case_studies_10


 * Look over examples of her biomimetic principles applied to products in the slideshow and write a short, one paragraph synopsis for each of your three favorite product designs.**

1. __//High-Speed Train://__ The Japanese 500 Series Shinkansen bullet train based its design on birds - the owl and the kingfisher. The train's top speed is 200mph, so in order to reduce the noise produced by the pantograph they integrated small serrations onto the train similar to those on an owl's feathers. They also used an aerodynamic design for the front of the train, modeled after the kingfisher's beak. This reduced the sonic boom experienced when the train passes from a tunnel back into open air, much like resistance is minimized when the bird dives from air into water.

2. //__Toxin-Free Glue:__// Forest Product's research has been worthwhile as they have created an ultrastrong glue mimics the composition of the secretions mussels use to cling to surfaces under water. There are no toxins used. This could see some serious developments for "everyday" glue that kids use in school. It follows one of Janine's most fundamental points - we need to design while keeping in mind those who will be here after us.

3. //__Self-Cleaning Paint:__// The German company Sto looked to the hydrophobic surface of the lotus leaf that repels water in order to create a line of self-cleaning paints. The paint is imbued with the same type of surface structure and therefore is able to use rainwater to wash away any dirt that is built up.