F. Pacheco-Torgal – Biotechnologies and Biomimetics for Civil Engineering (2015)

Автор: F. Torgal
Название книги: Biotechnologies and Biomimetics for Civil Engineering
Формат: PDF
Жанр: Биологические науки
Страницы: 441
Качество: Изначально компьютерное, E-book

Putting forward an innovative approach to solving current technological problems faced by human society, this book encompasses a holistic way of perceiving the potential of natural systems. Nature has developed several materials and processes which both maintain an optimal performance and are also totally biodegradable, properties which can be used in civil engineering.

Delivering the latest research findings to building industry professionals and other practitioners, as well as containing information useful to the public, ‘Biotechnologies and Biomimetics for Civil Engineering’ serves as an important tool to tackle the challenges of a more sustainable construction industry and the future of buildings.

In Nature there is an economic use of energy and materials. Water and air are vital
for the plant and animal kingdoms to live and much of architecture is about how
these are channelled in various climates in order to provide the best environment
for the organism’s survival. Much of our aesthetic is derived from the organic and
fluid language that you find in Nature. It involves complex, three dimensional
geometries but there is always a rigorous logic behind them. Animals, including
humans, and plants have evolved various strategies for dealing with control to suit
the local changing conditions such as thermal insulation, cooling via radiating
surfaces, blood flow. In addition, plants are unique in being able to convert sunlight
into integrated functionality in the process of photosynthesis.
The words optimisation and integration are often used by building design teams
but often without any idea about how these can be achieved, even though there are
methods in operational research such as dynamic, integer or linear programming
available. Integration and optimisation in Nature appear as completely natural
processes.
Now many researchers and designers believe in sustainable solutions for
architecture using lessons from the natural world. The attraction of biomimetics
for building designers is that it raises the prospect of closer integration of form and
function. It promises to yield more interaction with the user by for example,
learning from the sophisticated sensor systems in animals including the insect
world. However, there are barriers including ever changing standards; the fragmentation
of the construction industry at educational and professional levels; the
persistent traditional culture with regard to matters like innovation and sacrificing
value for cheap capital cost.
This book presents a true galaxy of ideas from biomimetics and how they
maybe applied in engineering and architecture. The ideas here will have radical consequences for architecture. New materials can make not only low energy but
also more beautiful facades that can produce healthier climates for people to work
in. Energy systems using bacterial fuel cells, self-cleaning and self-healing
materials and many other ideas are presented here by a distinguished group of
international authors.
Not least biomimetics makes us think laterally. We can think the unthinkable
because Nature is full of remarkable surprises and yet simplicity too. Our education
in schools and universities needs to embrace all the creativity and wonder
that Nature can show us. Biomimetics is at the interfaces of biology, engineering,
material science, and chemistry and encourages an open dialogue, which can bring
enlightenment about problems as displayed in this book.
Derek Clements-Croome