6 Examples of Technology in Nature
Okay, this is going to sound strange to you. But yes, nature creates technology. And we've got examples to prove it. Stand aside, humans, we're turning our attention to those who did it first.
To better understand this concept, we should perhaps take a step back and ask: What is the definition of technology? We can define technology as “the practical application of knowledge to improve life”. Or, as Kaitlin Chuzi, Director of Biomimicry at Microsoft defines technology in this podcast: “Anything that frees an organism from its physical or mental limitations”.
Now it starts to make sense, doesn’t it? Let’s look at these six examples of technology in nature.
1. Ants Creating Agri-Tech to Farm Fungus
Ants are great farmers. Leaf-cutter ants and several other ant species carry small pieces of leaves and natural debris to their nests, where fungus grows on it and eventually provides food for the larvae.The fungi is kept in specific conditions, optimal for its growth, usually in logs or underground holes.
Ants utilise bacteria found in their environment to break down leaves and other debris, which creates fungus gardens. Illustration by Mike Perkins and Nathan Johnson via Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
The fungus these ants farm have actually been genetically isolated from other wild fungi species over years of being “domesticated” by ants, becoming the perfect monoculture to fulfil all their nutritional needs. Researchers suggest that ants secrete a natural antibiotic substance to protect their crops from pests and diseases, too. Pretty high-tech, if you ask me.
2. Bees Creating Microbiology Technology to Build Honeycombs
Beehives contain hexagonal honeycombs, which are the perfect shapes to manufacture honey in as it requires the minimal amount of wax to store the maximum amount of honey. The comb is optimised so no space gets wasted.
Watch the video below for more information on exactly how - and why - the cells are hexagonal.
To make these honeycombs, sugar from the honey gets converted into wax inside the bee's body, producing small flakes. The bees chew these wax flakes to mold it, and then add them to the structure to build the honeycomb. Worker bees do all this within their six-week lifespan. A tad more than what humans do within their first six weeks of life!
Here's what else we can learn from bees and honeycombs.
3. Crows Using Tools to Create Food Sourcing Technology
New Caledonian crows are known to be extremely intelligent, and to make and use tools to reach their food. They often strip twigs of its bark and leaves, then bend one end to fashion a hook to reach into crevices where their beaks can’t reach.
Or, they “cut” big leaves with their beaks to make serrated edges that can scrape larvae out of logs, for example.
Watch the video below to see how they do it.
4. Birds Building Nests with Construction Technology
Birds build their nests for the primary function of providing shelter, and a space to lay eggs and raise their young. The way they do it is simple yet intricate. Some birds, like swallows mix their saliva with mud to create a really strong bonding substance or "glue" to create a strong, mud structure. Others, like weavers, actually weave twigs and grasses together with their feet and beaks in branches or reeds.
Swallows build nests out of mud and saliva, but different species use different materials. You can watch how they build their nests here. This is a good example of the Genius of Place approach (more on that below). It is best practice to use locally available materials in a regenerative way when embarking on a new building project.
Birds' technology is optimised for using local materials, durability and maintaining warmth, an impressive display of architecture and construction.
5. Termites Using Architectural Technology to Build Mounds
Termites are known for being excellent architects, building their mounds to draw heat upwards to escape, and allowing cool air to enter through lower openings, enabling ventilation year round. This technology has inspired human projects in the built environment to utilise passive cooling too.
Their mounds, made of only of a mixture of saliva, dung and soil, are incredibly strong and can resist strong weather and deter predators.
Here are some great examples of biomimicry in architecture for a further read.
6. Dolphins Using Sea Sponges as Hunting Technology
A population of bottlenose dolphins off the coast of Australia have been found to put soft sea sponges on their beaks when foraging for fish on the ocean floor, to prevent injury from rocks or sharp corals.
Fun fact: only the females do this, and they pass this technique on only to their female offspring. They also sometimes carry the same sponge (perhaps their favourite?) with them for later use.
Natural Lessons From Our Ecosystems
So, what can we learn from all these clever organisms creating technology in nature? When solving for human challenges, using the Genius of Place approach is a good way to tap into localised natural wisdom.
This means that what works in one region or environment, might not work in another, and it’s important to take your specific region’s ecology into account when planning a project.
We’re taking a page from Biomimicry 3.8’s book. See the full Guide to Genius of Place here.
In order for our built environments to create conditions conducive to life, we should design our projects around its local context by looking to the region's existing organisms, processes and systems to inform our designs. If you're new to biomimicry, learn more by downloading this free eBook: A Field Guide to Biomimicry. Image source: Biomimicry 3.8
How to apply the Genius of Place process
1. Identify the ecological place of your project
You can visit One Earth’s map of bioregions to locate the ecological place your project will take place in.
2. Gain an in-depth understanding of the region’s needs
Use the Ecology Pocket Guide to learn more about what your biome needs to thrive, and especially take note of the 'Key Design Considerations' section. This will help you better understand the technologies that are operational in this context.
3. Ask the locals
Do as the locals do, and look to the organisms, processes and systems within the
environment to find potential solutions that are perfectly suited to that specific region. Here, you can really study particular technologies that organisms have developed, and that might help you solve a particular problem in this area or bioregion.
You can also learn more from these Genius of Place reports, or dive into AskNature.
4. Brainstorm locally attuned ideas
It’s time to get the right people together! Work with other biomimics and expert individuals who can advise on your project, especially from the region, to develop the most beneficial next steps for your project.
In Closing
Technology was not invented by humans. Animals have developed and created systems, tools and techniques for building and using technology (that is, applying knowledge practically to improve their lives) far more advanced than we could ever imagine, years before we even started. Here are some examples of how nature has inspired recent innovations in technology.
So, what's next?
If you're an innovator who thinks differently, our Biomimicry Practitioner Programme might be for you. This is a 6-month, part time programme facilitated by expert biomimics and mentors, that will guide you through applying biomimicry practically to your own project. You can download the brochure here.