Wild engineers

Melanie Farmer
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Nature
  • Updated Weekly

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.

Episodes

  1. Aug 26

    Ep 11 How Nature Maintains Function Through Rest

    How autumn, hibernation, and sleep reveal that rest is a designed cycle of renewal that protects future function. Function: Maintain function through cycles of rest andrenewal Biological models: Deciduous trees in autumn, hibernating mammals, human sleep Engineering translation: Planned shutdowns, project pauses, team resets, systems maintenance, and renewal cycles Sources / further reading• Carey HV, Andrews MT, Martin SL. Mammalian hibernation: cellular and molecular responses to depressed metabolism and low temperature. Physiological Reviews. 2003. 83(4):1153–1181. • Drew, K.L., Buck, C.L., Barnes, B.M., Christian, S.L., Rasley, B.T.and Harris, M.B. (2007), Central nervous system regulation of mammalian hibernation: implications for metabolic suppression and ischemia tolerance. Journal of Neurochemistry, 102: 1713-1726.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-4159.2007.04675.x • Estiarte M, Campioli M, Mayol M, Penuelas J. Variability and limits of nitrogen and phosphorus resorption during foliar senescence. Plant Commun. 2023. 4(2):100503. https://doi: 10.1016/j.xplc.2022.100503. Epub 2022 Dec 13. PMID:36514281; PMCID: PMC10030369. • Paller KA, Creery JD, Schechtman E. Memory and sleep: how sleep cognition can change the waking mind for the better. 2021, Annual Review of Psychology. 72:123–150. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010419-050815• Voumvourakis KI, Sideri E, Papadimitropoulos GN, Tsantzali I, Hewlett P, Kitsos D, Stefanou M, Bonakis A, Giannopoulos S, Tsivgoulis G, Paraskevas GP. The Dynamic Relationship between the Glymphatic System, Aging, Memory, and Sleep. Biomedicines. 2023 Jul 25. 11(8):2092. https://doi:10.3390/biomedicines11082092. PMID: 37626589; PMCID: PMC10452251. Image credits ·       Autumn leaves / sleeping man via Canva ·       Bears sleeping via Alamy Stock Photo ·       Data centre, mechanic, and conference via Canva Written and produced by Melanie Farmer. Podcast: Wild Engineers. For learning and inspiration. Music and production completed in Movavi 2026. Please validate any design application for technical use.

  2. Aug 19

    Ep 10 How Nature Maintains Stable Flow in Dynamic Conditions

    How Humpback whales inspired a revolution in wind turbine design when we learned from their pectoral flippers. Function: Maintain stable, efficient flow in dynamic conditions Biological model: Humpback whale pectoral flippers Engineering translation: Whale-inspired wind turbine blades Sources / further reading • Hamilton T. Whale-Inspired Wind Turbines. MIT Technology Review. 2008. https://share.google/nO0rAZrZbgF9YFDdI • Lane P. Whales inspire better blade designs. The Christian Science Monitor. 2008. https://share.google/14JLxxxXfmQUfmviP • McLeod M. WHALE of an idea. Design Engineering. 2010;56(5):28. https://share.google/cOIAdKgNwah7WhRco • Salgueiredo CF, Hatchuel A. Beyond analogy: A model of bioinspiration for creative design. AI EDAM. 2016;30(2):159–170. https://share.google/ITH6sdq4Yl7rgrui5 Image credits • Humpback whale via Envato • Wind turbine Tubercle Technology via Whale Power corporation Written and produced by Melanie Farmer. Podcast: Wild engineers. For learning and inspiration. Music and production completed in Movavi 2026. Please validate any design application for technical use.

    Ep 10 How Nature Maintains Stable Flow in Dynamic Conditions

  3. Aug 12

    Ep 9 How Nature Prevents Systems from Being Ignored

    How economists in Ho Chi Minh city changed how we think about alerts in critical infrastructure after studying the Madagascan hissing cockroach. Function: Prevent systems from being ignored over time Biological model: Madagascan hissing cockroach and adaptive signalling Engineering translation: Adaptive hospital nurse-call alarm design Sources / further reading • Cobus V, Heuten W. To beep or not to beep? Evaluating modalities for multimodal ICU alarms. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction. 2019;3(1):15. https://share.google/uzCZzmFPXLXKPXT1n • Edworthy J. Medical audible alarms: a review. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. 2013;20(3):584–589. • Howell J, Knight V. Quieter nurse call system to reduce alarm noise in hospitals. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics. 2024;318:2–5. https://share.google/Phyj6HWFTmOpqKF9j • Rauland Australia. Reducing alarm fatigue in hospitals: a quieter approach with Concentric Care. 2024. https://share.google/tfZVygRKuuoGI8Ekm • Triet LM, Truong Thinh N. Mitigating Neural Habituation in Insect Bio-Bots: A Dual-Timescale Adaptive Control Approach. Biomimetics. 2026;11(1):13. https://share.google/mNyQxKVCIBkdsg4ZY Image credits • Cockroaches, Miskolci Állatkert via Miskolc Zoo • Hospital via Envato Written and produced by Melanie Farmer. Podcast: Wild engineers. For learning and inspiration. Music and production completed in Movavi 2026. Please validate any design application for technical use.

    Ep 9 How Nature Prevents Systems from Being Ignored

  4. Aug 5

    Ep 8 How Nature Distributes Energy Reliably

    How the US Department of Energy reduced power outage restoration time by about 50% by applying lessons from leaves. Function: Distribute energy reliably during disturbances Biological model: Leaf vein networks Engineering translation: Self-healing electrical networks / FLISR Sources / further reading • Brodribb TJ, Bienaime D, Marmottant P. Revealing catastrophic failure of leaf networks under stress. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2016;113(17):4865–4869. https://share.google/mxCrrVx0PgH7WakAS • Pratt A, Engel D, Jain R, et al. Defining a Use Case for the ADMS Test Bed: Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration. National Renewable Energy Laboratory; 2021. https://share.google/ITI5PCyETYRe897s4• Sack L, Dietrich EM, Streeter CM, Sanchez-Gomez D, Holbrook NM. Leaf palmate venation and vascular redundancy confer tolerance of hydraulic disruption. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2008;105(5):1567–1572. https://share.google/QcJGtjSVPsGM3T8yQ • U.S. Department of Energy. Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration Technologies Reduce Outage Impact and Duration. 2014. https://share.google/9NwdowaQxNDAWrKDg • U.S. Department of Energy. Final Smart Grid Investment Grant Program Report. 2016. https://share.google/1vdJ1eMX6gFfTZ134 Image credits • Leaves via Canva • Power station via Canva Written and produced by Melanie Farmer. Podcast: Wild engineers. For learning and inspiration. Music and production completed in Movavi 2026. Please validate any design application for technical use.

    Ep 8 How Nature Distributes Energy Reliably

  5. Jul 29

    Ep 7 How Nature Moves Air Passively

    Discover the secret to the Swiss Re Building (nicknamed the Gherkin) in London of how to significantly reduce wind drag by learning from ocean sponges. Function: Move air passively Biological model: Venus’ flower basket sponge Engineering translation: 30 St Mary Axe / the Gherkin Sources / further reading • Adrian, B. 2001. Shape and Structure, From Engineering to Nature. Entropy. International and Interdisciplinary Journal of Entropy and Information Studies. 3:10:3390/e3050293.https://share.google/qYRGxubisZaDMYany • Foster + Partners. Environmental strategy for 30 St Mary Axe. 2004. https://share.google/v4TSidaU65MZQ29b4 • Pawlyn M. Biomimicry in Architecture. RIBA Publishing; 2011. https://share.google/fzrZ0OefoK2lfLZAV Image credits • Sponge with crab, NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, Gulf of Mexico 2012 Expedition via Wikipedia • 30 St Mary’s Axe building full view via Wikimedia Written and produced by Melanie Farmer. Podcast: Wild engineers. For learning and inspiration. Music and production completed in Movavi 2026. Please validate any design application for technical use.

    Ep 7 How Nature Moves Air Passively

  6. Jul 22

    Ep 6 How Nature Manages Waste

    How cow’s stomachs inspired the design of a zero power, zero odour and zero chemical sewage treatment plant in India. Function: Manage waste Biological model: Cow stomach compartments and rumen microbiota Engineering translation: ECOSTP sewage treatment system Sources / further reading • Appels,L., Baeyens, J, Degrève,J,, & Dewil,R. 2008. Principles and potential of the anaerobic digestion of waste-activated sludge. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science. 34:6:755-781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2008.06.002. https://share.google/2RbH6WTvrTuxLynpr • Metcalf & Eddy. Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Resource Recovery. 2014. https://share.google/Ma1khM8anLxRmGJFx • Perez, H. G., Stevenson, C. K., Lourenco, J. M., & Callaway, T. R. 2024. Understanding Rumen Microbiology: An Overview. Encyclopedia, 4(1), 148-157. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4010013. https://share.google/Eisaa8O3MCLEOCXi9 • Van Soest PJ. Nutritional Ecology of the Ruminant. Cornell University Press; 1994. https://share.google/O2hWmaSlyaRyjR3q8 • Xu Q, et al. Gut Microbiota and Their Role in Health and Metabolic Disease of Dairy Cow. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2021;8:701511. https://share.google/YxxwNM4aQVjtCzO81 Image credits • Cow diagram, illustration adapted from Graham's family Dairy • ECOSTP Antharam, via Organo Written and produced by Melanie Farmer. Podcast: Wild engineers. For learning and inspiration. Music and production completed in Movavi 2026. Please validate any design application for technical use.

    Ep 6 How Nature Manages Waste

  7. Jul 15

    Ep 5 How Nature Moves Fluids

    How a city in California stabilised chlorine levels in water 87% faster than conventional methods, inspired by seashells. Function: Move fluids Biological model: Logarithmic spirals and vortices in nature Engineering translation: Pax Impeller® and the Thousand Oaks water case study Sources / further reading • Bejan A. The Physics of Life: The Evolution of Everything. 2016. https://share.google/OjFZVJZpxo3F58JKC • City of Thousand Oaks case study on Pax mixer performance. https://cleanwater1.com/pax-mixers • Harman J. The Shark’s Paintbrush. 2000. https://share.google/XtwGscrlkDAgCI4xx • Pax Scientific. Innovative Technology: How the Pax Impeller Works. https://paxscientific.com/water-tech • Vogel S. Life in Moving Fluids. Princeton University Press; 1994. https://share.google/MlCCBYrLMDXvyaqSa Image credits • Spiral shell via Canva • Impeller via Pax Scientific via AskNature.org Written and produced by Melanie Farmer. Podcast: Wild engineers. For learning and inspiration. Music and production completed in Movavi 2026. Please validate any design application for technical use.

    Ep 5 How Nature Moves Fluids

  8. Jul 8

    Ep 4 How Nature Maximises Strength with Minimal Material

    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 Weight Minimization of a Variable Tapered Span-Morphing Wing for Aerodynamic Performance Improvements. Biomimetics. 2021;6(4):55. https://share.google/kAtasd2IGKmRoOvYy • Zhu JH, Zhang WH, Xia L. Topology Optimization in Aircraft and Aerospace Structures Design. Archives of Computational Methods in Engineering. 2016;23:595–622. https://share.google/fHZNqODNsBG8s7A9g Image credits • Bone via Canva• A380, Keta via Wikimedia Written and produced by Melanie Farmer. Podcast: Wild engineers. For learning and inspiration. Music and production completed in Movavi 2026. Please validate any design application for technical use.

    Ep 4 How Nature Maximises Strength with Minimal Material

  9. Jun 30

    Ep 3 How Nature Protects from Fire

    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/qAj9SpOmx1eZ5Z11o • Huss JC, et al. Temperature-induced self-sealing capability of Banksia follicles. 2018. https://share.google/111FL5JbKTnukWWM3 • Huss JC, et al. Protecting offspring against fire: Lessons from Banksia seed pods. 2019. https://share.google/w72njJAFMxvELUjEi Image credits • Banksia pod via Canva • Max Planck Institute, Jörg Abendrot via Wikimedia Written and produced by Melanie Farmer. Podcast: Wild engineers. For learning and inspiration. Music and production completed in Movavi 2026. Please validate any design application for technical use.

    Ep 3 How Nature Protects from Fire

  10. Jun 30

    Ep 2 How Nature Reduces Acoustic Impact

    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. Repeated evolution of drag reduction at the air-water interface in diving kingfishers. Journal of the Royal Society Interface. 2019;16(154):20190125. https://share.google/3V3kDtxWmdsUXwgWw • Kikuchi, Katsuhiro & Iida, M. & Fukuda, T.. (2011). Optimization of Train Nose Shape for Reducing Micro-Pressure Wave Radiated from Tunnel Exit. Low Frequency Noise, Vibration and Active Control. 30. 1-19. 10.1260/0263-0923.30.1.1. https://share.google/6Otr8SZap2VH4ZkcB • Fish FE, Lauder GV. Passive and active flow control by swimming fishes and mammals. Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics. 2006;38:193–224. https://share.google/fYrmvrEYY77IzQdz8 • Lovvorn JR, Jones DR. Body mass, volume, and buoyancy of some aquatic birds, and their relation to locomotor strategies. Canadian Journal of Zoology. 1991;69(11):2888–2892. https://share.google/R7gVqSL4GfjcE0JLM • Vogel S. Life in Moving Fluids: The Physical Biology of Flow. Princeton University Press; 1994. https://share.google/00fvyNg5U4vymwNQW Image credits • Kingfisher via Envato • Bullet train via Canva Written and produced by Melanie Farmer. Podcast: Wild engineers. For learning and inspiration. Music and production completed in Movavi 2026. Please validate any design application for technical use.

    Ep 2 How Nature Reduces Acoustic Impact

  11. Jun 30

    Ep 1 How Nature Regulates Temperature

    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 of Melbourne. Council House 2: A Case Study in Sustainable Design. 2006. https://share.google/3upSbenEaGzMV8jyf • Ocko SA, et al. Solar-powered ventilation of African termite mounds. Science. 2017;357(6354):1246–1249. • Pearce, M. Council House 2 (CH2), Melbourne. https://share.google/42wyEva35hRoCvrmq • Turner JS. The Extended Organism: The Physiology of Animal-Built Structures. Harvard University Press; 2000. https://share.google/hR0qVlViZJPUr0Nx5 Image credits • Termite via Canva • CH2 building, Nick Carson via Wikimedia Written and produced by Melanie Farmer. Podcast: Wild engineers. For learning and inspiration. Music and production completed in Movavi 2026. Please validate any design application for technical use.

    Ep 1 How Nature Regulates Temperature
  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Melanie Farmer
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Melanie Farmer
  • Show Website
    Wild engineers