BioInspired! So What? Now What!

Winter has finally arrived in Ontario and we are about to turn the page to 2012.  The Algae Competition team submitted the Algae Connects entry to the 2011 International Algae Competition on October 22nd, the first official BID Community project.  The following two articles describe the competition entry and insights into how the project unfolded.  The next article describes research by Igor Kovalev on how the structure of butterfly wing scales can solve important problems in wind turbine design.  An interview with Igor Barteczko describes his journey in applying biomimicry to architecture.  The newsletter closes with the announcement of Zygote Quarterly, a new journal "showcasing the nexus of science and design in the field of bio-inspired design."

Two new BID Community member projects have been launched.  Kamelia Mitevia is leading a team that will tap the power of games to help people understand and apply the Life's Principles.  Norbert Hoeller is leading a team that is exploring what an integrated BID Toolkit might look like.  Although creative design is inherently complex, tools and methods can facilitate elements of the design process and allow designers to focus on the creative aspects.  If you are interesting in participating in these projects, please contact us.

Please let me know what you think about any of these articles, either by posting comments to the articles or through the Contact Us link at the bottom of each website page.

Best wishes for the holidays and here's to a healthy, prosperous and productive New Year!

Norbert Hoeller

Image Credits:

• Globe with hands: © Don Hammond/Design Pics/Corbis