Biology to Design Project

Michelle Dunn

Assignment 5.1

B2D Design Report

2.19.23

Inspiration:

1. Canadian Goose:

2. Humpback Whale:

3. Lesser Burdock:

Design Spiral Process:

1. Canadian Goose

a. Lap 1

i. Discover: Shape of B-Sheet keratin

ii. Abstract: a different spiral shape than mammal keratin

iii. Brainstorm: designing fabrics that have this spiral shape fiber to hold in heat

iv. Emulate:

v. Evaluate: It performs its function with minimal material and energy

b. Lap 2

i. Discover: Architecture of down feathers

ii. Abstract: Interlocking “spines” to trap in warm air

iii. Brainstorm: designing insulation with this woven structure to hold in heat

iv. Emulate:

v. Evaluate: It performs its function with minimal material and energy

c. Lap 3

i. Discover: Strength of down keratin

ii. Abstract: woven in a different density than keratin in mammals

iii. Brainstorm: Design both a combination of insulation or fabrics with this strength, especially for very technical outerwear.

iv. Emulate:

v. Evaluate: It can withstand disturbance while maintaining its function.

2. Humpback Whale

a. Lap 1

i. Discover: Baleen bristles filter small particles all at once

ii. Abstract: Keratin Bristles trap particles

iii. Brainstorm: Can be used to filter toxins out of water

iv. Emulate:

v. Evaluate: Design uses shape for its resourceful function.

b. Lap 2

i. Discover: tongue pushes water through baleen

ii. Abstract: uses a force to quickly filter

iii. Brainstorm: using a force to desalinate water quickly

iv. Emulate:

v. Evaluate: Design uses free local energy (tongue of whale)

c. Lap 3

i. Discover: captures large amounts of food just by opening its mouth, can expand through grooves in lower body.

ii. Abstract: gets large amounts of food/energy all at once for such a big creature.

iii. Brainstorm: A machine to capture large amounts of energy and quickly flush out what isn’t needed through expansion and contraction.

iv. Emulate:

v. Evaluate: The components of the system are self-organizing. Expands and contracts its shape with minimal effort.

3. Lesser Burdock

a. Lap 1

i. Discover: Incased hook shape

ii. Abstract: to hook onto hairs of animals passing by

iii. Brainstorm: a new method for cleaning pet hair off of clothes/furniture

iv. Emulate:

v. Evaluate: Design uses simple shape for its function.

b. Lap 2

i. Discover: Incased hook shape

ii. Abstract: Grabs on to animals in order to spread seeds

iii. Brainstorm: Idea of spreading ideas or items as people pass through. Such as reduced shipping transportation. Individuals can transport goods (and get a benefit) of transportation of goods on their already planned commute/travel to a destination.

iv. Emulate:

v. Evaluate: There are opportunities for cross-pollination and mutation.

Final Designs:

1. Canadian Goose Insulation Fabric:

A down alternative insulation padding fabric. The layers of the fabric itself are shaped into a springy, spiral design similar to the keratin spiral of the down feather. The insulation itself is woven in a thread pattern made of up one direction with a thicker stem, and another cross diagonally pattern with a thinner thread to emulate the shape of the down feather itself. These shapes help retain heat as well as are durable.

2. Baleen Whale Water Toxin Remover:

A machine to be integrated into a fabric dyeing process. Rather than dumping the water with the chemical compounds, a small micro filter can filter out most of the toxic particles in the water by pushing through the filter. Water is contained in a chamber, and is pushed through the filter using the pressure of the next batch of water being dumped, using the force of the water itself to push through the chamber door/paddle. This mostly cleaned filtered water can continue to be used in the process multiple times, reducing the need for completely fresh water.

3. Lesser Burdock Seed Spreading/Consumer Package Transporting:

(No sketch as this is an idea rather than a product)

Consumers travel from place to place all the time. Why not along the way they can transport packages (from services such as Amazon) going in the direction they already happen to be going. There can be main stations in common areas, and a check in/check out system. For every package a consumer transports, they can get a credit (such as with Amazon). This reduces the amount of trucks on the road just to transport packages. This can work well with commuters from suburban areas to and from cities.