What is biomimicry? Five groundbreaking designs inspired by Nature

“Life finds a way”… This is true for the dinosaurs in the film Jurassic Park, and for the billions of years organisms have been evolving on Earth. From the tiniest bacteria to the largest whales, life has thrived through adaptation, innovation, and good old problem-solving. 

As we face modern-day challenges, nature’s designs offer brilliant solutions. Biomimicry—drawing inspiration from natural systems and forms—has led to groundbreaking solutions that are not only efficient but also sustainable. By learning from nature, we can improve the way we build, create, and live.

What is biomimicry?

Biomimicry is the practice of looking to nature to solve human challenges. It involves studying the designs, processes, and strategies found in the natural world and applying them to innovate and improve our own technologies and systems. 

Coined by biologist and Co-Founder of the Biomimicry Institute, Janine Benyus, the concept of biomimicry encourages us to move beyond simply extracting resources from nature. Instead, we should learn from the ingenious ways life has adapted, survived, and thrived over billions of years.

The original practitioners of biomimicry

The concept of learning from nature is not new. Indigenous peoples around the world have long understood that nature holds profound knowledge, offering lessons for living in harmony and balance. These communities have cultivated practices based on observing and collaborating with natural systems—an approach that modern biomimicry is just beginning to appreciate.

As Robin Wall Kimmerer writes in Braiding Sweetgrass:

“But in Native ways of knowing, human people are often referred to as 'the younger brothers of Creation.' We say that humans have the least experience with how to live and thus the most to learn—we must look to our teachers among the other species for guidance.”

This perspective shifts the narrative from humans as conquerors of nature to humble students of its wisdom. Indigenous knowledge reminds us that biomimicry has actually been a core principle in innovation throughout our human history.

Five amazing examples of biomimicry 

From transportation to everyday tools, countless innovations have been inspired by nature’s ingenious designs. Here are five remarkable examples of biomimicry that demonstrate how learning from the natural world can solve today's challenges.

1. Kingfishers' influence on Japan’s high-speed trains

Perhaps the most famous example of biomimicry came in the 1990s. Japan’s Shinkansen bullet train designers were facing a serious problem: when the trains exited tunnels at high speeds, the sudden change in air pressure created deafening sonic booms. This noise not only disturbed surrounding communities but also hindered the train’s efficiency and speed.

The solution came from Eiji Nakatsu, the train’s chief engineer and an avid birdwatcher. Observing how the kingfisher dives into water with hardly a splash, Nakatsu realized that the bird’s beak shape allowed it to move seamlessly between two different mediums—air and water. 

Inspired by this, Nakatsu redesigned the train’s nose to resemble the kingfisher’s beak, resulting in a quieter, faster, and more energy-efficient train. The redesign reduced noise pollution, cut energy consumption by 15%, and allowed the train to travel 10% faster.

2. How burrs in fur inspired Velcro

In 1941, Swiss engineer George de Mestral was on a hunting trip when he noticed burrs clinging persistently to his dog’s fur and his own clothing. Intrigued, he examined the burrs under a microscope and discovered that their hooks were perfectly designed to latch onto loops of fabric and fur.

This observation led him to invent Velcro, a two-part fastening system consisting of hooks and loops. The biomimetic design quickly became a practical solution for countless applications, from securing medical devices to making toddler shoes easier for little hands—and their tired parents—to manage. 

Its enduring popularity across industries, from clothing and sports equipment to space exploration, demonstrates how a simple natural mechanism can inspire a versatile and revolutionary product.

3. Squid skin creates a breakthrough in smart windows 

More than a quarter of a building’s energy is lost through standard glass-pane windows. Inspired by how squids and krill change their appearance by moving pigments in their skin, researchers at the University of Toronto, led by Professor Benjamin Hatton, have designed dynamic panels that adjust how much light they let through. 

Their design involves moving various liquids—dye solutions, glycerol, and carbon powder suspensions—through channels carved into thin plastic sheets. Layering these materials allows for precise control over light and heat transfer. In simulations, these squid-inspired windows demonstrated energy savings of 75% on heating, 20% on lighting, and 43% on total energy use compared to existing darkening windows. 

Buildings consume about a third of the world’s energy, and that footprint is expected to double by 2050. Hatton believes this technology could play a crucial role in creating energy-efficient buildings as global demand continues to grow.

4. Gecko feet advance adhesive technology

Geckos are known for their incredible ability to climb walls and even walk across ceilings with ease. Their secret lies in the tiny hairs on their feet, called setae, which create a molecular attraction known as van der Waals forces. 

Inspired by this natural adhesion mechanism, researchers at Stanford University have created a synthetic adhesive that mimics the natural mechanism of gecko feet. Unlike traditional adhesives that rely on glue or sticky substances, this innovation provides strong, residue-free adhesion that can be easily removed and reused.

This breakthrough technology has numerous potential applications. In robotics, it can be used for gripping and climbing mechanisms. In medicine, it could provide new options for bandages or surgical tools that adhere without causing damage or leaving residue. Additionally, the material could be applied to manufacturing processes where efficient, reusable, and environmentally friendly adhesion is required. 

5. Humpback whale fins transform wind turbines

Humpback whale flippers are uniquely adapted for agility and efficiency. Unlike the smooth, streamlined designs often favored in engineering, these flippers have tubercles—rounded bumps along their leading edge. This texture helps break up turbulent airflow, reducing drag and increasing lift. It also allows whales, despite their immense size, to make tight, agile turns while swimming.

Biologist Frank Fish, intrigued by these unusual flipper features, collaborated with aeronautical engineer Philip Watts and inventor Stephen W. Dewar to replicate this natural design in turbine blades. Their company, WhalePower, developed blades with tubercles that produce up to 20% more power, reduce noise by at least 2 decibels, and extend the lifespan of components by 25%. This design also allows turbines to continue producing power even in less windy conditions.

Listening to Nature’s lessons

Biomimicry shows us that nature is a mentor with invaluable lessons to offer. Whether it’s the streamlined beak of a kingfisher improving high-speed trains or the tubercled flippers of a whale revolutionizing turbine design, these natural inspirations are reshaping our technologies in profound ways. 

As we face escalating environmental crises, looking to the natural world offers solutions that are both economical and ecologically sound. Nature’s ingenuity has evolved over billions of years—perhaps the smartest thing we can do is listen and learn.

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