Biomimicry – medical design concepts inspired by nature

Abstract

Biomimicry is the application of existing features in nature to human technologies, such as the invention of aircraft inspired by bird flight. In the development of medical solutions, biomimicry is a growing field of research, where a holistic understanding of nature can inspire cutting-edge design. The purpose of this study was to create an educational, visual resource exemplifying up-and-coming medical applications of biomimicry. A website was created to present 2D motion graphics (animations) and illustrations. Animation is an established and useful method of communicating health information to the public. This presents an accessible interface for the public to interact with and learn about this area of research, bridging the gap between the two. Increasing public knowledge, engagement, and interest can expand the reach and thereby influence future research. A survey was conducted to assess public engagement and opinions on both the resource and the topic of biomimicry and medical design. The results suggested that participants positively engaged with the resource; 95.7% strongly agreed/agreed that the animations were beneficial for learning. All responding participants agreed that biomimicry could provide useful solutions in medical design. This study suggests that graphic motions are effective at communicating complex ideas for public outreach.