Biology doesn’t waste energy: that’s really smart

Julian F. V. Vincent; Olga Bogatyreva; Nikolaj Bogatyrev

doi:10.1117/12.682174

16 March 2006 Biology doesn't waste energy: that's really smart

Julian F. V. Vincent, Olga Bogatyreva, Nikolaj Bogatyrev

Proceedings Volume 6168, Smart Structures and Materials 2006: Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD); 616801 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.682174
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2006, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Biology presents us with answers to design problems that we suspect would be very useful if only we could implement them successfully. We use the Russian theory of problem solving - TRIZ - in a novel way to provide a system for analysis and technology transfer. The analysis shows that whereas technology uses energy as the main means of solving technical problems, biology uses information and structure. Biology is also strongly hierarchical. The suggestion is that smart technology in hierarchical structures can help us to design much more efficient technology. TRIZ also suggests that biological design is autonomous and can be defined by the prefix "self-" with any function. This autonomy extends to the control system, so that the sensor is commonly also the actuator, resulting in simpler systems and greater reliability.

Citation Download Citation

Julian F. V. Vincent, Olga Bogatyreva, and Nikolaj Bogatyrev "Biology doesn't waste energy: that's really smart", Proc. SPIE 6168, Smart Structures and Materials 2006: Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD), 616801 (16 March 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.682174

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