12-30-2012, 12:05 PM
Although it seems quite impossible at a first glance, people in the future will walk just like insects and jellyfish will read the barcode. The swimmers will wear the costumes modeled on shark skin, and planes will mimic birds. It is going to be the era of useful technology tools developed on the models taken from living nature.
Regardless of the position, walking on the ceiling, a tree or a leaf, insects easily defy gravity and they don’t care whether they move through the rough, smooth, wet or dry surfaces. Insects have inspired researchers at the University of Kiel to invent the duct tape that can withstand the weight of a grown man. Since there is no glue, even after thousand removals it does not lose its adhesive properties.
Using genetic engineering, scientists have created artificial equivalents of millions of tiny hairs that insects have on their tiny legs. Because there are so many of them, insects easily grip and have an "intimate" contact with any surface, and the invented duct tapes are effective and even under the water, and leave no sticky trail. Tapes will not be expensive, and it will be commonly used in everyday life, robotics, and for building spaceships.
The synergy of technology and nature, which no longer play in opposite teams, is the new trend among scholars, and a new discipline, biomimicry, or bioinspiration uses nanotechnology to mimic efficient and sustainable solutions from nature. Therefore, the engineers at the University of York in England, mimicking the horns of a deer in the fight, have made the material that is both extremely rigid and very sturdy, and will in the future be used to make durable materials. Indian snail shell is also extremely durable, and there are already uniforms for soldiers and armored vehicles made using that principle.
Medusa Gives Laser Light
Protein that mimics the light was first discovered in 1961 in the luminous jellyfish, and scientists can now get laser light from living cells, which is highly effective for all forms of light therapy in medicine. Imitation of laser light could improve microscopes, and scanners at the box office or DVD players.
Bionic Car Mimics Goldfish
Mercedes engineers have made a concept car that mimics the form of tropical fish. Due to its advanced aerodynamics the car consumes 20 percent less fuel, and spends three liters to go 100 km.
Nice and Clean in a Dirty Pond
The lotus flower manages to live in dirty water and to nothing lose from its purity. It floats on the water regardless of the heavy rain that cannot soak it. Its leaf is covered with tiny protrusions that make the water to gather in droplets and on that way. The lotus effect has the potential to be applied to all types of cleaning, from shoes to cars.
Windmills Are Working 20 Percent Better Because of Whales
Another interesting application of biomimicry, or imitation of nature was successfully completed when the scientists investigated the behavior of humpback whales.
These huge animals are known for their songs which they spread through the depths of the ocean, but also smooth and agile behavior which allows them to easily move their heavier than 35 tons body. The secret is in the shape of their humpbacks and fin folds that up to 30 percent better utilize power stroke. This knowledge engineers have used to make highly efficient hydraulic turbines, windmills, irrigation pumps, huge fans and propellers. Drawing on the experience of humpback whales, newly designed turbines produce twenty percent more renewable energy.
Cold Air Under The African Sun
Millions of termites fried in the hotness under the African sun, in termite mounds have made cooling system with corridors and chimneys. For the architects in Zimbabwe, it was the inspiration to make a building designed to always maintain the ideal temperature naturally.
Swimsuit Modeled on Shark
The Olympic pool each thousandth of a second counts, and sporty swimsuit inspired by a shark makes a decisive advantage to competitors.
Airplane With Wings Modeled on Birds Is Flying Easier
Mimicking birds and fish, scientists from Penn State University in the United States invented the special airplane with wings that can change shape and position depending on the speed and duration of flight. Similarly like the wings of birds, artificial wings save energy and fuel significantly, and enable faster flight.
Regardless of the position, walking on the ceiling, a tree or a leaf, insects easily defy gravity and they don’t care whether they move through the rough, smooth, wet or dry surfaces. Insects have inspired researchers at the University of Kiel to invent the duct tape that can withstand the weight of a grown man. Since there is no glue, even after thousand removals it does not lose its adhesive properties.
Using genetic engineering, scientists have created artificial equivalents of millions of tiny hairs that insects have on their tiny legs. Because there are so many of them, insects easily grip and have an "intimate" contact with any surface, and the invented duct tapes are effective and even under the water, and leave no sticky trail. Tapes will not be expensive, and it will be commonly used in everyday life, robotics, and for building spaceships.
The synergy of technology and nature, which no longer play in opposite teams, is the new trend among scholars, and a new discipline, biomimicry, or bioinspiration uses nanotechnology to mimic efficient and sustainable solutions from nature. Therefore, the engineers at the University of York in England, mimicking the horns of a deer in the fight, have made the material that is both extremely rigid and very sturdy, and will in the future be used to make durable materials. Indian snail shell is also extremely durable, and there are already uniforms for soldiers and armored vehicles made using that principle.
Medusa Gives Laser Light
Protein that mimics the light was first discovered in 1961 in the luminous jellyfish, and scientists can now get laser light from living cells, which is highly effective for all forms of light therapy in medicine. Imitation of laser light could improve microscopes, and scanners at the box office or DVD players.
Bionic Car Mimics Goldfish
Mercedes engineers have made a concept car that mimics the form of tropical fish. Due to its advanced aerodynamics the car consumes 20 percent less fuel, and spends three liters to go 100 km.
Nice and Clean in a Dirty Pond
The lotus flower manages to live in dirty water and to nothing lose from its purity. It floats on the water regardless of the heavy rain that cannot soak it. Its leaf is covered with tiny protrusions that make the water to gather in droplets and on that way. The lotus effect has the potential to be applied to all types of cleaning, from shoes to cars.
Windmills Are Working 20 Percent Better Because of Whales
Another interesting application of biomimicry, or imitation of nature was successfully completed when the scientists investigated the behavior of humpback whales.
These huge animals are known for their songs which they spread through the depths of the ocean, but also smooth and agile behavior which allows them to easily move their heavier than 35 tons body. The secret is in the shape of their humpbacks and fin folds that up to 30 percent better utilize power stroke. This knowledge engineers have used to make highly efficient hydraulic turbines, windmills, irrigation pumps, huge fans and propellers. Drawing on the experience of humpback whales, newly designed turbines produce twenty percent more renewable energy.
Cold Air Under The African Sun
Millions of termites fried in the hotness under the African sun, in termite mounds have made cooling system with corridors and chimneys. For the architects in Zimbabwe, it was the inspiration to make a building designed to always maintain the ideal temperature naturally.
Swimsuit Modeled on Shark
The Olympic pool each thousandth of a second counts, and sporty swimsuit inspired by a shark makes a decisive advantage to competitors.
Airplane With Wings Modeled on Birds Is Flying Easier
Mimicking birds and fish, scientists from Penn State University in the United States invented the special airplane with wings that can change shape and position depending on the speed and duration of flight. Similarly like the wings of birds, artificial wings save energy and fuel significantly, and enable faster flight.