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Form, function, and process-based inspiration from biology in design. Biomimetics, bionics and bio-inspired technology. Students will be required to study models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems. Top-down and bottom-up design processed in bio-inspired design. Understand bio-inspired design and its relationship to matauranga Maori. Systematic identification of key aspects of biological design as found in living systems and organisms taken from scientific literature. Transfer of biological terms into technology based design requirements in fields including locomotion, air- and hydrodynamics, anti-fouling, architecture, adhesion, swarm intelligence and energy recovery. Students will be asked to study existing examples and develop their own individual design based on a specific living organism.
1. Understand the definitions and design implications of biomimetics, bionics and bio-inspired technology.2. Understand and apply the bottom-up and top-down process in bio-inspired design. 3. Be able to translate biological research finding into technical design constraints.4. Use a bio-inspired design approach in product design. 5. Understand the historic context of bio-inspired design and be familiar with key examples in the field.6. Understand bio-inspired design and its relationship to Mātauranga Māori.
Approval of the Head of the School of Product Design
Students must attend one activity from each section.
Hossein Najaf Zadeh
Alison Lowery
Nick Emerson and Euan Coutts
In class presentations: 10% (5% per presentation)Bio-inspired design developed by the bottom-up process (Poster, presentation): 25%In-silico exploration of top-down processes (Extended lab tasks, optimisation of a bio-inspired robotic soft gripper): 25% (split into 5% and 15%)Research proposal for a bio-inspired application: Report 20%, Presentation 20%Total: 100%
Domestic fee $1,197.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Product Design .