Weekly Information, Feedback, and Responses
IB 535 Biology and Tech Innovations
IB 535 Biology and Tech Innovations
Week 1 Reflection: Intro to Biomimicry and Bioinspiration
Overview: I was introduced to the concept of bioinspiration and biomimicry. The bioinspiration examples included:
1. the lotus leaf for self cleaning
2. gecko feet for adhesive tape
3. whale fin bumps for more efficient fans
4. Velco from burr
5. Kalundborg Industry (UK) environmentalism
I have never thought about specific inspirations from nature, but I believe nature has always taught me to keep things simple and renewable. Things don't have to be fancy to be beautiful and highly functional.
Questions and Thought Ideas:
1. Why has material production not looked more to nature and looked earlier?
2. When/why did our manufacturing become so wasteful?
3. Why do we not use more natural products? It seems we are moving away from them rather than embracing them.
Change and Vision:
Bioinspiration has changed what I think about manufacturing and productions. I used to think they had to be wasteful to get what we needed, but nature has already shown us a green solution that we are just beginning to appreciate. Unfortunately, it will take a long time for all of the United States to be greener in production and materials.
New Ideas for my Teaching:
1. Lotus leaf self cleaning-hydrophobic, h-bonds, Vander Waals forces.
2. Whale fin technology-new and efficient energy sources
Week 2 Reflection: Biological Materials
Overview:
We learned the many similarities and differences of manmade and natural materials. It is surprising how nature can make such strong and well suited materials while making them with local resources at everyday temperatures and pressures. Some natural materials and concepts that were introduced include shrilk, nacre, self-healing materials, materials from the pitcher plant, and hagfish slime.
Questions and Thought Ideas:
1. Why has man not learned to use greener manufacturing?
2. How long will it take the world to understand the importance of green manufacturing?
Change and Vision:
I had never thought about the fact that since nature makes all items from local resources and in a sustainable manner, why can't man? I hope in the future we are able to use actual manmade materials or adaptations of the manmade materials that are more sustainable.
New Ideas for my Teaching:
1. CaCO3, (nacre) how mother-of pearl is synthesized in the ocean to be one of the hardest natural materials.
Week 3 Reflection: Robotics
Overview:
Wow! The slow motion flying was the best, it is no wonder we are all still amazed at flying. The tumbling, upside down flying, the helicopter take-off of the bumble bee really show the wonders of nature that I do not think man will be able to copy for a very long time! The flying on all dimensions, upside down, side ways, of multiple birds surprised me. I thought just the hummingbirds were this versatile. I have been totally amazed and impressed by the wide variety of robots being developed. I was not sure about this unit at the beginning of the week due to my lack of understanding and information about robotics, it has been a very informative and interesting!
Questions and Thought Ideas:
1. Did the early inventors of flight see all the dimensions of flight?
2. Energy sources are again an issue for the robots. Will battery technology be able to keep up and provide the needed energy sources?
3. Most of these robot examples have been graduate/university research. What research has become applied?
Change and Vision:
This has allowed me to think of all the positive applications of these micro-robots, especially the search and rescue aspect. However, I am sure there are also many negative applications using military options and more ideas for terrorism. How can these be monitored as they become inexpensive, small, and versatile?
New Ideas for my Teaching:
1. For Biology I can use the specific robots that have mimic organisms as a learning extension as we cover these organisms in class. This can reach another dimension of students interested in robotics that I have not reached before.
2. The water strider again (which I already use in class) offers options in robotics.
Week 4 Reflection: Sensing the Environment
Overview:
This has opened up new areas of research and applications for me that I was never aware of. It is great they they apply to biology and chemistry, both classes that I teach. Once again nature seems to have gotten it right with humans trying to copy the technology of sensations. A key part to developing some of this technology is surface area and tiny sensory hairs.
Questions and Thought Ideas:
1. Where is all the money for the research coming from? If the elecromagnetic/and electric field of bees is being studied, would more money be put into the research so a cure can be found for bee colony collapse?
2. How close are we to using some of these new technologies? We have alot of vision and research but how long until some of this can be applied? Many articles do not cover this topic.
Change and Vision:
After reading the blogs, I signed up to receive them on my school account so I can keep up to date. Previous to my courses with this program, I would not have considered a blog a reliable source or reference. I was very wrong about that, but the blog does need to be backed by a reliable source such as our National Geographic blogs. Just like other online resources, I will continue to look for recognizable companies/institutions, university Before having students at school use blogs as sources, I do want the opinion of our librarian
New Ideas for my Teaching:
1. I love the concept of the electrical fields of flowers and bees. This is a great application for chemistry when learning about ion charges and how they are made.
2. Keep using National Geographic blogs and articles. I have used some in the past, they offer great online material. The blog material keeps up with everyday issues and ties it to science content. I would use them as research starters, extra credit readings, and science in everyday life extensions.
Week 5 Reflection: Chemistry and Energy
Overview:
I was looking forward to this unit to help tie bioinspiration into my chemistry class. With seeing a breakdown of the different types of energy and highlighting the fact that all energy comes from the sun, this unit helped show how the topic of energy can be a bridge between biology and chemistry class.
Questions and Thought Ideas:
1. The pollution vortex worries me greatly. Granted I do not know very much about it, is it a good idea just to spread the pollution into the upper atmosphere? What effects would that have there? We can only mess with Mother Nature so long. I know $5million dollars for this project would not go really far, but how about using that money and all the research resources, to apply to methods we know work to alleviate pollution?
2. I agree that the idea of artificial photosynthesis is the "Holy Grail". To have something like an artificial leaf that can supply energy anyplace off the grid around the world would truly open up a world wide economy.
Change and Vision:
1. I would really like to find a way to help students understand, and care :), about the big picture of photosynthesis. They need to know that this is where all our fossil fuel energy starts, the uses of fossil fuels, and the relationship to cellular respiration.
New Ideas for my Teaching:
1. It has been a long time since looking at the details of photosynthesis, so this was a much needed and welcome review.
2. In the photosynthesis unit I would like to add artificial photosynthesis.
3. I would like to introduce the term "green chemistry" to my chemistry students.
Week 6 Reflection: Maintaining Community, flocking
Overview:
I had never thought about the science of swarming and flocking. I thought scientists had everything figured out about bee communication, ant trails, and the flocking of birds. I am still rather confused by the combination of the both simplicity of flocking combined with the larger detailed object of flocking. The technology use seems limited.
Questions and Thought Ideas:
1. For some of these ideas that are claiming bioinspiration, such as the internet/anternet, it seems like they looked back after the creation of the item and then realized the similarities to nature. Can this still be termed bioinspiration?
2. It is quite amazing how a single ant or fish is so stupid but as a swarm they become a focused group with a purpose.
3. With all the information and the computer program NetLogo, I still am amazed that birds don't run into eachother with fatal midair collisions.
Change and Vision:
I mostly like the bioinspiration swarming of the flying robots that could be used for search and rescue. They could be so efficient at it while keeping first responders safe.
New Ideas for my Teaching:
1. I have new information about the behavior of swarms that I will add during various units, especially information about ant behavior.
2. I will also add information on swallow flocking, possibly in the unit on ecosystems and their interactions (to stress community)
Week 7 Reflection: Bioinspiration in Architecture
Overview:
The focus on architecture shows an area where bioinspiration could be used all the time and right away, any type of bioinspiration would seem to increase the energy efficiency and water usage of a building. By looking at examples and ideas of future buildings I was exposed to material I had never given any thought to before. I have always been interested by design, water usage, and energy efficiency but this was the first time anything of this type was included in a class. I think this has been my favorite week because I feel like there are ideas taken from bioinspired architecture that everyone can use.
Questions and Thought Ideas:
1. Why don't we implement more of these bioinspired ideas now?
2. A lot of these ideas can be used by homeowners, we need to get started and get more energy efficient (myself included!)
3. I think this is a project that is actually worth funding by the government!
Change and Vision:
I think architecture could be a way to bring bioinspired ideas to everyone. We need to decrease our energy from fossil fuels and decrease our water usage. If these ideas were brought to the drawing board of every public building and every new house, changes would happen. Any changes can start slow and ideas can progress and build, but if every new house and building needs to be more sustainable, we have a start to getting better.
New Ideas for my Teaching:
1. Integrate ideas of bioinspired architecture into freshman Biology, helps all those kids that want to be engineers see a great use of Biology.
2. Have students complete an energy audit or carbon foot print of their house, then have them design 2 bioinspired ideas they could use in their house.
Week 8 Reflection: The Business of Bioinspiration
Overview:
This unit has answered some questions I have had from the beginning of the course regarding the amount of bioinspired products that have actually made it to market. Pure research is necessary, but the hope is that in some point in time that pure research turns into applied research. I am OK with the thought/knowledge that not all products will be successful that are being pursued, such as the Mirasol bioinspired display screen. Business models have many products that never reach market after millions of dollars invested.
Questions and Thought Ideas:
1. How many of the products/designs we have learned about will actually make it to market and/or be built?
2. Will bioinspiration ever be a part of all architecture and building considerations?
Change and Vision:
It is interesting that bioinspiration and bioinspired became a buzz word a few years ago as noted by the DaVinci Index. Even though the index number has more recently gone down, it shows that more of the general public is paying attention to bioinspiration. In the future, I hope that all building design includes some aspect of bioinspiration to help with the sustainability of our uses.
New Ideas for my Teaching:
1. This unit is more difficult to integrate as an individual topic, but could be merged with the general idea of bioinspiration and how well it has or has not caught on in the United States and around the world.
Class Summary and Reflection:
First, I have been exposed to a lot of new information in this class. My content information has grown, allowing me to both add some new ideas to class and to also see the larger picture of the directions of some new areas of science. The term bioinspiration and biomimicry were new to me as an area of study and research. My students at school have great questions and ideas, this new topic will allow me to expand simply on conversations on what is science and how science is used in daily life. Most students are interested in energy conservation, and bioinspiration can supply a bridge from class to their daily lives. I have felt guilty many times during the last 8 weeks that I do not necessarily practice what I preach in the area of sustainability. I know there are a lot more things I could do, such as simply getting some rain barrels.
Second, information on current research has made an impact on me. As teachers we know we need to keep up with current information, but time is always an issue and I do not look for primary source articles when looking up new information for class. Reading about research on a world-wide platform was great. Learning what we are doing in terms of bioinspiration both in the United States and world wide is important. I wonder if other countries are ahead of us, and if the U.S. is dragging their feet in both research and applications. Especially in the area of bioinspired architecture, we need to use natures examples to help us with water conservation and new alternative energy sources. I think we could achieve this if we wanted to, but I wonder how soon the general population of the U.S. will insist on bioinspired changes to increase sustainability.
Next, various topics are my favorites. The topics of robotics and materials chemistry challenged me to go outside my comfort zone, I am Biology and Chemistry based so if topics begin to include physics I am less comfortable. I am continually amazed that science has not been able to replicate many of natures' processes such as making spider silk and nacre. The idea that human manufacturing includes "heat, treat, and beat" has stuck with me, in contrast to natures' synthesis at ambient temperature and pressure with local resources only. My students ask questions on these topics, so I feel much better informed. I loved the bioinspired architecture and am hoping building design can be an entry for bioinspiration to the general public. The specific bioinspired items from week 1 (gecko tape, velcro, the Eastgate building, the lotus leaf, and mother-of-pearl) gave very specific ideas and applications for me to use in class and to explain what bioinspiration is.
In closing, I am hoping I can begin to apply lessons of bioinspiration not just in my classroom, but in my everyday life also.
Overview: I was introduced to the concept of bioinspiration and biomimicry. The bioinspiration examples included:
1. the lotus leaf for self cleaning
2. gecko feet for adhesive tape
3. whale fin bumps for more efficient fans
4. Velco from burr
5. Kalundborg Industry (UK) environmentalism
I have never thought about specific inspirations from nature, but I believe nature has always taught me to keep things simple and renewable. Things don't have to be fancy to be beautiful and highly functional.
Questions and Thought Ideas:
1. Why has material production not looked more to nature and looked earlier?
2. When/why did our manufacturing become so wasteful?
3. Why do we not use more natural products? It seems we are moving away from them rather than embracing them.
Change and Vision:
Bioinspiration has changed what I think about manufacturing and productions. I used to think they had to be wasteful to get what we needed, but nature has already shown us a green solution that we are just beginning to appreciate. Unfortunately, it will take a long time for all of the United States to be greener in production and materials.
New Ideas for my Teaching:
1. Lotus leaf self cleaning-hydrophobic, h-bonds, Vander Waals forces.
2. Whale fin technology-new and efficient energy sources
Week 2 Reflection: Biological Materials
Overview:
We learned the many similarities and differences of manmade and natural materials. It is surprising how nature can make such strong and well suited materials while making them with local resources at everyday temperatures and pressures. Some natural materials and concepts that were introduced include shrilk, nacre, self-healing materials, materials from the pitcher plant, and hagfish slime.
Questions and Thought Ideas:
1. Why has man not learned to use greener manufacturing?
2. How long will it take the world to understand the importance of green manufacturing?
Change and Vision:
I had never thought about the fact that since nature makes all items from local resources and in a sustainable manner, why can't man? I hope in the future we are able to use actual manmade materials or adaptations of the manmade materials that are more sustainable.
New Ideas for my Teaching:
1. CaCO3, (nacre) how mother-of pearl is synthesized in the ocean to be one of the hardest natural materials.
Week 3 Reflection: Robotics
Overview:
Wow! The slow motion flying was the best, it is no wonder we are all still amazed at flying. The tumbling, upside down flying, the helicopter take-off of the bumble bee really show the wonders of nature that I do not think man will be able to copy for a very long time! The flying on all dimensions, upside down, side ways, of multiple birds surprised me. I thought just the hummingbirds were this versatile. I have been totally amazed and impressed by the wide variety of robots being developed. I was not sure about this unit at the beginning of the week due to my lack of understanding and information about robotics, it has been a very informative and interesting!
Questions and Thought Ideas:
1. Did the early inventors of flight see all the dimensions of flight?
2. Energy sources are again an issue for the robots. Will battery technology be able to keep up and provide the needed energy sources?
3. Most of these robot examples have been graduate/university research. What research has become applied?
Change and Vision:
This has allowed me to think of all the positive applications of these micro-robots, especially the search and rescue aspect. However, I am sure there are also many negative applications using military options and more ideas for terrorism. How can these be monitored as they become inexpensive, small, and versatile?
New Ideas for my Teaching:
1. For Biology I can use the specific robots that have mimic organisms as a learning extension as we cover these organisms in class. This can reach another dimension of students interested in robotics that I have not reached before.
2. The water strider again (which I already use in class) offers options in robotics.
Week 4 Reflection: Sensing the Environment
Overview:
This has opened up new areas of research and applications for me that I was never aware of. It is great they they apply to biology and chemistry, both classes that I teach. Once again nature seems to have gotten it right with humans trying to copy the technology of sensations. A key part to developing some of this technology is surface area and tiny sensory hairs.
Questions and Thought Ideas:
1. Where is all the money for the research coming from? If the elecromagnetic/and electric field of bees is being studied, would more money be put into the research so a cure can be found for bee colony collapse?
2. How close are we to using some of these new technologies? We have alot of vision and research but how long until some of this can be applied? Many articles do not cover this topic.
Change and Vision:
After reading the blogs, I signed up to receive them on my school account so I can keep up to date. Previous to my courses with this program, I would not have considered a blog a reliable source or reference. I was very wrong about that, but the blog does need to be backed by a reliable source such as our National Geographic blogs. Just like other online resources, I will continue to look for recognizable companies/institutions, university Before having students at school use blogs as sources, I do want the opinion of our librarian
New Ideas for my Teaching:
1. I love the concept of the electrical fields of flowers and bees. This is a great application for chemistry when learning about ion charges and how they are made.
2. Keep using National Geographic blogs and articles. I have used some in the past, they offer great online material. The blog material keeps up with everyday issues and ties it to science content. I would use them as research starters, extra credit readings, and science in everyday life extensions.
Week 5 Reflection: Chemistry and Energy
Overview:
I was looking forward to this unit to help tie bioinspiration into my chemistry class. With seeing a breakdown of the different types of energy and highlighting the fact that all energy comes from the sun, this unit helped show how the topic of energy can be a bridge between biology and chemistry class.
Questions and Thought Ideas:
1. The pollution vortex worries me greatly. Granted I do not know very much about it, is it a good idea just to spread the pollution into the upper atmosphere? What effects would that have there? We can only mess with Mother Nature so long. I know $5million dollars for this project would not go really far, but how about using that money and all the research resources, to apply to methods we know work to alleviate pollution?
2. I agree that the idea of artificial photosynthesis is the "Holy Grail". To have something like an artificial leaf that can supply energy anyplace off the grid around the world would truly open up a world wide economy.
Change and Vision:
1. I would really like to find a way to help students understand, and care :), about the big picture of photosynthesis. They need to know that this is where all our fossil fuel energy starts, the uses of fossil fuels, and the relationship to cellular respiration.
New Ideas for my Teaching:
1. It has been a long time since looking at the details of photosynthesis, so this was a much needed and welcome review.
2. In the photosynthesis unit I would like to add artificial photosynthesis.
3. I would like to introduce the term "green chemistry" to my chemistry students.
Week 6 Reflection: Maintaining Community, flocking
Overview:
I had never thought about the science of swarming and flocking. I thought scientists had everything figured out about bee communication, ant trails, and the flocking of birds. I am still rather confused by the combination of the both simplicity of flocking combined with the larger detailed object of flocking. The technology use seems limited.
Questions and Thought Ideas:
1. For some of these ideas that are claiming bioinspiration, such as the internet/anternet, it seems like they looked back after the creation of the item and then realized the similarities to nature. Can this still be termed bioinspiration?
2. It is quite amazing how a single ant or fish is so stupid but as a swarm they become a focused group with a purpose.
3. With all the information and the computer program NetLogo, I still am amazed that birds don't run into eachother with fatal midair collisions.
Change and Vision:
I mostly like the bioinspiration swarming of the flying robots that could be used for search and rescue. They could be so efficient at it while keeping first responders safe.
New Ideas for my Teaching:
1. I have new information about the behavior of swarms that I will add during various units, especially information about ant behavior.
2. I will also add information on swallow flocking, possibly in the unit on ecosystems and their interactions (to stress community)
Week 7 Reflection: Bioinspiration in Architecture
Overview:
The focus on architecture shows an area where bioinspiration could be used all the time and right away, any type of bioinspiration would seem to increase the energy efficiency and water usage of a building. By looking at examples and ideas of future buildings I was exposed to material I had never given any thought to before. I have always been interested by design, water usage, and energy efficiency but this was the first time anything of this type was included in a class. I think this has been my favorite week because I feel like there are ideas taken from bioinspired architecture that everyone can use.
Questions and Thought Ideas:
1. Why don't we implement more of these bioinspired ideas now?
2. A lot of these ideas can be used by homeowners, we need to get started and get more energy efficient (myself included!)
3. I think this is a project that is actually worth funding by the government!
Change and Vision:
I think architecture could be a way to bring bioinspired ideas to everyone. We need to decrease our energy from fossil fuels and decrease our water usage. If these ideas were brought to the drawing board of every public building and every new house, changes would happen. Any changes can start slow and ideas can progress and build, but if every new house and building needs to be more sustainable, we have a start to getting better.
New Ideas for my Teaching:
1. Integrate ideas of bioinspired architecture into freshman Biology, helps all those kids that want to be engineers see a great use of Biology.
2. Have students complete an energy audit or carbon foot print of their house, then have them design 2 bioinspired ideas they could use in their house.
Week 8 Reflection: The Business of Bioinspiration
Overview:
This unit has answered some questions I have had from the beginning of the course regarding the amount of bioinspired products that have actually made it to market. Pure research is necessary, but the hope is that in some point in time that pure research turns into applied research. I am OK with the thought/knowledge that not all products will be successful that are being pursued, such as the Mirasol bioinspired display screen. Business models have many products that never reach market after millions of dollars invested.
Questions and Thought Ideas:
1. How many of the products/designs we have learned about will actually make it to market and/or be built?
2. Will bioinspiration ever be a part of all architecture and building considerations?
Change and Vision:
It is interesting that bioinspiration and bioinspired became a buzz word a few years ago as noted by the DaVinci Index. Even though the index number has more recently gone down, it shows that more of the general public is paying attention to bioinspiration. In the future, I hope that all building design includes some aspect of bioinspiration to help with the sustainability of our uses.
New Ideas for my Teaching:
1. This unit is more difficult to integrate as an individual topic, but could be merged with the general idea of bioinspiration and how well it has or has not caught on in the United States and around the world.
Class Summary and Reflection:
First, I have been exposed to a lot of new information in this class. My content information has grown, allowing me to both add some new ideas to class and to also see the larger picture of the directions of some new areas of science. The term bioinspiration and biomimicry were new to me as an area of study and research. My students at school have great questions and ideas, this new topic will allow me to expand simply on conversations on what is science and how science is used in daily life. Most students are interested in energy conservation, and bioinspiration can supply a bridge from class to their daily lives. I have felt guilty many times during the last 8 weeks that I do not necessarily practice what I preach in the area of sustainability. I know there are a lot more things I could do, such as simply getting some rain barrels.
Second, information on current research has made an impact on me. As teachers we know we need to keep up with current information, but time is always an issue and I do not look for primary source articles when looking up new information for class. Reading about research on a world-wide platform was great. Learning what we are doing in terms of bioinspiration both in the United States and world wide is important. I wonder if other countries are ahead of us, and if the U.S. is dragging their feet in both research and applications. Especially in the area of bioinspired architecture, we need to use natures examples to help us with water conservation and new alternative energy sources. I think we could achieve this if we wanted to, but I wonder how soon the general population of the U.S. will insist on bioinspired changes to increase sustainability.
Next, various topics are my favorites. The topics of robotics and materials chemistry challenged me to go outside my comfort zone, I am Biology and Chemistry based so if topics begin to include physics I am less comfortable. I am continually amazed that science has not been able to replicate many of natures' processes such as making spider silk and nacre. The idea that human manufacturing includes "heat, treat, and beat" has stuck with me, in contrast to natures' synthesis at ambient temperature and pressure with local resources only. My students ask questions on these topics, so I feel much better informed. I loved the bioinspired architecture and am hoping building design can be an entry for bioinspiration to the general public. The specific bioinspired items from week 1 (gecko tape, velcro, the Eastgate building, the lotus leaf, and mother-of-pearl) gave very specific ideas and applications for me to use in class and to explain what bioinspiration is.
In closing, I am hoping I can begin to apply lessons of bioinspiration not just in my classroom, but in my everyday life also.