GREEN BUILDINGS

BIOMEMICRY
NATURE as a MODEL
MEASURE MENTOR

WHAT IS GREEN TECHNOLOGY ?

What is green technology?
It is the application of the
environmental science conserving the natural environment and resources, and to curb the negative impacts on human involvement.
Related terms and concepts
What are Zero emission buildings?
Green buildings seek to reduce waste of
energy
water and
materials used during construction and post occupation
Ways to reduce energy wastage (ELECTRICITY) by reducing load on HVAC systems
choosing sustainable sites and implementing
earth berming
earth sheltering
biomimicry technology
Ways to reduce waste water
conserving
Right quantity of water right use. Understanding importance of water. Rainwater harvesting best practice
recycling
Green roofs where grey water is treated at roof level and sent back to building for usage. Recycled water can reduce nearly
50%of fresh water usage
Reusing
For flushing toilets, car wash and other out door purposes

WHAT IS BIOMIMICRY

Biomimicry is a new discipline that studies natures best ideas and then imitates these
designs and processes to solve human problems

Biomimicry (from bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate) is a relatively
new science that studies nature

The development of Natures 100 Best was contributed by the work of Ecover, Zero
Emissions Research and Initiatives, as well as the World Conservation Union.

Bionics (also known as biomimetics, biognosis, biomimicry, or bionical creativity

engineering) is the application of biological methods and systems found in nature to
the study and design of engineering systems and modern technology.

The study of biomimetics emphasizes implementing a function found in nature rather

than just imitating biological structures.
Examples of biomimetics

Cat's eye reflectors were invented after studying the mechanism of cat eyes

flying machines and ships are early examples of drawing from nature in engineering.

"Morphing aircraft wings" that change shape according to the speed and duration of
flight were designed in 2004 . inspired by different bird species that have differently
shaped wings according to the speed at which they fly

Medical adhesives involving glue and tiny nano-hairs are being developed based on the
physical structures found in the feet of geckos.

"at present there is only a 10% overlap between biology and technology in terms of the mechanisms used".

BIOMEMITICS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

CLEANING WASTES

Ecological waste treatment systems are available that recreate wetland ecosystems using
microorganisms and plants to purify waste water from toilets or other industrial uses.

BIOMIMICRY IN CONSTRUCTION

PAINTS

Learning from Lotus Plants How to Clean without Cleaners

"Because they are so smooth." The myriad crevices of its microscopically rough leaf surface
trap a maze of air upon which water droplets float, so that the slightest breeze or tilt in the
leaf causes balls of water to roll cleanly off, taking attached dirt particles with them.

Microscopically rough surface additives have been introduced into a new generation of paint,
glass, and fabric finishes, greatly reducing the need for chemical or laborious cleaning.

For example, GreenShield, a fabric finish made by G3i based on the "lotus effect", achieves
the same water and stain repellency as conventional fabric finishes.

Using 8 times less harmful fluorinated chemicals.

BIOMEMITICS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

ARCHITECTURE

Learning from Termites How to Create Sustainable Buildings

We generally think of termites as destroying buildings, not helping design them.

The Eastgate Building, an office complex in Harare, Zimbabwe, has an air conditioning
system modeled on the self-cooling mounds of Macrotermes

michaelseni, termites that maintain the temperature inside their nest to within one degree, day
and night (while the temperatures outside swing from 42 C to 3 C).

The operation of buildings represents 40% of all the energy used by humanity.

Has already saved the building owners over $3.5 million dollars in air conditioning costs.

90% percent less energy for ventilation than conventional buildings its size

FIBRES

Butterflies teach us how to create structural colored fibers

Morpho butterflies remain a vibrant blue throughout their lives, without ever
needing a coat of paint to spruce up a dull finish.
The scales on their wings are made of many layers of proteins that refract light in
different ways
The color we see often is due entirely to the play of light and structure rather
than the presence of pigments.
Teijin Fibers Limited of Japan produces Morphotex fibers. No dyes or pigments
are used.
Rather, color is created based on the varying thickness and structure of the fibers.
Energy consumption and industrial waste are reduced because no dye process
must be used

BIOMEMITICS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

SOLAR CELLS
Photosynthesis in plants helps us create Plant-inspired solar cells
Plant-inspired solar cells mimic photosynthetic dyes and processes to generate solar
energy many times more cheaply than silicon-based photovoltaics.
Flexibility to be integrated with a building skin.
Conventional silicon-based solar panels capture, separate, and transport light energy in
one highly-purified material whose manufacture requires large amounts of energy, toxic
solvents, and bulky infrastructure to support rigid panels.
Dye-sensitive solar cells use a variety of photo-sensitive dyes and common, flexible
materials that can be incorporated into architectural elements such as window panes,
building paints, or textiles.
Although traditional silicon-based photovoltaic solar cells currently have higher solar
energy conversion ratios.
Dye-sensitive solar cells have higher overall power collection potential due to low-cost
operability under a wider range of light and temperature conditions, and flexible application.
"DSC technology can best be described as artificial photosynthesis
Can be directly incorporated into buildings by replacing conventional glass panels rather
than taking up roof or extra land area.