Biomimetics: Biologically Inspired Technologies
Features
Summary
Nature is the world's foremost designer. With billions of years of experience and boasting the most extensive laboratory available, it conducts research in every branch of engineering and science. Nature's designs and capabilities have always inspired technology, from the use of tongs and tweezers to genetic algorithms and autonomous legged robots. Taking a systems perspective rather than focusing narrowly on materials or chemistry aspects, Biomimetics: Biologically Inspired Technologies examines the field from every angle.
The book contains pioneering approaches to biomimetics including a new perspective on the mechanization of cognition and intelligence, as well as defense and attack strategies in nature, their applications, and potential. It surveys the field from modeling to applications and from nano- to macro-scales, beginning with an introduction to principles of using biology to inspire designs as well as biological mechanisms as models for technology.
This innovative guide discusses evolutionary robotics; genetic algorithms; molecular machines; multifunctional, biological-, and nano- materials; nastic structures inspired by plants; and functional surfaces in biology. Looking inward at biological systems, the book covers the topics of biomimetic materials, structures, control, cognition, artificial muscles, biosensors that mimic senses, artificial organs, and interfaces between engineered and biological systems. The final chapter contemplates the future of the field and outlines the challenges ahead.
Featuring extensive illustrations, including a 32-page full-color insert, Biomimetics: Biologically Inspired Technologies provides unmatched breadth of scope as well as lucid illumination of this promising field.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Biomimetics: The Wealth of Inventions in Nature as an Inspiration for Human Innovation; Yoseph Bar-Cohen
Biological Mechanisms as Models for Mimicking: Sarcomere Design, Arrangement, and Muscle Function; Kenneth Meijer, Juan C. Moreno, and Hans H.C.M. Savelberg
Mechanization of Cognition; Robert Hecht-Nielsen
Evolutionary Robotics and Open-Ended Design Automation; Hod Lipson
Genetic Algorithms: Mimicking Evolution and Natural Selection in Optimization Models; Tammy Drezner and Zvi Drezner
Robotic Biomimesis of Intelligent Mobility, Manipulation, and Expression; David Hanson
Bio-Nanorobotics: A Field Inspired by Nature; Ajay Ummat, Atul Dubey, and Constantinos Mavroidis
Molecular Design of Biological and Nano-Materials; Shuguang Zhang, Hidenori Yokoi, and Xiaojun Zhao
Engineered Muscle Actuators: Cells and Tissues; Robert G. Dennis and Hugh Herr
Artificial Muscles Using Electroactive Polymers; Yoseph Bar-Cohen
Biologically Inspired Optical Systems; Robert Szema and Luke P. Lee
Multifunctional Materials; Sia Nemat-Nasser, Syrus Nemat-Nasser, Thomas Plaisted, Anthony Starr, and Alireza Vakil Amirkhizi
Defense and Attack Strategies and Mechanisms in Biology; Julian F.V. Vincent
Biological Materials in Engineering Mechanisms; Justin Carlson, Shail Ghaey, Sean Moran, Cam Anh Tran, and David L. Kaplan
Functional Surfaces in Biology: Mechanisms and Applications; Stanislav N. Gorb
Biomimetic and Biologically Inspired Control; Zhiwei Luo, Shigeyuki Hosoe, and Masami Ito
Interfacing Microelectronics and the Human Visual System; Rajat N. Agrawal, Mark S. Humayun, James Weiland, Gianluca Lazzi, and Keyoor Chetan Gosalia
Artificial Support and Replacement of Human Organs; Pramod Bonde
Nastic Structures: The Enacting and Mimicking of Plant Movements; Rainer Stahlberg and Minoru Taya
Biomimetics: Reality, Challenges, and Outlook; Yoseph Bar-Cohen
Index
Author Bio(s)
Editorial Reviews
"The focus on robotics and on optimization by evolution seems to be unique and constitutes the main claim of Bar-Cohen’s volume to widespread attention. Another feature of the book is the extreme care he has taken to obtain the critical opinions of 66 experts, and their ministrations evidently contributed much to the book’s clarity of presentation."
– Robert W. Cahn, Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, in Nature, November 23, 2006, Vol. 444
