Bionics

Bionics – derived from the Greek word for “life”, this word represents an attitude that does not regard nature and technology as contradictory but focuses on how they influence each other. The purpose of this very young branch of science is to use solutions invented by nature over millions of years as a source of inspiration for technical innovations.

Penguins, for instance, are a great source of inspiration –these birds’ wings have been converted to rudders. They are considered the animal kingdom’s best wing swimmers. In their natural environment, they cover up to 100 kilometres a day and achieve top speeds of more than seven metres a second – such as when jumping onto an iceberg from water. Thanks to the aerodynamic shape of its body, a penguin uses exceptionally little energy in the process. Engineers have used this knowledge to develop  more efficient and environmentally friendly means of transport.