Inspired by Nature: News on Biomimicry and the Curiosities of Evolution’s Ingenious Designs

 

By Mariana Meneses

Scientists, engineers, and inventors continue to draw inspiration from nature because evolution has spent billions of years refining solutions to complex challenges. 

A recent report by Jill Baker for Reuters argues that biomimicry is transforming industries by emulating nature’s designs. From the Shinkansen bullet train‘s kingfisher-inspired nose to Sparxell’s plant-based pigments, companies are finding innovative solutions by looking to the natural world.

Biomimicry, also known as biomimetics, is the practice of studying and replicating nature’s models, systems, and processes to solve human challenges. By analyzing how biological materials achieve strength, efficiency, and adaptability through intricate structures and natural design principles, scientists and engineers develop innovative, sustainable solutions across various fields (Wikipedia).

 

 

Last May, we reported on biomimicry in robotics with the Bee++, an insect-scale flying robot with four independently actuated wings enabling stable flight in all directions and offering applications in pollination, search and rescue, and environmental monitoring. We also covered, among other things, seahorse-inspired robotic structures, where the unique square-shaped tail of seahorses serves as a model for stronger, more adaptable robotic grippers, with potential uses in biomedicine, robotics, and defence systems.

The Reuters article notes that initiatives like the Cali Fund propose diverting 1% of corporate profits from bio-inspired designs to biodiversity conservation. The proposal was advanced at the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity summit, or COP16, held in Cali, Colombia last November, with the fund estimated to generate up to $1 billion yearly. 

Although proposals like the Cali Fund face industry resistance, biomimicry’s influence on corporate sustainability grows. Programs like the Ray of Hope Accelerator support startups using nature’s solutions, highlighting biomimicry’s potential not just for technological advancements, but also for creating a regenerative economy that learns from and works with nature for a more sustainable future.

A program of the Biomimicry Institute, the Ray of Hope Accelerator has supported 49 early-stage startups from 15 countries over the past five years. It has provided $750,000 in funding to scale nature-inspired innovations addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource inefficiency. Startups in the program tackle global challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by developing solutions such as bio-based food preservation, water purification inspired by nature, wind turbines modeled after owl wings, fungi-based waste recycling, marine-friendly concrete, and biodegradable textiles.

How do animals’ bodies incorporate natural “technology”?

 

The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History explains that octopuses possess thousands of specialized pigment-containing cells called chromatophores within their skin.

Each chromatophore contains an elastic sac full of pigment that can be expanded or contracted by surrounding muscles, resulting in a dramatic change in colour. This process is controlled by a complex array of nerves and muscles, allowing octopuses to rapidly match their surroundings for camouflage or to display vibrant colours for communication. 

 

 

Migratory birds utilize Earth’s magnetic field as a crucial navigational cue during their long journeys.

They achieve this through a process called magnetoreception, which involves specialized cells in their bodies that can detect Earth’s magnetic field lines of force. These cells, often located in the birds’ eyes or beaks, contain tiny crystals of magnetite, a magnetic mineral. The birds can sense the direction and intensity of the magnetic field, providing them with a sense of direction and location. This ability to perceive magnetic field lines allows them to determine their latitude, longitude, and altitude, enabling them to follow specific migratory routes with remarkable accuracy.

 

 

Whale vocalizations, ranging from clicks and whistles to complex songs, are crucial for communication, navigation, and social interactions.

Researchers using hydrophones analyze these sounds to decipher their meaning, revealing how whales convey information about location, social status, and even emotional state. For example, humpback whale songs, which are intricate sequences of sounds, play a key role in attracting mates.

 

 

Bees rely heavily on chemical signals called pheromones for communication within their colonies.

These pheromones, which are complex blends of chemicals, are used for a variety of purposes, including attracting mates, marking trails to food sources, signaling alarm, and regulating social structure within the hive.  For example, queen bees release a specific pheromone that suppresses ovary development in worker bees, maintaining the colony’s hierarchy.  Worker bees use pheromones to communicate the location of rich nectar sources by depositing scent trails during their return to the hive, a process known as the “waggle dance” where they also convey distance and direction information.  

Business cases for biomimicry 

The Ray of Hope Accelerator’s 5-Year Impact Report highlights a number of fascinating cases of biomimicry, where startups have drawn inspiration from nature to solve pressing environmental challenges. Some of the most interesting examples include:

1. Biome Renewables (Canada) – Inspired by the silent flight of owls, the company developed “FeatherEdge” technology to reduce turbulence and noise in wind turbine blades, increasing efficiency and lowering environmental impact.
2. Infinite Cooling (USA) – Modelled after the Namib desert beetle, this startup captures and recycles industrial water vapor, significantly reducing water waste in cooling systems.
3. Coral Vita (Bahamas) – The startup uses micro-fragmentation, a natural coral reproduction method, to grow climate-resilient coral 50 times faster and restore dying reefs.
4. ECOncrete (Israel) – The company develops bio-enhancing concrete that mimics marine habitats, promoting biodiversity and strengthening seawalls and coastal infrastructure.
5. Sudoc (USA) – Inspired by the liver’s enzymatic detoxification, this company created catalysts that break down harmful pollutants, reducing the need for toxic chemicals in water treatment.
6. Mycocycle (USA) – Using fungi to break down construction waste, the business converts it into bio-based, lightweight, fire-resistant materials.
7. Spintex (UK) – Mimicking how spiders spin silk, the project produces biodegradable, high-performance fibers that are 1,000 times more energy-efficient than synthetic alternatives.
8. GreenPod Labs (India) – The startup uses natural plant signaling compounds to slow down ripening and reduce food spoilage without refrigeration.
9. Scentian Bio (New Zealand) – Developed bioengineered sensors inspired by insect olfactory systems to detect food spoilage and contamination, improving supply chain efficiency.
10. Retein (Sweden) – Inspired by biological channel proteins, this company creates highly selective water filtration membranes, enhancing water purification with minimal energy use.

Each of these startups exemplifies how Earth’s nearly 4 billion years of natural evolution can inspire sustainable, high-impact solutions across industries.

Reverse Engineering Evolution: Learning from Extinct Species

The MIT Technology Review reports that paleo-inspired robotics is emerging as a powerful tool for studying extinct species.  By creating robotic models based on fossil evidence, scientists can simulate the movements of ancient creatures in real-world environments, overcoming limitations of traditional digital models.  These robotic simulations allow researchers to directly observe how extinct animals might have moved, providing insights into their locomotion, behaviours, and evolutionary adaptations. For instance, OroBot, a robot modeled after the ancient and extinct Orobates pabsti, revealed a more advanced terrestrial gait than previously thought, while robotic ammonites demonstrated the influence of shell shape on swimming efficiency.

This field is pushing the boundaries of paleontology by incorporating advancements in 3D printing, materials science, and imaging.  Researchers are using these technologies to create increasingly lifelike robots, enabling them to test evolutionary hypotheses in unprecedented ways.  

Nature has spent billions of years perfecting solutions to complex challenges, and biomimicry allows us to harness these designs for a more sustainable future. From startups developing bio-inspired materials to researchers uncovering the secrets of extinct species through robotics, the intersection of technology and nature continues to drive innovation.

Craving more information? Check out these recommended TQR articles: 

• How Many Languages Are There? Scientists Shed Light on What Animals Other Than Humans are Saying
• Wild Mathematics: Scientific Evidence of the Numerical Abilities of Animals
• Scientists Call for Halt to Creation of Mirror Bacteria, Warning of Global Risk to Life
• Time, the Sun, and Life: Even Bacteria Know When Earth Makes a Seasonal Change
• James Webb Space Telescope: Stunning Images Deliver New Insights on the Big Bang and Early Universe