Creative people take inspiration from nature to solve difficult problems. This series of posts have pointed out examples. The previous posts can be found at Natural inspiration, Natural inspiration 2, Natural inspiration 3, Natural inspiration 4, Natural inspiration 5, and Natural inspiration 6.
Slug glue
Scientists are working on an experimental surgical glue inspired by the mucus secreted by slugs. Slugs produce a super-adhesive mucus as a defence mechanism.
The glue being developed is based on this mucus and might replace sutures and staples for closing wounds. The adhesive has already proved to attach strongly to pig skin, cartilage, tissue, and organs. It is also non-toxic to human cells.
While some medical glues exist, they are often not strong or flexible enough, and frequently cannot be used in wet conditions.
Slug mucus, in contrast, not only forms strong bonds on wet surfaces, but has a matrix that dissipates energy at the point of adhesion, making it highly flexible.
Source
Hirschler, B. (2017, July 27). Slug slime inspires new kind of surgical glue. Reuters. Retrieved 7 February 2018 from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-slugs-glue/slug-slime-inspires-new-kind-of-surgical-glue-idUSKBN1AC2VX
Image © Gregory Badon, Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slug#/media/File:Slug_in_VanDusen_Botanical_Garden.jpg
Eel electricity
Inspired by the electric eel—that produces short bursts of power to zap prey or defend itself—scientists are building flexible, transparent electrical devices as power sources for implanted health monitors, medicine dispensers, augmented-reality contact lenses, and countless other applications.
The soft cells, made of hydrogel and salt, could generate more than 100 volts, potentially strong enough to power a small medical device like a pacemaker. The cells produce a steady buzz of electricity at high voltage but low current, described as like a low-volume, high-pressure jet of water.
The bio-compatible devices would avoid the toxicity, bulk, or frequent recharging that come with batteries. In future, the technology could even lead to bioelectric systems that would generate electricity from naturally occurring processes inside the body.
Source
University of Michigan. (2017, December 13). Electricity, eel-style: Soft power cells could run tomorrow's implantables. ScienceDaily. Retrieved 7 February 2018 from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171213143706.htm
Octopus-like robot
The undulating, bones tentacles of an octopus can squeeze into virtually any space. Scientists are developing robotic surgical devices inspired by the octopus that can manoeuvre through tight passages in the body, assisting in minimally invasive surgeries.
The robotic surgical device, STIFF-FLOP, adjusts its texture and stiffness to prevent damage to tissue and organs. The device will minimize post-operative scarring and protect the patient's immune system.
BioRobotics Institute. (n.d.) STIFFness controllable flexible and learn-able manipulator for surgical operations. Retrieved 21 February 2018 from http://sssa.bioroboticsinstitute.it/projects/STIFF-FLOP
Spanne, Autumn. 5 Cool tech innovations "bioinspired" by animals. (2015, June 18). Mental Floss. Retrieved 21 February 2018 from http://mentalfloss.com/article/65181/5-cool-tech-innovations-bioinspired-animals
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