biomimetics

biomimetics — noun

1. the study of how living things work, used to create human-made materials, device

1.nounC2
Definition

the study of how living things work, used to create human-made materials, devices, or systems that copy useful ideas from nature

Example

Engineers at Joon's lab use biomimetics to design quieter train noses.

pattern: use biomimetics to design

Aylin studied biomimetics after seeing how lotus leaves keep water off.

example of natural model: lotus leaves

Common collocations
  • biomimetics research
  • biomimetics lab
  • biomimetics approach
  • use biomimetics in design
Synonyms
  • biomimicry

    very close term, often used when design copies a solution already seen in nature

  • bionics

    usually narrower and more focused on mechanical or electronic systems that copy body functions

  • bio-inspired design

    broader modern term that can include looser influence from nature

Grammar Patterns

use biomimetics to + verb

biomimetics in + field

Usage Note

Usually uncountable. It names a field of study or design method, not a single product, so people say 'use biomimetics in packaging' rather than 'a biomimetics'.

Common Mistakes

Our team built a biomimetics for the robot hand.
Our team used biomimetics to design the robot hand.
'biomimetics' names the field or method, not one machine.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Biomimetics, biomimicry, bionics, and bio-inspired design all involve learning from nature, but they are not exact synonyms. Biomimetics is often the broad scientific or engineering field that studies natural structures and processes in order to build human-made ones. Biomimicry often stresses copying nature's solutions in a design project. Bionics is usually narrower and points more to electronic or mechanical systems that copy body functions, such as artificial limbs or sensors. Bio-inspired design is the widest label and can describe work that is influenced by living things even when the copying is less direct.

biomimetics ↗biomimicry ↗bionics ↗bio-inspired design

Common collocations

Nouns

  • biomimetics research
  • biomimetics lab
  • biomimetics approach
  • biomimetics project

Phrases

  • study biomimetics
  • apply biomimetics in product design
  • use biomimetics to solve problems

Prepositions

  • biomimetics in architecture
  • biomimetics for materials design

Etymology

GreekEnglish

Built in modern scientific English from bio-, meaning 'life', and mimetic, meaning 'copying or imitating'. The word is used for the study of designs and processes that imitate living things.