Tag: biomimicry

Water fleas help curb the spread of algae. But fleas have also inspired an Australian research team hoping to guard implants against bacterial settlement. Fleas owe their jumping ability to resilin, an elastic protein that is highly resistant, non-toxic and biocompatible. Adapted as nano droplets with a large surface area and acting as a coating, the protein was 100% effective...

Folded cardboard paper protects objects during transit. Meanwhile, in Singapore a research team has taken its inspiration from the folds in elephants’ skin, features which prevent the endangered mammals from overheating. The idea? To use a similarly uneven surface to create sustainable, ‘cooling’ tiles. The team mixed mycelium with bamboo shavings, oats and water and shaped the mix into...

Fluorescent agents and enzymes can combine to detect pancreatic cancer. In breast cancer diagnosis, butterflies could have a contribution to make, according to a San Diego research team. Key here: the morpho butterfly, home to microscopic structures in its wings which cause them to shimmer blue when exposed to light. Collagen fibres in stained biopsy tissue also respond to...

Magnetic fields strengthen weakened skeletal muscles. Having a heart attack destroys countless heart muscle cells, which can ultimately lead to heart failure. But as a Dutch research team recently discovered, heart repair may one day be possible. The team took its inspiration from the zebrafish, which, unlike humans, is able to restore its damaged heart’s cells within two months....

Warmth stored in building walls can be converted into energy, while flexible solar modules keep interiors cool. Yet a research team from Germany is looking to regulate room temperatures without using electricity at all. Its shade-giving system for windows is modelled on movements found in woody fruits. Taking its cue from pine cone scales, the team developed a sheet...

A soap mix is helping to combat skin cancer. Sunscreen is useful there, too, but mostly not eco-friendly. Enter two Boston-based researchers who have pooled their knowledge of underwater molluscs to launch a new startup. Their experiments showed that colour pigments in squid or octopus could protect against the sun when combined with zinc oxide. After recreating the pigments...

Some glasses automatically adjust focus between near and distant objects. Many birds can see for miles while still recognising their immediate environment. Their retinas have a deep hollow, meaning they are more sensitive to light. With an additional fourth photoreceptor, they can also perceive blue, red, green and UV light. Inspired by this phenomenon, a Korean research team has...

Jellyfish could come in handy at crime scenes. Another marine creature has inspired a British research team currently developing a gripper for objects with dry, complex surfaces. The secret to an octopus’s tight grip is that it fills the tiny gaps between its suction cups and an uneven surface with mucus. Information the team used to build a pneumatically-driven...