Design and Nature IV Comparing Design in Nature with Science and Engineering

About this book

Throughout history, the parallels between nature and human design, in mathematics, engineering and other areas, have inspired many leading thinkers. Today, the huge increase in biological knowledge, developments in design engineering systems, together with the virtual revolution in computer power and simulation modelling, have all made possible more comprehensive studies of nature. Scientists and engineers now have at their disposal a vast array of relationships for materials, mechanisms and control. The resulting laws have been painstakingly assembled by observation and analysis and span the cosmic scale of space down to the molecular level of genetics. In particular, they have made us aware of the rich diversity of the natural world around us.

These developments are presented here in the proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Comparing Design in Nature with Science and Engineering. The Conference topics include: shape and form in engineering and nature; nature and architectural design; thermodynamics in nature; biomimetics; natural materials in engineering; mechanics in nature; bioengineering; solution from nature; complexity; sustainability studies; education and training. This book should be of interest to researchers and those interested in the study of natural materials, organisms, processes and their significance for design in the world today.

Contents

Section 1: Biomimetics Process sequences in biomimetic research
- A novel spray system inspired by the bombardier beetle
- Biomimetics on gecko locomotion
- The molecular mechanism underlying the liver mass optimization rule
- Biological insight into design against crime
- Bio-inspired solutions for technical problems: biomimetic cable entries and shock-absorbing pallets
- Biomimetics as problem-solving, creativity and innovation tool in a first year engineering design and communication course

Section 2: Shape and form in engineering and nature Fail safe design with crack stoppers and warners
- A simple graphic way to reduce stress concentrations by growth
- Organizational features in leaves for application in shading systems for building envelopes
- Descartes, Plateau, and sea urchins
- Modelling the micro- and macro-structure efficiencies of a compliant petiole beam
- Encounters with the golden ratio in fluid dynamics
- The dynamical view of natural form
- Meaning of the 45 -angle in mechanical design according to nature
- Application of abstract formal patternsA" for translating natural principles into the design of new deployable structures in architecture
- Morphing modes of mobility in natural and engineered systems
- Numerical study of blood fluid rheology in the abdominal aorta
- Axial variation of droplet distribution in a venturi scrubber

Section 3: Nature and architectural design On nature, culture and sustainable design
- Eco-systematic restoration: a model community at Salton Sea
- Designing with nature in landscape architecture
- An evaluation of the design of room characteristics of a sample of healing gardens
- Sensitivity to site and the nature of materials - Southern African architectural design
- High performance masonry wall systems: principles derived from natural analogues
- Dynamics and evolution of urban patterns: the evidence of the Mobile Landscape project

Section 4: Natural materials and surfaces Friction in nature
- Investigation of adhesion forces at the peritoneal surface
- From geotechnical and hydraulic researches to use of natural materials in mitigation works for river embankments: a case study

Section 5: Complexity Dissipative structures in nature and human systems
- Natural evolution, human creativity and engineering design in the context of paradigms of modern physics
- The coherence of an engineered world Section 6: Education Design education oriented to nature
- Human buildings + education

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