Biomimetic Design Method for Innovation and Sustainability

The Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell is an attractive energy conversion device that can provide efficient and clean electrical energy. However, limitations in water management can deleteriously affect its conversion efficiency. Overcoming this technological challenge is essential. In this paper, two design methodologies, biomimetic design and TRIZ, were used to find potential solutions to this water management problem. Each design method produced two potential solutions. We found biomimetic design to have more potential for bias by the designer’s prior knowledge of biology. This bias can serve to either hinder or help the design process. A notable finding is that biomimetic design and TRIZ can be considered mutually inclusive in the potential solutions generated in this study. This suggests that either design method could have been used to produce the same solutions.

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Biomimetics: Structure–Function Patterns Approach

Journal of Mechanical Design ◽

10.1115/1.4028169 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 136 (11) ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Yael Helfman Cohen ◽

Yoram Reich ◽

Sara Greenberg

Keyword(s):

Structure Function ◽

Design Process ◽

Complete System ◽

Design Method ◽

Biological Systems ◽

Biological Databases ◽

Biomimetic Design ◽

Meta Level ◽

Wide Range ◽

Range Of Functions

Understanding the relationships between structures and functions is important for engineering design in general and for biomimetic design specifically. In nature, different structures provide a wide range of functions efficiently and with minimal costs. Based on the analyses of 140 biological systems that are derived from biomimetic sources by a TRIZ based method, we provide a list and examples of structure–function patterns that repeat in biomimetic applications. These patterns are presented through a technical lens and a complete system model, serving as engines or brakes of the biological system, exploiting energy sources or blocking them, respectively. This list of patterns serves as an index of clues that open doors for further investigation of the complexity of these relations. Understanding the mechanisms behind these meta-level patterns is required for a successful biomimetic design process. The list provides both keywords for biological databases search and clues for abstraction of biological texts. The TRIZ based method that has been used for this study can be further used for modeling other biological systems during the abstraction stage of the biomimetic design process. Thus, we offer a bridge between biology and technology and set a foundation for a new biomimetic design method.

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Design Improvements on a Bipolar Plate With Passive Water Management Using the Biomimetic Design Method

ASME 2010 8th International Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology Conference: Volume 1 ◽

10.1115/fuelcell2010-33349 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Ji Ke ◽

J. S. Wallace ◽

L. H. Shu

Keyword(s):

Water Management ◽

Liquid Water ◽

Design Method ◽

Operating Conditions ◽

Test Apparatus ◽

Design Elements ◽

Biomimetic Design ◽

Flow Channels ◽

Biological Phenomena ◽

Wide Range

Liquid water build up in the cathode flow channels of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) can limit performance. A mechanism that removes accumulating liquid water continuously from the flow channels is required. While a number of water management strategies have been demonstrated, the search for improvements continues. This paper describes a novel technique of using biomimetic design to systematically generate a passive water management system concept for PEMFCs. Studies have shown that biology is a good source of analogies for engineering design. We believe that biomimetic design is an effective design methodology for PEMFC designs due to several common characteristics of biological systems, such as efficient use of material and energy, a self-regulating characteristic, and high tolerance to a wide range of operating conditions. A passive water management solution was generated based on two biological phenomena identified using the biomimetic design method. The biological phenomena inspired use of design elements such as random abrasions and polyethersulfone strands to remove water from the flow channels. The design was demonstrated on a simple test apparatus with low air flow rates and low inlet pressure. Preliminary experiments with the test apparatus have shown total recovery from flow channel catastrophic flooding within seconds. The present paper discusses the biomimetic design process, implementation, and prototype results.

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A Novel Biomimetic Design Method Based on Biology Texts Under Network

Advances in Mechanical Design - Mechanisms and Machine Science ◽

10.1007/978-981-32-9941-2_4 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 41-51

Author(s):

Bowen Chen ◽

Liang Chen ◽

Xiaomin Liu ◽

Hao Dou

Keyword(s):

Design Method ◽

Biomimetic Design

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Biomimetic Concept Generation Applied to Design for Remanufacture

Volume 3: 7th Design for Manufacturing Conference ◽

10.1115/detc2002/dfm-34177 ◽

2002 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

E. Hacco ◽

L. H. Shu

Keyword(s):

Engineering Design ◽

Design Method ◽

Concept Generation ◽

Biological Phenomenon ◽

Biomimetic Design ◽

Generation Technique ◽

Modified Method ◽

Engineering Problems ◽

Design For Remanufacture ◽

Initial Method

This paper applies a biomimetic design method to generate concepts for design that facilitates remanufacture. Biomimetic design fully or partially imitates or evokes some biological phenomenon. A method for identifying and using biological analogies for engineering problems was introduced in an earlier paper. This initial method was tested on an example in design for remanufacture. Here, the method is further developed and used to find more biomimetic solutions for the same problem in design for remanufacture. While the example problem is in remanufacture, the method can be used to develop biomimetic concepts for engineering design in general. The paper first summarizes previous efforts in developing and testing the biomimetic concept generation technique. Next described are the differences in the method that are used for this paper, including the increased importance of strategies to help identify promising analogies. Results of applying the modified method to design for remanufacture are documented.

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Water Management Concepts in PEMFC With Biomimetic and TRIZ Design Methods

ASME 2010 8th International Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology Conference: Volume 1 ◽

10.1115/fuelcell2010-33348 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Keith Fung ◽

J. S. Wallace ◽

L. H. Shu

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cell ◽

Liquid Water ◽

Design Method ◽

Flow Direction ◽

Bipolar Plate ◽

Biomimetic Design ◽

Flow Channels ◽

Management Concepts ◽

A Cell ◽

Prototype Apparatus

Excessive water accumulation at the cathode can cause cathode flooding in a fuel cell. Two design methodologies, TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) and biomimetic design, were applied to address the problem. A concept generated from TRIZ involves reversing the direction of cathode flow periodically to introduce dryer gas to the previous outlet, where it is previously saturated, with the humidified gas exiting the previous inlet. The concept is intended to reduce the potential for a channel to flood. A prototype apparatus was created to evaluate the concept. It consisted of a cell with a bare Nafion™ membrane pressurized by water on one side and with air flowing on the other side. The prototype apparatus demonstrated a potential loss of overall water removal efficiency in air. Therefore, the flow direction reversal concept may not benefit an actual fuel cell. A second concept generated from the biomimetic design method involves gathering liquid water with cavities and directing the liquid water out of the flow channels. Cavities for water collection in the flow channels of a bipolar plate are created in two configurations. In the first configuration the cavity is created by extending a straight channel from the u-bend in the channel. In the second configuration, the cavity is created by a hole perpendicular to the channel into the bipolar plate. Once the liquid water is collected at cavities, the water is directed out of the cell with wicking materials. A prototype with injected liquid water demonstrated the potential benefits for a fuel cell.

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