2nd Intl Conf on Biomimetic and Biohybrid Systems (July 2013, London UK)

Dates: 29 July – 2 August 2013
Location: Natural History Museum, London, UK
Website: http://csnetwork.eu/livingmachines/conf2013
Deadline for submissions: UPDATED 29 March 2013

The development of future real-world technologies will depend strongly on our understanding and harnessing of the principles underlying living systems and the flow of communication signals between living and artificial systems.

Design and Nature 2012 (A Coruña, Spain)

Dates: 11-13 June 2012
Location: A Coruña, Spain
Website: http://www.wessex.ac.uk/12-conferences/designandnature-2012.html
Deadline for abstracts submissions: ASAP

The Design and Nature conference is to be reconvened in 2012 following the success of previous meetings, the first of which was held in Udine, Italy in 2002; followed by Rhodes, Greece (2004); the New Forest, UK (2006); the Algarve (2008); and the last one in Pisa (2010).

Design & Nature 2012 (June 2012, Spain)

Dates: 11-13 June, 2012
Location: A Coruña, Spain
Website: http://www.wessex.ac.uk/design2012rem1.html
Deadline for submission of abstracts: ASAP
Organised by: Wessex Institute of Technology, UK, University of A Coruña, Spain
Sponsored by: WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment and The International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics

Throughout history, many leading thinkers have been inspired by the parallels between nature and human design, in mathematics, engineering and other areas. Today, the huge increase in biological knowledge, developments in design engineering systems, together with the growth in computer power and developments in simulation modelling, have all made possible more comprehensive studies of nature.

Scientists and engineers now have at their disposal a vast array of relationships for materials, mechanisms and control. The resulting laws have been painstakingly assembled by observation and analysis and span the cosmic scale of space down to the molecular level of genetics. In particular, they have made us aware of the rich diversity of the natural world around us.

It is these developments which have prompted the reconvening of this international conference on Design and Nature. It is intended that the meeting will bring together researchers from around the world working on a variety of studies involving nature and their significance for modern scientific thought and design.

Bioinspiration and Biomimetics Special Issue on Biomimetics of Movement (Apr 2011)

Taking inspiration from nature for new materials and devices for systems that move
Deadline for submission: 30 April 2011
Expression of Interest: ASAP

Systems that move are ubiquitous in our world. They surround us in a huge variety of products that integrate actuators for different kinds of purposes. Basically any kind of mechatronic system, such as those used for consumer products, machines, vehicles, industrial systems, and robots, is based on one or more devices that move, according to different implementations and motion ranges. Despite this, technical solutions to develop systems that move do not evolve very fast, as they traditionally rely on well consolidated actuation technologies, which are implemented according to known architectures and with established materials. This fact limits our capability of overcoming challenges related to the needs continuously raised by new fields of application, either at small or at large scales. Biomimetics based approaches might innovate the field, taking inspiration from nature for smart and effective solutions. In an effort to disseminate current advances in this field, a Special Issue on “Biomimetics of Movement” will be published by Bioinspiration & Biomimetics. Papers are solicited on all aspects, including studies on natural systems, and works on new materials, devices, models, controls, processes, and applications.

Sustainability through biomimicry: Discovering a world of solutions inspired by nature (Nov 2011, Saudi Arabia)

Dates: 28-30 November 2011
Submission deadline: abstracts by 12 Mar 2011; full papers by 28 May 2011
Website: http://ud.edu.sa/web/college/137/2250

First international conference
Organized by the College of Design

The effects of our present lifestyles on the environment are leading towards drastic conditions of major climatic changes as well as the depletion of earth’s natural resources. The way to address this situation is to either sustain natural resources or emulate nature which is already sustainable. Even though much emphasis is placed on matters of sustainability, very few lessons from nature, which is inherently sustainable, find their way into design.

The process of biomimicry also known as biomimetics or biologically inspired designs, involves finding solutions to design problems by emulating the natural world. This is done through the imitation of nature‘s forms, processes and ecosystems to more effectively and sustainably meet design challenges. It also provides potential frameworks to understand how nature works as a system and is therefore a productive and insightful tool for re-imagining the built world.

We invite researchers, educators and professionals from various fields such as architecture, urban design, engineering, design, biology, chemistry, physics and geology to cross their disciplinary boundaries, explore fields of cooperation and share their knowledge and experiences to achieve the ultimate goal of a sustainable built environment.

Web meeting on biomimicry in higher education (Jan 2010)

The Biomimicry Institute (TBI) is soliciting abstracts for a web meeting on biomimicry in higher education. Participants should submit a one-page abstract of work relevant to teaching biomimicry. Potential topics include: functional biology, using biology to guide design, evaluation of biologically inspired designs, applications to design process, use of biomimicry in business. Potential areas of education include industrial design, engineering, business, and architecture.

Submissions will be peer reviewed, and a proceedings volume will be published electronically.

The web meeting will include an overview of the biomimicry core tools (Life’s Principles, Design Spirals, AskNature.org) and a preview of TBI’s education modules for Biology and Design aimed at non-science majors.

Participants will have 10 minutes during the meeting to present their work, and can submit a 5-10 page paper to be published in the proceedings.

Proposals due: Oct. 30th
Notice of acceptance: Nov. 20th
Final materials due: Jan. 8th
Web meeting: Saturday, Jan. 29

Send proposals and questions to Curt McNamara: curt@biomimicryinstitute.org