Biological Principles and Metrics for Sustainable Industrial Network Design

该项目的重点是将生物启发的原则应用于工业资源网络，并为设计创建关系和指标。该项目被设想为一个全面的，跨学科的方法来调查生物网络的效率和翻译的相关机制到工业资源网络的模型。 该研究的重点是减少与涉及工业网络的人类活动有关的环境负担和成本。其目的是为工业领域内的网络设计提供实质性的量化指标。 该项目的目标是从根本上理解为什么应用生态原则和模式会导致环境上优越的上级工业资源网络，该项目的目标是以具体任务为基础，逐步建立知识基础，最终通过强有力的工业案例研究进行验证。 通过以生物为灵感的工业网络设计来减少环境负担的影响将是巨大的。利用案例研究将加强对工业部门的宣传，并提供双赢的工业生态范例。 该项目旨在系统地建立已建立的关系，包括工业合作伙伴关系和教育计划，将生物学学生和工程师等聚集在一起。 布鲁斯K.汉密尔顿2/24/10

This project focuses on applying bio-inspired principles to industrial resource networks and to creating relationships and metrics for design. This project is envisioned as a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to an investigation of biological network efficiencies and translation of the pertinent mechanisms into models for industrial resource networks. The research is focused on reducing the environmental burden and cost associated with human activities involving industrial networks. The intention is provide substantive quantifiable metrics for the design of networks within the industrial domain. The project goal, to achieve a fundamental understanding of why the application of ecological principles and patterns leads to environmentally superior industrial resource networks, is grounded in specific tasks that progressively build the foundation of knowledge, culminating in verification through robust industrial case studies. The impact of the reduction of environmental burden through bio-inspired design of industrial networks promises to be significant. The use of case studies will enhance outreach to industrial sectors with win-win examples of industrial ecology. The project is designed to systematically build on established relationships including industrial partnerships and educational programs that bring together biology students and engineers and others. Bruce K. Hamilton2/24/10