Bioinspired Design in Research: Evolution as Beta-Testing

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

11-1-2022

Abstract

Modernfish represent over 400 million years of evolutionary processes that, in many cases, resulted in selection for phenotypes with particular performance advantages. While this certainly occurred without a trajectory for optimization, it cannot be denied that some morphologies allow organisms to be more effective than others at tasks like evading predation, securing food, and ultimately passing on their genes. In this way, evolution generates a series of iterative prototypes with varying but measurable success in accomplishing objectives. Therefore, careful analysis of fundamental properties underlying biological phenomena allows us to fast-track the development of bioinspired technologies aiming to accomplish similar objectives. At the same time, bioinspired designs can be a way to explore evolutionary processes, by better understanding the performance space within which a given morphology operates. Through strong interdisciplinary collaborations, we can develop novel bioinspired technologies that not only excel as robotic devices but also teach us something about biology and the rules of life in the process.

Identifier

85142098825 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Integrative and Comparative Biology

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icac134

e-ISSN

15577023

ISSN

15407063

First Page

1164

Last Page

1173

Issue

5

Volume

62

Grant

1839915

Fund Ref

National Science Foundation

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