(ARA) – When we look at the world around us, we see what has survived the test of time. In other words, nature doesn’t just show us results – it shows us the most optimal ideas available. As a result, scientists are creating more products that are inspired by nature.

Bio-inspiration, also known as biomimicry, is a discipline that studies and learns from nature’s best ideas to generate breakthrough products and technologies. A bio-inspired product isn’t necessarily a “green” or “natural” one. Instead, bio-inspiration is the concept of examining a system or process that occurs in nature, determining how it works, and then applying that for other purposes. The answers are already out there. Why not use them?

The world of bio-inspiration

Today, bio-inspiration is changing everything from the way we use energy to the materials that make our lives easier. Many well-known products that we already use are bio-inspired, for example:

* New display technologies, like that of a BlackBerry phone, were inspired by the way light shimmers from a butterfly’s wing.

* The large yet streamlined body of a boxfish inspired a new car, the Honda Insight, with incredibly low levels of drag.

* The way the denticles on a shark’s skin allow water to pass by more smoothly inspired the Speedo Fastskin swimsuit line that reduces drag.

Scientists are taking this trend one step further: they’re studying the human body at its best to help find solutions to the body’s problems and enhance the way that everyday health care products are developed.

An innovation in lens care Inspired by the eye

Bio-inspired materials and treatments are already making their way into all segments of health care. At Bausch + Lomb, eye health scientists have taken a deep look into the eye, tear film and the eyelids. They’ve studied how these natural structures maintain themselves to develop a new contact lens solution called Biotrue multi-purpose solution. Biotrue is inspired by the biology of your eyes, and is the only lens care solution in the U.S. that brings together three bio-inspired innovations:

* Has a lubricant found naturally in your eyes

* Matches the pH of healthy tears

* Keeps certain beneficial tear proteins active

By studying the tried and true answers already developed by nature, scientists are providing us with new innovations, and new health and beauty products.

Please visit www.biotrue.com for more information.