FAQ - frequently asked questions
- How and where can I study bionics?
- Are courses in bionics just major subjects within the biology curriculae?
- What topics are covered in bionics courses?
- What kind of degree will I get?
- Which companies need bionics-trained researchers?
- Which disciplines provide the basic research from which bionically
inspired projects are generated, e.g. science, engineering, or others?
- Are there any ecological advantages of bionic products? Are bionic
products sustainable in respect to material efficiency or functionality?
- Are spin offs from original bionic products possible?
- What are supporting factors for the development of bionics regarding
research, public acceptance, or industrial R&D?
|
|
1. How and where can I study bionics?
Have a look at our comprehensive list of universities and schools of applied sciences that offer
courses in bionics on page [Education][Tertiary Education].
In Europe, there are several universities with courses in bionics or biomechatronics, e.g.
University of Reading
 and the
University of Bath
in the UK,
the Scuola Superiore
in Pisa, Italy,
the University of Twente in the Netherlands, or the
Institute of Biocybernetics
in Poland.
|
|
2. Are courses in bionics just major subjects within the biology curriculae?
Can be, but does not have to. At present, a number of disciplines offer bionics courses, e.g.
engineering, design, architecture, or material sciences. You can even do a complete Bachelor of
Science (B.Sc.) in bionics at the School of Applied Sciences in Bremen. Of course, there is still
possible to do bionics as a major as part of a normal degree in biology. For more details, please
refer to our list of universities and schools of applied sciences with bionics courses on page
[Education][Tertiary Education].
|
|
3. What topics are covered in bionics courses?
The approaches and methods are quite different in the various bionics groups in Germany, so there is
no universally valid answer to this question. The following section gives a few examples of bionics
courses of universities in Berlin, Freiburg, and Ilmenau.
The major subject
Bionik und Evolutionstechnik
at the Technical University of Berlin aims at rectifying an
apparent lack in the training of engineers. Often, a sub-standard level of biological knowledge is responsible
for the dichotomy between nature and engineering. Bionics provides all prerequisites for a sound biological
training for engineers. Students are exposed to biological and engineering knowledge at the same time. This
makes it easier for engineers to approach biology and the parallel teaching saves valuable time for lectures.
The current tendency is to pool biology-oriented subjects in engineering – like biological computer sciences,
neural computing, adaptronics, evolutionary algorithms, biosensorics, or nanotechnology – by the name of
bionics. This can help to prevent an uncontrollable diversification of subjects for future engineers.
At the University of Freiburg , bionics is part of the
major subject botany/biomechanics and functional morphology. In addition to the more 'traditional'
botanical training, there are lectures, lab courses, and seminars, in which the methodology and scientific
approach for doing bionics is conferred.
Apart from traditional subjects in engineering, students can enroll in courses like integrated mechatronics
or microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) at the
Technical University of Ilmenau , with a focus on biological or ecological research or medicine, e.g.
keyhole surgery , micro-implants, etc.
|
|
4. What kind of degree will I get?
At the Technical University of Berlin, you will get the
degree Diplom-Ingenieur (Dipl.-Ing.) with the respective major subject, e.g. electrical engineering,
process technology, computer science, or biotechnology.
At the University of Freiburg, you will be awarded a
degree as Diplombiologe (Dipl.-Biol.).
At the Technical University of Ilmenau, the degree is
Diplom-Ingenieur (TU) in mechatronics and medical technology.
At the School of Applied Sciences in Bremen, you can
do a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.).
|
|
5. Which companies need bionics-trained scientists or engineers?
Large companies with their own research facilities, e.g. in medical technology, robotics, or automotive
industry, are potential employers for scientists and engineers with special training in bionics. Numerous
firms interested in bionics are listed in the members' directory of the Society for Technical Biology and
Bionics, (Gesellschaft für Technische Biologie und Bionik,
GTBB
). Alternatively, R&D projects
are often outsourced to university groups as mission oriented research.
|
|
6. Which disciplines provide the basic research from which bionically inspired projects are
generated, e.g. science, engineering, or others?
In general, inspirations for new applications come up during observations and analyses of intriguing
phenomena of the living world, e.g. the basic botanical research that led to the development of the
Lotus-Effect®. A complementary approach is also possible: a market-oriented question is put forward
by an engineer in such a way that analogies to the question at stake can be found in nature, and
appropriate principles can subsequently be identified and transferred to the field of engineering.
The communication between biologist and engineer is essential, and bionics aims at providing a common
language, e.g. schematic models of a system that can be correctly interpreted by both sides.
|
|
7. Are there any ecological advantages of bionic products? Are bionic products sustainable in
respect to material efficiency or functionality?
Technical systems designed after natural models and developed for a specific task are not inherently
and automatically more environmentally friendly. They do possess, however, the potential for being
integrated in larger ecological contexts. As the functions of biological systems are synchronized from
molecules to the whole ecosphere, it is more likely, that a technically realized bionic process or product
will be integrable in material cycles. In many cases, there will be a coinciding reduction in energy
consumption and an increase in material efficiency and product durability. Furthermore, an increased
compatibility of a bionic product with other bionic solutions can be expected, e.g. if biocompatible
materials are used in bionic locomotor systems of robots.
|
|
8. Are spin offs from original bionic products likely?
Further developments of technical applications often coincide with a further integration of functions
or a change of functions. A biological principle is often realized in greatly varying biological systems
or species. Likewise, if a biological principle is successfully abstracted, i.e. converted into a language
that can be understood by biologist as well as engineers, there are no limits on the use of this principle
in a range of technical applications. The peristaltic principle, for example, can be used for locomotion
or for material transport. Similarly, the spread wings of birds can be a model for aircraft wings and also
for wind turbines. The effect of multiple applicability of a principle can be seen in particular, if a
bionic application is derived from biological fundamental research. The Lotus-Effect®, for example, can
be realized in things like façade paints, roof tiles, or textiles. The greater the innovative step of a
bionic transfer of a biological principle, the more far-reaching the range of technical innovations can be.
|
|
9. What are supporting factors for the development of bionics regarding research, public acceptance,
or industrial R&D?
The base of successful bionics is an unhindered communication between experts of various fields, e.g.
biology and engineering. Both sides try to find a common language. Moreover, a systematic description
of biological phenomena in a context of technical boundary conditions makes it easier for engineers to
converse with biologists and to consider the wealth of biological varieties. This approach is actively
developed by members of the Bionics Competence Network, in particular by the BIOKON centers of Saarbrücken,
Münster, Ilmenau, and Freiburg. The hitherto coincidental finding of possible applications or solutions is
turned into a well-assessable step in the process of doing bionics.
Of course, bionic research depends on funding, since nature does not license its 'patents' for nothing.
Many biological principles are still poorly understood, so that often, the necessary periods of time for
biological basic research as part of R&D projects cannot realistically be estimated. If profound analyses
and basic research is necessary to fully understand a particular biological principle, the development
cycles become longer. The gain, however, for long-term bionic projects can be immense, if true innovations
are made available for technical applications.
|
|
|
|
