Bioinspiration

.....Another interesting post from my NS 202 students.....

After viewing today's lab and seeing the constraints in building our molecules, it is easy to see the connection made with nature. In the lab, we had to build a molecule with limiting factors such as the shape, size and lack of flexibility of certain pieces. Also, we began by each individually building a part of the larger structure, and putting it all together proved challenging because each individual had a different approach to building their piece.      

 

                    

When humans design buildings, for example, they need to take into account similar constraints, like weather, foundation, and natural disasters. The freeze thaw phenomenon is an example of a constraint that can affect humans design systems. This phenomenon affects architecture made of materials such as stone or rock because if a crack develops and water seeps through the cracks and eventually freezes, the hydrogen bods will expand, causing the stone construction to destabilize.  

                   

In order to prevent these types of catastrophic scenarios in which human beings would be put at risk, we should look towards nature to develop new technologies and harness new resources. For example, similar to our lab in which we created a flexible molecule, developers should rely on a more appropriate weather materials specific to their region and country. In a real life situation, Floridian homes experience extreme flooding causing developers to create new infrastructures for housing in which they need to elevate their homes. 

                      

In conclusion, people should look towards nature and those resources as a way to combat real life problems. Different locations offer new challenges and new resources that can deter constraints. Basic labs like today help us find inspiration for complicated problems.