


SPIE and the SS/NDE symposium have partnered with the San Diego Zoo to promote the value of bioinspired engineering design. We began this collaboration in 2011, when the SPIE conference, Bioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication moved to the SS/NDE symposium. The San Diego Zoo joined the event with a special animal presentation as a way to illustrate the value of bioinspiration.
The San Diego Zoo Centre for Bioinspiration advances the creation and development of nature-inspired products and processes that benefit humanity, wildlife, and habitats. Established in 2006, San Diego Zoo Global's bioinspiration effort connects international academic, public, and industrial sectors to accelerate innovation inspired by nature. The Centre conducts corporate innovation services, partnered development projects, education and outreach. To learn more, please visit www.sandiegozoo.org/bioinspiration
Our 2014 SPIE Bio-Inspired Speaker:
Gabriel Miller - Bioinspiration: Innovation Inspired by Nature
View conference videos of recent Animal Ambassadors:
RECENT HOT TOPICS:
Panel Discussion: from the March 2014 Program. The 2014 program contained a panel discussion titled, "Biomimicry, Bioinspiration, and the San Diego Zoo". This panel was open for all attendees. A representative from the San Diego Zoo introduced the audience to an 'animal ambassador' and explained some of the remarkable features that can provide inspiration for the work of engineers and scientists. Panelists discussed the current state of bioinspiration in the research lab, design challenges, and future solutions and focused on all aspects of engineered biomimicry, including education, awareness, applications, research, and funding sources. More information can typically be found on the Special Events page, under the Technical Events link.
Emerald Ash Borer and Decoy
What's been in the news:
Conference Chair, Prof. Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Pennsylvania State University Fellow Member puts bio-replication research to work with his development of a "female emerald 'ash borer' decoy" - see the full story
Other SPIE Bio-Inspiration Speakers:
James Danoff-Burg of the San Diego Zoo Plenary from SPIE Smart Structures/ NDE 2012

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Alison B. Flatau, Professor of Aerospace Engineering, at the University of Maryland, is a long-standing supporter of SS/NDE. She speaks here about the 'new' movement that surrounds bioinspired design.
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