PHILOSOPHY
TRIZ appears very compatible with Biomimicry: minimise external resources,
use resources efficiently, leverage even bad effects, and understand the
problem as a system.  TRIZ strives to bridge the abstract concepts of
researchers and academics with the concrete world of engineers and
designers.  I believe the reliance of TRIZ on technical contradictions as
key problem solving component parallels the fundamentally optimistic nature
of Biomimicry, refusing to fall into the trap that doing the right things
necessarily means we will 'freeze in the dark'.

CONTENT
TRIZ includes databases of physical, chemical, mathematical and engineering
principles organised by function for easy retrieval.  These databases are
available as part of software tools such as Innovation
Machine's "TechOptimizer" and Ideation International's "Innovation
Workbench".  TRIZ has abstracted information discovered from patent
applications into 40 Inventive Principles.  TRIZ also defines a set of
solution parameters, arranged in a 39 x 39 matrix that define Technical
Contradictions where improving one parameter causes another parameter to
worsen.  The top two or three inventive principles have been associated
with each pair of parameters, based on a patent analysis linking
contradictions to the inventive principle used in the solution.
Using patents as the basis for the original TRIZ body of knowledge was a
masterstroke. Patent information is compact (patent libraries/databases),
concise (written in the language required by the patent approval process),
and directional (focus is on the end-result/effect, supported by underlying
principles/means).  I suspect biological information is typically written
with greater emphasis on the description of the organism or natural
system.  Often, the underlying function is  analysed in terms that are very
specific to the object of study, the reverse of a typical patent
application structure.  Although a review of existing
Biomimetics/Biomimicry examples suggests that the 40 Inventive Principles
apply to biological problems,  categorising biological principles by
function and abstracting a Biological Contradictions matrix may require
considerable effort and specialised skills.

METHODOLOGY
The methodology of TRIZ is the Algorithm of Inventive Problem Solving
(ARIZ).  It involves a complex series of nine steps including problem
analysis through investigation of Technical Contradictions, problem
abstraction, reformulation into Physical Contradictions (mutually opposite
requirements of one technical aspect need to be simultaneously fulfilled),
and solution through application of Separation Principles.  Tools include
functional "Substance-Field Analysis", 76 Inventive Standard Solutions, and
the theory of ideality (technology develops towards self-serving/self
actuating, without use of external systems).  Eight specific technology
evolution trends have been identified, including increasing dimensions,
noncontinuous movement, and surface segmentation.  Based on preliminary
study, it is likely that additional natural evolution trends will be
identified.
The training required to be proficient in ARIZ has resulted in slow
application of TRIZ in technology fields.  If anything, the challenge will
be even greater in Biomimetics and Biomimicry.  The Unified Structural
Inventive Thinking (USIT) developed at Ford Motor Company appears to be
simpler approach.  Toru Nakagawa implies that problem solving with USIT can
leverage technical databases and software tools, although USIT does not
require them (focused on generating multiple concepts quickly than on the
engineering details).  Another concern is the lack of a common language
between designers/engineers/architects and biological researcher.  The leap
from biology to application ranges from the straightforward (mussel foot
based glues), through the unexpected (rough surfaces can be self-cleaning)
to the obscure (applying forest floor patterning reduces waste and
increases visual uniformity).  Until such time as a common language evolves
and is generally accepted, we may need experts trained in TRIZ, biology and
technology to mediate between researchers and practitioners.  Contrary to
Richard Kirk's concerns of April 18/2002, I don't expect that machines will
replace human inventiveness and creativity for some time to come!

SUMMARY
Although TRIZ brings organisational structure, an existing body of
knowledge and a methodology for applying this knowledge to problems, it is
not clear to me how comprehensive information from the realm of biology can
efficiently added to TRIZ.  I expect a significant number of experts in the
field of biology as well as the principles of TRIZ will need to work
together closely on this project.  Similarly, using the TRIZ to solve
problems in the field of Biomimetics and Biomimicry may prove to be
challenging, due to the high learning curve of TRIZ and the language
differences between practitioners and researchers.  We may need individuals
trained in ARIZ or USIT methodologies who are able to translate between
groups.

If collaboration turns out to be a critical element of both extending and
applying TRIZ, considerable effort may be required to identify, build and
maintain the necessary relationships between the participants.