BioInspired! So What? Now What!

“Empowering learners to create a sustainable future,” this is the mission of Centre of Expertise Mission Zero at The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS). This book of biomimicry bridges is a toolkit to expand on the existing knowledge on biomimicry as a strategy to fulfill the mission of Mission Zero. We knew when tackling a design challenge, teams have difficulties sifting through the mass of information they encounter. While biomimicry offers guidelines and methodology, there is insufficient research on complex problem solving that systems-thinking requires. We keep searching the known and embracing the new tools to help us make better sense of it all.

Our initial research question was: which factors are needed to help (novice) professionals initiate systems-thinking methods as part of their strategy? During our journey, we found that a solution should enable them to approach challenges in a systems-thinking manner just like nature does, to regenerate and resume projects.

Richard MacCowan has been sending out a number of good articles via his mailing list - an archive is available at https://us9.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=cc14bde74e0547eaac9fb1a1b&id=ee34cdc1d1.  He is also publishes via Medium (https://medium.com/@richard_97451).  I have added both resources to the right sidebar of the BID Community home page.  For the moment, there is some duplication while Richard completes the transition to Medium.

Richard promotes a systems view that takes into account the broader implications of practicing biom* and emphasises practice.

This event organized by the Natural Systems Working Group was held in Los Angeles on January 25-26.  The website has pointers to many of the presentations given at the workshop.  The first two by George Studor and Larry Pohlmann give an overview of the synergy between Systems Engineering and Natural Systems.  Studor's presentation includes a list of universities that are in some way involved in bio-inspired design. 

Thanks to Curt McNamara for the pointer!