https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5 Biomimicry- Jessica McElroy en-us 2018-10-01 12:51:46 UTC 2025-10-30 11:29:31 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Bigthunderstorm.png jmcelroyswms https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5/wish/287571072 ADAPTATION FOR DESIGN: Incredible fur helps to keep this animal warm in its freezing habitat.]]> 2018-10-01 13:00:38 UTC https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5/wish/287571072 jmcelroyswms https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5/wish/287572334 A Polar bear's fur and skin is made up of several layers. The first layer is a guard layer of long hair that scatters sunlight across the body. Dense underfur prevents heat from escaping. Then, darkly pigmented skin and thick blubber further insulates warmth for the Polar Bear.]]> 2018-10-01 13:02:49 UTC https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5/wish/287572334 jmcelroyswms https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5/wish/287582804 According to the Department of Energy, for homeowners, insulation is incredibly important in keeping their home comfortable, safe, and away from major problems! Without proper insulation, you may face outrageous heating and cooling bills, condensation, air flow, etc. By using the design of the Polar bear fur, more efficient insulation may be possible for homeowners. In fact, the fur is not the only way a Polar bear can help humans. By using the design of their feet pads, humans can walk on ice easier. Also, a Polar bear's fur refracts infrared light, making their fur "invisible". A similar design can be used in humans for stealth.]]> 2018-10-01 13:19:33 UTC https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5/wish/287582804 jmcelroyswms https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5/wish/287597032 To insulate a home, glass wool is layered to create a barrier that prevents heat or cool air from escaping, depending on the season. Glass wool is made of mixture of natural sand and recycled glass. 
The glass that is produced is converted into fibers that is stacked and converted into sheets, or it may remain loose. If not done correctly, insulation can pose humans with a health risk. With a Polar bear's incredible thermo properties, insulation for homes can be as simple as using a mock version of the fur to spread sunlight and heat the home,  as well as dark pigments to heat the material and act as a buffer. Perhaps then, a home would have the same insulating properties as a Polar bear, whose fur can remain 37 degrees celsius in -40 degree weather!]]> 2018-10-01 13:39:36 UTC https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5/wish/287597032 jmcelroyswms https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5/wish/287608346 I show here how the material will be used on the inner walls of the home as a replacement for the glass wool used for insulation. The fur will be made of a recycled plastic material. This will help the home stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter by trapping heat inside and dispersing heat into he home.]]> 2018-10-01 13:55:33 UTC https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5/wish/287608346 jmcelroyswms https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5/wish/287611102 After further research, I realized that in order the the fur insulation to be effective, the fur must be placed on the outside of the home to catch the sunlight in order to fully utilize its properties. In addition, I also added a "blubber" to be added to the interior of the home. This material will be made out of a rubber-foam material. In addition, I also changed the material of the actual fur from a plastic material to a soft fibrous material to match the porous fur of the Polar bear.]]> 2018-10-01 13:59:28 UTC https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5/wish/287611102 jmcelroyswms https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5/wish/287611261 The final design I came up with is a mixture of cotton pads, cotton balls, dark colored cardboard, and play-doh. The dark cardboard mimics the dark base of the Polar bear's fur. The cotton pads act as the thick layer of fur underneath the thinner leayer of porous fur, represented by the cotton balls that are pulled apart. The play-doh represents the "blubber" that will go on the interior of the structure to add extra thermal properties.]]> 2018-10-01 13:59:45 UTC https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5/wish/287611261 jmcelroyswms https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5/wish/287674806 2018-10-01 15:23:25 UTC https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5/wish/287674806 jmcelroyswms https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5/wish/287685022 2018-10-01 15:38:09 UTC https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5/wish/287685022 jmcelroyswms https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5/wish/287686037 2018-10-01 15:39:25 UTC https://padlet.com/jmcelroyswms/5qclqonm9yp5/wish/287686037