# Introduction to Biomimicry

- Institution: IIT Madras
- Department: Multidisciplinary
- Taught by: Prof. Shiva Subramaniam, Prof. Sivakumar Srinivasan, Prof. Satya Seshadri, Prof. Mrinalini
- Level: Undergraduate
- Language: English
- Source: [NPTEL](https://nptel.ac.in/courses/127106231)
- Licence: [CC BY-NC-SA](https://nptel.ac.in/faq) (Non-commercial use only.)
- Syllabus: [at the source](https://nptel.ac.in/courses/127106231)
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (sources give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the source's own words)

Biomimicry is a practice that learns from and mimics the strategies found in nature to solve human challenges. Examples of biomimicry include everything from energy-producing solar cells that mimic tree leaves to antibacterial paints that emulate sharkskin to highly profitable businesses that improve their organizational structures based on redwood groves. Biomimicry is based on the principle that nature, with 3.8 billion years of wisdom, offers time-tested solutions to all our problems. We do not need to reinvent the strategies that are already here. We just need to learn how to adapt them.

Intended audience: All interested learners.

## Lectures

1. [Course overview | Week 1 - Part 1 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/4f581c571b34) (YouTube)
2. [What is biomimicry? | Week 1 - Part 2 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/36e6140d5f78) (YouTube)
3. [Why is biomimicry important? | Week 1 - Part 3 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/952c22046239) (YouTube)
4. [Nature's unifying patterns - Introduction | Week 1 - Part 4 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/8a69a4ea52e6) (YouTube)
5. [Case study | Week 1 - Part 5 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/0b332a4e4400) (YouTube)
6. [How to do biomimicry? | Week 1 - Part 6 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/9fcadf4bc24a) (YouTube)
7. [Skills, attitudes and mindset for a biomimic | Week 1 - Part 7 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/fae485acf9f7) (YouTube)
8. [Course activity | Week 1 - Part 8 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/a97de21e3a5a) (YouTube)
9. [Recap of Week 1 | Week 2 - Part 1 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/44c1bb3b8ad8) (YouTube)
10. [What are we mimicking? | Week 2 - Part 2 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/da0b72b93d8b) (YouTube)
11. [Function and Strategy | Week 2 - Part 3 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/9dce69016ff4) (YouTube)
12. [Approaches to biomimicry | Week 2 - Part 4 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/5d531998dfc6) (YouTube)
13. [From Problem to Solution - using the Biomimicry Design Spiral | Week 2 - Part 5 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/c5be6ec00092) (YouTube)
14. [Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals to identify challenges | Week 2 - Part 6 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/4cc3b5fb8dbc) (YouTube)
15. [Recap of Week 2 | Week 3 - Part 1 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/d67f620dd5f3) (YouTube)
16. [Step 1 - Define the problem: The Biomimicry Design Spiral | Week 3 - Part 2 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/b480c0097707) (YouTube)
17. [Step 2 - Biologize the problem: The Biomimicry Design Spiral | Week 3 - Part 3 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/379a6e4c16e4) (YouTube)
18. [Step 3 - Discover strategies in nature: The Biomimicry Design Spiral | Week 3 - Part 4 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/bfd9d96fda16) (YouTube)
19. [Applying the Biomimicry Design Spiral | Week 3 - Part 5 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/19ca5585ad04) (YouTube)
20. [Step 4 - Abstract design strategies from nature: The Biomimicry Design Spiral | Week 4 - Part 1 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/ac14987c6d0f) (YouTube)
21. [Step 5 - Emulate nature's strategies in your solution: The Biomimicry Design Spiral | Week 4 - Part 2 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/50b38059c5f0) (YouTube)
22. [Step 6 - Evaluate feasibility: The Biomimicry Design Spiral | Week 4 - Part 3 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/17cf594ea184) (YouTube)
23. [How to apply the biomimicry process? | Week 4 - Part 4 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/f43365d3a3c6) (YouTube)
24. [Recap of Week 4 | Week 5 - Part 1 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/14725f71955a) (YouTube)
25. [Nature's Unifying Patterns I | Week 5 - Part 2 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/546c8474f592) (YouTube)
26. [Systems Thinking - Introduction | Week 5 - Part 3 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/5135e49ef417) (YouTube)
27. [Applying the biomimicry process | Week 5 - Part 4 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/4d1ff998ed51) (YouTube)
28. [Systems Thinking - Understanding consequences | Week 6 - Part 1 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/79dd3a7eb125) (YouTube)
29. [Nature's Unifying Patterns II| Week 6 - Part 2 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/90cc2cea9205) (YouTube)
30. [Tools - Mind mapping | Week 6 - Part 3 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/5a8792c4e61a) (YouTube)
31. [Using biomimicry to design a solution | Week 6 - Part 4 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/408fcf6e5ecf) (YouTube)
32. [Recap of Week 6 | Week 7 - Part 1 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/2d290984b0c3) (YouTube)
33. [Developing creative confidence | Week 7 - Part 2 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/5591a7c1d2a1) (YouTube)
34. [Learning from the biomimicry process | Week 7 - Part 3 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/1eeb0d7d54e8) (YouTube)
35. [The need for creativity in our lives | Week 8 - Part 1 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/5fa41f9edce5) (YouTube)
36. [Unlocking your creativity | Week 8 - Part 2 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/95ed7cd85e01) (YouTube)
37. [Taking your biomimicry ideas to market | Week 8 - Part 3 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/8c0fe4080d8c) (YouTube)
38. [The journey so far | Week 8 - Part 4 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/d275daf68323) (YouTube)
39. [Finding the hero in you | Week 8 - Part 5 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/68b0943a1447) (YouTube)
40. [Course wrap-up | Week 8 - Part 6 : Introduction to Biomimicry](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/nptel/127106231/dce48ac2ff5f) (YouTube)