Biomimicry at the Zoo
Welcome to the beginning of your biomimicry journey. This site was created to help you learn about the many incredible animals you are likely to find at your local zoo, and how these animals might inspire new products, processes and systems. An example: a new space suit inspired by a giraffe’s blood circulation and regulation.
To start exploring, please navigate to audio tours
About
What is biomimicry?
An emerging discipline that looks to the forms, processes, and systems of nature for inspiration in solving human problems.
Janine Benyus coined the term “biomimicry” in 1997 when she published her book Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature [1]. Many terms have been used since the 1900s – biotechnik, bionics, biomimetics, bio-inspired design – but the term biomimicry is understood to indicate ‘sustainable and regenerative’ design inspired by nature. Benyus created the term by combining bios, which refers to life or living things, and mimicry, which means to copy or emulate. So, in its most simple terms biomimicry means copying life. Benyus, a biologist as well as an author, defines biomimicry as “the conscience emulation of nature’s genius.” As Thomas Edison once said, “Until man duplicates a blade of grass, nature can laugh at his so-called scientific knowledge [2].” Another but perhaps more pragmatic definition is that biomimicry is a sustainable design tool based on emulating strategies used by living things to perform functions that we want our technologies to perform – everything from creating color to generating energy to optimizing data bases. The goal of biomimicry is to design products and processes, companies and policies – new ways of living - that are well adapted to life on earth over an extended period of time.
The Team
Spring 2022- Present
Marjan Eggermont is a Professor (Teaching) at the Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary and is currently also Academic Director for Sustainable Engineering. She is a Biomimicry Institute Fellow and has been working in the field since 2004 with a focus on visualization and abstraction. With co-editors Tom McKeag (San Francisco) and Norbert Hoeller (Toronto) she co-founded and designs Zygote Quarterly (zqjournal.org), an online bio-inspired design journal to provide a platform to showcase the nexus of science and design using case studies, news and articles. She holds a BA, BFA, and MFA and finished a PhD in Computational Media Design focusing on bio-inspired information visualization in 2018 at the University of Calgary. She served on the board of the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) from 2014-2017 and is a member of Sigma Xi. Marjan was awarded Best of Biomimicry: Excellence in Biomimicry Education within a College or University in 2013 by Biomimicry 3.8 and has received an ASME Curriculum Innovation Award and a STLHE Alan Blizzard Award. For the past 5 years she has volunteered with NASA Vine as lead of the Education research working group to explore nature-inspired technology (https://www.educationteamnasavine.com).
May 2022- Present
Matthew Travaglini is a 4th year Geomatics Engineering student at the University of Calgary. During his time at the university, he competed for the varsity cross country and track and field team, and was an individual national medalist as well as a member of several national team medals. Before attending the University of Calgary, Matthew went to SAIT and completed the Geomatics Engineering Technologist Diploma, he also competed on their varsity cross country and track and field team and was a 2 time individual national champion, while helping his team to multiple national medals. Matthew also earned academic All-Canadian status while at SAIT, given to student athletes who excel in both academics and athletics.
Matthews work on this project includes database creation and management, website creation, audio recordings, as well as creating an experiential learning resource database for professors.
January 2023- Present
Jessica Ritchie is a 4th year electrical engineering student with a biomedical minor at the University of Calgary. Her interests lie in biomedical imaging, and her capstone project involves optimizing the location of magnets for portable MRI. She is very academically focused and has achieved Dean’s List every year of her program. Outside of academics she has participated in two study abroad trips and is involved in campus ministry. In her free time Jessica enjoys ceramics, baking, sewing and anything else that she can make!
Jessica’s work on this project includes writing and recording biomimicry scripts.
May 2022- August 2022
Bhavjeet Chatha is a second year Mechanical Engineering Student at the University of Calgary. He has spent half of his time at the University as a mentor, in the Schulich Peer Mentorship Program, which is a program created for upper year students to provide mentorship to first years. Outside of the school community, Bhavjeet is also a part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area, where he has consistent visits with his mentee that focus around shared interests, which help in creating a developmental relationship. Before attending the University of Calgary, Bhavjeet graduated Western Canada High School where he was awarded lifetime honors for his excellent academic performance. Every week Bhavjeet also finds time to coach youth soccer locally for Summer FC, which is a soccer club focused on the development of young soccer players.
Bhavjeets work on this project includes 3D Printing of Pollen seeds, extensive research on the Calgary Zoo, creation of biomimicry scripts, as well as test audio recordings.