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Nature’s genius
is everywhere

Clownfish with vibrant orange and white stripes

Close-up honeycomb image showing honey-filled cells

Damselfly wings with water droplets, sunset background

Black and yellow butterfly on white background

Close-up parrot eye, vibrant green, yellow, blue feathers

Close-up of snake skin: yellow and white patterned scales

Bright green chameleon on wall against blue sky

Vintage photo of cockleburs in an old book

bio·mim·ic·ry

: the imitation of natural biological designs or processes in engineering or invention.

In 1948, while walking in the woods, Swiss engineer Georges de Mestral noticed how cockleburs stuck to his dog's coat.

The result? Velcro: a paragon of biomimicry in practice.

—Andy Isaacson,
National Geographic Adventure, December 2007

This approach isn't
a modern invention

Throughout history, civilizations
have looked to nature for inspiration

Egyptian temples used columns shaped like lotus plants, symbolizing rebirth.

Ancient Egypt

Ancient Maya

Maya temples were designed to mimic natural elements, with staircases creating the illusion of a serpent slithering down.

Ancient Maya

Ancient Greece

Architects modeled columns after acanthus leaves, merging aesthetics and strength.

Ancient Greece

Today

This method is not just about aesthetics or superficial resemblance. The focus has shifted from form to function—delivering material efficiency, energy savings, durability, and regenerative capabilities.

Today

Modern building facade with unique design for natural ventilation, vertical planters

In the hot African savanna, termite mounds maintain a stable internal temperature despite extreme external temperature fluctuations. The termites achieve this by designing intricate ventilation shafts that allow air to circulate naturally.
Architect Mick Pearce used this principle to design the Eastgate Centre in Zimbabwe, a commercial building that naturally regulates temperature with passive cooling, significantly reducing the need for air conditioning.
Energy-efficient architecture, reducing electricity consumption and carbon emissions.

Termite mounds

Energy-efficient buildings

Close-up of a microstructured adhesive surface with cylindrical features

Geckos can climb smooth walls and ceilings without slipping, thanks to millions of tiny hair-like structures (setae) on their feet, which interact with surfaces via van der Waals forces.
Scientists developed gecko-inspired adhesives that do not use glue but rely on intermolecular forces for grip.
Potential use in reusable adhesives, climbing robots, and even medical bandages.

Gecko feet

Adhesives

The lotus leaf has a unique surface structure that repels water and dirt. When water droplets land on the leaf, they bead up and roll off, carrying dirt particles away (a phenomenon known as the Lotus Effect).
Scientists developed self-cleaning coatings for buildings, glass windows, and textiles that mimic this water-repellent property.
Reduces the need for chemical cleaning agents and water consumption, promoting sustainability in urban architecture and materials.

Lotus leaf

Self-cleaning surfaces

The Kingfisher bird dives into water with incredible speed and barely makes a splash. Its beak shape allows for a smooth transition between air and water without creating turbulence.
The Shinkansen Bullet Train in Japan initially had a major problem: when exiting tunnels at high speeds, it produced a loud sonic boom due to air pressure changes.
Reduced noise pollution,
Increased speed and fuel efficiency,
Lowered energy consumption by 15%.

Kingfisher bird

Shinkansen bullet train

White wind turbine blades against a clear blue sky

Humpback whales possess unique pectoral fins with irregular bumps called tubercles along their leading edges. These tubercles enhance the whale's maneuverability and lift in water.
Engineers have applied this concept to wind turbine blades by incorporating similar bumps on the leading edges. This design improves airflow, reduces drag, and increases efficiency, allowing turbines to generate more energy even at lower wind speeds.
The biomimetic design leads to more efficient wind energy production, contributing to sustainable power generation.

Whale fins

Wind turbine blades

Water condensation on a dome-shaped device in desert

The Namib Desert beetle survives in one of the driest places on Earth by collecting moisture from the fog. Its shell has a unique surface: Hydrophilic (water-attracting) bumps help condense water droplets and Hydrophobic (water-repelling) valleys channel the water toward its mouth.
Scientists developed surfaces that mimic this mechanism for fog-harvesting technologies, enabling water collection in arid regions.
Potential solution for water scarcity, especially in dry environments.