Be, Contemplate, Imagine

Biomimetic Design • Week 14

It’s early afternoon, Saturday, April 29, 2023. It’s my birthday. So I treat myself with some time in nature. It is 48°F, and very breezy with scattered sunshine. My chosen sit spot is along a walking path near Minnehaha Creek in the Lynnhurst neighborhood in South Minneapolis, Minnesota. Across from me is a towering willow. Its swaying chartreuse hair beckons me to come closer. Once the breeze subsides, the air smells of the beginnings of spring. Just as the busy birds call to one another from all angles, a gaggle of busy, bicycling children call to their mom to “hurry up!” It’s another lovely day to contemplate my chosen design challenge and further laps around the Biomimicry spiral. 

My chosen design challenge is that of the group project: reducing food insecurity and food waste in schools. My team completed three laps, which resulted in a design concept that includes a food distribution system, menu optimization and reusable to-go containers. We had discussed taking additional laps to further flesh out the container system, but ran out of time. One area considered was the implementation of cooling retention. 

I consider the trees around me. Why do trees not overheat and completely dry out in the heat of summer? It seems that tree bark contains the answer. Below may be considered the fourth lap of our group project.

Identify: How can I keep foods stored in a container cool (or protect foods from heat)?

Translate: How does nature protect from temperature [so that I may learn how to keep foods stored in a container cool]?

Discover: How does tree bark protect from temperature?

The tannins in the bark of trees create the optimal conditions for temperature control, which keeps the surface cool by minimizing sunlight absorption and maximizing heat dissipation. In addition, bark creates a rough surface that’s crevices produce shadowed areas and stimulates convection of air, which dissipates heat from the tree surface.

Abstract: A structure’s rough or wavy surface creates cool, shady air pockets that stimulates convection of air, which releases heat.

Emulate:

The design of a food container may include wavy walls. The rough surface will stimulate convection of air to dissipate heat and cool the container overall. The wavy shape may be secondarily used to interlock containers, much like dimensional puzzle pieces. This removes the need of additional materials for latches or magnets to hold containers together. See image reference below for overhead view of the container wall adjustment. 

Evaluate:

This technique may get us one step closer to using life-friendly materials in the container design and reduce materials used in general.

I feel confident in knowing the steps of the design spiral, but will certainly continue to explore various challenges to get better at selecting the right organism and biological strategy for the challenge context.

As I wrap up my sit spot time, I am grateful for the journey of this course and look forward to applying my new skillset to future design challenges.