Tag Archives: Biomimicry

Self-grooming cat house combs away loose fur each time they pass through

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Furry friends are full of fun, at least until it’s time to actually keep them healthy and well-maintained. Both dogs and cats have a never-ending fur problem, but felines are more notorious for not being as enthusiastic about being brushed and combed, unlike their canine counterparts. That said, cats are also sticklers for cleanliness, but all their licking unfortunately results in unsightly hairballs in the end. This rather ingenious contraption offers a solution that makes that brushing feel almost natural to the cat, and it does so by taking advantage of the most cat-like behavior of all: squeezing into very tight spaces.

Designer: Paw-Swing

At first glance, the Paw-Swing Purrring (yes, that’s how it’s spelled) Cat Self-Grooming House looks nothing more than a felt-covered box with a rather small circular opening in front. This combination is, of course, irresistible to cats who’ll want to explore and try to fit into that tight space, which is exactly why it’s designed this way. And as soon as it passes through that hole, its loose fur gets brushed away in a manner that makes the cat feel like it’s being licked by its mother instead.

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The secret is the six cylindrical brushes around the circular entrance of the house, each with a surface designed to mimic the papillae on a cat’s tongue. To the cat, this feels like a more natural grooming method, which is normally employed by mother cats licking their young. Of course, the fur isn’t ingested and is simply stored in a separate compartment for easy cleaning later. This process happens each and every time the cat passes through the entrance, making manual grooming a thing of the past.

While the self-grooming cat house requires no electricity or motors to implement the grooming part, it does have a tech component to its design. There is an automated treat dispenser installed at the top to entice your cats to come closer to the box, and when it does go in, it records how many times the cat comes in and leaves. This data is made available to owners to help them monitor the habits and health of their feline family.

Beyond the grooming and the feeding, the Purrring cat house is also, well, a house for cats. Its felt material makes the box comfortable and safe for cats, not to mention environment-friendly and recyclable as well. The Self-Grooming Cat House thus offers a safe haven for cats that also take a load off their humans’ minds, at least until it’s time to take out the collected fur.

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Bio-Cement: A Potential Material That May Replace Regular Cement

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Industrial designer Mary Lempres has unveiled a groundbreaking bio-cement structure named Reef Rocket, inspired by the intricate and resilient nature of oyster reefs. Designed to combat coastal flooding, filter seawater, and foster biodiversity, Reef Rocket utilizes biomimicry principles to mimic the functionalities of naturally occurring oyster reefs.

Designers: Mary Lempres, Ahmed Miftah

The structure comprises two bio-cement modules with ridged surfaces that can be stacked to form a distinctive rocket-like shape when assembled underwater. Lempres collaborated with bio-geotechnical specialist Ahmed Miftah to develop a unique method for growing plant-derived cement, drawing parallels to the irrigation systems used for plant cultivation.

Biomimicry, the practice of seeking solutions to human design challenges in nature, guided Lempres in creating ridged modules that emulate coastal oyster reefs. These reefs naturally filter algae from seawater, attract aquatic organisms, dissipate wave energy, mitigate storm surges, and manage eroding coastlines.

The bio-cement modules are formed by pouring a non-toxic solution containing a crude extract from globally grown plants over crushed aggregate. The aggregate, sourced in New York City, consists of crushed glass and oyster shells recovered from local restaurants and New York Harbour.

Lempres explained that the substrate, saturated for three to nine days, becomes natural concrete as the extracted biocatalyst causes minerals to form “mineral bridges” between the glass and shell waste. The resulting product is water-resistant, durable, and comparable to standard concrete but with the added benefit of being environmentally friendly and sustainable.

What sets Reef Rocket apart is its ability to grow in any environment without the need for heat or burning fossil fuels. Lempres emphasized its affordability and scalability as a sustainable alternative to traditional cement. The bio-concrete shares chemical similarities with the material oysters use to grow their reefs, but the key difference lies in the speed of growth, with Reef Rocket taking only several days compared to millennia for natural oyster reefs.

Lempres and her team experimented with “hundreds” of prototypes before settling on prefabricated molds for the modules. These molds allow the bio-cement to be packed and set without the need for heat or chemicals, offering an accessible and efficient assembly process.

Reef Rocket’s deliberate design prioritizes small size, lightweight construction, and ease of assembly, aiming to make the innovative solution accessible to a broad audience. Lempres envisions a future where durable materials can be grown like crops, regenerating waste and mitigating environmental pollution. The project stands as a testament to the potential of biomimicry and sustainable design in addressing the challenges posed by climate change and coastal resilience. Reef Rocket represents a significant step towards harmonizing human infrastructure with the resilient and regenerative capacities of the natural world.

The post Bio-Cement: A Potential Material That May Replace Regular Cement first appeared on Yanko Design.

Combining Nature And Technology For Sustainable Plant Care

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In the realm of biomimicry, the Fog Smart Hydroponic Planter stands out as a futuristic marvel inspired by the incredible abilities of the fog-basking beetle. It is a masterpiece that seamlessly blends the brilliance of biomimicry, advanced materials, and smart technology. Inspired by the fog-basking beetle native to the Namibian deserts, this hydroponic planter is not merely a vessel for plants but a pioneering solution that promises a greener, more sustainable future.

Designer: Rishikesh Sonawane

Biomimicry is a practice that learns from and mimics the strategies found in nature to solve human design challenges. The fog-basking beetle, a tiny inhabitant of the Namibian deserts, can thrive in arid conditions by extracting moisture from the surrounding fog. Its microstructural adaptations, enhancing surface area by up to 60%, allow it to condense and redirect moisture, providing a source of sustenance in environments where water sources are scarce. This ingenious adaptation has become the inspiration behind the Fog Smart Hydroponic Planter.

This planter represents a harmonious convergence of biomimicry and modern design principles. Unlike traditional planters, it transcends mere functionality, aspiring to become a statement piece that marries aesthetics with technological innovation. The modular design, a hallmark of this project, not only facilitates ease of use but also underscores the commitment to adaptability and sustainable plant care.

The use of advanced materials fortifies the structural integrity of the Fog Smart Hydroponic Planter. The air intake module is meticulously crafted from Plexiglas, a polymer renowned for its resistance to sunlight (also used in aquariums and airplane windows), preventing yellowing over time. The main body incorporates Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA), a versatile clay composite with superior water retention properties, strength, and porosity. The aluminum 6063 base complements this ensemble, providing a stable foundation resistant to corrosion.

To achieve simplicity and practicality, the planter is ingeniously disassembled into four primary components. The drip tray, perforated ring, metal ring, and polymer cap collectively ensure easy maintenance and cleaning. The LECA planter’s internal structure, designed to mimic the fog-basking beetle’s shell, employs hydrophilic and hydrophobic elements strategically, optimizing moisture retention and distribution.

The planter introduces a groundbreaking approach to airflow dynamics by incorporating the Coanda Effect. As humid air courses through the planter, moisture is absorbed, contributing to increased turbine efficiency. This design concept draws inspiration from well-established technologies, such as Dyson fans and jet turbines, showcasing a commitment to energy efficiency.

Elevating plant care to new heights, the planter integrates intelligent features denoted as Smart+. A temperature and humidity sensor, intricately linked with the electronic components, dynamically adjusts the turbine speed, allowing users precise control over the plant’s microenvironment. The accompanying app, a technological companion, provides real-time data on humidity and temperature levels, offering insightful recommendations for optimal watering cycles based on the geographic location of the planter.

User interaction with the Fog Smart Hydroponic Planter is facilitated through an intuitive and user-friendly app interface. The app acts as a conduit between the user and the planter’s internal environment, allowing the monitoring of moisture concentrations, receiving water cycle recommendations, and tracking humidity and temperature levels throughout the day. This digital integration transforms the planter from a mere vessel into a sophisticated and futuristic table accessory.

The Fog Smart Hydroponic Planter is not merely a horticultural innovation; it is a testament to the symbiosis of nature and technology in the pursuit of sustainable living. As we navigate the complexities of modern existence, this planter stands as a beacon of hope, offering a glimpse into a future where our interaction with nature is characterized by thoughtful design, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to environmental harmony. With each leaf it nurtures, it heralds a greener, more sustainable tomorrow, where biomimicry and technological ingenuity converge to create a better world—one plant at a time.

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