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Brandie EdickBiomimicry and CommunicationFebruary 16, 2015

Humans have been learning from other species for many thousands of years. As time has passed we have grown to become reliant on technology while also learning from it. Biomimicry is the contrary of this; Biomimicry is a new science that studies nature's best ideas and then imitates these designs and processes to solve human problems (Center).The word itself, biomimicry, was created by Janine Benyus and originates from the Greek bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning imitation (Center). Biomimicry has assisted and related to many different topics, one being communication. One example of how communication and biomimicry relate is Canadian company, REGEN Energys Swarm Energy Management. REGEN Energy optimization system was inspired by the communication system used by bees to communicate without a central leadership role. REGEN Energy adds communication systems to existing systems to help them communicate to reduce peak loads and simplify energy savings programs (Elder). Another example of how the two relate is a new molecular communications system. The system could send messages and data underground, underwater or even inside the body, where other forms of communication aren't practical.Plants and animals use molecular signaling all the time, from sweet smelling flowers to insect scents. Bees, for example, usetheir natural scent, which signals chemicals among animals to communicate to each other when there's a threat to the hive (Prazeres). Researchers have shown that this chemical language can also be used to send messages in environments where electromagnetic signals can't be used, such as in tunnels, in pipelines or underwater (Prazeres). Despite our long history with the honeybee, there could still be a secret world of communication within the hive that we know nothing about. One last example of how communication and biomimicry relate is EvoLogics, a German company. EvoLogics makes underwater sensors that transmit data using frequencies based on dolphin calls. EvoLogics says the devices, which can guide ships and monitor an area for earthquakes, cost around $12,000 and are installed in more than 10 countries (The). These sensors can be used to detect underwater earthquakes and therefore help in tsunami warning systems. An early detection system can prepare residents to evacuate even sooner, and perhaps take precautions to reduce damage (The).Communication systemssuch as how bees and dolphins communicate to accomplish tasks dont seem like that big of a deal for us and some may think that we cannot learn anything from this. In order to learn from nature we need to be in nature, we need to see it and understand it. We need to focus on positive solutions taught to us by nature and find ways to take meaningful action. Like Janine Benyus said, The more our world functions like the natural world, the more likely we are to endure on this home that is ours, but not ours alone.

References

Center for Biologically Inspired Design. (2007). Biomimicry Explained. Retrieved from http://www.cbid.gatech.edu/biomimicry_defined.html

Elder, Katie (2015 Feb. 3). International Society of Bionic Engineering. Bees Do It Better. Retrieved from http://www.isbe-online.org/?mod=info&act=view&id=1384

Prazeres, Miguel. (2013 April 9.). Nature Inspired Inovation. Biomimicry. Retrieved from http://www.scoop.it/t/biomimicry/?tag=Communication

The Biomimicry Institute. (2010). Evologics Underwater Sensor. Retrieved from http://www.asknature.org/product/2a4684ab51bc3f3dfa19226d27affae3

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