Flawed Designed World

FLAWED DESIGNED WORLD

In 1989, the Shinkansen Bullet Train of Japan encountered a predicament. Despite its remarkable speed, clocking in at approximately 170 miles per hour, it produced a deafening noise upon exiting tunnels. This noise emanated from various sources, but the train's rapid entry into tunnels caused atmospheric pressure waves to surge through the opposite end. Consequently, the air exiting the tunnels created a sonic boom that could be heard up to 400 meters away.

In densely populated residential areas, the issue at hand was of significant magnitude. Consequently, an engineering team was commissioned to devise a train that was not only faster and more efficient but also quieter. The team's ace in the hole was none other than Eiji Nakatsu, the general manager of the technical development department, who possessed a unique skill set as a birdwatcher.

The redesigned bullet train's various components were derived from distinct avian species. The pantograph, which serves as the apparatus connecting the train to the overhead electric wires, was inspired by the owl. The redesign was modeled after the owl's feathers, utilizing the same serrations and curvature that enable the bird to silently swoop down to capture prey, thereby reducing noise. The Adelie Penguin, renowned for its streamlined body that facilitates effortless swimming and sliding, served as the inspiration for the pantograph's supporting shaft, which was redesigned to minimize wind resistance. Notably, the Kingfisher played a pivotal role in the redesign.

The Kingfisher avian species is known for its remarkable ability to plunge into water to capture its prey, facilitated by its distinctive beak shape that enables it to do so with minimal disturbance. Nakatsu, inspired by this avian feature, incorporated it into the design process. The team conducted experiments by firing bullets of varying train nose models down a pipe to gauge pressure waves and measuring the resulting splash size upon impact with water. The design that most closely resembled the Kingfisher's beak proved to be the quietest.

Upon its debut in 1997, the redesign exhibited a 10% increase in speed, a 15% reduction in electricity consumption, and remained within the 70 dB noise limit in residential areas. Remarkably, these advancements were achieved through the incorporation of the wings of an owl, the belly of a penguin, and the nose of a Kingfisher, exemplifying the concept of biomimicry. It is noteworthy that many designers responsible for shaping our world lack formal education in biology, rendering them novices in comprehending the intricacies of the natural world.

Introducing Janine Benyus, the author who, in 1997, coined the term "Biomimicry" in her book. This literary work narrated the tale of the advancements in computing, energy, and health that were influenced by the structures found in the natural world. The book highlighted the ability to adhere like a gecko, compute like a cell, and even operate a business akin to a redwood forest.

Benyus has subsequently served as a consultant for numerous companies, endeavoring to impart an understanding of how to derive design concepts from nature. This may entail examining prairie dog burrows to enhance air ventilation systems, emulating shark skin to fabricate bacteria-resistant plastic surfaces for medical facilities, or arranging wind turbines in the same drag-reducing configuration as schools of fish. While designers draw inspiration from a diverse range of sources, Benyus posits that a greater focus on the natural world could prove advantageous for many.

There is a significant amount of research involved in examining the work of others. Designers often peruse numerous magazines, extracting ideas and placing them on inspiration boards. However, their focus is on observing the technologies created by fellow humans. A straightforward proposal was put forth: designers should incorporate biologists into their problem-solving processes to imitate nature. There are three primary methods to achieve this goal. One can replicate the form or shape of a natural object. For instance, a paint could be developed for a building that mimics the self-cleaning properties of lotus leaves. These leaves possess bumps that allow rainwater to clean the surface by forming droplets that roll away dirt.

The lotus effect is a physical phenomenon that can be replicated on the exterior of any product. Consider the possibility of rainwater cleaning your car, akin to the natural form of the lotus effect. Additionally, mimicking the processes of the natural world, such as the communication methods of ants to efficiently locate food sources or new habitats, can be emulated. This self-organization has been successfully replicated in software, such as autonomous cars that communicate with each other to move in flocks through the city. This is an example of mimicking nature's processes. Finally, the replication of entire ecosystems is also a possibility.

Currently, there is a prevalent buzzword in the industry known as the circular economy, which emphasizes the elimination of any byproducts in manufacturing facilities that end up in landfills. Instead, these byproducts should be repurposed and upcycled into new products at the end of their lifecycle. This concept draws inspiration from the natural ecosystem, where materials are constantly reused and repurposed. For example, a log on the forest floor is consumed by fungi, which in turn is consumed by a mouse, and eventually a hawk. This circular process of repurposing and reusing local materials is a valuable lesson for our cities and industries to adopt.

The ultimate objective of biomimetic design is to create products, systems, and cities that are functionally indistinguishable from the natural world. The existence of life on Earth for 3.8 billion years has provided a vast amount of research and development time, which designers are beginning to recognize. The natural world offers a wealth of knowledge that can be applied to the design of our world. We express our gratitude for your viewership and wish to inform you that this video is part of a series produced in collaboration with 99% Invisible, a podcast that explores design stories. We thoroughly enjoyed working with them and highly recommend visiting their website at 99pi.org or accessing their content through any podcast application.