Biomimetics (or bionics) is the engineering discipline that constructs artificial systems using biological principles. The ideal final result in biomimetics is to create a living machine. But what are the desirable an...Biomimetics (or bionics) is the engineering discipline that constructs artificial systems using biological principles. The ideal final result in biomimetics is to create a living machine. But what are the desirable and non-desirable properties of biomimetic product? Where can natural prototypes be found? How can technical solutions be transferred from nature to technology? Can we use living nature like LEGO bricks for construction our machines? How can biology help us? What is a living machine? In biomimetic practice only some “part” (organ, part of organ, tissue) of the observed whole organism is utilized. A possible template for future super-organism extension for biomimetic methods might be drawn from experiments in holistic ecological agriculture (ecological design, permaculture, ecological engineering, etc.). The necessary translation of these rules to practical action can be achieved with the Russian Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), specifically adjusted to biology. Thus, permaculture, reinforced by a TRIZ conceptual framework, might provide the basis for Super-Organismic Bionics, which is hypothesized as necessary for effective ecological engineering. This hypothesis is supported by a case study-the design of a sustainable artificial nature reserve for wild pollinators as a living machine.展开更多
The significance of urban green space in the metropolis gains weight if ecological value is linked to daily use in the urban living environment in a proper manner.A different layout of the urban domain is needed for a...The significance of urban green space in the metropolis gains weight if ecological value is linked to daily use in the urban living environment in a proper manner.A different layout of the urban domain is needed for a contribution to climate adaptation and biodiversity increase,and it is relevant to examine how plants can develop more according to the principles of succession of natural vegetation.Creating a 1:1 laboratory in Merwede,the Netherlands,provides a test case for introducing the urban biotope at various locations.Greenery in the city may be different than a natural ecosystem,but it can meet qualities that contribute to biodiversity,improvement of the urban air quality,reduce heat stress,seasonal effects and food production in the city.展开更多
Regions of land that are brought into crop production from native vegetation typically undergo a period of soil erosion instability,and long term erosion rates are greater than for natural lands as long as the land co...Regions of land that are brought into crop production from native vegetation typically undergo a period of soil erosion instability,and long term erosion rates are greater than for natural lands as long as the land continues being used for crop production.Average rates of soil erosion under natural,non-cropped conditions have been documented to be less than 2 Mg ha^(-1) yr^(-1).On-site rates of erosion of lands under cultivation over large cropland areas,such as in the United States,have been documented to be on the order of6 Mg ha^(-1) yr^(-1)or more.In northeastern China,lands that were brought into production during the last century are thought to have average rates of erosion over this large area of as much as 15 Mg ha^(-1) yr^(-1) or more.Broadly applied soil conservation practices,and in particular conservation tillage and no-till cropping,have been found to be effective in reducing rates of erosion,as was seen in the United States when the average rates of erosion on cropped lands decreased from on the order of 9Mg ha^(-1) yr^(-1) to 6 or 7Mg ha^(-1) yr^(-1) between 1982 and 2002,coincident with the widespread adoption of new conservation tillage and residue management practices.Taking cropped lands out of production and restoring them to perennial plant cover,as was done in areas of the United States under the Conservation Reserve Program,is thought to reduce average erosion rates to approximately 1 Mg ha^(-1) yr^(-1) or less on those lands.展开更多
INTRODUCTION Our needs as social and familial beings change over the course of our lives;however,it has become common practice to build as though these needs remain static through time.The needs of a child,young adult...INTRODUCTION Our needs as social and familial beings change over the course of our lives;however,it has become common practice to build as though these needs remain static through time.The needs of a child,young adult,family,middle age and the elderly are dynamic between generations,and adding to these evolving life needs is the crisis of housing affordability.ree decades ago a house could cost 3-4 times an individual’s annual income,today that cost is closer to 10-12 times.In response to these chal-lenges,this article explores the concept of Sustainable Micro-Villages,providing insight into a new approach to energy-efficient housing with reference to our case-study project-Carwoola House.Sustainable Micro-Villages can be defined as a cluster of integrated dwellings,referred to here as Living Pods.Essentially a“single house”on a single site,these micro-villages can be comprised of two or more smaller buildings that provide private dwelling space for a single person,couples,couples with children,parents,elderly,friends and any combination of social groups.Living pods cluster around a natural garden setting,enhanced by waterharvesting,and are connected with covered,open or enclosed links depending on the climate of the site.The recent iterations of this type of dwelling also incorporate solar passive design,passive house and green-house technology.In Australia,new house designs are evaluated as part of an approvals process for their energy rating.1e Australian Building Code requires a minimum 6-star rating,ranging up to 10 stars for any new home to be built.A 6-star rating provides a good level of insulation and energy performance if built correctly,while 10 stars represent the highest level of energy performance and refers to a dwelling that needs no heating or cooling.Sustainable Micro-Villages consistently achieve an 8 to 10-star rating by combining Solar Passive Design principles(good orientation,thermal mass and thermal performance)and Passive House Technology(high thermally performing building with low air leakage,no thermal bridging,high performance glazing and heat recovery ventilation)in various combinations to suit the climate,context and budget.展开更多
We import the vast majority of our construction timber from abroad,some of it from illegally logged sources.Incredibly with our rural economy still in decline we now import even thatching spars from Poland.Meanwhile,m...We import the vast majority of our construction timber from abroad,some of it from illegally logged sources.Incredibly with our rural economy still in decline we now import even thatching spars from Poland.Meanwhile,many privately owned British woods are used only for tax avoidance,recreation,or firewood and are not producing quality timber.What is the way forward for United Kingdom forestry at a time when even our national forests are vulnerable.展开更多
文摘Biomimetics (or bionics) is the engineering discipline that constructs artificial systems using biological principles. The ideal final result in biomimetics is to create a living machine. But what are the desirable and non-desirable properties of biomimetic product? Where can natural prototypes be found? How can technical solutions be transferred from nature to technology? Can we use living nature like LEGO bricks for construction our machines? How can biology help us? What is a living machine? In biomimetic practice only some “part” (organ, part of organ, tissue) of the observed whole organism is utilized. A possible template for future super-organism extension for biomimetic methods might be drawn from experiments in holistic ecological agriculture (ecological design, permaculture, ecological engineering, etc.). The necessary translation of these rules to practical action can be achieved with the Russian Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), specifically adjusted to biology. Thus, permaculture, reinforced by a TRIZ conceptual framework, might provide the basis for Super-Organismic Bionics, which is hypothesized as necessary for effective ecological engineering. This hypothesis is supported by a case study-the design of a sustainable artificial nature reserve for wild pollinators as a living machine.
文摘The significance of urban green space in the metropolis gains weight if ecological value is linked to daily use in the urban living environment in a proper manner.A different layout of the urban domain is needed for a contribution to climate adaptation and biodiversity increase,and it is relevant to examine how plants can develop more according to the principles of succession of natural vegetation.Creating a 1:1 laboratory in Merwede,the Netherlands,provides a test case for introducing the urban biotope at various locations.Greenery in the city may be different than a natural ecosystem,but it can meet qualities that contribute to biodiversity,improvement of the urban air quality,reduce heat stress,seasonal effects and food production in the city.
文摘Regions of land that are brought into crop production from native vegetation typically undergo a period of soil erosion instability,and long term erosion rates are greater than for natural lands as long as the land continues being used for crop production.Average rates of soil erosion under natural,non-cropped conditions have been documented to be less than 2 Mg ha^(-1) yr^(-1).On-site rates of erosion of lands under cultivation over large cropland areas,such as in the United States,have been documented to be on the order of6 Mg ha^(-1) yr^(-1)or more.In northeastern China,lands that were brought into production during the last century are thought to have average rates of erosion over this large area of as much as 15 Mg ha^(-1) yr^(-1) or more.Broadly applied soil conservation practices,and in particular conservation tillage and no-till cropping,have been found to be effective in reducing rates of erosion,as was seen in the United States when the average rates of erosion on cropped lands decreased from on the order of 9Mg ha^(-1) yr^(-1) to 6 or 7Mg ha^(-1) yr^(-1) between 1982 and 2002,coincident with the widespread adoption of new conservation tillage and residue management practices.Taking cropped lands out of production and restoring them to perennial plant cover,as was done in areas of the United States under the Conservation Reserve Program,is thought to reduce average erosion rates to approximately 1 Mg ha^(-1) yr^(-1) or less on those lands.
文摘INTRODUCTION Our needs as social and familial beings change over the course of our lives;however,it has become common practice to build as though these needs remain static through time.The needs of a child,young adult,family,middle age and the elderly are dynamic between generations,and adding to these evolving life needs is the crisis of housing affordability.ree decades ago a house could cost 3-4 times an individual’s annual income,today that cost is closer to 10-12 times.In response to these chal-lenges,this article explores the concept of Sustainable Micro-Villages,providing insight into a new approach to energy-efficient housing with reference to our case-study project-Carwoola House.Sustainable Micro-Villages can be defined as a cluster of integrated dwellings,referred to here as Living Pods.Essentially a“single house”on a single site,these micro-villages can be comprised of two or more smaller buildings that provide private dwelling space for a single person,couples,couples with children,parents,elderly,friends and any combination of social groups.Living pods cluster around a natural garden setting,enhanced by waterharvesting,and are connected with covered,open or enclosed links depending on the climate of the site.The recent iterations of this type of dwelling also incorporate solar passive design,passive house and green-house technology.In Australia,new house designs are evaluated as part of an approvals process for their energy rating.1e Australian Building Code requires a minimum 6-star rating,ranging up to 10 stars for any new home to be built.A 6-star rating provides a good level of insulation and energy performance if built correctly,while 10 stars represent the highest level of energy performance and refers to a dwelling that needs no heating or cooling.Sustainable Micro-Villages consistently achieve an 8 to 10-star rating by combining Solar Passive Design principles(good orientation,thermal mass and thermal performance)and Passive House Technology(high thermally performing building with low air leakage,no thermal bridging,high performance glazing and heat recovery ventilation)in various combinations to suit the climate,context and budget.
文摘We import the vast majority of our construction timber from abroad,some of it from illegally logged sources.Incredibly with our rural economy still in decline we now import even thatching spars from Poland.Meanwhile,many privately owned British woods are used only for tax avoidance,recreation,or firewood and are not producing quality timber.What is the way forward for United Kingdom forestry at a time when even our national forests are vulnerable.
