The biomimicry revolution

Humans have been taking innovative cues from nature for millions of years, but the term "biomimicry" — referring to industrial products and processes based in biology — wasn't coined until the 1990s, when Janine Benyus, co-founder of Biomimicry 3.8, wrote the book "Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature."

A study from Point Loma Nazarene University calls biomimicry "an economic game changer" representing possibly $300 billion of U.S. GDP annually and 1.6 million U.S. jobs by 2025.

As more and more big retailers jump into the design realm, there are already plenty of products that are using the natural world around them to bring biology into the world of design and technology.

In a new episode, “TechKnow” explores the various ways that science is imitating nature to solve some of the biggest threats to society, including a bacteria-resistant surface coating inspired by shark skin, energy management systems based on bee behavior and a water purification technique that takes its inspiration from seashells.

We talked to Benyus about the expansion of biomimicry into sectors as diverse as city planning, 3-D printing and communication strategies. Benyus says she first noticed there was a real shift in the design world when major companies like GE and Boeing brought biologists into their realm. The simplest way to describe the field, she says, is to look at nature as billions of years’ worth of research and development.

Benyus identified for “TechKnow” some other strong product leaders in biomimicry:

Biomatrica uses the design of an organism similar to a brine shrimp to help create vaccines that do not need refrigeration. The company is able to preserve blood samples and proteins. It envisions a scenario that examines if it’s possible to unplug every freezer and lab in the world.

Calera makes concrete, the building material that is most used around the world — but this company is looking to combat climate change simultaneously. Using coral reefs as its inspiration, Calera captures the CO2 out of smokestacks and runs it through seawater.

STOCorp’s Lotuson is based on the lotus leaf, particularly the bumps on it. When a lotus gets wet its dust particles teeter on the top, and as the water balls up, the plant has a self-cleaning surface. STOCoat Lotuson coating attempts to do the same thing for building surfaces.

Optistruct takes a big Boeing's fuselage and lightweights it using a software program based on how human bones form and re-form. Many car manufacturers are using this technique to lighten their designs.

Watch "TechKnow," Sunday 7:30ET/4:30PT, to learn more about biomimicry.