Julian Vincent has studied the mechanical design of animals and plants
for the last 20 years. Some of the information so gained has been applied
to the design and development of novel materials, some of them 'smart'.
Some biological mechanisms have been modelled or plagiarised. There are
examples of parallel evolution between nature and architecture such as
ventilation towers similar to animal structures, and famously the termite's
nest is a paradigm. Control in the natural systems is often at a local
level, removing the need for integrated control. The sensors and effectors
can be closely linked and the overall control is an emergent property
of the organism or population.
'Nature solves problems and Engineers want answers. What better marriage?'
jv