A systematic approach for new technology development by using a biomimicry-based TRIZ contradiction matrix

Abstract

The concept of biomimicry is to bring innovative ideas from nature to find new solutions for technology development or product design. However, there are few studies on proposing a method that connects nature's solutions to technology development in a systematic manner. Since previous studies assume that nature is fundamentally different from technologies, biological approaches should be separated from a technological TRIZ to solve technological problems. This research aims at proposing a systematic process to construct a biomimicry-based TRIZ contradiction matrix that can be utilized to devise innovative ideas for new technology development by solving a contradictory problem based on biological solutions. To build a contradiction matrix that reflects both technological and biological views, inventive principles in biomimicry fields are extracted by text mining and matched in a cell of an existing TRIZ contradiction matrix by latent dirichlet allocation (LDA). In addition, a biomimicry-based technology development process is suggested by using 40 inventive principles, 39 engineering parameters of the TRIZ contradiction matrix, and biomimicry cases. The proposed approach can be used as a tool to assist practitioners in solving technological problems and developing new technology by considering biological solutions as well as technological solutions.