Going back to nature

In the unstoppable advance of human technology, we are, somewhat ironically, discovering more and more ways in which nature has beat us to it. From the structural integrity of the honeycomb pattern to the aerodynamic shape of a whale's fin, nature has pretty much got it sorted.

If you can't beat them, join them. Using additive manufacturing, such as 3D printing, more and more companies are now trying to copy these natural patterns and structures to achieve technical or aesthetic improvements. This article published in 3D  Natives showcases a number of ways in which companies are doing just that, and benefitting from going back to nature.