Presentation notes
notes
Presentation
Slide 1:
Welcome to this activity, which is part of 3M Worldlywise, 3M’s free online teaching resource
– www.3Mworldlywise.co.uk
Slide 2:
What do we mean when by ‘sustainability’?
What do you think it means to be ‘green’ or ‘eco-friendly’?
Sustainability means taking care of our environment and managing our resources so that there
will be enough for our children and their children’s children.
Who here thinks they live quite a sustainable life?
After this session, you can go to the 3M Worldlywise website to find out more about
sustainable living.
Slide 3:
In today’s lesson we are going to find out more about how nature can help us to find solutions
to the challenges we face as humans – from the small things in our everyday lives to the big
issues affecting the future of our whole planet.
Slide 4:
OK – so what is this and what can we learn from it?
Slide 5:
This picture is a sharks skin really close up.
Does anyone know what drag is? Drag is air or fluid resistance to motion, like friction.
Think about a shark when it swims – is it fast? Hands up who thinks it has low drag?
Maybe we can learn something from the shark – about how to move quickly and efficiently.
What everyday things could we relate this to?
About 50% of the drag for an aeroplane is due to what we call ‘skin friction’ on the body and
wings of the plane.
By using these ‘riblets’, like a shark, we can reduce drag by up to 6%. This means that for a given
speed, you need less thrust. Less thrust means you need less fuel and that could save up to
£60,000 a year in fuel.
How do the riblets work? It’s very complicated – but a simple explanation is that for smooth
surfaces the ‘turbulence’ or drag happens all over the surface, whereas for surfaces with
grooves, turbulence only happens at the tops of each triangle and not in the v-shaped
troughs.
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Slide 6:
There are other environmental benefits – applying riblet film to the blades of wind turbines
makes the energy generation more efficient at slower wind speeds – plus, as a protective
coating, the film can increase the working life of blades by up to 10 years, so less energy and
fewer resources are used on maintenance.
Also see: (BMW racing team) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8w4BwhTvEr8
Slide 7:
Have you ever seen the Channel 4 show Grand Designs?
We are going to watch a short video clip from it now.
(Grand Designs) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l1vHc6ZEOc
Slide 8:
Does anyone know what this flower is called?
It’s a lotus flower. The lotus flower typically grows in swampy, muddy areas.
Yet it’s famous for its clean, pristine appearance.
After rain, the lotus flower is dry and clean even when other plants are splashed
with mud and dirt.
Slide 9:
How does it do it? If we look at the surface of the petals on a nano scale – that means we use
equipment that magnifies the image so that we can see structures on the surface that are so
small they are measured in nanometres. To give you an idea of scale, one nanometre is like
taking a human hair and splitting it up into 40,000 strands.
When we do that, we realise that the surface of the plant is not smooth, it’s actually rough,
spiky – almost mountainous.
This means that pieces of dirt sit on the peaks of the little mountains and then when it rains,
water droplets run down the leaf and collect the dirt.
It’s a bit like when you roll a snowball it collects leaves and grass from the ground.
This effect means that the lotus flower is self-cleaning.
Self-cleaning paints like the one we saw on Grand Designs, mimic this
micro-mountainous surface.
This effect has also been used in sports by using a self-cleaning plastic film on a ball so it
always looks clean and easy to see.
Can you think of any other uses for this technology?
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Slide 10:
Here is another image taken using the powerful microscope to see the tiny details of a
surface.
Does anyone know what this might be?
It’s a picture of the surface of hook and look fastener.
Slide 11:
The hook-and-loop fastener was invented in 1941 by Swiss engineer, George de Mestral. The
idea came to him after a trip with his dog, he took a close look at the burrs (seeds) of burdock
that kept sticking to his clothes and his dog's fur. He examined them under a microscope, and
noted their hundreds of ‘hooks’ that caught on anything with a loop, such as clothing, animal
fur, or hair.
Nappy fasteners – used to use adhesive tape (sticky-tape) but this lost its stickiness if coated
with talc or cream. This led to nappies being thrown away or replaced more frequently.
3M Scotchmate™ uses hook & loop material which is less affected by talc/cream, and
also doesn’t stick to skin. Unlike velcro™ is not rough to the touch as it doesn’t use
standard ‘hooks’.
This ‘micro-structure’ of multiple protrusions has also been developed for gripping materials
which work in the wet or dry – it can be used in golf gloves, for example.
Slides 12/13:
Experiment notes:
This experiment helps students to see the practical application of technologies which mimic nature.
We provide samples of various materials including a swatch of leather and two swatches of carpet –
one untreated and the other treated with a fabric protector.
We use Scotchgard™ Protector from 3M, which forms an invisible barrier to repels water-based liquids
and helps protect against stains.*
Students can test the samples to see what happens when they pour equal measures of blackcurrant
cordial onto each of the samples.
The can record their observations and see if they can tell which of the carpet samples has been treated.
The untreated sample should absorb the cordial more than the treated one, where much of the liquid
will roll off – just like on the lotus flower. They can also discuss their observations about the leather
and see that it’s a naturally water repellent material.
* Always read the label and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Slide 14:
Human designs often waste energy. For example in the older style light bulbs, a typical energy
diagram would show that from 100 Joules of electrical energy that goes in, only 10J of light
comes out – the rest is lost as heat energy. New style light bulbs can output up to 75% of the
energy as light so they are much more energy efficient.
Nature minimises energy usage because it is such a precious resource. Natural selection – or
survival of the fittest – means that species that do not maximise their efficiency are less likely to
survive. There is 3.8 billion years of natural R&D (research and development) that we can tap
into for ideas.
Thinsulate™ is a material that’s been developed by 3M for heat, noise and vibration insulation.
The unique micro-fibres are about 10 times smaller than the fibres of traditional synthetic
insulation materials. The technology mimics the tiny fibres found in animal wool – which is an
excellent insulator but can be bulky. The tiny Thinsulate™ fibres are very efficient at trapping
air which, in turn, traps heat – making it a great insulator. So, you can get the same insulation
using less material, which saves space and costs.
(BBC Bitesize)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/aqa/energy/heatrev6.shtml
Slide 15:
Does anyone know what this is?
It’s a termite mound. These clever insect homes self-cool. Because they are not an aerodynamic
shape they catch the wind and channel the cool breeze through their structure.
Heating and cooling are make up much of the energy usage in buildings.
For the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe, engineers copied the termite mound
technology and were able to reduce the energy needed to heat and cool this building by 90%.
Slide 16:
This is a box fish – it has a large body but swims very fast because it has very low drag.
Does anyone remember what drag is? We learned about it earlier with the shark.
Drag is air or fluid resistance to motion, and incredibly this car has the lowest drag ever tested!
Can you guess what the designers used as inspiration?
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Slide 17:
Road studs (commonly known as Cats Eyes™) are not visible in the day but reflect car
headlights in the night and in fog.
This is of big benefit to road safety so drivers can see where the road goes but and do not
need electricity to run.
The idea originally occurred to Percy Shaw when he used the polished steel of disused
tramlines as markers in the road as markers. The form of the design was inspired by the eye
shine reflection of cats.
Slide 18:
Here is the Bullet train – it travels at more than 200mph.
When it was first designed, the problem was that when it left tunnels it made an extremely
loud bang (due to rapid changes in air pressure).
So, designers looked to the kingfisher bird for inspiration. It dives into the water to catch fish
and makes almost no splash and they copied it’s shape.
This train is now quieter and it can go faster using less energy.
Slide 19:
Here we have the Morpho butterfly. Do you think there is any blue pigment in the
butterfly’s wings?
Light is made up of many colours and the butterfly’s wings are actually made of super fine,
overlapping scales, which reflect and intensify the blue light.
Films for windows have been developed on the same principle – by reflecting the
wavelengths of radiation which heats up buildings so that less energy is used on air
conditioning in hot weather.
Slide 20:
Here is our last example, the colours and patterns on the forest floor are random and
removing one leaf or twig does not effect the overall image.
In the same way, these modular floor tiles can be individually replaced with no impact on the
pattern across the room (this is good for classrooms if you spill something).
This flooring, inspired by nature, is called interface carpet.
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Slide 21:
Students can use the worksheets provided to record their ideas.
They should pick an area of the 3M Worldlywise town plan to start from and see if they can
apply the examples we have covered.
Can they think of any ideas themselves?
Share these as a class and discuss the benefits of the ideas to our everyday lives.
Do any of the ideas have a sustainability benefit?
Slide 22:
Useful websites:
www.3Mworldlywise.co.uk
Find out more about other science and maths topics linked to sustainability with our online,
learning resource.
www.asknature.org
AskNature is project from the Biomimicry Institute where scientists and engineers can share
knowledge and anyone can search a dictionary of natural ideas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8w4BwhTvEr8
For a video on 3M Riblet material by BMW ORACLE Racing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l1vHc6ZEOc
Grand Designs video
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomimicry
Definition of biomimicry from Wikipedia
Earth from space
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Earth_from_Space.jpg
This file is in the public domain because it was created by NASA.
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Slide 23:
(Students can use the worksheets provided to record their ideas.
They should pick an area of the 3M Worldlywise town plan to start from and see if they can apply the
examples we have covered.
Can they think of any ideas themselves?
Share these as a class and discuss the benefits of the ideas to our everyday lives.
Do any of the ideas have a sustainability benefit?)
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Photo acknowledgments:
Slide 3:
Lotus flower
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lotus_Flower_in_Konka.JPG
Photographer: Marathi Mulgaa. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License,
Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the
license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
Burdock
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Burdock2.jpg
Paul Henjum, the copyright holder of this work, has released it into the public domain. This applies
worldwide.Sharkhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Haih.jpg
Author: ger1axg@web.de. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 1.0 Generic license
Kingfisher
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Malachite_Kingfisher.jpg
Photographer: Birdman1. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this
document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant
Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
Butterfly
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hunawihr-morpho-butterfly.jpg
Photographer: Stevenj. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2
or any later version
published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the
section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
Slide 4:
Shark
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Haih.jpg
Author: ger1axg@web.de. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 1.0 Generic license
Slide 5:
Shark skin (dermal denticles)
Z600/0168
Spiny dogfish skin, SEM
EYE OF SCIENCE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Spiny dogfish skin. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of scales from the skin of the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias). These sharply pointed placoid
scales are also known as dermal teeth or denticles. They give the fish's skin the feel of sandpaper. The tip of each scale is made of dentine overlayed with dental
enamel. The lower part of each scale, which anchors it into the skin, is made of bone. The scales disrupt turbulence over the skin, considerably reducing the drag on
the fish as it swims.
This design has been investigated by engineers for use on the surfaces of aircraft and boats. Magnification: x60 when printed 10cm wide.
Aeroplane
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jet2_aeroplane_landing_at_EDI.jpg
This image has been (or is hereby) released into the public domain by its author, Colin Angus Mackay at the English Wikipedia project. This applies worldwide.
Slide 6:
Wind turbine
From 3M Digital Media Repository
Sailing
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Americascup20.jpg
Gonçalo Ferreira, the copyright holder of this work, has released it into the public domain. This applies worldwide.
Swimwear
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Unveiling_of_LZR_Racer_in_NYC_2008-02-13.jpg – OK quality?
This file is in the public domain because it was created by NASA. NASA copyright policy states that "NASA material is not protected by copyright unless noted".
Slide 8:
Lotus flower
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lotus_Flower_in_Konka.JPG
Photographer: Marathi Mulgaa. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License,
Version 1.2 or any later
version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover
Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
Slide 9:
Lotus flower – as in Slide 8
Water droplets
Photographer: William Thielicke, w.th@gmx.de
Slide 10:
From 3M Digital Media Repository
Slide 11:
Burdock – as per slide 3
Golf glove
http://www.3mselect.co.uk/p-468-greptile-grip-leather-golf-glove-lh-large.aspx
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Photo acknowledgments:
Slide 14:
Llamas
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Llama_de_Bolivia_(pixinn.net).jpg
Photographer: Christophe Meneboeuf. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Sheep
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sheep.jpg
Photographer: Jörg Groß. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
Thinsulate
3M Digital Media Repository
Skier
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Skilaeufer_Alpin.jpg
Photographer: Florian Lindner. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License,
Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of
the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
Wool
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Royal_Winter_Fair_Wool_2.jpg
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 license.
Slide 15:
Termite hill
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Exmouth_caperange_termitehill.jpg
Photographer: Summi. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version
1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the
license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
Eastgate Shopping Centre, Harare
http://www.asknature.org/product/373ec79cd6dba791bc00ed32203706a1#changeTab
Photographer: Mandy Patterson. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
Slide 16:
Boxfish
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boxfish.jpg
Photographer: Suneko. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
Car
Copyright Mercedes-Benz
Slide 17:
Cat
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eyeshine-BW-cat.jpg
Una Smith, the copyright holder of this work, has released it into the public domain. This applies worldwide.
Slide 18:
Kingfisher
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Malachite_Kingfisher.jpg
Photographer: Birdman1. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License,
Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of
the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
Bullet train
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shinkansen_800_Series_Exterior.jpg
Photographer: SElefant. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version
1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the
license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
Slide 19
Morpho butterfly:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hunawihr-morpho-butterfly.jpg
Photographer: Stevenj. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version
1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the
license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
Slide 20:
Autumn leaves
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Autumn_leaves_on_ground.jpg
Photographer: Shahram Sharif. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
School carpet
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ashs-learning-common-miro.jpg
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
Slide 22:
Earth
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Earth_from_Space.jpg
NASA’s Earth Observatory
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