CCT+333+Lab+6

**CCT333 Tutorial #6 Wiki Question:** Look over examples of her biomimetic principles applied to products in the slideshow located at [] and write a short, one paragraph synopsis for each of your three favourite product designs. Describe why you like the design in your responses.

The first product design that I like is Japan’s high-speed train. This 500 Series Shinkansen bullet train is one of the fastest in the world with top speeds of some 200 mph. To enable it to run quietly at high speeds, designers emulated one of the quietest birds, the owl. This was done by designing small serrations similar to those on owl feathers. Another biomimetic design element is the train’s nose cone, modeled after a kingfisher’s beak. This aerodynamic design reduces the sonic boom that occurs when the train passes from a tunnel back into the open air, reducing noise pollution. I like this design because it enables advancements in speed technology by providing less resistance while giving back to the environment and to its users by reducing noise pollution and increasing comfort.

Another product design I like is the sonar-enabled cane called the UltraCane. This product was created by a small company in Barnsley, England called Sound Foresight. This high-tech device uses sonar-like technology- similar to the way bats navigate in the dark – to aid the vision-impaired against collisions. The cane sends out sound waves ahead of the person holding it. It then senses upcoming objects, such as streets signs or other people, and provides a tactile warning of an oncoming obstacle. I like this design because it allows for the vision-impaired to use other senses to continue living on with their daily lives and makes it safer for them by preventing collisions.

Another great product design I like is the self-cleaning paint, created by a German company called Sto. The hydrophobic surface structure of lotus leaves inspired this company to create this line of self-cleaning paints. This company was looking for a solution that did not require toxic detergents to clean the paints surface. So they imbued similar surface structures to the paint that repel water, meaning that rainwater washes away any dirt. I like this design because it is environmentally friendly. It reduces the use of toxic detergents and cleaners to clean surfaces as it allows for water to wash away any dirt.