How and when can patterns in nature actually be used in a practical situation?

Question

I am unsure of when and how to use patterns in nature in a practical situation. They seem to have only specific natural uses. Von Karmen pattern is created by a stationery object in a moving flow (like the knot in wood)

These patterns occur naturally, when and how could I use them practically.

Answer 1

Camouflage !

Or try looking at the source for VELCRO

Answer 2

What do Von Karmen pattern's and wood knots have to do with each other and how do they relate to the question? Are you interested in similar phenomenons in different mediums?

Trying to apply a pattern in found in nature to something not found in nature would be by definition biomimicry. Camouflage is a perfect example of a pattern found in nature, that is used in a practical situation (hunting and military).

Other than aesthetic reasons, a knot isn't good for much. It weakens the wood that it is in, makes it less useful.

The limbs of trees grow much in the same way a fractal does. If you wanted to develop a sun shade you could make it look like a tree from underneath.

Or are you looking for something more along the lines of this. Using the helix/corkscrew like structure and using it to hold water for an astronaut.

http://technology.newscientist.com/artic...