Methodical approach to implement biomimetic paradigms in the design of novel engineering and space systems

Abstract

The success of biological organisms in solving problems encountered in their environments is attributed to the process of natural selection, the rigors of this process ensuring the efficacy of the results. Biological systems represent the fruits of optimisation through trial-and-error that has been in progress over billions of years, and the 1.7 million species that have been catalogued so far can be seen as a vast resource for the inspiration of scientists and engineers. Biomimetics tries to extract concepts from biological systems that will allow the design of better, novel solutions, not merely imitating organisms' characteristics but distilling aspects that can be applied effectively from complex integrated systems. Problems that biological systems face are often similar to those faced by engineers. Given the effectiveness with which some of these have been overcome, biologically inspired concepts should be considered seriously when designing new solutions. Although humans have been being inspired by nature for a long time, this process has been on an ad hoc basis. With the continuing emergence of biomimetics as a distinct scientific discipline, the systematic search for biomimetic solutions to particular problems is an increasingly important focus. Adaptability, autonomy, miniaturisation, holistic design, reliability, robustness, self-repair, self-replication are the main traits that can be found in many biological organisms that are of particular interest in space systems design, with its particular requirements and constraints. This paper proposes the basis for a biomimetic design process that is generally applicable, comprehensive and systematic in the search for solutions. Potential routes for the development of this methodology are discussed, and the need for such work is reviewed and motivated with examples from previous and ongoing work.