Butterfly wings are made of very thin layers of a hardened protein called chitin, which is also what your fingernails and toenails are made of. On top of the layers of chitin are microscopic scales. The scales on the wings are responsible for protecting and insulating butterflies and aiding in air flow along their wings during flight.

From the unusual patterns and shapes produced by the wings to the beautiful colors, it's hard to believe the photos taken under the microscope are of something from nature.

Looking the structure of the wings under microscope and trans­lating it into a human material, it comes very similar to the carbon fibers. Carbon fibers are essential for high performance, lightness and durability.

Taking the shape of the wing, translating it to high performance, aerodynamic bicycle and adding to that an new topology of the concept of the bicycle was the goal of this project. A time trial bicycle is a racing bicycle designed for use in an individual race against the clock. Compared to a road bike, a time trial bike is more aerodynamic, with shorter wheelbase and puts the rider closer to the front of the bicycle. Since the cyclist in a time trial is not permitted to draft (ride in the slipstream) behind other cyclists, reducing drag of the bicycle and rider is critical.

Nature has been developing for millions of years, and if we can add the experience that has been provided by nature, we would significantly improve.

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This project was done for VAN CLEEF & ARPELS PRIZE 2021 held in Dubai, UAE.