Page 56 - Biomimetics: Technology Imitates Nature

Biomimetics: Technology Imitates Nature

parts of skyscrapers that receive no direct light. Giant lenses sited in a sky-
scraper’s roof focus the sun’s rays on the ends of fiber optic transmitters,
which then send light to even the very darkest parts of the buildings.
This sponge lives at some 100 to 200 meters depth, off the shores of
the Antarctic Ocean, under icebergs in what is virtually total darkness.
Sunlight is of the greatest importance to its survival. The creature man-
ages to solve this problem by means of optical fibers that collect solar light
in a most effective manner.
Scientists are amazed that a living thing should have used the fiber
optic principle, utilized by high-tech industries, in such an environment
for the past 600 million years. Ann M. Mescher, a mechanical engineer and
polymer fiber specialist at the University of Washington, expresses it in
these terms:
It’s fascinating that there’s a creature that produces these fibers at low temper-
ature with these unique mechanical properties and fairly good optical proper-
ties. 45
Brian D. Flinn, University of Washington materials scientist, de-
scribes the superior structure in this sponge:
It’s not something they’re going to put into telecommunications in the next two
or three years. It’s something that might be 20 years off. 46
This all demonstrates that the living things within nature harbor a
great many models for human beings. God, Who has designed everything
down to the finest detail, has created these designs for mankind to learn
from and think upon. This is revealed in the verses:

In the creation of the heavens and the Earth, and the alternation of
night and day, there are signs for people with intelligence: those
who remember God, standing, sitting and lying on their sides, and
reflect on the creation of the heavens and the Earth: “Our Lord, You

have not created this for nothing. Glory be to You! So safeguard us
from the punishment of the Fire.” (Qur’an, 3: 190-191)

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