Biomimetic Design; BCI Ideas from Nature

Date: 2/19/23

Location: Main St., Carbondale, Colorado.

Conditions: Warm and sunny, anticipation of an upcoming new snow.

Intent of Session: Noticing functional strategies in nature.

Result of Session: Today was a warm winter day, as it snowed several days ago, and it has warmed up again, which means a new snow is likely to come tomorrow. While enjoying this warm spell, I noticed birds flitting around, the warmth coming down on to me, and directly in front of me, the sun is hitting an Aspen tree in such a way, that it seemed to be glowing. I noticed the Aspen tree more than I had ever before (as I've sat near this particular tree many times). While the tree was glowing, I noticed the stark contrast of the black and white bits of the Aspen Tree bark. So I wondered.... "why does nature do that?"

While I a was deeply captured by the beautiful contrast of the Aspen tree bark, I was rudely interrupted by the loud squawking caw of a crow. My senses noted- why is this very common bird so much louder an obnoxious than some other common birds? So I wondered.... "why do crows do that?"

Lastly, as I sat in (almost) silence, I was very much enjoying the warm sunny weather. Which is always such an interesting fact to me, that we can have sunny warm days in winter, but it means snow tomorrow. A typical weather pattern that the warm air then causes precipitation for tomorrow. But yet again I ask, "why does nature do that?"

Imagine: So, here I answer my four questions:

1. Why are Aspen trees white?

The outer cells of the tree form the thick bark. As the outer cells die, they leave behind a white powder.

2. Why are Aspen trees black in parts?

The black marks on Aspen trees (called a cytospora canker) is caused by a fungal disease that causes patches of bright orange bark that will ooze a brown liquid. After a few years, the bark begins to fall off to reveal black areas beneath it.

3. Why do crows caw?

When they are mobbing a predator or are needing to recruit the help of other crows, they make loud caw sounds to give the impression of a larger, stronger group in a bid to scare the predator.

4. Why does it get warm before a snow storm?

Heavy snowfalls occur when there is relatively warm air near the ground, since warmer air can hold more water vapor.

Now that I have some answers, what can I do with this information as a designer? What can I create? Here are some ideas!

White Aspen Tree Bark: A product container that lets you know when food is going bad by changing color
Black Aspen Tree Bark: bandages that change color when they need to be changed to avoid infections.
Cawing Crows: TV volume that adjusts based on the sound around you (similar to how auto brightness works).
Warmth before Snow: A shower head that creates steam first in a shower to warm up the bathroom (to avoid running the shower first and wasting water to create steam).