Bioinspiration

Bioinspiration is a methodology in which biological systems, processes, and elements are studied to draw analogies to be applied to human design and industrial challenges.

• Bioinspiration, the field which translates ideas and concepts found in nature to practical applications in the commercial world, has demonstrated significant growth in the past five years. Performance across firms applying the technology, however, has varied considerably.
• The increases in patents issued, articles published in scholarly journals, and research grants show a 51/2-fold increase in bioinspired activity since 2000, according to the DaVinci Index developed by the Fermanian Business & Economic Institute (FBEI). The scholarly articles component has led with a 61/2-fold gain.
• Bioinspired technology has the potential to transform large slices of the economy, penetrating many industries, particularly those in manufacturing. Agriculture, mining, construction, waste management, and information technology could also see sizable impacts. The greatest inroads appear to now be occurring in chemistry, materials science, and engineering.
• By 2030, bioinspiration could account for $425 billion of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) in terms of 2013 dollars. Another $65 billion could be contributed through the savings that bioinspiration could offer in terms of reduced resource depletion and pollution.
• Globally, by 2030, bioinspiration could generate $1.6 trillion of total output or GDP. Resource and pollution mitigation could amount to another $0.5 trillion.
• Various products and solutions continue to spin off from bioinspiration. In the medical field, sunscreen and synthetic blood are being developed. 3D printing promises to be a major economic disruptor and bioinspired materials could be central to its development.
• Investors have not yet embraced bioinspiration to a significant degree, as awareness of the field is still limited and demands for tangible evidence of success remain. The potential for substantial capital inflows into the field persists although not because bioinspiration is “green,” but because nature is becoming recognized as a “treasure trove” of innovation.
• On balance, bioinspiration has enormous potential, but much needs to be done by leaders in the field, business, and the financial sector to move it beyond a fledgling industry or niche player in the economy to its possible role as a major game changer.
• The possibilities and importance of bioinspiration cannot be overstated as it remains the “bridge” that can bring together and accomplish both the goals of environmental preservation and economic growth.

Source: Fermanian Business & Economic Institute (2013)