Biomimetics applications

Biomimetics is defined as the interdisciplinary cooperation between biology and technology, or other fields of innovation, with the goal to solve practical problems through the analysis of functions of biological systems, their abstraction into models, and the transfer and application of these models to the solution.

Although biomimetics has inspired various human creations since ancient times, it has been in the last decade when it has acquired greater prominence, providing very ingenious solutions to solve problems of different kinds.

In this context, BIOMA researchers have been working for several years in the search for models applicable to construction. Thanks to the cooperation between biologists, architects and engineers, several animal models have been identified that can help to identify innovative applications to reduce energy expense in the field of architecture. Here are some examples:

• Bee: temperature regulation in the hive.

• Tuna: heat recovery.

• Alligator: optimization in body heating.

• Desert snail: control of high temperatures.

• Frog of the genus Cyclorana: reduction of water loss.

• Tok-tokie beetle: condensation of water from moist air.

• Starfish: avoid heating.

• Silkworm: temperature regulation and gas concentration.

• Ants: temperature control in anthills.

• Desert iguana: control of body temperature.

• Stick insect: color change.

• Lizards: thermoregulation.

• Morpho butterfly: coloration by nano architecture.

• Chameleon: color and temperature relationship.

• Termites: termite mound as a lung.

• Toucan, heat loss through the beak.

• Crab (Uca): heat dissipation.

One of the models that has already been experimentally tested is the tuna model. Tuna generates heat in the muscles, organs and tissues of the internal zone of its body (dark muscles), distributing it towards the periphery to maintain a constant body temperature. Taking into account this biological reality, we have analyzed the possibility of altering the heating demand of an office according to the heat conservation strategy applied by the tuna, simply by modifying the spaces of work.

The results obtained after the application of mathematical models have revealed that the tuna strategy can be successfully applied in the work office space to achieve lower energy demand.