Throughout history, the parallels between nature and human design, in mathematics, engineering and other areas, have inspired many leading thinkers. Today, the huge increase in biological knowledge and developments in design engineering systems, together with the virtual revolution in computer power and simulation modelling, have all made possible more comprehensive studies of nature.

Scientists and engineers now have at their disposal a vast array of relationships for materials, mechanisms and control. The resulting laws have been painstakingly assembled by observation and analysis and span the cosmic scale of space down to the molecular level of genetics. In particular, they have made us aware of the rich diversity of the natural world around us.

Aimed at providing researchers in this subject with fresh impetus and inspiration, this book consists of papers presented at the Fifth International Conference on Design and Nature. The contributions reflect the rich variety of work currently taking place around the world and cover the following topics: Nature and Architecture; Mechanics in Nature; Natural Materials in Engineering; Solutions from Nature; Biomimetics; Biomimetics and Bioinspiration; Biocapacity; Education in Design and Nature.