bi⋅on⋅ics
[bahy-on-iks] 
) | the study of how humans and animals perform certain tasks and solve certain problems, and of the application of the findings to the design of electronic devices and mechanical parts. |
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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| bi·on·ics (bī-ŏn'ĭks) n. (used with a sing. verb) Application of biological principles to the study and design of engineering systems, especially electronic systems. [bi(o)- + (electr)onics.] |
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Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Main Entry: bi·on·ics
Pronunciation: bI-'än-iks
Function: noun plural but singular or plural in construction
: a science concerned withthe application of data about the functioning of biological systems to the solution of engineering problems
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bionics bi·on·ics (bī-ŏn'ĭks)
n.
The science of biological functions and mechanisms as analogous to electronics, using knowledge of human and other animal systems to devise improvements in various machines, especially computers.
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| bionics (bī-ŏn'ĭks) Pronunciation Key
The use of a system or design found in nature, such as the ability of plants to store solar energy or the aerodynamic design of bird wings, as a model for designing machines and other artificial systems. |
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bionics
science of constructing artificial systems that have some of the characteristics of living systems. Bionics is not a specialized science but an interscience discipline; it may be compared with cybernetics. Bionics and cybernetics have been called the two sides of the same coin. Both use models of living systems, bionics in order to find new ideas for useful artificial machines and systems, cybernetics to seek the explanation of living beings' behaviour.
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