Biologically inspired design

Natural processes have led to the development of a plethora of biological systems that carry out a multitude of tasks in a highly resource-effective manner within a variety of environments and constraints. Many of these tasks, environments, and constraints are similar to those relevant to engineering design. Therefore, biological systems offer a potentially rich source of inspiration for novel engineering designs. There is ample anecdotal evidence of biological systems being used as inspiration for engineering. In the last few decades, research into developing biomimetic systems, which require a detailed understanding of biological phenomena with the goal of developing technologies that mimic such phenomena, has been steadily increased. Notable attempts include the development of bulletproof jackets by mimicking spiderwebs; robots that mimic various forms of natural movement such as those by fishes, leeches, and earthworms; and materials that mimic various properties of natural materials. Biologically inspired designs have traditionally been an outcome of individual interest, accidental exposure, or systematic study. However, a better understanding of the process of biologically inspired design and supporting this process in a systematic manner to enable more effective and efficient biologically inspired engineering design is only beginning to gain momentum as an emerging area of active research and exploration. This Special Issue seeks to provide a state of the art collection of research outcomes in this area. Although papers with artificial intelligence content were solicited, we broadened the scope to also include papers that provided knowledge and associated methodology for biologically inspired design. Suggested topics included, but were not limited to, the following: