Bio TRIZ
Editor | On 01, Jan 2010
Message: 1714Posted by: mehdi
Posted on: Sunday, 13th December 2009
Can you tell us more about BioTriz ?thanks.
Message: 1715
Posted by: Ellen Domb
Posted on: Sunday, 13th December 2009
A basic principle of TRIZ is that “somebody, someplace, has already solved your problem, but in a different realm.” This leads to using (for examples) chemistry to solve problems that were originally perceived as information processing, or aerodynamics to solve problems originally perceived as mechanical engineering, or information technology to solve problems originally perceived as architecture, etc. The applications of biology to TRIZ expand the definition of “somebody” to include nature, and especially the study of biomimetics (biology/engineering). Well known cases are the development of self-cleaning materials that use the mechanism of the lotus leaf, and nano-material adhesives that use the principles of gecko feet. The application is the same as other TRIZ problems in which you are looking for solutions outside your own specialty: develop a good definition of the function you are trying to achieve (or a harmful function you are trying to eliminate) then do a search for biological phenomena that do what you need. A good source is http://www.asknature.com
Message: 1716
Posted by: QualityColorado
Posted on: Tuesday, 15th December 2009
Ellen, thanks, good stuff!
Message: 1718
Posted by: Rob Tillaart
Posted on: Tuesday, 22nd December 2009
The URL mentioned in Ellen's response should be
http://www.asknature.org/ (not .com)regards,rob
Message: 1720
Posted by: Kim Niles
Posted on: Tuesday, 22nd December 2009
Mehdi:
Dr. Domb?s excellent post stimulated a couple comments I?d like to share.
First, while I totally enjoyed her post, it would appear to be limited in scope with regard to BioMedical related innovation needs. TRIZ doesn?t need to only affect product design, and then only through comparison oriented activities. I took her class at UCSD where she covered many other TRIZ related tools that are meant to stimulate creative thought in all aspects of any company function.
Secondly, the book ?the discipline of market leaders? outlines three different ways to reach a market (process excellence like McDonalds, total solution like Home Depot, and Innovation like Apple). My point here is that innovation has different importance to different companies and industries. When it comes to the BioMedical industry, innovation appears to me to be much more critical than in other industries? more on the forefront of technology.
I hope that helps,
Message: 1722
Posted by: Kim Stansfield
Posted on: Tuesday, 22nd December 2009
Hi Ellen,
Couldn't agree more. I recently did a talk her in the UK to school-children encouraging them to look to do science, the basis of my talk being that a lot of design follows natural / biological models, and that increasingly design solutions are actively being sought in nature using Biomimicry/Biomimetics. As a Black Belt who has worked in automotive and aerospace control systems and now working as a Business Architect in large scale IT systems design, the significance of your comments grows more apparent. A recent innovation in Cyber Security arose from a group in the US producing a virtual agent that mimics the swarming behaviour of ants.
Message: 1725
Posted by: Ellen Domb
Posted on: Wednesday, 23rd December 2009
Thanks, Kim N and Kim S. My reply was limited to biomimetics, because the original question was short and I wanted to know more about the question before expanding the answer. Interesting (ironical?) note–I've seen more biomimetic-type TRIZ in fields like optics, properties of materials, and algorithm development than I have in things in the bio-oriented technologies like food products, medical instrumentation, farming, etc.