In many ways you are right and I agree with what you say.
Specifically - we have put together a structure for a database which (we
hope) allows biological data to be captured and categorised. We are in
the final stages of getting a core of data into it, and deciding whether
we like the structure. When we _do_ like it, we'll make it available on
our website and hope that wwe can attract people to contribute. Part of
the attraction will be the availability of all the data as a biological
effects database which is organised by function and which can be
interrogated. I also hope that we'll be able to make this the central
repository for biomimetics.
Julian
Norbert Hoeller wrote:
>
> Julian, in hindsight, my attraction to the more interesting examples of
> Biomimicry (Lotusan, Interface carpet tiles) may have led me to over-
> emphasise the difficulties. The overview of TRIZ by Glenn Mazur at
> http://www.mazur.net/triz/ suggests that a simple form of the TRIZ
> methodology can be applied to develop a set of useful solutions, although
> perhaps not as inventive as the full ARIZ methodology. I'm all in favour
> of going after the 'quick wins' in the early days.
>
> Which raises some questions. Aside from potentially defining new mappings
> of contradictions to Inventive Principles, the study of biology will add to
> the list of 'effects' that can be accessed by their function. The only
> time I've seen mention of an 'effects' database is in relationship to the
> software tools (Ideation International or Invention Machines). What is the
> quality of their databases? Will it be easy to add additional biological
> information, or are you planning to create a separate database?
>
> How are you planning to gather the raw data and then analyse it? I saw a
> reference to a web form in the proposal abstract, but couldn't make out the
> details. Is there value in building a distributed network of 'gatherers'
> under guidance of your team? Is there a way to attract more people like
> Marco Aurelio de Carvalho, to help ferret out (and translate) existing
> published materials?
>
> Can we get some 'quick wins' to build momentum? On an ongoing basis, how
> can we track success? One of the challenges that I see with Biomimicry is
> that a lot of it is going on, but there doesn't appear to be any central
> repository of 'good stories'.
>
> Thanks, Norbert
--
Julian FV Vincent [log in to unmask]
Professor of Biomimetics office 01225 386596
Centre for Biomimetics & Natural Technologies mobile 07941 933901
Dept of Mechanical Engineering fax 01225 386928
The University
BATH BA2 7AY
http://www.bath.ac.uk/Departments/Eng/biomimetics/
I hate quotations. Tell me what you know. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
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