Abstract
This chapter discusses the historical origins of the concept of borrowing from nature and coining the science of bio-mimetics. The material also surveys examples of tribological systems in nature. Generation of design in natural systems (geometry, pattern, form, and texture) is shown to be holistic in essence. It synchronizes simple interaction of design constituents and efficient performance. Such an approach yields deterministic design outputs that while conceptually simple are of minimized energy footprint. Natural engineering, it is shown, seeks trans-disciplinary technically viable alternatives to our technological practices. These alternatives, given functional constraints, require minimum effort to construct and economize effort while functioning.