Invention and Evolution Design in Nature and Engineering [Paperback]

An extensively revised introduction for engineering students to design for function.This introduction to design for function uses many examples of manufactured artifacts and living organisms to demonstrate common themes and fundamental principles. The updated edition includes more examples and a new chapter with actual design case studies.This introduction to design for function uses many examples of manufactured artifacts and living organisms to demonstrate common themes and fundamental principles. The updated edition includes more examples and a new chapter with actual design case studies.This textbook provides an introduction to design for function, using many examples of manufactured artifacts and living organisms to demonstrate common themes and fundamental principles. Examples forcefully illustrate the importance of the basic design principles related to material properties, physical principles, and energy expenditure. The author also discusses the relation of aesthetic and functional design, the crucial connection of design to production in artifacts, and reproduction in organisms. The author has thoroughly updated this second edition with more examples and a new chapter with actual design case studies to illustrate key ideas. In addition, the text contains many new exercises that reinforce important points in the text.'Preface to the second edition; Preface to the first edition; Acknowledgements; 1. The designed world; 2. Energy; 3. Materials; 4. Mechanism; 5. Structures; 6. Systems; 7. The practice, principles and philosophy of design; 8. Economy, form and beauty; 9. Production, reproduction, evolution and design; 10. Designing and inventing; 11. Some case studies; Questions; Answers; Suggestions for further reading; Index. ...the book succeeds admirably...gives a sufficiently broad treatment of design principles to be recommended for use far beyond the shores of Great Britain. Coverage is both fresh and nontrivial. R. J. Foster, Applied Mechanics RevilG