Natures’ source codes: technological innovations from genius

When one thinks of the word ‘genius’, a few suspects come to mind. Renaissance polymath Leonardo Da Vinci, brilliant Nobel laureate Marie Curie, or computational pioneer Alan Turing. Whilst the foundations of their inventions have informed the technological arteries of society in different ways, the trio, amongst many others, had one thing in common that set them apart from everyone else: a vastly different curiosity towards decoding natures’ genius.

How does an Arabian Oryx inspire more efficient industrial metabolism? What does the Oriental Hornet have to do with energy efficiency?

Perhaps, these are the kinds of questions innovators should be asking when aiming to solve for the most complex anthropogenic challenges, such as climate change. Looking back in history, ground-breaking ideas often emerged from emulating natures’ extensive database that has amassed 3.8 billion years of R&D to perfect its systems and processes.

?Marie Curies’ contributions to radioactivity were influenced by the intricate dance of particles she observed in the natural world, unlocking the secrets of nature’s own energy sources. Ultimately, laying the brickwork for medical treatments and nuclear technology. Leonardo Da Vinci became fascinated by bird flight, designing the ornithopter – a machine designed to achieve flight by imitating the mechanics of birdwings. Whilst it was never successfully flown during his own lifetime, its blueprints contributed to the evolution of modern-day aviation and flight technology. Alan Turing, or, the man who ‘broke the German Enigma code’ during World War II, created the architecture for modern computer science and subsequently, AI. However, Turing also had a deep-seated appreciation for the beauty and complexity of patterns in the natural world in the context of morphogenesis, or, the biological processes that causes organisms to develop its shape and form. His lesser-known works propose a mathematical model that untangles how complex patterns and structures in nature, such as stripes on zebras, emerge through the interaction of simple chemical substances.

Biomimicry can be defined as the practice of learning from (rather than passively about) nature’s forms, processes, and ecosystems, and emulating them in design, operations, or processes. Biomimicry provides a unique perspective to solve complex problems and create ingenuine inventions that provide solutions in multifaceted ways. George de Mestral may not be a name many are familiar with, but his simple invention contributed to his position as one of the fathers of modern-day conveniences. Fascinated, and perhaps, annoyed from how burrs clung to his clothing and dog’s fur after his frequent hikes, he observed a natural attachment mechanism unlike others. Subsequently, he developed a hook and loop fastening system that mimicked the burrs’ ability to attach and detach easily – and thus, Velcro was born.

Lessons from the desert

The UAEs’ natural climate, characterized by harsh and arid deserts may not seem like an environment that creates conditions conducive to diversified life. However, upon closer examination, provides the most fascinating mechanisms in providing novel perspectives on innovation, precisely because of its harsh conditions.

The Arabian Oryx, a master of adaptation, provides a remarkable example of how low-energy processes can be generated in environments with limited resources. In the scorching conditions of the summers, it strategically manipulates its behaviour and physiology, reducing its metabolic rate by lying in shaded areas and foraging in smaller ranges at night. By allowing its body temperature to rise in the daytime heat, the oryx minimizes evaporative cooling, retaining vital body water, whilst at night, restoring its temperature to normal levels. The evolution of its arterial system facilitates heat exchange and water conservation. Remarkably, the oryx can endure extended periods without direct water sources, relying on moisture from bulbs, melons, and even condensation on rocks and vegetation after dense fog. This adaptability can serve as an inspiration for the built environment to enhance energy efficiency to reduce the need for cooling systems, or engineer specialized wheels or footwear inspired by the oryx’s hooves for off-road vehicles and exploration robots. Perhaps, its circulatory system can inspire mechanisms for industrial processes to increase industrial efficiency and prevent overheating, optimizing productivity during periods of favorable conditions.

In the bustling world of insects, the Oriental Hornet stands out not just for its bold colors and alarming stinger, but its ingenious approach to conserving energy. Whilst its vibrant appearance serves as a cautionary signal to predators, the yellow and brown bands on its exoskeleton plays a dual role in harnessing solar energy for its daily activities, trapping sunlight for better absorption. The hornet is no stranger to a hard days’ work in the midday sun, thriving in the intensity of daylight, a behavior linked to its remarkable solar energy harvesting mechanism. The hornet may serve as an inspiration in the creation of self-sustaining sensors for climate monitoring by translating solar radiation into electrical energy more efficiently.

After all, how can we claim to want to protect nature, when we barely understand its value?

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