Biomimicry and bioinspired performance apparel: learning lessons from nature
Innovative companies are looking increasingly to the natural world for inspiration and direction, and materials inspired by nature are being investigated in the quest for sustainable solutions to challenges in the performance apparel industry. For example, surface structures of some plant leaves have inspired the development of water repellent finishes which are free from perfluorinated and polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs), and butterfly wings have inspired the development of dye-free fabrics. Meanwhile, fungi have been used to make a substitute for leather, and an examination of how spiders spin silk has paved the way for the development of high strength lightweight jackets. Nature also offers a number of inherently sustainable possibilities for sustainable production processes based on biotechnology and nanotechnology. Looking to the future, biomimicry holds tremendous potential for inspiring further sustainable products and technologies, and this is considered to be increasingly important in light of the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This report provides a wealth of information on the role of biomimicry in innovation, and the latest performance apparel products and technologies which have been inspired by nature. Topics explored in the report include: the market for bioinspired innovations; the development of biomimicry; the philosophy and principles of biomimicry; bioutilisation; and functional features incorporated in performance apparel which are replicated from nature. The report also discusses the role of biomimicry in helping companies to achieve sustainability and provides an outlook for the future.
SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION TO BIOMIMICRY
THE MARKET FOR BIOINSPIRED INNOVATIONS
Market challenges
DEVELOPMENT OF BIOMIMICRY
PHILOSOPHY AND PRINCIPLES OF BIOMIMICRY
The need for biomimicry
BIOUTILISATION
Algae
Fungi
Insect proteins
Microorganisms
Organic waste materials
Essential oils
Other materials derived from substances found in nature
PLA fibres
Proteins found in nature
FUNCTIONAL FEATURES INCORPORATED IN PERFORMANCE APPAREL WHICH ARE REPLICATED FROM NATURE
Antimicrobial efficacy
Chitosan
Shark skin
Bioluminescence
Camouflage
Drag reduction
Dry adhesion
Burdock plant
Gecko feet
High strength
Limpet teeth
Spider silk
Moisture management
Pine cone effect
Xylem conduits
Structural coloration
Morphotex
Thermal insulation
Bird feathers
Polar bear hairs
Thermoregulation
Water repellency
Examples of textile technologies and materials based on the lotus effect
Inspiration from nature spurs developments in textiles
BIOMIMICRY AND SUSTAINABILITY OUTLOOK
INTRODUCTION TO BIOMIMICRY
THE MARKET FOR BIOINSPIRED INNOVATIONS
Market challenges
DEVELOPMENT OF BIOMIMICRY
PHILOSOPHY AND PRINCIPLES OF BIOMIMICRY
The need for biomimicry
BIOUTILISATION
Algae
Fungi
Insect proteins
Microorganisms
Organic waste materials
Essential oils
Other materials derived from substances found in nature
PLA fibres
Proteins found in nature
FUNCTIONAL FEATURES INCORPORATED IN PERFORMANCE APPAREL WHICH ARE REPLICATED FROM NATURE
Antimicrobial efficacy
Chitosan
Shark skin
Bioluminescence
Camouflage
Drag reduction
Dry adhesion
Burdock plant
Gecko feet
High strength
Limpet teeth
Spider silk
Moisture management
Pine cone effect
Xylem conduits
Structural coloration
Morphotex
Thermal insulation
Bird feathers
Polar bear hairs
Thermoregulation
Water repellency
Examples of textile technologies and materials based on the lotus effect
Inspiration from nature spurs developments in textiles
BIOMIMICRY AND SUSTAINABILITY OUTLOOK
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Key principles of biomimicry
Table 2: Organic waste materials used in textile production
Table 3: Living organisms and natural materials and the functions they have inspired in performance apparel
Table 4: Properties of various types of spider silk and other materials
Table 1: Key principles of biomimicry
Table 2: Organic waste materials used in textile production
Table 3: Living organisms and natural materials and the functions they have inspired in performance apparel
Table 4: Properties of various types of spider silk and other materials
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Vollebak Plant and Algae T Shirt
Figure 2: Moon Parka
Figure 3: Vollebak Black Squid Jacket
Figure 4: Dermal denticles of a shark
Figure 5: Fastskin LZR Intent Jammer
Figure 6: Seed head of burdock plant
Figure 7: Microscopic image of Velcro
Figure 8: Biofabric tennis dress
Figure 9: Pine cone effect
Figure 10: Microscopic image of a butterfly wing
Figure 11: Vollebak Blue Morpho Jacket
Figure 12: Beading up of water on the leaf of a lotus plant
Figure 13: Microscopic image of the surface of a lotus leaf
Figure 14: Surface of a cat tongue
Figure 1: Vollebak Plant and Algae T Shirt
Figure 2: Moon Parka
Figure 3: Vollebak Black Squid Jacket
Figure 4: Dermal denticles of a shark
Figure 5: Fastskin LZR Intent Jammer
Figure 6: Seed head of burdock plant
Figure 7: Microscopic image of Velcro
Figure 8: Biofabric tennis dress
Figure 9: Pine cone effect
Figure 10: Microscopic image of a butterfly wing
Figure 11: Vollebak Blue Morpho Jacket
Figure 12: Beading up of water on the leaf of a lotus plant
Figure 13: Microscopic image of the surface of a lotus leaf
Figure 14: Surface of a cat tongue
