Specialist Short Courses 2017 organized by the International Society of Bionic Engineering (ISBE) were successfully held in Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Lanzhou, China on July 27-28, 2017. The courses were presented by Prof. Julian Vincent of Oxford University and Prof. Jianqiao LI of Jilin University. A total of 34 scholars and postgraduates attended the courses.  

During the two days’ workshop, the innovative teaching methods including specialist tutelage, classroom interaction, practical experience, and group presentation were adopted. Prof. Vincent and Prof. Li showed a method for identifying and solving trade-offs in biology and engineering, and the students attended the courses were able to design novel products based on biological systems using such a method. After the courses, Prof. Vincent issued the certificates to all the students.  

This workshop not only provided good opportunities for attendees to learn the basic methods and skills of biomimetics, but also established a platform for academic exchange and cooperation. It was a memorable event to popularize bionic science and technology, spreading its ideas, methods and spirits, and accelerating the pace of academic research and development.