More inventions inspired by nature? Here you go.
Sticky bras
A start-up company is working on a strapless bra that will cling to your skin the way a gecko clings to any surface.
Geckos have this sticky power due to Van der Waals interaction, forces that operate between molecules. Van der Waals forces can be felt only at nano- or microscales, but geckos have billions of microscopic hair-like structures on the bottoms of their feet that interact with surfaces in this way.
The Kellie K Apparel strapless bras incorporate patches that cling to skin via the same mechanism.
The same mechanism is used in artificial adhesives that can support weight far heavier than that of a gecko, yet release easily to allow smooth movement. These adhesives are used in a wide range of applications, from robots that can climb and pick up large objects, to stronger, waterproof surgical bandages.
Ouellette, J. (2015, 11 November). Super-stick gecko feet inspire strapless bra design. Gizmodo. Article available from http://gizmodo.com/super-sticky-gecko-feet-inspire-strapless-bra-design-1741835334.
Spanne, A. (2015, June 18). 5 Cool tech innovations ‘bioinspired’ by animals. Mentalfloss.com. Retrieved from http://mentalfloss.com/article/65181/5-cool-tech-innovations-bioinspired-animals.
Butterfly sunlight
The wings of large white butterflies reflect sunlight on their bodies until they are warm enough to fly away. Inspired by the way the V-shaped wings angle sunlight on the body between them, scientists are working on super lightweight ‘wings’ for solar panels that will concentrate sunlight more efficiently and be less costly than existing solar concentrators.
Solar concentrators—mirrors or other reflective materials—direct sunlight onto photovoltaic (PV) cells, where it is converted into electricity. These solar concentrators reduce the cost of the overall system by decreasing the need for expensive PV material. However, solar concentrators tend to be extremely heavy and costly. In contrast, butterfly wings are so reflective that they can warm the insect even on cloudy days, and so light that they tremble slightly.
Using real butterfly wings attached to solar cells, the scientists found that the wings increased output by 42%. Butterfly wings are so reflective because they contain a chemical compound called pterin, which is arranged in the scale cells of the wings in such a way that they reflect light. The challenge now is to replicate these wings in a material that is light and cost-effective to manufacture.
Teagle, A. (2015, August 20). Biomimicry: When sunbathing butterflies inspire solar technology. Daily Maverick. Retrieved from http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2015-08-20-biomimicry-when-sunbathing-butterflies-inspire-solar-technology/?utm_source=Daily+Maverick+Mailer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=First+Thing+with+John+stupart:+Tuesday,+2+September+2014&utm_term=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2015-08-20-biomimicry-when-sunbathing-butterflies-inspire-solar-technology/#.VwzDa3rD45x.
Mantis shrimp inspire football helmets
Mantis shrimp break open the shells of prey with a hammer-like appendage made from chitin fibres.
Chitin is found in many marine crustacean shells and insect exoskeletons; in the mantis shrimp, however, the fibres are arranged in a structure that resembles a spiral staircase. This helicoidal architecture can withstand repeated high-velocity blows by filtering out specific frequencies of waves, called shear waves, which are particularly damaging.
Scientists are now working on new types of composite materials that use similar filtering principles. These materials would be used in the aero and automotive fields, for body armour, and athletic gear, including football helmets. The material will be able to filter certain stress waves that would otherwise damage the material.
University of California—Riverside (2015, June 17). Mantis shrimp inspires new body armor, football helmet design. ScienceDaily. The article is available from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150617144502.htm.
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