About this book
Nature is the world's foremost designer. With billions of years of experience and boasting the most extensive laboratory available, it conducts research in every branch of engineering and science. Nature's designs and capabilities have always inspired technology, from the use of tongs and tweezers to genetic algorithms and autonomous legged robots. Taking a systems perspective rather than focusing narrowly on materials or chemistry aspects, Biomimetics: Biologically Inspired Technologies examines the field from every angle.
The book contains pioneering approaches to biomimetics including a new perspective on the mechanization of cognition and intelligence, as well as defense and attack strategies in nature, their applications, and potential. It surveys the field from modeling to applications and from nano- to macro-scales, beginning with an introduction to principles of using biology to inspire designs as well as biological mechanisms as models for technology.
This innovative guide discusses evolutionary robotics; genetic algorithms; molecular machines; multifunctional, biological-, and nano- materials; nastic structures inspired by plants; and functional surfaces in biology. Looking inward at biological systems, the book covers the topics of biomimetic materials, structures, control, cognition, artificial muscles, biosensors that mimic senses, artificial organs, and interfaces between engineered and biological systems. The final chapter contemplates the future of the field and outlines the challenges ahead.
Featuring extensive illustrations, including a 32-page full-color insert, Biomimetics: Biologically Inspired Technologies provides unmatched breadth of scope as well as lucid illumination of this promising field.
Contents
Introduction to Biomimetics: The Wealth of Inventions in Nature as an Inspiration for Human Innovation; Yoseph Bar-CohenBiological Mechanisms as Models for Mimicking: Sarcomere Design, Arrangement, and Muscle Function; Kenneth Meijer, Juan C. Moreno, and Hans H.C.M. SavelbergMechanization of Cognition; Robert Hecht-NielsenEvolutionary Robotics and Open-Ended Design Automation; Hod LipsonGenetic Algorithms: Mimicking Evolution and Natural Selection in Optimization Models; Tammy Drezner and Zvi DreznerRobotic Biomimesis of Intelligent Mobility, Manipulation, and Expression; David HansonBio-Nanorobotics: A Field Inspired by Nature; Ajay Ummat, Atul Dubey, and Constantinos MavroidisMolecular Design of Biological and Nano-Materials; Shuguang Zhang, Hidenori Yokoi, and Xiaojun ZhaoEngineered Muscle Actuators: Cells and Tissues; Robert G. Dennis and Hugh HerrArtificial Muscles Using Electroactive Polymers; Yoseph Bar-CohenBiologically Inspired Optical Systems; Robert Szema and Luke P. LeeMultifunctional Materials; Sia Nemat-Nasser, Syrus Nemat-Nasser, Thomas Plaisted, Anthony Starr, and Alireza Vakil AmirkhiziDefense and Attack Strategies and Mechanisms in Biology; Julian F.V. VincentBiological Materials in Engineering Mechanisms; Justin Carlson, Shail Ghaey, Sean Moran, Cam Anh Tran, and David L. KaplanFunctional Surfaces in Biology: Mechanisms and Applications; Stanislav N. GorbBiomimetic and Biologically Inspired Control; Zhiwei Luo, Shigeyuki Hosoe, and Masami ItoInterfacing Microelectronics and the Human Visual System; Rajat N. Agrawal, Mark S. Humayun, James Weiland, Gianluca Lazzi, and Keyoor Chetan GosaliaArtificial Support and Replacement of Human Organs; Pramod BondeNastic Structures: The Enacting and Mimicking of Plant Movements; Rainer Stahlberg and Minoru TayaBiomimetics: Reality, Challenges, and Outlook; Yoseph Bar-CohenIndex
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