Table of Contents

Section 1: Nature and architecture Mathematics and music: the architecture of nature; From bones to columns: deciphering the codes of structures in nature and architecture; Natural aggregation processes as models for architectural material systems; Structural morphology and self-organization; Tensegrity systems in nature and their impacts on the creativity of lightweight metal structures that can be applied in Egypt; An algorithm for constructing a truss network with the modular truss-Z system for pedestrian traffic in a 3D environment; Victoria regia's bequest to modern architecture; The relationship between green roofs and the thermal environment in Taipei city; The influencing factors of architectural composition and the arrangement of human settlement in Orchid Island; Green Corridors as a response for nature: greening Alexandria city by creating a green infrastructure network; The effect of atrium facade design on daylighting in atrium and its adjoining spaces; Passive solar design: where urban and building design meet Section 2: Mechanics in nature The hierarchical structure of seashells optimized to resist mechanical threats; Characteristic equations with solutions that contain nature's golden ratio; Biomechanical analyses of rat locomotion during walking and climbing as a base for the design and construction of climbing robots Section 3: Natural materials and processes Improvement of mechanical properties of long jute fiber reinforced polylactide prepared by injection molding process; Analysis of the stability of slopes reinforced by roots; Effect of grounded bone powder addition on the mechanical properties of cement mortar; Microbial fuel and chemical production using sweet potatoes Section 4: Solutions from nature Locomotion study of a single actuated, modular swimming robot; Rainwater retention capacity of green roofs in subtropical monsoonal climatic regions: a case study of Taiwan; Solutions from nature for building envelope thermoregulation Section 5: Biomimetics Further biomimetic challenges from the bombardier beetle: the intricate chemical production system; Biomimetics of sound production, synthesis and recognition; A novel fabrication set-up for the flexible production of silicone based EAP artificial muscleA" actuators; Pterodrone: a pterodactyl-inspired unmanned air vehicle that flies, walks, climbs, and sails; Relation between biomimetic and functional analysis in product design methodology; Material design of a biomimetic composite material used for a wooden building joint structure; Interaction between the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction and lipid membranes: a kinetic investigation Section 6: Biomimetics and bioinspiration - Special session chaired by F. Carpi and R. Erb Biomimetics: networking to turn scientific knowledge into beneficial practice; Electroactive polymer artificial muscles: an overview; A novel pneumatic actuator with Tensairity; Magneto-mechanical actuation model for fin-based locomotion; Bivalve burrowing robots: correlating shell morphology and movement pattern with burrowing efficiency; Plant movements as concept generators for deployable systems in architecture; Biomimetic fibre-reinforced composites inspired by branched plant stems; Fruit walls and nut shells as an inspiration for the design of bio-inspired impact resistant hierarchically structured materials; New attitude in polymers - self-healing; Biotemplating: polysaccharides in materials engineering; Biological lattices in fast self-repair mechanisms in plants and the development of bio-inspired self-healing polymers; Easing cracks with the Method of Tensile Triangles; Elastic architecture: nature inspired pliable structures; Abstraction of bio-inspired curved-line folding patterns for elastic foils and membranes in architecture; Challenging the engineering view: comparative analysis of technological and biological functions targeting energy efficient facade systems; Skin in architecture: towards bioinspired facades Section 7: Biocapacity Invaders decrease the structural complexity of the indigenous community of Chozas Lake; Socio-economic Design and NatureA": a possible representation through ecological footprint Section 8: Education in design and nature A living system for future engineers; The pedagogy of bio-design: methodology development; Biomimicry: nature's design process versus the designer's process; Archetypes of art and concepts of science as pathways from natural to engineering design Section 9: Helical design in nature, engineering and medicine: examples - Special session chaired by A. Carpi Natural and artificial helical structures; The vectorial organization of the human myocardium is designed for optimal electrical and contractile activity: clinical implications of its alterations