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StrC–Rich Prospect Taxonomy on Structural Colour: A Tool for Research to Connect Scientific Knowledge on Nature and Biomimetic Design Innovation
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- Author / Creator
- Fiorentino, Carlos
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This research project investigated the nature of colour from a biocentered and biomimetic perspective. Biomimicry or biomimetics (from bios, meaning life, and mimesis,
meaning to imitate) is an emerging multidisciplinary field and a new methodology that offers successful and time-tested models of design rooted in life principles. Biomimicry draws on
nature’s “best ideas” and then emulates them to address human problems approached from a design criterion—critical, project-based, and process-driven. The phenomenon of structural colour—often described in physics as light interference produced in material surfaces at the nano-scale—is of particular interest in the field of biomimicry, as new discoveries are emerging with potential applications for researchers in biological science and design. Through the scientific and technological literature available, this research project studied the mechanisms of structural colour in life forms, the ways these mechanisms and structures are combined to create colour, the strategies implemented by several species when using them, and the implications for biomimetic implementation on materials and products. The main objective of this research project was to investigate a way to bridge scientific knowledge and potential biomimetic design applications. Existing gaps in communication
between scientific and design disciplines may create limitations in accessing and understanding available scientific data from a design perspective. Such limitations occur due to the different
epistemological views of science and design disciplines. It is important to ensure that reliable information is easily accessible and can be understood by people from different fields. The best
way to create that kind of situation is to approach it as an issue of facilitation and mediation.
An appropriate tool could potentially help to mitigate existing limitations; however, there may be other intrinsic reasons for these limitations, and some of these reasons that may prevent the communication gaps to be resolved. Focused on such challenges, this research project addresses a two-part correlated research question: How can a biocentered design approach to
colour help bridge gaps between scientific knowledge and biomimetic design practices? How can available scientific information/knowledge on structural colour be better organized and more accessible to bridge such gaps?
This research proposes to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and potential biomimetic design applications through the creation of an ecosystem of dynamic digital tools.
These tools, inspired by the Academic Prototyping method and the Rich-Prospect Browsing concept, test ways of accessing available scientific knowledge about structural colour. The
ultimate intention is to improve communication between scientists and designers involved in current biomimetic projects, as well as inspire new projects. This approach invites exploration
and addresses what else can be learned or is waiting to be discovered from nature that will help create, manipulate, and use colour without pigments. This project also explores specific ways
in which this knowledge can be shared effectively with a broader audience interested in the subject. As an underlying matter, this project may contribute to building upon a biocentered
design theory that enables design disciplines to evolve from unsustainable anthropocentric practices. Results of this research provide evidence that the StrC tool has the potential to support
designers and scientists, and this research addresses the research questions, and reveals new questions and elements for further discussion, as well as guidance for future steps of the project. -
- Graduation date
- Spring 2020
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- Type of Item
- Thesis
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- Degree
- Doctor of Philosophy
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- License
- Permission is hereby granted to the University of Alberta Libraries to reproduce single copies of this thesis and to lend or sell such copies for private, scholarly or scientific research purposes only. Where the thesis is converted to, or otherwise made available in digital form, the University of Alberta will advise potential users of the thesis of these terms. The author reserves all other publication and other rights in association with the copyright in the thesis and, except as herein before provided, neither the thesis nor any substantial portion thereof may be printed or otherwise reproduced in any material form whatsoever without the author's prior written permission.