Without doubt the zipper is one of the most known examples of a new product
based on a biologic phenomena. The engineers of NASA were inspired by
the weaving-technique of the spider. Meant in first instance for astronauts,
the zipper is an item no longer to be withdrawn from our daily lives.
Also architects many times made comparisons with ingenious biologic systems.
Examples
of these are the cooling-system of the termitarium, the energy-system
of the chameleon and the fur of a polarbear. The fur of a polarbear maximally
absorbs the scarce heat of the sun. The sun is reflected on the black
skin by the white hairs. The black surface enables a maximum absorption
and the large weight of the body of the bear functions as a buffer, while
at the same moment the insulating capacities of the fur prevent the received
heat from escaping. The fur of an polarbear functions as an energy trap.
In a warmer climate polarbears fear the danger of collapsing from a heat
accumulation.
jv