1. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 1
Biomimicry Cards Demonstrate How to
Connect Engineering Problems to
Biological Solutions
Terri Lynch-Caris1, Jonathan Weaver2, and Darrell Kleinke2
1 Kettering University Industrial & Mfg Engineering Department
2 University of Detroit Mercy Mechanical Engineering Department
National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA) Conference
March 23, 2012

2. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 2
Outline
1. Starting Points
2. Defining Biomimicry
3. Problem-Based-Learning in the Engineering Classroom
4. Biomimicry Innovation Card Game
5. Next Steps

3. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 3
Starting Points
• There is a need to inspire the next generation of engineers to
consider innovative design
• Biomimicry is innovative in its attempt to inspire better design
through unique characteristics of nature
• Engineering education requires engagement of students and faculty
with contemporary topics
• Problem-Based-Learning is one method to provide relevancy and
engagement in the classroom
• A fun activity designed to allow students to define a real problem
and design a solution utilizing biomimicry principles can be an
engaging learning experience

4. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 4
Biomimicry
(or Bionics, Biomimetics, or Biognosis)
“Life has been performing design experiments on Earth’s
R&D lab for 3.8 billion years. What’s flourishing on the
planet today are the best ideas---those that perform well in
context, while economizing on energy and materials.
Whatever your company’s design challenge, the odds are high
that one or more of the world’s 30 million creatures has not
only faced the same challenge, but has evolved effective
strategies to solve it.”
http://www.biomimicryguild.com/indexguild.html

5. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 5
Biomimicry Innovation Game: Inspiration Cards
Design Inspired By Nature
Starting Point: Nature’s Laws, Strategies, and Principles
• Nature runs on sunlight
• Nature uses only the energy it needs
• Nature fits form to function
• Nature recycles everything
• Nature rewards cooperation
• Nature banks on diversity
• Nature demands local expertise
• Nature curbs excesses from within
• Nature taps the power of limits
Source: Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature, Janine Benyus
Acknowledgement: A great deal of the technical content of this card
game comes from the work of the Biomimicry Institute from their
website
http://www.AskNature.org.

6. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 6
Shinkansen
• Front end modeled after
kingfisher’s beak to minimize
tunnel entry/exit shockwave
• Pantograph supports have
serrations modeled after owl
plumage to reduce wind noise
Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by
Nature, J. Benyus, Perrenial NY, 2002

7. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 7
UK Armed Forces Clothing Inspired by
Pine Cones
• It is difficult to correctly dress
for the weather and layers can
be cumbersome
• UK researchers are
investigating clothing made of
materials that react to
temperature and moisture,
much like pine cones
Source: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/10/1013_041013_smart_clothing.html

8. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 8
Problem-Based-Learning
The term “problem-based learning” (PBL) is used in medical education in
the United Kingdom. This method of teaching and learning in small
groups has had a positive impact on medical education and is also
relevant to engineering education. In PBL, students are tasked with a
problem scenario and must do independent, self-directed study before
returning to the group to discuss and refine their acquired knowledge.
Such group learning facilitates not only the acquisition of knowledge
but also several other desirable attributes such as communication
skills, teamwork, problem solving, independent responsibility for
learning, sharing information and respect for others. [Wood, 2003]
PBL is a natural component for work-integrated learning institutions and
follows the theory that students “learn best by doing.”

9. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 9
“Biomimicry Innovation Tool (BIT)”
Students follow a 13-step process to analyze an existing problem and
recommend a design solution. The process includes the NABC
innovation approach and culminates with a final presentation
listing the Needs (N), Approach (A) to the solution, Benefits (B)
per cost required to implement the solution and information on the
competition (C) to convince colleagues of application.

10. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 10
There was a need for more
classroom engagement to provide
tools for students to develop an
innovative design.

11. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 11
Biomimicry Innovation Card Game
Taxonomy of
unique
characteristics
“Design inspired by nature”
Based on the game “Apples to Apples”

12. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 12
“Design Inspired by Nature”
Problem: Students define a customer need (N) by identifying a work
situation that has need of a technical a solution related to a class
topic.
Inspiration: Approach (A) to innovation is inspired through
“Bisociation” with a pair of biological components chosen from a
deck of cards.
Depth: Students prepare a presentation listing the Benefits (B) per
cost required to implement the solution and information on the
competition (C) to convince colleagues of application.

13. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012
Blue Penguin 13
Beta-keratin nanofibers on
feather tips of blue penguin
produce non-iridescent color by
coherent scattering of light.
"Here, we report a new biophotonic nanostructure in the non-iridescent blue feather
barbs of blue penguins (Eudyptula minor) composed of parallel β-keratin nanofibres
organized into densely packed bundles...[A]nalysis of...the barb nanostructure revealed
... the organization of fibres at the appropriate size scale needed to produce the observed
colour by coherent scattering. These...penguin nanostructures are convergent with
similar arrays of parallel collagen fibres in avian and mammalian skin, but constitute a
novel morphology for feathers. " (D'Alba et al. 2011:1)
Application Ideas: Products could be colored by structures that scatter light. Products
developed to scatter light could be produced by self-assembly.

14. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012
Millipede 14
.
The many short legs of a millipede
provide thrust for burrowing as the leg
movements follow a wave along the
body.
Summary Information: "A millipede advances along a twig. Although renowned for the number of their
legs, even the longest millipedes have only about 680 legs, and most species have far fewer. You might
expect that an animal with so many legs would move very fast, but the millipede's legs are so short and its
fat body so close to the ground that its legs take only short strides at a time. Nevertheless, they can deliver
considerable thrust, and millipedes are strong enough to burrow into the ground very efficiently…The leg
movement of the millipede occurs in a wave along the body: certain groups of legs are moving forwards as
others are thrusting backwards. At any given time there are always some legs in contact with the ground at
intervals along its body." (Foy and Oxford Scientific Films 1982:45)
Application Ideas: Efficient small-scale excavating equipment

15. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 15
Biomimicry Card Game
Each player selects a set of
(5) biomimicry cards to
consider for inspiration
toward solving the problem.

16. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 16
Biomimicry Card Deck Examples

17. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 17
Biomimicry Card Game
One player is chosen to be
the customer with a
problem in need of a
technical solution.

18. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 18
Follow – up
Groups use bisociation to provide an innovation to meet the
customer need previously identified, estimating benefits
and costs.
Students research the competition and include how their
innovation exceeds the competition.
Prepare a convincing presentation.

19. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 19
Will this work in the classroom?
Would you like to play the game?

20. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 20
Pass out cards
Consider work scenario

21. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 21
Category: Ergonomic issue (excessive reaching), design of the
workplace, Product damage
Function Needed by Innovation: Invention to aid with breaking apart
jammed packages with hands
Description of Problem:
•jam of packages on the moving belts
•damaged packages
•dangerous safety hazards for the employees to have to “break the jam”

22. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 22
Original Workplace Design

23. Kayla Whittemore

24.  Explanation of original work scenario
 NABC Method=Needs
 List of potential bio-applications
◦ Optimism
◦ Pessimism
◦ Synthesis
 NABC Method=Approach
 NABC Method=Benefits
 NABC Method=Competition

25. Category: Ergonomic issue (excessive reaching), design of
the workplace, Product damage
Function Needed by Innovation: Invention to aid with
breaking apart jammed packages with hands
Description of Problem:
•jam of packages on the moving belts
•damaged packages
•dangerous safety hazards for the employees to have to
“break the jam”

26. Original Workplace Design

27. Important functional needs for the design of the workplace
 Invention to aid breaking apart jammed
packages
◦ Eliminate use of hands
◦ Eliminate need to climb onto belt platform
 Potential new design for the moving belt
 Overall belt structure (platform) must
remain the same to allow trucks to be
loaded

28. Invention to Remove Jammed Belt Design
Packages
 Squirrel  West European
 African Lion Hedgehog
 Spix’s Disc  Common
Winged Bat Earthworm
 Insects  Clark’s
Nutcracker
 Sandfish Skink

29. Invention to Remove Jammed Packages
 Squirrel
o sharp claws
o can swivel the whole back foot round at the ankle so that it
points backwards (versatility)
 African Lion
o Large foot pads-maximum grip
o Retractable claws
 Spix’s Disc Winged Bat
o suction adhesion – no risk of puncturing packages
 Insects
o Feet of insects adjust to rough or smooth surfaces by
engaging either claws or adhesive foot-pads

30. Invention to Remove Jammed Packages
 Squirrel
o Claws may be to sharp and damage packages
 African Lion
o Claws may puncture packages
 Spix’s Disc Winged Bat
o Would need variable suction forces
 Insects
o Time to adjust for different sized packages would slow the
process

31. Belt Design
 West European Hedgehog
o Spines work as shock absorbers
 Common Earthworm
o Large volumes move through small spaces
o flexible
 Clark’s Nutcracker
o expand and contract to accommodate volume
 Sandfish Skink
o Low friction

32. Belt Design
 West European Hedgehog
o Shape of belt rails is the issue, not material
 Common Earthworm
o Too flexible
o Would need to adjust
 Clark’s Nutcracker
o Space limitations
o Stability of belt rails
 Sandfish Skink
o Rare/non-existent material
o expensive

33. Provide an innovative product or service inspired by nature to meet the
customer need
Invention to Remove Jammed Packages Belt Design
 Robotic Arm  Polymer material
inspired by Spix’s inspired by
Disc Winged Bat
o Adjustable suction
Sandfish Skink for
force belt, belt
o Installed on rails, and slide
platform
o Low friction
o http://www.robots.c
om/fanuc/r-  Redesign
2000ib-200r/432
belt/slide
transition

35. Benefits to the customer’s use of the proposed design and cost
estimates
Invention to Remove Jammed Packages Belt Design
 Eliminates all  Decrease jam
manual labor and potential
safety risks  May eliminate
need for jam
removing device
*Cost estimates could not be located

36. Insights on competition found and additional options
 Insights to the FedEx Package
Sorting/Loading method
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxD9Uy
z4e9o
 Noteworthy features
◦ Rounded transition from the conveyor belt

38.  http://www.asknature.org/
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxD9Uyz
4e9o
 http://www.mendeley.com/research/sandfish
s-skin-morphology-chemistry-
reconstruction-5/
 http://www.robots.com/fanuc/r-2000ib-
200r/432

40.  Strengths
◦ There were a variety of things in nature to be insprired
by from asknature.org
◦ The project allowed for innovation and creativity
◦ The performance criteria and TIIC-b steps were clear and
helpful for preparation
 Areas for Improvement
◦ Define a minimum number of Biomimicry cards needed
for design inspiration and include in steps or
performance criteria
 Insights
◦ I was surprised by how helpful the things in nature were
when creating new designs
◦ The Biomimicry game in class was very useful for
preparation

41.  Biomimicry cards used for Innovation

42. Squirrel
Feet good for
climbing
"The squirrel is particularly well adapted for tree climbing. It has sharp
claws, and instead of having backward-pointing toes like the climbing
birds, it can swivel the whole back foot round at the ankle so that it
points backwards. The squirrel can thus hang from an almost vertical
surface provided there is enough irregularity on the tree trunk into
which to hook its claws." (Foy and Oxford Scientific Films 1982:183)
Application Ideas: Rotary joints for machinery, construction joints that
contribute to compliant structures, hanging temporary reusable
scaffolding, flexible bridge joints to increase safety during extreme
weather.

43. African Lion: retractable claws
The claws provide
versatility for a variety
of functions, such as
gripping or
running, because they
are retractable
"The paws of a lion resemble those of most of the cat family. Cats and dogs
walk in what is called the digitigrade position: the heel and instep are raised
off the ground, making locomotion quieter and more versatile. The large pads
on the ball of the foot and on the toes provide a cushion when walking and
also help silence the feet. The lion has retractile claws -- it can retract them
while at rest or when walking, so that they do not catch in the ground and
reduce his speed.”
Application Ideas: Tires or vehicles that function well on various
terrains, safety devices for equipment that functions at various
speeds, retractable awnings, retractable needles or internal medical
equipment.

44. Disk-like structures on the
wrists and ankles of Spix's
disk-winged bat adhere to
smooth leaves using suction
adhesion.
Summary Information: "Several of the smallest bats, for instance, use [suction
adhesion] to cling to smooth leaves, with disklike structures on wrists and
ankles. In the 3.5-gram Thyroptera tricolor of Central America, suction
provides the main mechanism; these bats' minimal reliance on other schemes
such as the two kinds of wet adhesion that follow [Stefan and capillary] limits
their ability to cling to anything but smooth surfaces (Riskin and Fenton
2001)." (Vogel 2003:427)
Application Ideas: Suction-cup mounted assemblies with better
adhesion, industrial vacuums for cleanrooms, robotic systems for material
handling

45. Insects
Feet of insects adjust to
rough or smooth
surfaces by engaging
either claws or adhesive
foot-pads.
At a magnification of 188X, this scanning electron micrograph (SEM)
depicted a head-on view of the distal clawed tip of an adult “figeater”
beetle’s, Cotinis mutabilis leg. The insect leg is comprised of a variable
number of segments, however, there are usually six which
predominate, including the most proximal coxa, i.e., attaching the leg to the
thorax, followed by the trochanter, femur, tibia, tarsus, and pretarsus, which
in the case of this beetle is a claw with its spiked empodium.
Application Ideas: The mechanism is of interest to robotics engineers
working on millimeter-sized silicone robots. These robots could perform
functions such as cleansing the surface of tiny machine parts or moving
through the human body on medical missions.

46. Spines work as shock
absorbers: West European
hedgehog
Summary Information: "[T]he hedgehog spine is a shock-absorber…The foam-
like structure down the center of spines and quills supports the thin outer
walls against local buckling, allowing the structure to bend further without
failing…Porcupine quills perform more or less the same as hollow cylinders in
buckling as struts with an axial load; in bending they are 40% or so better. But
the spines of the hedgehog, with their square honeycomb core and
longitudinal stiffening, are three times better than they would be without the
core." (Vincent 2002:30-31)
Application Ideas: Bumpers for buses and trains, guard
rails, cables for industrial equipment and pumps, ergonomic
equipment.

47. Common earthworm
Large volumes
move through
small spaces
"Flexible cylinders make body skeletons which have enormous advantages
when it comes to moving around: a considerable volume of body can be
passed through a small space -- hence the earthworm burrowing through
the ground. As a hollow tube, the cylinder can be used to conduct liquids in
or out of small spaces. Provided the constructive material of a cylinder is
flexible enough, the cylinder can be bent round corners, or curled up tightly
when not in use." (Foy and Oxford Scientific Films 1982:21)
Application Ideas: Flexible piping for water and HVAC applications in
buildings, small-scale tubing/piping for heating and cooling applications.

48. The throat of the Clark's
nutcracker can temporarily
store up to 150 small seeds
thanks to an expandable
pouch.
"Technically a diverticulum, or sacklike extension, of the floor of the mouth, the
sublingual ('under the tongue') pouch is carry-on luggage for birds traveling with pine
nuts. Each nut to be pouched is brought into the oral cavity, and dropped into the pouch
through an opening at the base of the tongue. The pouch wall is thin, wrinkled, and
elastic, and stretches as seeds are added, swelling almost to the size of a walnut when
fully packed (Figure 5.3). The capacity of a pouch stuffed with twenty-eight singleleaf
pinyon nuts is about 28.5 milliliters, sufficiently capacious for ninety seeds of Colorado
pinyon. A Clark's Nutcracker sacrificed for science a century ago in Montana had eight-
two whitebark pine seeds in its pouch." (Lanner 2006: 42-43)
Application Ideas: Individual reusable
shopping bags that expand and contract to
accommodate volume, food packaging that
contracts as volume decreases to eliminate
air and maintain freshness, textiles that
expand for wearing and contract for
seasonal storage.

49. Sandfish Skink
Skin of the sandfish skink
exhibits abrasion
resistance and low friction
when moving through sand
due to scales
"The sandfish is a lizard having the remarkable ability to move in desert sand
in a swimming-like fashion. The most outstanding adaptations to this mode of
life are the low friction behavior and the extensive abrasion resistance of the
sandfish skin against sand, outperforming even steel. We investigated the
topography, the composition and the mechanical properties of sandfish scales.
These consist of glycosylated keratins with high amount of sulfur but no hard
inorganic material, such as licates or lime." (Baumgartner 2007:1)”
Application Ideas: Industrial equipment that needs little or no lubricating oils.

50. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 50
What do students say using SII Assessment?
Comments from Industrial Engineering students
after using TIIC-b and the Biomimicry Cards
in an Ergonomics class

51. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 51
Strengths:
Apply biomimicry to the workplace and demonstrate our ability to use NABC
There were a variety of things in nature to be inspired by from asknature.org
The performance criteria and TIIC-b steps were clear and helpful for preparation
Allows for innovation, creativity and problem solving practice for real world issues
Allows for you to either be given or be inspired to create a new solution to your problem at work.
Improvements:
Define a minimum number of Biomimicry cards needed for design inspiration and include in steps or
performance criteria
The biomimicry game, while fun, isn’t the best way to find the cards that might be the most helpful in
inspiring solutions to the problems. Going straight to asknature.org might be better.
Having other classmates write the problems can lead to issues as some students don’t put as much work into
the problem paper as others.
Insights:
The 13 steps in TIIC-b were very helpful in organizing the presentation
I was surprised by how helpful the things in nature were when creating new designs
The Biomimicry game in class was very useful for preparation
Interesting way to see some problems other co-ops experience. Gives you the chance to solve a problem in an
environment you may never have the chance to work in.
Having a asknature.org to get inspiration from nature in the future can be a great tool for work.

52. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 52
Other disciplines can use the game with
problem topics and applications to
various courses.

53. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 53
Industrial Engineering - Ergonomics – strength
limitation for lifting heavy objects
(occasionally) results in back pain.

54. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 54
Mechanical Engineering - Heat Transfer – Electronics
products can overheat due to components generating
too much heat. They run less oil or fail quickly. Need
is to reduce heat to prevent component failure

55. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 55
Manufacturing Engineering Process – Robotics -
Repeatability and accuracy of robot.
Need is to provide an end effector that is
strong, sensitive and gentle to perform both
heavy and sensitive tasks.

56. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 56
Multi-disciplinary Eng. - Project based
class for senior design project - excessive
phosphorus in local waterway due to
fertilizer and animal waste. Need is to
filter the water prior to use.

57. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 57
Biomimicry Innovation Card Game
Taxonomy of
unique
characteristics
“Design inspired by nature”
Next iteration of cards: Add Physical and Technical Contradictions to
each biological description to enable Bio-Triz Design game

58. Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012 58
Acknowledgements
• The first Tool for Inspiring Innovation in the Classroom (TIIC) was the direct
result of the Entrepreneurship Across the University (EAU) initiative at
Kettering University. One facet of the EAU is a series of faculty workshops
culminating in the development of a classroom teaching tool.
• The Biomimicry Cards were inspired at a KEEN conference in January 2011.
I first attended a session led by Jonathan Weaver on Biomimicry.
• The card game was presented as a rough idea in the KEEN Entrepreneurship
Education Network Workshop Activity and ultimately resulted in the
refreshed classroom tool, TIIC-b.
• The Biomimicry Institute and website asknature.org continue to be invaluable
resources for advancing this important design tool.