14 ideas from biology

Tardigrades dry out completely but stay alive and regenerate (source)

Mussels as an example for timed degradation (source)

Strings of spider´s webs are extremely stable yet flexible (source)

Microbes neutralize toxics (source)

Fog basking beatle inspired architecture (source)

Lotus leaf detail. (source)

Colour without pigments: peacock (source)

Abalone shell: model for extremely strong material (source)

Transformation of CO2 like leaves? Source

1. Self-assembly. Example: Abalone shells. They are twice as tough as high-tech ceramics!  
2. CO2 as a feedstock. Turn CO2 into oxygen and carbonhydrates. Biodegrable plastics!
3. Solar transformations. Gaining fuel without platinum, but with common iron as plants do; mimicking the energy harvesting device inside of purple bacteria; 
4. The power of shape. E.g. Whale has bumps on his skin that increase efficiency -> guide for aeroplane wings (32% energy reduction)
5. Colour without pigments. Creating colour with shape via thin film interference. +
6. Clean without detergents. E.g. "Lotusan" facade colour, water bubbles remove dirt by mimicking bumps in leaf´s surface.
7. Quenching thirst.  Fog basking beatle gets water out of fog.
8. Metals without mining. Microbes extract metals out of water, can even neutralize toxics!
9. Green chemistry. Spider´s web consists of highly flexible but stable material. In 2010, german researchers have unraveled the secret behind the spider´s silk (Source)
10. Timed degradation. Mussles hold on to rocks no longer than 2 years before they dissolve.
11. Resilience and healing. Species like Tardigrades that dry out completely but stays alive for months could be model for damageable vaccines, so that vaccines no longer need to be refrigerated.
12. Sensing and responding. Why do insects not collide, while cars do 3.6 million times a year? 
13. Growing fertility. Waste water treatment, responsible farming etc. 
14. Life creates conditions conducive to life. Life has all the solutions: cleaning water, cleaning air.

Ideas taken from Janine Benyus´s talk at TED: Youtube link