A First Look:
2020 Launchpad Teams
The Biomimicry Launchpad is an incubator program that provides entrepreneurial training to Global Design Challenge finalists, providing them with the tools needed to bring their designs to life.
The Biomimicry Launchpad accelerates the development of tangible, regenerative solutions by identifying and supporting high potential innovators. In addition to traditional startup training, the program incorporates deep environmental connection and awareness, instilling an ethos of supporting all life through business and product design.
Please note that these are all works in progress, and the teams showcased below are continuing to work on and update their solutions.
ARCHI-Farmer
Taipei, Taiwan
Increasing traffic noise and rising heat caused by climate change negatively affect the 55% of global population living in urban areas. Inspired by concave-eared torrent frogs, mimosa leaves, and desert snails, this team designed a sustainable and efficient noise proof and shading installation for buildings’ exterior walls. Their product, Sensitive Wall, solves urban noise and energy consumption problems. It is also an attractive and eco-friendly dynamic choice for architectural façade.
Industry: Architecture
Nature Inspiration: Concave-eared torrent frog, Mimosa pudica
BottleBricks
Utrecht, Netherlands
BottleBricks were designed to address the growing problems of lack of adequate housing and poor (plastic) waste management at refugee centers in Greece. Inspired by the thermoregulation strategies of organisms living in harsh environments, the smart structure of this interlocking bottle system allows for waterproof and season-adaptable construction. BottleBricks bring a simple solution to a complex problem. Helping vulnerable people and benefiting the environment are their core values.
Industry: Circular Economy
Nature Inspiration: Saharan Silver Ant, silk cocoons, nacre
Eutrolife
Colombia
It is estimated that the number of lakes with harmful algal blooms will increase by 20% globally by 2050, while more than 40% of the lakes and freshwater reservoirs in Latin America are in a eutrophic state. Mimicking the filtering functions of salps and devil rays, Eutrolife is a modular system, designed to treat eutrophic water bodies by filtering surface water and redistributing excess nutrients.
Industry: Agriculture, Water Management
Nature Inspiration: Salps, Devil rays
Methanolite
Calgary, AB
Human contributions to methane emissions often overwhelm natural methane sinks and contribute to the greenhouse gases that cause climate change. This team from the University of Calgary is working to tackle this problem head-on by emulating the way certain bacteria (methanotrophs) metabolize methane. Methanolite converts methane to methanol through the use of a zeolite catalyst without the emission of carbon dioxide.
Industry: Oil and Gas
Nature Inspiration: Methanotrophs
MyOak Public Market
Baltimore, MD
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team that created MyOak Public Market asked how they could cultivate a more connected and responsive food system network to ensure food access during times of crisis. Inspired by the Chesapeake Forest in their own backyard, they designed a reciprocal online platform to increase food access for vulnerable populations as well as the economic potential of local food producers.
Industry: Agriculture and Food Technology
Nature Inspiration: Symbiosis between mycorrhizal fungi and white oak in the Chesapeake Forest
nutriBarrier
Adelaide, Australia
Agricultural runoff is a major source of excess nutrients in waterways that can lead to harmful algal blooms and oxygen depletion. nutriBarrier is designed to be deployed around crops to reduce this runoff while also ensuring a slow release of fertilizer. Made from materials inspired by the protective strategies of hagfish and frogs, this barrier can be woven around individual plants in a helix pattern, using materials economically while protecting and watering each plant.
Industry: Agriculture
Nature Inspiration: Acorn germination, frog mating, Myxini defense processes
Pranavayu
Utrecht, Netherlands
Mimicking the pointed structure of bee hairs and the electrostatic attraction of charged pollen grains to those hairs, Pranavayu is an air filtration system designed to improve the health and livelihoods of rickshaw drivers in Delhi, India. This filter’s electrostatically charged metal meshes are designed to optimize the capture of pollutants, allowing the driver to breathe clean air.
Industry: Air Purification
Nature Inspiration: Attraction of pollen onto flowers and bees
RICOCHET
Tainan, Taiwan
The WHO associates ambient air pollution from fine particulate matter (PM2.5) with a broad spectrum of acute and chronic illness; and in 2016, it was responsible for 4.2 million deaths globally. RICOCHET aims to reduce PM2.5 by improving current particulate matter filters used on vehicles. With its manta-mimicking structure, RICOCHET resists clogging, consumes low energy, and possesses high filtering efficiency at the same time.
Industry: Automotive
Nature Inspiration: Manta ray gill rakers
The SINC
Calgary, AB
Many communities in Northern Canada suffer from a lack of clean drinking water, and this issue of water insecurity disproportionately affects Indigenous Canadians. Inspired by the countercurrent heat exchange system found in trout and the beard lichen’s water collection process, the SINC (Sustainable Ice Nucleation Contraption) is an outdoor water collection system designed for northern communities affected by water scarcity.
Industry: Water
Nature Inspiration: Rainbow trout, lichen
Swadaroo
Multiple Cities
Swadaroo is developing textiles for the 21st century. Building on an initial idea of a swaddling pouch for newborns, they are testing how composite materials perform together. Inspired by a kangaroo’s pouch that secretes antimicrobial agents, has insulating fur, and a thermally regulating vasculature, Swadaroo aims to reveal novel apparel, public health, and construction applications.
Industry: Textiles and Medical Products
Nature Inspiration: Kangaroo
As we look to expand our support of nature-inspired designers and entrepreneurs, we need your help! We are constantly on the lookout for mentors a advisors, investor and corporate partners looking for more sustainable products and practices, and sponsors to help us support even more innovators. If you are interested in learning more about how you can get involved, please contact Jared Yarnall-Schane, our Entrepreneurship Director, at [email protected].
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