What is the focus of biomimicry in engineering and invention?

Biomimicry in engineering and invention focuses on implementing natural designs and processes to solve human challenges. This approach is rooted in the idea that nature, through millions of years of evolution, has optimized solutions to various problems, and by studying these natural systems, engineers can derive innovative designs and technologies.

For example, the structure of a lotus leaf, which repels dirt and water, inspires self-cleaning surfaces; the way termite mounds maintain temperature can inform energy-efficient building designs. By mimicking these natural strategies, biomimicry fosters sustainability and efficiency in engineering practices.

Other approaches, such as using complex machinery, creating synthetic materials, or developing isolated systems, do not align with the principles of biomimicry. Instead, they tend to rely on human-made solutions rather than learning from nature's time-tested strategies. Therefore, the emphasis on natural designs and processes is what distinctly characterizes biomimicry within the realm of engineering and invention.