How will we design our future, sustainably?

At the next Greendrinks Naperville, Biomimicry Chicago emerging network leader Amy Coffman Phillips describes her journey to learn from nature to inspire sustainable design.  This introduction to biomimicry will inspire those that attend to learn from nature to design more sustainable products, buildings, and systems.  

How can a solar cell be inspired by a leaf?

How can a spider web help protect birds from windows?  

Come find out at the next Greendrinks Naperville and join the discussion!

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011.  7pm

Sugar Toad at the Hotel Arista

2139 City Gate Lane, Naperville, IL

Biomimicry Student Design Challenge

The Biomimicry Institute is excited to announce the next Biomimicry Student Design Challenge.  Available to students worldwide, and with prizes thanks to funding from the Merck Family Fund, students are challenged to form interdisciplinary teams and design a solution that results in more efficient energy utilization and ultimately reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The Challenge's website is still under construction, but check it out, pre-register, and check back often for new posted information and resources.

Source: asknature.org

Biomimicry Regional Specialist Certificate 2012 - Apply Now!

The Biomimicry Regional Specialist (BSpecialty) Certificate is an eight-month training program for individuals who want to catalyze their biomimicry expertise as it applies to their field and who are interested in forming locally attuned biomimicry networks.  Cohorts are now forming in Western and Eastern North America as well as Europe - apply here!

Let's get a critical mass going here in Chicago!

BioLink: Four Futuristic Technologies Inspired By Sharks

Photo by Jaymi Heimbuch

As we come across particularly interesting Biomimicry related articles, we will post links to spread knowledge in our local region.  This article by @TreeHugger talks about four technologies that were inspired by sharks and while we don't have any sharks in the Midwest, they have quite a bit to teach us. 

• Paint That Creates More Efficient Windmills, Airplanes and Ships
• Shark-Inspired "Skin" for Cars to Improve MPG
• Shark Skin-Inspired Material Stops Bacterial Breakouts
• Basking Shark Inspires Improved Hydropower Turbine

Also, please check out the twitter feed to the right and follow @amycoffman for real time updates about local biomimicry!