Innovative nanomaterial inspired by butterfly wings offers colorful cooling solution
In a society plagued by increasing temperatures and concerns about the environment, biomimicry offers a game-changing solution to keeping cool. Scientists from Shenzhen University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University were inspired by the beautiful patterns found on butterfly wings and peacock feathers Read More...
These seaweed-inspired sensors use underwater currents to power themselves
Ocean protection increasingly relies on the internet of things (IoT) to gather essential data with the help of a variety of marine distributed sensors underwater. Most of these devices, however, have always been highly dependent on batteries, which need to be regularly changed or recharged. Read More...
Barnacle-inspired glue can stop bleeding in less than 30 seconds
Currently, most bleedings during surgery or traumatic injury are stopped with hemostatic agents, materials that induce the blood to clot. These, however, can take a few minutes to work and don’t always do their job properly if there’s too much blood, which can make it difficult to get adhesives Read More...
Lobster-inspired hydrogel could help build artificial tendons
Earlier this year, we shared a story about how lobsters are inspiring scientists to develop stronger 3D-printed concrete. In a similar manner, scientists are now turning to the intricate architecture of the crustacean’s underbelly to develop a strong and stretchy hydrogel-based material. The MIT Read More...
These circular eco-friendly companies are inspired by nature
What is good design? Iconic works of architecture and technology, such as Frank Lloyd Wright’s homes or an iPhone might come to mind first, but when it comes down to it, nothing can beat the evolutionary process of nature that has been refined for millennia. In nature, energy and materials Read More...
This is how lobsters are helping make 3D-printed concrete stronger
In recent years, 3D concrete printing has emerged as an attractive candidate to reimagine the construction industry — one of the biggest sources of environmental pollution in the world. But making concrete durable enough for building complex structures is still an obstacle. Seeking to overcome Read More...
This modular treehouse design was inspired by wasp nests
If you’ve ever wondered what tourist resorts might look like in the future, designs proposed for the Tree House Module contest may satisfy some of that curiosity in a rather enchanting way. One particular proposal tho stands out — a modular treehouse that is made up of two shelters inspired by Read More...
Device mimics photosynthesis to convert sunlight and CO2 into clean fuel
Producing clean fuels that have a minimal carbon footprint is an arduous task as current techniques also create by-products in the process, making it difficult and expensive to filter them out. That may no longer be the case soon thanks to a team of scientists from the University of Cambridge who Read More...
Beetle that lives near volcanos inspires new eco-friendly cooling material
Heating and cooling systems are some of the biggest consumers of energy, so finding ways to passively cool buildings and electronics could be a huge saver of money and the environment. Now, thanks to a beetle that likes to hang out in some of the hottest places on Earth, scientists have Read More...
This wound-healing sticky tape was inspired by spiders in the rain
When it comes to design, there’s no better source of inspiration than nature. Recently, scientists at MIT took inspiration from spiders to create a double-sided tape that sticks body issues together after surgery. When it rains, spiders exude a special type of “glue” that allows them to Read More...