Since recorded history, people have looked to nature for knowledge. Today, the study of animals, insects, and plants has led to inventions such as improved solar panels, bird-safe glass, medical glue, and efficient wind turbines. The combination of basic research of nature and engineering applications is called bioinspiration as scientists and engineers collaborate on learning and applying nature’s secrets.
Despite the innovations, the future of bioinspiration is uncertain due to 55% budget cuts to the National Science Foundation (NSF). The funds remaining have been directed to AI and quantum computing.
There are many examples of present technology that we have gained from basic knowledge of nature. For example, by studying barnacles, scientists have developed new glues that create strong, waterproof adhesives for underwater use and medical applications, such as wound closure.
We all have been annoyed by burrs on our clothing. But this led to the invention of Velcro. Back in the 1940s, a Swiss inventor George de Mestral was curious about burdock burrs that stuck to his pants and his dog’s fur. He studied the burrs under a microscope and discovered thousands of tiny hooks. This insight and the use of nylon allowed him to develop a new kind of fastener, which he called Velcro.
When engineers in Japan created high-speed trains in the 1980s and 1990s, they encountered some problems with noise. When high-speed trains reached a tunnel exit, they created a sonic boom. Engineers discovered that kingfisher birds dive into the water at high speed and their beaks slip noiselessly into the water without so much as a splash. So, they modeled their trains after the kingfisher’s beak and solved the noise problem.
Butterflies offer several promising technological advances. Scientists have discovered cocoonase, an enzyme found in Bombyx and various butterflies and moths, which can break down blood clots. Another breakthrough involves adopting the wing design of the Blue Morpho butterfly. This allows researchers and engineers to generate an ultra-black material that boosts solar panel efficiency by 130%.
Researchers are looking at a protein called fibroin in silk for potential medical applications. By dissolving the fibroin protein in water and subsequently removing the water, they can create a versatile substance that is flexible for bandages or as hard as Kevlar for medical implants and screws. Because it is a natural material, it does not trigger inflammatory responses, making it well-suited for medicine.
Knowledge of whales has resulted in the redesigning ship hulls. Humpback whales have massive size knobs on the edge of their fins called tubercles. Scientists discovered that these tubercles keep by keeping water flowing smoothly over their fins, generating extra lift. The technology has been adopted to improve wind turbine blades, industrial ceiling fans, truck mirrors and even surfboards.
Sharkskin has a special pattern that helps them keep clean of algae and other hitch-hiking sea creatures. NASA copied the pattern to create a coating that was used on American sailing boats in the Olympics to help them glide faster through the water. The technology is also used for some competitive swimsuits.
Lotus leaves stay clean thanks to microscopic textures that repel water and dirt. Now there is a whole generation of self-cleaning paints, windows, fabrics, and solar panels that reduce grime buildup and cut down on maintenance.
Spider webs reflect ultraviolet (UV) light, which birds can see (but we cannot). This prevents birds from flying into spider webs. Using this principle, architects and engineers have developed glass with UV-reflective patterns to reduce bird strikes. The technology is now being used in office buildings, transit stations, and even residential homes.
Geckos climb smooth surfaces using sticky toes covered with hundreds of thousands of tiny hairs that create weak molecular attractions. Geckos can stick firmly and still lift their feet easily. Inspired by this, scientists made a fabric that mimics gecko feet; a piece the size of an index card can hold over 700 pounds on glass without leaving marks.
Termite mounds have been researched for both their ecological significance in the wild and their principles of construction have been applied to architecture. Modern buildings incorporate passive cooling systems inspired by termite mounds, employing ventilation techniques to maintain consistent indoor temperatures.
Adaptive camouflage refers to a camouflage that can alter its appearance based on the environment. Scientists developed this technology by learning how cephalopods (such as octopuses) adjust both their color and texture to match their surroundings.
The honeycomb pattern created by bees when building their hives has many applications. Every day we see its use in packaging materials and building construction.
There are many more technologies and medicines that we have developed from the study of nature. But the point is simple. We can learn from it, but it requires funding.
Let’s hope that funding for this research restarts soon.
Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.
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