Melanie Farmer

Wild engineers

Science EN ↓ 4 episodes

Wild Engineers explores how nature solves the functions engineers care about most: regulating temperature, managing flow, strengthening structures, protecting from fire, and more. Hosted by Melanie Farmer, with Master’s degrees in Biomimicry and Managing Innovation, each episode translates biological strategies into practical engineering insight, with a focus on building services.

Author

Melanie Farmer

Episodes

Ep 4 How Nature Maximises Strength with Minimal Material 08.07.2026 4:10

How Airbus cut 1,000 kilos of weight from each A380 airplane, making them stronger in the process, by learning from bone structures. Function: Maximise strength with minimal material Biological model: Trabecular bone Engineering translation: Topology optimisation in aircraft structures Sources / further reading • Elelwi M, Botez RM, Dao TM. Structural Sizing and Topology Optimization Based on Weig...

Ep 3 How Nature Protects from Fire 30.06.2026 4:40

How Banksia shrubs inspired researchers to develop a solution where pine wood resists ignition even at 1008C. Function: Protect from fire Biological model: Oldman Banksia (Banksia serrata) follicles Engineering translation: Heat-activated self-sealing material concepts tested at the Max Planck Institute Sources / further reading • Australian Plants Society. Banksia serrata. https://share.google/qA...

Ep 2 How Nature Reduces Acoustic Impact 30.06.2026 3:10

How Kingfisher’s beaks changed the way we design fast trains cutting noise by up to 15 decibels. Function: Reduce acoustic impact Biological model: Kingfisher beak Engineering translation: Shinkansen bullet train nose redesign Sources / further reading • Biomimicry Institute. Kingfisher-inspired Shinkansen design. https://share.google/mzcDAhsClBNQKl8pV • Crandell KE, Howe RO, Falkingham PL. Repeat...

Ep 1 How Nature Regulates Temperature 30.06.2026 3:57

Discover how termites inspired an 82% drop in electricity use in the Australian-based CH2 building by designing smart chimneys just like termites. Function: Regulate temperature Biological model: African termite mounds Engineering translation: CH2 (Council House 2), Melbourne Sources / further reading • Arup. Biomimicry and the Built Environment. 2013. https://share.google/kBObCUIJzVvhhv95N • City...