"Biologically Inspired Design" Focus of Polytechnic Institute of NYU Lecture and Workshop, July 20

Polytechnic Contact: John Kelly | 718.260.3792 | jfkelly@poly.edu

Polytechnic Institute of NYU will host a one-day workshop and lecture on biologically inspired design on Monday, July 20, 4 to 6:30 p.m., at the institute’s Brooklyn campus (Jacobs Academic Building, Room 474, Six MetroTech Center). Subways: A, C, F (Jay St.-Borough Hall); 2, 3, 4, 5 (Borough Hall); M, R (Lawrence Street-MetroTech); Q, B (DeKalb Ave.)

Biologically inspired design (BID) uses biological principles in engineering and design with the potential to create more efficient and eco-friendly structures. Biological systems have movement and sensing capabilities that generally exceed that of human-built systems. In addition to the large-scale sustainability model of natural ecosystems, the process of evolutionary adaptation represents millions of years of “design concept testing.” Under BID research, scientists are examining these adaptations and seeking ways to apply them, in concert with modern engineering solutions, to create a range of breakthrough products and structures.

The lecture and workshop will be led by Dr. Jeannette Yen, director of Georgia Tech’s Center for Biologically Inspired Design and a professor of biology.

The forum is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact TC Westcott at westcott@poly.edu. Reporters interested in attending should contact John Kelly at jfkelly@poly.edu or 718.260.3792. For directions, go to http://www.poly.edu/directions/.

Editor’s Note:
Polytechnic Institute of NYU (formerly Polytechnic University) was formed as an affiliate of New York University on July 1, 2008. One of the nation’s oldest private engineering universities, Polytechnic was founded in 1854 in Brooklyn, New York.