Using Biological Analogies for Engineering Problem Solving and Design

Shu, L. H.

doi:10.24908/pceea.v0i0.3825

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…This method cannot be expected to be used directly with other types of biological texts, e.g., research papers [29]. The search keywords used are verbs that describe the desired effects of a possible solution, as well as words that are often found in excerpts of text together with the target verb, so-called biologically meaningful keywords [59,60,61]. The NLP approach was found in general to retrieve either nothing, or many irrelevant results [19,62].…”

Section: Related Computer-aided Biomimetics Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards a Design Process for Computer-Aided Biomimetics

et al. 2018

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Computer-Aided Biomimetics (CAB) tools aim to support the integration of relevant biological knowledge into biomimetic problem-solving processes. Specific steps of biomimetic processes that require support include the identification, selection and abstraction of relevant biological analogies. Existing CAB tools usually aim to support these steps by describing biological systems in terms of functions, although engineering functions do not map naturally to biological functions. Consequentially, the resulting static, functional view provides an incomplete understanding of biological processes, which are dynamic, cyclic and self-organizing. This paper proposes an alternative approach that revolves around the concept of trade-offs. The aim is to include the biological context, such as environmental characteristics, that may provide information crucial to the transfer of biological information to an engineering application. The proposed design process is exemplified by an illustrative case study.

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Section: Related Computer-aided Biomimetics Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards a Design Process for Computer-Aided Biomimetics

et al. 2018

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“…Our approach of searching for biological phenomena in natural-language format has aided in several design exercises, including design for remanufacturing (Hacco & Shu 2002), the micro-assembly gripper (Shu, et al 2006), and more recently, dust protection in the lunar environment for the Canadian space agency (Davidson, et al 2009).…”

Section: Nomenclaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Design Improvements on a Bipolar Plate With Passive Water Management Using the Biomimetic Design Method

Wallace

Shu

2010

ASME 2010 8th International Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology Conference: Volume 1

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Liquid water build up in the cathode flow channels of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) can limit performance. A mechanism that removes accumulating liquid water continuously from the flow channels is required. While a number of water management strategies have been demonstrated, the search for improvements continues. This paper describes a novel technique of using biomimetic design to systematically generate a passive water management system concept for PEMFCs. Studies have shown that biology is a good source of analogies for engineering design. We believe that biomimetic design is an effective design methodology for PEMFC designs due to several common characteristics of biological systems, such as efficient use of material and energy, a self-regulating characteristic, and high tolerance to a wide range of operating conditions. A passive water management solution was generated based on two biological phenomena identified using the biomimetic design method. The biological phenomena inspired use of design elements such as random abrasions and polyethersulfone strands to remove water from the flow channels. The design was demonstrated on a simple test apparatus with low air flow rates and low inlet pressure. Preliminary experiments with the test apparatus have shown total recovery from flow channel catastrophic flooding within seconds. The present paper discusses the biomimetic design process, implementation, and prototype results.

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“…Inter-domain analogies require designers to identify and match relational patterns between source and target domains without obvious superficial similarities [3] [7]. While there are many well-known examples of biomimetic design that were first inspired from superficial similarities [8] [9], fewer designs were inspired purely from deeper, structural similarities [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%