I am a graduate student of industrial design at The University
of Calgary working on my Master’s degree project.
I am looking for biological inspirations for cold weather design.
I am designing a ski/snowshoe that is dynamic in that it changes
from ski to snowshoe, and back repeatedly, depending on the terrain.
I am taking a biomimetic approach to this project to possibly see
the implications and potential limitations/benefits of biomimetics
as an approach for the design process.
Thus far, I have been looking at both plant and animal life for
inspiration. Structural elements of plants (e.g. cross-sections
of branches and their means of fastening to stems) and animals
(e.g. ligament structure and layout related to connections to
rimiges in a swan’s wing) have been of interest. Also, I am looking
into the use of materials embodying properties similar those found
in resilin, abductin, collagen and abalone nacre.
Does anyone know of any animal that has an exoskeleton that lives
in sub-zero temperatures?
Materials that can transform kinetic energy into heat energy – and
by retaining this heat be able to enable some elasticity. In other
words, I am investigating potential means of creating a product that
dynamically “warms up” with the user, potentially creating an
“intimate” relationship between subject and object.
I would be very appreciative of any ideas, leads or suggestions.
Thank you,
Ernest McCrank
Faculty of Environmental Design,
University of Calgary
[log in to unmask]
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|