On Wednesday last week, U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, made his maiden official visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he talked about renewable energy and carbon emissions. Chu talked at length about the importance of developing and deploying renewable energy, including algae for biofuels. He emphasised the huge progress that was being made by UAE in this area, and the real potential this is showing. Chu was also keen to outline the necessity of improving energy efficiency if we are to adapt to our changing world where over-consumption of energy not only causes climate change issues, but draws hugely on depleting sources. Energy efficiency is an area on which the aviation industry has been working hard, with efforts being focused on redesigning engines, aircraft and even the flight routes to reduce fuel consumption. Chu gave a brilliant example of what innovation can achieve by comparing the Boeing 777 with the Bar-tailed Godwit. The Bar-tailed Godwit is a large wader bird which makes the longest known non-stop flight – 11,000 km – of any bird and also the longest journey without pausing to feed by any animal. The aeroplane does the same (substituting the animal with fuel, of course!) and without using up all their energy!
This practice of taking inspiration for man-made design directly from nature is called biomimicry. It is the idea that using knowledge of biological adaptations, we can solve design and engineering challenges sustainably. Comparing birds to aircraft seems like a logical one – both are designed to fly long distances, using as little energy as possible and allowing for a comfortable ride. Hence, aircraft manufacturers are happy take their top tips from Mother Nature when thinking about new aircraft design.
Another example of this comes from a group of researchers at Stanford University. On discovery that birds are able to boost the distance they can fly by more than 70% though the use of the V-shape formation (pictured to the right), the researchers thought to apply the same tactic to planes. In this formation, a bird in front (or plane) creates a small updraft that lifts the bird behind. As each bird passes, they add their own energy to the stroke helping all the birds maintain flight. By travelling in a V-shape with planes taking turns in front as birds do, these researchers believe aircraft could use 15% less fuel compared to flying solo. Of course, this is a great theory, but in reality it may prove to be difficult to achieve for commercial flights - rarely do a 'flock' of aircraft all want to go to the same destination at the same time. But such research can lead to any number of discoveries with future applications.
Below is a video of Janine Benyus, a American natural sciences writer, giving a talk on biomimicry last August. She offers an inspiring analysis of how much nature can teach us about science and design, and indeed dating… listen out for the courtship dance of the Western Grebe!
