mimicking behavior

BRAINSTORM

  • Factual information must be accessible for all people, no matter age, race, socioeconomic status, location, etc.

  • Specifiers providing transparency in product features

  • Data to be shared globally for material specifications so consumers know what they are purchasing

  • People are educated, then share the information with their young

EMULATE

I could see this as a resource/database maintained for easily understood data classifications for garments. A consumer purchases a garment, can scan a code (on the label), and much like the nutritional facts on food, it populates a list of the fiber content, manufacturing location, and all other relevant data about it’s production so that the consumer knows exactly what they are getting.

EVALUATE

  • Interdependence in the System

Session 2

DISCOVER

Function/Strategy: Different lessons across and within communities can encourage diversity of thought and enrichment when shared.

ABSTRACT

  • Behavioral differences across communities

    • Diversity

    • Differing methods of teaching

      • Simple

      • Complex

  • Lesson types

    • Gestures

    • Vocalization

    • Visual

    • Leading by Example

BRAINSTORM

  • Knowlege-sharing is key to finding efficiencies

  • Community building

EMULATE

Encouraging thought partners can strengthen community, celebrate diversity of thought, and lead to deeper relationships.

EVALUATE

  • Locally Attuned and Responsive

Session 3

DISCOVER

Function/Strategy: Communicating messages in a variety of ways allows a broader reach.

ABSTRACT

  • Lesson types

    • Gestures

    • Vocalization

    • Visual

    • Leading by Example

BRAINSTORM

  • Lessons in proper garment care, repair, upcycling

  • Marketing that drives thoughtful consumption

    • Encourage locality / domestic manufacturing

  • Emanate the environment for more beautiful content

EMULATE

Put environment first, think about the content, lead all messaging with kindness/hope/health/life. Positivity is inspiring. Teach resourcefulness. Encourage reuse, encourage connection, make it experiential.

EVALUATE

  • Locally Attuned and Responsive

  • Cyclical Process

  • Resilient

  • Optimize vs. Maximize

  • Interdependence in the System

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