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Name: Ruhomutally Bibi Faheemah Hafsah
Matric Number: 195731
Title: Biomimicry Home Activities

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Activity 1 (To compare and contrast humans and the nature)

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Activity 1 (To compare and contrast humans and the nature)

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Similarities between surrounding and humans

Dependence on the sun for daily life activities

Need water for survival (Dependence on rain water/hydrologic cycle)

Dependence on air for survival

Differences between surrounding and humans

Green plants are capable of producing their own food unlike humans who have to depend on other organisms for food and energy.

Green plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen through the process of photosynthesis during daytime.

Green plants also have the ability to remove toxins and pollutants from the air they take in and release cleaner and healthier air.

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Selected Process:
Air purification capability of green plants to clean indoor air in the form of an air purifier

All are responsible for combating air pollution. According to WHO, high levels of air pollution may have a number of negative health effects. It amplifies the chances of getting respiratory diseases, heart disease, and lung cancer. Short-term and long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to negative health effects. People who are already sick are subjected to more serious consequences. Children, the old, and the poor are more vulnerable.

Toxins (including VOCs) and bio-effluents (things that humans exhale, such as carbon dioxide and viruses) are absorbed in the air by plants that clean the air from tiny pores, called stomata, on their leaves.

The process by which plants absorb gases from their leaves is known as photosynthesis. Toxins are removed in the same way that carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere through photosynthesis.
The leaves can actually “eat” the VOCs or move them down to their roots. In a plant’s roots, microorganisms, living in the soil and on the roots, will break down the VOCs. The microbes can neutralize the toxins and then use them as food for the plant.

Plants can also emit humidity through transpiration. Other air is drawn back into the soil as water vapour travels up the plant from the roots and escapes into the indoor air. Pollutants in the air are drawn towards the root chain, which then breaks them down.

Plants emit phytochemicals (chemicals released by plants that help to protect or cause them to thrive), which minimize mould and bacteria in the air. According to certain studies, when houseplants are present, up to 60% of moulds and bacteria are removed.

Therefore, using the concept above, the process of air purification can be emulated from green plants as air pollution is a prevalent issue that needs to be addressed, especially indoors. Biomimicry in the form of an air purifier can be used to 'clean' the air we breathe, thus helping us to address air pollution in indoor environments.

References:
1. Health consequences of air pollution on populations. (2019, November 15). World Health Organisation. https://www.who.int/news/item/15-11-2019-what-are-health-consequences-of-air-pollution-on-populations#:%7E:text=Exposure%20to%20high%20levels%20of,people%20who%20are%20already%20ill.
2. Button, K. (2021, February 1). Indoor Plants that Clean the Air: How Do They Remove Toxins? Get Green Be Well. https://www.getgreenbewell.com/indoor-plants-that-clean-the-air-how-do-they-remove-toxins/#:%7E:text=Photosynthesis%20is%20the%20process%20by%20which%20plants%20absorb%20gases%20through%20their%20leaves.&text=In%20a%20plant’s%20roots%2C%20microorganisms,give%20off%20humidity%20through%20transpiration

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Activity 2 (To relate biological solutions to human technological challenges)

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Activity 2 (To relate biological solutions to human technological challenges)

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Specific Organism: A cat
Action in Question: Being able to see in the dark (its night vision)
Hypothesis: Cats must possess special or extra features in their eyes compared to the human eye for them to be able to see in very low light surroundings, unlike human beings.
Biological Function: Cats cannot see in absolute darkness any more than we can. However, they are much better adapted than humans for seeing in low levels of light. They use three clever evolutionary adaptations to allow them to do this.

First, as compared to a human eye, the cat-eye can let in several times more light.

Second, the cat-eye is very richly endowed with rods. They are two types of cells in the eye that turn the incoming light into electrical signals - cones and rods. Cones are less sensitive and work better when there's lots of light around. Rods are more sensitive and work better in low light situations. In the daytime, the rods just switch off.

Third, cats have an extra "mirror" layer at the back of the eye behind the retina, which means that the incoming light has two chances to hit the rods. This mirror layer is called the "tapetum lucidum''. It's made from 15 types of cells and is very reflective. It glows a silvery-green-golden color in most cats but can be ruby-red in Siamese cats.

The incoming light enters the front of the eye, passes through the transparent innards of the eye, and enters the retina. At this stage, the light will register if it hits a rod. In the human eye, if it misses, the light is absorbed in a black layer behind the retina and is gone forever. But in the cat eye, if the light has not hit a rod, it will reflect off the mirror layer and be bounced. The light now has a second chance to hit a rod, and to be put to work.

Reference: Can cats see in the dark? (2010, May 14). ABC Science. https://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2005/12/12/1523473.htm

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This video depicts how cats can go on with their usual activities such as playing around, even in very low light settings. This helps us to understand that important features/adaptions of the cat's eye such as the presence of more rods in the cat's eye and allowing more light to enter the organism's eye, compared to the human eye, provide the cat the ability to do so.

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Single or binocular night glasses with a wide diameter objective are widely used. Large lenses can gather and focus light, intensifying it solely optically and allowing the person to see more in the dark than the naked eye alone.

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Activity 3 (To differentiate different bio-concepts)

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Activity 3 (To differentiate different bio-concepts)

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1) Selected item: Bamboo chopsticks
Previous designs: Plastic/ Wooden chopsticks

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Identify whether it has an advantage that makes it more sustainable than previous technologies or designs. Are there any sustainability and ethical implications of those various bioinspired technologies?

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Identify whether it has an advantage that makes it more sustainable than previous technologies or designs. Are there any sustainability and ethical implications of those various bioinspired technologies?

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Bamboo chopsticks are healthy and environmentally friendly, and the materials are natural and non-toxic. It is to be noted that bamboo chopsticks are made of clean materials (recyclable bamboo), which ensures they are not single-used and recycled into other useful products.

The carbonized bamboo chopsticks in bamboo chopsticks have high stability characteristics, are difficult to mold, and last longer.

Also, bamboo chopsticks are free from pesticides and toxins.

Bamboo is also dense, versatile, and strong.

Bamboo chopsticks are more and more widely used because they are made of renewable bamboo, which is economical and environmentally friendly. It also helps in addressing the prominent issue of the destruction of a large number of woodlands caused by wooden chopsticks.

It is also to be noted that the concept of bamboo and wooden chopsticks was introduced to address the issue of and as an alternative to single-use plastic chopsticks which contribute significantly to plastic pollution around the world, especially since the rise of online food delivery services.

Moreover, plastic chopsticks don’t have a good grip because of the material’s slippery characteristics and hot food cannot be eaten or picked up because it can melt and release harmful substances in the food.

Additionally, the bamboo chopsticks are more sustainable compared to the plastic chopsticks which are mostly single-use ones as bamboo chopsticks can be used for a long period of time if cleaned properly and they also help to curb the demand for wooden chopsticks which in turn reduces pressure on woodlands.

Furthermore, the bamboo chopsticks are more hygienic compared to the previously designed chopsticks as they are less prone to bacteria, mold and deterioration. Because bamboo chopsticks do not want to breed bacteria as easily as wooden chopsticks, bamboo chopsticks are used for a longer period of time and bacteria are relatively less when used under the same conditions. Wooden chopsticks are more susceptible to contamination than chopsticks of other materials and are also prone to mold and deterioration. If the wooden chopsticks are not sterilized by anti-virus, it is easy to cause intestinal infectious diseases.

From the points mentioned above, it can be clearly seen that bamboo chopsticks are more sustainable than wooden and plastic chopsticks. Concerning the ethical implications, I believe that bamboo chopsticks are much better compared to their previous counterparts. Bamboo chopsticks are not only environmentally friendly but are better options for our health compared to wood and plastic chopsticks.

Reference: Liu, S. (n.d.). How Can We Choose A Pair of Chopsticks for Daily Life? China Educational Tours. Retrieved May 20, 2021, from https://www.chinaeducationaltours.com/guide/culture-chopsticks-how-to-choose.htm

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Activity 3 (To differentiate different bio-concepts)

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Activity 3 (To differentiate different bio-concepts)

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2) Selected Item: Wooden Chair
Previous Design: Plastic Chair

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Identify whether it has an advantage that makes it more sustainable than previous technologies or designs. Are there any sustainability and ethical implications of those various bioinspired technologies?

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Identify whether it has an advantage that makes it more sustainable than previous technologies or designs. Are there any sustainability and ethical implications of those various bioinspired technologies?

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Plastic furniture simply can’t compete with wooden furniture when it comes to longevity. Hardly surprising when you consider how long trees can live! There are multiple examples of wooden furniture which are several centuries old, and yet remain in immaculate condition. When protected from woodworm there is no reason why wooden furniture won’t last for a very long time.

Moreover, plastic chairs become dull in 2 to 3 years since plastic loses its luster while wooden chairs can be repainted or re-polished to bring back the luster, thus maintaining their longevity.

Plastics have a creep problem & it de-shapes while wood does not have a creep problem to that extent.

Plastic chairs are relatively weak in load-bearing capacity compared to wooden chairs which are much stronger in load-bearing.

On the other hand, plastic chairs also have various benefits.

As plastic is mostly light in weight, it will not cause much damage if dropped. Whereas wooden furniture can easily get cracked and is prone to damage and defects.

Plastic chairs are mostly waterproof and one of the best options to use in the rain. They are very safe and secure for children because they do not have sharp edges and corners compared to wooden chairs.

As discussed above, both wooden and plastic chairs have their respective sets of advantages and disadvantages. When it comes to sustainability and ethical implications, however, the answer might not be really straightforward and much depends on the source of the materials. The use of plastics is heavily criticized nowadays but the criticism really only applies to single-use plastics. Plastic furniture lasts for many years so doesn’t have the same negative environmental impact, so it is a purchase that can be made with a clear conscience. Using wood does mean cutting down trees, but using timber from a sustainable source means there are also no environmental concerns. Therefore, it really depends on the source of the materials used in the construction of the chairs for them to be sustainable. In my opinion, a wooden chair is a more eco-friendly option compared to plastic chairs as a wooden chair will last much more longer compared to a plastic chair if maintained properly. Instead of consuming more and more plastic chairs, it is better to have one wooden chair which is durable and long-lasting when properly maintained.

References:
1. Wooden vs Plastic Furniture - Pros and Cons. (n.d.). Front Row Furniture. Retrieved May 19, 2021, from https://www.frontrowfurniture.co.uk/blogwooden-vs-plastic-furniture-pros-and-cons/
2. Why Plastic Furniture Is More Preferable Than Any Other Furniture? (2019, December 28). Avro Furniture. https://www.avrofurniture.com/blogs/elegant-houses-solution/why-plastic-furniture-is-more-preferable-than-any-other-furniture

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Activity 4  (To identify biomimicry at different scales)

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Activity 4  (To identify biomimicry at different scales)

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Examples of biomimicry emulating a form, process, and/or system:

Form: Velcro (From the observation of the hooks implemented by some plants for the propagation of their seeds via animal’s coat)

Process: Distribution Networks of Water/Electricity (From the Network of veins in Leaves)

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Example of biomimicry emulation a form : Velcro

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Example of Biomimicry in the from of a process: Distribution Networks of Electricity (through Electricity poles)

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Activity 4 (To identify biomimicry at different scales)

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Activity 4 (To identify biomimicry at different scales)

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What it would take for a given example at the form or process level of
biomimicry to become more biomimetic at the systems level?

Biomimetics refers to the technical translation and realization of functional strategies used by biological organisms or systems in nature to create incredibly novel radical technologies that outperform or even displace existing technologies to gain financial reward and is a part of biomimicry. The main belief of the biomimicry approach is that after 3,8 billion years of research and development, what did not work is now a fossil and what is around us is the secret to survival.

Moreover, the concept of biomimicry is based on a key idea that nature always operates on the principles of economy and efficiency while generating no waste. Irrespective of the field of application, the biomimetic philosophy is part of a global strategy of responsible and sustainable development that aims to balance the way the planet’s resources are used. Designs following biometrics will also ultimately allow human productions to be more efficient, resilient and sustainable.

Therefore, with global shifts towards sustainable development and disaster risk reduction (as a result of global warming and climate change) and with the aim and demand of higher productivity, efficiency, sustainability and resilience while producing no waste in the long run, biomimicry at form or process levels to become more biomimetic at system level.