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ABSTRACT So long as it avoids a Panglossian view of nature, the science of biomimetics has the potential to enrich many areas of technology. But accurate mimicry will require greater


understanding of natural mechanisms at the molecular scale. As this continues to unfold, emulation may increasingly give way to assimilation of biological machinery. Access through your


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Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Ball, P. LIFE'S LESSONS in design. _Nature_ 409, 413–416 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/35053198 Download citation * Issue


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