The Project
This collaborative project centered on immersing ourselves in the Biomimicry framework, which comprises three core principles: ethos, (re-)connect, and emulate. Through this, we aimed to craft solutions inspired by nature that align with the criteria of systemic sustainability. Our approach also encompassed a hands-on exploration of the four phases of the biomimicry thinking process – scoping, discovering, creating, and evaluating. This involved an in-depth study of how diverse organisms operate within their environments, understanding their strategies and mechanisms for adaptation and evolution, ultimately culminating in the development of functional prototypes
Function and Strategy
Mechanism -
Otters excel in extreme cold, enduring temperatures as low as -60°F compared to their own body heat. Sea otters boast twice the fur density of river otters, crucial for their semi-aquatic, food-seeking lifestyle. This specialized fur, composed of guard and under-hairs with interlocking, scale-like structures, forms a barrier against water and an insulating layer. The irregularly patterned scales, often with fourfold symmetry, trap air bubbles, enhancing thermoregulation. Otters dedicate significant time to grooming, maintaining this vital protective layer by removing debris and distributing sebaceous gland oils.
Function -
Cuticular structure creates a barrier to water because they have been adapted to interlock. Hairs become thicker distally and then tapper. Hair follicles rotated at a 45° so as to find the groves in adjacent hairs. Hairs bundle: 23-90 underhairs 1-3 guard hairs Piloerection of hairs to create air renewal
Strategy and Secondary design principle -
A two-layered hair structure keeps water out and traps air bubbles to provide an insulating layer.
Self-cleaning, cyclical system of a shifting direction malleable surface that captures or expels external agents
research and design brainstorm
After concluding our research on the function and strategy of River Otters' fur, we conducted an extensive examination of existing market products with similar functionalities. Subsequently, we identified potential opportunity areas where the fur's function and strategy could enhance or inspire the design of new products. Focusing on sanitation and hygiene challenges faced by evacuees in natural disasters emerged as a promising opportunity. Our research further directed our attention to the Caribbean regions affected by hurricanes for in-depth exploration.
problem statement
The 2021 World Risk Report highlighted the Caribbean as the world's second most vulnerable region to unpredictable natural disasters, particularly hurricanes and earthquakes. During such crises, densely populated emergency shelters house evacuees in close quarters, creating a high-risk environment for disease transmission. Shockingly, 60% to 80% of reported deaths among displaced populations, especially children under five, are due to infectious diseases. Despite available aid, uncertainties in accessing clean water and supplies, along with a lack of education on essential practices like hand-washing, hinder hygiene efforts.
Our primary research indicates that not all mothers consistently practice hand-washing after changing their child's diaper. In disaster situations with limited water resources, this essential practice becomes even less likely. The issue arises when the caretaker, having dealt with the child's waste, inadvertently becomes a potential carrier of infection and disease.
Contaminated hands can inadvertently transmit bacteria to others, either directly or indirectly through handling food, particularly during cooking, or by touching surfaces that retain the infectious agent. This creates a chain of potential infection, ultimately affecting individuals and potentially returning to the child the mother was initially trying to protect
Solution
The Lutra kit has two sections once unzipped. To the left, a chamber keeps the towelettes moist by capturing humidity in the atmosphere. Tucked into a front pocket of the humidity chamber rests an infographic to facilitate hygienic behavior changes in users. To the right, there is a chamber dedicated to the UV sanitation of the towelettes. The UV chamber features an indicator lock that prevents users from opening the container too early and visually notifies them when the towel is clean.
The towel itself mimics the otter's double-layered fur, trapping bacteria between the two layers. Unfortunately, this fabric doesn't exist now, but it would be possible to develop it, taking inspiration from micro-fiber towels, which pull dirt and bacteria from surfaces through synthetic strands.
MIT is researching how to adapt the otter's fur qualities to wetsuits, so a combination of both would result in the desired material effects of the Lutra towelette.
Addressed SDG’s
Targets: 3.2: end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age. 3.3: end epidemics including water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases. 3.4: reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-beingTargets: 6.2: adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all6.4: increase water-use efficiency across all sectors. 6.5: implement integrated water resources management 6.a & b: expand international cooperation, Support and strengthen the participationTargets: 11.5: significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters17.16 : Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries 17.3 : Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources
Conclusion
Though we focused on the Carribean, and the action of washing hands before and after the changing of a diaper during an emergency , the actual possible applications of Lutra are much broader than that. Even to mothers in wealthy countries or situations who might leave their houses for extended periods of time.
It is a tool that could be applied successfully in any resource deficient situation, when access to clean water is uncertain, and can be applied to more behaviors as well. Hand-washing before and after meeting other people, especially in a crowded area, hand-washing before handling food, hand-washing after going to the bathroom.
The Covid-19 epidemic has elevated the knowledge of the citizens of the world on the importance of this action, but there is still much more work to be done, and Lutra can be part of that solution, partnering with other brands and organizations seeking to see a change in the world, with cleaner, healthier people.
