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Biomimetics
Special Issues
Bio-Inspired Design: Creativity and Innovation
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Bio-Inspired Design: Creativity and Innovation

A special issue of Biomimetics (ISSN 2313-7673). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomimetic Design, Constructions and Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 7385

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Nicolas Maranzana

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Product Design and Innovation Lab, Arts et Métiers Institute of Technology, Paris, France
Interests: engineering design; innovation; bio-inspired design; biomimetics; lifecycle; design process; design tools and methodologies

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

To face social and environmental challenges, our ways of thinking and our design methods must adapt. Adapting to the environment, surviving, and thriving in it is what living organisms have been doing for over 3 billion years. Nature is thus an infinite source of innovation. 

This Special Issue aims to promote bio-inspired methods and tools to support engineers, biologists and designers within interdisciplinary teams to foster their creativity and innovative potential. As the biggest challenge of this scientific research is currently their implementation in the real world, this Special Issue will also promote industrial applications of these methods and tools, regardless of the sector of activity and the size of the company.

This Special Issue on “Bio-Inspired Design: Creativity and Innovation” invites innovating and promising research ideas and results from engineering design in the form of research articles and reviews. I welcome contributions in biomimetics coming from interdisciplinary teams and/or with practical applications.

Dr. Nicolas Maranzana
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomimetics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biomimetics
  • engineering design
  • design process
  • product lifecycle management
  • design tools and methodologies
  • bio-inspired design
  • innovation
  • creativity

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 6833 KiB  
Article
The Design and Experimental Validation of a Biomimetic Stubble-Cutting Device Inspired by a Leaf-Cutting Ant’s Mandibles
by Hongyan Qi, Zichao Ma, Zihe Xu, Shuo Wang, Yunhai Ma, Siyang Wu and Mingzhuo Guo
Biomimetics 2023, 8(7), 555; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8070555 - 19 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1067
Abstract
Under the conditions of conservation tillage, the existence of the root–soil complex greatly increases the resistance and energy consumption of stubble-cutting blades, especially in Northeast China. In this research, the corn root–soil complex in Northeast China was selected as the research object. Based [...] Read more.
Under the conditions of conservation tillage, the existence of the root–soil complex greatly increases the resistance and energy consumption of stubble-cutting blades, especially in Northeast China. In this research, the corn root–soil complex in Northeast China was selected as the research object. Based on the multi-toothed structure of the leaf-cutting ant’s mandibles and the unique bite mode of its mandibles on leaves, a gear-tooth, double-disk, bionic stubble-cutting device (BSCD) was developed by using a combination of power cutting and passive cutting. The effects of rotary speed, tillage depth, and forward speed on the torque and power of the BSCD were analyzed using orthogonal tests, and the results showed that all of the factors had a large influence on the torque and power, in the order of tillage depth > rotary speed > forward speed. The performance of the BSCD and the traditional power straight blade (TPSB) was explored using comparative tests. It was found that the optimal stubble-cutting rate of the BSCD was 97.4%. Compared with the TPSB, the torque of the BSCD was reduced by 15.2–16.4%, and the power was reduced by 9.2–11.3%. The excellent performance of the BSCD was due to the multi-toothed structure of the cutting edge and the cutting mode. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Inspired Design: Creativity and Innovation)
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21 pages, 54036 KiB  
Article
Plant Foliar Geometry as a Biomimetic Template for Antenna Design
by Jose Ignacio Lozano, Marco A. Panduro, Rodrigo Méndez-Alonzo, Miguel A. Alonso-Arevalo, Roberto Conte and Alberto Reyna
Biomimetics 2023, 8(7), 531; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8070531 - 07 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1246
Abstract
Plant diversity includes over 300,000 species, and leaf structure is one of the main targets of selection, being highly variable in shape and size. On the other hand, the optimization of antenna design has no unique solution to satisfy the current range of [...] Read more.
Plant diversity includes over 300,000 species, and leaf structure is one of the main targets of selection, being highly variable in shape and size. On the other hand, the optimization of antenna design has no unique solution to satisfy the current range of applications. We analyzed the foliar geometries of 100 plant species and applied them as a biomimetic design template for microstrip patch antenna systems. From this set, a subset of seven species were further analyzed, including species from tropical and temperate forests across the phylogeny of the Angiosperms. Foliar geometry per species was processed by image processing analyses, and the resultant geometries were used in simulations of the reflection coefficients and the radiation patterns via finite differences methods. A value below −10 dB is set for the reflection coefficient to determine the operation frequencies of all antenna elements. All species showed between 3 and 15 operational frequencies, and four species had operational frequencies that included the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. The reflection coefficients and the radiation patterns in most of the designs were equal or superior to those of conventional antennas, with several species showing multiband effects and omnidirectional radiation. We demonstrate that plant structures can be used as a biomimetic tool in designing microstrip antenna for a wide range of applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Inspired Design: Creativity and Innovation)
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13 pages, 3496 KiB  
Article
Sound Reception in the Yangtze Finless Porpoise and Its Extension to a Biomimetic Receptor
by Zhongchang Song, Wenzhan Ou, Jiao Li, Chuang Zhang, Weijie Fu, Wenjie Xiang, Ding Wang, Kexiong Wang and Yu Zhang
Biomimetics 2023, 8(4), 366; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8040366 - 15 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1225
Abstract
Sound reception was investigated in the Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis) at its most sensitive frequency. The computed tomography scanning, sound speed, and density results were used to develop a three-dimensional numerical model of the porpoise sound-reception system. The acoustic [...] Read more.
Sound reception was investigated in the Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis) at its most sensitive frequency. The computed tomography scanning, sound speed, and density results were used to develop a three-dimensional numerical model of the porpoise sound-reception system. The acoustic fields showed that sounds can reach the ear complexes from various pathways, with distinct receptivity peaks on the forward, left, and right sides. Reception peaks were identified on the ipsilateral sides of the respective ears and found on the opposite side of the ear complexes. These opposite maxima corresponded to subsidiary hearing pathways in the whole head, especially the lower head, suggesting the complexity of the sound-reception mechanism in the porpoise. The main and subsidiary sound-reception pathways likely render the whole head a spatial receptor. The low-speed and -density mandibular fats, compared to other acoustic structures, are significant energy enhancers for strengthening forward sound reception. Based on the porpoise reception model, a biomimetic receptor was developed to achieve directional reception, and in parallel to the mandibular fats, the silicon material of low speed and density can significantly improve forward reception. This bioinspired and biomimetic model can bridge the gap between animal sonar and artificial sound control systems, which presents potential to be exploited in manmade sonar. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Inspired Design: Creativity and Innovation)
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20 pages, 4500 KiB  
Article
Biomimetic Orthopedic Footwear Advanced Insole Materials to Be Used in Medical Casts for Weight-Bearing Monitoring
by Sofya Rubtsova and Yaser Dahman
Biomimetics 2023, 8(4), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8040334 - 29 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1105
Abstract
Fabrication, characterization and testing of protective biomimetic orthopedic footwear advanced insole materials are introduced. The main objective of this material is to preserve and isolate a set of sensors for the Weight-Bearing Monitoring System (WBMS) device. Twenty-one samples of renewably sourced Polyurethane Foam [...] Read more.
Fabrication, characterization and testing of protective biomimetic orthopedic footwear advanced insole materials are introduced. The main objective of this material is to preserve and isolate a set of sensors for the Weight-Bearing Monitoring System (WBMS) device. Twenty-one samples of renewably sourced Polyurethane Foam (PUF) composed of poly(trimethylene ether) glycol (PO3G) and unmodified castor oil (CO) were synthesized and evaluated according to predetermined criteria. Response surface methodology of Box—Behnken design was applied to study the effect of the polyols ratio, isocyanate index (II), and blowing agent ratio on the properties (hardness, density) of PUFs. Results showed that CO/PO3G/Tolyene Diisocyanate (TDI) PUFs with hardness Shore A 17–22 and density of 0.19–0.25 g/cm3 demonstrate the required characteristics and can potentially be used as a durable and functional insole material. Phase separation studies have found the presence of well-segregated structures in PUFs having polyols ratio of CO:PO3G 1:3 and low II, which further explains their extraordinary elastic properties (400% elongation). Analysis of cushioning performance of PUF signified that five samples have Cushioning Energy (CE) higher than 70 N·mm and Cushioning Factor (CF) in the range of 4–8, hence are recommended for application in WBMS due to superior weight-bearing and pressure-distributing properties. Moreover, the developed formulation undergoes anaerobic soil bacterial degradation and can be categorized as a “green” bio-based material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Inspired Design: Creativity and Innovation)
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10 pages, 5830 KiB  
Article
Biomimetics with Trade-Offs
by Julian Vincent
Biomimetics 2023, 8(2), 265; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8020265 - 17 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1044
Abstract
Our knowledge of physics and chemistry is relatively well defined. Results from that knowledge are predictable as, largely, are those of their technical offspring such as electrical, chemical, mechanical and civil engineering. By contrast, biology is relatively unconstrained and unpredictable. A factor common [...] Read more.
Our knowledge of physics and chemistry is relatively well defined. Results from that knowledge are predictable as, largely, are those of their technical offspring such as electrical, chemical, mechanical and civil engineering. By contrast, biology is relatively unconstrained and unpredictable. A factor common to all areas is the trade-off, which provides a means of defining and quantifying a problem and, ideally, its solution. In order to understand the anatomy of the trade-off and how to handle it, its development (as the dialectic) is tracked from Hegel and Marx to its implementation as dialectical materialism in Russian philosophy and TRIZ, the Theory of Invention. With the ready availability of mathematical techniques, such as multi-objective analysis and the Pareto set, the trade-off is well-adapted to bridging the gaps between the quantified and the unquantifiable, allowing modelling and the transfer of concepts by analogy. It is thus an ideal tool for biomimetics. An intracranial endoscope can be derived with little change from the egg-laying tube of a wood wasp. More complex transfers become available as the technique is developed. Most important, as more trade-offs are analyzed, their results are stored to be used again in the solution of problems. There is no other system in biomimetics which can do this. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Inspired Design: Creativity and Innovation)
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15 pages, 77384 KiB  
Article
Parameter Optimization and DEM Simulation of Bionic Sweep with Lower Abrasive Wear Characteristics
by Shuo Wang, Xuanting Liu, Tianjian Tong, Zihe Xu and Yunhai Ma
Biomimetics 2023, 8(2), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8020201 - 13 May 2023
Viewed by 1108
Abstract
High wear rates during the tillage process often result in significant financial losses and wasted farming seasons. In this paper, a bionic design was used to reduce tillage wear. Inspired by wear-resistant animals with ribbed structures, the bionic ribbed sweep (BRS) was designed [...] Read more.
High wear rates during the tillage process often result in significant financial losses and wasted farming seasons. In this paper, a bionic design was used to reduce tillage wear. Inspired by wear-resistant animals with ribbed structures, the bionic ribbed sweep (BRS) was designed by combining a ribbed unit with a conventional sweep (CS). BRSs with different parameters (width φ, height h, angle θ, and interval λ) were simulated and optimized using the DEM and RSM methods at a working depth of 60 mm to evaluate the magnitude and trends of three responses: tillage resistance (TR), number of contacts between the sweep and soil particles (CNSP), and Archard wear value (AW). The results showed that a protective layer could be created on the surface of the sweep with a ribbed structure to reduce abrasive wear. Analysis of variance proved that factors φ, θ, and λ had significant effects on AW, CNSP, and TR, while factor h was insignificant. An optimal solution was obtained using the desirability method, including 8.88 mm φ, 1.05 mm h, 3.01 mm λ, and 34.46° θ. Wear tests and simulations showed that wear loss could be effectively reduced at different speeds by the optimized BRS. It was found to be feasible to create a protective layer to reduce partial wear by optimizing the parameters of the ribbed unit. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Inspired Design: Creativity and Innovation)
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