Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


FecheyrD.D (final).pdf (2.84 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Implementing Biomimicry Thinking from fundamental R&D to creating nature-aligned organizations

Fecheyr Lippens, Daphne
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8096-5272
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1506510439362348

Abstract Details

2017, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Biology.
The appreciation for nature as inspiration for design has happened throughout human history. However, it wasn’t until the late 1990s that biomimicry was put forward as a discipline providing a framework to more actively and consciously use nature’s time-tested and refined strategies to inform innovative products, services and systems. The implementation of biomimicry as a design tool to solve real-life, time-sensitive challenges inherently requires an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach. Biological knowledge needs to be made available, either by new research or by extracting it from existing literature. This then needs to be abstracted into design principles to be used to inform the creation of new designs. Ultimately this design needs to be commercialized by organizations that remain successful under rapidly changing conditions. In this PhD work I explored the implications of implementing biomimicry thinking throughout this entire process, which included the scientific, engineering, design and business world. It is through experiential and observational learning that people are trained to design, support, and lead biomimicry endeavors. By sharing my experiences, challenges, concerns and research results I am hoping to boost the further development of biomimicry as a tool for technological and social innovation, as well as promote the potential of biomimicry to facilitate a sustainability transition and therefore increase its prominent implementation for solving real-life, time-sensitive challenges. The growing interest and successful application of biomimicry can ultimately result not only in more environmentally conscious technologies, but also make organizations themselves nature-aligned.
Peter Niewiarowski (Advisor)
Matthew Shawkey (Advisor)
Dayna Baumeister (Committee Member)
Pravin Bhiwapurkar (Committee Member)
Ali Dhinojwala (Committee Member)
Karim Alamgir (Committee Member)
145 p.
Architecture; Biophysics; Environmental Engineering; Sustainability
Biomimicry; sustainable development; light modulation; avian eggshells; photodegradation; ultra-violet protection; waste management; architecture; building envelope; adaptive thermal comfort;

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Fecheyr Lippens, D. (2017). Implementing Biomimicry Thinking from fundamental R&D to creating nature-aligned organizations [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1506510439362348

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Fecheyr Lippens, Daphne. Implementing Biomimicry Thinking from fundamental R&D to creating nature-aligned organizations . 2017. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1506510439362348.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Fecheyr Lippens, Daphne. "Implementing Biomimicry Thinking from fundamental R&D to creating nature-aligned organizations ." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1506510439362348

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1506510439362348
2,632
© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.