top of page
Biomimetics
Biology Inspired Design
INNOVATORS & ECONOMY [9]
Velcro
The hook and loop fastener was invented by Swiss electrical engineer George de Mestral when he was walking his dog and saw burrs clinging to his clothes in the 1940s. Velcro has since then become a privately held worldwide corporation, manufacturing consumer and industrial products. The company is has made $261.2 million in sales as of 2003, and has over 2,800 employees. [1] "Velcro Brand solutions are the smarter way to connect things in the home, office, and classroom. Why smarter? Take all the things you would use other fasteners for -- nails, tape zippers, string -- and combine them into one easy-to-use and reusable product." [3]
Qualcomm Mirasol
The company Qualcomm observed the reflective properties of butterfly wings to invent a screen that reflects light rather than emitting it. "Microscopic mirrors in each pixel change the size of an air gap inside the display. Depending on the size of the gap, white light is reflected back as red, green, or blue. The benefits include long battery life, to the point where the display can be always on and always useful, with color, high resolution and touch enabled interactions and the display is visible in the brightest of sunshine." [12] The company has made $813.9 million in sales since 1996, and has employed over 6,000 people. [1]
Geckskin
Alfred Crosby and Duncan Irschick, scientists at UMass Amherst, invented a new super-adhesive material based off of gecko feet. Geckos have stiff tendons attached to their toepads that enable geckos to cling to a wide variety of surfaces. "Named one of the top five science breakthroughs of 2012 by CNN Money, Geckskinâ„¢ is so powerful that an index-card sized piece can hold 700 pounds on a smooth surface, such as glass, yet can be easily released, and leaves no residue." Geckskin is still under development. [14]
bottom of page