Bionics: Biological insight into mechanical design

摘要: When pressed with an engineering problem, humans often draw guidance and inspiration from the natural world (1). Through process of evolution, organisms have experimented form function for at least 3 billion years before first human manipulations stone, bone, antler. Although we cannot know sure extent to which biological models inspired our early ancestors, more recent examples biomimetic designs are well documented. For example, birds bats played a central role in one triumphant feats engineering, construction airplane. In 16th century, Leonardo da Vinci sketched gliding flapping machines based on his anatomical study birds. More than 300 later, Otto Lilienthal built flew that were also patterned after (2). Sadly, died own creations, part because he failed solve difficult problem animals would eventually provide another critical insight: how steer maneuver. The wing warping mechanism enabled Orville Wilbur Wright their airplane past cameras into history books is said been by watching buzzards soar near Ohio home (3).