Nature 2.0
I saw a documentary the other day on how the human race is turning to nature to find inspiration for science and engineering. About 100+ years ago and onwards we've thought that we are so clever that we don't need nature for much anything. Machines, electricity, computers and later artificial intelligent were hot stuff, and anyone settling to study nature was seen as a dubious hippie or some sort of eco-fanatic. But no more.
The Australian swimming team in Sydney olympics were the first ones to wear new types of swimsuits that imitate shark skin. Scientist have studied shark's skin and found out a super-sleed structure that was implemented in the swimsuit fabrik. The team achieved 4% faster results with the suit than without it. A car manufacturer had studied aerodynamics of a certain fish and copied the form factor to a car with good results. Superhydrophobic surfaces can be built by mimicing flowers and plants, new type of aeroplane wing is emerging from engineers re-studying how birds fly, scientists are studying how flies and gekkos can walk on the ceiling and implementing the findings in robots, etc. etc. The list is long and these are just some examples.
Combine this phenomenon with another one: expensive energy and environmental trend is forcing people to go back to ways we thought were already behind us. Huge tankers and ships are bringing back - sails. Yes, sails. The ocean view with grand tall ships sailing to the sunset might no longer be only seen in historical pictures and movies, but become a reality. Also, companies are moving from car benefits to bicycle benefits, self-sufficient, s.c. passive houses are being built. These houses do not need any external energy sources. Sun and wind energy is getting to be more popular, individual families and companies take part of their energy from their privately owned solar panels or windmills. etc. etc.
It looks like the industrial era alienating humans from the nature that began with Spinning-Jenny might be at the end of its era, and a new era beginning for nature inspired research&development.
I hereby name this Nature 2.0.
The Australian swimming team in Sydney olympics were the first ones to wear new types of swimsuits that imitate shark skin. Scientist have studied shark's skin and found out a super-sleed structure that was implemented in the swimsuit fabrik. The team achieved 4% faster results with the suit than without it. A car manufacturer had studied aerodynamics of a certain fish and copied the form factor to a car with good results. Superhydrophobic surfaces can be built by mimicing flowers and plants, new type of aeroplane wing is emerging from engineers re-studying how birds fly, scientists are studying how flies and gekkos can walk on the ceiling and implementing the findings in robots, etc. etc. The list is long and these are just some examples.
Combine this phenomenon with another one: expensive energy and environmental trend is forcing people to go back to ways we thought were already behind us. Huge tankers and ships are bringing back - sails. Yes, sails. The ocean view with grand tall ships sailing to the sunset might no longer be only seen in historical pictures and movies, but become a reality. Also, companies are moving from car benefits to bicycle benefits, self-sufficient, s.c. passive houses are being built. These houses do not need any external energy sources. Sun and wind energy is getting to be more popular, individual families and companies take part of their energy from their privately owned solar panels or windmills. etc. etc.
It looks like the industrial era alienating humans from the nature that began with Spinning-Jenny might be at the end of its era, and a new era beginning for nature inspired research&development.
I hereby name this Nature 2.0.
Thanks a lot for sharing the article on nature. That's a awesome article. I enjoyed the article a lot while reading. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful article. There are lots of information about on nature that also could be awesome.
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