長文読解（人文系・自然科学系の文章）- 問題52

The concept of biomimicry has emerged as one of the most promising approaches to sustainable innovation in the 21st century. This field involves studying nature's best ideas and then imitating these designs and processes to solve human problems. From the aerodynamic efficiency of bird wings inspiring aircraft design to the water-repelling properties of lotus leaves leading to self-cleaning surfaces, biomimicry has already produced remarkable breakthroughs.
One of the most successful examples is the development of Velcro, inspired by the way burr seeds stick to animal fur. Swiss engineer George de Mestral observed this natural phenomenon during a hiking trip in 1941 and spent years developing a synthetic version. Today, Velcro generates billions of dollars in revenue and has countless applications, from space suits to everyday clothing.
Recent advances in biomimicry focus on more complex biological systems. Researchers are studying the collective behavior of ant colonies to improve traffic flow algorithms, while the structure of shark skin has led to more efficient swimsuits and ship hulls. Scientists estimate that biomimicry could contribute over $425 billion to the global economy by 2030, demonstrating its potential to revolutionize multiple industries while promoting environmental sustainability.