Biomimetics: Following Nature's Blue Print

12/17/2008 at 9:00 a.m.

Want to build a faster bullet train? How about model its nose it after the beak of a King Fisher? A more efficient solar panel? Or look to nature's time tested design: the leaf. It's the study of Biomimetics, today on Weekday.

Guest(s)

Jenine Benyus is President of the Biomimicry Institute. As president, she works towards emulating nature's designs and processes to create more efficient, environmentally sound designs. She is also author of "Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature."

Dr. Mehmet Sarikaya is the director of the Genetically Engineered Materials Science and Engineering Center at the University of Washington. For the last 25 years, Dr. Sarikaya has looked to biological lessons to inform the nanotechnology behind his engineering.