Interest · 13 examples
13 examples where people turned a strategy from nature into environmental solutions.
Fungi and fungal networks
Novobiom harnesses fungal and mycelium networks to remediate contaminated industrial sites. Fungi naturally break down pollutants and absorb heavy metals, restoring soil health without excavation or chemical treatment.
Fungi Inspired On-site Waste Remediation - Mycocycle Mycocycle works with nature’s master decomposers, fungi, to break down complex waste streams such as construction materials and asphalt.
Fog-harvesting beetle (Stenocara gracilipes)
Infinite Cooling developed fog harvesting technology inspired by the fog-harvesting beetle. Microscopic surface patterns collect water from fog without energy input, enabling water collection in arid regions.
Nematode (Caenorhabditis elegans)
Nematode chemical signals disrupt pest behaviour without pesticides.
Prairie Ecosystem (North American Tallgrass Prairie)
Polyculture perennial grains mimic prairie biodiversity.
Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae class)
Aquammodate harnesses diatom algae for water purification. Diatoms naturally filter and clean water while removing contaminants and accumulating nutrients, enabling low-cost, low-energy water treatment.
Bromeliad water-capture leaf structure
Bromeliad rainwater-capture architecture inspires reforestation pods that establish seedlings in water-scarce regions without irrigation.
Forest Ecosystem (Soil-Plant-Microbial Network)
Mimics forest floor decomposition for household wastewater.
New Dawn Bio: Growing Wood in a Lab Cutting down trees for wood is slow and wasteful.
Oysters (Crassostrea virginica and other species)
Ecosystem restoration using oyster reef structures to rebuild coastal habitats, improve water quality, and provide storm protection.
Wetland ecosystems (multiple plant and microbial species)
Wastewater treatment systems designed as functioning ecosystems mimicking natural wetlands for biological purification.
Mangrove trees (Rhizophora species)
Using mangrove root architecture to design living sea walls that provide coastal protection and habitat restoration.
Soil ecosystem organisms and plant communities
Coal mine land restoration using soil ecosystem principles to rebuild biologically productive landscapes from degraded mining sites.
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