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Boxfish Case Study

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Boxfish Case Study
Could one, by emulating the design and structure of a boxfish, improve the sustainability of the motor industry, by decreasing material usage in construction and improve rigidness with aerodynamics, while maintaining strict safety-measures, in motor vehicles?
Biomimicry is an attempt at solving complex human sustainability problems by emulating structures, models and systems found in nature. These structures, models and systems that one seeks to emulate have as a result of trial-and-error and a long period of time (evolution), been optimised, and thus provide solutions to problems mankind has only recently become aware of, such as the unsustainable use of finite resource such as crude oil . Nature has in a way, provided mankind with many innovative solutions, which we need only take advantage of.
The motor industry, being one of the largest and most influential
…show more content…
The boxfish, living in chaotic, turbulent reefs, has over a long period of time, developed an ideal aerodynamic rectangular shape, which allows it to maintain stability naturally (no energy required), and allows for excellent manoeuvrability. In addition to this, the skeletal structure of a boxfish needed in an environment such as this, must be rigid, to prevent damage from collisions, yet light-weight, in order to manoeuvre around the reef. To achieve rigidness, but maintain its light-weightiness, boxfish’ have developed skeletons that emphasize reinforcement of skeletal tissue on areas with greater amount of stress, whereas have softer tissue on areas under less stress. This, in combination with the hexagonal-shaped structure of the skin and the ideal aerodynamic shape, provides optimum protection and manoeuvrability without sacrificing its lightness. The boxfish is an ideal model-organism to be emulated to improve sustainability in the motor

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