Professor Beismann, the VDI Guideline 6220 Part 1 from 2020 provides a framework for "biomimetic work" in companies. 2020 suggests the Guideline is quite current. What prompted you to work on Guideline 6220 Part 2 as an update?
Prof. Heike Beismann: The Guideline Part 1 from 2020 is up to date but is based on prior history. It means it is a revised version and has been available in its original format for quite some time. The VDI usually reviews guidelines every five years and makes revisions if necessary. That is why the "Biomimetics" guideline has since been revised and updated. As far as the content is concerned, Part 1 provides a framework for biomimetic work. It also outlines the application of research and development approaches. However, it does not deliver a full description of the process. Part 1 also served as the basis for the ISO standard internationally. Since we focus more on the definitions, terminologies, and basic principles, the VDI had already planned to issue another Guideline on the implementation of biomimetic.
The new Guideline comes out in June 2022. Does this mean companies can use it as a template for applied biomimetic in the future?
Beismann: Ideally, that’s the case. You already have traditional approaches: you always start by identifying the problem. You subsequently analyze and abstract to where you identify the core problem. Part of problem solving is to then implement new or optimized processes. These are common and well-known steps in the industry. And it is also the starting point for our new Guideline. We don't want biomimetic to be seen as a new, entirely different development process. The idea is to integrate its principles into what is already known. Our goal is to show the possibilities this creates for companies willing to include it in their processes. It opens a large window of opportunity that looks at nature for solutions. This method doesn’t always have to work but if it makes sense, you just expanded your repertoire and can draw on a 3.8-billion-year history and evolution to find the perfect solution.
Doesn’t this mean you need someone who is familiar with biological possibilities to support the development process?
Beismann: It always makes sense to bring in the right experts or to involve them at the start of the project. Enter our students, for example. They don’t focus 100% of their studies on biology or mechanical engineering but learn to be intermediaries between these areas. That’s how this is meant to work. Interdisciplinary teamwork is critical in bionics/biomimetics.