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Bionics and Biodiversity – Bio-inspired Technical Innovation for a Sustainable Future

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Biomimetic Research for Architecture and Building Construction

Part of the book series: Biologically-Inspired Systems ((BISY,volume 8))

Abstract

Rethinking the relationship between Homo sapiens and Planet Earth in the Anthropocene is fundamental for a sustainable future for humankind. The complex Earth system and planetary boundaries demand new approaches to addressing our current challenges. Bionics, namely learning from the diversity of life for nature-based technical solutions, is an increasingly important component.

In this paper, we address the interrelated aspects of the uneven geographic distribution of biodiversity, the issue of the continued erosion of biodiversity translating into a loss of the “living prototypes” for bionics, the relationship between bionics and biodiversity and the North-south gradient in institutional capacity related to biodiversity and bionics-related areas. World maps illustrating these points are included. In particular, we discuss historical aspects and complex terminological issues within bionics or rather bionics-related disciplines, the role of evolution and biodiversity as contributors to the fabric of bionics and the contribution of bionics to the attainment of sustainable development.

The history of bionic ideas and the confusing terminologies associated with them (the term bionic was coined in 1901) are discussed with regard to research, design and marketing. Bionics or Biomimetics, as we understand it today, dates back to the period between 1800 and 1925 and its proponents Alessandro Volta (electric battery), Otto Lilienthal (flying machine), and Raoul Francé (concepts). It was virtually reinvented under the strong influence of cybernetics in the 1960s by H. v. Foerster and W. McCulloch. The term biomimetics arose simultaneously with a slightly different connotation. “Bioinspiration” is a convenient modern overarching term that embraces everything from bionics and biotechnology to bioinspired fashion design. Today, marketing strategies play a crucial role in product placement within an increasingly competitive economy. The majority of so-called “biomimetic” products, however, only pretend to have a bionic origin or function; we have introduced the term “parabionic” for such products.

Life arose almost four billion years ago. Today’s relevant living prototypes for bionics have a history of more than one billion years of evolution, in essence a process of “technical optimization” governed by mutation and selection. In one specific example, we provide evidence that superhydrophobicity, an important biomimetic feature, has been in existence since at least the Paleozoic period, the time when life conquered land.

Bionics might be a major contributor to future nature-based technological solutions and innovations, thus addressing some of humankind’s most pressing issues. Bionics and related fields may become a major component of the current “great transformation” that humanity is experiencing on its trajectory towards sustainable development.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the help and support of many colleagues and friends in preparing the complex text. The first author (WB) had the chance to meet some of the pioneer workers mentioned in the text (e.g. Ingo Rechenberg, Johann Helmcke and Frei Otto). He met the inspiring Heinz von Foerster 1993 on the occasion of the NeuroWorld symposium in Düsseldorf but missed the singular chance to ask him about the origin of the term “bionic” because, at that time, he was unaware of von Foerster’s crucial role in the Dayton Bionic Symposium of 1960. WB acknowledges information from multiple discussions with his colleagues, friends and students such as Christoph Neinhuis, Thomas and Olga Speck, Armin B. Cremers, Stanislav Gorb, Claus Mattheck, Fredmund Malik, Rainer Erb, Bharat Bhushan and the late Günther Osche.

Many of the ideas presented in this paper benefitted from Walter Erdelen’s extensive international experience, in particular his work as Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences (2001–2010) and subsequently as strategic adviser at UNESCO. He expresses his sincere thanks to UNESCO Member States and their representatives, up to highest political levels, former staff of the Natural Sciences Sector and colleagues in the Organization with whom he specifically collaborated as Head of Delegation to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002).

We are grateful to the Hon. Margaret Austin and Patrick Lim, Callaghan Institute New Zealand, for information on the situation of bionics in New Zealand and to Jacques G. Richardson for constructive comments on earlier drafts of the manuscript.

We acknowledge the reviewers for most valuable comments and the help of Danica Christensen in rereading the English version. Last but not least, the text is shaped by our own experience and work in Bionics and Biodiversity, which was supported by the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt DBU, the German Research Council DFG, the Federal Ministry for Science and Education BMBF, and the Academy of Science and Literature in Mainz.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nees Institute for Biodiversity of Plants, Venusbergweg 22, 53115, Bonn, Germany

    Wilhelm Barthlott, M. Daud Rafiqpoor & Walter R. Erdelen

Authors
  1. Wilhelm Barthlott
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  2. M. Daud Rafiqpoor
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  3. Walter R. Erdelen
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Correspondence to Wilhelm Barthlott .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Inst. of Building Structures, University of Stuttgart Inst. of Building Structures, Stuttgart, Germany

    Jan Knippers

  2. Angewandte Mineralogie, Universität Tübingen Angewandte Mineralogie, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

    Klaus G. Nickel

  3. Botanischer Garten der Uni. Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

    Thomas Speck

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Barthlott, W., Rafiqpoor, M.D., Erdelen, W.R. (2016). Bionics and Biodiversity – Bio-inspired Technical Innovation for a Sustainable Future. In: Knippers, J., Nickel, K., Speck, T. (eds) Biomimetic Research for Architecture and Building Construction. Biologically-Inspired Systems, vol 8. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-46374-2_3

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