A well written book exploring how scientists, engineers and architects are "taking a leaf from nature's book" and applying its properties to modern technological innovations. This book explores such topics as self-cleaning glass surfaces (Lotus-effect), how to stick without being sticky (the gecko's foot), how to bend light like a butterfly (photonic crystals), extra strength mussel glue, flying like a fly, velcro, nature's nylon, how to self-assemble electronic components (molecular erector and how to raise a roof with tensile wires that should sag rather than soar (tensegrity). This book also includes several black and white photographs and diagrams to illustrate concepts. The author has managed to convey the excitement of the subject, without making it boring and dull. This book is nicely written and not terribly technical. ( )

This book is frustrating. Parts of it are really interesting and parts of it are really boring. Overall, I didn't find the interesting parts to be worth slogging through the boring parts. ( )

This is a fascinating book about the new science of bio-inspiration and the discoveries tha have been made. Bio-inspiration (also called biomimetics) seeks to use nature's principles to create new technology. Each chapter covers a different biological wonder and the progress (or lack of it) that has been made towards utilising the underlying principles. Thus, the first chapter looks at the ability of the lotus to remain clean and how the discovery of the mechanisms involved has led to the development of self-cleaning glass. Suceeding chapters look at spiders' silk, the ability of geckos to cling upsidedown to ceilings, iridescence in nature, how insects fly, origami in the natural world and tension and compression in construction. The book is very readable with quite complicated science made relatively comprehensible. ( )

A fascinating, if somewhat technical, book about bio-inspired building and devices. This book captured my interest so effectively that it has started me looking at nature in a whole other way. Well written, and easy to read, despite the scientific discussion, this is well worth the effort. ( )