Environmental Footprints and Eco-design of Products and Processes

Nature is a vast source of inspiration and information for the resolution of complex problems and can influence many varieties of design. Biomimetics, biodesign and bionics are three branches of interdisciplinary research merging biological and applied sciences. This volume collects cases that highlight recent breakthroughs in these disciplines. Biological features such as patterns, shapes, mechanisms, colors, structures, and more can be analyzed, organized, and modeled for application in human creations. Therefore, design, engineering, and architecture projects can benefit from solutions that were already tested and verified through evolution in the natural world. With the development of new technologies for the investigation, simulation, and testing of natural features, the path from nature to product can be accelerated. The cases presented in this work showcase how technological advancements are leading to improved design solutions and influencing our very comprehension of natureand its complex organization.