Engineering design inspired by and for nature

Creative and optimal design principles are informing the research programmes across Engineering. Examples include: (i) bridge designs that withstand better the vibrations caused by heavy traffic; (ii) active noise cancellers for aviation and manufacturing contexts; (iii) mobile telecommunications devices that can accurately decode messages using minimal computational resources; and so on. Natural scientists enhance the impact of new designs, through understanding real-world contexts in geological, geographical, zoological and botanical systems; through wide experience of specific habitats and environments; and through expertise in environmental policy design and governance that address the environmental and biodiversity agendas. Sustainability is the philosophy that unites design collaborations between Natural Sciences and Engineering. These design engagements range from the purely `technological' (such as telecommunications and transport networks) to purely `natural' systems (such as water and geological resources we wish to adapt and exploit sustainably). The E3 will help to position Ireland as a leader in sustainable technologies for transport, construction, renewables, water and crop resource management, embedded and mobile system design, manufacturing and aviation, and it will be informed by specialist experience in the developing world, through the design of off-grid devices such as the eternal candle and eternal stove.