Bionics

Abstract

Bionics is a scientific discipline that systematically focuses on the technical implementation and application of designs, processes and development principles found in biological systems. Bionics, also known as biomimetics, unites the fields of biology and technology and stands for a symbiosis of the two conceptual and working approaches. While basic biological research draws on modern technology and its methods and equipment, and to a certain extent also poses questions aiming at a deeper understanding of biological functions and systems, bionics comprises the actual transfer of biological findings to the technological domain. This is no direct transfer in the sense of copying, but rather an independent, creative research and development process - in other words, a nature-inspired process of re-invention usually involving several stages of abstraction and modification en route to application. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.